Ho Ho Hooo

I continue to roll out the vinyl records as my choices get interesting. My one hundred and second pick.

Artist - Melvins

Album - Houdini

Released - 1993

Label - Atlantic

Genre - Alternative Metal

Tracks:

Hooch

Night Goat

Lizzy

Going Blind

Honey Bucket

Hag Me

Set Me Straight

Sky Pup

Joan of Arc

Teet

Copache

Pearl Bomb

Spread Eagle Beagle

The fifth album by the Melvins, this one has some significance to it.  I mean, one, it was co-produced by Kurt Cobain (my favorite artist ever) and two, it's a fantastic record.  Back in 1993, the grunge movement was sweeping the nation and even the world with such artists as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden while here you have the Melvins with their alternative metal sound.  Forming all the way back in 1983 (I was 3 years old), Buzz and Dale have been the ongoing members ever since.  Still touring to this day, it's amazing that a band with such longevity can tour, perform and have such an amazing following, old and new.  

Enjoy!

After the Calm

In the aftermath of the milestone from yesterday, I decided to go with something more low-key, yet a bit hardcore.  For my one hundred and first pick.

Artist - Unwound
Album - Leaves Turn Inside You
Released - 2001
Label - Kill Rock Stars
Genre - Post-Hardcore


Tracks:
We Invent You
Look a Ghost
December
Treachery
Terminus
Demons Sing Love Songs
Off This Century
One Licks Less
Scarlette
October All Over
Summer Freeze
Radio Gra
Below the Salt
Who Cares

It's not that I'm being lazy about writing about this band, I'm a little exhausted.  I had quite a crazy day and it zapped my thought process.  So that being said, I will let you judge this album for yourself.  It's a pretty good album, but obviously, nothing like their earlier stuff.

Enjoy!

In All That Is GREAT and WONDERFUL

Okay, so I am amazed that I stuck to this because in the beginning I was thinking this was going to be the easiest thing in the world.  What's so hard about posting a record and writing about it, right?  WRONG!!!  It is a lot of work and when you travel you either have to plan ahead or double up when you get back.  PLUS picking a vinyl record a day is tough.  Though I am finally at my ONE HUNDREDTH pick, I am pretty happy about this blog.  To whoever reads this, this pick took a lot out of me when deciding what would be my 100th pick and I do have to classify this record as one of my top ten records of all time.  ALL TIME!!

Artist - Neutral Milk Hotel

Album - In the Aeroplane Over The Sea

Released - 1998

Label - Merge/Domino

Genre - Indie Folk

Tracks:

The King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. One

The King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

Two-Headed Boy

The Fool

Holland, 1945

Communist Daughter

Oh Comely

Ghost

Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two

WOW, listening to this again (though I've listened to it plenty of times) gives me chills.  I love when albums get me like that.  So artistic, so constructive, so PUT TOGETHER!!  Let's not forget the impeccable voice of Jeff Magnum.  This is such a deep album for me that I had to display it at a good number and this being my 100th record, why the f**k not now?  

A lot is said about this record with it's reference to Anne Frank, but I believe that since Jeff Magnum was such an interesting character and his love for that era, this was his way of showing it.  The tracks on this album, each and every one of them, are fantastic.  It's almost like this song is an ode to that, with each song and the album art mixed with today's music, you can't just write it off as just another album.  This is a frickin' amazing album!!!  Unfortunately this is the second and final album Neutral Milk Hotel made.  This album launched Jeff Magnum and Neutral Milk Hotel to be categorized as that band with a cult following.  Emerging here and there with solo stuff, Jeff Magnum has managed to keep himself hidden from the world.  As of late, he has toured and though I missed him when he came to Austin, I'd love to see him live.  I just would love to sit, hear his voice and close my eyes and think.

Enjoy!

Can't Get Enough

Yes, almost back to back, but not quite.  Ninety-Ninth:

Artist - Joy Division
Album - Closer
Released - 1980
Label - Factory
Genre - Post-Punk


Tracks:
Atrocity Exhibition
Isolation
Passover
Colony
A Means to an End
Heart and Soul
Twenty Four Hours
The Eternal
Decades

The second and final studio album by Joy Division, Closer marks a more dramatic event since being released.  Just two months prior, Ian Curtis, the lead singer, committed suicide.  Seeing as I just played another Joy Division record just a few days ago, it's obvious that I cannot get enough.  It's something about Ian Curtis' voice that I like or maybe it's the sound of each song that puts me in a certain mood.  I can tell you this though, this album has a bit of a darker tone that the previous.  Some might say it was purposefully done that way because they knew what was to come.  In a sense that I could kind of believe that, I would still think that making music or putting something into perspective could change ones decision about life and death, but then again you have the ones so far in they can't find a way out.

Break Ups Are Never Easy

Almost closing the gap to my first 100, so here you are, my ninety-eighth pick.

Artist - Handsome Furs
Album - Sound Kapital
Released - 2011
Label - Sub Pop
Genre - Indie/Electro Pop


Tracks
Side One
When I Get Back
Damage
Bury Me Standing
Memories of the Future
Serve The People
Side Two
What About Us?
Repatriated
Cheap Music
No Feelings

The third album by Handsome Furs, this duo delivers a great sound for what would be their last album together.  Since announcing their break up a few months ago (we all hope it's not a break-up of their marriage since Alexei and Dan are husband and wife in real life), Dan has gone to form a super group with Brit Daniels of Spoon.  Nevertheless, Sound Kapital will hopefully not be the end of a legacy for Handsome Furs, seeing as it is as fantastic sounding as their live performance.

Enjoy!

Since it's that time...

I believe the title of my ninety-seventh album does justice to today's festivities!!

Artist - Siinai
Album - Olympic Games
Released - 2011
Label - Splendour
Genre - Post-Rock


Tracks:
A
Anthem 1+2
Anthem 3
Marathon
Olympic Fire
B
Mt. Olympos
Finish Line
Munich 1972
Victory

Since today is the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, what better way to display today's pick than with this album by Finnish band Siinai.  Olympic Games is Siinai's debut album and it's a very interesting, ambient sounding album to say the least.  I was told to listen to this record with an open mind and I definitely am.  After giving it a good, thorough listen, I have to say that I do enjoy their sound.  It's like a moment of relaxation and a rhythm that puts you at ease.  A good listen indeed, you will not be disappointed with this record.

Enjoy!

Behind it All

A lot of things erie about this record but alas I will play and enjoy the sound.  Here's my ninety-sixth pick.

Artist - Joy Division
Album - Unknown Pleasures
Released - 1979
Label - Factory
Genre - Post-Punk


Tracks:
Outside
Disorder
Days of the Lords
Candidate
Insight
New Dawn Fades
Inside
She's Lost Control
Shadowplay
Wilderness
Interzone
I Remember Nothing

The debut album by Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures is one of those records you don't get tired of listening to.  It almost takes you to another place, mentally. The cover depicts 100 consecutive pulses from the pulsar CO 1919, just in case you wanted to know.  The raw sound of this album intensifies with each track and It's kind of hard to describe such an amazing record in so many words.  She's Lost Control and Disorder are definitely my top songs on this record, but in the end, each song on this record is amazing.  Give it a listen.  I don't know what else I can write other than you will not be sorry.

Enjoy!