Single Cell: April 2010

Everyone has a top ten list. I love the idea of making the list, but this was very painful. It hurt to list bands and then cross them out. I also spent most of my time debating over who should be ranked number one or two. For those of you who don't know me, I love R.E.M. and Pearl Jam. How do I choose one as my ultimate album? But I digress; I solved my problem by eliminating both bands from my top ten list. What a concept! Then, the list just came tumbling out. I’ve spent a few months with the list, looking it over and taking bands on and off and rearranging the order. Enjoy!

To be honest, I failed in my attempt to create a top ten list because I have 4 runners-up. But what the hell, it’s my list and if I want runners-up I’ll have them. If I'm ever forced onto a deserted island and my Overlord makes me pick only ten albums, I’ll worry about it then, so get off my hairy back.

In the end, I don't think the list will be truly finished until I’m 60-70 years old when it's been a few years since I've bought albums or gone to a live show. Until that day comes, this list will have to do. I hope future me isn't a mean old man in an one-piece that stares and spits at people.

Top Ten Albums / The Albums I’d Take with me to a Deserted Island.

1.Idlewild – 100 Broken Windows = For all those record label idiots out there that thought the original Napster was killing their business, this is one of the bands I found by chance on Napster and then went out and bought all their albums at the time and continue to follow them loyally. Idlewild is a Scottish band and is still not as well known in America. They started out very much as a punk band. In articles, they've talked about being fans of Black Flag and other pioneering punk bands. This album was a major departure from that genre as they've slowed down just a little and have spent more time on their craft and sound. I originally fell in love with this album because it reminded me of R.E.M.’s Murmur, which isn’t as easy to detect, but for me the energy was the same. This album clocks in at 43:57 minutes with 12 songs. I love the ride this album takes me on as it seems to visit all the great places an album should.

2.Damien Rice – 0 = The second band on my list I also found through Napster and once again spent money on buying up albums, b-sides, and live recordings. This clocks in at 61:27 minutes with 10 named tracks and two hidden. I had been thinking a lot about music before finding him and thinking about how no one was trying new things or even odd things like combining an opera singer in a song (I know no one will believe me when I say this but I was really thinking about how great that could be) then I found Damien Rice and he did it! “Eskimo” has a great moment in it where a women belts out in operatic style in the song and it sounds amazing. He even one-ups my idea by having her sing in Icelandic. The album as a whole is a complete journey and once again, there's not a dud on it. The second best thing about this album is Lisa Hannigan. She backs on most of the songs and has the voice of an angel. If I had to say who my favorite female singer was, it would be her. This album still gives me goose bumps.

3. Social Distortion – Social Distortion = This is one of the very first albums I was introduced to during my musical revolution. The album clocks in at 41:16 minutes. It has ten songs on the album and each one of them have a special place in my heart except for “Drug Train,” I’ve never cared for that song as I’ve never had an interest in drugs or had any close friends who had to deal with drugs. I’m a big proponent of songs and artists speaking to me as an individual. If the song doesn’t have something in it that I can relate to I don’t usually care for it (major reason I’m not a fan of rap (I grew up in Wyoming for heaven’s sake). Back to Social D, this is a great album to sing along to and I almost always include one of their songs on a mix for newcomer to music.

4. Lisa Hannigan – Sea Sew = My Irish angle, the Siren of my shipwreck. I can listen to her all day long. I was so sad when Damien’s ego fired her and I was worried I’d never hear her sweet voice again, but happy day, all is well. She came out with her own album and no surprise, it’s amazing. She is tender and playful and knows how to invoke wonderful images and emotion with her songs. I can’t wait to hear more from her in the future. This album clocks in at 38:32 minutes with 10 tracks.

5. The White Stripes – White Blood Cells = You either hate this guy or you love him. I love him. This album introduced me to the man the myth and the legend, Jack White. Every single song on this album will break your bones and re-build them into a monument of the past rehashed into something better than you were before. I cannot complain that I was given the degree of simple complexity that this album holds. Jack has said in interviews that he while in the band he had a fixation with the number 3; colors, instruments, wording. It’s all there if you want to look for it. It clocks in at a monstrous 40:25 minutes and dumps 16 tracks on your head.

6. The Cure – Disintegration = I was introduced to the Cure by a high school friend and due to my teenage angst and depression fell deeply in love with the band. But even now as a fairly well adjusted adult I still go back to this great album more than any of the others. It’s got a great feel to the whole album as one song ends it feeds the beginning of the next song. The album clocks in at 71:47 with 12 songs. “Lullaby” and “Fascination Street” are my least favorite songs with “Untitled” being my favorite. I love this album for the linear notes were Robert recommends that we “Play this Loud”, and if you follow the advice you are well rewarded as “Plainsong” slowly erupts around your ear drums.

7. Nirvana – Incesticide = By far my favorite album they ever did. I have a special place in my music heart box for Nirvana’s music and they use to rank higher up on my list but as I’ve gotten older I lost respect for the man for taking the easy way out. Regardless this album can always put me in a good mood. I love the eclectic sound and the wonderful covers of Devo and The Vaselines. It clocks in at 44:44 with 15 tracks.

8. The Flaming Lips – Soft Bulletin = This album clocks in at 58:26 minutes and has 14 tracks, which include two remixes of songs on the album. I found this band surprisingly by the crappy radio station that plays before movies start in some theaters. I heard "Waitin' for a Superman." It blew me away. A great song with intricate musical style that matched the emotion of the lyrics and just a audio treat for my ears. The whole album feels like an experiment, and the whole time you’re listening to it you’re trying to figure out if you’re the scientist or the blob. At times, and depending on your mood, the roles change. This is also one of the first albums that I actually listen to the instrumentals and enjoy them, most seem to bore me but not the Lips!

9. Cat Power – The Greatest = Chan Marshall is my second all-time favorite female singer. Of all her albums, this one wins me over. It’s so smooth and smoky, it sounds like a romanticized bar scene in a gritty 70s blacksploitation film. The music gets me relaxed like a warm bath, as I soak in her vocal chords. It clock in at 44:34 minutes with 12 tracks. Her first album that all original.

10. The Pixies – Doolittle = This album came as a recommendation by my cousin. It clocks in at 38:38 minutes and has 15 songs. Once again no losers on the entire album. This album was one that I liked, but my love for it seems to grow deeper roots with each listen. The funny thing is that I much more prefer “Wave of Mutilation (U.K. Surf)” over the album version. I also had the pleasure to see the band perform this entire album recently and it’s cemented itself in my psyche now and forever. I enjoy this album a lot for the fact that there are some major themes that run through each of the songs and pop up throughout the album making it a rewarding re-listen.

Runners Up

1. The Strokes – Is This It = 36:28 minutes with 11 tracks; took off New York City Cops after 9/11. Two different covers.

2. Tegan and Sara – So Jealous = 45:41 minutes, 14 tracks; white stripes covered walking with a ghost

3. Shout Out Louds – Howl Howl Goff Goff = 44:05 minutes, 11 tracks

4. Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley = 28:03 minutes, 12 tracks. What he's the King.