quarecords tagged me to post 6 albums I’ve been listening to recently. You have all probably had an assfull of hearing about what I listen to, but this is my blog, so please forgive the long post. 

1. Wool “Lunar Memento –  Lost Rancho Session I” – I am still freaking out about this album. Wool only had one studio album, an EP and a few singles when they broke up in 1995/1996. Before breaking up, they recorded a prolific amount of songs in only 3 days in the now famous Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree. It took a few spins to get into the songs, but it definitely is one of my favorites right now. There is another session available as an MP3 and I am going to purchase it very soon.

2. Bob Dylan “Highway 61 Revisited” – I will never forget the first time I heard the opening track to this album. I was probably 14, listening to the radio with headphones in a hotel room in Morro Bay with my parents sleeping. It was, and still is, an amazing experience. Later I realized that the whole album is a masterpiece. This is Dylan at his most playful, and the images he creates are absurd and wonderful.

3. Brant Bjork “Jalamanta” – I only bought this a few years ago, but it’s one of my favorites. This is the sound of someone that is reveling in their freedom. Often only using one riff per song, the grooves he creates are strong enough to captivate you the whole way through.

4. Wesley Willis Fiasco “Spookydisharmoniousconflicthellride” – The only studio album that the band would create together, this showcases Wesley to a wider audience. It’s much more enjoyable for me to listen to Wesley backed by a top notch rock band than a Casio, although I appreciate both. I love the covers of Rush, Van Halen and Jimi Hendrix in the background of the songs. This album fills me with joy.

5. Beck “Morning Phase” – I am convinced that this is Beck’s Pet Sounds. It is a fully realized concept, engaging the whole way through, and never leaving the somber mood or falling into jokester mode.

6. The Rentals “Lost In Alphaville” – I will be honest, this is the most difficult album to pay attention to/get into in this list. I was not blown away by it at the first listen, but I am slowly learning to appreciate it. I was very happy at the news that this album was coming out, and hope that there is more from Mr. Sharp in the near future. 

I’m not going to tag anyone, but feel free to do this if it sounds fun to you.