#10 The Gun Club - The Las Vegas Story

Animal Records, Chrysalis, 1984

Category: Dark American Country Folk Rock? Very difficult to categorize

At one time, I would have described the Gun Club as my favourite band. It it still up there and no mistake, I just find it hard to choose "my favourite". This genre probably isn't for everyone, but something in it speaks to me. It's dark, impassioned, imperfect, and feels like it's telling timeless stories.

I had a really hard time finding copies of these records, so I was pumped when Sympathy for the Record Industry re-released them on coloured vinyl. This one came in green, which happens to be my favourite colour, which was a nice bonus. Look at how pretty it is!

I am going to stop writing now and just enjoy listening to side two.

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#73 Tyrannosaurus Rex - Unicorn

Blue Thumb Records, 1969 Psychedelic Acoustic Folk This album is very important to me. Those who know me, know I am fond of T Rex, but this pre T recording is extra special. I first remember hearing it in grade 8, and I fell in love with it entirely. It resonated with me a on strangley personal level, considering how far out the lyrics are. Warlord of the Royal Crocodiles was my jam. My friends were forced to listen to poorly dubbed cassettes every weekend, because that was the easiest way to copy and share music on the North Mountain in 1998. I had always listened to my dad's record (from whence came the cassette) and didn't have my own copy when I moved out, so I was very excited when I found it at Taz---the old spot on, what was it, Grafton? Two locations ago. It was like finding treasure, though I spose that's always what second-hand vinyl shopping feels like to me. Maybe it was more like finding the Arkenstone. I remember being super excited, and Bob telli...

#75 Bob Dylan - Slow Train Coming

Columbia, 1979 Folk Rock/Blues This one Stu brought to the collection. While I listened to a lot of Dylan in my younger days, it was mostly from his acoustic and early electric period, so this album was not familiar to me. It's great! That probably doesn't come as a surprise to you, readers, but that was my thought when I played it, so true to form I record it here. This album is a mood; it has a hard spirit and an attitude, and a feeling of reflection. Like all Dylan's stuff, it has great lyrics that pull you in, and an excellent sound profile. I will definitely be returning to this album in the near future.

#87 XTC - Black Sea

Virgin, 1980 New Wave Pop Rock I have waxed nostalgic about XTC before, so I won't go too in depth with this one, but I will mention a few details. Black Sea is the first XTC record I ever heard. Andrew G played it for me when I was hanging at he and Brad Luk's apartment in Quinpool Court on Monastery Lane circa 2004. Megan and I lived upstairs in the same building, and there was much coming and going. I was immediately hooked by the whistling and the tempo of "Generals and Majors" in particular, and it would remain a party staple for me. This album is super fun and really solid, and I always enjoy spinning it.

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