Complete Collection Countdown

 Cinnamon Toast, 1995 Genre: Halifax Alternative  This album was gifted to me by the most excellent Shawn Duggan in the fall of 2015, following a summer playing softball together on the Gus's Pub Patties. I didn't bring a lot of skill to the team (and was very memorably struck in the face by a softball as a result), however I did have fun and make friends, which is really the point.  In one of our discussions about music, it came up that Shawn had some extra copies of this record in storage, as he was instrumental in running the label. He brought it by Roger's Drive, where I was living at the time, and it was so awesome! These bands all have that Halifax sound that permeated my formative experiences with the music scene. I was too young to see most of them play shows (I narrowly missed the Cafe Ole years) but I was old enough to hear them played by my older, cooler friends and sibling. I wasn't able to find these records in the shops, so relied on hearing th...

 Elektra, 1974 Genre: Folk Rock Lindisfarne is a folk rock group out of the UK. This record is a fun mix of tunes with a more North American vibe (think The Band) and tunes with a pronounced Irish influence. All of it's good, but I particularly enjoy the Irish ones, like "Nelly". Dad gave me this record, and a couple other Lindisfarne ones, mostly because of my interest in Irish music. I love having them in my collection, as the shifting styles keep things interesting and the listening is overall good. For some reason it always makes me think of a video I once saw of the Horslips doing an electric rendition of King of the Fairies on a Dublin rooftop.   They're not related, but I do always think of it, so I thought I should mention it in my album reflection!

 Chrysalis, 1980 Genre: New Wave Blondie is another CBGB band that walks a line between genres. I've always enjoyed listening to them, and this album. Debbie Harry was a bit of an idol for me in my younger years, because she was super cool and super gorgeous and fronted a band. I didn't really emulate her style-wise, but I WANTED to emulate her. My friend Megan was much better at harnessing her inner Debbie Harry, as she was generally more confident with clothes than me. I did allow Megan and Juele to convince me to bleach my hair blonde at one point, but as it was super long and quickly turned brassy, it didn't really have the desired effect.  This is a standard for my collection. A good, reliable crowd pleaser, or enjoyable solo listen. 

 International Artists, 1966 Genre: Psychedelic garage rock I fell in love with this record the first time I heard the opening riff of the first song. It was in the movie High Fidelity, which people love to love or love to hate. I don't choose sides on the movie, but damn, it had some excellent tunes.  The loud, unpolished, reverb-y guitar and gut-fueled vocals of this record grabbed me at once. I went out and bought it as soon as I could, and I still spin it regularly. Garage rock is one of my all time favourite genres, and this is some of the most raw and psych-y. If you've never heard this one, I highly recommend. 

 Tamla, 1966 Genre: Soul  I am so happy I have this record in my collection. I'm not sure exactly where it came from---I think maybe I picked it up at Rainbow's End or the $1 Record Store. I love soul as a genre more and more, and this is an excellent example. I put it on when we had guests the other day, and it was a perfect balance of upbeat and relaxed, with good time vibes. Again, Smokey Robinson hardly needs my endorsement, but he has it anyway. 

 Sire, 1983 Genre: New Wave  For anyone that knows me, this being in my collection will not be a surprise. I really enjoy listening to Talking Heads. This isn't my favourite of their records, but it's certainly a solid go-to with wicked tunes.  The first time I tried listening to them was in high school. Someone had told me that they had played a lot at CBGBs and I guess I assumed they would be punk. What they were was something new to me, and I wasn't quite ready for it yet. I went away to digest what I had heard. Some years later, I gave it another go, and that time, I was ready. I've been a regular listener ever since!

Ace of Hearts, 1967 Genre: Rock n' roll  I adore Buddy Holly, so this is a must have in my collection. Listening to Buddy Holly is like a thrilling but innocent touch; like a sideways glance at a middle school dance. It's fun and comforting all at the same time. I don't really have much more to say about it than that. 

 Beggar's Banquet, 1985 Category: New Wave, Goth Indie This is a very cool record that I always forget about and have the joy of rediscovering. That just happened; probably not for the last time.  This record has the some of the same dark ethereal tones and melodies that I love in the Gun Club. It has some weird gothic vibes that I personally dig, though again it may not be for everyone. The vocals are more accessible for your average listener than those of Jeffrey Lee Pierce, and the music is a little more chill.  I'm pretty sure I got this from a box of records that my brother left at my parents house. I kept them for safe keeping, gave them back, and then they were returned to my custody. It's mine now! 

 Columbia, 1963 Category: Folk, American Folk  My dad LOVES Dylan, so I grew up with a lot of these songs. I love the album for that reason, and also for its intrinsic merit and historic relevance. As I have said of a couple albums before this, it takes me back to a time of change, and of hope for change. One thing I appreciate about Dylan is the element of anger, or perhaps more accurately frustration, in his songs. In Masters of War, for example, there is a hard tone that is not always heard in American 60s folk. It always resonated with me. As much as I value peace, I think it's fair to acknowledge some anger toward those that literally destroy our world for personal gain. Dylan does that. Great record. 

 EMI, 1983 Category: Electro, Synth Pop This record is fun. I love how it's basically a tone poem, a rhapsody if you will, about the Tour de France. Plus it's catchy and engaging.  I felt pretty cool when I got this album, after doing a semi-deep dive into early electronic music. I don't have any ground-shaking memories attached to it, but it still makes me feel pretty cool, so I'm keeping it.