#48 Guided by Voices - Alien Lanes

Matador Records, 1995

Genre: Indie

Fun story. I got to see Guided by Voices at Reading Festival, outside London, England, when I was 17. I had heard of them at that point, but wasn't really tuned in to how awesome they were, or how significant they would become in my future listening repertoire. Instead of being front row centre, I hung back and chatted with this British fellow, who flirted shamelessly, and kept trying to get me to go back to his tent. He was to be disappointed. I like reflecting on the moment, but I do regret not fully engaging with GBV. I have not had a chance to see them play again.

Alien Lanes became a pillar of my listening during university, and all of my best pals loved (or should I say "love", as this is ongoing) them as well. Some even did GBV cover bands. Game of Pricks is more than a song --- it's an indie nerd identification code. I loved when the IT Crowd called this out, some years later. "Have you heard Guided by Voices? I have. I've heard everything they've ever done."

Reminiscence aside, this record is lo fi and sometimes loud, and weird, and vulgar, and clever. There is a manic energy to GBV; not chaotic, but odd. Challenging. Unexpected. It harnesses some of the world's absurdity and takes delight in riding it around like a mad bull in a strangely melodious china shop.

GBV may not be for everyone, but I'm into it.

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#32 Prokofieff, Strauss - Peter and the Wolf, Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks

Camden, year unknown Genre: Classical Performed by the Boston Symphony conducted by Serge Koussevitzky, narrated by Richard Hale This lp is in terrible condition---even after cleaning, it's crackling and hiccoughing, even skipping. It's tough, because I LOVE this recording, but this one will have to be purged. Let it be known, however, that this lp has been loved. It was a formative education piece for me, teaching me both about music and about narrative. It also taught me that you should always watch you back in unfamiliar places, and not underestimate the unknowns in your surroundings. It also taught me that representing animals with instruments is hilarious. Dad listened to it when he was a kid, and played it for us when we were kids. Maybe I'll make some kind of art with this one.

#59 Geoff Berner - Victory Party

Mint Records, 2011 Canadiana Klezmer Punk I bought this record, along with Berner's book "Festival Man", when he played at the Company House (RIP) on Gottingen Street. That's another show/artist I was made aware of thanks to Peter, so thanks pal! This show was wicked awesome, and "Victory Party" is equally so. It's barely contained, but perfectly contained, klezmer infused chaos; each song a story that pulls your strings like a puppet. Geoff Berner is a Canadian gem. Oh, and Festival Man is a great read.

Shout Out to Jampy

I got this sweet record stand for Christmas from Stu. Created by Jampy (my excellent birthday twin) and featuring Dartmouth's own Three Sisters (Tuft's Cove smokestacks), it helps me display whatever wicked wax I'm spinning. Very cool.

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