#49 XTC - English Settlement

Virgin Records, 1982

New Wave experimental pop rock

I don't remember precisely when I picked up this album --- sometime in the mid '00s --- but I do remember why. It was thanks to my buddy Andrew!

In 2004/05, I was living in the Monastery Lane apartments with Megan, and our pals from high school Andrew and Brad had an apartment in the same building, so there was much coming and going and hanging out. At that time, Andrew had discovered some bands that were very novel for us, coming as we were from the pop-punk capital of the Annapolis Valley. XTC was one, as well as the Cocteau Twins, and others that escape my memory at the moment. I fell in love with XTC, and will always associate it with that time in my life. Andrew's in Vancouver, Brad is in the Valley, and Megan is in Moncton, but we all hang out for a few minutes in my memory when XTC hits the stereo.

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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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