#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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#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...

#3 - John Allan Cameron - Weddings, Wakes and Other Things

Released 1976, Columbia Records. Category: Cape Breton Folk, Country, Canadiana This was the 3rd random pull, and I'm grateful, because this album perfectly reflects why I am doing this complete collection countdown. It's not a record I was super familiar with---it was given to me by my Dad as a Canadian classic. Of course John Allan Cameron is a household name in much of Nova Scotia, but I'm not sure if I've ever sat down and listened to the whole thing before. Of the two records, I liked the second better, as it was a little more traditional and I like that vibe. That said, the first was also very good, in more of a 70s folk / country way. There are some songs I will definitely be humming to myself later. Perhaps the nicest discovery of this album? John Allan Cameron signed the records, autographing one for my father and my mother. It was a sweet little surprise!

#92 Dave Brubeck ft. Gerry Mulligan, Paul Desmond, Alan Dawson, Jack Six - We're All Together Again for the First Time

Atlantic, 1973 Jazz, Bop I wish I could remember how I came by this one. I was absolutely delighted to find it in my collection, if a little unsettled that I could forget such an acquisition. This is a solid offering, if a little frenetic. I have to be in the right mood, but then I am enthralled.

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