I asked some of Oxford’s musicians what albums they are listening to these days.
John Barrett of The PF Flyers
1. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
- Good to see that they’re bringing back the rock. “Rag and Bone” and “Conquest” are my personal favorites on the record.
2. Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
- Top-notch mashup of rock and roll and dance music. The opening synth line of “It’s Not Over Yet” is mean as hell (in a good way).
3. Snowden – Anti Anti
- Gloomy post-punk from ATL, the drum sounds and reverbed guitars are awesome. I heard about them through myspace about a year ago, now they’re opening for the Kings of Leon. Definitely worth a listen.
4. Project Pat – Crook By Da Book: The Fed Story
- What can I say, I have a weakness for Memphis rap. This is what I put on when I’m bored and riding around town…..it’d be a whole lot better if I had subwoofers.
5. The Sleepwalkers – Dead and I Like It (EP) and Baby Baby (EP)
- I gotta represent for the home team, these guys have it going on. Good solid rock songs with shoutable choruses. Check them out around town…..
Moon Pie Curtis
1. Hound Dog Taylor & the Houserockers – Natural Boogie
- This is a staple in my collection, and I pull it out about once a year or so. I’m a fan of all of his few records, but this is the one I usually go to. It’s really just hard to beat “Take Five,” “See Me in the Evening” and “Roll Your Moneymaker.” This is as visceral as anything can be.
2. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
- This is in my car and I haven’t had much chance to listen to it more than once. I like the arrangements and the production values, which have a “real” feel. I also like the songwriting a lot. I dug the last few albums and the dissonant passages, but I found I didn’t really feel like playing those songs over and over. I think Jeff Tweedy’s a great songwriter, and I like that being at the forefront.
3. ZZ Top – Rio Grande Mud
- This is something I listen to at home, because it’s on vinyl, which is really the only way to listen to ZZ Top. Simply perfection. Most people ignore or dismiss them because they just think of them as a silly MTV thing, but I’ll put First Album and Rio Grande Mud up against anybody.
4. Tarkio – Brewer & Shipley
- Ever want to hear what the hippie dream could have been if it were done with taste and unique harmonies? This is it. Most people have heard their famous song “One Toke Over the Line,” but this album is great top to bottom. Two excellent songwriter folkies with acoustic guitars, singing mesmerizing harmonies, backed by guys from the Butterfield Blues Band (or at least that’s what I’ve read). It’s out of print. You may have to find it on vinyl on eBay. I got in on CD about 10 years ago, but that’s out of print now.
5. Todd Snider – Peace, Love & Anarchy
- One of my top favorite artists. All his albums are great. This is just a new collection of “rareties and B-sides,” mostly acoustic. It’s not bad, but it’s not the starting point for anyone who wants to check out Snider and hasn’t heard him. This is what you’d read a review of and it would probably say it’s only for hardcore fans and “completists.” I like it a lot, since I really like to hear Todd playing acoustic or with limited arrangements.
Sanders Bohlke
1. Regina Spektor – Begin To Hope
2. Bright Eyes – Cassadaga (click here for the Music Snob review)
3. Damien Jurado – And Now That I’m In Your Shadow
4. D’angelo – Voodoo
5. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky (click here for the short Music Snob review)
Thanks guys. Look for more Oxford musicians’ picks coming soon!
Filed under: Album Reviews, Music, Musicians' Picks
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