ME! ME! ME! ME!


THE FIRST SINGLE I BOUGHT
Ghostbusters (picture disc) by Ray Parker Jr., 1984
When I was growing up, I didn't have the money for albums. I bought singles and an album was an immense investment. In some ways, it still is. Anyway, I felt an affinity for movies from a very early age, and was a movie geek in the early Eighties when I was between about 8 and 17. Then music came. And of course, music from movies seemed perfect. I bought the Ghostbusters logo shaped 7" picture disc. I still have it in my back room.

THE RECORD THAT REMINDS ME OF BEING A TEENAGER
Actually, Pet Shop Boys, 1987
Somewhat odd choice really, but my teens were a rather melancholy unenjoyable time and I quickly became politically aware. This melcholia, coupled with slightly camp Eurodisco Pop music spoke to me in a way that very little else did at that time.

THE RECORD THAT MADE ME WANT TO PLAY THE GUITAR
Seventh Son of A Secenth Son, Iron Maiden, 1988
I have no idea why this record was so loved, but it, along with Appetite For Destruction, were and are great records from the age. I lost myself in the world where in some way, visceral guitars in themselves spoke to me. And this was proper metal, not that spandex pop nonsense.

THE RECORD BY A LOCAL HERO THAT INSPIRED ME
Hup!, The Wonder Stuff, 1989
From Stourbridge, this band managed to combine petulant arrogance with a cynical, heartfelt world view. It's no understatement to say that musically, The Stuffies were a huge influence on me and still are.

A RECORD THAT INFLUENCED ME
Technique, New Order, 1989
All my favourite recods seem to have some sense of hopeful melancholia. This collection of sad disco manages to reflect my over general worldview as well as anything.

THE RECORD THAT RESTORED MY FAITH IN ROCK
Never lost my faith in rock.

THE LAST RECORD I FELL IN LOVE WITH
At War With The Mystics, The Flaming Lips, 2006
If music like this doesn't make you realise that most music in the world, and most bands are actually dreadfully dull, then you are one of those who are At War With The Mystics. This is the music for the forward thinking mofo, the sonic warrior, the tripped out hippy scum that change the face of the earth, who instead of saying no, ask the most important question of our species. "What If....?"

THE RECORD I COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT
The Holy Bible, The Manic Street Preachers, 1994
The record that kept me alive in 1994 and 1995. The record that made sense of my world. The record that helped me see the world. I think it achieved it's ambition.

THE RECORD I'D LIKE PLAYED AT MY FUNERAL
The Next Life, Suede, 1993
Because.


- posted by Mark @ 10:35 am