the hastings project: September 2008

For some reason I am always challenging myself to think of what music I truly love and see as being life-changing. Maybe because I'm so indecisive in every other aspect of my life... To make it more difficult I ask myself which complete albums I would choose for a top 10 list of most important to me. Finally, I decided to just do it and share the results- if for no other reason, then to give a shout out and thank you to these albums for enriching my life.

The criteria I used to make the list included: What albums had the greatest impact on my life? Which helped shaped my taste in music overall? Have stood the test of time? This isn't necessarily a list of what I'd want on a desert island, but albums that have made a big impact on me.

So here is my top 10 list- I listen to many as regularly as the time I first discovered them, most 10-15 years ago. There are many other albums I love or have loved, some have faded over time, some have yet to be tested by it. So, this list is constantly evolving...

The breakdown:

1- Siamese Dream (1993)- One of my favorite bands of all time. This album changed my life, was like the anthem of my life when it came out. Every song is solid, I always tell Shandra you can put the cd on and listen to the whole thing, it's like a journey. A beautiful one. Hard stuff, soft stuff, perfect for going for a surf or floating through space. The Pumpkins kind of re-emerged in my life in the last few years, I still love it, and finally got to see them last year. (but sadly minus my favorite member James Iha)

2- Crooked Rain (1994)- Pavement was an obsession with me and my good friend Nik who discovered them with me when we were but wee lads. It was like the soundtrack of our summers. We skated or surfed all day, would stay up all night listening to music, writing in our composition books and pointing out our favorite parts in each song. Again, this album is good pretty much start to finish, amazingly random lyrics and I think a defining album of one of the most important indie rock bands of all time. Gold Sounds is one of my favorite songs of all time. All time.

3- It's a Shame about Ray (1992)- My bro, Rob, bought this beauty in '92. I liked it then but I think it took a while to truly appreciate it. It resurfaced in my life and playlists a few years ago now, and it's been one of my favorites ever since. It's a happy album and sad too. Evan is a genius at crafting simple and pure melodies. Got to see them last year with Shandra and helped me appreciate some of those old songs even more.

4- Parklife (1994)- Although the first blur song I heard was the Universal, on the Great Escape, and it did change my life from that time forth, Parklife was the second album I bought and I think as a whole, is a better one. The great thing about blur is every album is distinct in its own way. Parklife has a bunch of amazing songs (not including the hit single Girls & Boys, which i think is lame). The songs are multilayered, some happy and poppy, some darker. An album for all moods. Damon Albarn is I think one of the most important musical geniuses of our time. His work includes the Gorillaz, Mali Music (an amazing album he put together while in Mali with locals there), The Good the Bad and the Queen (great album), and soundtracks to movies, including the great Ravenous. I will follow Damon wherever he takes me.

5- The Aeroplane Flies High (1996)- This box set contains expanded versions of the singles from Mellon Collie an the Infinite Sadness album from the year before and is I think far better than Mellon Collie. I find myself listening to the extra songs on these discs more than almost any other Smashing Pumpkins album. There are amazing slow and mellow ones and James Iha sings on a bunch, including a great cover of The Cure's A Night Like This. A great chill song: Set the Ray to Jerry, for some reason the guitar is insane to me and I never get tired of this song.

6- Modern Life is Rubbish (1993)- Third blur album I bought. Don't know why I always count it as one of my top 2 favorite blur albums, though I might listen to other albums more. I bought it during a time with many great memories, and it still puts me in a good mood. Plus, I love the word rubbish.

7- Brighten the Corners (1997)- A really amazing album, pretty much every song is good. Shady Lane is honestly a perfect song. One of Pavement's greats for sure. With this album, Pavement secured a spot on my most 'important' bands list.

8- Rebel Music (1962-?)- This is just one album I have of Bob's that I think has a solid lineup of songs, if you were to be cheap and buy just one. Really, you need to own the Songs of Freedom compilation for a more inclusive collection of Bob. I had to include Bob on my list, his music is just as good and influential as the day it was recorded. Especially appealing to people who live on an island, it is just classic island style music. Always puts you in a good mood. Bob's a legend.

9- Let Go (2003)- I had heard Popular in high school and was a fan. The singer Matthew just looked so cool. He inspired me to start wearing sweater vests. Then years later, I came upon this album somehow, heard Inside of Love and had to give them a serious listen. They aren't the one hit wonder that MTV would like you to think, but really are amazing. I have a hard time with alot of the rock bands these days, Nada Surf is one of the few doing it right. There songs are sweet, can get you pumped or make you daydream and ponder life. Shandra and I saw them while in San Diego, was the best show we ever saw. Solidified their spot on the list of great bands we can both agree on.

10- 15 Songs by Jon Swift (2003)- I discovered JS from the surf movie Shelter soundtrack, which Shandra and I saw the premiere of on one of our first real dates. It's simple, yet meaningful and sincere acoustic, folk music. He's just a regular guy who surfs, he's actually going to UH right down the street right now for a PHD or something in science/ astronomy. We've seen him riding his bike a couple times. This album has really helped usher in a new, more peaceful, mellow, acoustic and folk-loving period in my life. Maybe I'm getting older, but his music fits the simple and quiet life I try to lead nicely.

** This list was very difficult to compile, and will be a work in progress for my whole life. I've found that these are some of the more important classics that I always, sooner or later, return to when I just get sick of hearing so much of the garbage that is everywhere now. I challenged Shandra to compile her own list, we'll see if she does it. I think what someone loves music wise tells alot about who they are... thanks for reading! I now tag everyone interested in exploring your soul as I have.