This topic is for all those who listen to music in album form! (Excluding greatest hits as well, but allowing live albums). I know that not many people listen to an album in full-form anymore, but for all that do, this is a tribute to you. It’s important to listen to an album from side one to side two, because oftentimes there are songs that are so challenging, that they literally require 50 listens to like. On Beck’s Sea Change, there were two songs that did exactly that for me. So, after much debate with myself, and constant rearranging of ordering, I have come up with a list of 5 albums, that if you were to listen to them enough, will blow your mind. Literally, your head would explode. In any case, here is my list, a most lovingly compiled list. If you don’t have a top 5, that’s fine, put up just your favourite, or your top three, whatever.
- Brian Wilson/Beach Boys - SMiLE
I came to love the Brian Wilson version, done in 2004, when his voice has lost a lot of it’s kick, with the Wondermints, but I found it difficult to listen to at times. However, my brother discovered an amazing compilation done by the Beach Boys in the 60’s, which isn’t as complete as the Brian Wilson version, likely because of Brian Wilson’s fast-developing psychosis, which reaches levels that the 2004 version could only dream about. The Beach Boys’ version is much easier to listen to. Because the Beach Boys’ version isn’t sold, I have a copy of the unreleased version of it, if anyone feels outgoing enough to try her out.
- Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan
This album changed me, and the way I saw the world. It’s hard to describe, but this album made me see the world in different perspectives that I hadn’t realized before hearing this album 40 times.
- Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
I’ve listened to this album more than almost any other one of mine. It is so musically deep, that 50 listens into it, I was still realizing new rhythms that I’d missed before. Like SMiLE, this is one of the more difficult albums to get into, but I find that the ones that are difficult to like are also the best albums to be heard, because they challenge the listener, and make listening an active, rather than a passive, exercise. Give it 15 listens before you judge it, as this one requires patience.
- Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Now, this album is incredible. It could be called the perfect album, very easily. My favourite song is on this album, Thunder Road, which, along with Surf’s Up on SMiLE, are the only two songs that regularly bring tears in my eyes when I listen to them, just because of the meaning they have to me. It is a very summer-esque album, fast paced, and enjoyable album to listen to. What happens with this album, is that it’s easy to like, but it has to be listened to 70 times to get the full meaning from it. Backstreets, off of this one, has incredible lyrics about two friends who slowly separate from each other. Bruce is in his prime when he wrote this album.
- David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
I listened to this album about 70 times. A concept album at it’s finest, this is just an album to listen and enjoy. It took me around 8 listens to like this.
In any case, this is my list. If you are to try any, good luck, and happy listening!