Best Ever Albums

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Sun, 2 Oct 2022 11:23:08 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 10/02/2022 15:23

Hayden wrote:

Congrats Mecca 😄 Sounds phenomenal. Dream gig there. I've also been a bit strapped on time as of late— between that and this pandemic fatigue, I've kidna just been sapped for a few months— but def not with anything as interesting. Great to see some of BEA digging into the industry (in any way shape or form). Concerts/shows/gigs in Canada are still a mess 🤣 I feel like every weekend a new festival fiasco is trending on Twitter.

All the shots yours? I don't have Instagram, so I can't follow/like/etc, but you have my support :mrgreen:

Shows are still a bit of a mess here, but it seems like things have gotten better. The first month of so after I started back up, I had more than a few cancelled due to someone in the band getting COVID. It's still such a crapshoot. It's amazing I haven't gotten it yet (at least not knowingly)

Yeah, all the live photos on AshevilleStages.com have been mine.

I've been running myself ragged, shooting, review, and interviewing but it's been great.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Sun, 2 Oct 2022 11:19:51 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 10/02/2022 15:19

cestuneblague wrote:

That's awesome. I lived in the Marshall/Cool Springs area for a few months last year and did manage to hop into Asheville for a few times, but didn't see much beyond a few jazz shows (that the rain eventually cancelled) and local gigs at Jack of the Wood, but this is really awesome and I'll make sure to follow what's going on.

Go Mets

Thanks. We definitely have quite a few really good venues here with the Orange Peel and Grey Eagle being the best. I'm always amazed by how many people travel from out of town for shows here.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

Hayden — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 22:07:14 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 08/27/2022 02:07

meccalecca wrote:

I don't have as much time to spend on BEA as I used to, but I do miss many of the incredible members here. If any of you all have any interest in seeing what I've been up to, I've been back to photographing and writing about music. It's been a really revitalizing experience. I've hooked up with a new local online publication called Asheville Stages, where I've interviewed the likes of Chris Gethard, Circuit des Yeux, The Veldt, and Moon Tooth in the past month or so. I've also been photographing and reviewing a bunch of shows for them. You can see some of that here:

https://ashevillestages.com/music?author=627a90937adaad1ea39c745a

Or follow me on instagram at @jonny_leather
https://www.instagram.com/jonny_leather/

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

cestuneblague — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 21:39:57 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 08/27/2022 01:39

meccalecca wrote:

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 07:00:24 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/23/2022 11:00

Mercury wrote:

That is excellent stuff, Mecca! Glad you're doing well and doing what you love! Of course, miss the "good ol' days" when I'd see you here a bunch, but it sounds like you're doing great out there.

Thanks Mercury!

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

Mercury — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:15:12 GMT

Author: Mercury

Posted: 06/22/2022 00:15

meccalecca wrote:

That is excellent stuff, Mecca! Glad you're doing well and doing what you love! Of course, miss the "good ol' days" when I'd see you here a bunch, but it sounds like you're doing great out there.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:21:44 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/21/2022 11:21

I don't have as much time to spend on BEA as I used to, but I do miss many of the incredible members here. If any of you all have any interest in seeing what I've been up to, I've been back to photographing and writing about music. It's been a really revitalizing experience. I've hooked up with a new local online publication called Asheville Stages, where I've interviewed the likes of Chris Gethard, Circuit des Yeux, The Veldt, and Moon Tooth in the past month or so. I've also been photographing and reviewing a bunch of shows for them. You can see some of that here:

https://ashevillestages.com/music?author=627a90937adaad1ea39c745a

Or follow me on instagram at @jonny_leather
https://www.instagram.com/jonny_leather/

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Sun, 27 Feb 2022 17:24:37 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 02/27/2022 22:24

Well, I finally overhauled my overall chart for the first time in forever. It's still a mess, but probably a better reflection of what I've been listening to, and a wider range of sounds.

https://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?c=10267

Gonna try to post again more frequently. We'll see how that works out

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

Repo — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 14:01:29 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 06/17/2021 18:01

meccalecca wrote:

My assessment: From the opening drumbeats to the last second, The Cure masterfully engulfs the listener in a dark mesmerizing atmosphere. The Cure were working within a similar mood and aesthetic to Joy Division, but by the release of Pornography, the band had developed sound that was more nuanced than anything Joy Division had ever done. As brooding as it can be, there's an odd warmth to Smith's desperate wail, which makes for a much different emotional experience than Ian Curtis' cold haunted croon. While Pornography doesn't quite have any standout hits like their later records would, it's a consistently great album in which the cohesion of the album is part of what makes it so special. It's a great example of an album being greater than the sum of its parts.

🥰

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 11:21:43 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/17/2021 15:21

Mecca Lecca Listens to
Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
before he dies

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Pornography by The Cure

Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 329
BEA Year Rank: 5

What the book says: "Based on huge, blasting, repetitive drum and bass patterns, the album's development is organic, a monumental opus of gloom squeezed into 43 minutes. Despite the gloom there is great musicality on offer. Simon Gallup's turned-down bass couples with Tolhurst's monotonous drumming and Smith's deadpan voice create the perfect soundtrack for any aspiring goth, while Smith's lyrics descend into a dark abyss on "Siamese Twins," "The Figurehead," and the title track."

My assessment: From the opening drumbeats to the last second, The Cure masterfully engulfs the listener in a dark mesmerizing atmosphere. The Cure were working within a similar mood and aesthetic to Joy Division, but by the release of Pornography, the band had developed sound that was more nuanced than anything Joy Division had ever done. As brooding as it can be, there's an odd warmth to Smith's desperate wail, which makes for a much different emotional experience than Ian Curtis' cold haunted croon. While Pornography doesn't quite have any standout hits like their later records would, it's a consistently great album in which the cohesion of the album is part of what makes it so special. It's a great example of an album being greater than the sum of its parts.

Does it deserve to be in the book?: Yes. If there was only enough room for one album by the Cure, I'd go with Disintegration but Pornography is equally deserving for its influence and distinct sound.

Favorite tracks: The Hanging Garden, One Hundred Years, Cold

Link

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:23:03 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/15/2021 17:23

Mecca Lecca Listens to
Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
before he dies

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) by Simple Minds

Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 888
BEA Year Rank: 12

What the book says: ""Glittering Prize" and the album's other big single, "Promised You A Miracle," encapsulate Simple Minds' ability to craft dazzling and sophisticated pop anthems. Combining a warm romanticism with their blend of new wave pop, the album illustrated just how capable and diverse a songwriting unit Simple Minds was."

My assessment: This is one of those records that I should like but has always just washed over me in the past, leaving very little impression. Listening a bit closer today, the result isn't much different, but I'm definitely enjoying it more than in the past. The songs are rich in atmosphere, and amazing don't sound as dated as a lot of similar music of the time. I just can't help but feel that Simple Minds weren't particularly great songwriters, especially when considering that their most memorable song was written by someone else.

Does it deserve to be in the book?: I don't think so. It's a good record, but I can't help but feel Roxy Music did this all much better

Favorite tracks: Big Sleep, New Gold Dream, Glittering Prize

Link

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 12:57:20 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/15/2021 16:57

Thanks guys. It can be quite jarring to be reminded of the unpredictability of life and how it relates to mortality, especially after the past year.

I had to take a break from this project for a few days to listen to whatever I felt like listening to, which more often than not in 2021 has meant this song from Besnard Lakes incredible album. This song just seems like the perfect synthesis of what I listen to.

Link

PS. An Outlaw, it's good to hear from you. I'm glad you back/still on BEA. I hope you're doing well.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

an-outlaw — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:55:20 GMT

Author: an-outlaw

Posted: 06/14/2021 19:55

Wow, I have only seen this thread now 😄 Book is absolutely fantastic guide to music and to take on such a project like this makes a fantastic read as well.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

kokkinos — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 15:32:42 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 06/14/2021 19:32

Ok, me being me I keep thinking about Orange Juice and I believe I found a way to explain the decision of the listmaker. To be fair, your comment on them was a big factor that helped me make sense of it. So, it probably has to do with the fact that the theme of the list is not "1001 best albums" but "1001 albums you must hear before you die".
Thus, even though their debut may be their best - in my opinion at least - Rip It Up presents a more unique sound that you are unlikely to encounter anywhere else, while the - as you correctly described it - "perfect janglepop" sound of their debut remained in the spotlight for the next years and there's been some attempts that arguably outdid theirs. I mean, the list features 3 albums by The Smiths - or 2 at least, since Strangeways... is significantly less straightforward and sees them depart from their jangly roots- so those should be enough to cover the basic form of this sub-genre.
Anyway, I guess the bottom line is that both are great.
P.S. I know that no words can provide comfort, especially coming from a random guy on the Internet, but I'm sorry to hear such terrible news.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

Repo — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 14:06:27 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 06/12/2021 18:06

meccalecca wrote:

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The Lexicon Of Love by ABC

Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 1,245

It's good to be starting with an album I'm not exceptionally familiar with. From the start Lexicon of Love instantly takes me back to the early 80s. With this over the top, polished production, and early synthesizers, there's just no other time period that produced this auditory aesthetic. Every moment I'm ready to write it off as over-produced schlocky disco synth pop, there's just enough happening musically that I get pulled in. It's just such a conflicting record. Few other synth pop records were so ambitious with their composition, but it's also the synthetic orchestral flourishes that rub me the wrong way while listening. The killer funky bass provides memorable moments throughout the record. I can see this sounding as fresh in 1982 as it sounds dated in 2021.

If this album came on at a party, I could get down with it, but I can't connect with it on an emotional level to consider it essential listening

Great review, Mecca. All valid points. Been listening to it since you posted this and just have to add that I think it's AWESOME and probably one of the best New Romantic albums. Now I have to start listening to that Associates album. lol.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

Repo — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 11:49:03 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 06/12/2021 15:49

meccalecca wrote:

For the 2nd time in under a week, I've been blindsided by death. This morning I found out that my brother's longtime bandmate died. We're still not sure how. It's very surreal. A decade ago they put out this little record on my short-lived label. I still think it's a pretty excellent indie/slowcore record. RIP Mike.

😢

Sending prayers and love your way, brother.

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 09:03:47 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/12/2021 13:03

For the 2nd time in under a week, I've been blindsided by death. This morning I found out that my brother's longtime bandmate died. We're still not sure how. It's very surreal. A decade ago they put out this little record on my short-lived label. I still think it's a pretty excellent indie/slowcore record. RIP Mike.

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Winter by Hølas

https://holas.bandcamp.com/album/winter

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:07:59 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/11/2021 17:07

Mecca Lecca Listens to
Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
before he dies

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

1999 by Prince

Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 506
BEA Year Rank: 6

What the book says: "No surprise to anyone who had heard 1980's Dirty Mind. The real revelation of 1999 was Prince alchemizing his shameless steals from other artists into a template of his own. The mechanical beats and treated voices are not a million miles from Funkadelic's The Electric Spanking of War Babies—but Prince had the songs to match the sonic trickery."

My assessment: It's been far too long since I've listened to this full record. Prince was just on another level during this period. Opening with the insane 1-2-3 combo of 1999, Little Red Corvette, and Delirious, the energy and quality are set to a level that seems impossible to maintain, but then it never lets up. Let's Pretend We're Married is another catchy party funk anthem. Automatic is like funkified Kraftwerk. Free isn't quite "Nothing Compares 2 U", but it's a tight ballad with some killer guitar work. "Lady Cab Driver" and "All the Critics Love U in New York" bring back the party funk, before the showstopping ballad "International Lover" drops the curtain.

Does it deserve to be in the book?: Absolutely. And unlike Thriller, 1999's legacy goes way beyond the singles.

Favorite tracks: Delirious, 1999, International Lover

Link

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:51:11 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/10/2021 15:51

Mecca Lecca Listens to
Robert Dimery's 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die
before he dies

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Rip It Up by Orange Juice

Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 4,937
BEA Year Rank: 77

What the book says: "Orange Juice we part of the early 1980s scene that their original label, Postcard celebrated as "The Sound of Young Scotland." The influential indie band's style was earnest, lovelorn, witty, naive, and soulful, and with this album, they would reach their commercial peak."

My assessment: Opening up with the band's biggest success, "Rip It Up," the album of the same name couldn't possibly open more strongly. It's apparently the first charting single to feature the Roland TB-303 synthesizer. It's a sound that immediately draws a line of separation from their debut, You Can't Hide Your Love Forever, which was released just earlier in the same year. Following an album that perfected janglepop, and few lineup changes, the follow-up by Edwyn Collins and co is undeniably more ambitious and adventurous, incorporating synths and drawing from Caribbean rhythms, disco and blue-eyed soul. It's less direct and instantly rewarding than their debut, but it's brilliant nonetheless. I've generally always preferred You Can't Hide Your Love Forever, but listening to them back to back today I'm reconsidering. Either way, they're both incredible

Does it deserve to be in the book?: An Orange Juice album from 82 deserves to be in this book. That this is the one they chose doesn't bother me in the least bit.

Favorite tracks: Rip It Up, I Can't Help Myself, Flesh of My Flesh

Link

Re: MeccaLecca Starts New Music Diary To Forget to Keep Up With

meccalecca — Wed, 9 Jun 2021 16:15:58 GMT

Author: meccalecca

Posted: 06/09/2021 20:15

kokkinos wrote:

Just wanted to say I'm looking forward to the next album on the list, though I'm curious why their other -arguably even better- record that came out the very same year wasn't included.
Also, even though the albums you've covered so far aren't of any particular interest to me, it has to be said you've done a great job with all of them.

Thanks. Yeah, It's been a while since I've listened to either of those 2 albums in full, but I've always preferred their debut. I'm gonna listen to both in order for perspective, and because they're awesome. The book is full of head-scratching decisions.