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Sure, why not. Here begins #agAtoZ
1. ABBA The Album (1977)
Back when I was a bar DJ I had a strict “No ABBA” policy, I guess bc I thought not liking things ppl liked was a personality. ABBA’s great.
Highlight: “Name of the Game”
Back when I was a bar DJ I had a strict “No ABBA” policy, I guess bc I thought not liking things ppl liked was a personality. ABBA’s great.
Highlight: “Name of the Game”
2. AC/DC - Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (1976)
I got this one at I wanna say Generation Records on Thompson like 20 yrs ago, around the same time I was ignoring ABBA to spin stuff like this at the bar. Fitting they’re neighbors for life now.
Highlight: “Big Balls”
I got this one at I wanna say Generation Records on Thompson like 20 yrs ago, around the same time I was ignoring ABBA to spin stuff like this at the bar. Fitting they’re neighbors for life now.
Highlight: “Big Balls”
3. Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at the Club (1966)
Highlight: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
#agAtoZ
Highlight: Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
#agAtoZ
4. Cannonball Adderley Presents Soul Zodiac (1972)
Realized I’m listening to this out of order bc it’s one of those 1/4, 2/3 dbl LPs. Thanks, the 1970s!
Highlight: “Capricorn”
#agAtoZ
Realized I’m listening to this out of order bc it’s one of those 1/4, 2/3 dbl LPs. Thanks, the 1970s!
Highlight: “Capricorn”
#agAtoZ
5. Adam and the Ants - Kings of the Wild Frontier (1980)
Pretty sure this was in the stash a coworker sold me 20 yrs ago, kickstarting my collection. Also, my first alphabet fail, as this should either be before Cannonball Adderley or several slots later.
Highlight: “Antmusic”
Pretty sure this was in the stash a coworker sold me 20 yrs ago, kickstarting my collection. Also, my first alphabet fail, as this should either be before Cannonball Adderley or several slots later.
Highlight: “Antmusic”
6. The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen (1993)
The title track is the only song I’ve ever crowdsurfed to (managing to keep my wallet, backpack and hat, thus quitting while I was ahead)
Highlight: “Fountain and Fairfax” (and everything else)
#agAtoZ
The title track is the only song I’ve ever crowdsurfed to (managing to keep my wallet, backpack and hat, thus quitting while I was ahead)
Highlight: “Fountain and Fairfax” (and everything else)
#agAtoZ
Day 2.
7. The Afghan Whigs - Black Love (1996)
Gentlemen’s got better songs. This is the better album.
Highlight: “Honky’s Ladder”
#agAtoZ
7. The Afghan Whigs - Black Love (1996)
Gentlemen’s got better songs. This is the better album.
Highlight: “Honky’s Ladder”
#agAtoZ
8. The Afghan Whigs - 1965 (1998)
Bought this on cd with my Tower Records employee discount while living on a floor on E. 13th St.
Highlight: “Crazy”
#agAtoZ
Bought this on cd with my Tower Records employee discount while living on a floor on E. 13th St.
Highlight: “Crazy”
#agAtoZ
9. The Afghan Whigs - Do to the Beast (2014)
The longest gap between seeing an act twice for me was 1994-2014 with these guys.
Highlight: “Matamoros”
#agAtoZ
The longest gap between seeing an act twice for me was 1994-2014 with these guys.
Highlight: “Matamoros”
#agAtoZ
10. The Afghan Whigs - In Spades (2017)
I’m wrong - I saw the Whigs in 2012 before they had a new record to tour, then in ‘14 for Beast, then in ‘17 for this one.
Highlight: “Birdland”
I’m wrong - I saw the Whigs in 2012 before they had a new record to tour, then in ‘14 for Beast, then in ‘17 for this one.
Highlight: “Birdland”
11. Air - Talkie Walkie (2004)
The first, and hardly last, French Electronica Duo we’re gonna hit.
Highlight: “Alpha Beta Gaga”
#agAtoZ
The first, and hardly last, French Electronica Duo we’re gonna hit.
Highlight: “Alpha Beta Gaga”
#agAtoZ
12. Joan Armatrading - The Key
I can’t part with something from the dollar bin at the Towson Record and Tape Traders. I just can’t.
Highlight: “I Love It When You Call Me Names” (though the live ver. on Secret Policeman’s Ball leaves it in the dust) #agAtoZ
I can’t part with something from the dollar bin at the Towson Record and Tape Traders. I just can’t.
Highlight: “I Love It When You Call Me Names” (though the live ver. on Secret Policeman’s Ball leaves it in the dust) #agAtoZ
13. The Association - Insight Out (1967)
No recollection when or where I got this. Not sad I got it either.
Highlight: come on. everyone knows it’s “Windy”
#agAtoZ
No recollection when or where I got this. Not sad I got it either.
Highlight: come on. everyone knows it’s “Windy”
#agAtoZ
14. Mulatu Astatke - Mulatu of Ethiopia (1972)
And we’re at the end of the A’s, in style.
Highlight: “Mascaram Setaba”
#agAtoZ
And we’re at the end of the A’s, in style.
Highlight: “Mascaram Setaba”
#agAtoZ
15. Bad Religion - Stranger Than Fiction (1994)
Saw these guys on Letterman over winter break that year and was like “cool.”
Highlight: “Television”
#agAtoZ
Saw these guys on Letterman over winter break that year and was like “cool.”
Highlight: “Television”
#agAtoZ
Day 3
16. Badly Drawn Boy - The Hour of Bewilderbeast (1999)
“The Shining” was the processional at our wedding.
Highlight: “Bewilder”
#agAtoZ
16. Badly Drawn Boy - The Hour of Bewilderbeast (1999)
“The Shining” was the processional at our wedding.
Highlight: “Bewilder”
#agAtoZ
17. Shirley Bassey - Live at Carnegie Hall (1972)
The vamp on “Goldfinger” suggests it took Ms. Bassey 20 minutes to walk to her mic.
Highlight: “Diamonds are Forever”
#agAtoZ
The vamp on “Goldfinger” suggests it took Ms. Bassey 20 minutes to walk to her mic.
Highlight: “Diamonds are Forever”
#agAtoZ
18. Shirley Bassey - The Magic Is You (1978)
Working thru the Shirley Bassey records I have *after* all the Shirley Bassey records I’ve given away.
Highlight: “You Never Done It Like That”
#agAtoZ
Working thru the Shirley Bassey records I have *after* all the Shirley Bassey records I’ve given away.
Highlight: “You Never Done It Like That”
#agAtoZ
19. Shirley Bassey - The Remix Album Diamonds Are Forever (2000)
Ironically maybe less timeless than her non-remix records but there’s some gooood shiiiiit heeeeere.
Highlight: “Easy Thing to Do (Nightmares on Wax)”
#agAtoZ
Ironically maybe less timeless than her non-remix records but there’s some gooood shiiiiit heeeeere.
Highlight: “Easy Thing to Do (Nightmares on Wax)”
#agAtoZ
20. Beabadoobee - Fake It Flowers (2020)
How do u do, fellow kids?
Highlight: “Yoshimi, Forest, Magdalene”
#agAtoZ
How do u do, fellow kids?
Highlight: “Yoshimi, Forest, Magdalene”
#agAtoZ
21. Beastie Boys - “Cooky Puss” (1983)
Artwork’s gonna get real monotonous for a stretch bc the jackets are all framed on my wall.
Highlight: “Cooky Puss”
#agAtoZ
Artwork’s gonna get real monotonous for a stretch bc the jackets are all framed on my wall.
Highlight: “Cooky Puss”
#agAtoZ
22. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986)
The Official 5th Grade Eric Blum’s Basement Indoor Dodgeball Soundtrack
Highlight: “Rhymin and Stealin”
The Official 5th Grade Eric Blum’s Basement Indoor Dodgeball Soundtrack
Highlight: “Rhymin and Stealin”
Day Four
23. Beastie Boys - Paul’s Boutique (1989)
Imagine being the A&R guy who heard “Shake Your Rump” or “Shadrach” and said “I’m not hearing a single on this record, guys.”
Highlight: (covers eyes, throws dart) “Hey Ladies”
#agAtoZ
23. Beastie Boys - Paul’s Boutique (1989)
Imagine being the A&R guy who heard “Shake Your Rump” or “Shadrach” and said “I’m not hearing a single on this record, guys.”
Highlight: (covers eyes, throws dart) “Hey Ladies”
#agAtoZ
24. Beastie Boys - Check Your Head (1992)
I once had a roommate say “Pass the Mic” was the most pointless song he’d ever heard; he’s now a 2A/MAGA transphobe. Coincidence?
No.
Highlight: “Finger Lickin’ Good”
#agAtoZ
I once had a roommate say “Pass the Mic” was the most pointless song he’d ever heard; he’s now a 2A/MAGA transphobe. Coincidence?
No.
Highlight: “Finger Lickin’ Good”
#agAtoZ
25. Beastie Boys - Ill Communication (1994)
You know it’s a hell of an album when “Sabotage” somehow isn’t the best song on it.
Highlight: “Get It Together”
#agAtoZ
You know it’s a hell of an album when “Sabotage” somehow isn’t the best song on it.
Highlight: “Get It Together”
#agAtoZ
26. Beastie Boys - The In Sound from Way Out (1996)
Highlight: “Transitions”
Highlight: “Transitions”
27. Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty (1998)
I’m back in the count room at Tower Video on Lafayette.
Highlight: “I Don’t Know”
#agAtoZ
I’m back in the count room at Tower Video on Lafayette.
Highlight: “I Don’t Know”
#agAtoZ
28. Beastie Boys - Swiss Cheese (2020)
Live from Switzerland on Mix Master Mike’s first tour w/them. Merry Xmas to me.
Highlight: “Time for Livin’”
#agAtoZ
Live from Switzerland on Mix Master Mike’s first tour w/them. Merry Xmas to me.
Highlight: “Time for Livin’”
#agAtoZ
Day Five
29. Beastie Boys (Mike D) - Country Mike’s Greatest Hits (1999)
I almost snuck off a shoot I was producing when I got the email notification this had arrived at the post office.
Highlight: “Country Delight”
29. Beastie Boys (Mike D) - Country Mike’s Greatest Hits (1999)
I almost snuck off a shoot I was producing when I got the email notification this had arrived at the post office.
Highlight: “Country Delight”
30. Beastie Boys - To the Five Boroughs (2004)
For about 10 months in 2001-02, I was roommates w modern artist Gretchen Bender; her apartment was three windows up from the “R” in “Boroughs” on the album cover.
Highlight: “Ch-Check It Out”
#agAtoZ
For about 10 months in 2001-02, I was roommates w modern artist Gretchen Bender; her apartment was three windows up from the “R” in “Boroughs” on the album cover.
Highlight: “Ch-Check It Out”
#agAtoZ
31. Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC (2004)
Highlight: “MTL reppin’ for the 514*”
Highlight: “MTL reppin’ for the 514*”
32. Beastie Boys - The Mix-Up (2008)
Of all their reinventions, this one where they essentially scored an imaginary Soderbergh movie (in my headcanon anyway) might be my favorite turn.
Highlight: “14th St. Break”
#agAtoZ
Of all their reinventions, this one where they essentially scored an imaginary Soderbergh movie (in my headcanon anyway) might be my favorite turn.
Highlight: “14th St. Break”
#agAtoZ
Day Six
33. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Pt. Two (2011)
The one & only time I got to be in the room w MCA was at the premiere of “Fight For Your Right Revisited” @ the Egyptian in 2011.
Btw, every BB Side 1 Track 1 is perfect.
Highlight: “Too Many Rappers”
#agAtoZ
33. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Pt. Two (2011)
The one & only time I got to be in the room w MCA was at the premiere of “Fight For Your Right Revisited” @ the Egyptian in 2011.
Btw, every BB Side 1 Track 1 is perfect.
Highlight: “Too Many Rappers”
#agAtoZ
34. Beck - “Odelay” (1996)
The Dust Brothers should produce every record.
Highlight: “Jack-Ass”
#agAtoZ
The Dust Brothers should produce every record.
Highlight: “Jack-Ass”
#agAtoZ
35. Beck - “Sexx Laws” (1999)
For the love of GOD plz reissue Midnite Vultures on LP, somebody ...
Highlight: “Sexx Laws (Malibu Remix)”
For the love of GOD plz reissue Midnite Vultures on LP, somebody ...
Highlight: “Sexx Laws (Malibu Remix)”
Day Seven.
36. Beck - Sea Change
Like slipping into a warm, sad bath. RIP Jeremy Blake.
Highlight: “Guess I’m Doing Fine”
36. Beck - Sea Change
Like slipping into a warm, sad bath. RIP Jeremy Blake.
Highlight: “Guess I’m Doing Fine”
37. The Beatles - Help! (1965)
20 yrs ago, an ex swiped my parents’ Beatles records when we broke up, which, rude. Last summer I decided to rebuild the collection.
Highlight: “The Night Before”
#agAtoZ
20 yrs ago, an ex swiped my parents’ Beatles records when we broke up, which, rude. Last summer I decided to rebuild the collection.
Highlight: “The Night Before”
#agAtoZ
38. The Beatles - Rubber Soul (1965)
During a blackout in 1982 or 83, my folks got out the tape player and put this on. The first Beatles song I can remember hearing is “I’ve Just Seen a Face”
Highlight: “You Won’t See Me”
#agAtoZ
During a blackout in 1982 or 83, my folks got out the tape player and put this on. The first Beatles song I can remember hearing is “I’ve Just Seen a Face”
Highlight: “You Won’t See Me”
#agAtoZ
… I promise I’m a functional adult who knows the alphabet, so your guess is good as mine why Beck was ahead of The Beatles on my shelf. Christ.
