Which album do you revisit the most often?

[Alf Bentley]

At school in about 1977, we were sent to a series of mysterious but compulsory "computer studies" classes. We had to write some algebraic code, were given rolls of perforated tape to examine (which ended up all over the floor) and were taken to look through mesh-reinforced glass at a couple of enormous metal cupboards. These 3 activities were connected in some mystifying way and constituted "computer studies". Most of us were none the wiser for this education.

 

I first used a computer in about 1986-87 (aged 24-25) but just to print off work reports. Only a few specialists did data input, never mind computing. I first started using computers properly in 1992 (aged 30) but not the Internet until 1996 (age 34).

 

Getting back on topic....

The albums I used to revisit most were London Calling by The Clash and Darkness on the Edge of Town by Springsteen, but I've not listened to either for ages, just odd tracks online. Recently, the most revisited would be two under-rated albums by old heroes: Peace and Love by The Pogues and Even Serpents Shine by the Only Ones. I try to kick myself up the arse to listen to new music but keep unearthing unfamiliar stuff by old artistes - or new stuff by old artistes, where they're still active and releasing new material rather than just rehashing the old hits. I'm getting old, aren't I? 

[Finnegan]

@Alf Bentley I think the vast majority of us slowly phase out seeking out new music as we age. Every few years I'll pick up a new band to add to my library but generally speaking I think the bulk of what I listen to is still stuff I loved between the ages of say 14 - 24.

 

This thread is a bit of a monument to that I think. 

 

[purpleronnie]

14 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

@Alf Bentley I think the vast majority of us slowly phase out seeking out new music as we age. Every few years I'll pick up a new band to add to my library but generally speaking I think the bulk of what I listen to is still stuff I loved between the ages of say 14 - 24.

 

This thread is a bit of a monument to that I think. 

 

I hear this a lot, I must be weird because the older i get the more i want to hear something new.

[Alf Bentley]

6 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

@Alf Bentley I think the vast majority of us slowly phase out seeking out new music as we age. Every few years I'll pick up a new band to add to my library but generally speaking I think the bulk of what I listen to is still stuff I loved between the ages of say 14 - 24.

 

This thread is a bit of a monument to that I think. 

 

 

Yep, that's a pretty good description of my music routine for the past 30 years. 

 

I've no desire to be that embarrassing "oldest swinger in town", hanging out with the kids and knowing all the new stuff, but I'm disappointed at myself for being as out of touch with new music as I am. There's no excuse as Radio 6 is made for the likes of me, with its blend of old stuff and new stuff that old Peel listeners might like - but I tune in very rarely.

 

I've got worse in recent years as I rarely go to gigs  - maybe a festival plus 3-4 gigs per year, when an old friend visits or a favourite act is on tour. In the past, I'd always either go to gigs with friends or be drinking if I went alone. All my music-loving mates live in other parts of the country and I quit boozing 8+ years ago. Going to see a little-known band alone and drinking lime and soda lacks appeal.... I'll hopefully be moving soon so will have to make an effort to meet people up for a gig or two.

[purpleronnie]

2 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Yep, that's a pretty good description of my music routine for the past 30 years. 

 

I've no desire to be that embarrassing "oldest swinger in town", hanging out with the kids and knowing all the new stuff, but I'm disappointed at myself for being as out of touch with new music as I am. There's no excuse as Radio 6 is made for the likes of me, with its blend of old stuff and new stuff that old Peel listeners might like - but I tune in very rarely.

 

I've got worse in recent years as I rarely go to gigs  - maybe a festival plus 3-4 gigs per year, when an old friend visits or a favourite act is on tour. In the past, I'd always either go to gigs with friends or be drinking if I went alone. All my music-loving mates live in other parts of the country and I quit boozing 8+ years ago. Going to see a little-known band alone and drinking lime and soda lacks appeal.... I'll hopefully be moving soon so will have to make an effort to meet people up for a gig or two.

You don't have to be hanging out with kids listening to new music lol.   If you mean going to gigs then I go and see new bands and you'd be surprised by the age of some of the fans, granted they might be the parents lol, but no way am I going to care about that, i'm there for me no-one else, why miss out?.  A festival and a few gigs a year is ok, plenty of people who love music don't go to gigs at all.  Have to say though despite loving to hear new music, the gigs i got to are probably 80% older groups.

[Alf Bentley]

5 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

You don't have to be hanging out with kids listening to new music lol.   If you mean going to gigs then I go and see new bands and you'd be surprised by the age of some of the fans, granted they might be the parents lol, but no way am I going to care about that, i'm there for me no-one else, why miss out?.  A festival and a few gigs a year is ok, plenty of people who love music don't go to gigs at all.  Have to say though despite loving to hear new music, the gigs i got to are probably 80% older groups.

 

Oh, I completely agree. With gigs, what discourages me is the lack of local mates to go with and not drinking. I know older people do go to gigs from the few that I do go to - and, like you, I wouldn't be bothered even if I was the only old fogey there. What I meant by that "hanging out with kids" comment is that I've no desire to have the thorough knowledge of the current music scene that I had in my teens/twenties.

 

But what I should be doing is listening to a bit of new stuff online or on R6, stumbling on a few new acts that I like and acquiring their music or going to more local gigs, even if I'm on my own and on soft drinks - I usually enjoy it when I do make the effort. 

[Finnegan]

@Alf Bentley

 

Okay this isn't "new" music but it's newer than 1984!

 

Here's some music of my youth inspired by Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues and The Clash. 

 

Pay it forward

 

[Alf Bentley]

54 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

@Alf Bentley

 

Okay this isn't "new" music but it's newer than 1984!

 

Here's some music of my youth inspired by Bruce Springsteen, The Pogues and The Clash. 

 

Pay it forward

 

 

Thanks for caring enough to attempt to re-educate me! 

 

I quite enjoyed all 3 of your linked songs, though they all stayed a bit too close to things that had gone before for my liking - making them good but not exceptional. I'm sure I'd enjoy any of them live, though.

As the first bit of homework for my re-education programme, I'll listen to some more songs by these 3 artistes from your youth (I'd heard a little Gaslight Anthem before, but not the other two).

 

I certainly see the "inspired by" claims you make: mid-late Springsteen and 1st two Pogues and Clash albums, respectively. All good stuff (inspirational when released in my youth), though one of the things I appreciate about those 3 acts is how they diversified massively (over 50 years for Bruce & over 5-6 albums for Pogues & Clash). 3rd & 4th albums were outstanding for the latter two; Bruce has had peaks and troughs since the 80s, his last two albums being the highest peak for a long time.

 

Now I'll just need someone to help me bridge the gap between your youth and the current day, won't I? 

I really like some of the stuff my 19-year-old daughter plays, but understandably she's mostly too busy to play it for me.

 

Watch out for the compression of time as you age, Finners. I was trying to think of "newer" acts I'd found inspirational and came up with The Libertines, The Long Blondes, Sleaford Mods, King Creosote.....but they all either existed 15-20 years ago or have existed almost as long. Lately, I've mainly been resorting to new material by old faves (Natalie Merchant, Wreckless Eric, Peter Perrett, Bruce, Men they couldn't hang) or diving into earlier acts I didn't know properly like Dylan and The Beatles.

[Finnegan]

8 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Thanks for caring enough to attempt to re-educate me! 

 

I quite enjoyed all 3 of your linked songs, though they all stayed a bit too close to things that had gone before for my liking - making them good but not exceptional. I'm sure I'd enjoy any of them live, though.

As the first bit of homework for my re-education programme, I'll listen to some more songs by these 3 artistes from your youth (I'd heard a little Gaslight Anthem before, but not the other two).

 

I certainly see the "inspired by" claims you make: mid-late Springsteen and 1st two Pogues and Clash albums, respectively. All good stuff (inspirational when released in my youth), though one of the things I appreciate about those 3 acts is how they diversified massively (over 50 years for Bruce & over 5-6 albums for Pogues & Clash). 3rd & 4th albums were outstanding for the latter two; Bruce has had peaks and troughs since the 80s, his last two albums being the highest peak for a long time.

 

Now I'll just need someone to help me bridge the gap between your youth and the current day, won't I? 

I really like some of the stuff my 19-year-old daughter plays, but understandably she's mostly too busy to play it for me.

 

Watch out for the compression of time as you age, Finners. I was trying to think of "newer" acts I'd found inspirational and came up with The Libertines, The Long Blondes, Sleaford Mods, King Creosote.....but they all either existed 15-20 years ago or have existed almost as long. Lately, I've mainly been resorting to new material by old faves (Natalie Merchant, Wreckless Eric, Peter Perrett, Bruce, Men they couldn't hang) or diving into earlier acts I didn't know properly like Dylan and The Beatles.

 

Yeah I was gonna say, now we just need some cocky Gen Z twat to link three bands inspired by the Gaslight Anthem, Street Dogs and Tossers haha. 

 

Gaslight Anthem was a bit of a stretch maybe as a comparison to The Boss, they deny he's a direct influence on the band collectively but he definitely is to singer Brian Fallon.

 

I'm not entirely sure anyone particularly sounds like The Clash either tbf. Pretty much every punk band cites them as an influence, I just have a soft spot for Street Dogs. 

 

Love the Pogues though. Folk-Punk was probably my #1 music genre in my late teens and early twenties and has been a pretty big presence throughout my life. Listened to a hell of a lot of music growing up that owes an awful lot to Shane Mac et all.

[Alf Bentley]

35 minutes ago, Finnegan said:

 

Yeah I was gonna say, now we just need some cocky Gen Z twat to link three bands inspired by the Gaslight Anthem, Street Dogs and Tossers haha. 

 

Gaslight Anthem was a bit of a stretch maybe as a comparison to The Boss, they deny he's a direct influence on the band collectively but he definitely is to singer Brian Fallon.

 

I'm not entirely sure anyone particularly sounds like The Clash either tbf. Pretty much every punk band cites them as an influence, I just have a soft spot for Street Dogs. 

 

Love the Pogues though. Folk-Punk was probably my #1 music genre in my late teens and early twenties and has been a pretty big presence throughout my life. Listened to a hell of a lot of music growing up that owes an awful lot to Shane Mac et all.

 

I did see a strong Springsteen influence/similarity in the Gaslight Anthem track (DK about their other stuff - yet) - but more an influence of his quite good stuff, not his outstanding stuff. Although the first two (punky) Clash albums were massive for me at the time, I rarely play more than the odd track from them now - in moments of pent-up energy. For years, I've listened more to London Calling and Sandinista, the albums on which they diversified massively into reggae, dub, rockabilly, rap, soul, gospel - a mad spread.

 

In a way, proto-folk-punk was my musical first love - as a primary school kid in the late 60s, playing my parents' Dubliners records. The Dubliners were folk-punk 20 years before the concept existed. Even as a small kid, I drew a big distinction between them and The Clancy Brothers (who my parents also liked) - the Clancys were more traditional Irish folk, decent but less interesting to me. I loved The Dubliners' blend of raucous roguishness, wit, emotion and moving instrumentals - definitely an influence on Shane. 

[Fox92]

On 19/10/2023 at 14:43, goody2028 said:

One of their best.

 

The run of Help/Rubber Soul/Revolver/Sgt Peppers/White Album is incredible. Honestly I can't get my head around it.

[goody2028]

7 minutes ago, Fox92 said:

One of their best.

 

The run of Help/Rubber Soul/Revolver/Sgt Peppers/White Album is incredible. Honestly I can't get my head around it.

Still think Rubber Soul is one of the most underrated records going. Some run of music that. 

[SpacedX]

Good thread this.

 

Also, some albums are seasonal. I mentioned 'The Hounds of Love'. That's one of my autumn albums. I bought it on the day of release which was September and played incessantly throughout the autumn, so obviously I equate it with that, but the music has a distinct autumn feel to it too. I tend to do melancholy and pensive during the winter and upbeat in the spring/summer. 

 

October by U2 is another Autumn album...can't think why. 

[purpleronnie]

19 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

I did see a strong Springsteen influence/similarity in the Gaslight Anthem track (DK about their other stuff - yet) - but more an influence of his quite good stuff, not his outstanding stuff. Although the first two (punky) Clash albums were massive for me at the time, I rarely play more than the odd track from them now - in moments of pent-up energy. For years, I've listened more to London Calling and Sandinista, the albums on which they diversified massively into reggae, dub, rockabilly, rap, soul, gospel - a mad spread.

 

In a way, proto-folk-punk was my musical first love - as a primary school kid in the late 60s, playing my parents' Dubliners records. The Dubliners were folk-punk 20 years before the concept existed. Even as a small kid, I drew a big distinction between them and The Clancy Brothers (who my parents also liked) - the Clancys were more traditional Irish folk, decent but less interesting to me. I loved The Dubliners' blend of raucous roguishness, wit, emotion and moving instrumentals - definitely an influence on Shane. 

Have you heard Sam fender?, I've a huge springsteen fan and could hear the springsteen influence on sam fenders seventeen going under album, worth checking out.

[Andy11111]

Jimmy Eat Worlds Bleed American , classic album.

 

 

[Alf Bentley]

1 hour ago, purpleronnie said:

Have you heard Sam fender?, I've a huge springsteen fan and could hear the springsteen influence on sam fenders seventeen going under album, worth checking out.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I've just listened to 4 tracks by Fender but, based on those, I'm not keen on him, I'm afraid.

 

Musically, I didn't feel much Springsteen in those tracks - maybe in "Hypersonic missiles", plus his use of saxophone bursts. It felt like mainstream indie-rock crossed with "poor, poor me" singer-songwriter stuff (which is definitely not my thing).

Lyrically there's perhaps a bit more Brucey similarity, in offering human stories - and some of Fender's lyrics were decent.

 

I was trying to work out what I didn't like about those Fender tracks compared to what I do like about Bruce. Partly, it was that Fender's stories seemed to be all about himself and his life, whereas (apart from some early stuff) Bruce's songs/stories are about imagined selves or other imagined characters - and they say something more about life, the human condition, the American Dream v. the American reality or whatever. But mainly I was put off by the mood of Fender's songs, which seemed to be rather passively miserable or defeatist, even nostalgic. Many of Springsteen's songs describe tough lives/times (e.g. Nebraska, Tom Joad) but they often come with stated/implied anger, while other Bruce songs describe people getting by despite tough times or express defiant hope despite life's afflictions or even express joy. I felt like grabbing Fender by the shoulders and saying "Life is for living, not just looking back, Sam. Grasp life. Look forward, too. Fight back and find some joy".

 

Thanks again for the suggestion, though it's mainly up to me to take some of my own advice and to kick myself up the arse to listen to R6 and get out to a few gigs. 

[Trav Le Bleu]

On 20/10/2023 at 10:39, Finnegan said:

 

 

Just gone to put this on and realised its an absolute prime candidate for this thread. 

 

Was talking to @Markyesterday about post rock and my gateways into the genre and I definitely think that ATDI & Mars Volta had a big impact.

 

On that note, these two definitely as well:

 

 

 

I'd really fallen out with rock music about 20 years ago and a lad I was working with was playing Relationship of Command and I was, "what is this amazing sound?!?!"

 

Job done. Thank you At The Drive-in.

[Trav Le Bleu]

This might confuse a few people, but genuinely this...

 

 

 

The very first no.1 album in the UK.

Edited 22 October 2023 by Trav Le Bleu

[Andy11111]

21 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I've just listened to 4 tracks by Fender but, based on those, I'm not keen on him, I'm afraid.

 

Musically, I didn't feel much Springsteen in those tracks - maybe in "Hypersonic missiles", plus his use of saxophone bursts. It felt like mainstream indie-rock crossed with "poor, poor me" singer-songwriter stuff (which is definitely not my thing).

Lyrically there's perhaps a bit more Brucey similarity, in offering human stories - and some of Fender's lyrics were decent.

 

I was trying to work out what I didn't like about those Fender tracks compared to what I do like about Bruce. Partly, it was that Fender's stories seemed to be all about himself and his life, whereas (apart from some early stuff) Bruce's songs/stories are about imagined selves or other imagined characters - and they say something more about life, the human condition, the American Dream v. the American reality or whatever. But mainly I was put off by the mood of Fender's songs, which seemed to be rather passively miserable or defeatist, even nostalgic. Many of Springsteen's songs describe tough lives/times (e.g. Nebraska, Tom Joad) but they often come with stated/implied anger, while other Bruce songs describe people getting by despite tough times or express defiant hope despite life's afflictions or even express joy. I felt like grabbing Fender by the shoulders and saying "Life is for living, not just looking back, Sam. Grasp life. Look forward, too. Fight back and find some joy".

 

Thanks again for the suggestion, though it's mainly up to me to take some of my own advice and to kick myself up the arse to listen to R6 and get out to a few gigs. 

Don't like him either, overrated.

[purpleronnie]

21 hours ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I've just listened to 4 tracks by Fender but, based on those, I'm not keen on him, I'm afraid.

 

Musically, I didn't feel much Springsteen in those tracks - maybe in "Hypersonic missiles", plus his use of saxophone bursts. It felt like mainstream indie-rock crossed with "poor, poor me" singer-songwriter stuff (which is definitely not my thing).

Lyrically there's perhaps a bit more Brucey similarity, in offering human stories - and some of Fender's lyrics were decent.

 

I was trying to work out what I didn't like about those Fender tracks compared to what I do like about Bruce. Partly, it was that Fender's stories seemed to be all about himself and his life, whereas (apart from some early stuff) Bruce's songs/stories are about imagined selves or other imagined characters - and they say something more about life, the human condition, the American Dream v. the American reality or whatever. But mainly I was put off by the mood of Fender's songs, which seemed to be rather passively miserable or defeatist, even nostalgic. Many of Springsteen's songs describe tough lives/times (e.g. Nebraska, Tom Joad) but they often come with stated/implied anger, while other Bruce songs describe people getting by despite tough times or express defiant hope despite life's afflictions or even express joy. I felt like grabbing Fender by the shoulders and saying "Life is for living, not just looking back, Sam. Grasp life. Look forward, too. Fight back and find some joy".

 

Thanks again for the suggestion, though it's mainly up to me to take some of my own advice and to kick myself up the arse to listen to R6 and get out to a few gigs. 

I agree partly, but you wouldnt one just copying springsteen, Fender is influenced by springsteen (his hero).  I really like the seventeen going under not because people have compared it to springsteen but it was rare to hear youngsters in rock bands singing about the working class.

 

But you either dig it or you don't.

 

But keep digging you'll find it eventually.

[Jon the Hat]

On 19/10/2023 at 19:56, Izzy said:

Yeah takes me back to the DMU Student Union... This and Echobelly.

[Jon the Hat]

I do find having a teenager helps you learn some new music, although she also likes a lot of mine

[Andy11111]

12 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

I do find having a teenager helps you learn some new music, although she also likes a lot of mine

My teenager listens to all the 90's stuff I listen to, wears the same t shirts I threw out years ago, wish I'd have kept them 😠

[The Syrup]

16 hours ago, Jon the Hat said:

Yeah takes me back to the DMU Student Union... This and Echobelly.

I saw Echobelly at the DMU SU also. Still got the ticket as well. Shame the place got knocked down, saw a few decent bands there back in the 90s... Orbital, Spiritualized, Dodgy, plus a few others I can't remember.

[Wycombe Fox]

On 20/10/2023 at 17:52, Fox92 said:

One of their best.

 

The run of Help/Rubber Soul/Revolver/Sgt Peppers/White Album is incredible. Honestly I can't get my head around it.

Totally agree.

 

I've just completed collecting the official Beatles albums, mostly first and second presses. I love the fact that they were first played around the time of their original release in the 60s.

 

My first press of Revolver is quite rare and features a version of Tomorrow Never Knows known as Mix 11. Apparently George Martin wasn't happy with it so re-issued the album with a Mix 8 version.