5. Death - ...For the Whole World to See
Drag City Records
Recorded 1975, Released 02/2009
A Band Called Death is one of my favorite rockumentaries/documentaries of all time. If you haven't seen it, you need to. If you have, this entry is superfluous.
This band is the missing link between early 70s Detroit garage rock and the beginnings of punk in New York in the later 70s. These three brothers who never saw any fame, who sold less than 100 records, made sounds that prefigured everything to follow in rock and roll.
I finally picked this up, and it's as good as I imagined. This is a great rock album with great rock tunes.
4. Indian Summer - Giving Birth to Thunder
The Numero Group, 09/2019
I wasn't sure whether this should belong in the new albums or new discoveries. It's a reissue of the band's discography, which was all recorded 1992-1993. One track was unreleased. I think it belongs in this list.
Indian Summer wore their heart on their sleeve and were simultaneously more vulnerable and more abrasive than other bands of their era. They seemed to have a song on every compilation, and the quality of the music was uneven. This compilation pulls all the disparate songs together into what sounds like a cohesive whole.
It's still a difficult listen. If you don't turn the volume up, you miss the quiet parts, and the loud parts come as unpleasant surprises. If you actively listen, though, it's rewarding.
3. Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors
RCA Records 10/1971
My family loves this record. It's my 4-year-old's favorite thing in the world. She asks to hear "Travelin' Man" and "Coat of Many Colors" whenever she gets in the car.
Me, I'm a fan of "The Early Morning Breeze" and several other songs as well.
The only reason this album isn't #1 is that some of the tracks feel like filler. I blame Porter Wagoner. Dolly Parton is a heckuva songwriter. Plus, she cured Coronavirus. And she wrote the best song about it. Dolly Parton is a national treasure.
2. American Analog Set - Promise of Love
Tigerstyle Records, 06/2003
This year, I finally filled in the gaps in my American Analog Set collection. This album (along with Know By Heart) was their high water mark. These songs groove for days. I could write a lot of words about this album and this band, but the groove is the thing. Groove.
You can pick up a bunch of their old CDs direct from the band for decent prices.
1. Pink Floyd - Obscured by Clouds
Harvest Records, 06/1972
Growing up and getting into Pink Floyd, there were a series of albums (More, Ummagumma, Obscured, Relics) that were always in the bin at the record store, but any friend in the know said "don't worry about those. They're not very good". I think the band has gone on record saying much the same thing.
This year, I took the time to listen to a bunch of those also-rans, and discovered this one. Obscured By Clouds now ranks in my top 5 Pink Floyd albums, well above more proper releases. This is a great collection of eclectic stuff-- some atmospheric, some poppy, capturing the band right at their technical and songwriting zenith [Live at Pompeii-era]. This album came out 9 months after Meddle and 9 months before Dark Side of the Moon.
My favorite song, The Gold It's in the... sounds like Pink Floyd doing Big Star. Just the best 70s pop you can imagine.
Anyway, if you are into Pink Floyd (and it's okay if you're not), check this one out. Also check out Ummagumma and Saucerful of Secrets. All these are worth your time.
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