10 Need To Listen To Lost Album Gems

(In exactly 25 words each)

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Here are a few albums from the greatest era in music (imho) that just haven’t seemed to get enough love out in mainstream culture for a little too long.

 

on the beach-outline

Neil Young – On The Beach (1974)
Most moody Neil album. No real singles, just brilliant song after song. Ragged, depressed autobiography. Sparse arrangements, some fiddles, steel guitars. Tons beyond of vibe.
Gateway Track: For the Turnstiles
 
luxury-liner-outline
Emmylou Harris – Luxury Liner (1976)
Emmylou and Hot Band in crackling prime. Classic songwriting at absolute pinnacle (Parsons, Van Zandt, Louvins..). Female vocal direct from heaven. Timeless, 70’s analog tape bliss.
Gateway Track: She
 
scott 4-outline
Scott Walker – Scott 4 (1969)
A dream. Shimmering baroque pop atmospheres, pristine acoustic sonics, reminiscent of best of 60’s, 70’s, but altogether different. And that voice: strange, sublime space-age crooner.
Gateway Track: Boy Child
 
harry-nilsson-pussy-cats-outline
Harry Nilsson – Pussy Cats (1974)
Produced by / collaboration with Lennon, during “Lost Weekend.” Gut-wrenching, playful, rocking treatments Tin Pan Alley, Jamaica, Dylan. Sonically apiece with Lennon mid-70’s, studio player legends.
Gateway Track: Many Rivers To Cross
 
bonnie-and-clyde-outline
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot – Bonnie and Clyde (1968)
Somehow simultaneously camp and legit as hell. Touch of vaudeville, flouncy fun with blatant chemistry between Gainsbourg & Bardot. Very 60’s. Ultimate dinner party music.
Gateway Track: Bonnie and Clyde
 

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Shuggie-Otis-Inspiration-Information-outline
Shuggie Otis – Inspiration Information (1974)
Experimental auteur disguised as soul-pop psychedelia. Family Stone on valium, Bill Withers’ esoteric genius cousin. Pseudo-cerebral instrumental flights of fancy that never lose the feel-vibe.
Gateway Track: Aht Uh Mi Hed
 
planet waves-outline
Bob Dylan – Planet Waves (1974)
Regroup with The Band. Relationship-themed but markedly more up-tempo, roots-rockin than Blood on the Tracks. Easy feeling, not taking selves too seriously in best way.
Gateway Track: Tough Mama
 
laura nyro-outline
Laura Nyro and Labelle – Gonna Take a Miracle (1971)
50s 60s soul / R&B / Brill Building standards filtered through Gamble & Huff “Philly Soul” with Labelle trio. Nyro’s tender, powerful-thin voice evokes waves of pathos.
Gateway Track: Spanish Harlem
 
streethassle-outline
Lou Reed – Street Hassle (1978)
Epic poem of seediness, filth, beauty. Like all best Lou, human observation at most unvarnished, potent, empathetic. Sonically and arrangement-ally bold as hell. Springsteen cameo.
Gateway Track: Street Hassle
 
beach-boys-surfs-up-outline
Beach Boys – Surf’s Up (1971)
Enigmatic, cosmic-existentialist sonic / harmonic masterpiece. Epic, beautiful non-singles patched from numerous band eras and writers forming a strange, orchestrated cohesion of high and low music-art.
Gateway Track: Feel Flows

 

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There they are folks, some of the most wonderful culturally half-forgotten sounds around. Each one brilliant. If you don’t know every single one, I hope you soon will ;)

Best, DB

P.S. I’m hopelessly devoted to albums. Tyranny of the mp3 be damned, I will fight for the album format and MAKE ALBUMS until I die.

You heard it here first.

#AlbumsForever #GreatAlbumsNeverDie

P.P.S. What’d I miss?? Leave it in the comments. And if you have a good idea for a list, can leave that too. Who knows, maybe I’ll do it.

 
 

12 Comments

  • dbquestions dbquestions says:

    Thank you so much guys, I love it that you’re into these!

  • It sounds like you are greatly influenced by soul singers! Can you make a list of your favorite soul songs?

    Thank you for introducing me to Emmylou Harris. She has a hauntingly beautiful voice. It reminds me a little of Karen Carpenter’s voice.

    I didn’t know the Beach Boys came out with albums that were less mainstream and more Indie! This is so cool!

    ~LV

    • dbquestions dbquestions says:

      Hey Levin – so very glad you like Emmylou, she is one of my all time favs. Great idea for a soul singers list, I will try to make that happen at some point!

  • Avatar Danny Panzella says:

    Vinyl forever!! Keep it up Dave!

  • Avatar Sean F says:

    Fun and interesting collection of tunes I’ve never heard from some artists I really like. Lou Reed’s world will continue to be a mystery. I never knew of the Beach Boys’ funky psychedelia, and it didn’t go around in my head all night. Hands down favorites was the Lennon collaboration and the Dylan jam, can’t wait for the summer concerts to begin!

  • Avatar Dylan Bates says:

    Fantastic! As someone who is younger I’m always looking for more of the off-the-beaten-path classics that were before my time. Definitely a fan of your new experiment. Looking forward to more posts.

  • Avatar Olivia says:

    I sadly wasn’t familiar with many of these albums with the exception of the Beach Boys until I read this enlightening list! Keep the suggestions and awesome recommendations coming; I can’t wait for more!

  • Avatar Annie says:

    Thanks for your list. It has introduced some unknown goodies to artists I’ve love and some new goodies from unknown artists to me.

  • Avatar Erin S says:

    I totally agree with you! Love the experiment.

  • Avatar Laurel says:

    What a list! Thanks for bringing some of these back into the forefront of my mind (especially Emmylou Harris’s Luxury Liner – such a gem).
    Also, I’m so glad we agree that albums are crucial; it’s great to hear you’re dedicated to the format.

  • Avatar Anna says:

    I totally love the idea of the experiment Dave! The list is phenomenal!

  • Avatar Brian says:

    There’s amazing music on this list! Beautiful records. Thanks!

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