Best First Time Listen Albums

duga · 05-28-2010, 12:31 PM

As usual, apologies if this has been done before.

Post albums that blew you away straight from the first listen.

Here's a few of mine:

The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium

I had no clue what to expect when I bought this album. I had seen a few positive comments here and there on the internet and I liked the artwork but I really had no clue what to expect. From the very first song, I knew I had found one of my new favorite albums. Sadly, the Mars Volta have not topped this one in my opinion, but they still put out great music.

Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas

The only song I was familiar with before picking this one up was "Iceblink Luck", which honestly sounded like a better than average 80's hit. Still, I had known of their reputation and decided any band that gets that much praise deserves a listen from me. I went for Heaven or Las Vegas first, and was completely blindsided. I did not expect music of this intense quality...I hungrily devoured the rest of their discography and proudly count them as one of my favorite bands of all time.

Swirlies - They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons

I was in a real 90's guitar mood, did some searching around, and saw a few mentions about the Swirlies. I checked them out on Youtube and was impressed enough to check them out, but didn't expect to be blown away. I got this album and soon found out this is the kind of band whose songs need to be heard in the context of an album...from start to finish the creativity they show on guitar is just amazing.

And my most recent first time listen great:

Bethany Curve - You Brought Us Here

I knew it was going to be shoegaze, so I figured I would like it at least a little. I really just wanted a new shoegaze band to listen to, found these guys, got the album, and went about my business. I subsequently stopped everything I was doing and was sucked into the dreamy ether that is a Bethany Curve song. Just wow.

clutnuckle · 05-28-2010, 02:13 PM

I just made a thread for a band based on my first listen through of their albums... The Verve - "A Storm in Heaven" is breathtaking.

Some others:

Sonic Youth - "Daydream Nation"
7% Solution - "All About Satellites and Spaceships"
Big Blood - "Sew Your Wild Days Tour Vol. I"
Albert Ayler - "Spiritual Unity"
Kayo Dot - "Coyote"
Nujabes - "Metaphorical Music"
Talk Talk - "Laughing Stock"

duga · 05-28-2010, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clutnuckle

I just made a thread for a band based on my first listen through of their albums... The Verve - "A Storm in Heaven" is breathtaking.

Some others:

Sonic Youth - "Daydream Nation"
7% Solution - "All About Satellites and Spaceships"
Big Blood - "Sew Your Wild Days Tour Vol. I"
Albert Ayler - "Spiritual Unity"
Kayo Dot - "Coyote"
Nujabes - "Metaphorical Music"
Talk Talk - "Laughing Stock"

Yeah I just saw the Verve thing. If you liked "A Storm in Heaven", you will love the Bethany Curve album I mentioned up there. In fact, I highly recommend you get it. Now.

sidewinder · 05-28-2010, 02:22 PM

Couple of random ones off the top of my head. I'll agree with The Mars Volta's debut, too.

Descendents - Hallraker Live!
A friend found this tape in the school parking lot in the early 90s, and we fell in love instantly. It got me into punk.

Skinny Puppy - Last Rights
My introduction to the band. I hallucinated while laying on my bed in the dark, prior to ever having done an drugs. The start of an obsession.

Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
I'd heard The Moon & Antarctica before this and liked it, but this one was just woahwtfawesomeman!

Charlemagne · 05-28-2010, 03:26 PM

Here are a few of mine.

Sufjan Stevens- Come On Feel the Illinoise!

Absolutely beautiful album, I loved his voice instantly and the lyrics and instrumentals are fantastic.

Heathers- Here Not There

I first heard this album about a month ago, and then I went on to listen to it for the rest of the day, love the simplicity, love the harmony in the vocals, and both the girls can sing, instantly loved it.

The Hold Steady- Boys and Girls in America

I heard this album and they became my favorite band, it's that simple. Craig Finn tells the best stories, and I actually do like his voice.

RVCA · 05-28-2010, 04:39 PM

recently? this album was a hit with me from the first track

Thrice - Vheissu

duga · 05-29-2010, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidewinder

Couple of random ones off the top of my head. I'll agree with The Mars Volta's debut, too.

Descendents - Hallraker Live!
A friend found this tape in the school parking lot in the early 90s, and we fell in love instantly. It got me into punk.

Skinny Puppy - Last Rights
My introduction to the band. I hallucinated while laying on my bed in the dark, prior to ever having done an drugs. The start of an obsession.

Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
I'd heard The Moon & Antarctica before this and liked it, but this one was just woahwtfawesomeman!

I agree with all of these...good choices. I heard Modest Mouse's Good News For People Who Love Bad News first and I thought it was great. Once I heard the Lonesome Crowded West, I was blown away.

Btw...I'm going to keep plugging the Bethany Curve album I mentioned. If anyone who reads this enjoys shoegaze it is an absolute must. Since it is so easy for me to get new music these days, very rarely will I only want to listen to one album over and over. You Brought Us Here is the first album in a long time to do that for me.

loveissucide · 05-29-2010, 03:29 PM

Doolittle-Pixies. Takes remarkably little getting used to.

homesick.alien · 05-29-2010, 08:51 PM

Pink Floyd- Dark Side Of The Moon. Nuff said.

Others:
Porcupine Tree- Stupid Dream
Radiohead- OK Computer
The Unicorns- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?

seemeseizethesea · 05-29-2010, 08:54 PM

Funeral by Arcade Fire.

I'm sure I'm not the only one.

05-28-2010, 12:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Best First Time Listen Albums As usual, apologies if this has been done before. Post albums that blew you away straight from the first listen. Here's a few of mine: The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium I had no clue what to expect when I bought this album. I had seen a few positive comments here and there on the internet and I liked the artwork but I really had no clue what to expect. From the very first song, I knew I had found one of my new favorite albums. Sadly, the Mars Volta have not topped this one in my opinion, but they still put out great music. Cocteau Twins - Heaven or Las Vegas The only song I was familiar with before picking this one up was "Iceblink Luck", which honestly sounded like a better than average 80's hit. Still, I had known of their reputation and decided any band that gets that much praise deserves a listen from me. I went for Heaven or Las Vegas first, and was completely blindsided. I did not expect music of this intense quality...I hungrily devoured the rest of their discography and proudly count them as one of my favorite bands of all time. Swirlies - They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons I was in a real 90's guitar mood, did some searching around, and saw a few mentions about the Swirlies. I checked them out on Youtube and was impressed enough to check them out, but didn't expect to be blown away. I got this album and soon found out this is the kind of band whose songs need to be heard in the context of an album...from start to finish the creativity they show on guitar is just amazing. And my most recent first time listen great: Bethany Curve - You Brought Us Here I knew it was going to be shoegaze, so I figured I would like it at least a little. I really just wanted a new shoegaze band to listen to, found these guys, got the album, and went about my business. I subsequently stopped everything I was doing and was sucked into the dreamy ether that is a Bethany Curve song. Just wow. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

05-28-2010, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	Couple of random ones off the top of my head. I'll agree with The Mars Volta's debut, too. Descendents - Hallraker Live! A friend found this tape in the school parking lot in the early 90s, and we fell in love instantly. It got me into punk. Skinny Puppy - Last Rights My introduction to the band. I hallucinated while laying on my bed in the dark, prior to ever having done an drugs. The start of an obsession. Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West I'd heard The Moon & Antarctica before this and liked it, but this one was just woahwtfawesomeman! __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

05-28-2010, 03:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Charlemagne Say something vague Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,551	Here are a few of mine. Sufjan Stevens- Come On Feel the Illinoise! Absolutely beautiful album, I loved his voice instantly and the lyrics and instrumentals are fantastic. Heathers- Here Not There I first heard this album about a month ago, and then I went on to listen to it for the rest of the day, love the simplicity, love the harmony in the vocals, and both the girls can sing, instantly loved it. The Hold Steady- Boys and Girls in America I heard this album and they became my favorite band, it's that simple. Craig Finn tells the best stories, and I actually do like his voice. __________________ Charlemagne had eyes like a lover, but last winter there was weather and his eyes they iced right over. My Last.fm

05-29-2010, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
loveissucide Himself Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Leuven ,Belgium, via Ireland Posts: 1,325	Doolittle-Pixies. Takes remarkably little getting used to. __________________ www.last.fm/user/p-mccusker http://www.mixcloud.com/pmccusker www.valjester.wordpress.com

05-29-2010, 08:51 PM	#9 (permalink)
homesick.alien awkward moose Join Date: May 2010 Location: I ride kangaroos to school Posts: 133	Pink Floyd- Dark Side Of The Moon. Nuff said. Others: Porcupine Tree- Stupid Dream Radiohead- OK Computer The Unicorns- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone? __________________ ..Colourless green ideas sleep furiously.. "Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names"- J.F. Kennedy

05-28-2010, 02:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
clutnuckle Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: -_-_-_-_~__~-~_-`_`-~_-`-~-~ Posts: 1,276	I just made a thread for a band based on my first listen through of their albums... The Verve - "A Storm in Heaven" is breathtaking. Some others: Sonic Youth - "Daydream Nation" 7% Solution - "All About Satellites and Spaceships" Big Blood - "Sew Your Wild Days Tour Vol. I" Albert Ayler - "Spiritual Unity" Kayo Dot - "Coyote" Nujabes - "Metaphorical Music" Talk Talk - "Laughing Stock"

05-28-2010, 04:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
RVCA （￣ー￣） Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,270	recently? this album was a hit with me from the first track Thrice - Vheissu

05-29-2010, 08:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
seemeseizethesea Groupie Join Date: May 2010 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 10	Funeral by Arcade Fire. I'm sure I'm not the only one.