In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is a very very good record maybe even great, but I left it off my list because I just recently discovered it. It's lo-fi yet perfectionist, it's simple on the surface yet very detailed and intricate if you look deeper, the singing is nasally yet beautiful, and some of his lyrics are deceptively surreal.

At The Drive-In - Relationship of Command
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
The Gaslight Anthem - The 59' Sound
Andrew Jackson Jihad - Knife Man
Blur - Think Tank
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
The Menzingers - On The Impossible Past

Knife Man is a kickass album!

I'd say it's a songwriting-driven album, so think more of the pleasures of listening to a great Bob Dylan album rather than something more musically technical like jazz or something. The lyrics are oblique, personal and there are references to Anne Frank weaved through many of the songs. The 90s, of course, were full of bad REM/Nirvana copycats who tried and failed with oblique lyrics (I think of Bush's hilarious line "Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow") but Neutral Milk Hotel gets the formula right. I can't always tell you what they're talking about on this record, but the imagery is strong and the juxtaposition of ideas works. But it's definitely one of those you actively listen to. It's not really a "clean the house to this" record.

When I think of the sound of that record, I think guitar chords and sloppy trombone. So, uhm, be in the mood to hear some sloppy trombone, I guess.

That said, I wouldn't go in with too many preconceived notions. It's a record that gets discussed a lot nowadays as a sort of overlooked masterpiece. Now, it probably was an overlooked masterpiece, but I think saying that puts a lot of pressure on the album to be BIG when it's really better as a small, personal album. If that makes sense.

That said, I came to it late, after the hype had already built for it, and I was somewhat skeptical. I was actively listening to music the year it came out and I don't remember anyone talking about this album. But it still won me over. So... yeah, I'd say just give it a listen and see if it could do the same for you.

Can – Tago Mago
Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom
Eno/Byrne – My Life In The Bush of Ghosts
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew
Sly & The Family Stone – There’s a Riot Goin’ On
Roxy Music – For Your Pleasure
Television – Marquee Moon
Brian Eno – Here Come The Warm Jets
Love – Da Capo
Silver Apples – Silver Apples / Contact

Faith No More - Angel Dust

For whatever reason, I have amnesia on this album. Though I've listened to it a thousand times or more, if you go "what does Little Victory sound like?", I don't have a clue and I'm that way on like 2/3rds the songs. I guess that's why it's my favorite album of all times - my brain can't process it properly so it never gets old.

And that doesn't apply to any other FNM album.

The Shape Of Punk To Come by Refused - still as hard-hitting, well-produced, and unique as it was 16 years ago.

Thanks for the descriptions, guys; it all sounded good to me, so I was intrigued enough to find the album on YouTube. In fact I´ve just started listening to it now, and have paused about half-way through to write this message. What a wonderful, surprising album ! I was convinced after just two and a half tracks; at last, after a rather dry patch musically, I have something new to get excited about ! Thanks very much for the recommendation.

^ Yes, makes sense to me, but don´t worry - your hype didn´t spoil the initial impact for me at all. As you suggest, "masterpiece" is a rather loaded, hard-to-live-down label, and this album sounds more humble, perhaps.

More than Dylan, my first comparison would´ve been with Syd Barrett, I think. Probably you are famiiar with his solo albums; he´s good on the oblique lyrics - but no "sloppy trombone" I´m afraid!

So, back on topic with stay-fresh albums, let´s add:-

Syd Barrett - The Madcap Laughs
Kraftwerk - Autobahn

I'll have to check that album out, then.

The Idiot by Iggy Pop. I've been listening to it for at least 5 years and it still sends shivers down my spine