Browsing in Borders yesterday, one book in particular stood out to me. This may be possibly because it was the biggest, boldest book on the shelf and like most five year olds, I'm inexplicably drawn to bright colours and large objects, making it inevitable. 1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die jumped right out at me. I was immediately struck with a strange sense of ambivalence when I saw the book. Part of me was curious, and wanted to dive straight in to see how I need to spend my days working through these records, while part of me felt a little hesitant.Part of me thought the idea of a definitive guide to music you should probably hear is a good idea, and it would probably act as a great tick list and a fun way to discover classic albums you may have overlooked. However, I couldn't help feeling a little sceptical that a book like this isn't just written by a bunch of middle aged men, who write for Q Magazine putting in the inevitable list of OK Computer, Revolver, Astral Weeks etc. They'd probably better throw a couple of hip hop records in there to be diverse and box tick, but it'd predominantly be a white, middle class view on things. Which is fine, if you're into that. It just seemed very matter of fact, and very impersonal, and left me unable to comprehend why these people held opinions that were more valid, than yours or mine.
As I got home, an act of serendipity seemed to occur. I noticed an advert for the BBC website, explaining how every episode of Desert Island Discs was now available on the site. After clicking on one, I found myself listening to the likes of Steve Coogan, Morrissey, Damian Hirst, Hilary Devey, Nick Clegg and even Jerry Springer talk about their favourite tracks. Politicians, sportsmen, you name it, all on there - each and everyone of them fascinating in their own way. I realised that only hours earlier, I'd found the thought of people listing music and records tiresome, yet I found myself captivated by the Desert Island Discs, and I'd passed more time than I'd care to mention enjoying these stories. Why?
It dawned on me that there was one big difference. This wasn't some homogenised, faceless list for hipsters to tick off in an act of social one up manship. This was what music and art is all about- the personal relationship between the audience and the content, what meaning is drawn from it, and why it earns a special place in someone's heart. It seems that as a culture, we live in this post-modern age where people are fascinated by lists, charts, greatest moments, Rolling Stone Top 100 films, songs, bands etc and any form of art is put into a competitive fight to the death. I really don't understand why people feel the need to validate their opinions. It's the same way that if I want to go see a film or buy a record, I don't read reviews- I've seen films that I love get panned by critics, and movies that are lauded with praise go completely above my head and don't resonate whatsoever. How do music critics view The Spice Girls? They sold 36 million albums and became the biggest selling British export since The Beatles. Does that mean they're a great British band? 36 million people(ish) can't be wrong, surely? I imagine it just means they have an emotional response that differs from mine when I hear Wannabe. If someone told me their favourite song was by the Spice Girls, it wouldn't be any more valid than my favourite song, regardless of what critics may think of it.
Oscar Wilde said "all art is quite useless," and even though it means the world to me, it's absolutely true. Music, or any art, is the definitive example of beauty being in the eye of the beholder, and I think that has to be remembered. It's the things that it makes you think and feel that matter, not whether or not the guitar solo is superior to the one in Stairway To Heaven, etc.
I didn't buy the book, by the way.
The Desert Island Discs show did, however, get me thinking about what songs mean the most to me. I'm glad I found that, as I couldn't be bothered writing down 1001 albums I enjoy, so thankfully I just figured I could put the eight tracks that mean the most to me on instead. They aren't better than any other song, or inferior, just, music that I enjoy.
Venus - Television
The melody, the lyrics, the guitar work...I love Tom Verlaine and Television. It always reminds me of being stood in a boiling hot Louvre gallery in Paris, looking at the Venus De Milo, humming this song.
The Red Telephone - Love
If you've never heard Forever Changes by Love, please do so. It's paranoid, drug addled and yet quite beautiful. You can almost imagine being sat in the Californian hills circa the summer of love. Rarely has a song captured an atmosphere or a feeling as well as this one.
Fall On Me - R.E.M.
R.E.M. being on the radio is one of my earliest memories as a kid, seeing as I was two years old when Automatic For The People came out. That's one of my favourite albums, but as I got older and found the earlier, IRS records, I grew to love them, and this track in particular. The backing vocals are so good. It still haunts me I never got to see them live.
Look On - John Frusciante
I think there is something really uplifting about this track, and it's just a cool song. The lyrics in the chorus struck a real chord with me, and if you haven't heard it, it's worth checking out.
Nowhere Fast - The Smiths
I struggle to remember what life was like before I discovered The Smiths (happy?!) but they are probably the most important thing I ever discovered in my early teens. Funny, witty and just a great bit of guitar playing, this track really sums up how I felt growing up in Castleford. Morrissey and Marr have been soundtracking my life ever since.
Giddy Stratospheres - The Long Blondes
This song reminds me of being around 16 years old and discovering this track after someone at college recommended them to me. I'd never heard of them before and I recall the feeling of "Oh God, how many more bands have I never heard of that are this good?" I ended up going to see these guys at a gig and the turned up 3 hours late. Rock n Roll. My dad wasn't happy waiting in the car for me, but it was worth the bollocking to hear this song live.
Real Love - John Lennon
This is the greatest song never released. It's incredible this was tucked away until after his death. I actually learned piano playing along to this song, and it was the only reason I ever bothered doing so. John Lennon's death is one of the few things that makes me sad and angry when I think about it, which astounds me as I wasn't even born when it happened.
Soul To Squeeze - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The guitar playing on this track is so expressive and as near as you can get to Hendrix without actually being the man himself. The bassline is amazing, and it's just a really beautiful piece of music, all the little production touches, make it stand out.
I realise this means after picking my eight songs I also get a book and a luxury item?
I'd take 1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die and my iPod, I guess...
