from the Facebook, but here for the records:
10 Albums Challenge Day 8 … supposed to be “… an album cover that greatly influenced your taste in music. No explanations, no reviews …” But … more blah, blah:
Obviously this is a cheat. I just can’t pick one, I can’t. Also I got into both records at the same time, and I was late to both, so I see them as a double-set. Cool?
OK Computer, now considered one of the greatest rock records of all time, was the original pick, but The Bends is equally shocking seeing as it plays out as what most bands would dream as their “Greatest Hits” record. Song structure? Composition? Production? Musicality? Pre-Radiohead I had a Super Reverb and a Tube Screamer. Post Radiohead I’m all up in Logic and a Helix pedal board, “yeah, what DO all of these buttons do?”
In the 80’s I ran away from big hair music and all of that computer non-sense. From blues to roots-rock, I wanted to keep it very direct, “pure”. But these guys opened me up, starting with these records, and with every release since: maybe computers and real live instruments can co-exist? (Stevie Wonder laughs at this, Shane).
But yes, I also have to admit, I was late to these guys. And in truth, this a constant reoccurring problem for me: I’m THE WORST Hot-Take guy of all time. Too often, with something I WANT to hear in my head, clouding my ears, I put something truly new on and often blurt out a hot-take “this sucks!” … and then I take a minute, put it on again … no, this is beyond brilliant. Movie-example, coming off Fargo – “this Big Lebowski sucks “ … no it’s one of the greatest comedies of all time. (Also why I’m reluctant to partake on the Twitter)