the gift of giving
I still haven’t started any Christmas shopping yet, and this is what always happens. I wait until the last minute and then its stressful and chaotic and I end up doing things like buying my sister a cd I want her to like, but odds are she won’t. But I love to give gifts, year round, for any reason or no reason at all. So when my friend sent me this cell phone photo seen above, it got me thinking… If I had to choose just one, what would I have to say is my favorite album to give to people?
And the winner IS…
Black Tambourine - The Complete Recordings
I love showing this record to people who either haven’t heard it or haven’t heard of the band at all. Sure, a fuzzed out, shoe-gazing, reverb drenched, indie band that lasted about 10 minutes, may not be for everyone. But this album remains super consistent as far as appealing to most of the people I’ve shown it to with either aligning or divergent musical taste. The friend who took the photo of this By Tomorrow 7″ that he found recently is actually the same friend who gave me this album when I was a sophomore in college. I basically had it on repeat for a good 3 months or so and never really got sick of it. Each song sort of bleeds into the next, and there really isn’t a weak link to throw things off, so it’s very easy to just put on and just enjoy.
I’ve passed this along to roughly 10 or so people over the past few years, (mostly girls, I’ll be honest, it’s a very “I have a crush on you” album) but I’d really like to know a few more favorite musical gifts to give for the holidays this year, or really for any occasion.
I know, I know, another list. But JUST DO IT! Comments help my self esteem…
usually it’s something that gives way too much insight.
something like gentlemen by afghan whigs, either/or by elliott smith or icky mettle by archers of loaf. all of which spent waaaaaay too much time on repeat.
Good call — I love this record like crazy. Similar aesthetic — and something i’ve been jamming all day, Aislers Set, The Last Match.
I’m a really big fan of exposing people to something in a genre that they’ve never heard before and I think the Finders Keepers comps do the best job of providing this type of stuff without too much crate digging - something I haven’t really done in years. I love these comps. I was at a store in Brooklyn on vacation and when I heard Welsh Rare Beat for the first time. I went up to the register and asked what it was. Everyone I play that for just thinks it’s so bizarre and lovely. 1970s Welsh poppy proggy disco music. It’s a mind bender…and they don’t really have vowels!
Thanks Patrick. I like this band.
This is what “Distortion” should sound like, not whimped out, over produced distortion like it is..
the magnetic fields - 69 love songs. pretty much covers the gamut, plus, it’s three discs. People love quantity at the holidays, right?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. If it’s for a girl, I’d say Rhythm & Sound’s “w/The Artists.” Very cool vibe.
[url=http://www.emusic.com/album/Rhythm-Sound-w-The-Artists-MP3-Download/10930764.html]Link[/url]
So so so good.
I get all excited when I’m talking to someone who hasn’t heard Neutral Milk Hotel… not very original I know but I always feel I’m on the verge of giving them a religious experience!
I don’t get the NMH love, but maybe I haven’t heard enough.
daniel i don’t know who you are right now.
Sometimes I don’t know, either.
So you think I should give it another shot, Yancey? Okay — I will. Which disc do you suggest? (they’re all on eMusic, I think)
The album I’ve given most often as a gift is Kind of Blue, by Miles Davis. It’s an album that truly transcends its genre — a jazz album for people who may know nothing about jazz, one that will open doors into the world of jazz (damn, just Miles Davis is a world of music), or simply the one jazz album to own if you only have one jazz album. Just about eceryone I’ve ever given this album to has adored it. And it’s one I constantly return to.
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea. For my money, the best album about Anne Frank.
Kind of Blue is a great answer. I’ve done the same.
I’ve probably given copies of the Chills’ “Submarine Bells” most often, but that’s because I got a big stash of ‘em for a quarter apiece in the early ’90s. The one I’ve paid full retail for most often? Probably “Lost In the Stars: A Tribute to Kurt Weill.” The album that got me through high school!
If we’re talking something from eMusic - it would have to be The Hold Steady - Boys & Girls in America. Everyone I’ve ever given it to has loved it.
If we talking anything at all - The Blue Nile - Hats. I don’t give this one out as often, much more consideration needed. But when I do I’m nearly always rewarded with a recognition it’s a standout piece of work, a true masterpiece, and therefore undying gratitude from the recipient at me having introduced them to something so beautiful.
I like to give Shirley Horn’s “A Time for Love”, especially as a wedding gift.
Great album. Too bad I bought it on iTunes before I joined eMusic.
heh, I am giving Kind of Blue this year. (I am giving the same person 3 albums - Kind of Blue, Music for 18 Musicians, and Wilco Sky Blue Sky.) My music gifts pretty much all fall flat, but I’ve got hopes that at least one of these three will be a hit with this particular uncle-in-law.
I took Daniel’s advice and treated myself to Rhythm & Sound’s “w/The Artists.” My wife didn’t like it, but I sure do.
I’m glad you liked it! (Sorry your wife didn’t, tho).