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Life Changing Mixtapes part II

Some more albums that changed people's lives.

This week is the follow up companion of the memorable and important albums mixtape. Behold, the five albums that blew my mind and influenced my life immensely. 

5) Liz Phair - "Fuck and Run" from the album Exile in Guyville - I'll be the first to admit, there are many downsides to this album. First off, Liz Phair isn't a wonderful singer. The album is too long. And most guys I've talked to don't get Liz and her moody long debut. Simply put, this is a female thing. Most male critics realized the importance of this album but didn't really get into it, or they loved it because it was a girl saying dirty things and it was a bit taboo. But women get this album. You want to know what goes on in our brains when we fall in and out of love? Listen toExile in Guyville. Because women aren't perfect (much like Liz's voice) we ramble and think too much (much like this album) and we are crazy and confused many times in life. Liz Phair threw caution to the wind, and was honest about how a large majority of women think and feel in the world. She was gutsy enough to be dramatic, slutty, and desperate, and most girls go through this gamut of emotions even if we choose not to act on them. This album is the voice for 20 something women around the world, and sorry boys, you're probably not going to understand it.

4) Beck - "Where It's At" from the album Odelay - The first time I heard Odelay, I thought at my tender age "this is what it must feel like when listening to music while under the influence of drugs." Beck made cosmic and odd songs, adding layers of weird sounds and even stranger lyrics. Yet his music was charming, and despite the fact you had no idea what he was talking about, you still wanted to throw your hands in the air and dance all night long. Beck was making music that was rocking the college scene, yet would still delight that five-year-old cousin of yours. His music was obtuse and strange, yet infectious. His catalog has grown to include some tender and heartbreaking work along with some more oddities, yetOdelay was the first large scale glimpse of what Beck was all about. Simply put,Odelay started Beck's career and is truly "Where It's At."

3) Neutral Milk Hotel - "Holland, 1945" from the album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Sometimes a musician knows when he's created his opus, and rather then continue and fade away into the musical background, he disappears from the limelight. Jeff Magnum continues to be an indie rock Bigfoot, randomly popping up from time to time amongst rumors of supposed sightings around the world. Someone saw him couch surfing in Brooklyn. He pops up at an Elephant 6 show. I once heard he moved to Eastern Europe and was composing music for a circus company there. What Magnum hasn't done is make a follow up to his band's hit album, and frankly I'm o.k. with that. Neutral Milk Hotel made a labor of love when they recorded In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, and that is what making music is all about. Making music is cathartic, and the lyrics on this album were born from nightmares and dreams Magnum was having about a Jewish family during World War II, and the story behind the album follows the horrific yet beautiful life of Anne Frank. The music is frantic and dizzying, and when adding in the urgent lyrics and voice of Magnum, it creates a tidal wave of raw emotions and visceral music. The first time I finished this album, I felt like I was out of breath. It was exhilarating. So what if Neutral Milk Hotel doesn't make any more music? The important thing to remember is what they made was perfect, and that is what matters.

2) Radiohead - The National Anthem from the album Kid A - It was a tight race between Kid A and OK Computer for my favorite Radiohead album. Both contain music that means a lot to me, both were groundbreaking and important, but in the end Kid A moved ahead as my favorite Radiohead album, and the second most important album in my life. Kid A is where Radiohead said "we made a lovely album (OK Computer), but now we are going to take everything to the next level and blow people away." And that next level was Kid A. This is where Radiohead perfected their mix of electronic and rock, where they sound completely comfortable experimenting with different sounds and styles, and is the point where they went from being a wonderful rock band to one of the best bands in history. I remember sitting in a car by myself, putting on this album, and being terrified of the music I heard. It was strange and frightening, yet numbing and comforting, and I immediately thought, "if the world is ending, this is the music I want it to end with." Every song on this album perfects a balance of total control and complete chaos. Michael Stipe once said, "Radiohead are so good, they scare me." I couldn't have said it better.

1) Weezer - Tired of Sex from the album Pinkerton - If I had to pin down my favorite moment in music, the small snippet of sonic sound that makes me give up so much money, time, and effort for all things related to music, I'd answer without hesitation "the scream before the second verse during "Tired of Sex" off Pinkertonby Weezer." Weezer won me over with this amazing album to the point I knew immediately that it was my #1. It's not just the really great and catchy music, but it's one of the most honest and emotionally raw albums I've ever heard or related to. Supposedly Rivers was taking a large amount of painkillers stemming from a leg surgery and then was holed up being a hermit at Harvard when he wrote Pinkerton. If this formula gets me in touch with inner feelings and demons that well, then sign me up. How one neurotic and obsessive musical genius can make pain, shame, and lust so damn fun, I'll never understand. Pinkerton is short and rushed, but so is life (take that statement as deep as you'd like), and Weezer delivers an array of music that contradicts itself lyrically while bopping along to searing guitar solos and handfuls of feedback. I think Rivers Cuomo finally said "balls to the wall folks, I'm going to be the most honest I can be," and then wrote Pinkerton. I scream with lust during "Getchoo" I pogo around in anger with "Why Bother," and I cry and crumble listening to "Butterfly." Rivers it the god of all music nerds that wear their hearts on their sleeves, and hide behind music while pining away for someone they want so badly. This album contains at least one song that reminds me of every boy I've dated or slept with, and during some really hard times this album has been the only friend I needed to make things right. And that is what music is all about. It should be there to say, "you are ok, everyone feels the way you do, and I'm there with you." It should have anger and sorrow and frustration all readily available for you in one package. Words are a powerful tool to heal pain and suffering, but add in music and you've found the miracle cure.

Posted by Lisa White on Feb 05, 2009 @ 12:00 am