Surface Noise #1
Having been recently inspired by Turning the Tables YouTube channel, it sparked an idea for me to discover music my parents grew up with but I personally know little to nothing about. The plan was simple. Meet at the record store, give them a $100 budget, and set them free. I told them to pick out albums that were either played in their household growing up or part of their personal collection. With no restrictions, (as long as I don't already own it) anything was fair game.
My Dad and I met up two weekends ago at Zia Records and these were his first finds. I've had a chance to listen to them all front to back a few times over and here are my thoughts:
The Moody Blues / On The Threshold of a Dream (1969)
Favorite Track - Never Comes The Day
I can safely say I've never listened to a record like this one. Each track is so different from the next. Opener In The Beginning is like listening to the intro of 2112 by Rush before Lovely To See You comes in which sounds like the next Beatles single only to give way to Dear Diary which would fit perfectly as a title track to a 1970's noire film.
Genesis / Duke (1980)
Favorite Track - Turn It On Again
There's just something really special and unique about Phil Collins vocals and drumming. I love the expansion and expression of pop music on this record. It's a very different listen compared to Selling England by the Pound and also very clearly the prequel to the bands follow-up record Abacab, which are the only other two Genesis records I have.
Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells (1973)
Favorite Track - Part 1
My dad was right - this is one you throw on at night after a good beer and let it take you on a 50 minute ride. The instrumentation, soundscapes, and transitions throughout this are incredible. No wonder the introduction was used for The Exorcist films. Mike Oldfield recorded over 20 instruments for Tubular Bells, all at the age of 19. Wild.
The Fixx / Red Skies (1982)
I have a soft spot for A Flock of Seagulls, so this one hits. It's a 1980's, new wave single that my dad found as a not for resale, DJ copy that was used for airplay on the radio. It checks all the boxes - spacey guitars with delay and reverb, twinkly synthesizer melodies, and catchy lyrics.
Dire Straits / Making Movies (1980)
Favorite Track - Tunnel of Love
I love Dire Straits debut self titled that I have in the collection, so dad grabbed me this one. I obviously know and love Romeo and Juliet, but the rest I am unfamiliar. What a fantastic record. I've played this one over the most out of all the pick ups. Something about it really resonates, especially tracks Tunnel of Love, Romeo and Juliet, and Expresso Love. Mark Knopfler is probably one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
