Only two of these remain in my floating favourite albums list but these are the albums that were the most influential and formative to me. Presented as a single image and list so this can slide seamlessly away into the depths of the algorithm (now there's a good prog album title....)
Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust
A mate at school, Luke, was ridiculously into dance / rave / happy hardcore. He played me this whilst we were messing around programming BASIC games on his ZX84 at his house. Something stuck, I played it incessantly at Steve who was a massive Oasis head at the time. Sorry.
Nextmen - Amongst the Madness
First or second year at university, a house party with Big Kev's mate Simon somewhere in Milnsbridge/Golcar. I never realised rap music could be this consistently lyrically clever. Also memories of Brett and Rory playing some of these at one of Nabs' house parties (the best).
Dreadzone - Second Light
On balance, still my favourite album ever. Probably. Heard "Litle Britain" on some random chart hits mix tape of the time. Such a fantastic blend of reggae, dub and dance. Happy, optimistic and beautiful. Britain today is a power. Ideas, experiments, imagination. I wish. Brings back memories of driving back along the A55 from Wales climbing adventures with the sun setting over the sea.
Future Sound of London - Dead Cities
Fresh off playing Wipeout 2097 at Sher's house with the thumping techno soundtrack. Dark and interesting, showed me that music didn't have to follow convention. We. Have. Explosive.
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Everyone's gotta have a Floyd album in there somewhere right? This was the first one I heard (from an old girlfriend's mate) and I had no idea music like this existed. Started me off down the road of prog.
Queen - Greatest Hits II
This one is the "my dad only had a few decent albums and this was one" choice. We had the VHS video of all the music videos too. Innuendo is still a cracker and I still know most of the words to the entire album. Guaranteed to wind up Haydn.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - Polygondwanaland
Who records an entire album in crazy time signatures, without it being jazz, but with it being amazing and tuneful with album artwork that evokes the best bits of mid 90s computer games and then gives the whole thing away for free? Gizz do, that's who.
Prodigy - Music for the Jilted Generation
Fuck's sake, I'm tryin' to write a fuckin' tune man...
Dave Brubeck - Greatest Hits
Memories of Unsquare Dance being on in Charlie's Jetta as we zoomed off on some random Venture Adventure, brake discs overheating coming down Hardknott Pass, the starriest sky I've ever seen. Thanks for getting me into jazz club.... nice.
Thanks for the nudge Bryan.
