Carrie & Lowell

Sufjan Stevens

Recommended Track: Should Have Known Better

This album has stayed with me closely for a decade through my music listening journey - it has comforted me, heard me, lulled me back to sleep countless insomniac nights. I remember first listening to it alone in the dark in my mom's insanely decorated basement, a small rectangle of light bleeding in from the window well. I went to see Sufjan live that year and bought a tape that I used maybe once, listening mostly electronically. Ten years on I bought the CD, and it was a constant play during the dying and death of my father. Ironically it is the only Sufjan album that stays untouched to me, with him completely dismissing it's artistic value in turn. Voyeuristic, maybe. Both an inspiration and a psychic diary to me.

Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers

Kendrick Lamar

Recommended Track: Count Me Out

Mr. Morale is perhaps the only album ever to so deeply concern itself with true healing. You have hurt someone in your life, dear reader. Have you squarely looked that in your face? Have you looked another person in all of their spikes and inconsiderations and self-protection and ego and power structures and seen your own heart? I bought it used, with the cover cracked. Appropriate.

These Things Take Time

Molly Nilsson

Recommended Track: 8000 days

What a debut. Molly was the first artist I knew of who did everything herself - write, record, distribute, book shows. Inspired me to be an Amateur musician. This album relies heavily on its witty writing, which carries the minimal pop to great heights. I don't remember when I bought the CD. Only the lonely get out of here alive this life.

What's Another Night?

Apes of the State

Recommended Track: Punk Rock Shows in Heaven

Bonus Track: Hot Summer Night, Pt. 1

I don't know why I am so prone to give away CDs from my local scene. I gave away This City Isn't Big Enough to a lady running a diner in Lemoyne, and from LNL I gave Criterion of Embarassment to my step-brother after my dad died. What's Another Night stuck around, it's a stick around type of album that is really starting to feel like my 30s have come early. Hell of a pool party, and Yeah! it's full of piss.

The Omnichord Real Book

Meshell Ndegeocello

Recommended Track: Clear Water

Did you know the Omnichord is capable of producing real music? Out of any artist, Meshell has shown the omnichord the most respect in the songwriting process, and has gotten the most out of it. Listen to the Omnichord Real Book in the morning on the weekend, get a little wiser, have some tea. Give up a little control. Had to order the CD through Blue Note.

No Sure Bets

Gunsafe

Recommended Track: Alive

We played with Gunsafe on the tail end of our first tour, and they blew us away. They played as a two-piece, with guitar, cello, and a xylophone. The cello really digs deep into your guts. Stella's voice is maybe the best ever? Great songwriting, get's you thinking. We were damn damn tired stoping in Philly even if we were technically home for a few days, but that show lifted our spooky spirits (it was a halloween show).

Boleros Psicodélicos

Adrian Quesada

Recommended Track: Puedes Decir De Mi

Bought this CD randomly on a trip to DC, when I went on a walk to a liberal bookstore with no zines. The cover caught my eye on a very pretentious CD stand. It's such a good CD though. Throw it on occasionally while driving, and it always just hits. Actually, just a solid throw-on in general. Bolero meets Air - has a recent nostalgic sound even though it is from 2022. Great bass and synth work on it.