Ten Top Albums
Written by Chad Orzel
Published November 07, 2002
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  • Top Album Bought On the Strength of a Recommendation in the Back of a Book. Shoot Out the Lights by Richard and Linda Thompson. At the end of my copy of War for the Oaks by the aforementioned Emma Bull, there's a list of albums that she listened to while writing the book (which is about a rock band's battle with Faerie). I liked the book, and it had some great bits about music in it, so I looked for some of the items on the list the next time I was in a record store. This was the only one I found, but it's very good indeed. Weirdly, I still haven't bought any other albums by the two of them. I really ought to. (OBHookForComments: Which one?)

  • Top Fifty-Dollar Box Set. Hitsville U.S.A.: The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971. OK, this is cheating a bit, as I don't own a lot of box sets, but I really ought to have one vaguely serious category on the list. Plus, I've been listening to some of it in the car for the last few days, in an effort to improve my mood (Animals, exam grading, and electoral politics had increased my normal level of bitter cynicism to dangerous levels). And really, sometimes a little Motown is just what you need-- a flash back to a time when pop music was just pop music, a celebration of (mostly teenage) love (requited and otherwise), without the need to make an Important Statement in every song. And there aren't many people who can raise dippy pop songcraft to the level of Art the way Motown's team of writers and performers could.

    And that's probably enough albums, Amazon links, and weird personal confessions to make a point of some sort, so I'll stop there.

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    • Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
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    Ten Top Albums
    Published: November 07, 2002
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    Section: Music
    Filed Under: Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Folk, Music: Hard Rock, Music: Pop, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Rock
    Writer: Chad Orzel
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    Comments

    #1 — November 7, 2002 @ 12:12PM — Nigel [URL]

    The only Richard and Linda Thompson album I have is "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" but I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.

    #2 — November 7, 2002 @ 15:13PM — The Theory

    "I hate the "So, you're buying this for... your kids?" look from the tattooed high-schooler at the record store. I'll order the next one of these I buy on-line."

    Eh, don't worry about what tattooed highschoolers think. Their opinion shouldn't matter to you. Do what you like. It's the joy of being human.

    peace.

    #3 — November 7, 2002 @ 16:10PM — Bill Sherman [URL]

    Shoot Out the Lights is my favorite Linda and Richard album, though all of 'em have their pleasures. Richard followed Lights up with perhaps his greatest solo album, Hand of Kindness, which is also worth tracking down.

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