1. Strange Things Happening Every Day
Sister Rosetta Tharpe's 1944 declaration remains a primal scream of gospel-infused blues, electrified and utterly groundbreaking. You hear the foundational rumble here, the blueprint for every rock and roll rebel who ever picked up a guitar. Her voice, a righteous force, cuts through the static, pushing boundaries with a ferocity that still feels immediate. This isn't polite; it's a juke joint sermon delivered with pure, unadulterated soul power. Essential listening for understanding where the racket began.
2. Silhouettes in Blue
Coltrane, even in his earlier works, hinted at the vastness to come. This isn't the raging fire of his later explorations, but rather a profound, contemplative journey into the blues. His saxophone weaves intricate patterns, melodic yet searching, holding a tension that's both melancholic and deeply spiritual. It's the sound of a master finding his voice, stretching the conventional forms of bebop towards something more expansive, hinting at the modal landscapes he'd soon chart.
3. Total Destruction To Your Mind - Single
Swamp Dogg, the audacious purveyor of psychedelic funk and R&B, dropped this bomb in '70. It's a glorious, messy, politically charged slab of Southern soul that refuses to be ignored. The grooves are thick, the horns blare with unhinged enthusiasm, and his voice, raw and gravelly, delivers a scathing social commentary wrapped in an irresistible, greasy package. This isn't just music; it's a statement, a joyful, defiant middle finger to the establishment.
4. Tago Mago (2011 Remastered)
Can’s 1971 opus, re-polished in 2011, is still a krautrock behemoth. This version just cleans up the static a bit, allowing the sheer, unbridled experimentalism to shine. It’s a hypnotic journey through abstract soundscapes, motorik rhythms, and Damo Suzuki’s shamanistic vocal improvisations. You feel the band pushing against every convention, building these long-form, psychedelic trance-states that unravel and re-form with an almost organic precision. A true mind-bender.
5. The Pavilion Of Dreams
Harold Budd's 1978 minimalist masterpiece is a hushed, ethereal soundworld. It's not about bombast, but about delicate textures and vast, shimmering spaces. Working with Brian Eno, Budd crafted piano pieces that drift like clouds, evoking a profound sense of calm and introspection. It’s ambient, yes, but with a classical undercurrent, each note carefully placed, creating a fragile beauty that invites deep listening. A balm for frayed nerves, a sanctuary for the mind.
6. Dub Housing
Pere Ubu, hailing from Cleveland, delivered this jagged post-punk gem in '78. It's a masterclass in controlled chaos, with David Thomas's unique croon navigating a landscape of clanking rhythms, squalling guitars, and bizarre, angular arrangements. This isn't pretty music; it's industrial-tinged art-rock that’s confrontational yet utterly compelling. They broke all the rules, forging a sound that was truly their own, a testament to the era's raw, inventive spirit.
7. Nag Nag Nag
Cabaret Voltaire's 1979 single is pure, unadulterated industrial noise. Forget subtlety; this is abrasive, percussive, and relentless, a sonic assault designed to disorient and provoke. They were pioneers, twisting tape loops and primitive electronics into a stark, rhythmic maelstrom that felt utterly alien at the time. It’s less a song and more a statement, a harsh, mechanical blueprint for the darker, more challenging side of the electronic underground. Brace yourself.
8. Phenomenon (2007 Remaster)
UFO's 1974 record, given a polish in 2007, showcases their undeniable hard rock prowess. This is prime proto-metal, with Michael Schenker's guitar work already legendary – sharp, melodic, and full of fire. Phil Mogg's vocals soar, delivering anthemic hooks over a solid, driving rhythm section. The remaster clarifies the punch, allowing those classic riffs and solos to truly ignite. It’s loud, proud, and perfectly embodies the nascent power of 70s rock.
9. The Ascension
Glenn Branca's 1981 epic is a monumental work of no-wave and experimental composition. He conjures a symphony of dissonant guitars, layered and tuned to create shimmering, harmonic overtones that can be both beautiful and utterly overwhelming. It’s a sonic cathedral of amplified sound, a challenging listen that demands patience but rewards with a transcendental experience. Branca pushed rock instrumentation into avant-garde territory, forging something truly unique and powerful.
10. Hex Enduction Hour (Expanded Deluxe Edition)
The Fall’s 1982 double album, especially in an expanded edition, is Mark E. Smith at his most gloriously cantankerous. It's a sprawling, repetitive, and often baffling masterpiece of post-punk, built on tribal rhythms and Smith's utterly unique, sardonic spoken-word delivery. The extra material on deluxe editions often reveals more of their process, but the core remains: raw, uncompromising, and defiantly non-commercial. A true cult classic for a reason.
11. A Very Carper Christmas
Alright, a 'Carper Christmas,' eh? This one's an outlier, a true test of one's sonic palate during the festive season. If it's not some unearthed, proto-punk yuletide anomaly or a deeply ironic industrial take on carols, I'm already suspicious. My gut tells me this is less 'wholesome cheer' and more 'existential dread under a tinsel-strewn tree,' perhaps a forgotten gem where the sleigh bells are replaced by clanging metal and the joy is replaced by a sneer. A challenging listen, no doubt.
