Vinyl is really in right now. We at B-Sides have decided to compile the best records every week. We’re here to give a selection of the albums we think your should be listening to. Of course, we mean through the medium they are meant to be listened to. Check out our eclectic mix of old and new music you should discover and/or rediscover. You’re welcome.
Upside Down Mountain – Conor Oberst (2014)
The latest effort from Bright Eyes’ leading man has been making waves across the musical spectrum. Metacritic, AllMusic, and Roling Stone have all given favorable reviews. SPIN even gave it the honor of listing the album on their “Best Albums Of The Year (So Far)” list. Below you can hear Oberst perform an acoustic version of track one from Mountain.
Cheap Thrills – Big Brother and The Holding Company (1968)
Th album was the last that Big Brother and The Holding Company used Janis Joplin as their lead singer. The music world at this point has unanimously agreed it was their loss. While “Piece of My Heart” is obviously the most popular track on this one there are some pretty great deep cuts on the album. Joplin’s whiskey soaked cover of Gershwin’s “Summer Time” as well as “Ball and Chain” are notable singles. This is all not to mention the legendarily cute album artwork. Check out “Turtle Blues” below.
Ex Tropical – Lost Animal (2013)
So far Lost Animal has flown tragically under the radar. This Australian indie band sounds like a marvelous cross between Pink Floyd and Philly based folk group Dr. Dog. The band uses techno elements that mix well with contemporary hipster sensibilities. Simply put this album and band should be an international sensation and they’re not yet. Don’t know what we mean? Check out Track two from the album below “Say No To Thugs.”
Sinatra At The Sands – Frank Sinatra (1966)
Sure, Old Blue Eyes was past his prime when he did this Quincy Jones conducted performance, but that makes it no less entertaining. His voice was tops and the band sounded fantastic. Frank blew the roof off of the Copa Room at the iconic Vegas hotel. Listening to this one on vinyl harkens back to a simpler era. Sinatra was a true entertainer, as evidence by the jokes he tells between songs and the charm he exudes with ever syllable uttered. While the version of “Fly Me To The Moon” is considered the definitive performance, “You Make Me Feel So Young” shouldn’t be overlooked. It can be heard below.
Synchronicity – The Police (1983)
The best selling album from The Police has it’s own place in the hallowed space of the Grammy Hall of Tame. Everything we could say about this record has already been said. Everything facet of the fifth and final album from Sting’s brain child was gloriously 80’s, and also just glorious in general. The best thing about Synchronicity is that it still holds up. “Every Breath You Take” was the fifth best selling single of the 1980’s. But if you want to hear the inspired power of The Police’s song writing listen to “King Of Pain” below.
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