Aloha's Favorites

I have nothing but respect and adoration for Aloha, and I'd like to personally thank these guys for taking the time out to share with me what they were listening to this past year.

First up Tony Cavallario gives us what he feels are the "most useful" albums of 2007.... but not necessarily released this year.

1. Peter Walker - Rainy Day Raga (1967)
This is for domestic lounging: writing emails, petting animals, thinking about the government.

2. The Field - From Here We Go Sublime
This is for walking to work in the winter with your boots on. The persistent bass drum keeps pushing you ahead; the melodies elevate your surroundings.

3. The National - Boxer
This is for inspiration. Boxer puts a lot of faith in the power of discipline and restraint, and I swear to God I think about that before I do, say, buy or make anything.

4. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
This is for running, because it's just the right amount of distraction and focus. It's blurry enough to keep you wondering what it is, but catchy enough to induce runner's high.

5. Dirty Projectors - Rise Above
I listen to this when I wake up too late. It takes the edge off, offering empathy for misfits. Also good for cooking dinner after a day that's ending with little to show for it. There's a reason you didn't go to work today --- you're weird as hell.

6. The Clientele - God Save the Clientele
The Clientele did me a big favor by not making another Strange Geometry. That album fucked me up beyond belief, making me feel like I was missing someone terribly who I had never even met. God Save the Clientele, I can listen to and still be involved in the world around me.


Matthew Gengler reflects...

Earlier this year I was working in the basement stacks of a museum library, putting little stickers in and on thousands of books. I lived in my headphones, so I ended up listening to a couple things over and over again, trying to find my way to the root of things. Apologies, I don't listen to a lot of new music, my income is rarely disposable enough to buy anything.

Bert Jansch - Birthday Blues
I played this a lot in the morning. not yet awake at 9:15. strange folk in my ears. oddly, the pentangle records I tried did not work for me.

The Zombies - Odessey And Oracle
One afternoon I was depressed and listened to "This Will Be Our Year" twenty or thirty times in a row. The modulation in the middle killed me. Colin blunstone's voice cracks a little and I would press the headphones to my ears.

Richard and Linda Thompson - I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Let's all be honest with ourselves. "The Calvary Cross" is perfect. A lot of what remains is not. Another song I put on repeat and zoned out to.

All records ever from John Fahey
When I was 16 the only constant in my life was sonic youth. Now, at 33 the only constant is John Fahey.

Faces - A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse.
It takes a certain amount of um, well. You have to accept the Rod Stewart and embrace it. I tried this in the van and was summarily booed. This record is so wrong it must be right. 4 on a friday, on blast, cause I couldn't get any radio stations in the basement.

Can - Future Days
Can, maybe you heard of them. I always preferred Tago Mago. Until this year. Perfect album after your ears feel blown out from too much headphone action.

ELO - Best Of
Are you kidding me. After listening to much of the above I need to listen to something without weight.


Cale Parks keeps it simple and right to the point.

01. Panda Bear - Person Pitch
02. Caribou - Andorra
03. Radiohead - In Rainbows
04. Burial - Untrue
05. frYars - The Ides EP
06. The Tough Alliance - A New Chance
07. John Maus - Love Is Real
08. White Williams - Smoke
09. Bear Hands - Golden EP
10. Patrick Cleandenim - Baby Comes Home

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