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I hurried back from the record shop in Durham to my student bedroom, pulled the vinyl out of its sleeve, a quick wipe with the dusting cloth and on to the turntable. A brief pause, an intake of breath and....."Why do you, catch my eye then turn away?"
I know there's a few fans on here, but extending it to a wider audience. This album was the soundtrack to my university life, certainly the first year and therefore is my favourite album of all time. Even if it's not even in the top three Wedding Present albums, it's what it takes me back to.
What song or record does that for you?
The Smiths louder than bombs and Guns and Roses appitite for destruction throws me straight back to secondary school almost like time tunnel from the 1960s.
Theres also from years later Green Days album Dookie with basket case. I bought the album and when picking up my future wife from Uni she was looking at the words inside the CD cover proclaiming that shes not going to like this. Get home and put it on and she comes runing down the stairs saying that this is the song shes been going on about but could never catch the name of the band or the song. Turns out she did like it 🙂
Beth Orton and the Superpinkymandy album. Not quite the same as running home with it but Brought from selecta disc along with a load other albums at the time big beat and trip hop stuff.
Left it in the pile and promptly forgot about it stuck it on after a night out and wow just wow loved female solo artists ever since
See also Björk Venus as a boy
The Smiths, Strangeways Here We Come had me swapping hip hop for indie almost overnight. And the Weddoes figured highly in that shift. Still listen to them quite a bit and enjoyed the Lockdown sessions, a band I've inexplicably never saw live even though they have probably toured more than most. And George Best was the album I started with too, though I think I bought Why are you being so reasonable now on 12" first.
Human League - Dare
First album I ever bought and still cool.
Five Star - Silk and Steel on cassette. I'd leave now head hung low, but I bought it from Woolworths during the last of my childhood summer holidays spent at my Grandma's in Birmingham. It was the last holiday staying with her before she died and she'd just bought me a jumper in Marks & Sparks as a pressie.
Thompson Twins - Quick Step and Side Kick. Mind blowing to a 10 year old with a new walkman.
The Charlatans eponymous album was a constant for me in my 2nd year at Bradford Uni. It always takes me back to my room with my bike hanging above the fireplace and a pint of Theakston’s Best in my hand. Happy days.
The Wedding Present were the soundtrack to my teenage years growing up in Leeds, they were our band went to see them loads in the late 80's early 90's. I've been back watching them for the past 5 years, and I'll probably go to the book reading in Manchester next month.
For my time in University, the House of Love Fontana album is the one that evokes the memories of that time and i still think its amazing.
Just a little earlier than OP Disintegration by The Cure made me realise I wasn't completely a cheesy quaver.
I saw them at Concorde in Brighton do the whole album for the 30th anniversary, it's a fantastic record
2 that have that effect on me would be The Smiths first album and REM's Fables of the Reconstruction
I went to see PWEI at the weekend. Def Con One was the soundtrack to my sixth form life, growing up just outside Stourbridge it was kind of compulsory to like them and The Ned's. Used to see PWEI drinking in the Swan and then the Ned's in The Mitre on a Friday night....happy daze.
Number of the beast
Appetite for destruction
Full moon fever
Levelling the land
Music for the jilted generation
Portishead
Not necessarily in that order, but all are soundtracks to some formative periods in my life.
Bomb the Bass - Into the Dragon, second album I ever bought, aged 12 (first was the Bangles, less said...) which Dad taped onto cassette for me. Years later he ripped it to mp3, which is what I've been listening to for years.
Bought the 2010 remastered CD this week and it sounds as good as it did on the radio.
My girls are turning 10 and 12. I need to sort out their means to find their own music but we're a lo tek household. Spotify?
New Model Army - Vengeance.
During my countrywide travels as a 16 yr old teenager, a punk in Portsmouth, who was putting me up used to play this. It was newly out and he played it several times a day.
At that time in my life I could identify with many of the lyrics.
Choon!
NIN - The Downward Spiral
I remember it coming out when I was at school, and thinking it was a cool album. Now 28 years later I see it as a genuine work of art.
@scotroutes - that song led me to purchase my first cassette! ESP. I was about 7 or 8, in my defence.
Personal formative albums for me are numerous, all pre-uni:
Public Enemy - fear of a black planet
Slick Rick - the adventures of
Bob Marley - songs of freedom
Paul Weller - Paul Weller and Stanley Rd
Orbital- snivilisation
Like AA, as a Stourbridge kid the soundtrack of Poppies/Stuffies/Neds was a constant. We were lucky that our local shithole club was one of the very best in the country and all the new bands stopped off and played.
Some memories already on this thread, Wedding Present, first House of Love record, obviously Lev's and the Army who I followed for a few years.
But the one that makes me feel like I did when I first heard it is Stone Roses. I was never a massive fan, as a grebo then crusty it wasn't my thing, but it was everywhere when it came out so hard to avoid. I dismissed it back then, but now it's a favourite...perhaps because I haven't worn it out over the years.
Family Cat is the only other band to give me that nostalgic feeling.
Great thread.
Thanks for all the memories, music has the ability to make you time travel doesn't it? Like I said, just to hear the intake of breath at the start of side 1 / track 1 and it happens for me.
a band I’ve inexplicably never saw live even though they have probably toured more than most
Do it. Great energy live, even though he's 62 the strumming hand is still as fast as ever.
Until late 1983 I was a bit serious and still partially in thrall to prog and trad rock; I had dabbled a bit with the punk revolution, and my head had been turned by the damned, joy Division, the cure, banshees and echo and the bunnymen, but it was Script of the Bridge by the chameleons that set the tone for the next few years of my life. The mixture of social commentary, melody, other worldly atmospherics and great gigs drew me in to a near obsession for a bit. When I listen to it now I'm straight back to the 1980s and the feeling that the world was broken but oddly that there was a life ahead to live and enjoy. Then there was Back in the DHSS by the Biccies, god the 80s felt great!
Bizarro and Seamonsters by TWP are two albums which take me back to my early 20s, along with Technique by New Order, JAMC Automatic, Floodland by Sisters of Mercy, etc. Happy days!
gallowayboy
Until late 1983 I was a bit serious and still partially in thrall to prog and trad rock; I had dabbled a bit with the punk revolution, and my head had been turned by the Damned, Joy Division, The Cure, Banshees and Echo and the Bunnymen, but it was Script of the Bridge by the Chameleons that set the tone for the next few years of my life. The mixture of social commentary, melody, other worldly atmospherics and great gigs drew me in to a near obsession for a bit. When I listen to it now I’m straight back to the 1980s and the feeling that the world was broken but oddly that there was a life ahead to live and enjoy.
Pretty much exactly me! "Don't Fall" & Swamp Thing being favourites. On a slightly different genera, Depeche Mode released Music for the masses in 87 with the opening track being "Never Let Me Down Again" it was a belter.
Was on my last summer holidays with my parents and we were visiting friends in a gite in the south of France. We went to the nearest big town and wandered around, I only really remember narrow streets and nougat.parents thought a bit of culture so took us to some Roman ruins. Which set had a massive effect on me.
It was early August and I was 16 in 1986 and The Cure were setting up and soundtesting in Orange. Wasn't there long but lovecats was definitely run through.
I still claim it as my first gig but it so obviously isn't.
My sister (who'd feel right at home on this thread) loves them but I really don't understand the attraction at all!
I tend not to get infatuated with bands straight away. There's a lot of music I absolutely love but it's always a slow burn thing for me.
There has always been some sort of soundtrack going on in my life, even now. but some stick out more than others.
growing up in my teens during school the first Skid Row album gave me a kick. a sweet testosterone fueled misogynistic stomp. suited the 80's really.
6th form always seemed to be winter, so Sisters of mercy - floodland to help me trudge through the snow.
Undergrad was musically uneventful. an alt goth/metalhead in peak britpop times. though there were a few albums I'd found, the music that stuck with me was Tori Amos - Little earthquakes.
post undergrad working was very boring. Geneva's Further album seemed to be a staple and reminds me of the sunshine of home.
Postgrad, moving to city with access to more gigs, more clubs, more more....two albums remind me of these times. the earlier part, Sneaker Pimps - Splinter album, the latter part VNV Nation -Empires.
post postgrad, another city, more technology, more access to all of the music actually led to less thorough listening, less intimacy with full albums, so nothing I could really pin down worthy of a large chunk of life soundtrack.
It's not always been like that. There have still been a few. One of note particularly is by Hearts of Black Science, called Signal. but that's more of a seaonal fit when the weather gets cold.
Five Star – Silk and Steel on cassette. I’d leave now head hung low,
Lift your head. I saw Ms Pearson live recently and she was outstanding.
Soundtrack to my youth? 35 years ago, almost to the day (OK, a month late)? That would be Bridge of Spies.
Wasn’t there long but lovecats was definitely run through.
Remember dancing to that with a lovely girl in uni that I shoulda, coulda.... didn't though, happy memories with some regrets, sigh..
Still at school it was Parallel Lines by Blondie. I didn’t actually own it but every time I went round to hang out with my mate Martin this got played. And Debbie gave us a shot of nostalgia with her O2 gig earlier this year.
Low
Family Cat is the only other band to give me that nostalgic feeling.
Hang on a sec. I saw those at a festival (quick google - Reading '91) and after listening to the album to death afterwards, literally hadn't thought of them since. Just put Final Mistake on YT and can remember every single line! Could probably still play Albert Hoffman's Bike on guitar...
Also, Seers, Sofahead, Silverfish...
Someone please arrange a STW approved rave. All music vetted and approved by the membership.
First album:
Can't say it ended up being the soundtrack to my youth though. That was probably something equally un-cool like Dire Straits: Alchemy.
London Calling.
Alternative Ulster.
Teenage Kicks.
Atmosphere is the one that still makes me stop and think.
Just put Final Mistake on YT and can remember every single line! Could probably still play Albert Hoffman’s Bike on guitar…
Yes!
Timeless indie...with 3 guitars!
New Order - True Faith I was 15 in the summer of 1987 and it blew me away!
Then I discovered their back catalogue & Joy Division, The Smiths, Wedding Present, JAMC, Pixies, the Cure which then led me to The Stone Roses, Charlatans, James and everything Madchester which went onto dancing all night in sweaty clubs!
The Wedding Present Seamonsters album was the soundtrack to my university days. Recently I saw them for the umpteenth time (well, Gedge and others) in Frome to hear that same album being played. Full of energy and just as good as ever. Agree that George Best is also a great album.
First album was Quadrophenia by The Who. I still have the album. I think I may be a little older than other posters on the thread. Music to listen to whilst doing my homework.
A bit of a mainstream choice but for me it's Definitely Maybe by Oasis. I'd just left school in 94 at 16 years old and used to listen to this on my tape player walking to work. An album was about a quarter of my weekly wage 😳
On the topic of cost, Camembert Electrique by Gong was always the cheapest album on sale. I think I paid 45p. I bought a reissue
heavy weight vinyl edition a couple of years ago for £25.
Can’t argue with the importance of ‘George Best’. Outstanding racket.
Summer ‘81. Motörhead released the single ‘Motörhead’.
And this went to No.1
Dummy.
Leftism
Maxinquaye
Blue lines
Pablo honey
Trailer park.
Yes, I'm from Bristol.
And back Street symphony by Thunder.
I think I might have misunderstood the brief? I took it to be what were you listening too in 1987 but perhaps its what you listened when you first left home?
As in 1987 I was into my second year of paid work having spent 3 years on an Electrical engineering degree, so in my first year at uni it would be 1982 so from vague memories it would be:
Cocteau Twins Garlands
Kraftwerk Computer World
The Jam The Gift
AC/DC For Those About To Rock We Salute You
Yazoo Upstairs At Eric’s
A bit all over the place TBH!
I really couldn't join in if it's what you were listening to in 87 as I'd have been 10. I was still heavily into the Thundercats at that time.
White Ladder by David Gray.
I wasn’t a big fan at the time but my wife was. We used to listen to it a lot when she was pregnant with my first born.
When we got my son home from hospital, the first time we gave him a bath, this was playing in the background. I was suddenly overwhelmed by the sheer enormity and responsibility of raising this little life and to this day, can’t listen to This Year’s Love without a tear in my eye.
It will always remind me of him. I usually find myself listening to it every time he goes back to University.
If you like White Ladder, the Australian film Samson And Delilah uses Nightblindness to awesome effect. Tear jerker.
Never Mind the Bollocks was the first album that really blew me away.
Imagine how crushing it is to have that as such a huge part of your life then John Lyndon turns out to be such a colossal prick.
Ziggy Stardust, Tubular bells and Kimono My House all bought within 2 weeks using my milkboy money
First albums I chose rather than listen to elder brothers
I think I might have misunderstood the brief? I took it to be what were you listening too in 1987 but perhaps its what you listened when you first left home?
It's a forum and any musical discussion is fair game in my book (although some of the ones that descend into lists of people you've never heard of do pass my by a bit)
But if it is 'my thread my rules' the intent was; it was 35 years to the day that George Best was released. I was already a fan from the Peel influence, so the release was eagerly awaited and of course was 1/ on vinyl (or cassette - basically physical media, not a download); 2/ from a record shop, no subscribe in advance and it drops through your letterbox on the day. The anticipation as I walked back through the streets of Durham, to my room - i'd been up there about 10 days by then and was starting to have the best time of my life.
And so it's not just whether the album is any good or not (it is, but I'll freely admit it's not the best album ever made, it's not even THEIR best album - prob not even top three!) but the feeling, the way that music can take you back in an instant to those memories and feelings.
The actual date's not important, or the occasion. It might be university for you. It might be like tenfoot, birth of kids. It might (sad) be the music you used to listen to with your parents who might not be here now. It might be the lads trip to Pas de la Casa ski-ing (Prodigy, Outer Space FWIW) But what are the songs or albums that flick the switch and make the memories flood back (and what are the memories)
As informed by Radcliffe and Maconie it's 40 years ago (today) since 1999 was released. I feel old!
vxaero
Full Member
On the topic of cost, Camembert Electrique by Gong was always the cheapest album on sale
Planet Gong, Fantasy Shift, Theatre and All Over The Show.
Followed Here And Now live since I was 14.
Still the best live band going.
See also Blyth Power, Hawkwind, Ozrics, Subhumans/Culture Shock/Citizen Fish, The Mob, The Astronauts etc.....
Freak Power!
Now we are talking! Saw Blyth Power earlier this year (and just finished reading Joseph Porter's autobiography). Culture Shock are by a long way my favourite of Dick's bands, so glad that they are active again.
Thinking about the question again, every time I play Starving Children I am taken back to the first time I dipped my toe into the world of anarcho...something about that mid 80's sound that took the crispiness of Crass but added a bit of joy that I still love to this day. I am 2 releases from completing my Agit-Prop collection and play them all regularly (Thatcher on Acid the other day)
Excellent stuff!
A Little Touch Of Harry In The Night is available on CD and YouTube now. I chucked my totally worn out cassette version earlier this year, which was a wrench, but kept the booklet that came with it oh so many years ago.......the sticker disappeared somewhere though.
YouTube has some other gems too, a short documentary on Welwyn Garden City by Mark Astronaut and a new version of Another Day, Another Death by The Mob being personal highlights.
And yes to Culture Shock probably being Dick's best band. Still fantastic.....remember bumping into him years ago in Manchester at a Here And Now gig, he was sitting peacefully on the floor and denying who he was to a random stream of spotty young Punks who kept bothering him. Sorry Dick. 🙂
Still love Subhumans though, I'm having Word Factory as the last tune at my funeral. Appropriate somehow.....
Any idea where I can find the biography btw?
Ta!
The songs that probably date me and really remind me of going to ‘uni’ (except it was Plymouth Poly) are Kayleigh, She Sells Sanctuary and A Sort of Homecoming as they were played in rotation on the Union jukebox every day while we were hanging out between lectures. If I hear them I am transported back to 1985… which is an increasingly weird feeling.
I picked mine up from a gig, but they still have them on their website
http://blythpower.co.uk/merchandise/index.htm
Genesis to Revolutions - from growing up in Somerset to the end of Zounds (interspersed with future bits of Blyth Power memories). I was left wanting a sequel, he writes exactly how you would expect him to and I was reading it in his voice.
Thank you.
Probably New Values, its the earliest album I remember buying myself. Me and my schoolmate used to fancy this older woman in the upstairs record department in Rumbelows, so used to skulk about in there every chance we got. We got talking to Rose and she used to recommend stuff to us. I bought this on her advice and it got me into a whole world of music. This is that very copy (what a fab sleeve!)
Hard to imagine the lovely Rose from Rumbelows is now in her mid-late 60s!
Love TWP and George Best. Gedge makes my love life look nigh on successful in comparison.
Hell is for Heroes - The Neon Handshake was a cracking debut album. Obviously, The Stone Roses is up there. Electric Soft Parade - Holes in the Wall. Doves - Lost Souls. Soulwax - Much against everyone's advice. Portishead - Dummy. Teenage Fanclub - A Catholic education.
So many more.