Elvis Telecom's favorite fifty albums that rarely get mentioned around here

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Without thinking too hard I went through everyone and picked out an album each that I dearly love. I then kicked out all the Spacemen 3/Sp*, The Church, Eno, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, krautrock, shoegaze, paisley underground - really just anything that I think still gets namechecked often around here - and stopped when I got to fifty.

Poll Results

OptionVotes
Thin White Rope - Moonhead 7
Morphine - Cure For Pain 6
Bardo Pond - Set And Setting 6
Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops 5
This Heat - S/T 5
Global Communication - 76:14 4
The Triffids - In The Pines 4
Heldon - Interface 4
Flying Saucer Attack - S/T 4
The Jazz Butcher - A Scandal In Bohemia 3
Armand Schaubroeck - Ratfucker 3
Kinski - Be Gentle With The Warm Turtle 2
The Sound - Jeopardy 2
Persephone's Bees - Notes From The Underworld 2
various - Early Tzigane Records: Budapest - Monte-Carlo - Madrid - Berlin - Milan - Paris 1898-1922 2
Charalambides - Union 2
Windy And Carl - Drawing Of Sound 2
OP8 - Slush 2
Anna Calvi - s/t 2
The Muffs - Happy Birthday To Me 1
Paik - The Orson Fader 1
Bailter Space - Robot World 1
Sam Phillips - World On Sticks 1
The Bevis Frond - New River Head 1
Alan Price - O Lucky Man soundtrack 1
Scenic - The Acid Gospel Experience 0
Wire Train - ...In A Chamber 0
The 49 Americans - We Know Nonsense 0
Seven Percent Solution - All About Satellites and Spaceships 0
Tom Vek - We Have Sound 0
The Unknowns - S/T 0
Sian Alice Group - 59.59 0
Sun Dial - Acid Yantra 0
Zoviet France - The Decriminalisation Of Country Music 0
The Prisoners - TheWiserMiserDemelza 0
Clouds - Penny Century 0
Death Valley - ¡Que Pasta! 0
Drop City - Magic Transistor Radio 0
Green - S/T 0
Hedgehog - Sun Fun Gun 0
Holly & The Italians - The Right to Be Italian 0
Ivy - In The Clear 0
King Loser - Super Sonic Free Hi-Fi 0
Le Butcherettes - A Raw Youth 0
Magnog - More Weather 0
Mike Heron - Smiling Men With Bad Reputations 0
Modern Eon - Fiction Tales 0
Not Drowning, Waving - The Little Desert 0
J.P. Shilo - As Happy As Sad Is Blue 0
Beaches - Second Of Spring 0


Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:30 (eight months ago) link

Here's that last choice in detail (it rules!)
https://www.discogs.com/release/12424498-Various-Early-Tzigane-Records-Budapest-Monte-Carlo-Madrid-Berlin-Milan-Paris-1898-1922

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:32 (eight months ago) link

This Heat s/t so great

Snoopy is a cat, who lives in a cage (flamboyant goon tie included), Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:33 (eight months ago) link

Kinski! Love that one and you’re right it’s very underrated around here.

✖✖✖ (Moka), Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:34 (eight months ago) link

This one is almost 100% stuff I don't know (I have FSA's "Wish" on a mixtape from a friend), going to start investigating.

The Terroir of Tiny Town (WmC), Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:40 (eight months ago) link

FSA's first album is still such a great line in the sand when it comes to raw expanses of noise.

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:50 (eight months ago) link

There's multiple Unknowns out there, but specifically I'm talking about this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuOOJvTLjLw

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:51 (eight months ago) link

Also, the Green album is one with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alZkFE_VPPc

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 03:54 (eight months ago) link

Secret Machines - Ten Silver Drops, nice

Bee OK, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 04:06 (eight months ago) link

intriguing list. haven't heard most of it. voted Armand Schaubroeck

budo jeru, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 04:11 (eight months ago) link

Oh wow, The Little Desert is not the sort of thing I anticipate being referenced on ILM. I dug it out a few days ago! Part of me wants to give some love to one of the antipodean selections but I'll check out some blindspots first...

Nag! Nag! Nag!, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 06:06 (eight months ago) link

The Muffs for me, having my ears further opened by Omnivore's expanded reissues.

dow, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 07:22 (eight months ago) link

Oh wow, The Little Desert is not the sort of thing I anticipate being referenced on ILM.


I actually had to take some time to pick out a Not Drowing, Waving album for this. I first ran across them when they created the soundtrack to Jocelyn Moorhouse's Proof - good movie, but terrific soundtrack. I learned that they had all these other albums, but they would be filed in a weird place - often new age or world music, which is kinda right but also totally wrong. I didn't think anyone else on ILM would know who they were.

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 08:09 (eight months ago) link

i'm surprised that morphine aren't spoken more about here! i wonder why that is. cure for pain gets my vote, wonderful album. cool to see flying saucer attack and bevis frond on here too - not really my thing but i definitely respect it

tremolo, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 08:14 (eight months ago) link

Mark Sandman's death? I feel like there's a lot of late 90s early 2000s that just got k-holed before the social media era amplified everything around it. Acetone (Richie Lee RIP) is another band that comes to mind. I felt bad for cutting Lhasa de Sela's The Living Road, but if you're following this thread and you haven't heard her, please check her out.

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 23 August 2023 08:54 (eight months ago) link

The Muffs for me, having my ears further opened by Omnivore's expanded reissues.

I was always a stan of the first album until I saw their in-store at Freakbeat here where they played all of Happy Birthday To Me along with a couple bonus tracks. It was their last ever show in Los Angeles

Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 24 August 2023 03:08 (eight months ago) link

lol awesome

Ratfucker vs Scandal In Bohemia vs Union, went with the Jazz Butcher

out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Thursday, 24 August 2023 03:13 (eight months ago) link

I know we have a small contingent of Thin White Rope fans, myself included.

Large, Complex, Detailed but Irrefutable POST (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 24 August 2023 03:17 (eight months ago) link

Heldon just barely over Ratfucker

Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 24 August 2023 03:20 (eight months ago) link

Union ❤️❤️❤️

ian, Thursday, 24 August 2023 03:21 (eight months ago) link

Kinski, op8, Anna Calvi all amazing

I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Thursday, 24 August 2023 05:15 (eight months ago) link

Lotta records I don't know here, but all the records I do know are fantastic ... will pick up some of these.

official representative of Roku's Basketshit in at least one alternate u (lukas), Thursday, 24 August 2023 05:55 (eight months ago) link

This Heat is best, closely followed by Ratfucker and Interface.

Monthly Python (Tom D.), Thursday, 24 August 2023 06:43 (eight months ago) link

... and Mike Heron!

Monthly Python (Tom D.), Thursday, 24 August 2023 06:43 (eight months ago) link

so much i haven’t heard, but this is the absolute correct bardo pond album

is he disgruntled adrian? (voodoo chili), Thursday, 24 August 2023 06:48 (eight months ago) link

Number of albums heard: a mere 3

Favourite: Thin White Rope

Least-favourite: Green, can't bear the singing

Nicest surprise: The Sound

Unheard, but most want to hear: Heldon, This Heat, Mike Heron

Halfway there but for you, Thursday, 24 August 2023 17:51 (eight months ago) link

Wow, The Bevis Frond - New River Head, I don't think I've heard that one (or thought about that one) in ... over 30 years?

Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 24 August 2023 18:02 (eight months ago) link

so good and it's not even my favorite, I put Triptych on my list but could have also gone with NRH or Any Gas Faster

out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Thursday, 24 August 2023 18:03 (eight months ago) link

Inner Marshland was my first listen. I think it had been out for a couple of years. I’d have to go back to my old Terrascopes, but somewhere before NRH, Bevis Frond became a real touring band that Nick wrote songs for rather than Nick DIYing everything himself. Some really good last-forever type songs on NRH.

OTOH, I almost went with Sprawl but it’s… well it’s almost too much sprawl.

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 02:07 (eight months ago) link

Bevis Frond listeners might want to check this out that Sun Dial album, especially if you only know them in their 90s guitar+drum machine sad sack era. This is dgaf Loop goes Electric Sugarcube Flashbacks territory

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 02:11 (eight months ago) link

(grr can’t write on phone)

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 02:12 (eight months ago) link

Never heard any of these. Voted for Bardo Pond because I heard a different album by them that I liked.

read-only (unperson), Friday, 25 August 2023 02:14 (eight months ago) link

yeah i thought i was up on this stuff but i’ve barely heard any of these

I then kicked out all the Spacemen 3/Sp*, The Church, Eno, Pink Floyd, Kraftwerk, krautrock, shoegaze, paisley underground

aha you missed one because i voted bardo pond

the late great, Friday, 25 August 2023 06:26 (eight months ago) link

i think the others i’ve heard are this heat s/t, fsa and heldon which are pretty low priority releases for me (w/r/t to those acts) … and morphine. sorry i can’t hang with morphine. i had a college roommate who was really into “yes” and 20 years later i’ll still be like “no” when i see that fireplace log and 90s text treatment

the late great, Friday, 25 August 2023 06:34 (eight months ago) link

i used to like warp acid jazz act “red snapper” a lot but lately found i could barely handle it. it might be the guttural honking porkpie hat baritone sexxy sax tone putting me off

the late great, Friday, 25 August 2023 06:39 (eight months ago) link

voted ratfucker partly 'cause i felt like nobody else would but there are several other contenders there for sure...this heat, maybe even king loser altho (full disclosure) i played on some of that alb (mostly rec'd after i got booted outta the band tho)

donald wears yer troosers (doo rag), Friday, 25 August 2023 07:10 (eight months ago) link

ps re: king loser - the king loser movie is finished, you gotta see it to believe it

donald wears yer troosers (doo rag), Friday, 25 August 2023 07:14 (eight months ago) link

Bardo Pond is *the* premiere American psychedelic band. I've been lucky to see them a lot, but as I've aged they've become my Grateful Dead - constantly checking YT and slsk for new live recordings.

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 09:56 (eight months ago) link

Bardo Pond seems like they were on their own separate path. It's like calling Windy & Carl a shoegaze band - maybe from a certain angle, but I keep hearing so much more.

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 09:58 (eight months ago) link

Oh lord, Moonhead, what a record!

MaresNest, Friday, 25 August 2023 10:10 (eight months ago) link

king loser altho (full disclosure) i played on some of that alb (mostly rec'd after i got booted outta the band tho)


Wow! (immediately rechecks album credits, discogs and gets up to speed). Is there any way to see the movie in the states?

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 25 August 2023 10:35 (eight months ago) link

Flying Saucer Attack - S/T

Nice one

xyzzzz__, Friday, 25 August 2023 13:08 (eight months ago) link

i think that's the strength of bardo pond for me, i hear new things in every album and they all hold my interest ... "lapsed" probably my favorite, or maybe even hash jar tempo "well oiled"!"

the late great, Friday, 25 August 2023 17:00 (eight months ago) link

OK I need to do a deep Bardo dive. I have Amanita, Dilate, the 2011 S/T (which rules), and Set & Setting, I should just put them all on shuffle

out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Friday, 25 August 2023 17:01 (eight months ago) link

Elvis and I (and Ned and hstencil) all saw the 2008 Terrastock gig I think!

out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Friday, 25 August 2023 17:02 (eight months ago) link

Nice surprise to see Sam Phillips (and later-day, at that) mentioned on ILM. She's one of the more brilliantly clever songwriters of the last three decades, IMO.

Soundslike, Friday, 25 August 2023 19:43 (eight months ago) link

She doesn’t really play shows outside of LA now which is a shame. I think there were two shows for World On Sticks here at Largo and that was it. We saw one - Ms Telecom’s review is a simple “that was one of the most beautiful gigs I’ve been to” and I agree.

Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 August 2023 05:56 (eight months ago) link

Sleeve, definitely pick up BP’s Lapsed too. Also, those covers EPs from 2013-2015 where they do “Maggot Brain” “In Every Dreamhome…” “Here Come The Warm Jets” are fun “great band having a greater blow out” moments that are utterly still Bardo Pond

Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 August 2023 06:04 (eight months ago) link

don’t forget “music is the healing force of the universe” and “the creator has a master plan”

their “in every dream home” is one of the most amazing covers i’ve ever heard

there was an incredible bp live set posted a little while ago (by elvis himself? or maybe ned?) that started with a killer s3 cover

the late great, Saturday, 26 August 2023 14:24 (eight months ago) link

bardo pond

^^ thx again!!

the late great, Saturday, 26 August 2023 14:28 (eight months ago) link

thanks y'all, the 3 EPs are on Bandcamp but Lapsed is not, I should be able to find that one in a used bin someday

out-of-print LaserDisc edition (sleeve), Saturday, 26 August 2023 16:03 (eight months ago) link

Also, those covers EPs from 2013-2015 where they do “Maggot Brain” “In Every Dreamhome…” “Here Come The Warm Jets” are fun “great band having a greater blow out” moments that are utterly still Bardo Pond

Seconding that. (And ET's poll choices as a whole, I'm honestly terribly surprised how many of you haven't heard of any of these bands, but not in a bad way -- you can all check these out for the first time now!)

Ned Raggett, Saturday, 26 August 2023 16:25 (eight months ago) link

listened to Persephonees Bees on account of the fact that i recognize that name from way back. that was great

matcha man (outdoor_miner), Saturday, 26 August 2023 23:23 (eight months ago) link

Gotta go with the jazz butcher, a real classic

omar little, Saturday, 26 August 2023 23:30 (eight months ago) link

elvis t. - re: king loser flick, it only premiered here in nz a few weeks ago but i guess there's some sorta plan to get it shown in other countries sooner or later

there's a instagram acct that might keep you up to date on the subject -
https://instagram.com/king_loser_documentary?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

donald wears yer troosers (doo rag), Monday, 28 August 2023 08:47 (eight months ago) link

great to see love for bardo pond. thats my fave of theirs too, chris.

I did however vote in the end for Heldon. Very nearly voted for either Flying Saucer Attack, Paik, Kinski, The Sound and of course RATFUCKER

Toshirō Nofune (The Seventh ILXorai), Monday, 28 August 2023 09:11 (eight months ago) link

The best way this poll could end is that every album gets at least a vote.

Elvis Telecom, Monday, 28 August 2023 14:31 (eight months ago) link

I wish the same for mine. I assume we'd all like that for our own polls

Toshirō Nofune (The Seventh ILXorai), Monday, 28 August 2023 14:32 (eight months ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

System, Thursday, 31 August 2023 00:01 (eight months ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

System, Friday, 1 September 2023 00:01 (eight months ago) link

Excellent and unexpected winner

do I really have to quote bowling for soup at you? (Matt #2), Friday, 1 September 2023 01:28 (eight months ago) link

Hahah indeed, and very appropriate.

Ned Raggett, Friday, 1 September 2023 01:33 (eight months ago) link

rats I was gonna vote Clouds :/

werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 1 September 2023 03:46 (eight months ago) link

wow, great winner.

I? not I! He! He! HIM! (akm), Friday, 1 September 2023 03:56 (eight months ago) link

I'm Elvis Telecom and I endorse these results!

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 1 September 2023 08:57 (eight months ago) link

Supermoonhead

MaresNest, Friday, 1 September 2023 11:08 (eight months ago) link

eight months pass...

Reviving this thread, because Timbuk3's "Wheel Of Fortune" came up today. They'll always be known as the one hit "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" band, but on those four IRS albums if you dig in between the inferior novelty song hit attempts there's some great downer college rock. "Wheel Of Fortune" (from 1989's Edge Of Allegiance) is something else... someone current could cover this and make a zillion dollars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nU9tPNLkuo

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 3 May 2024 04:24 (two weeks ago) link

I guess bookmark this thread because I've got a lot more to post

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 3 May 2024 04:26 (two weeks ago) link

done

mookieproof, Friday, 3 May 2024 04:48 (two weeks ago) link


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