What I Did With My Thursday Afternoon

Federalcheese network all-star, Adam Wujick and I attended a showing of the concert film, “Neil Young: Heart of Gold” yesterday and, all in all, it was a good show. Neil played some new stuff, some old stuff and even covered a few from his Canadian youth. Still as humble as ever, Neil paid homage to his influences, prime among them being Hank Williams. Still I felt the movie lacked a certain spark; It never seemed to get going. The film attempted to depict Young at a crossroads in his career. It’s possibly the last tour for Young, possibly the last album and he’s kicking it off in the Capital of Country, Nashville, Tennessee. Young and his band sound great, but rough editing and unmotivated cinematography kept the performances from gelling into something special. In the end, it was Neil Young, alone with the guitar that Hank Williams himself played, that proved to be the most memorable of the scenes.

Adam and I had fun, pointing out that, when your Emmylou Harris, you’ve earned the right to sit next to Neil and just play one chord (G, which is my favorite). We walked home from downtown Seattle all the while doing our best to imitate Young’s patented high notes. Young’s mother once remarked that she thought her son sang very well, but in a key that didn’t exist. But all of this got me thinking; maybe it’s time for a federalcheese Top-Ten Favorite Albums of All-Time list.

So, here are my picks, but I warn readers that my selections are just that . . .my selections. Some stand on their own, while others were chosen for sentimental reasons. The major factor in creating this list is the test of time. I chose albums that I may have listened to over and over again, but can come back to years later without missing a beat. Whatever the criteria, all deserve a place on this list.

1. Neil Young – Harvest (I know, I know)
2. Led Zeppelin – II
3. Radiohead – O.K. Computer
4. Modest Mouse – The Lonesome Crowded West
5. Steely Dan – Aja
6. The Beatles – Rubber Soul
7. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
8. Elvis Costello – My Aim is True
9. Beck – Mutations
10. Built to Spill – Perfect From Now On

Honorable Mention: Elliot Smith – Either/Or & X/O, Beck – Sea Change, Wilco – Being There (disk 1), Pavement – Brighten the Corners, Steely Dan – Can’t Buy a Thrill

The Doors self-titled first album was in consideration, but I HATE “Light My Fire” and therefore left The Doors off my list.

And lastly, thanks Mom, for letting me listen to your record collection and tune out the family for a big chunk of time during my childhood. I’m a better person for it.