Bon Iver is a legend of the unknown, and a relatively unknown legend. In 2006/07, Justin Vernon went into the forested wilderness of Midwest America and came back with an album so chilling, melancholy, and soberingly lonesome that it would…
From the Record Crate: David Gray – “White Ladder” (1998)
A great album doesn’t have to make a grand political statement or adhere to some lofty concept. Sometimes a great album is nothing more than a collection of well-written and beautifully produced songs. Few musicians know this better than David…
From the Record Crate: Flight of the Conchords – “Flight of the Conchords” (2008)
When most people think of novelty music, they think of “Weird Al” Yankovic; I’m mainly lookin’ at you, fellow elder-Gen Z types. I, too, was a member of the cohort of middle schoolers that learned the lyrics to “White and…
From the Record Crate: The Avalanches – “Since I Left You” (2000)
Despite the ever-evolving nature of music, and the endless amount of landmark records that are released every year, there are few albums in music history that can compare to Since I Left You (2000). Plunderphonics by its pure nature is…
From the Record Crate: Bruce Springsteen – “Born to Run” (1975)
After the birth of rock and roll around the early ‘40s, its popularity slowly grew until its inevitable explosion in the 1950s. The eventual spawn of pop giants like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly put the United States, and the…
From the Record Crate: Raekwon – “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” (1995)
If there’s one hip-hop group – and symbol – that’s likely to be immortalized in music culture forever, it’s the Wu-Tang Clan, and their unmistakable “W.” With one of the most iconic albums in rap history, the 1993 release, Enter…
From the Record Crate: Joni Mitchell – “Ladies Of The Canyon” (1970)
What is known to be as one of Joni Mitchell’s most important works, Ladies Of The Canyon was released 30 years ago and housed revolutionary songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock.” Filled with overdubs and rich lyrics, the album…