You Should Hear This: 1996

billy g · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 1:41 pm **Posts:** 9020

Kimmie Rhodes - West Texas Heaven

No Depression Wrote:

The Rhodes album is the revelation, one that will introduce her to most of America after three previous releases overseas won her a following in Britain. It also should remove her from the shadows of more renowned luminaries on the Lubbock-Austin axis. The purity of her performance throughout this album is as powerful as it is unadorned, as Kimmie’s voice reflects an inner beauty beyond mere prettiness. Think of Iris DeMent’s trill sharpened to Lucinda Williams’ edge. Though her songs have previously been covered by Nelson and Wynonna, Rhodes makes her own material sound less like craft than testament.

Among those paying their respects are Nelson, Jennings and Townes Van Zandt — each of whom duets with her — while fellow Lubbockite Joe Ely contributes a vocal cameo as well. Rhodes’ luminous vocal transparency inspires her partners to strip away their own masks, with the two Nelson duets in particular sounding like an intimate eavesdrop on souls sharing secrets. The production by Rhodes and husband Joe Gracey avoids clutter, letting the songs stand on their own. The range on West Texas Heaven extends from the airy plaintiveness of “Wild Roses” to the Bobbie Gentryish “Git You a Job”; through it all, country music rarely rings more honest and true.

PopTodd · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:15 pm

Yeah, Aeroplane is the masterpiece. And a lot of you hate that one anyway.
But when I was on a routine record shopping expedition in 1996 and heard this song come on in the store, I was instantly taken. Took the record home and fell in love.

Fact of the matter is, in 1998, I had a bit of a hard time being convinced that On Avery Island wasn't still better than In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.
I heard Avery first, and its (even more) raggedy sound and approach still held sway over my allegiances. These days I will admit that the later album is the better one, but just barely.

Those of you not familiar with the debut, if you are a fan, you NEED this. You who don't like the band, this will do nothing to change your mind,.

Sex, Drugs, and Dave · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:41 pm

Stop Breathin' · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:48 pm

That Ash record is an overlooked gem. Love it.

shiv · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:19 pm

i feel like some of these years have been posted before because i thought i've seen that dr. octagon posted.

ShamWow! · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:09 pm

I think this one's right up there with Stoneage Romeos and Mars Needs Guitars...it's that good.

Hearkens quite a bit back to the Kaleidoscope World singles...quiet introspection gelled nicely with straightforward rock and roll.

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

ShamWow! Wrote:

I think this one's right up there with Stoneage Romeos and Mars Needs Guitars...it's that good.

Blasphemy.

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

Bedhead - Beheaded

Not quite as good as WhatFunLifeWas, but still one of the best slowcore albums and one of the best of 1996.

Suicide Machines - Destruction By Definition

Call them pop-punk, ska punk, whatever, this is a fun album and still gets spun by me every few months.

The Dreaded Marco · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:45 pm

I prefer this to Sinister from this same year.

bort · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:06 pm

One of those bands I saw "back in the day" opening up for the Figgs. Good album.

One of many in this band's discography. Actually, I probably wouldn't put this in their top 5. But I feel like I've been neglecting them in these "Hear Year" threads so here ya go.

duckyboy · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:13 pm

my favorite Dirty Three album

This album more than any other makes me think of 1996 when I listen to it

Dick Meatwood · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:24 pm

shiv Wrote:

i feel like some of these years have been posted before because i thought i've seen that dr. octagon posted.

People post things for the wrong years. There's a chance one of them was a duplicate, but I've checked and triple-checked this shit to make sure I didn't do any repeats of the years contra had already done.

The Dreaded Marco · **Posted:** Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:27 pm

duckyboy Wrote:

This album more than any other makes me think of 1996 when I listen to it

I completely agree. Love this one.

Stop Breathin' · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:54 am

The Dreaded Marco Wrote:

duckyboy Wrote:

This album more than any other makes me think of 1996 when I listen to it

I completely agree. Love this one.

I felt this record as a transition to trying to take that commercial shot. Didn't resonate like Bakesale, but still a solid record.

DMB04 · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:48 am

Great to see Fantastic Planet mentioned.

Care to up that Ash record?

Sex, Drugs, and Dave · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:15 am

duckyboy Wrote:

my favorite Dirty Three album

This album more than any other makes me think of 1996 when I listen to it

+1 on Harmacy, Hayden, and Amanset

Sex, Drugs, and Dave · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:16 am

DMB04 Wrote:

Great to see Fantastic Planet mentioned.

Care to up that Ash record?

Code:

http://www.mediafire.com/?mnbtd9zdnem

shiv · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:04 am

Drinky Wrote:

shiv Wrote:

i feel like some of these years have been posted before because i thought i've seen that dr. octagon posted.

People post things for the wrong years. There's a chance one of them was a duplicate, but I've checked and triple-checked this shit to make sure I didn't do any repeats of the years contra had already done.

ah ok. i trust you. maybe i was mistaking dr. octagon for deltron 3000.

pinehurst · **Joined:** Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:45 am **Posts:** 1526

Fuck 1996. If it was possible to wipe my ass with a year it would be 1996.

Except for Nas - It was written

DumpJack · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:08 am

nobody · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:59 am

What's up with that American Analog Set? I pretty randomly ended up with a 12" of theirs a pretty long ways back (Late One Sunday & The Following Morning) and really liked it so I bought a full length (maybe Set Free, but not sure) and was pretty disappointed. Suggestions on what, if anything, I should check out?

Stone · **Joined:** Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:27 am **Posts:** 1562

How about some reasons on why I should hear these albums.

PopTodd · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:15 am

It's their most-blatantly psychedelic, fuzzed-out set. Great, big pop melodies, with swirly guitars, strange sound effects, found sounds, etc.
It's great, big fun.

seafoam · **Posted:** Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:37 am

nobody Wrote:

What's up with that American Analog Set? I pretty randomly ended up with a 12" of theirs a pretty long ways back (Late One Sunday & The Following Morning) and really liked it so I bought a full length (maybe Set Free, but not sure) and was pretty disappointed. Suggestions on what, if anything, I should check out?

I'd highly recommend Know By Heart

You Should Hear This: 1996

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