There's something eerily beautiful and mystic about this.
1998, their 4th Album and the one that really made it and at the time, frontman Donahue was in the depths of breakdowns and depression.
Recorded in The Catskills Mountains with The Band's Levon Helm (And Amy Helm)/Garth Hudson getting involved there in the recording because they lived nearby. For us, you can hear their influence and you can feel the atmosphere.
It's about New York but it's very Catskill desolate too.
Orchestrally gorgeous and mastered on 35 mm film (!), means it has that different sound. You can hear vinyl scratching which gives the Album a rawness as well as a host of instruments and seemingly, kitchen utensils. There's a myriad of sounds here. Strings, harmonies and almost a lullaby affect. The more you listen, the more you hear and that's always a good sign of a classic Album.
'Holes' and 'Opus 40' are the best known tracks but you have to listen to the Album as a whole as a 'concept' record. We dare you to try and just listen to it as "in the background".....because you just can't. It stops you and you have to pause.
"I know...it ain't goin' to last" goes the chorus but it will.
It's like a long lost friend.
Previous "listen to's" you'll also find on this blog.......Dave Matthews 'Crash'; Beyonce 'Lemonade'; Prince 'Sign O the times'; Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'; Amy Winehouse 'Back to Black';Police 'Outlandos D'Amour'; Michael Jackson Off the Wall; Carole King Tapestry; Beatles Red Album; Sex Pistols Never mind the Bollocks; Sam Cooke Live at Harlem Square; The Doors LA Woman; Thin Lizzy Live & Dangerous; Kendrick Lamarr Butterfly; Aretha Franklin Amazing Grace; Clapton 461; Massive Attack Blue Lines; The Clash London Calling; Chris Isaak At The Filmore; Bob Dylan Street Legal; Bad Company Straight Shooter; Jackson Browne Love is Strange; Lou Reed Transformer; Steely Dan AJA; Stones Black+Blue; Stephen Bishop Careless; Nils Lofgren Night after Night; Mike Oldfield Tubular Bells; Neil Young Harvest; Led Zep 4; David Bowie David Live; Van Morrison It's too late to stop now; Wings Band on the run; Rod Stewart Atlantic Crossing; Ryan Adams Heartbreaker; Santana Essential; Bob Dylan Desire; Roxy Music For your pleasure; Bob Marley Legend; Stephen Fretwell Magpie; James Taylor Sweet Baby James; Deep Purple Machine Head; Springsteen Darkness on the edge of town; Leon Bridges Coming Home; Eagles Hotel California; Jungle; Aretha Soul Queen; Neil Young After the Goldrush + Harvest; Zappa Overnite Sensation; Fleetwood Mac Rumours; Keith Jarrett Koln Concert; Doobies Southbound; Stevie Earle I feel Alright; Tom Waits Closing Time; Pink Floyd Dark Side; Van Morrison Moondance; Eric Church Caught in the Act; Randy Newman Little Criminals; Elton John Madman across the water; Patti Smith Horses; Doobies Captain and Me; Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill.
