DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from the owner of Eugene Choo and the Annex next door on Main Street…

“I struggle with “Best Of’ lists. I usually make a point of not doing/answering them. So when Scout asked me to come up with 3 definitive records I had to confront my demons. I took a desert isle approach: 3 albums I could listen to repeatedly and find new appreciation for with each listen. It’s hard not to pick older albums, but I guess that’s what makes them ‘classic’. They have the benefit of time.”

VAN MORRISON – Astral Weeks | LISTEN | “My cousin introduced me to this album in the late 80’s while I was on an extended stay in Los Angeles. I knew Van Morrison as a collection of singles. Hearing this album for the first time was an epiphany. It’s so layered and nuanced with elements of jazz, soul, blues, folk, rock, and classical. That coupled with Van’s stream of consciousness lyrics make it a repeat listener.”

TELEVISION – Marquee Moon | LISTEN | “An album by a seminal New York City punk band that really helped to usher in the post-punk sound. Its introduction in my childhood – via giant headphones and a big brother with good musical taste – helped it stand out. It seems to pop into my life at regular intervals and always sounds fresh.”

THE PIXIES – Doolittle | LISTEN | “While I always really liked this album and had seen The Pixies numerous times, it was when my wife took me to see the 20th anniversary of Doolittle (performed in its entirety at the Paramount in Seattle) that it really resonated as a whole album. There isn’t a dud track on it.”

ALL DEFINITIVE RECORDS

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from the founder of Miss 604…

Pearl Jam – Ten | LISTEN | “It was the first tape I stole from my sister and I played it non-stop until I knew every word to every song. Then I would listen to the songs again to focus on individual instruments or lyrics. It saved me from my New Kids on the Block phase.”

Less Than Jame – Hello Rockview | LISTEN | “When I was a teenager I got into punk/ska — the shows were cheap, I liked the pace, and I could find MP3s online. When Less Than Jake came out with Hello Rockview I was tinkering more with web publishing and created my first website, which was a fan page with discography, show pics, tour dates, and more. It was the first time I wrote and published something online.”

Death Cab For Cutie – Is This It | LISTEN | “My husband sent me the album, song by song, when we were first dating. He was living in Iowa and sharing our favourite music with each other was something that helped us get to know each other even more. We eventually had Death Cab (and Postal Service) songs at our wedding.”

ALL DEFINITIVE RECORDS

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from the creative director of local branding/design shop Cause + Affect (home to the spanking new Brand Academy)…

Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge over Troubled Water | LISTEN | “This was the only record my parents owned when I was young that was not Nana Mouskouri or The Platters. Good for all occasions as it kinda makes you feel happy when you’re sad and sad when you’re happy.”

U2 – WAR | LISTEN | “This album came out when I was 10. I remember it as much for its music as its cover artwork. I had a backpatch of it sewn onto my jean jacket that was – up to that time – probably the coolest thing I had ever owned. Also, it sort of ended my love affair with U2 until I was in my thirties and decided it was ok to like them again.”

The Strokes – Is This It | LISTEN | This album came out at the beginning of the 2000′s I think and provided the soundtrack for a number of my years in London, including my wedding day, I believe. To this day, I can still feel the city in the songs.”

ALL DEFINITIVE RECORDS

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records is a new Scout column that asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from local chef…

Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks | LISTEN | “The album that makes break ups seem romantic.”

Dan Bern – Fifty Eggs  | LISTEN | “My mom dragged me to a Dan Bern concert at the Gabriola Island community hall when I was 15 and I was an instant convert.”

Neil Young – Ragged Glory | LISTEN | “Out of all the amazing eras of Neil, this is my favourite.”

ALL DEFINITIVE RECORDS

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records is a new Scout column that asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from local filmmaker…

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication | LISTEN | “The first Beastie Boys album I listened to over and over again…”

Rage Against The Machine – Self-Titled  | LISTEN | “This album blew me away…FUCK YOU I WONT DO WHAT YOU TELL ME…over and over again…and the cover, a photo of a monk burning himself to death…jeez louise…as an impressionable kid in a small town this album got me all riled up, to say the least. It still stands up as such a solid album to this day, and probably my favourite of all time.”

Rancid – And Out Came The Wolves | LISTEN | “This album is great for shotgunning beer to. It’s hillbilly punk-rock drinking music. Every song is memorable. Matt Freeman’s bass playing is unreal – technical and funky, and Lars’ raspy vocals are gritty and awesome. Also the album art really stuck with me when I got into graphic design.. I love that stark, raw look.”

ALL DEFINITIVE RECORDS

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records is a new Scout column that asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. Today, we hear from award-winning Campagnolo chef/restaurateur…

Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison | LISTEN | “When I was about 4 or 5 years old my parents bought a new record player. They also joined the columbia records mail order club and got this one for free. I played this album so much that it went ‘missing’.”

The Smalls – The Smalls | LISTEN | “I have been listening to punk music since I was twelve (The Dead Kennedys, Misfits, Circle Jerks, etc.) and this album takes me back to a time that turned the direction of my life towards the path I have been on for the last 18 years.”

R.L. Burnside – Ass Pocket of Whiskey | LISTEN | “A Mississippi hill country blues legend and the foresight of Jon Spencer from the blues explosion came out in the mid nineties and helped solidify my long lasting love for the blues. R.L said on more than one occasion, ‘I didn’t mean to kill nobody … I just meant to shoot the sonofabitch in the head. Him dying was between him and the Lord.’ One bad ass bluesman.”

v WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVOURITE RECORDS?

DEFINITIVE RECORDS: The 3 Albums That Anchor The Tastes Of Super Vancouverites

Definitive Records is a new Scout column that asks interesting Vancouverites to pick the three albums that anchor their musical tastes. We start with a local filmmaker…

Weezer – The Blue Album | LISTEN | “My favourite records tend to change every few years but I thought I’d pick one slightly older album. I was once a shitty teenager and this record reminds me of that time. Other shitty teenster memories: Mad Magazine, incense, Dippity Doo hair gel, marijuana, cola, and that time I secretly smelled my friend Mark’s sister’s panties when we were camping in Grade 9.”

Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Fight | LISTEN | “I moved to Scotland a few years ago and I saw a Frightened Rabbit show the first week that I arrived in Edinburgh. Fuck, was it a great show! This album became the soundtrack to my Scottish adventures.”

Los Campesinos! – Hold on Now, Youngster… | LISTEN | “I’m from Langley so I obviously love drinking and driving and one time I was drunk and I ran over a German Shepherd puppy while listening to this record and since then I’ve been very fond of it. Wait a minute…that’s not a real story but it’s still a stellar record. And even better news: an imaginary puppy is still alive!”

v WHAT ARE YOUR 3 FAVOURITE RECORDS?