Andrew’s album picks

This started after a request to do one of those annoying Facebook sharing things. Now it’s just an annoying website thing, so count yourself lucky. First up, Andrew’s lifelong loved albums, who makes no apologies for his early 90s obsession. From top left: 

Smashing Orange- Smashing Orange (1991)

A shoegaze obsession of mine in the early 90s. Every Brighton record fair I’d hassle the vinyl/CD dealers for more Smashing Orange records, which were unfeasibly hard to get hold of back then

Galaxie 500 – This Is Our Music (1990)

Another lifelong crush, Jane and I once listened to this record every day for a year. It amazes me when I find people who have never heard of Galaxie 500. 

The Nightblooms – The Nightblooms (1992)

I used to buy anything on the Fierce label, notorious for weird stuff like JAMC riot 7” and a Charles Manson “goodie bag”. The Nightblooms weren’t weird though, they were an obscure Dutch band that played gorgeous shoegaze.

Ride – Nowhere (1990)

When I first saw Ride back in the late 80s I had no idea that they’d still be playing and releasing records 30 years later, and for that I’m grateful. So many good songs on this album, but “paralysed” always stood out for me.

The Pooh Sticks – The Great White Wonder (1991)

I have more Pooh Sticks records than I probably need. And they taught me that every record needs tambourine. I love the Hanna-Barbera artwork, although it jars a little with the lo-fi fanzine-eque (but highly loveable) quality of most of their other early artwork.

Teenage Fanclub – Bandwagonesque (1991)

My sun faded vinyl copy of this belting record simply hasn’t aged musically. I could quite happily listen to “Star sign” every day. Can’t wait to see this band again in Brighton later this year, viruses permitting.

The Cure – Three Imaginary Boys (1979) 

Not only does this album have some of my favourite Cure songs (10:15 Saturday Night, So What, Fire In Cairo), the artwork is just so damn pleasing. I love the fact the tracks aren’t even named on the record, instead there’s an icon for each.

My Bloody Valentine – Isn’t Anything (1988)

The relentless, surging Jazzmaster sounds on this record created something entirely new and inspired generations of copycats who still try to emulate Kevin Shields’ wizardry today. Often wish I could relive the night when we saw them in the shoe-cupboard sized Newport TJs.

The Primitives – Pure (1989)

I seem to have lost my copy of 1988’s “Lovely” which is arguably a better album, but I treasure this signed copy of Pure, complete with Tracy Tracy’s smudged scrawl. I had a huge crush on this band, who brightened up life in Coventry every time I bumped into them