Fountains of Wayne "Utopia Parkway" (1998) is full of great catchy numbers. Always puts me in a great mood. "Troubled Times", "Denise", "Laser Show" top picks.
Lovely idea Tom! Here are my favourite albums to pick me up and put me in a great mood: 1. The Beach Boys "Concert" (1964), "Surfin' Safari", " Surfin' USA " ( both 1963) 2. The Ramones "same" (1976), "leave Home", " Rocket to Russia" (both 1977) 3. Jan & Dean "Ride the wild Surf", " Little old Lady from Pasadena" (both 1964) 4.Bo Diddley "The Chess Box" (1990, most of Bo's Songs: 1955-1962) 5. The Beatles "for Sale" (1964) 6. The Bangles: first 3 records, starting with "Going to Liverpool" 7. Tom Petty: "Full Moon Fever" (1990) 8. The Who "Live at Leeds" (1970) 9. The Byrds "Greatest Hits" (1967) 10. The Rolling Stones: "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (1967)
Greatest hits albums make for great ear candy. I have listening to some, lately. Greatest hits of The Hollies, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Jan and Dean Volume 2, Brenda Lee.
Excellent choices by you and your fans. Before offering any myself, I needed to make sure nobody else suggested them, so I read about half-an-hour of the other comments. They got nearly all I could think of. If I had your list and all the other suggestions, I could retire in bliss. Only a few I didn't notice, off the top of my head: Booker T and the MGs, in various formats. The Cars, first album. Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes. Blondie, Parallel Lines or Auto American. Rick Nelson, couple of good compilations. Link Wray, couple of good compilations, or Bull Shot. Robert Gordon, forgot any album names. Somebody mentioned the Crickets but I'd go with any Buddy Holly long compilation. Argh. Enough. Thanks for all your vids. Mike
Great list,Tom. Here's some of my fav's: Beach Boys Endless Summer-T Rex Electric Warrior-America History-Association Greatest Hits-Alice Cooper Greatest Hits-Buffalo Springfield Again- Chicago CTA (debut)-Donovan Greatest Hits-Hollies Greatest Hits (1973)-Steve Miller Band-Book of Dreams-Rascals Time Peace-Nuggets 4cd Box Set.
Surprised (in a nice way) you got into Blur Tom, all things considered. But sure, a surprising amount of depth and variety to be discovered. Give ‘13’ a try as well, maybe stream it first to test if it’s your cup of tea. A very inspiring list, you have given me some new things to try, thanks 👍
Hard Day's Night by The Beatles was the first rock and roll album that I ever owned (60 years ago). It's still my favorite Beatles album. . . and its the only Beatles album where John and Paul wrote all the songs.
Great list, Tom! In no particular order, here are some albums that always put a huge smile on my face: Bo Diddley: The Chess Records box set Chuck Berry: The Great Twenty-Eight compilation Fats Domino: Jukebox compilation. Fats's music has such a rollicking New Orleans vibe that he makes me feel happy, even when he is singing a blues (like "Poor Me") The Very Best of Gary U.S. Bonds Freddy Boom Boom Cannon: Just My Rock & Roll Classics David Lindley and El Rayo-X: the self-titled debut album, and the follow-up, Win This Record. Both great party records from start to finish. NRBQ: Grooves in Orbit, and NRBQ at Yankee Stadium. The Skeletons: Nothing to Lose, and The Morrells: The Best Bar Band Ever! Two bands led by Ozark Mountain roots rocker Lou Whitney. The title of the latter album may actually be a statement of fact, not a boast. Brownsville Station: Yeah! and their follow-up, School Punks. I think that what all of these albums have in common is that they're chock full of pure, fun, good-time rock and roll, with no pretensions whatsoever. I could go on and on. My vol. 2 list of ear candy would be bubblegum music, followed by vol. 3 power pop, and vol. 4 punk rock.
You say John Sebastian does not get enough love today. Well, I sure give him the love and respect he is due. Not only did he write great songs, his vocals were wonderful, too. But, why were his vocals wonderful? You would not call him a polished, professional, trained singer. I don't recall any vibrato, for example. But, I just love the sound of his voice. Also, I sometimes think of songwriters in terms of how many great songs they wrote. Ten great songs is, for me, a threshold number that elevates a writer to a higher plane. Of course, John Sebastian qualifies: I think I can name 10 "great" Sebastian songs (some were just "good"). I could probably name 10 great John Phillips songs. Roy Orbison? Maybe 10. Of course, there's Ray Davies, who wrote maybe one hundred (100) great songs!
Hi Tom: Oh, goodness...ear candy! Where to begin..., well, definitely The Everly Brothers. I don't have the disc that you have. I have the album they did on Warner Bros. in 1964, where they re-recorded some of their biggest hits. I love that album! And I agree, "Crying in the Rain" is one of their absolute best! Or was it "Bawling in the Rain?" I can never keep that straight. I saw Raspberries mentioned in one of the comments, ear candy for sure! Also XTC's period from "Mummer" through "Oranges and Lemons." Anything by The Kinks, but particularly 1966-'71 or '72. Pretty much anything by The Monkees. I find The Stranglers' "Dreamtime" album to be real ear candy! I love that album! Also from about that same time, The Saints "All Fools Day" album definitely contains quite a bit of ear candy! I can also think of some singles that are ear candy, and some are probably going to laugh at this one. But I find "Suzie-Q," a b-side from 1957 by The Crew Cuts - yes, the Crew Cuts of "Sh-Boom" fame - fits that category for me. But, as you've acknowledged, there are tons and tons of ear candy records out there. What a fun topic Tom! Great video, and I love your picks!! 👍
Hi Tom, The Happening is my favorite Supremes song. The Turtles are another band I play often, along with the Beach Boys, especially this time of year. As far as recent bands go, the Struts, in my opinion , are a party starter. Thanks.
Off the top of my head I go with these because they're fun The Meters - Look-Ka Py Py Sly & The Family Stone Greatest Hits Zappa - The Grand Wazoo Van Halen - Fair Warning Basher - Best Of Nick Lowe Teenage Fanclub - Man Made
Lotsa good picks there, dude -- I might pick some of them myself. I have that same Lovin' Spoonful Anthology (although I usually take it off before the very end). But the first thing I thought of regarding "ear candy" is... Shonen Knife. Yep, I'm one of those otaku boys. Shonen Knife is my favorite feel good band, especially the original line-up of Naoko, Michie, & Atsuko, and their three albums on Virgin and two on Big Deal in the '90s. Whenever I want happy, goofy songs about food and everyday life, influenced by the Ramones, Beatles, Buzzcocks and XTC, this is where I go. I got to see them twice (three times if you count the in-store set) and they all autographed my CD with little cartoon drawings of their faces. Gosh, what a doofus I am! Still makes me smile. The Muffs really do it for me too (RIP Kim Shattuck), the first four X albums, and the first four Ramones albums. And Van Dyke Parks' Song Cycle and Jump!
I remember seeing The Muffs open for the Goo Goo Dolls back in 1993 at The Palace in Hollywood. Cool show. Those first four X albums are timeless. Especially the first three. Perfect from start to finish.
The Muffs went through some major changes between when you saw them and the 2000s -- no second guitar, and drummer transplant from Red Kross. Got a bit poppier, too. Really Really Happy, 2005, is my fave. Never got to see them, but there are shows on RUclips.
Cheers Tom, yet another swell video 👍🏻... I have to agree Lovin' Spoonful volume 1 and volume 2 are superb. The songs of Burt Bacharach hit hard as well... I dig The Best of The Rascals, the Zombies odessey and Oracle, the Byrds notorious Byrd Brothers. The Beatles rubber soul is always a go to album for me. Beach boys endless Summer album, Nick Lowe's labor of lust LP... How about the skatalites ball of fire, top notch Ska. And a couple hard hitters, how about Wishbone Ash Argus , if you haven't heard this album all the way through I urge you to!! Same goes with the Michael schenker group, assault attack LP... And the list goes on and on as you say, anyway here's to a good day ahead
Good collection! You might give a listen to a couple of my 60's ear candy faves - "Synthesis" by the Cryan Shames (early prog pop and serious ear candy) and "The Ark" by Chad & Jeremy (tasty concept album that punches way above its weight).
Nice list. I will go to a Delfonics, Stylistics or Spinners Anthology. Maybe some Paul Williams or Joni Mitchell or some early James Taylor. Glad you included Todd.
The Beatles "Come Together" Melanie "Candles in the Rain.' The Staples "Respect Yourself" KC/Sunsine Band "Get Down Tonight" Yes, Supremes. Their "Reflections" isn't alawys uplifting. Great tune for 'China Beach" The coda in "Hey Jude" 'Holly Holy" "Paint It, Black" I could add more ❤
A short comp, but boy does it pack a punch, Sweet's Desolation Boulevard. Come On Feel The Lemonheads. If you want to go WAY back, The Chirping Crickets is the first great rock and roll album, IMHO. And if you want to get contemporary, Wet Leg's s/t. Might through The Breeders Last Splash in to make it 5.
Wild Tchouptoulas Nick Lowe-Labour of Lust Graham Parker-Heat Treatment Mink Deville-Cabretta Talking Heads-Speaking in Tongues Van Halen II Squeeze-Argy Bargy Split Enz-True Colours
Never having broken through my aversion to BritPop while it was happening, I confess Blur was not my cup of tea, but I did enjoy Graham Coxon’s solo releases, without even knowing he was Blur’s guitarist. I really like his sound and humor. Big fan of the rest of your choices though. David Lindley’s 1981 album ‘El Rayo-X’ is my choice. Emphasis on upbeat fun. They even do an Everly Brothers cover !
I agree with you on The Supremes; presently I have no physical album to listen to. I just have an anthology of flac files that I put together from various sources. The same goes with the early to mid-sixties recordings of The Temptations or Marvin Gaye. For an unexpected type of "ear candy", I listen to 'The Worst of Jefferson Airplane'! There's been a few times when, for various reasons, I found myself in a of negative state of mind... the Jefferson Airplane helped me out of that funk pronto!
Tom, my list would be way too long for a RUclips comment! Yours is really really good! That Best of Bacharach CD would be great to have. You want more love for the Spoonful; I’m always sweetened up from hearing “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" and “Nashville Cats” (it’s not so much the good lyrics as the great instrumental vibe going on).
Frank Sinatra ''Songs for swinging lovers'' Nils Lofgren solo debut, ''Byrds greatest hits'', Shoes ''PresentTense'' Lucinda Williams ''Happy woman blues'' ''Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits'',Marshall Crenshaw's debut'', the DB's ''Repercusion'' ''The Blasters first album'',Crabby Appleton'',Steve Miller Band,''Children of the future'',Matthew Sweet,''Girlfriend''.
Great video and picks Heres 5 that come to mind Some weird choices here but what the heck ! Oranges &Lemons : XTC That was easy first come to come to mind Ry Cooder : Bop til you Drop I always end up smiling when I play this Tropical Gangster : Kid Creole and the coconuts I saw them tour on this album That was a tight band ( unbelivable ) Cold and Bouncy ; The High Llamas Just love this album Qkumba Zoo : Wake up and Dream No idea where i got this , back in day when CDs just showed up Anyway , South African band , dance music . I don’t think they did much more but this album is fun and uplifting Runner up to my 5 Dee lite : World Clique Del la Soul : 3 Feet High and Rising The Ramones : The Ramones Pixies : Surfer Rosa
The Who Sell Out. Of course l was gonna say that. If you ask me what my favorite breakfast cereal or '7Os martial arts movie is l'm gonna say The Who Sell Out. My favorite verse from the Old Testiment? The Who Sell out. Small Faces: Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. This album passes through the ears like a lovely fever dream. Side Two's fairy tale Happiness Stan is probably the most beautiful, heartfelt, and honest expression of the hippie dream that any bunch of mere mortals could have ever recorded. The Zombies: Odessey and Oracle. Although, having lived the scenario described in "Care of Cell 44", l would warn the fella, "Mate. It's great to think positive. But things are NOT gonna play out like you hope they will." The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds. Because yes. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon. Because yes. Todd Rundgren: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren Sam Phillips: The indescribable Wow. Because every grown ass man should wander around town like a lovesick puppy. This album had that effect on me. Aimee Mann: l'm With Stupid. Trust me on this one. It'll hit you in the candy zone. There are more. But these will do to be getting on with.
The Who Sell Out has always been my fave Who album. Perfect from start to finish. Also my favorite era of The Who. Ogden’s is another stellar album. Song Of A Baker, Rene, etc.
Have a listen to Family-A Song For Me, great album, totally ignored, especially by Americans! Spotify has extra tracks with some live versions of a concert compared by John Peel from BBC in Concert, mostly from the album! Oh and virtually any Little Feet album with Lowell George!
A few long-term residents of the "heavy rotation file": "Best of Ear Candy 01 B E A T L E S V I (1966) the Beatles 02 F O R E V E R C H A N G E S (1967) Love 03 A R E Y O U E X P E R I E N C E D ? (1967) the Jimi Hendrix Experience 04 F U L L M O O N F E V E R (1989) Tom Petty 05 H I G H W A Y 6 1 R E V I S I T E D (1965) Bob Dylan 06 S T A N D U P (1969) Jethro Tull 07 T H E L O N E S O M E J U B I L E E (1987) John Mellancamp 08 M O R R I S O N H O T E L (1970) the Doors 09 S U N S H I N E S U P E R M A N (1966) Donovan 10 C A S S , J O H N , M I C H E L L E , D E N N I E (1966) The Mamas and the Papas 11 T R A F F I C ( I I ) (1968) Traffic 12 S A I N T D O M I N I C ' S P R E V I E W (1974) Van Morrison
“songs from northern england” teenage fanclub “i am the cosmos” chris bell “bellybutton” jellyfish “oranges and lemons” xtc “sergio mendes and brasil 66 greatest hits” “even in the quietest moments“ supertramp “pet sounds” beach boys “tumbleweed connection” elton john “george harrison greatest hits” “judy sill” judy sill “eli and the 13th confession” laura nyro “blood on the tracks” bob dylan “saturate before using” jackson browne “if only i could remember my name” david crosby “last time around” buffalo springfield “stephen stills” stephen stills “paul simon’s greatest hits” “in it for the money” supergrass
Moby Grape debut album and the best of The Grassroots!
That first Moby Grape album is perfection and ear candy indeed.
Fountains of Wayne "Utopia Parkway" (1998) is full of great catchy numbers. Always puts me in a great mood. "Troubled Times", "Denise", "Laser Show" top picks.
Always loved that first Fountains Of Wayne album. Sick Day, Radiation Vibe, Leave The Biker, etc.. great stuff!
Traffic and Weather was pretty damned catchy also
I would add the Beatles “Help” film music soundtrack as having very uplifting melodies. Also agreed about the Supremes anthology.
Side 1 of the British “Help” might be my favorite Beatles side. Those 7 songs from the film are pure ear candy.
Lovely idea Tom! Here are my favourite albums to pick me up and put me in a great mood:
1. The Beach Boys "Concert" (1964), "Surfin' Safari", " Surfin' USA " ( both 1963)
2. The Ramones
"same" (1976), "leave Home", " Rocket to Russia" (both 1977)
3. Jan & Dean
"Ride the wild Surf", " Little old Lady from Pasadena" (both 1964)
4.Bo Diddley "The Chess Box" (1990, most of Bo's Songs: 1955-1962)
5. The Beatles "for Sale" (1964)
6. The Bangles: first 3 records, starting with "Going to Liverpool"
7. Tom Petty: "Full Moon Fever" (1990)
8. The Who "Live at Leeds" (1970)
9. The Byrds "Greatest Hits" (1967)
10. The Rolling Stones: "Their Satanic Majesties Request" (1967)
Awesome selections 😉
Greatest hits albums make for great ear candy. I have listening to some, lately. Greatest hits of The Hollies, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, Jan and Dean Volume 2, Brenda Lee.
Excellent choices by you and your fans. Before offering any myself, I needed to make sure nobody else suggested them, so I read about half-an-hour of the other comments. They got nearly all I could think of. If I had your list and all the other suggestions, I could retire in bliss.
Only a few I didn't notice, off the top of my head: Booker T and the MGs, in various formats. The Cars, first album. Tom Petty, Damn the Torpedoes. Blondie, Parallel Lines or Auto American. Rick Nelson, couple of good compilations. Link Wray, couple of good compilations, or Bull Shot. Robert Gordon, forgot any album names. Somebody mentioned the Crickets but I'd go with any Buddy Holly long compilation. Argh. Enough. Thanks for all your vids. Mike
Thanks Mike 😊
Great list,Tom. Here's some of my fav's: Beach Boys Endless Summer-T Rex Electric Warrior-America History-Association Greatest Hits-Alice Cooper Greatest Hits-Buffalo Springfield Again- Chicago CTA (debut)-Donovan Greatest Hits-Hollies Greatest Hits (1973)-Steve Miller Band-Book of Dreams-Rascals Time Peace-Nuggets 4cd Box Set.
All great examples of prime ear candy. Love ‘em all. 👍
Thanks for including Todd. I've also been listening to it since 1978. My ear candy : Any Raspberries album!😊
Mama's & Papas first 4 lps, the Association-Insight Out,Commander Cody-Live in Texas,Roy Wood-Boulders, Young Fresh Fellows-The Men Who Loved Music.
Both jellyfish albums are ear candy gold if you’ve never heard them you’re missing out
Power pop does it for me . Raspberries, Ben Folds Five / Ben Folds, Fountains of Wayne, Teenage Fan club , Jellyfish . Agree on Bacharach . ELO also
Surprised (in a nice way) you got into Blur Tom, all things considered. But sure, a surprising amount of depth and variety to be discovered.
Give ‘13’ a try as well, maybe stream it first to test if it’s your cup of tea.
A very inspiring list, you have given me some new things to try, thanks 👍
Hard Day's Night by The Beatles was the first rock and roll album that I ever owned (60 years ago). It's still my favorite Beatles album. . . and its the only Beatles album where John and Paul wrote all the songs.
It was the first Beatles album where they wrote all the songs. 😉
Great list, Tom! In no particular order, here are some albums that always put a huge smile on my face:
Bo Diddley: The Chess Records box set
Chuck Berry: The Great Twenty-Eight compilation
Fats Domino: Jukebox compilation. Fats's music has such a rollicking New Orleans vibe that he makes me feel happy, even when he is singing a blues (like "Poor Me")
The Very Best of Gary U.S. Bonds
Freddy Boom Boom Cannon: Just My Rock & Roll Classics
David Lindley and El Rayo-X: the self-titled debut album, and the follow-up, Win This Record. Both great party records from start to finish.
NRBQ: Grooves in Orbit, and NRBQ at Yankee Stadium.
The Skeletons: Nothing to Lose, and The Morrells: The Best Bar Band Ever! Two bands led by Ozark Mountain roots rocker Lou Whitney. The title of the latter album may actually be a statement of fact, not a boast.
Brownsville Station: Yeah! and their follow-up, School Punks.
I think that what all of these albums have in common is that they're chock full of pure, fun, good-time rock and roll, with no pretensions whatsoever.
I could go on and on. My vol. 2 list of ear candy would be bubblegum music, followed by vol. 3 power pop, and vol. 4 punk rock.
Love the NRBQ picks
My first thought was Twilley Don’t Mind, Dwight Twilley Band…..and you can add the album Hearts from the very under rated band America
You say John Sebastian does not get enough love today. Well, I sure give him the love and respect he is due. Not only did he write great songs, his vocals were wonderful, too. But, why were his vocals wonderful? You would not call him a polished, professional, trained singer. I don't recall any vibrato, for example. But, I just love the sound of his voice. Also, I sometimes think of songwriters in terms of how many great songs they wrote. Ten great songs is, for me, a threshold number that elevates a writer to a higher plane. Of course, John Sebastian qualifies: I think I can name 10 "great" Sebastian songs (some were just "good"). I could probably name 10 great John Phillips songs. Roy Orbison? Maybe 10. Of course, there's Ray Davies, who wrote maybe one hundred (100) great songs!
No doubt about it. 😉
Hi Tom:
Oh, goodness...ear candy! Where to begin..., well, definitely The Everly Brothers. I don't have the disc that you have. I have the album they did on Warner Bros. in 1964, where they re-recorded some of their biggest hits. I love that album! And I agree, "Crying in the Rain" is one of their absolute best! Or was it "Bawling in the Rain?" I can never keep that straight.
I saw Raspberries mentioned in one of the comments, ear candy for sure! Also XTC's period from "Mummer" through "Oranges and Lemons." Anything by The Kinks, but particularly 1966-'71 or '72. Pretty much anything by The Monkees. I find The Stranglers' "Dreamtime" album to be real ear candy! I love that album! Also from about that same time, The Saints "All Fools Day" album definitely contains quite a bit of ear candy!
I can also think of some singles that are ear candy, and some are probably going to laugh at this one. But I find "Suzie-Q," a b-side from 1957 by The Crew Cuts - yes, the Crew Cuts of "Sh-Boom" fame - fits that category for me. But, as you've acknowledged, there are tons and tons of ear candy records out there.
What a fun topic Tom! Great video, and I love your picks!! 👍
Thank you 😉
Hi Tom, The Happening is my favorite Supremes song. The Turtles are another band I play often, along with the Beach Boys, especially this time of year. As far as recent bands go, the Struts, in my opinion , are a party starter. Thanks.
Off the top of my head I go with these because they're fun
The Meters - Look-Ka Py Py
Sly & The Family Stone Greatest Hits
Zappa - The Grand Wazoo
Van Halen - Fair Warning
Basher - Best Of Nick Lowe
Teenage Fanclub - Man Made
Sly & The Family Stone’s Greatest Hits is one of the most uplifting albums of all time. Perfect.
Lotsa good picks there, dude -- I might pick some of them myself. I have that same Lovin' Spoonful Anthology (although I usually take it off before the very end). But the first thing I thought of regarding "ear candy" is...
Shonen Knife. Yep, I'm one of those otaku boys. Shonen Knife is my favorite feel good band, especially the original line-up of Naoko, Michie, & Atsuko, and their three albums on Virgin and two on Big Deal in the '90s. Whenever I want happy, goofy songs about food and everyday life, influenced by the Ramones, Beatles, Buzzcocks and XTC, this is where I go. I got to see them twice (three times if you count the in-store set) and they all autographed my CD with little cartoon drawings of their faces. Gosh, what a doofus I am! Still makes me smile.
The Muffs really do it for me too (RIP Kim Shattuck), the first four X albums, and the first four Ramones albums. And Van Dyke Parks' Song Cycle and Jump!
I remember seeing The Muffs open for the Goo Goo Dolls back in 1993 at The Palace in Hollywood. Cool show. Those first four X albums are timeless. Especially the first three. Perfect from start to finish.
The Muffs went through some major changes between when you saw them and the 2000s -- no second guitar, and drummer transplant from Red Kross. Got a bit poppier, too. Really Really Happy, 2005, is my fave. Never got to see them, but there are shows on RUclips.
Cheers Tom, yet another swell video 👍🏻... I have to agree Lovin' Spoonful volume 1 and volume 2 are superb. The songs of Burt Bacharach hit hard as well... I dig The Best of The Rascals, the Zombies odessey and Oracle, the Byrds notorious Byrd Brothers. The Beatles rubber soul is always a go to album for me. Beach boys endless Summer album, Nick Lowe's labor of lust LP... How about the skatalites ball of fire, top notch Ska. And a couple hard hitters, how about Wishbone Ash Argus , if you haven't heard this album all the way through I urge you to!! Same goes with the Michael schenker group, assault attack LP... And the list goes on and on as you say, anyway here's to a good day ahead
I heard various tracks off that Argus album recently. Really good. Need to pick that up soon.
Good collection! You might give a listen to a couple of my 60's ear candy faves - "Synthesis" by the Cryan Shames (early prog pop and serious ear candy) and "The Ark" by Chad & Jeremy (tasty concept album that punches way above its weight).
Nice. I’ll check them out. 😉
"Reflections " is my favorite Supremes single...You couldn't be more right about "A Hard Day's Night"....Peace and Love, Terry Tutor
Interesting topic. I would include the debut album on RCA by The Youngbloods with some great blues covers!
That is a cool album. Grizzly Bear’s a great track.
Nice list. I will go to a Delfonics, Stylistics or Spinners Anthology. Maybe some Paul Williams or Joni Mitchell or some early James Taylor. Glad you included Todd.
The Beatles "Come Together"
Melanie "Candles in the Rain.'
The Staples "Respect Yourself"
KC/Sunsine Band "Get Down Tonight"
Yes, Supremes. Their "Reflections" isn't alawys uplifting. Great tune for 'China Beach"
The coda in "Hey Jude"
'Holly Holy"
"Paint It, Black"
I could add more ❤
A short comp, but boy does it pack a punch, Sweet's Desolation Boulevard. Come On Feel The Lemonheads. If you want to go WAY back, The Chirping Crickets is the first great rock and roll album, IMHO. And if you want to get contemporary, Wet Leg's s/t. Might through The Breeders Last Splash in to make it 5.
Wild Tchouptoulas
Nick Lowe-Labour of Lust
Graham Parker-Heat Treatment
Mink Deville-Cabretta
Talking Heads-Speaking in Tongues
Van Halen II
Squeeze-Argy Bargy
Split Enz-True Colours
Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
David Lindley - Very Greasy
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood
Graham Coxon! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😮😮😮😮😮
Moody Blues ❤❤❤
The Animals' cover House of the Rising Sun
J Hendrix "All Along...."
Never having broken through my aversion to BritPop while it was happening, I confess Blur was not my cup of tea, but I did enjoy Graham Coxon’s solo releases, without even knowing he was Blur’s guitarist. I really like his sound and humor. Big fan of the rest of your choices though.
David Lindley’s 1981 album ‘El Rayo-X’ is my choice. Emphasis on upbeat fun. They even do an Everly Brothers cover !
I agree with you on The Supremes; presently I have no physical album to listen to. I just have an anthology of flac files that I put together from various sources. The same goes with the early to mid-sixties recordings of The Temptations or Marvin Gaye.
For an unexpected type of "ear candy", I listen to 'The Worst of Jefferson Airplane'! There's been a few times when, for various reasons, I found myself in a of negative state of mind... the Jefferson Airplane helped me out of that funk pronto!
Nice. The Airplane can definitely lead you to a cool place.
In it For the Money...Supergrass!!
Great pick. Lifts me up every time
Great album.
Tom, my list would be way too long for a RUclips comment! Yours is really really good!
That Best of Bacharach CD would be great to have.
You want more love for the Spoonful; I’m always sweetened up from hearing “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind" and “Nashville Cats” (it’s not so much the good lyrics as the great instrumental vibe going on).
Absolutely 😉
Frank Sinatra ''Songs for swinging lovers'' Nils Lofgren solo debut, ''Byrds greatest hits'', Shoes ''PresentTense'' Lucinda Williams ''Happy woman blues'' ''Sam Cooke's Greatest Hits'',Marshall Crenshaw's debut'', the DB's ''Repercusion'' ''The Blasters first album'',Crabby Appleton'',Steve Miller Band,''Children of the future'',Matthew Sweet,''Girlfriend''.
Girlfriend is such a great album.
Great video and picks
Heres 5 that come to mind
Some weird choices here but what the heck !
Oranges &Lemons : XTC
That was easy first come to come to mind
Ry Cooder : Bop til you Drop
I always end up smiling when I play this
Tropical Gangster : Kid Creole and the coconuts
I saw them tour on this album
That was a tight band ( unbelivable )
Cold and Bouncy ; The High Llamas
Just love this album
Qkumba Zoo : Wake up and Dream
No idea where i got this , back in day when CDs just showed up
Anyway , South African band , dance music . I don’t think they did much more but this album is fun and uplifting
Runner up to my 5
Dee lite : World Clique
Del la Soul : 3 Feet High and Rising
The Ramones : The Ramones
Pixies : Surfer Rosa
Awesome to be honest I am a fan have a wonderful day ❤😊
You too. Enjoy 😊
One comes to mind, 'Twin Cinema' by The New Pornographers. Nice driving power pop.
The Who Sell Out. Of course l was gonna say that. If you ask me what my favorite breakfast cereal or '7Os martial arts movie is l'm gonna say The Who Sell Out. My favorite verse from the Old Testiment? The Who Sell out.
Small Faces: Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. This album passes through the ears like a lovely fever dream. Side Two's fairy tale Happiness Stan is probably the most beautiful, heartfelt, and honest expression of the hippie dream that any bunch of mere mortals could have ever recorded.
The Zombies: Odessey and Oracle. Although, having lived the scenario described in "Care of Cell 44", l would warn the fella, "Mate. It's great to think positive. But things are NOT gonna play out like you hope they will."
The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds. Because yes.
Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon. Because yes.
Todd Rundgren: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren
Sam Phillips: The indescribable Wow. Because every grown ass man should wander around town like a lovesick puppy. This album had that effect on me.
Aimee Mann: l'm With Stupid. Trust me on this one. It'll hit you in the candy zone.
There are more. But these will do to be getting on with.
The Who Sell Out has always been my fave Who album. Perfect from start to finish. Also my favorite era of The Who. Ogden’s is another stellar album. Song Of A Baker, Rene, etc.
Have a listen to Family-A Song For Me, great album, totally ignored, especially by Americans! Spotify has extra tracks with some live versions of a concert compared by John Peel from BBC in Concert, mostly from the album! Oh and virtually any Little Feet album with Lowell George!
❤️ The Lovin 🥄ful! 😊😊😊😊😊
I know you're not much of a fan, but I go for Teenage Fanclub. Thanks form the vid!
A few long-term residents of the "heavy rotation file":
"Best of Ear Candy
01 B E A T L E S V I (1966)
the Beatles
02 F O R E V E R C H A N G E S (1967)
Love
03 A R E Y O U E X P E R I E N C E D ? (1967)
the Jimi Hendrix Experience
04 F U L L M O O N F E V E R (1989)
Tom Petty
05 H I G H W A Y 6 1 R E V I S I T E D (1965)
Bob Dylan
06 S T A N D U P (1969)
Jethro Tull
07 T H E L O N E S O M E J U B I L E E (1987)
John Mellancamp
08 M O R R I S O N H O T E L (1970)
the Doors
09 S U N S H I N E S U P E R M A N (1966)
Donovan
10 C A S S , J O H N , M I C H E L L E , D E N N I E (1966)
The Mamas and the Papas
11 T R A F F I C ( I I ) (1968)
Traffic
12 S A I N T D O M I N I C ' S P R E V I E W (1974)
Van Morrison
“songs from northern england” teenage fanclub
“i am the cosmos” chris bell
“bellybutton” jellyfish
“oranges and lemons” xtc
“sergio mendes and brasil 66 greatest hits”
“even in the quietest moments“ supertramp
“pet sounds” beach boys
“tumbleweed connection” elton john
“george harrison greatest hits”
“judy sill” judy sill
“eli and the 13th confession” laura nyro
“blood on the tracks” bob dylan
“saturate before using” jackson browne
“if only i could remember my name” david crosby
“last time around” buffalo springfield
“stephen stills” stephen stills
“paul simon’s greatest hits”
“in it for the money” supergrass
Can’t argue with any of these gems. All awesome.