Like Spinning Discs #1: Liam Haynes

Here's the first in a new weekly feature from Darryl Marsden, showing us which 5 albums musicians treasure and have made them who they are today. The albums may not be classics, they may not even be very good, but they will mean something to the person involved. Everyone has them and it's always a good thing to know what your favourite artists have loved through their life. In keeping with the Radiohead themed title of the blog, we've opted for the cringe/clap worthy Like Spinning Discs as a feature title. To get things rolling our editor Liam Haynes tells us about the 5 albums that have shaped him.


If you could only take 5 LP's or EP's into a nuclear bunker to listen to as we all slowly blow each other up, which would you choose and why?

Bob Dylan - Another Side Of
I stole/acquired this from my Dad when I first got a record player, but we'd always had Bob Dylan stuff floating around the house; lyric books and paintings, that kind of stuff. I believe this is a lot more visceral than his electric material and songs like Motorpsycho Nightmare or My Back Pages are true demonstrations of a man wielding words with devastating abandon.

Radiohead - OK Computer
When I got my first Radiohead album (Kid A) my Mum got it confused with Motorhead, kind of set the scene I guess. This album is an obvious classic but I don't want to shy away from it because it's so popular. It's an album I can come back to time and time again, continuing to find new nuances and moments in it each time I listen. Surely that's what a perfect album should do?

Voxtrot - Raised By Wolves EP
Another classic treasured little EP. Voxtrot were kind of early blog-hype stars, like a lightweight Pains Of Being Pure At Heart with a bit more Belle & Sebastian thrown in for good measure. I've still got three of their band t-shirts at the back of my closet ready to bust out once they're vintage. But seriously, this is another perfectly formed EP, fabulously structured and with one of the best songs ever, Start Of Something mid-way through it's an absolute gem.

Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
This is one of those completely timeless albums, instilled with magic and mystery and lyrical twists and quirks. Out of all B&S's albums, I think this is the one that I consistently go back to. From the storytelling of Judy & The Dream Of Horses to Like Dylan In The Movies, it's a perfect example of why this band have influenced so many who have come since.

Jeremy Warmsley - 5 Interesting Lies EP
I remember the first time I heard a song by this guy on Music For Robots, this old music blog I used to read religiously, and being completely blown away. This is his first EP which I think is a pretty perfect slice of his work; it arrived lovingly hand packaged from those folks at Transgressive Records up my home in some small town in Lincolnshire. I think I had the artwork poster on my door for about 2 years.

[SPOTIFY] Radiohead - OK Computer
[SPOTIFY] Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (Live @ Barbican)

Delicious Wolds Magic

Via Charliebirds on Flickr.

I'm going to keep this brief because I think that's all it needs to be. The first time I heard the debut EP by Lincolnshire native Tyas it blew me away. It reminded me of the first time I heard a demo by Jeremy Warmsley back in 2005 over at Music For Robots, a gently charming ramshackle concoction born out of a fierce creative drive. I personally think it's absolutely magical, and the track I'm sharing with you today isn't where it stops. The rest of the EP twists and turns fabulously; from an incredible Four Tet-lite cover of traditional song Summertime to to the spoken word intimacy of Porcelain Girl. Tyas is testament to the aching brilliance that can be achieved when a girl and a boy sit together on cold oak floorboards and slowly weave together something gloriously captivating.

[EXCLUSIVE MP3] Tyas - Janey Janey - (Alt Link)

Pizza And A Bottle Of Wine

Sometimes all you need in a day is a song like this, a hazy lo-fi burst of Californian sunshine pop infused with an undeniable air of hopefulness. Couple that with the incredible video shot by Aaron Brown and you've set Lust For Life up as the sleeper beach party anthem of the season. From what we've heard of their album, that'll be something pretty damn special too.

[YOUTUBE] Girls - Lust For Life
[MP3] Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
[MYSPACE] Visit the band's myspace here.

Oslo In The Summertime

Photo via Geltona on Flickr.

If you're already sick of Tango-toned mid-40's men and screeching Primark-skirted slags invading parks and other open spaces across the country now that summer's here, then you're in luck. Simply shove this incredible mix from our chum Seb Cox (Fat Poppadaddys, Das Moustache Klub) on your Zune, slap on some intense looking headphones, and prepare to be completely distracted. A seething and thoroughly enticing concoction of everything from Miike Snow to Micachu, Wolf Gang to We Have Band and all from one of Lincoln's most exciting DJ's.

1. Flairs - Whamma Gonna Do? (Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Remix)
2. Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business
3. We Have Band - You Came Out
4. Solid Gold - Bible Thumper
5. YACHT - Summer Song
6. Magic Wands - Black Magic (Crystal Fighters Remix)
7. Wolf Gang - Pieces Of You (Yes Giantess Remix)
8. Tiga - Overtime
9. Miike Snow - Animal
10. Beni - Maximus
11. The Phenomenal Handclap Band - 15-20
12. Phoenix - Lisztomania (Holy Ghost! Love Paris Remix)
13. Michachu & The Shapes - Calculator
14. Crocodiles - Neon Jesus
15. Of Montreal - Oslo in the Summertime

[MP3] Seb Cox's Summer Mix '09
[DAS MOUSTACHE] Check out the next DMK here.
[FAT POPPADADDYS] And get more info on Fat Poppadaddys here.

Where You End And I Begin

As gentle as a moth slowly circling a light and as entrancing as it is entranced by that light, The XX once again conjure up a sparse and modern musical dreamscape. It's the Postal Service romancing Thom Yorke in the late summer sun, absolutely heavenly.

Via Pitchfork TV.

[MP3] The XX - Crystalised
[BUY] Grab the limited 12" edition of Basic Space here.