Riffing off my dear wonderful froggo’s post, here’s 13 albums to get to know me.
1. ABBA – Gold
Of course I love ABBA – I feel like I don’t even need to explain this one. Fun pop hits from the boppingy of boppiest bands of all time all in one album? You can’t go wrong!
2. Terra Lightfoot – New Mistakes
I saw Terra Lightfoot open for Blue Rodeo years ago and caught her when she came to town again in 2017 (?). She is absolute powerhouse vocalist with nuanced lyrics, and a range of musicality that goes from rambunctious to soft and sweet.
There’s something for everyone to love on this album, and top to bottom, it’s a well made and super fun to listen to!
3. The Chicks – Fly
Growing up in the female pop country renaissance of the nineties, the fun and absolute country bangers that were dropped during this time were, and remain, genuinely awesome.
For me, nothing, NOTHING beats the Chicks – they were just so fun, a little edgy, and cool. As a kid I saw them on the Fly tour at the saddledome in Calgary Alberta and was scared out of my mind because it was my first big concert. But when the first chords struck, I was hooked.
3. BNL – Stunt
As a BNL fan, of their earlier albums, I waffle between Stunt and Gordon as my favourite but I flipped a coin and Stunt came out on top.
I truly fell in love with this album when I was travelling with my family as a teenager and forgot my CD holder book and this was the CD in my discman, so instead of interacting, I just listened to this over and over and over. BNL’s lyrics are playful and silly, and on Stunt, they start showing some of their sweeter and more melancholy side.
4. Dave Brubeck Quartet – Time Out
There is a reason this album is so seminal, so iconic – it’s just perfect. It was groundbreaking at the time, and is incredible to this day.
I was introduced to it at Loose Moose in Calgary when I was a teenager and have loved it since.
5. Wallflowers – Bringing Down the Horse
Ever since I stole – err… borrowed my big sister’s copy, I have been in LOVE with this album. I’ve enjoyed many of their other records, but this was so perfectly balanced and moody, I love it end to end. I still love it, and I did eventually buy my own copy (although… I’m not sure I ever returned my sister’s copy to her).
6. Paul Simon – Graceland
I’m not sure when and how this album lodged itself in my heart, I think my parents had a copy when I was young? Regardless, this is such a well-made, warm and joyful album with smart and engaging lyrics.
7. Isobel Waller-Bridge – Emma. Official Soundtrack
From the first tapping notes, this is unequivocally a perfect soundtrack for a film I absolutely adore. This adaptation is my favourite of any I have seen, and the quirky, loping soundtrack is a perfect base to set this film upon.
8. Jeremy Dutcher – Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa
As with many Canadians, I was introduced to Jeremy Dutcher via the song Mehcinut where he sings beautifully with his ancestors via an old wax recording found in an archival institution.
This whole album is beautifully crafted, and you can feel the love and respect with which Dutcher built it.
I was so lucky to see Dutcher in 2023, and it was a spectacular performance. If you have the chance, see him live!
9. Veda Hille – Onegin
A rollicking rock opera based on the epic poem by Russian poet Pushkin lead to one of the most spectacular musicals I have ever seen. Veda Hille’s music engages you from the first moment when the actors burst into the theatre and walk through the house, and every time I listen, I’m transported back to this spectacular show.
10. Shania Twain – Come on Over
Remember what I said about growing up during the pop country renaissance? Yeah, this brilliant album was my most treasured possession as a kid, and seeing this song have a second life on social media has been SO fun!
11. Of Monsters and Men – My Head is an Animal
This album found me just at the right time, it’s weirdness and artistic stylings just made me fall utterly in love. The storytelling and the musicality of the album is a style that is so uniquely beautiful and so uniquely their own.
12. Aqua – Aquarium
Some of the lyrics in Aqua’s music haven’t aged super well, but this genre of pop music was never meant to be particularly progressive. For pure singalong pop hits, you can’t beat Aquarium. It’s fun and funny and doesn’t take itself seriously at all.
(Bet you thought I was going to pick Barbie Girl, didn’t you?)
13. Hermanos Gutiérrez – El Bueno Y El Malo
A relatively recent discovery for me, I have fallen in love with Hermanos Gutiérrez. This duo is spectacular at setting a tone and place without words. Their music is moody and layered and incredibly evocative. Settle in and enjoy.