(July 2018) I have completed episode 175 of my “opus project.” This edition: FIONA APPLE. Of the many female singer-songwriters to come out of the 1990s, she is perhaps the most enigmatic and interesting.
Favorite album: The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes Will Ever Do
Favorite song: Criminal
Compared to expectations: ↑
(May 2018) I have completed episode 167 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: MAZZY STAR. An underrated band from the 1990s IMHO. A distinct sound — hazy, echo-y, spare, not quite alt-country, with subtle bits of psychedelia — that I might label “sultry shoegazing.”
Favorite album: So Tonight That I Might See
Favorite song: Halah
Compared to expectations: same
(January 2018) I have completed episode 156 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an band’s full discography. This edition: THE BREEDERS. I recently did the Pixies, so I thought it natural to do the Breeders.
Favorite album: Last Splash
Favorite song: Cannonball
Compared to expectations: same
(December 2017) I have completed episode 151 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: the PIXIES. I don’t know what I was listening to in college instead of the Pixies, but whatever it was was less than the Pixies. Listening in retrospect, their influence can be heard in many places.
Favorite album: Doolittle
Favorite song: Debaser
Compared to expectations: same
(November 2017) I have completed episode 148 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: X. LA punk! They kinda wore down as the 1980s wore on, but the early stuff is fantastic.
Favorite album: Los Angeles
Favorite song: Soul Kitchen
Favorite non-cover song: The Hungry Wolf
Compared to expectations: same
(August 2017) I have completed episode 135 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: REAL ESTATE. Jangly, hazy dream rock. h/t to Tim Ryan for the suggestion.
Favorite album: Real Estate
Favorite song: Beach Comber
Compared to expectations: ↓
(July 2017) I have completed episode 132 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: HOLE. That first album is a remarkable work of beautiful noise. For those who may not recall, this was the band fronted by Courtney Love.
Favorite album: Pretty on the Inside
Favorite song: Celebrity Skin
Compared to expectations: same
(June 2017) I have completed episode 127 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to a band’s full discography. This edition: THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS. Remember those smart-aleky guys in your high school band who also ran the Science Club? It turns out they grew up to might be giants.
Favorite album: Flood
Favorite children’s album: No!
Favorite song: Birdhouse in Your Soul
Special sauce: John
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2017) I have completed episode 124 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: ELLIOTT SMITH. Talented singer-songwriter, one of the rare artists who tried to sound as quiet as possible.
Favorite album: XO
Favorite song: Tomorrow Tomorrow
Compared to expectations: same
(May 2017) I have completed episode 122 of my “opus project,” in which I listen to an artist’s full discography. This edition: TY SEGALL. Frenetic, lo-fi, fuzzy garage rock. And one day you realize he is Syd Barrett reincarnate. So prolific — in10 years, nine albums and a couple dozen EPs and singles.
Favorite album: Manipulator
Favorite song: Thank God for Sinners
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 