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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Album Whatchu Got In That Crate?

Posted by Brian Cook on Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 12:28 PM

I love scouring through other people’s music libraries. I love dumb internet memes where you have to list off “15 Life Changing Records.” I love Pitchfork’s Guest List columns. So I figure, why not mix all of those things together by harassing members of the Seattle music community about their record collections?

This week we’re silently judging the musical tastes of Bekah Zietz. As a publicist for Sub Pop, Bekah pushes new albums by artists like Shabazz Palaces and Fleet Foxes on writers and bloggers across the states. Can we trust her assurances that these upcoming records are masterworks?

What was the first album you ever bought? Do you still own it?

It’s hard to remember exactly, but I was really into cassingle culture as a kid. I would buy every/all singles I could get my grimy paws on. I think my first purchases were either a mini tape of Tiffany’s I Think We're Alone Now (for my pocket rocker,) or a cassingle of Mariah Carey’s Vision of Love. Yes, I still own both.

What was your favorite album senior year of high school? Was it The Chronic? Did you cry when Nate Dogg died?

I thought it would be funny to let my Mom answer this question for me to give my answer the appropriate authenticity it deserves. In no particular order these are some albums/songs that I loved at age 18 according to my Mom: Ella Fitzgerald Sings Gerhwin’s Song Book, Billie Holiday God Bless the Child, the original Broadway soundtrack to the musical RENT and Sisqo’s Thong Song.

Whenever I go on vacation, I wind up obsessing over one album, and then that record is forever cemented to that trip in my memory. You just got back from India; was there an album you had on constant rotation while you were abroad? Neon Indian, perhaps? How about Indian Jewelry? Or maybe some straight up doom with Indian?

To prep for my trip to India, I listened to a lot of Toto’s Africa and Men at Work, until I realized I had the wrong continents. Whoops! Actually, I listened to Tamaryn The Waves and Washed Out. Both artists provided the perfect soundtracks for 20 + hour cockroach infested train rides.

What's the most embarrassing record in your collection?

I would say this is a tie between Rafie and Phish. At least Phish I have an excuse for, as I went to college in Burlington, VT and used it for dude-bait. Rafie on the other hand has yet to help me in that department.

Now, before readers start to dwell on your shameful music obsession, redeem yourself by dropping the name of a super-obscure album that Line Out readers should be of ashamed for not owning.

My best friends, Wes and Cameron, turned me on to James Carr’s You Got My Mind Messed Up and that record seriously slays me. I have also been obsessed with the African Scream Contest compilation on Sound Ways and T.L Barett’s Sail Away (With God) on Light in the Attic. Oh, and all things Numero Group.

You work in the music-biz peddling hot new talent. Here's your chance to call bullshit. Name a record that's come out in the last year that you think is completely undeserving of all the hype.

I use to think that Justin Bieber was super whack, but have since come down with a bad case of Bieber fever.

What was the last album you listened to? Sub Pop records don't count.

I went a little overboard at Record Store Day and have been listening to my haul which includes: Skip James Today!, Big Star’s Third, Nirvana Hormoaning, Numero Group's Pressed at Boddie, Vanguard's Follow Me Down (compilation) and the Bear in Heaven/Lindstrom 12”.

And finally, what are your three favorite records of all time?

Ugh, that’s like asking a parent what child they love best. My list is always changing, but currently these are my favorite kids: Beach Boys Pet Sounds, Abba Gold, and Otis Redding Dock of the Bay. Close seconds: Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers, Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited, Grateful Dead American Beauty. Oh, and let’s not forget my redheaded step child, Operation Ivy.