With a career spanning over two decades, Built To Spill have long been one of the vanguard bands of American indie rock, consistently unveiling inspired albums.
Untethered Moon is out now via Warner Music.
Larry Norman – In Another Land
1976, Solid Rock Records
“I mostly listened to the radio when I was a kid but my older siblings had a handful of records that I would listen to occasionally and this was my favorite.”
The third album in Norman’s trilogy, and released via his own Solid Rock label In Another Land sold over 120,000 copies in the USA alone, making it one of the biggest selling gospel record of all time.
Norman is still considered to be one of the pioneers of Christian rock music, and has a discography of over 100 albums.
Bob Dylan – Infidels
1983, Columbia Records
“Dylan’s known for his lyrics but I was more drawn to his melodies and his tendency to sing some silly shit just to make it rhyme.”
One of Dylan’s lesser references albums, Infidels was in fact the legendary songwriter’s 22nd studio album. Produced alongside Mark Knopfler this album was considered to be Dylan’s return secular music, following a conversion to Christianity, three evangelical, gospel records and a subsequent return to a less religious lifestyle.
Following the release of Infidels to critic response was one of the most positive Dylan had received in years.
REM – Murmer
1983, EMI
“This was my first taste of indie rock.”
Murmer was American alt-rockers REM’s debut release. The recieved overwhelming critical acclaim upon release. Drawing prise for it’s jangly guitar sound and frontman Michael Stipe’s ‘crypic’ lyrics its release set the landscape for more introspective indie rock in the 1980s.
It is still today considered one of indie rock’s most iconic albums, and commonly features on many ‘must own’ lists.
David Bowie – Hunky Dory
1971, RCA Records
“Bowie inspired versatility.”
One of David Bowie’s most iconic records Hunky Dory is the fourth record from the rock legend. Exploring a vast array of pop music styles while incorporating ‘high and low’ artforms.
The band that performed on Hunky Dory were the members to form Ziggy Stardusts’ ‘The Spiders from Mars’ on Bowie’s famous concept record The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
Velvet Underground – VU
1985, Verve
“VU inspired simplicity.”
Recorded between 1968-1969, VU is a selection of tracks that featured two previously unreleased Cale-era songs ‘Temptation Inside Your Heart’ and ‘Stephanie Says’.
Though released as an album VU is an outtakes compilation album.
The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
1984, Rough Trade/ Sire
“I loved everything about the Smiths’ sound right away but I was especially struck by the blunt lyrics.”
Hatful of Hollow is in fact a compilation record. Featuring BBC Radio 1 studio recordings and two contemporary singles with their B-sides the album reached No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart.
Hatful of Hollow was the first in a very long list of compilation records from the band.
The Replacements – Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
1981, Twin/ Tone Records
“This is how I wanted to sing.”
Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash is the first record from the American hardcore punk rockers.
The track The track ‘Johnny’s Gonna Die’ is a reference to influential guitarist Johnny Thunders of the Heartbreakers and New York Dolls and his sloppy on stage performance while addicted to heroin.
Dinosaur Jr – You’re Living All Over Me
1987, SST
“This was the ultimate punk meets classic rock record.”
This was the band’s second studio recording, reportedly the title for the album was a reference to a line uttered by frontman J Mascis while on tour with the band.
In 2005 the band performed this album in it entirety as part of thr All Tomorrow’s Parties curated ‘Don’t Look Back’ series
Butthole Surfers – Locust Abortion Technician
1987, Touch and Go
“This record taught me that anything can be considered music.”
This was the third full length release form experimental punks The Butthole Surfers. Referenced by Kurt Cobain as one of his most influential albums of all time, it is one of the band’s darkest and heaviest recordings.
The album artwork features cover illustration of two clowns playing with a dog was painted by Arthur Sarnoff, entitled “Fido and the Clowns”
The Pixies – Surfer Rosa
1988, 4AD
“Pixies were like the new Bowie for me. And Black Francis grew up with Larry Norman too.”
This was the debut length album from the American alt rock legends. A precursor to the iconic Doolittle (1989), Surfer Rosa contains many of the elements present in Pixies’ earlier output, including Spanish lyrics and references to Puerto Rico.
Some of this record’s most famous fans include Billy Corgan, PJ Harvey and Kurt Cobain, who in fact credited it as an inspiration for his grunge classic Nevermind.
