That Breaking Circus track is tops. I found that record for like 3 bucks in Arkansas several years back and was FLOORED by it. Good call.

This sort of counts:

Because of a number of factors -- a dumb obsession with hair metal in high school, moving from that directly to grunge/punk/alternative in college -- I never really had a Beatles Phase like so many do. I worked in oldies radio after college and my mom was into them, and of course, they're The Beatles, so I absorbed all their songs via osmosis, because how could you not if you live in Britain or America? But it was only a few years ago (I'm 51) that I finally listened to the Beatles' albums, starting with Rubber Soul on. I understand that they were considered more of a "singles" band (it seriously weirds me out that "Hey Jude" isn't on a proper album release), but goddamn, Revolver is insane! Had that on repeat in the car for awhile.

Similar deal with Black Sabbath recently. "Ya know...Ozzy just died, I should actually listen to these songs in album mode." Like, holy fuck, gang.

PASTA wrote: Fri Jan 02, 2026 4:11 pm

eephus wrote: Thu Dec 18, 2025 1:24 pm
Joni Mitchell--similar, always liked first couple records, now I think she's basically in league with the very greats in her field and if I prefer Neil or Dylan, that's just due to particular buttons being pushed.

You could be sitting in the room with my dad and I, "arguing" whether Bob or Neil is the best North American song-writer of that generation. (who picks who depends on mood). After numerous back and forth citing albums and songs as proof, one of us always says "But we forgot Joni"

hahaha! yes...

As writers...
Bob once told Leonard Cohen that Leonard was the #1 singer-songwriter working, and Leonard said "what about you, Bob?"
Bob said, "I"m number zero."
That about sums it up. He's the ur-.
You can say oh the early stuff sounds like Woody Guthrie, or what about Buell Kazee or Dock Boggs or whoever, but that falls apart by the time side one of his 2nd album is over.

Joni or Neil, yes, what got to you first or what you did you hear last. If you get past gender bias and whatever sonic buttons are baked into you.

Musically, I will always prefer Neil's music on the whole, because of the sonic button of his guitar.

I got into The Jesus Lizard late, not sure of the year but it was after their first reunion in 2008. The impact wasn't immediate, it took a few tries for the music to really grow on me. I'm glad they've gotten back together (I saw them live once on my birthday!).

Yo La Tengo.

Always there in the background. Now I’m wondering if they’re a GOAT band… honestly the song writing and guitar work is phenomenal.

Actually weirdly Bowie. He was always there but it wasn’t until about 5 years ago a really dived in. Station to Scary Monsters is a hell of a run. Let’s Dance is even a pretty great time piece.

Gramsci wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 5:54 am Actually weirdly Bowie. He was always there but it wasn’t until about 5 years ago a really dived in. Station to Scary Monsters is a hell of a run. Let’s Dance is even a pretty great time piece.

Bowie is a hard one to jump into, because his style changes from era to era. He's a true artist in that way. He's never been a trailblazer, but an amazing executive of art in general. If you pick the wrong album, you're going to be turned off. Think of him like wine. Some styles you might like, while others you may not. But you wouldn't say you don't like wine.

This sounds absurd now, but Zeppelin and Sabbath.

Perhaps somewhat unfairly, that stuff was often seen as the enemy if you were a punky teenager in the '80s. Those were the bygone, bloated stadium bands playing on classic-rock radio. The audience included way too many dirthead weed-smokers (also, deeply uncool in in that time and place) who drove El Caminos, got high at the planetarium, and called you a "fag" for wearing a Jesus & Mary Chain shirt.

It took a long time to get past that inconsequential baggage and to accept the music on its own terms, sans Plant's prancing and Ozzy's sad-clown antics. But I was fully into it by my early 20s (!).

Breaking Circus, on the other hand, has been a fave since I was 14. You could find those records for, literally, nothing. Probably still can.

I kick myself for passing on a $10 copy of the original Strike Under EP (S. Björklund's pre-BC band) circa 1991. Eventually managed to find one for cheap, but it was from the end of the pressing, when the label ran out of silk-screened jackets and just housed it in a white DJ sleeve. You snooze, you lose.

I have a serious question what is the cut off time for discovering late? 30? 35? 40?

This will shape my answer greatly!

Lu Zwei wrote: Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:13 pm I have a serious question what is the cut off time for discovering late? 30? 35? 40?

This will shape my answer greatly!

I’d say not during your formative years? For me I’d say post 35…