WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF FANTASY ALBUMS WHERE MUSIC FANS ARE PUT TO THE TEST TO DECIPHER THEIR ULTIMATE COLLECTION
The rules are simple(ish): they can’t repeat an album, and to just make it that little bit more interesting they have to use the same track number from another album. For example, Track 1 could be the opening track of the incredible Stone Roses’ debut ‘I Wanna Be Adored’. Track 2 could be Blur’s ‘Song 2′ – you get the idea? – basically their fave track 1, 2, 3 etc from 10 different albums.
This month’s Fantasy Album is being curated by Willie Campbell & Charlie Clark from Scottish guitar pop band ASTRID . prominent fixture of the Glasgow indie scene in the 1990s, playing shows with peers like Belle & Sebastian and Edwyn Collins, who would go on to produce Astrid’s debut album, Strange Weather Lately. Selling over 10,000 copies in 1999.Astrid released nine singles, three albums and three EPs before disbanding in 2004. They reformed 15 years later to make their fourth album Fall, Stand and Dance and are due to release their new album later this year, followed by a tour of Scotland.
Charlie: “This song is just been a favourite with me since the 90s. It’s haunted me since I first heard the whole album when it first came out.”
Willie: “I’m a big fan of Neil Finn’s writing. People were sometimes a bit reluctant to admit that they liked Crowded House back in the day, but other songwriters appreciate him. I love the simplicity of the lyric, a few clever twists in there too though, the harmonies are great and they sound really locked in.”
Charlie: “I was really late to the party with the cramps know I was very familiar with the return of the living dead sound track as a kid but honestly, one of my favourite bands now. For me the campsite everything rock ‘n’ roll lacks now.”
Willie: “This is one of REM’s most underrated songs. It’s got a brightness and bounce, bill berry’s drums are imaginative and they work beautifully with the guitar part. The call and response harmonies and little touches in the production keep lifting it all the way through. “
Charlie: “Just heard this song recently through lockdown and have been obsessed ever since.”
Willie: “University level teenage angst. Lou Barlow is a genius and this is one of his best.
It’s a great recording and the lyrics touched me when I heard them first and I still find them powerful.”
Charlie: “I was such a huge doors fan growing up and then I realised Jim Morrison was actually a bit of a tool and stopped listening for about 20 years. Turn say Jim Morrison is still a tool but an incredible front man.”
Willie: “We were a bit obsessed with this album. This is one of my favourite tracks on it, there is so much energy and drive in the performances, it’s a brilliant guitar part and the song sounds almost like a spiritual to me. “
Charlie: “The greatest song ever written as far as I’m concerned.”
Willie: “When we first got together we listened to this album constantly. The phrasing of the vocals reminds me of a bluegrass or a country song, excellent playing and guitar parts. Forever Changes is a beautiful album from start to finish, really really lush in places and dead simple and others.”
Big thanks to Charlie and Willie for curating this months Fantasy Album, it’ easy to see where their classic songwriting influences came from.
For further information on their latest release and tour check out www.astridmusic.net/
Check out the video for Astrid’s latest release ‘Through the Darkness of Your Life‘ below.