Mike that's a great off-the-top-of-your-header. Dulcinea's a great listen, Melville is a completely unique record, and I loved the Alan Parsons when I was in my teens....that one far more than some of his others.

You're right that it's impossible to boil it down to few enough records to make it digestible. I started writing records down as they came to me, and two days later have ended up with way too many. And I'm nowhere near done....but in the interest of offering some of my favourite music to the gang, I'll jot these ones down. They seem to be concentrated initially into 80's / early 90's records and 60's records.

Cracker - Kerosene Hat (1993) Great mix of grunge sensibilities with roots rock and former Camper lead man Dave Lowery's acerbic view of the world. Low might be my favourite song of that year and that's saying something. But the record as a whole is brilliant. Tracks - Low, Movie Star, Kerosene Hat

The Feelies - Only Life (1988) Not considered their most influential record, but for me this one was a revelation. May have listened to it more then any other record over the few years of its release. Tracks - It's Only Life, the Undertow, Higher Ground.

The Chills - Submarine Bells (1990) A great, intelligent (almost too brainy) pop record, far and away their best, to my ears, from Kiwi band. Lots of edge, melody, lyrical depth, and very clever arrangements. Tracks - Oncoming Day, Singing in my Sleep. Don't be Memory.

That Petrol Emotion - Babble (1987) Pretty ferocious (at times anyway) politically motivated eighties hard pop from a few of the former Northern Irish band Undertones, plus a great American singer (Steve Mack). So brilliant. Tracks - Spin Cycle, For What It's Worth, Big Decision, Chester Burnett.

The Mekons - Rock and Roll (1989). Just a great surprisingly hard -rocking record from this perennially underground English band, who at this point were already ten years along. Tracks - Blow Your Tuneless Trumpet (great song), Only Darkness Has the Power, Learning to Live on Your Own (a lovely melodic 60's-reminiscent number).

Big Dipper - Heavens (1987) - possibly my favourite record of the 1980's from this Boston-based band. Full of guitar-fuelled energy, clever if obscure lyrics, and a rocking modern sound that still sounds fresh to my ears. Tracks - She's Fetching, Lunar Module, When Men Were Trains, Mr. Woods.

Eleventh Dream Day - El Moodio (1993) Great year for guitar music, and these guys exemplify that. The fact that they rocked from 1987 to today (2011 release "Riot Now" is great) is what is sometimes lost....they preceded and have outlasted the trend of the day. This is moody, American indy rock with mixed girl/boy singing. If you don't know this band and/or this record, I urge you to listen to it! P.S. It's good!

John Cunningham - happy-go-unlucky (2002) Oh look, the 00's!! Great hushed Beatlesque-meets-Elliot-Smith singer-songwriter with (Kyle, this word is for you) lush orchestral arrangements. This guy has subsequently disappeared. Brilliant record.


And some 60's: These ones are more iconic in some cases, but you'll still never catch 'em on the Q!

Quicksilver Messenger Service - self-titled (1968). First was best for this core San Fran band, a jazzy, folky psych rock classic. Tracks - Pride of Man, Gold and Silver.

Moby Grape - self-titled (1967). The other great never-quite-made-it San Fran band, famous for their implosion despite enormous talent. Perhaps an overly obvious choice, but I adore the music. Another first record that nails what was great about that scene and that sound. Definitely not timeless though, specific to its time and place. Tracks - Omaha, Someday, Hey Grandma.

The Move - self-titled (1968). Rough and raw English pop with multiple personalities. May seem unremarkable upon first listen, but huge grower, as are the next three or four records after this one. 6 or 7 extraordinarily memorable pop songs. Eventually this band spawned ELO, but you won't hear it much here. Tracks - Lemon Tree, Night of Fear, Walk Upon Water, Fire Brigade.

Left Banke - Left Banke Too (1968). Beautiful and unusual baroque pop from this NY-based band. It was the year after their big hit record, and the main songwriter had left....yet this record is so great. Still that lush baroque/psych pop sound, a little prescient of the early 70's arrangement-wise. I have a hunch that many current bedroom-popsters making one-man-band masterpieces know this record well. Tracks - Bryant Hotel, Desiree, Nice to See You.

Nico - Chelsea Girl (1967). I may have mentioned I love this record? Not sure. A standard bearer for early baroque pop, which also breaks the "loving" tone of the sixties with a mix of irony and detached pain. Tracks - Little Sister, I'll Keep it With Mine, Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams.

Beau Brummels - Triangle (1967) Great early country-folk-chamber-pop record, as the Brummels evolved from their pure pop early-60's personae from a few years previous. Distinctive vocal style of Sal Valentino dominates the songs at times. Stuart didn't love this when I leant it to him, but then, he didn't love the Kinks Village Green the first time he borrowed it either. Tracks - Magic Hollow, Are You Happy, Painter of Women.

The rest of you lads posting your lost favourites? I'm looking forward to doing some listening.