Sauro Music

music suggestions (by @maurossauro93 )

[sauromusic]

Fundamental, by Pet Shop Boys

It must be clear to anyone who's followed this Tumblr that the Pet Shop Boys are two of my favorite musicians.

And while I literally haven't disliked anything they've ever released to date, their 2006 record will forever hold a very special place in my collection.

As always, the album has such a strong concept that it would be hard to imagine any of the tracks in any other album. But for this one the order is particularly important.

I know, the order is always important in their records, but for this one in particular, I strongly believe the experience would be destroyed on shuffle.

It needs to start with "Psychological" and end with "Integral". It needs to have "The Sodom and Gomorrah Show" in the beginning. And "Numb" needs to be followed by the 1:17 minutes without distinguishable vocals of "God Willing".

And somehow, they still managed to make each song very special on their own. "Twentieth Century" has one of the strongest love lyrics ever written by the duo, "Minimal" is one of their strongest singles, and with "I Made My Excuses and left" they attained perfection on absolutely every level.

Go listen to it. I hope you enjoy every second of it, as I do.

-----------------------------------------------

This is the end of the "Third Season" of Sauro Music. I don't have plans for a fourth one, but maybe in two years or more.

I'll still be on Twitter, as always: @maurossauro93 .

And while I won't be posting new suggestions, I will re-read some of the suggestions previously made and edit some of the posts because I ended up disagreeing with a lot of things I've written.

But I'll only edit to say better things about the albums. If I ever start disliking any of the albums I've previously praised, I might make a tweet commenting on the fact but I won't try and pretend the record wouldn't be an enjoyable experience to anyone.

[sauromusic]

Babes in Consumerland, by Snog

It took me quite some time to accept the fact that I enjoy this album a lot.

That's because it suffers from having one specific song that I personally find so superior to the rest ("Otto Rahn", above) that when I listen to the entire record it becomes unimpressive.

But the reality is that the album pleases me very much.

I like its angriness, particularly.

And the cover is fantastic.

It is very heavy, both in terms of lyrics and synthezisers. So be warned.

[sauromusic]

Lady Gaga

I've said quite a few times that I really enjoy "pop divas" both as a concept and frequently when the concept is materialized I am pleased.

I'm admittedly not a huge fan of Lady Gaga's music, there are some songs I love and some songs I deeply dislike. But that doesn't keep me from appreciating her as a Diva.

And when we talk about that, she's one of the best.

And that's why I keep on following her, even when she releases songs I personally don't like that much: Because Lady Gaga is not only about the music. It's about the videos, the perfumes, the website, the collaborations, the fan-art, the concerts...!

I've only had the opportunity of seeing her live once at the Born This Way Ball, but it was incredible! I remember crying, screaming, being breathless and singing along with songs that I didn't even know I knew the lyrics to.

That's why following her career is my suggestion of the week.

[sauromusic]

With Us Until You're Dead, by Archive

I didn't know Archive until I saw them live in 2013 and was completely blown away by their performance. So this is my first recommendation: If you ever have the chance to see them live, do!

It took me a long time to listen to any of their studio albums and I still haven't listened to them all.

But With Us Until You're Dead is the one they were performing the most in 2013, so while I hear it, I am sent back to the day of the concert a few times.

I believe listening to the album will be a very enjoyable experience for anyone, even if you haven't seen them live.

There are some songs that I didn't want to end ("Ratchet" (above) being one of the best examples.) And the album itself seems to acknowledge that, because most songs don't end until the next one has begun.

I should also point out that the very last sentence of the album is "We'll start again." They seem pretty confident that you will enjoy the record enough to listen to it at least twice. -- And when it ends, I am indeed tempted to replay it.

Make sure you listen to it paying close attention to every little sound. It's worth it.

[sauromusic]

Amygdala, by DJ Koze

I've always had the impression that everyone was talking about this album when it first came out. But I just found out it doesn't even have its own Wikipedia.de page, which means I was probably wrong.

Anyway. Popular or not, this album is definitely a solid electronic club record.

If I close my eyes listening to it, I can automatically imagine myself in a huge festival where everybody is dancing like there's no tomorrow.

It's great that the album lasts more than one hour, always on that same vibe.

[sauromusic]

Oracular Spectacular, by MGMT

I'm so emotionally attached to this album that at least three songs make tear up every time I listen to them.

(One of these songs is "Kids" (above) and most people don't understand why I would cry listening to this.)

There is something about this record that feels very nostalgic to me. I'm immediately sent to good days in my past when I hear all these tracks.

And if you never get an emotional connection to it, at least you'll be able to listen to very good music.

[sauromusic]

I Never Learn, by Lykke Li

The first time I heard anything of Lykke Li's it was last year with the big hit "I Follow Rivers" and to be honest I liked it, but not enough to go listen to the whole album right away. And it was so overplayed that I got a little sick of it and gave up on listening to the whole Wounded Rhymes.

So when I saw her new album on Rdio, I almost didn't listen to it. But since I had time and didn't know what to hear, I pressed play, not expecting much.

Two seconds later I was already in love. Just like that.

The first track, "I Never Learn" (that gives title to the record) is a very different first track in a sense that it starts faster than you'd expect. It puts you right into the mood of the album.

Afterwards you'll find one amazing track after another. I don't have a favorite song and don't think I ever will.

"Ne Rest for the Wicked" (above) is a great single and has one of my favorite lyrics in the album.

And Li's voice is fantastic.

After I heard it the first time, I spent a whole week re-listening to it every single day. I still haven't gotten over the album: it still gives me the chills every time.

[sauromusic]

Thriller, by Michael Jackson

The most iconic album of the King of Pop.

That's all I need to say.

[sauromusic]

X & Y, by Coldplay

I'm not a huge Coldplay fan, but it's one of the bands I have the most trouble understanding why anyone would straight up dislike. Their songs are so accessible and nice. (Of course, if you don't like them, I'm not being judgmental, I'm simply pointing out that I find them really widely likable.)

X & Y isn't much of a singles album. "Speed of Sound" (above) is the only song that was really strong without the record, and within it it felt a bit out of place.

The whole thing is great, though. 5 of its 13 songs have already been "my favorite track" and I've always enjoyed listening to it alone or with friends.

If you dislike Coldplay without having ever given much attention to them, do yourself a favor and listen to this album. You might find something you really enjoy.

[sauromusic]

Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!, by Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Let me start off by saying: I could be suggesting absolutely any record by Godspeed You! Black Emperor. They are all great and I'm recommending Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! because it's the latest and it's the one I've been enjoying the most lately.

That being said, Godspeed You! Black Emperor is not a band for everyone. It tries to be different from everything else and succeeds.

The sounds are always very intense and I recommend you listen to the albums paying close attention once and then, start listening to it while you do other things.

As a "life-soundtrack" the sounds are very powerful and are likely to change the way you perceive things surrounding you.

[sauromusic]

What We Saw From The Cheap Seats, by Regina Spektor

Truth be told, I had never given attention to Regina Spektor until Orange is the New Black came out with that amazing opening credit sequence featuring her song "You've Got Time."

When I finally listened to more songs of hers, the album What We Saw From The Cheap Seats made me automatically fall in love.

With different vocals (in a good way) and interesting instrumentals, everything would be just great. But when you add the incredible lyrics to that, it becomes an amazing album.

Hear this album paying attention to what Regina Spektor is telling you.

[sauromusic]

Nightwork, by Scissor Sisters

If you asked me "Mauro, why haven't you suggested anything from Scissor Sisters' yet?" my answer would be "I have no idea."

I remember every single second from Nightwork's promotion. From the first single to the last video, everything was amazing.

I remember their concert more vividly than anything else. They put on a fantastic live show and if you ever have the opportunity to see them, do!

This album is fun and sometimes a little dark, has some great lyrics and one of my favorite music videos of all time (Invisible Light, above.)

I really like the Scissor Sisters and if it took me 50 albums to suggest something of theirs, it was simply because of distraction.

[sauromusic]

Stars Dance, by Selena Gomez

Okay. Some of you might be thinking I've completely lost my mind if I think Selena Gomez's first solo record is that amazing. But wait!

If you don't like pop catchy diva disney people, go ahead and skip this suggestion. But if you like pop "divas" read what I have to say!

In a year when everybody was talking about Miley Cyrus nonstop, Selena Gomez caught my attention for having released a really solid debut.

The popularity of her singles wasn't a big deal, but I don't care. In a few years, she will release her second studio album, this album will catch the media's attention and a bunch of people will listen to Stars Dance and realize that they overlooked it when it first came out.

It is just so insanely fun that whenever I want to hear something to cheer me up, Stars Dance is one of my first choices.

Again: if you are into pop divas, you have to listen to this record.

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Things We Lost in the Fire, by Low

I've suggested Low albums twice in the past. And both times I said they were not my favorite albums of the band.

I'm not going to say Things We Lost in the Fire will always be my favorite one. But among all the amazing things they've released, this one stands out.

Beware. It's particularly heavy and sad.

It's not a good idea to be introduced to the band with this one. But if you know and like them, go ahead and listen to this album that might touch you very deep.

[sauromusic]

Erotica, by Madonna

Whenever people ask me what's my favorite "Madonna era" I don't give one answer.

But Erotica is always part of it.

With some amazing singles, fantastic videos, iconic lyrics and a very clear concept, Erotica was the first album I've ever loved of "the Queen of Pop."

Maybe you'll love it too.

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The English Riviera, by Metronomy

There is something about Metronomy that makes me feel comfortable. When I listen to it, I feel at home.

The English Riviera seems to have been made for us to feel in a good place.

With nice nature sounds, instrumentals and vocals all working very well together, this doesn't manage only to be a cute sweet album, but also a really good one.

[sauromusic]

Space Oddity, by David Bowie

Whenever I suggest such a widely known album such as the amazing Bowie's Space Oddity I feel like I'm being useless, because if you haven't yet listened to this album, you most certainly already have many people telling you that you should.

So I'm going a little further in today's recommendation.

First, I think you should listen to Space Oddity because it's a great "starting point" to David Bowie's career.

Then, even if you didn't like the album, go watch the Canadian film C.R.A.Z.Y. (the clip above came out from this film) because it's a great portrait of the time where it's set, of sexuality during the adolescence etc. (Note: It's not a musical.)

And finally, if you liked the Space Oddity album, listen to the Bowie Berlin Trilogy: Low, Heroes and Lodger.

This is how I think anyone should be introduced to the magic world of David Bowie.