We’re only 6 weeks into 2015 and I’ve already found one of the year’s best albums in recent No Sleep signees Anakin, and their release Celestial Frequency Shifter. Channeling synths into their Failure and Hum inspired alt-rock sound, the album is a seriously hooky and effective effort. Brad Chancellor of Anakin recently gave us some of his time to discuss 5 albums that have had a huge impact on his life. Check out his choices after the jump! Also, check out a song from the album, “Sunbeam”, below.
5 Records That Had An Impact On Me – by Brad Chancellor
1. Buddy Holly: “Everyday”
My mom 1st played me the “Everyday” 7” when I was like 4 or 5 years old. I know it had to be around that time because my parents’ hadn’t divorced yet. From the moment I heard the “Everyday” intro celesta I was hooked. This experience is what started it all with me and music. From Buddy Holly came the Beatles and then the Beach Boys. All 3 have had a heavy impact on me musically but Buddy was the one that really did me in.
2. Nirvana: “Nevermind”
I hadn’t really discovered my musical identity prior to Nirvana’s “Nevermind”. This album alone is probably the sole reason I became a musician. I remember back in 1991 I went to Wal-Mart initially to purchase Metallica’s “Black” album and ended up with Nirvana’s “Nevermind”. Both on cassette no less. The sound that Nirvana created, in my opinion, set up the best era in music. What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said?! It’s so incredibly awesome that I don’t even have the words to describe it. Without it, I don’t know where I’d be. It was my true musical baptism.
3. Weezer: “Blue”
Man, this album. This is why I became a writer. You know when you’re asked what album you’d pick to be stuck on a deserted island with?! For me, this is that album. Front to back, Weezer “Blue” is untouchable. Every track is a hit and the sound on this album is one that I’ve chased since I can remember. With “Blue”, Weezer created what I believe to be the best record ever made. I mean that. Ever.
4. The Rentals: “Return Of”
Fuzz and keyboards. This album completely blew me away when I 1st heard it and it took me a while to truly understand why. I could not wrap my head around how simplistic, yet expansive it was. The structure is like no other. This is another album that has that certain blown out sound that I love so much. Actually, love is probably and understatement. Obsessed is more like it. To most people, what made this band and this album unique was the synthesizers but to me it was the simplicity that established its beauty and power.
5. HUM: “You’d Prefer An Astronaut”
This band and this album are so incredibly underrated. They’ve inspired more musicians than I think most people realize. The sound HUM established cannot be re-created. It can’t. I’ve tried numerous times. You can come close, but there is no comparison to how they were able to do it. I remember, in detail, the 1st time I heard “Stars” on the radio. I was 15 and lived in Kansas. My buddy and I were in his car headed to a party out in the country. It must have been around 10pm and the sky was about as clear as I had ever witnessed yet it was lit up with what seemed like every star in existence. I made my buddy pull the car over so I could soak it all in. When those drums hit and the intro blew open, I completely lost my mind. I haven’t been the same since.
