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Baker's Dozen

Call The Police! - Terry Bickers' Favourite Albums
Julian Marszalek , September 6th, 2017 15:25

One of 80s indie's defining guitarists talks us through his 13 albums – and risks the ire of purists everywhere by insisting that sometimes compilations are best

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Mercury Rev - Deserter's Songs
When I first heard this album, it really resonated with me, especially when I found out what had gone on behind the scenes in terms of the writing and the creation of it. This album has a feeling that I can relate to. And it has that message of redemption in the middle of some kind of great loss. It definitely resonated with me.

One of the things that I really love about this album is that they'd moved away from their usual approach of distortion and effects and in there place were layers and like these ethereal backing vocals, strings and horns and woodwind arrangements. And addition to that, there were some quite jarring and discordant sounds and that wonderful bowed saw that they used. Whoever suggested that is a production genius.

It's got what Pete Fij and I try to do with our music; it's got a cinematic quality and it also has these great segues as well. It all threads together beautifully.