Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

13. Brian EnoTaking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)

That was another record I probably found when I was 16 years old. I’d heard of Brian Eno, but didn’t know what he was. I found that album in a cut-out [discounted, end-of-line albums] bin of a hardware store that happened to selling music, for reasons I don’t understand to this day. Among the Kenny G and New Kids on the Block cut-outs, I saw Brian Eno. ‘I’ve heard of Brian Eno. I’m pretty sure he’s supposed to be cool. What’s he doing here?’ I bought the tape, because it was only $2.99, took it home and just had my little domepiece blown. Again, here was this really weirdly beautifully produced record, where I could barely understand where the sounds were coming from. But he sounded like a refugee from theatre world, because the songs were so rich and dramatic and theatrical, and painted such vivid lyrical pictures. It was right up my fucking alley, and it hit me at the perfect time.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Johnny Marr, Monster Magnet
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