Thirteen Convulsions: Geordie Greep's Favourite Albums | Page 11 of 14 | The Quietus

Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

10. Isaac HayesHot Buttered Soul

Hot Buttered Soul is a really individual album, it really is bonkers. It’s made up of four tracks, and three of them are covers – but they’re all absurd versions. Track 1 and 4 are ridiculous versions of very well known songs. The opener, ‘Walk on By’ is 12 minutes, with a really drawn-out intro and six minutes of outro. Like AC/DC, Hayes has this mastery of tension. He’s never giving you exactly what you want in a hurry, but it’s coming.

This is especially true with the last track, ‘By the Time I Get To Phoenix’. Of the 18 minutes, only two of it are the actual song, with a crazy intro and outro. He does this thing where the first ten minutes, he recounts the backstory for the famous Jimmy Webb song, over just a sustained organ and drums. When the chorus finally changes, and he finally starts to sing a melody, it’s one of the most satisfying things in the world. A really powerful album, it is the sound of infinity. It is infinite, as they’re playing away you can see the universe before you.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: LCD Soundsystem, Lloyd Cole, Yo La Tengo
PreviousNext Record

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today