Computer Age

25 Albums That I will break the Heart

Jose Luis Ruiz

They say that melancholy is the joy of being sad. Well, for those who recreate in self-pity, we have compiled a list of 25 discs. A collection of albums infallible if the goal is that you put a lump in the throat. And, depending on the time and mood, which is not dischargeable break to mourn ... The alibi tortured to make this list is none other than the reissue of "Songs Of Leonard Cohen." This is not the most depressing album of the Bard of Montreal (in that sense "Songs Of Love And Hate" takes the palm), but which contains his best songs.

The debut of Leonard Cohen (in the new revision was added a couple of extras and the format is presented in the book) is the masterpiece par excellence of folk literature. Eroticism never sounded so desperate, or loneliness so beautifully sad, or so profane religiosity. Most of the songs speak of 'affairs' that do not work. Love is a struggle to see who has the power. Everything lies in who they are our teachers and professors on the thorny issue of the heart. At the end turns out to be a stranger ( "The Stranger Song"), always passing through relationships ( "Winter Lady"), saying goodbye ( "So Long, Marianne", "Hey, That's No Way To Say Goodbye" ) Or taking refuge in the quintessence of desire passenger ( "Sisters Of Mercy").

A big fan of Leonard Cohen was Kurt Cobain, driver of one of the most agonizing parts designed for a 'songwriter': "In Uterus". Many diseases, rape, sadness ( "Echo least the consolation of being sad" howl in "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle"), alienation and suicide. And as a corollary closure is chilling as "All Apologies." All were warned what would happen ... and it happened. The skeptics spent to venerate so sad to Nirvana. Anyway, things happen. It is not strange that in the last episode of the third season of the magnificent series "Lost" an alienated and nihilistic Jack heard the loud "in utero." Where are you going? At a funeral.

Another pair of artists essential for fans to the dark side are Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. The first recorded his will on two nights: the sublime "Pink Moon". Voice, guitar and some piano. Nothing more. Spartan and highly effective. The depression of Nick Drake lit a brief speech that breathtaking, and has at least two of the brightest moments of popular music (the song that gives its name to the disc, and "Things Behind The Sun"). For his part, Elliott Smith also died so tragically at a young age and, like Drake, has an essential short career in which grief is so fresh that seems difficult to contain the tears. "Elliott Smith" is a treaty contained rage. Addiction to illegal substances, lies and disaffection. Wisely, Wes Anderson used the vibrant "Needle In The There" in the suicide scene from "The Tenenbaums."

Near the budget aesthetic of Drake and Smith are American Music Club and Red House Painters. Or is it that is almost the same thing: Mark Eitzel and Mark Kozelek. A couple of great talents who know how to get the better of the parties to despair. "California" and twice "Red House Painters" hidden treasures of the best 'miserabilismo': "Blue & Gray Shirt," "Jenny," "Grace Cathedral Park," "Mistress", "Katy Song" ... It is imperative to be as Morrissey sensitive as you are to make the hair stand on end listening to such a display of mourning.

And songs as good as those also drawn from their particular magic formulas other tragic as alchemists Low, Tindersticks and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. While the first brandished a speech to the minimalist you get an incredible juice (descarnadas serve as examples of "Sunflower", "Dinosaur Act", "Whore" and "Like A Forest", all of which are included in the fabulous "Things We Lost In The Fire "), both Nick Cave and Tindersticks were using a stand ... more flowery but also dying.

And as teachers of both Stuart Staples and Nick Cave are the always enigmatic Scott Walker and the unjustly forgotten Tim Hardin. Romanticism and brutal honesty in equal parts of which are no consolation except in that refuge that is the art. Certainly in the case of Tim Hardin, another of those who fell prey to drug addiction more voracious, it is vital to find the edition that compresses a CD in its first two albums. "Tim Hardin 2" must also be cited in this anthology of emotional wreck. In fact, this is a more consistent album than its predecessor (and has three temazos as definitive as "If I Were A Carpenter", "Lady Come From Baltimore" and "Black Sheep Boy"). But "Tim Hardin 1" you Knockout by pieces of crystal-like fragility "It'll Never Happen Again", "Part Of The Wind," "Reason To Believe" or "How Can We Hang On To A Dream."

All these artists are inspired by critical moments, but there are some who have delivered his most disarming in situations psychologically unbearable. Eg: Eels and Neil Young. The death of relatives or friends inspired both treaties to devise the most absolute desolation. "Electro Shock Blues" and "Tonight's The Night" is pure 'hard-listening' exercises genuine masochism. Only suitable for suffering ... It takes courage to click on any item of these two disks in the typical 'party' of good cheer. There are other discs that are premonitory of reaching the Parc: "Closer" from the ever-worrying Joy Division. The great Ian Curtis enjoyed the prestige earned once they removed his life. His legacy is so oppressive and claustrophobic as a brilliant and unparalleled. With Joy Division was born and died a style. And do not forget that if "Closer" is suffocating, "Unknown Pleasures" also brings together sufficient reason to be on a list of this nature. Equally influential is the great "Berlin" by Lou Reed. The tremendous story of Jim and Caroline. Drugs, prostitution, abuse and suicide of a little dessert. "Transformer" has the 'hits', but "Berlin" is the naked truth of a maverick artist and as few essential.

You break the heart of art has generated fat profits. Artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra Sebadoh and give lessons on how to master an attempt to overcome the end of a relationship. The pain of love lost increases the emotional intensity of disks that are both therapeutic for those who conceived and for listeners who seek solace after a separation.

There are others who surprised by his sincerity. The recording studio becomes a kind of confessional. Almost ashamed that you should release and the face of sopetón truths so intimate. And if it is above people like John Lennon, Joni Mitchell or Bob Mold one does not know either how to respond. O yes. We have to pay pleitesía. It is necessary courage to undress and to the general public. And best of all is that the wrapper in introducing those messages without censorship can not be more exalted.

Bruce Springsteen deserves special mention. "Nebraska" is an album so brave that still causes amazement quarter of a century later. Recorded on a four tracks, Springsteen uses his grave voice, a guitar and a harmonica to unravel the mystery of America deeper. Tetric stories' killers' and 'losers'. The 'Boss' is rightly wondering just how it is possible for people to find reasons to continue believing.

And finally, two authors with a little luck, but with a lot of influence on future generations. Alex Chilton and Jeff Buckley. The third album from Big Star is as erratic as beautiful. Deslavazado is an album that took an eternity to see the light (three years) and with subjects as hurtful as "Holocaust" or "Kangaroo". By the way composition of the latter did a version Jeff Buckley. The ill-fated son of the mercurial Tim was on the board first with the "Grace". Is a 'masterpiece' that in its best moments ( "Grace," "Last Goodbye" and "Lover, You Should've Come Over") reaches sublime heights. And above is the version between the versions: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, the cause of this look at a bunch of disks perfect for moments of downturn. However, it is recommended not to abuse ...

THE LIST (in chronological order):

-Frank Sinatra: In The Wee Small Hours (1955)
-Billie Holiday: Lady In Satin (1958)
-Tim Hardin: Tim Hardin I (1966)
- Leonard Cohen: Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1968)
-Scott Walker: Scott 3 (1969)
- John Lennon: Plastic Ono Band (1970)
-Joni Mitchell: Blue (1971)
- Nick Drake: Pink Moon (1972)
-Lou Reed: Berlin (1973)
-Neil Young: Tonight's The Night (1975)
-Bob Dylan: Blood On The Tracks (1975)
- Big Star: Third / Sister Lovers (1978)
-Joy Division: Closer (1980)
-Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska (1982)
Hüsker-DU: Candy Apple Gray (1986)
- American Music Club: California (1988)
-Sebadoh: Bubble And Scrapes (1993)
- Red House Painters: Red House Painters (1993)
-Nirvana: in utero (1993)
-Tindersticks: Tindersticks (1993)
-Jeff Buckley: Grace (1994)
-Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds: The Boatman's Call (1997)
-Elliott Smith: Elliott Smith (1998)
-Eels: Electro Shock Blues (1998)
-Low: Things We Lost In The Fire (2001)