Pretty Hate Machine. In Utero. Paul’s Boutique. Endtroducing. Master of Reality.
What do all of those albums have in common? Aside from being quality listens, they are all records that have an installment in the 33 1/3 book series.
The 33 1/3 books are a series of pocket-sized books that cover individual albums in unique ways. Some are straightforward narratives about the recording of the record, some are personal accounts of what the record means to an author, others are more critical assessments of a record. The approaches to an album vary by author, which makes each entry unique and as solid of a read as its subject is a listen.
While there are plenty of excellent records covered in the series, which has more than 175 entries, what it needs is more Seattle. Yes, there “Are You Experienced?” “In Utero” and “Vs.” but that’s a small sampling of what Seattle has brought to the world of popular music.
So how does one make the series more Seattle? By adding more records from Seattle artists to the catalog, of course. What Seattle albums should be added to the 33 1/3 series? I’m glad you asked. Here’s a list of 5 albums that would make worthy additions to the 33 1/3 series.
Sunny Day Real Estate “Diary”
No only is “Diary” considered one of the cornerstone emo albums, it’s also a damn great rock album. With a reunion happening, a recent reissue from Sub Pop and a re-recording of “Diary” getting released in May, it’s the perfect time to add this album to the 33 1/3 oeuvre.
Fleet Foxes “Helplessness Blues”
The harmonies on this record alone are enough to merit a book, but harmonies aren’t really what books are written about are they? The second full-length from Robin Pecknold’s band is their magnum opus and it deserves a deep dive.
Sir Mix-a-Lot “Swass”
This is a stone cold Seattle classic. Long before he was known for admiring big butts Sir Mix-a-Lot was known for his love of buttermilk biscuits, sqauredance rapping and Dick’s cheeseburgers. This is something that needs to be explored. Plus, how fun would it be to read a chapter about Bremelos?
The Blood Brothers “Ambulance vs. Ambulance”
Technically there is a 33 1/3 covering music by The Blood Brothers. The band’s 2004 album “Crimes” received a chapter in the 33 1/3 B Sides book. But that was just a chapter, not a full-blown pocket-sized book dissection. And if any album in these eastside screamers catalog is going to get a book it’s going to be the hardcore visceral blast of rock that is “Ambulance vs. Ambulance.”
Blue Scholars “Cinemetropolis”
Blue Scholars’ swan song is a beautifully constructed hip-hop concept record that celebrates the Emerald City and cinema. Sabzi’s lush production and Geologic’s witty and perceptive rhymes create a world you want to live in and that’s a bit of the album’s charm because it’s a world you’re already living in but you just don’t know it.
Of course those are only a few local records that would help make the 33 1/3 series more Seattle. Some other excellent additions would be Shabazz Palaces “Black Up,” The Sonics “Boom,” Modest Mouse “Good News for People Who Love Bad News,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “The Heist,” Mudhoney’s “Superfuzz/Bigmuff” … the list is almost endless.
What records by Seattle artists do you think deserve the 33 1/3 treatment? Let me know by dropping a comment below.
