Yeasayer's Chris Keating presents The Crooked Beat

Shriekback - Care (1983)

I listened to the first Shriekback album a lot during Odd Blood’s recording. I think it’s one of the dudes from XTC and one of the dudes from Gang of Four (Barry Andrews and Dave Allen respectively). They’re one of those dark, weird post-punk, dance-y bands from the early 80s. It’s a strange collaboration, a ‘super-group’ I suppose. Very cool stuff.

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Can – Tago Mago (1971)

Tago Mago is the Can album that always sticks out for me. Every time I put it on my brain gets tricked into thinking it’s something new. It just sounds so cutting-edge and contemporary still. It has a great combination of electronics, really cool drumming and great abstract songwriting. It adds jazz and funk to its dark, Germanic krautrock elements. Can were very inspirational.

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The Clash – Sandinista! (1980)

I was listening to The Clash a lot, particularly Sandinista! It’s both weird and genius at the same time. It’s very eclectic. It’s the album where they recorded all over the place; Jamaica, New York and London that I know of. There’s crazy disco-funk songs followed by weird samba songs. A very strange but rewarding album.

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