Si Noble from Galway band Noble selects five key influences
As Noble prepare to release their debut album The Witching Hour, we ask the man behind the sings Si Noble about five seminal albums with influences on his music
Blur - Blur (1997 Food Records)
As a child of Britpop, I think I was blessed to have grown up in that era. There were so many bands writing variously ferocious, fun, witty and melancholic songs. The Parklife album with songs like End of a Century and This is a Low was a real awakening for me. The Blur album is darker. It twists and turns. Everyone knows Beetlebum and Song 2. But the real magic lies in tracks like Country Sad Ballad Man, Strange News From Another Star and Death of a Party.
The death of the party
Came as no surprise
Why did we bother?
Should have stayed away
Another night
And I thought, 'Well, well
Go to another party and hang myself
Gently on the shelf '
Abbey Road - The Beatles (1969 Apple Records)
I could also have picked Rubber Soul, but The Beatles last album for me is their best. When has a swan-song sounded so beautiful? Maxwell’s Silver Hammer aside, the album is stunning. So much creativity, so many brilliant arrangements. The second side, as one continuous track, is incredible. Outside of the best known tracks, Because and I Want You (She’s So Heavy) really stand out for me.
I Love You Honey Bear - Father John Misty (2015 Sub Pop)
Another joyride of a record. So many different genres covered in the 11 tracks. Josh Tillman is a brilliant lyricist. He is able to mix death, humour, politics and sentiment in all his work. Stand-out track The Night Josh Tillman Came to Our Apartment. As a lyrical put-down, it is hard to imagine something as funny or scathing. The video is also brilliant. He has a one-night stand with himself.
The first of two Greatest Hits choices. Some people disapprove of these, and a purists take would be that you should buy the album. However in the main the albums by the next two bands are patchy. But when their best songs are collated...
The Best of The Kinks 1964–1970 - The Kinks (2016 BMG / Sanctuary)
The Kinks for me are undeniably one of the best groups of all time. The six year period that this collection encapsulates has some of the best songwriting, harmonies and lyrics that have been committed to vinyl. From the birth of rock music that is You Really Got Me to the effervescent resignation that weaves in and out of Sunny Afternoon, to possibly their best song Waterloo Sunset, Ray Davies’ gifts as a storyteller are unparalleled.
Greatest Hits - The Mamas and the Papas (1998 MCA)
John Philips is also right up there. When charged by bandmate Denny Doherty to write some songs just like The Beatles, he quickly delivered them in droves. The Mamas and the Papas were only around for three years, but their canon has stood the test of time. Songs very much of their era, but yet still played everywhere today. The harmonies and melodies are amazing, mixing both male and female voices. The Wrecking Crew were also their house band, so the music is great!
Special mentions
Out of the Blue - ELO
For me, the sound of Summer
Sounds of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
How can a 21 year old write an opening line to an album like:
“Hello darkness my old friend
I’ve come to talk to you again…”
The debut album from Noble The Witching Hour is available to order here:
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