We at 100b buy a lot of music. Sometimes it gets all backed up and great albums get lost in the black hole of our collections. And sometimes there’s something wonderful from way back in the day that we haven’t listened to in years. So we decided to set up a day to explore those lost albums. In honor of the first Backtrack post I set out to pick one album every day from my still-not-listened-to pile. Which is quite large, by the way, and ever-growing. This worked out rather well as a diversion from spending a depressing amount of time packing boxes this week (and not getting all that much done).

So to start the week off right, I went for The Gaskets’ Loose Change, an album I’ve tried to listen to several times but have only managed to get through the first few tracks. (Which is absolutely not a reflection of the quality of the album, only crappy timing on my part.) If you’re not aware of The Gaskets, they are described on their official site as “a duo … who make electronic music with a rock attitude. While many ‘hip’ two-pieces are influenced by punk and cleverly combine its aesthetic with dance music, Gaskets listen exclusively to Michael Jackson.” So there. I think “Left Hand”, the track that got me interested in the first place, is still my favorite, but the whole album is pretty great. Check out “Deportees” (below), “The Easy Life”, and “A Movie About You” if you need some convincing.

   The Gaskets – Deportees

The Russian Futurists’ Our Thickness was up on Tuesday. This album was by far the highlight of the whole exercise. I first heard “Paul Simon” on a mix the Tamboosh made me a very, very long time ago, which may be one of the most perfect, fun, danceable songs ever. I loved Our Thickness so much, I don’t even know how to explain it to you. It’s got this incredible mix of sounds and beats that makes everything feel like a sunny day. Just listen to this, one of my favorites, and see for yourself. (And if you’re new to The Russian Futurists, be sure to get yourself Me Myself & Rye: An Introduction To The Russian Futurists.)

   The Russian Futurists – Three Seven Notes

Those bleedin’ boxes had gotten to me by Wednesday. I had to resort to The Sweet to sort me out.

On Thursday, I finally cracked open my copy of Johnny Cash, At San Quentin. Yes, it’s shocking that I’ve had this for ages and still haven’t listened to it, I know. But I actually found it a little underwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, of course I enjoyed it, it’s Johnny Cash – I’m not a communist or anything. But At Folsom Prison is one of my all-time favorite albums and I feel like At San Quentin lacks a lot of the belly fire that makes At Folsom Prison so exciting to listen to. But like I said, it’s still The Man In Black, so it’s all relative.

   Johnny Cash – San Quentin (live at San Quentin)

Today I found a CD I’d been looking for all week, Dan Sartain Vs. The Serpientes. I’m a huge fan of Dan Sartain, and I picked Join Dan Sartain as one of my top albums of 2006, but I forgot I had his previous album sitting right here. This man is a rockabilly whirlwind, his maniacal energy is totally contagious – excellent music to pack boxes to.

   Dan Sartain – Tryin’ To Say

Just think – all that great music just wasting away on a shelf. What’s in your pile?