bit of a late one this,
but here goes. the Temple Of The Dog lp - I first heard it back in 93, and then not long after found out my very best friend at the time had been diagnosed as hiv+... it took me a long time (plus a nervous breakdown and having to leave university) to get over the guilt of not being able to do anything for him. I know people here have mentioned it on other answers - if you havent heard it, then give it a go. it's only in the last few years I've been able to listen to it again without it taking me right back to where I was mentally during that period, but it'll always remind me of my friend and the times we had.

the second, on a slightly lighter note, is The Sundays first album - 'Reading, Writing and Arithmetic'. I've been listening to this now for almost twenty years - I have four copies - the ordinary vinyl, the picture disc, the cassette, and the cd (which I had to order on import from Power Cuts record shop in Manchester, as it was unavailable over here for quite a while when Rough Trade went bump).

the picture disc was a present, and the cassette was in the bargain bin at Penny Lane Records in Liverpool (was it Penny Lane Records? it was a long time ago). I didnt go and see them in 1990, but I did in 1992 and 1997 - they were amazing. if you're not into indie jingly jangly malarkey then you'll probably hate it, but I love it like no other record. if I had to pick one record to take with me to a desert island, this would be it. chiming guitars and gorgeous tunes (courtesy of David Gavurin - possibly one of *the* most underrated guitarists ever) and the (imho) truly beautiful voice of Harriet Wheeler - easily in the same league as Kate Bush.

seek it out, and prepare to have your heart broken.
(tjn whizzing on the electric fence of life, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 12:39, 2 replies)

*click*
Simply for the mention of Temple Of The Dog (a brilliant album - especially Hunger Strike), and for mentioning Power Cuts, which was second only to The Vinyl Exchange.
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 13:53, closed)

I think I still have one of their carrier bags somewhere
they had at least half of my wages in 1990... I bought *so* many classic records in there. Violator, Pretty Hate Machine, all of The Smiths and the Talking Heads back catalogue... remember how they'd get remaindered imports for like £3-4 but they'd always have either a hole or a slot cut in the sleeve?
(tjn whizzing on the electric fence of life, Wed 3 Feb 2010, 14:16, closed)