Released 30 years ago
The Island Years
John Cale · 1996
134 min · 36 tracks · alternative rock · classical · folk rock
A kaleidoscopic blend of avant-garde rock and haunting melodies, reflecting Cale's eclectic artistry.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with varied pacing
- haunting melodies for introspective moments
- wave-like shifts in energy
- for long evening listens
- kaleidoscopic sound exploration
Maybe skip if you want
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek straightforward, catchy tunes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1996, 'The Island Years' compiles John Cale's work from the 1970s through the 1980s, positioning it as a retrospective after his move from Warner Bros. to more independent labels. This album showcases his evolution from a founding member of The Velvet Underground to a solo artist experimenting with diverse genres.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brian Eno· Lou Reed· David Bowie
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Fear Is a Man’s Best Friend 3:53
- 2 Buffalo Ballet 3:29
- 3 Barracuda 3:48
- 4 Emily 4:22
- 5 Ship of Fools 4:37
- 6 Gun 8:05
- 7 The Man Who Couldn’t Afford to Orgy 4:34
- 8 You Know More Than I Know 3:35
- 9 Momamma Scuba 4:26
- 10 Sylvia Said 4:09
- 11 All I Want Is You 2:57
- 12 Bamboo Floor 3:25
- 13 Mr. Wilson 3:17
- 14 Taking It All Away 2:58
- 15 Dirty Ass Rock ’n’ Roll 4:43
- 16 Darling I Need You 3:37
- 17 Rollaroll 3:57
Disc 2
- 1 Heartbreak Hotel 3:13
- 2 Ski Patrol 2:08
- 3 I’m Not the Loving Kind 3:08
- 4 Guts 3:27
- 5 The Jeweller 4:14
- 6 My Maria 3:51
- 7 Helen of Troy 4:20
- 8 China Sea 2:32
- 9 Engine 2:47
- 10 Save Us 2:22
- 11 Cable Hogue 3:32
- 12 I Keep a Close Watch 3:29
- 13 Pablo Picasso 3:23
- 14 Leaving It Up to You 4:35
- 15 Baby, What You Want Me to Do? 4:51
- 16 Sudden Death 4:39
- 17 You & Me 2:51
- 18 Coral Moon 2:17
- 19 Mary Lou 2:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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