Musical Chairs

#67 Turn it upside down

Recently, I've been listening to the new Mark Pritchard & Thom Yorke album Tall Tales. On first impression, it's exactly the kind of high-class twisted electronica you might expect. But as the record progresses, it starts to move into very unfamiliar territory, even for pioneers like these two. The last four songs are a terrifying maze of layered shamanic voices, demented marching bands, folk horror laments and the closing elegy Wandering Genie.

Things take a very dark turn and what started off as an interesting listen finishes as a near spiritual experience. Which got me thinking: What if we turned it upside down? Reverse the order of the songs. This particular album would be challenging for sure, but utterly compelling, arguably, more so than in its current guise.

So, I tried it on a few classic and favourite albums. What if The Doors had opened differently? As it stands, Break on Through (To the Other Side) from their self-titled debut album is a swinging, sexy introduction to the world of Jim Morrison et al. But imagine if the beginning was The End? Nearly 12 minutes of swirling apocalypse - now that would have been a subversive move from The Lizard King.

And how about Revolver by The Beatles? Instead of the jerky pop of Taxman opening one of the most iconic albums of all time, the listener would be plunged into the weird psychedelic vortex of Tomorrow Never Knows. Where do you go from there? Well, following this reverse thinking, Got to Get You into My Life, but you know what I mean.

You could say something similar about David Bowie's Rock'n'Roll Suicide - Ziggy Stardust could have had an even shorter career with such a forlorn opening diary entry. And how many listeners would get beyond a 23-minute opening Supper's Ready from the 1972 Genesis album Foxtrot?

If we fast forward to the 80s, turning things upside down provides a very different perspective on some much-loved musical landmarks. Bob Marley's poignant farewell on his 1980 album Uprising is, of course, Redemption Song - he knew he had cancer when he wrote "Won't you help to sing these songs of freedom?". Imagine if this had started the record - could you, would you, even go any further? It's a similar scenario for Joy Division's funereal Closer - if epic swansong Decades was the first song, would you keep listening after that? Apart from its icy atmospheric grip, it's so bloody good I think I'd just want to play it again.

On a lighter note, how about Dare by The Human League starting with current closer Don't You Want Me? The second track would be another massive single Love Action, so the record company would be happy. And what a way to go out with The Things That Dreams are Made Of. A couple of years later, Tears For Fears' The Hurting in reverse formation would begin with Start of the Breakdown - and possibly end quite quickly after, given the weight of the subject matter.

And I'd love to hear The The's Soul Mining begin with the glorious alienation of Giant, or The Sisters of Mercy's debut album start with the sprawling epic Some Kind of Stranger.

Anyway, I don't know about you, but I'm off to play a few records in reverse. See you on the other side.