If you asked me what my favourite band was, I would pause and then reply, The Beatles, Massive Attack and Oasis.
If pushed I'd say Oasis just top it. Why? It's a cliché but it's because their melodies coincided perfectly with a period of my life. I was there, if you like.
I can remember exactly where I was when I heard my first Oasis song. I was sat in the back of a mate's brother's car heading down the pub on a Friday night. Whatever (It's Good To Be Free) was playing. I loved the song and that was followed by an evening down the pub listening to Oasis songs on the Juker.
I can remember exactly where I was when I bought What's The Story (Morning Glory). Our receptionist at college had just rushed out to buy the album for her son. I hadn't realised that the album was out and I promptly rushed down to Our Price and purchased the CD.
But more importantly, I can remember what I first saw when I heard What's The Story (Morning Glory). That weekend after the album was released I took a train to see a friend in Nottingham. I listened to a tape I'd made of the album for the whole journey. There and back. Over and over. And so therefore, for me, What's The Story (Morning Glory) will always, always, look like this.

(Picture taken from Waddie with huge thanks, usual stuff applies)
I'm deadly serious. That's like a screenshot from my brain's PVR. That typical British rainy Saturday. The way the view is slightly blurred because of movement and also because of scratches on the glass. The mixture of green and brown tinged with grey that you only get in Britain.
When I was 13 I went on a school skiing trip. The weekend before the trip my cousin gave me a copy of U2 's Rattle and Hum on tape. I had been given a Walkman for my birthday. The trip was mostly by coach through the long winding roads of the Italian Alps.
And so, for me, Rattle and Hum will forever look like this.

(Picture taken from ngvirtz with huge thanks, usual stuff applies)
Always black and white, which is probably something to do with Phil Joanou's wonderful imagery. That cold, clear light you get in the mountains. Crisp shapes. Moody landscapes.
All those mental snapshots took place when I was listening to the music concerned. But this one is a little different.
In the summer of 2005 I spent two weeks in LA. It was about 3 weeks before the Coldplay album launched. LA was covered in billboards for X&Y. Everywhere you looked, Chris Martin and the other 3. I think they recorded some of it in LA too. Either way every time I listen to X&Y all I see is this.

(Picture taken from aggleton with huge thanks, usual stuff applies)
That lovely orange streaked with tail-light sunset that LA does so well. The long straight lines. Lines everywhere, not a curve in sight. The glow of constant traffic.
Does that make sense? Does it ring any bells? Does anyone else experience this? Is it because I'm a visual person (and have the disease)?
What does everyone else see when they listen?
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