Big Star was one of the most influential cult bands in rock and roll history, but ask people today if they have ever heard of them and 99% will tell you no. Their sound is what you would get if the Beatles, The Who, and The Byrds all got together and had a three-headed love child. But poor record distribution and inconsistent live shows doomed them to a life of relative obscurity as did the eccentric personality of leader Alex Chilton. They released three records before breaking up, the first two being perfect pop gems and the third a haunting trip through the neuroses of Chilton himself. If great songs, sweet harmonies, and jangly guitars are your thing or you are a fan of the Replacements, REM, or the Jayhawks, than do yourself a favour and pick up #1 Record/Radio City (their first 2 albums on one CD) and I can promise that you will not be disappointed. See if you can recognize the theme song to a popular sitcom on #1 Record as well! For something far more disjointed, depressing, and disturbing (though brilliant) you may want to try Third (alternately titled Sisters/Lovers), but I would suggest the first two albums before delving into the third. It should not take you long to see why, despite their short life and minimal output, this band should be in the Hall of Fame for both their brilliance and their influence on alternative pop/rock.
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I was playing the pop culture edition of Trivial Pursuit the other night and I saw a question that asked for the name of Big Star's first album. I thought of you.
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