I have always been fascinated by what musicians listen to when they aren’t creating their own music. What music inspires them, what albums do they return to again and again—their “desert island” discs. With this in mind I decided to ask some of my favorite New Jersey musicians to name their top 10 favorite albums of all time. Not the albums that they think are “important,” or that have influenced many other artists or ones of technical merit. I wanted to know their very favorite albums that they love just because the records mean the most to them.

Lynsey Vandenberg, Matt Viani, Natalie Newbold, Lucas Dalakian / Photo: Okie Dokie Studio

Asbury Park band Well Wisher has been impressing audiences and adding new fans with each new release and every live performance. They recently wowed the crowd at the Adjacent Festival in Atlantic City where they opened up the Main Stage. A lot of their live material comes from their most recent record, That Weight. The sophomore effort sees the band getting stronger, flexing impressive indie skills with touches of punk and emo, building on their first album’s, This Is Fine, promise.

Vanderberg is a vital component to the band’s sound. Her bass is both punchy and assured and her backing vocals always add to the texture of the songs. Just listen to “Need You Around” or “Miserable”. I asked Well Wisher singer/songwriter Natalie Newbold about Vanderberg. “Lynsey is an extraordinary person, friend, and musician who brings so much to Well Wisher. Lucas, Matt, and I are always blown away by her creative bass parts. Her amazing voice and interesting harmonies have become an integral part of what I would define as our band’s sound.” She continued, “Lyns helps keep us grounded, positive, and smiling and we are proud to call her our best friend!”

You can check out Well Wisher on the road on their That Weight Release Tour which kicks off on June 11th in Asbury Park.

And now Lynsey’s list!

==============================================================================================

1. Radioactivity – S/T

Best beautiful break up speedy pop record of all time. Seeing them live made me want to scream out loud.

Favorite Track: Alright

2. Madonna – S/T

Try not to bop while cleaning your entire house, I dare ya 🙂

Favorite Track: Burning Up (12″ Mix)

3. Wipers – Is This Real? 

Greg Sage is a genie.

Favorite Track: Up Front

4. Uranium Club – All of Them Naturals

Devo worship done right. So driving and boppy, my shins hurt. 

Favorite Track: That Clown’s Got a Gun

5. Crass – Penis Envy

The album every young adult should receive on their 13th birthday.

Favorite Track: Bata Motel

6. The Sound – Jeopardy

Nats once said “This might be better than Joy Division”.

Favorite Track: Heartland

7. Broadcast – The Noise Made By People

Initially I had Tender Buttons as my album choice, the overall strangeness of this record made me change my mind. Plus I listened to my fav track roughly one trillion times. 

Favorite Track: Come On Let’s Go

8. Love Is All – A Hundred Things Keep Me Up At Night

It definitely captures the late aughts in the most melodically chaotic way possible. I’ll love this band forever. 

Favorite Track: Wishing Well

9. Strawberry Switchblade – S/T

Before I was fully familiar with Strawberry Switchblade, I found myself bopping and asking who it was every single time they came on. Maybe it’s early onset dementia or maybe it’s just a really great record!?

Favorite Track: Let Her Go

10. Mirah – You Think It’s Like This But Really It’s Like This

I’d say this is the longest running favorite Lynsey record of the bunch. IT’S EASY PEASY & PERFECT!

Favorite Track: Sweepstakes Prize

Copyright, You Don’t Know Jersey, LLC (2010-2024)

Related Posts