Galaxie 500
Today
Released 1988
Galaxie 500's debut, Today, is the sum of an odd confluence of events that conspired to make a genius record. The Boston trio of school friends formed in 1986 with Naomi Yang (who was just learning the bass) and a sound that was atypical relative to the scene at the time. But with the guidance of famed underground rock producer Kramer, Today was released as a solid marker that the band had arrived."Flowers" opens the record and sets the tone with a dream-like vision. A cover of Jonathan Richmond's "Don't Let Our Youth Go to Waste" is another highlight and a standout track that takes its time to develop from simple beginnings to a noisy romp. Hints of the much revered '80s band The Feelies can be heard on the beautiful "Parking Lot" (though the band may have felt they sounded more like The Velvet Underground).
The original vinyl release ends with a twist on the love song in the powerful and thought-provoking "Tugboat." Simply stating that nothing else will do but to be alone with the one you love, the song tells us: "I don't want to talk to your friends / I just want to be your tugboat captain / It's the place I like to be."