Philosophy of the World

The Shaggs

Can't think of a better way to start off this gallery than with this album. By all accounts, the most remarkable "Real People" record out there. Before I knew the story behind it I would hear it on college radio mixed in with early "alternative" and punk music circa 1985. Best I could figure was that their ineptness was real, but that they had to be consciously flaunting it. I mean, in 1985 most indie bands sounded like that on purpose! Later I would discover that not only was this music unselfconsciously produced, it was recorded all the way back in 1968, predating punk by 5-10 years! Unbelievable. It was at that point, and upon my very first "real" listen, that I was wholeheartedly converted into their fan club. So what do they sound like ? Here's a sound sample for: "Who Are Parents" ...pretty intense, huh ?

The Shaggs were Betty, Helen and Dorothy Wiggins, 3 sisters from an isolated working class hamlet in New Hampshire. Funny thing is, I don't think they ever even wanted to be in a band, and as the story goes, were pushed into it by their father. Kind of like "Hey kids, I bought you these 3 instruments, practice starts at 5PM - for the rest of your life" type-a thing. Well after a few months Pops decided it was time to record, filled a coffee can up with some cash, loaded up the van, and hit the studio. "Philosophy of the World" was recorded that afternoon (to the bewilderment of the studio technicians) and the rest is history.

Easily one of my 10 Desert Island LPs and my vote for #1 all time amateur LP for its earnestness, artistic "purity", and original sound. A LOT has been written about these girls, much of it 10 years before I ever laid ears on them, and apparently they touch the same nerve with many, many people. There's info all over the web, millions of magazine articles, and even a new book Songs in the Key of Z (A Cappella) with an entire chapter devoted to these girls, so if you need to know more, it's out there. Click here for a full-size scan of the original back cover. Click here for a full-size scan of the original label.