For us old guys who love music, 1996 was a pretty memorable year.  As always at progarchy.com, we’ll pay tribute to that year throughout this year.  We’ll look back at 1986 and 2006 as well.  Anniversaries matter.

One of my favorite releases of 1996 was the outstanding compilation album celebrating the weirdness (the prog-ness?) of the TV show, X-Files, SONGS IN THE KEY OF X.  As with probably most of us who write for and read progarchy, I was and remain an “album” guy.  Singles are fine. . . every once in a while.  But, I want something to sink my teeth into.  Compilations rarely do.

This one was an exception, as it has a bizarre–almost pulpish–consistency in the music, ranging from grunge to country to experimental to pop to heavy metal.  Everyone from Sheryl Crow to Nick Cave to Elvis Costello to Brian Eno to William S. Burroughs appeared on the album.  Stunning, really.  Even the CD insert was great–a thick cardboard poster, folded over, and adorned in cartoonish horror.

And, it was all put together by X-Files creator and mastermind, Chris Carter.

Strangely enough, I remember day SONGS IN THE KEY OF X was released, as it was March 19, 1996, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, a family feast day (on my mother’s side).

Here I am, twenty years later, still thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this CD, from its music to its art.  A thing to hold and behold.