3. Captain Beefheart – Safe As Milk

Captain Beefheart is most likely my favourite artist of all time. I remember  spending hours and hours trying to schematically dissect Trout Mask Replica, delving deeper and deeper into the matter, like reading poetry or studying Maldoror. I was introduced to Beefheart at a time when young and unspoilt and my virginal ears eager to be penetrated by the exciting euphonic world out there. Safe As Milk – slightly more immediate than the former – is my choice of today, but any of Beefheart’s early attempts will make my list any time.