Elijah Wood's Favorite Records

Next up in the Favorite Records Series is the incredible Elijah Wood! Yes, THE Elijah Wood! Not only is Elijah extremely talented (he's one of my favorite actors of all time) and extremely kind in person, we were all happy to find out that he has one of the coolest music tastes! He's also one half of Wooden Wisdom, a DJ project he started with musician Zach Cowie.

Elijah's production company, SpectreVision just released a movie with a bunch of synths in it, too! It's called Rabbit Trap, directed by Bryn Chainey.

A bit about the Favorite Records Series: artists list 10-15 of their favorite records. Rules are at least one album needs to contain a synth or drum machine of some kind.

Photos provided by Ambar Navarro for Synth History.

As part of Issue Five, Nov 2025.

Without further ado...

Elijah Wood by Ambar Navarro for Synth History.

Note from Elijah: Here are 10 records that I love that synths perform a primary or notable function. In general I find that I am not great at rattling off Top 10 lists so these are by no means definitive but rather records that mean something to me in no particular order or hierarchy.

Prince - 1999 

His first entire album utilizing what became a defining element of his 80s sound, the Linn LM-1 drum machine. Come for “1999” and “Little Red Corvette” and stay for “Lady Can Driver”, “Automatic” and “D.S.M.R.” It’s an astonishing work that is damn near perfect.

Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup

I’m almost certain it was Waterloo Records in Austin in 1997 that I was asking about the Ui/Sterelab split EP and the clerk asked if I had heard Emperor Tomato Ketchup and handed it to me. It was one of those quintessential record store moments that you never forget and I’ve been devoted to them ever since.

Squarepusher - Music Is Rotted One Note

The intro song, "Chunk-S", to Tom Jenkinson’s jazz fusion record that eschews his signature sequenced drums for live instruments, is the sound of the recording process that feels like it bursts into technicolor as it beeps into view. It immediately sets the tone of the album, that we’re not in the world of drum ’n bass, and it’s a total delight. The slow build, melancholic "My Sound" is a favorite.

Yazoo - Upstairs At Eric’s

I love this magic combination of Vince Clark and Allison Moyet. Such a delicious synth pop album and the first record that Vince made after leaving Depeche Mode before starting Erasure. Forever a favorite.

Sister Irene O’Connor - Fire of God’s Love

An incredibly special record of devotional songs utilizing analog synths recorded solely by Sister Irene with additional contributions by Sister Marimil Lobregat. It sits in a liminal space that is totally unique, curious and beautiful.

Suzanne Menzel - Goodbyes and Beginnings

The Danish singer-songwriter’s sole album produced by Klaus Schønning is such a stunning confluence of folk and electronics married with Suzanne’s ethereal voice. Also, the gift of I Feel It Starts Again after listening from the beginning is such an unexpected joy. The album is a total treasure. 

William Onyeabor - Anything You Sow

The synthesizer is a defining element of Onyeabor’s albums, unique amongst the output from Nigeria at the time but this album, with the exception of Good Name a couple years prior, is his only that is made entirely with drum machines and synths. The dance/pop opener When The Going Is Smooth & Good just rips and the album cover is an all-timer. 

Grauzone - s/t (40 Years Anniversary Edition)

This band is a very recent discovery for me; I was at a restaurant in Toronto in the spring and one of the staff was wearing a cool t-shirt with the name GRAUZONE on it and he explained who and what they were, which sent me down the rabbit hole. I instantly loved this collection of songs, a cross section of new wave and post punk that still feels present and fresh. Their only charting single Eisbär, rips!

Sam Prekop - The Republic

I’ve long loved Sam Prekop’s work both in The Sea and Cake and as a solo artist and his shift to composing analog synth records feels in step with what I want to be listening to more and more. This is his second album in this direction but the first I heard and digested. Warm, and enveloping.

Buffalo Daughter - New Rock

A killer, tight genre bending three piece from Tokyo, this album remains a favorite. Acoustic guitars, TB-303s, Minimoogs, Socks, Drugs and Rock’n’roll! 

Synth History Exclusive.

Photos by Ambar Navarro.

Lighting by Max Flick.

Conducted by Danz.

Special thanks: SpectreVision, Alex McDonald, Astral Eyes, Daniel Noah, Cosmic Vinyl.