101 Albums You Really Should Own: Part Ten

Stevie Wonder – Talking Book (1972)

When R’n’B met rock and had beautiful funky babies. Many grooves have been got on to this. Choice cut – Superstition.

Stone Roses – Stone Roses (1989)

Swaggering and staggering and just a superb work of confidence and with the talent and song crafting skills to back it up. Another revolution for British music. Choice cut – I am the Resurrection.

Suede – Dog Man Star (1994)

The albums that ended Brett and Bernard’s origianl partnership, but the one that made sure they’d live forever in people’s minds, and on their stereos. Pushed indie music to its absolute limits, with immaculate vocals and astonishing guitar playing. Choice cut – Still Life (my eventual wedding song if the time should come).

Talking Heads – Remain in Light (1980)

When every wonderfully varied notion of music should be is lovingly crafted onto plastic. A record that is the purest grandest of music you can find. Choice cut – Once in a Lifetime.

Television – Marquee Moon (1977)

Tight rhythms, complex and spiky guitars and sharp vocals turn this into a hypnotic traverse across the harsh post punk landscape. Choice cut – Marquee Moon.

They Might Be Giants – Flood (1990)

An album that isn’t afraid to entertain in a more traditional cabaret style, as humour and the absurd become just as important as killer riffs and quaility pop. Not that this album doesn’t lack either, with its style something anyone from any era, any generation and any background could learn to love. Choice cut – Birdhouse in Your Soul.

Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (1985)

Themost grizzled, alcohol soaked, tortured and tragic singer songwriter of them all, this defines that harsh beauty that fills all of Waits’ work. Many instruments, styles and ideas come together as this album chooses to be as bold and interesting as it is so personal and human. Choice cut – Blind Love.

Velvet Underground – Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)

A very special album that delves into New York’s seedy underworld with the most innovative and forward thinking music production of the 60s. Or ever actually. Changed music. For the better. Choice cut – Heroine.

Weezer – Blue Album (1994)

Rivers Cuomo is not the Brian Wilson for the Dawson’s Creek generation. He is however an incredibly gifted punk pop songwriter who hit his peak with this soundtrack to every teenager with taste. Choice cut – Buddy Holly.

 

Wrens – Meadowlands (2003)

Much delayed due to tedious record company difficulties, this was well worth the seven year wait. It aspires to be the perfect pop album, with delicious melodies, yet tender vocals and lyrics full of real emotion turn this into something so much more meaningful. Harsh in parts, but always forcing you to listen in. Choice cut – Everyone Choose Sides!

XTC – English Settlement (1982)

Early 80s magic pop that wasn’t afraid to be as catchy music can be. Choice cut – Ball and Chain.






And so it ends. 101 albums from every worthwhile genre (death/black metal and 70s prog rock can just fuck right off) that you should hopefully all have stored away alphabetically in your collection, or inthend on doing so soon. Some bands did not make it sadly. Certainly, Elvis Costello, Patti Smith, Happy Mondays, Primal Scream, U2, Curtis Mayfield, Tricky, Marvin Gaye, Blur, Massive Attack, Lou Reed, R.E.M, Madness, The Beat, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Miles Davis, The Ramones and The Rolling Stones could all have argued their way in there at a push. The likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Nirvana, The Doors, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Eagles and other such over-rated purveyors of popular music were never going to get in due to creating hideous, tedious dross that can only suck your life out rather than give it any purpose or warmth. So yeah, buy all the ones listed here. It’ll be fun.






Some interesting findings:

The greatest decade in music is apparently the 1990s with 33 of the 101 from the particular era in music. No surprises considering that was when most musical ideas had been created, and these could be refined whilst talent was honed to create spectacular music on strong foundations.

The greatest single year was 1994 with 9 seperate titles, though 1968, 1977, 1989 and 2000 are all pretty strong years.

There was no good music in 75-76.

The 60s wasn’t as good as everyone says it is.

Be thankful you live now.