I've been talking
about doing this list for years and finally I'm
making it happen. I'm making it happen. This list is comprised
of albums that for one reason or another I have grown to love
over the years. Some of them date all the way back before I
was born. I was a child of the 80's. So most of the 80's entries
are kind of nostalgic.
Many
of these albums I dare to consider some of the best
ever written. I hope you enjoy the list and maybe even
feel drawn to check out a few that you are unfamiliar with.
20.
Soundgarden-
SuperUnknown
(Superunknown)
Soundgarden
doesn't waste any time hitting everybody right away with their brand of
bruising rock and roll on "Superunknown." "Let Me Drown" leads things off in
a most in-your-face way, sounding almost live amid whirlwind garage guitar
howlings and Matt Cameron's popping, energetic thumps, which are capable of
forcing anyone to play the air-drums in certain spots. It's a fast and
furious way to lead things off, and "My Way" keeps the energy going, with
do-your-own-thing lyrics by Chris Cornell and a great chorus to boot.
album review--->
19. Cold Play- Viva La Vida
(Lovers
In Japan)
When Coldplay released their much
anticipated 4th studio album "Viva La
Vida or Death and All Its Friends," I
was a little nervous because I was unsure in what direction they were
headed in. I liked their last album but felt it was way too loaded with
ready-made arena rockers. I was hoping with the help of U2's swingman Brian
Eno that he would help them uncover their experimental side. Guess what? He
did just that. "Viva
la Vida" turned out to be something quite satisfying. I would easily
consider this their shining moment as a band.
18. Death Cab For Cutie- Plans
DCFC has been around for quite some time now, making numerous albums of enjoyable alternative rock music. Plans, the 2005 release from the band, is probably the most fan-appreciated album in their catalog. It has that rare beauty to it where almost every track is as good, if not better, than the one before it. This is the quintessential Death Cab album, one you would supply a new listener with so they could obtain a good taste of the band.
17.
Twilight Singers-
Twilight as
Played By the Twilight Singers
(The
Twilight Kid)
While not as loud, rocking, or
aggressive as his work with the Afghan Whigs, Twilight definitely finds
Dulli in his element. The soulfulness, the swagger, the poetry, and the
sexuality are all present here. Highlights are the Twilite Kid, That's just
how that bird sings, Clyde, and Annie Mae. The little trip-hop flavorings
here and there are very welcome. It's good to hear Dulli's voice trading
verses with Harold Chichester and Shawn Smith. An evocative, cohesive album
that will haunt you for a long time.
16. Wayne Everett- KingsQueens
(Changin'
Your Name)A while back I reported in a review that The Lassie Foundation, one of the best pop bands you've never heard, had finally decided to call it quits after releasing their best record, The El Dorado LP. Given the distinguished careers of the band's musicians, it's unsurprising that all of them went on to other projects: drummer Frank Lenz dropped an album of blue-eyed soul with The Hot Stuff, guitarist Eric Campuzano pursued a Flying Saucer Attack direction with his drone project Charity Empressa.
album review--->
15.
Big Head Todd & The Monsters-
Sister Sweetly
This is the "breakthrough" album of BHTM, and what a breakthrough it is. Starting with Broken Hearted Savior, the power and heartbreak is expressed in the words and music that hit me hard. The texture of the songs and the moods strike me unlike any cd I've heard up to that point. The highlight is definitely their "hit" Bittersweet.
14. Marvin Gaye- What's Going On
The groove is the message. What's Going On has long been praised as the first and greatest of the socially aware soul records (first, no; greatest, probably) but if the message was important, it was the medium - the oceans-deep groove, the warmest sound ever pressed to vinyl - that made this Marvin Gaye's most important artistic statement.
album review--->
13. Snow Patrol- A Hundred Million Suns
Snow Patrol have returned with another great album "A Hundred Million Suns." In fact with what I would consider their best effort to date. I get the sense of a band striving to be taken more seriously, with more artful ambitions on this one. The band has really started to show its versatility. Which would probably explain why it is easily the most played disc on this whole entire list.
12. Afghan Whigs-
1965 
(Stand
Together)
How fitting that Whigs' singer Greg Dulli is an aspiring actor and filmmaker
as well as a rock musician. Since the Sub Pop years, he's conjured a
theatrical image for the Whigs" through their old-fashioned suit uniforms
and B-side covers of soul tunes such as
"The Dark End of the Street" and "Come
See About Me" as the baddest, blackest band in
Eddie
Vedder's white alt-rock world
11.
Violet Burning-
S/T
(Lipstick and
Dynamite Wonder)
(Silver)
When the guitars start there wax melting assault in the first track
"Crush" I swear I get goose bumps every time. I don't think the
Violet Burning have ever sounded better. The band creates such
a magnificent mind bending atmosphere. You can't help but think
man I hope this album never ends.
album review--->
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