Music Banter - View Single Post - 50 Indie/Alternative Albums You Should Listen To

Zer0 · 10-24-2011, 02:24 PM

Felt - Forever Breathes The Lonely Word (1986)

Along with The Smiths, Orange Juice and a few select others Felt were one of the pioneers of British indie music throughout the 80’s and were also one of the biggest influences on indie pop and dream pop bands that followed. The album is characterised a lot by jangly, chiming guitars reminiscent of early Byrds, the bright sound of the Rickenbacker guitar is pretty much unmistakable here. But the excellent use of organ is what makes this album stand out, both the guitars and the organ complement each other remarkably well and interweave with each other to create a bright and colourful sound. The album as a whole has a very lively and upbeat feel to it, especially on songs such as the carefree opener ‘Rain Of Crystal Spires’ and the super catchy ‘Grey Streets’. But the album also has a small underlying sense of melancholy in places as well, especially on ‘September Lady’ and the beautiful ‘All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead’, the latter being the most downbeat on the album as probably indicated by the title. Vocalist Lawrence Hayward’s distinctive yet somewhat limited voice seems to be at odds with the music itself but in a good way similar to Tom Verlaine of Television. His lyrics are also quite excellent and give their music a very smart and intellectual feel.

Another thing I really like is the warm and inviting album cover, it’s the type of album cover that actually makes you want to listen to this album. The cover itself is in fact a photo of their keyboard player Martin Duffy. Belle and Sebastian owe a lot to this band and Stuart Murdoch has indeed cited them as a major influence. In an ideal world this is what pop music should sound like and what a wonderful world that would be.

Recommended Songs: ‘September Lady’, ‘Grey Streets’, ‘All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead’

The Field Mice - Snowball + Singles (2005)

Snowball + Singles is basically their 1989 debut mini-album Snowball repackaged and reissued with their early singles circa 1988-1989. The Field Mice played a great role in updating the indie pop sound for the 90’s, giving it a softer and more intimate feel that the music didn’t quite have around the C86 era and even adding electronic elements to their gloriously washed-out sound. The first eight tracks here make up the Snowball mini-album and although it is not a concept album all the songs seem to focus on love and the heartbreak and introspection of love gone wrong, as summed up nicely in the opener ‘Let’s Kiss and Make Up’ (covered by Saint Etienne not long after) and the beautifully downbeat ‘End Of The Affair’. Snowball itself unfolds remarkably over the course of its eight tracks right up to the slow-building epic finale of ‘Letting Go’, charting the highs and lows of a relationship. Things get even more interesting with the additional singles, which seem to slightly overshadow Snowball itself. The excellent ‘Sensitive’ is probably the highlight of this entire collection for me with its somewhat shoegazey feel and breath-taking climax while ‘When Morning Comes To Town’, ‘Emma’s House’ and ‘Fabulous Friend’ show that the band are capable of writing brilliantly memorable pop-infused songs.

Snowball + Singles manages to stay on the right side of twee and these songs, along with the rest of their material, have had a lasting effect on indie music. Their influence can be heard through bands such as Belle and Sebastian (surprise, surprise), The Radio Dept., The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Depreciation Guild and many others. Snowball + Singles, along with the rest of their short discography, make for an ideal soundtrack for lovesick twenty-somethings but is well worth anyone’s time and attention and deserving of a place in your music collection.

Recommended Songs: ‘Let’s Kiss and Make Up’, ‘Sensitive’, ‘Emma’s House’

10-24-2011, 02:24 PM	#42 (permalink)
Zer0 ∞ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Ireland Posts: 3,792	Felt - Forever Breathes The Lonely Word (1986) Along with The Smiths, Orange Juice and a few select others Felt were one of the pioneers of British indie music throughout the 80’s and were also one of the biggest influences on indie pop and dream pop bands that followed. The album is characterised a lot by jangly, chiming guitars reminiscent of early Byrds, the bright sound of the Rickenbacker guitar is pretty much unmistakable here. But the excellent use of organ is what makes this album stand out, both the guitars and the organ complement each other remarkably well and interweave with each other to create a bright and colourful sound. The album as a whole has a very lively and upbeat feel to it, especially on songs such as the carefree opener ‘Rain Of Crystal Spires’ and the super catchy ‘Grey Streets’. But the album also has a small underlying sense of melancholy in places as well, especially on ‘September Lady’ and the beautiful ‘All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead’, the latter being the most downbeat on the album as probably indicated by the title. Vocalist Lawrence Hayward’s distinctive yet somewhat limited voice seems to be at odds with the music itself but in a good way similar to Tom Verlaine of Television. His lyrics are also quite excellent and give their music a very smart and intellectual feel. Another thing I really like is the warm and inviting album cover, it’s the type of album cover that actually makes you want to listen to this album. The cover itself is in fact a photo of their keyboard player Martin Duffy. Belle and Sebastian owe a lot to this band and Stuart Murdoch has indeed cited them as a major influence. In an ideal world this is what pop music should sound like and what a wonderful world that would be. Recommended Songs: ‘September Lady’, ‘Grey Streets’, ‘All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead’ The Field Mice - Snowball + Singles (2005) Snowball + Singles is basically their 1989 debut mini-album Snowball repackaged and reissued with their early singles circa 1988-1989. The Field Mice played a great role in updating the indie pop sound for the 90’s, giving it a softer and more intimate feel that the music didn’t quite have around the C86 era and even adding electronic elements to their gloriously washed-out sound. The first eight tracks here make up the Snowball mini-album and although it is not a concept album all the songs seem to focus on love and the heartbreak and introspection of love gone wrong, as summed up nicely in the opener ‘Let’s Kiss and Make Up’ (covered by Saint Etienne not long after) and the beautifully downbeat ‘End Of The Affair’. Snowball itself unfolds remarkably over the course of its eight tracks right up to the slow-building epic finale of ‘Letting Go’, charting the highs and lows of a relationship. Things get even more interesting with the additional singles, which seem to slightly overshadow Snowball itself. The excellent ‘Sensitive’ is probably the highlight of this entire collection for me with its somewhat shoegazey feel and breath-taking climax while ‘When Morning Comes To Town’, ‘Emma’s House’ and ‘Fabulous Friend’ show that the band are capable of writing brilliantly memorable pop-infused songs. Snowball + Singles manages to stay on the right side of twee and these songs, along with the rest of their material, have had a lasting effect on indie music. Their influence can be heard through bands such as Belle and Sebastian (surprise, surprise), The Radio Dept., The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, The Depreciation Guild and many others. Snowball + Singles, along with the rest of their short discography, make for an ideal soundtrack for lovesick twenty-somethings but is well worth anyone’s time and attention and deserving of a place in your music collection. Recommended Songs: ‘Let’s Kiss and Make Up’, ‘Sensitive’, ‘Emma’s House’ __________________ Last FM \| RYM \| The Final Sound Last edited by Zer0; 10-29-2011 at 02:11 PM.