80. Air- Moon Safari- 1998
After Daft Punk released Homework in 1997, there started to be a lot more recognition for electronic artists. However, Air were very different from their peers. There is no evidence of big beat or other associated sub genres of the era but instead it is one of the most chilled out and relaxing albums you can listen to.
To say Moon Safari is an almost magical experience would not be an understatement. There isn't a skippable song to be found as it flows through the dreamy electronica seamlessly using organs, sythesizers and an array of other instruments with the perfect blend of vocals.
Key Songs: Kelly Watch the Stars, Remember, You Make It Easy
79. Thurston Moore- Trees Outside the Academy- 2007
Ok I didn't expect this but it was a very nice surprise. Thurston Moore uses his calm, mellow vocals which are more evident on the last couple of Sonic Youth records but it is accompanied with his acoustic guitar, a violinist and Steve Shelly on drums.
It is quite extraordinary how much Thurston can diversify, throughout the history of Sonic Youth he has been at the helm of a band constantly changing and releasing new material, but this is only his second proper solo album following Psychic Hearts in 1995.
Sonic Youth fans will be pleasantly surprised by this effort, whilst it is nothing revolutionary, it shows another side to Thurston's musical ability in being able to combine folk and acoustic genres into something distinctly recognisable as his work. It is suprisingly accessible as well so might even suit mainstream tastes bar maybe when noise creeps back into the pallet for example on the instrumental piano and noise piece of 'American Coffin' and the half a minute blast of 'Free Noise Among Friends'. The album closes with a recorded message from Thurston at 13 years old who even at that tender age seems already set for experimentation and it is quite an intriguing listen of his crazy teenage boredom.
Key Songs: Frozen Gtr, The Shape is in a Trance, Wonderful Witches + Language Meanies