Hello I'm back now and might as well finish this off.
72. The Smiths- The Queen is Dead- 1986
Not really a massive Smiths fan, always liked their catchy singles but if I had to pick an album to include in my top 100 it would be this one. And even this one has songs I don't particularly rate in it.
But for the opening title song alone this album deserves the praise it has received over the years. I rate it amongst one of the best alternative songs of the 80's and I've heard it was one of their best live songs. Jonny Marr's guitar work in this song is inhuman combined with one of Morrissey's best vocal performances.
Frankly, Mr Shankly is a fun little song, however I don't think the album picks up again until Bigmouth's Strikes Again which is again one of their best songs. As soon as you hear the intro you know you are in for 3 minutes of excellence. This is followed by the Boy With the Thorn in His Side which is another catchy little number.
And then there is "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" which is probably their most famous song with one of the most iconic videos in the history of music (Salford Lads Club and Morrissey lookalikes on bikes).
This album is by no means perfect but it includes some of their greatest songs.
To quote Alan Partridge: "The queen is dead, long live the king singers!"
Key Songs: The Queen is Dead, Bigmouth Strikes Again, There is a Light and It Never Goes Out
71. Happy Mondays- Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches- 1990
Keeping the theme of Manchester bands going, Happy Mondays were one of the iconic bands from the baggy Madchester scene in the late 80's and early 90's. Fronted by Shaun Ryder with his distinctive snarly vocals and not forgetting Bez (the dancer) who when once asked what he did in the band he replied "I take all the drugs".
Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches was released in the middle of another two classic albums of this period which I won't mention but will feature later.
The Haçienda scene was its peak with "Rave on" on everybody's lips.
The album open's with "Kinky Afro" which has probably one of the naffest videos every made but none the less it is a legendary single. "God's Cop" is next which opens with a wild guitar rifts and beats and actually one of my favourite songs on the album. Another pick from the album is "Loose Fit" which is a very chilled out tune which I would happily sunbathe to somewhere in the Mediterranean.
I can't finish this review without mention the anthemic "Step On" which is a truly ingenious single with the classic lyrics "You're Twisting my melon man"! If you don't like this song then you are no fun.
The whole theme through this album is partying, holidays and fun and it never looses throughout which is why it is one of the greatest albums ever produced.
Key Songs: Kinky Afro, Step On, Holiday