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Old 09-25-2007, 10:44 PM   #31 (permalink)
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Welcome Back Coffeeshop!

You got a lot of work to do...

Kudos on including such a recent album...Bold move.
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Old 09-27-2007, 09:24 AM   #32 (permalink)
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Yeah I have a long way to go, I might even take longer than Urban at this rate.



78. Bat For Lashes- Fur & Gold- 2007

I have to admit I watched the Mercury Award performance of 2007 and was instantly won over. I downloaded the album soon after and was blown away. The project is lead by Natasha Khan who recalls all the great female vocalists and instrumentalists of years gone by from the likes of Cat Power to Bjork to Kate Bush with her own unique style.

The album commences with the sublime 'Horse and I', which was performed to full effect at the awards. As soon as the piano starts you know the class of the album waiting to be listened to. Natasha sings about haunting stories of magic, animals, sadness and female characters with a back drop of instruments including piano, strings and drums. Every song shines brightly and there are many great moments from the enchanting and mysterious 'What's a Girl to Do?' to the loneliness of 'Sad Eyes' to the lost Kate Bush song 'The Wizard' or the stark warning call of 'I Saw a Light'.

This album may become a classic in the future but as it currently stands it already cements Khan with the greatest of female vocalists of the past and present. Her vocals are simply out of the world and she does not really put a foot wrong with the musical side all the way through, this is a perfect example of how the genre should be done.

Key Songs: Horse and I, What's a Girl to Do?, Sad Eyes




77. A Tribe Called Quest- The Low End Theory- 1991

If you could only buy one rap or hip hop album you seriously could not do much better than this one. 14 songs, 47 minutes of jazz infused rap from Q-Tip and Phife Dawg with the slickest production and a clear vision throughout. Time and time again experts of the genre parade this as one of the most important albums ever and even with one listen you can clearly appreciate why.

This is a very intelligent album which sets Tribe apart in the golden era of rap. They take in all that is going around with references to the likes of Busta Rhymes and Chuck D in the lyrics them but instead of following the crowd they make their own incredible sound. They use carefully placed samples, jazz influences and electronic instruments creating such classic songs as 'Excursions', 'Show Business' and 'Check the Rhime'.

People who are not usually fans of rap and hip hop should still definitely give this album a chance. It is a monolith in the relatively short history of the genre. As it goes in 'Vibes and Stuff', they almost certainly 'have the vibe'.

Key Songs: Excursions, Verses From the Abstract, The Infamous Date Rape




76. Mclusky- Mclusky Do Dallas- 2002

If you ever wondered what is the musical equivalent of running full speed straight into a wall, well erm... here it is. Mclusky were a Welsh alternative rock outfit influenced by hardcore punk and college rock. Before the release of Mclusky Do Dallas they did not look like they offered much else to any other alternative band but with help from the production of Steve Albini they accomplished a landmark album. The lead singer, Andy Falkous, is often compared with Black Francis with his crazy, manic chants but in truth he is about a million times more outrageous. This is helped no end by the absurd lyrics he delivers which range from 'Turning me on with my lightsabre c**ksucking blues' to 'My dad is bigger than your dad, he's got eight cars and a house in Ireland, sing it!' to 'We had crazy f**king times, till her visa card expired'.

The best way to play this album is very loud. The album consistently rocks for 35 minutes with a whildwind of classic songs encountered on the way. There is even an old alternative rock cliche of the hidden song, which no doubt was to some extent the influence of Albini who famously helped 'All Apologies' last over 30 minutes on Nirvana's In Utero.

They were anti-mainstream to the extent that they were hated by their homeland Wales and pretty much everywhere else. But they had and still have strong underground fanbase, which is why when they disbanded in 2005 after only 3 albums it was all the more disappointing. Mclusky were a blast of fresh air into 21st century British rock.

Key Songs: To Hell With Good Intentions, Alan is a Cowboy Killer, Whoyouknow
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Old 09-27-2007, 12:23 PM   #33 (permalink)
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^^^^^
The Low End Theory is a great album and showcases how good Hip-Hop can be. Good shout on the Thurston Moore album too. I got hold of it a couple of days ago and cannot stop playing it!
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Old 10-13-2007, 01:41 PM   #34 (permalink)
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Haven't got as much to say about these 3 so should speed things up a bit.



75. Neutral Milk Hotel- In The Aeroplane Over The Sea- 1998

Neutral Milk Hotel I feel are probably one of the most unique bands I have ever listened to. I got into them after a suggestion from a friend and it took me a while but after some repeat listens I realised exactly how remarkable 'In The Aeroplane Over The Sea' actually is.

There's lo-fi, shoegaze textures, psychedelia and just straight out rock, which is what bizarrely makes this an intriguing listen even if you do not normally like this type of thing. Lyrically it is intense and confusing, this only adds to the strength of the album. Jeff Mangum is a funny chap since this album he has turned into a bit of a Kevin Shields type recluse, when like Shields he could had carried on making brilliant records with his band.

The songs speak for themself really on this record from the poppy Anne Frank tune 'Holland, 1945', to the epic 'Oh Comely and the spectacular 'Two Headed Boy' songs. Songwriting ability interchanged with masterful musical insight makes this album a classic.

I LOVE YOU JEEEEESUS CHRRRRRISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST! Jesus Christ I love you yes I do!

Key Songs: Two-Headed Boy, Holland, 1945, Oh Comely




74. Nine Inch Nails- Pretty Hate Machine- 1989

I couldn't decide which NIN album to include so I chose the one which started it all! There's something about NIN which strikes the perfect balance between musical styles whether it be electronic or metal. Their songs are usually both powerful and mysterious. Pretty Hate Machine was released in 1989 years ahead of its time in so many ways.

The bi-polar Trent Reznor focusses sound the angst of the teenage generation into a record with addictive riffs and cleverly worked songs. With lyrics which are mostly based around fantasies and sex and delivered by Mr Reznor, this album hardly falters. Something I Can Never Have has to be mentioned as it stands out as possibly the first ballad in the genre and it is beyond amazing.

The world was not quite ready for NIN in 1989 but in 2007 they are the biggest industrial band in the world. Credit to old Trent really even with the ridiculous gaps there are usually between albums.

Key Songs: Head Like a Hole, Terrible Lie, Something I Can Never Have




73. Foo Fighters- The Colour and the Shape- 1997

Foo Fighers might not be one of the most prolific rock bands but they have been fairly consistent since their birth after the demise of Nirvana in 1994. Dave Grohl got straight to work in 1995 and released the self-titled debut with the solo songs he been writing during the Nirvana era.

In the 1997 the first true Foo Fighters album was released and arguably still their best. Everlong is worthy alone of making this album make the top 100, I have been into the Foos since the 'One By One' era and this song has always stood out to me as one of the greatest of all time. The guitar riff is simply out of this world and the vocals are both desperate and enchanting. They haven't made a song like it since. Aside from Everlong which I could talk about for at least another few paragraphs there are many moments where this album stands out even if it does have some lesser points take the ferocious single 'Monkey Wrench' and the anthemic 'Hey, Johnny Park!' and 'My Hero' for instance.

It is a solid record by very likable band from a very likable band leader in Dave Grohl. One of the best mainstream rock albums of the 90s in my humble opinion.

Key Songs: Everlong, My Hero, New Way Home
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Old 10-13-2007, 03:38 PM   #35 (permalink)
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In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is such a seemingly flawless album, couldn't agree more on picking Holland, 1945 as a stand out track.
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Old 10-13-2007, 03:42 PM   #36 (permalink)
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I would have placed ITAOTS much higher myself, but it is the Coffeshop 100.
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Old 06-28-2008, 06:11 AM   #37 (permalink)
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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
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Old 06-28-2008, 06:13 AM   #38 (permalink)
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70. Ian Brown- Golden Greats- 2000

You see a certain pattern forming? Yes yet another god from Manchester with what I still regard his best solo album so far with "Music of the Spheres" just behind.

It opens with "Gettin' High", a bruising electronic rocker followed by one of his best singles "Love Like a Fountain". The whole album is very solid, there isn't a weak track to be found with "Free My Way" one of my favourites.

"Dolphin's Were Monkey's" is the standout track on the album though with its single along chorus and groovy back beat.

Ian Brown said he never expected to have such a successful solo career after the Stone Roses but with albums like this he has deserved one.

Key Songs: Love Like a Fountain, Dolphin's Were Monkeys, Babasonicios
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"In this Catholic Club they never had the ****ing TV on and I was going, 'That Big Brother, it won't catch on. British people won't watch that ****.' And then they went, at nine o' clock, 'Shh!' and turned the telly on! It was, like, people asleep in bed. To me, I can't understand that. The encouraging thing is, 'You were right all along, Smith: people are stupid." - Mark E Smith
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Old 06-28-2008, 08:54 AM   #39 (permalink)
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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
I haven't heard any of Thurston Moore's solo work yet. Hopefully it's more accessible then Kim Gordon's band/project
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Old 06-28-2008, 10:07 AM   #40 (permalink)
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wow nice bump
Good taste you have there(so far so good!)
Can't wait to see top ten!
Good call on Argus by Wishbone Ash! Love that album.
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