Music Banter - The Coffeeshop 100

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69. Mogwai- Young Team- 1997

This is one of the most amazing albums I have ever listened to. Truly epic in every sense of the word.

Mogwai's sound is guitar based post-rock with vocal samples and shimmering soundscapes with a myriad of different influences with clear My Bloody Valentine-esque sections but other times you could be listening to a long lost Slint album.

There is a clear pattern which forms throughout the album which can be demonstrated by just listening to the first two tracks with the opener "Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home" a calm and relaxed atmosphere is set as it moves into "Like Herod" this is maintained but there something ominous with a darker change in sound and the song ultimately crescendos into a noisy explosion. Mogwai use this ingeniously throughout Young Team with each song seemlessly transitioning into the next whilst each still clearly maintaining a unique sound.

The only song on the album with predominant vocals surfacing is "R U Still in 2 It?" with its math-rock verses and melodic chorus crying out "Will you still miss me when I'm gone?" it is one of my personal picks.

The album finishes with the 16 minute track "Mogwai Fear Satan" which never seems to have any direction or focus yet never becomes a chore, this is a testament to the genius which is Mogwai.

Key Songs: Summer [Priority Version], R U Still in 2 It?, Mogwai Fear Satan

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68. Bad Brains- Bad Brains- 1982

The self-titled debut from Bad Brains stands today as one of the most influential punk/hardcore albums. They formed in 1979 in Washington DC with the intention of combining worlds of hardcore punk and reggae together.

The onslaught of first five tracks from "Sailin' On" to "Banned in D.C." is short and ferocious. "Banned in D.C." is their classic track with the intro a few strums of the guitar then a fast paced drum burst then H.R., the vocalist, manically entering the song and towards the end it is clear how advanced Bad Brains are compared to other hardcore punk bands of the era with a guitar solo even included.

"Jah Calling" is an instrumental and first reggae based song on the album slowing the album down only for it erupt again with the next track "Supertouch/sh*tfit" then to suddenly change again into the ska sounding song "Leaving Babylon".

The change in sound and lack of knowing where the album is leading next is one of the main reasons when the album is so exciting and timeless. It is probably the most inventive punk album ever and has influenced many acts including the Beastie Boys with Adam Yauch naming it as one of his favourite albums.

Key Songs: Sallin' On, Banned in D.C., Pay to C*m