|
One Dove |
Morning Dove White |
1993 Review |
|
|
More or less a 2Screamadelica2 with female vocals. Dance music at its most diverse. A lost
treasure if there ever was one.
|
|
|
|
The White Stripes |
Elephant |
2003 |
|
|
As "Nevermind" in the 90s this album was the big unifying indie rock album of the decade. The
success of "Seven Nation Army" in football stadiums around the world was a pleasant additional surprise.
|
|
|
|
This Mortal Coil |
Blood |
1991 |
|
|
The band responsible for some of the best cover versions of all time (and some of the worst
as well). Adjectives like ethereal and translucent probably once were invented to be able to
describe this music later.
|
|
|
|
Anna Calvi |
Anna Calvi |
2011 |
|
|
Where other contemporary female artists usually rely on state-of-the-art equipment this young English lady
takes it back to basic with not much more than a guitar and a powerful voice. This decade is
hers for the taking.
|
|
|
|
Bloc Party |
A Weekend In The City |
2007 |
|
|
Way better than their debut although hardly anyone got it at the time.
Ditching all those post rock clichés and replacing them with a more personal
approach was exactly the right move.
|
|
|
|
Julee Cruise |
Floating Into The Night |
1989 |
|
|
This features her contributions to the Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet soundtracks and a few other
songs equal in quality. Some of the most genuinely beautiful music ever created.
|
|
|
|
Neil Young & Crazy Horse |
Rust Never Sleeps |
1979 |
|
|
He could have put together a real classic if he had collected those songs on
one album that would later comprise the last third of his epic "Decade"
compilation. So instead this inferior but still valuable set of songs must
stand as his best work of the 70's.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although this drew an arc from medieval to modern times and incorporated the visions
of two very distinct songwriters it nonetheless added up to a fascinating coherent whole.
|
|
|
|
Yeah Yeah Yeahs |
Fever To Tell |
2003 |
|
|
The chaotic energy of the riot grrrl movement, the new wave legacy of their New York home
and a bunch of short & sharp killer tunes make this one hell of a debut.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Their first two albums were the closest German music got to punk rock. Maybe not in sound but in
attitude. Shame about their pointless comeback in the 90s, that goes on to date.
|
|
|
|
Pavement |
Crooked Rain Crooked Rain |
1994 Review |
|
|
Obviously bored by the whole lo-fi movement they spawned they came up with this
confusing mix of grunge pop and country rock which surprisingly even contained some
(ironic ?) guitar solos. Extra points for dissing the bloody Pumpkins.
|
|
|
|
Yazoo |
You And Me Both |
1983 |
|
|
The combination of a soulful voice and electronic background sounds was a novelty
back then. Later in the 00s this kind of music was all over the place but none of
its creators matched Yazoo's unique songwriting skills.
|
|
|
|
Pet Shop Boys |
Actually |
1987 |
|
|
The songs "It Could Have Happened Here" and "Kings Cross" proved that the Pet Shop Boys were
not just a singles band. And "Rent" might be one of their most affecting songs. The best was yet
to come so.
|
|
|
|
Perfume Genius |
Learning |
2010 |
|
|
It takes a while for the listener to get accustomed to the way this album is almost painfully
underproduced and sloppily recorded. Until you realise that its extremely intense and
personal atmosphere could not be achieved in any other way.
|
|
|
|
Tindersticks |
Tindersticks |
1993 Review |
|
|
Only a band as strong as them can make a debut a double and can come up with an album
which never fails to entertain over its 77 minutes. Of course entertainment in the Tindersticks'
world is a bit more reflective and sombre than one might be used to.
|
|
|
|
Van Morrison |
Astral Weeks |
1968 |
|
|
A strange record. Like a fairy tale come true, like a medieval song contest run out of control.
No wonder he couldn't repeat this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In post war Germany the music scene got a blank canvas to draw on. And Can were the first ones to use
this opportunity to full effect. The second half of this album is a bit of an acquired taste but
the first one is really amazing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A snow-covered landscape under a cloudy grey sky. Although the cold wind's
blowing in your face you fell a warm glow inside. |
|
|
|
The Verve |
Urban Hymns |
1997 Review |
|
|
After some promising early singles and two so-so albums the Verve seemed to be history.
But they returned with this album which finally fulfilled all their promises.
|
|
|
|
R.E.M. |
Automatic For The People |
1992 Review |
|
|
A rare case of a band where the most successful album is also the best. Bleak and
uncompromising but rewarding and comforting at the same time.
|
|