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Record Sleeve
161. Salem
King Night
2010
One of the very few truly original records of the last few years. A mixture of doomed euphoria and uplifting despair, as paradox as this may sound. Is this the final nail in electronic music's coffin?
Record Sleeve
162. The Breeders
Mountain Battles
2008
Among the many unexpected great comebacks of the 00s (Kate Bush, Portishead) this was the must pleasurable. Those who expected some more cannonballs might have been disappointed but the rest appreciated what they got instead.
Record Sleeve
163. Lemonheads
It's A Shame About Ray
1992   Review
From an European point of view this sounds like the quintessential American indie album. Sitting on a porch, watching the trucks pass by, strumming some songs on the acoustic guitar ...
Record Sleeve
164. Dexy's Midnight Runners
Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
1980
Rarely has a band displayed such a range of styles in what was only a 3 album and 5 year career. This, their brass heavy soul album is their best.
Record Sleeve
165. The Sundays
Reading, Writing And Arithmetics
1990
Nearly everyone bought this one back then but nowadays hardly anyone still cares about it. Which is a shame because this impressionistic sound painting is still a joy to listen to.
Record Sleeve
166. Belly
Star
1993   Review
Yet another gem from the vast cannon of the Throwing Muses/Pixies family. Bubblegum pop this was called and, yes, that's exactly what it is.
Record Sleeve
167. Chapterhouse
Whirlpool
1991
The EP as an art form has long lost its significance. But to the genre wildly known as 'Shoegazing' it was absolutely vital as many of those acts sadly didn't manage to come up with a proper album. But not so Chapterhouse.
Record Sleeve
168. Dead Can Dance
Aion
1990
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.
Record Sleeve
169. Blondie
Eat To The Beat
1979
This album was an early chance to see how pop music in the 80's would sound. And there's a direct line to be drawn from its standout track Atomic to 80's classic Blue Monday.
Record Sleeve
170. Kreisky
Blick auf die Alpen
2014
I always thought that there should be at least one entry in this list with German vocals. And then, finally, after a long wait, this worthy contender arrived.
Record Sleeve
171. Antony And The Johnsons
The Crying Light
2009
Although not as easy going and varied as his breakthrough second album this could prove to be his masterpiece in the long run. Just listen how his voice floats like a feather over the subtle but nevertheless powerful arrangements.
Record Sleeve
172. Orange Juice
You Can't Hide Your Love Forever
1982
Descriptions of this band usually contain adjectives like influential, groundbreaking or seminal. And if they don't, they certainly are incomplete.
Record Sleeve
173. Depeche Mode
Speak & Spell
1981
The German version with 'Dreaming Of Me' on it of course. One of the few nearly flawless efforts of the first wave of synthipop. The two Yazoo albums that followed have also aged remarkably well.
Record Sleeve
174. Beirut
Gulag Orkestar
2006
The trumpet as a lead instrument is hopelessly underappreciated in pop music. So thank God for Zach Condon and his dreamed up European journey.
Record Sleeve
175. 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.
Record Sleeve
176. Happy Mondays
Pills'N'Thrills'N' Bellyaches
1990
It was always clear that in the long run this band would be remembered much more for their excesses than for their recorded output. That's a shame because as dated as those baggy beats might sound they still groove as hell.
Record Sleeve
177. Teenage Fanclub
Bandwagonesque
1991
In an innovation competition this lot would certainly finish last. But that was never really the point of this band. Instead: simple lyrics, simple melodies. But great effect.
Record Sleeve
178. My Bloody Valentine
mbv
2013
The giant expectations had always lead to an initial disappointment. But we wouldn't want to live without this album, would we?
Record Sleeve
179. Johnny Cash
American III: Solitary Man
2000
It's the singer not the song. This saying has rarely been more fitting than for this collection of (mainly) cover versions. And hey, Mr. Cash even manages to make a U2 song sound cool.
Record Sleeve
180. Slint
Spiderland
1991
Contrary to the other landmark guitar albums released in the same year ( Loveless, Nevermind ) this album remained more or less unnoticed for nearly a decade. Unbelievable.
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