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Pulp |
Different Class |
1995 Review |
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If the combination of razor-sharp lyrics and sparkling tunes wasn't enough to ensure major
success they released it at the crest of the Britpop wave. So even the common people got to
hear this.
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds |
The Good Son |
1990 |
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Of his many great albums this is the one which contrasts best splendid melodies,
opulent arrangements and his unique voice.
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Tim Buckley |
Goodbye And Hello |
1967 |
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This would have been just a regular folk album if not for that voice. A voice so rich in expression
and modulation you wouldn't need accompanying instruments at all. A voice with no equivalent
in rock music history.
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Many tried to transport the classic shoegaze sound into the 21st century. But no one did it as
elegantly as Slowdive. That was bad news of course for the numerous critics they had in the 90s.
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The Smiths |
Meat Is Murder |
1985 |
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On this one Johnny Marr's guitar playing is the strongest with a range from soft lushness to
harder rock oriented stuff. Morrissey fits his lyrics in perfectly.
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Love |
Forever Changes |
1968 |
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The perfect soundtrack for a sun drenched day in the summer. Everything that's great about 60s music is
present here, with some never heard additions.
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Teenage Fanclub |
Bandwagonesque |
1991 |
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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.
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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?
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Pet Shop Boys |
Behaviour |
1990 |
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For their standards an unusually quiet and melancholic album. Not many killer singles but not
many weak tracks either.
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Nirvana |
Unplugged In New York |
1994 Review |
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'Nevermind' was the big one, but this was more at the core of what Kurt Cobain wanted to
achieve with music. Of what further things he would have been capable can only be guessed.
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The House Of Love |
The House Of Love |
1990 |
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Band members leaving and major labels interfering resulted in an album that was only
half as good as it could have been. Sadly this along with the La's debut
was the last struggle of the C86 generation against the rise of mainstream
indie. |
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The Velvet Underground |
Loaded |
1970 |
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Often overlooked because it was fundamentally different from their other
releases both in mood and style. They ruined it a bit during mixing but it
still was a great ending for the band that started it all.
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Happy Mondays |
Pills'N'Thrills'N' Bellyaches |
1990 |
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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.
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Saint Etienne |
So Tough |
1993 |
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The band that embodied the idea of a pop group like no other. Melodic bliss topped by the most
pleasing if not to say stimulating female voice ever.
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Beirut |
Gulag Orkestar |
2006 |
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The trumpet as a lead instrument is hopelessly underappreciated in pop music. So thank God
for Zach Condon and his dreamed up European journey.
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Electric Prunes |
I Had Too Much To Dream Last Night |
1967 |
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A man singing lyrics written by a woman who tried to express the feelings of a man. Complicated but leading
to great results. It showed that the 60s had more to offer than "I Want To Hold Your Hand".
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Galaxie 500 |
This Is Our Music |
1990 |
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Their swansong after just three immensely creative years contained among the usual atmospheric
guitar sounds some songs you could actually hum to.
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Surprising forays into ambient and folk amidst the usual dream pop.
And a welcome return to form for Mr. Brian Eno as well.
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Vampire Weekend |
Vampire Weekend |
2008 |
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A strange try at Indie world music? Maybe. The rebirth of the US music scene?
Perhaps. A band trying to use their intelligence and musicianship wisely? Definitely. |
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Neutral Milk Hotel |
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea |
1998 |
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Largely overlooked at the time of release this proved to be a blueprint for many
of the celebrated artists of the 00s (Arcade Fire, Beirut, Bright Eyes, ...) .
Sadly still no follow up in sight.
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