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| 71. | Franz Ferdinand |
| Franz Ferdinand |
| 2004 |
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They blew away the New Rock Revolution and started the second wave of Britpop with this set of
songs. Basically Jarvis Cocker fronting Blondie with some German vocals added.
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| Talk Talk |
| Spirit Of Eden |
| 1988 |
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A very, very quiet record where every sigh is important and every whisper makes a difference.
Melodies hidden behind layers of silence. Music never sounded as focused on details as here.
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| The Jesus & Mary Chain |
| Darklands |
| 1987 |
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To change your sound completely after your debut album has been hailed as a classic is a bold
move indeed. But here it pays off, resulting in a set of songs bands like Sister of Mercy would kill for.
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| Belle & Sebastian |
| If You're Feeling Sinister |
| 1996 Review |
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The band which embodies the spirit of independent music like no other. Of course heavily
influenced by the Smiths but with their own introverted charisma. Some criticise the lack of
proper production here but oversee that that's part of its charm.
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| Antony And The Johnsons |
| The Crying Light |
| 2009 |
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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.
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| Spiritualized |
| Laser Guided Melodies |
| 1992 |
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Waves of sound floating, drifting, rising and subsiding. Music beyond time and space, rhythm and
structure, dream and reality.
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In the grunge dominated early 90s this early Britpop nugget was a rare treat.
Especially the brilliant ballads came as a surprise after their first Glam-rock inspired singles.
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| The Velvet Underground |
| VU |
| 1969 |
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OK, this wasn't actually released in 1969, but it could as well have been.
Instead these recordings remained in the vault for nearly two decades. A
circumstance which is unthinkable in the modern internet age.
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Released a mere six months after the last Smiths album this was much better
than anyone expected it to be. And even fewer anticipated him still being relevant
two decades later. |
| |
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| Felt |
| The Strange Idols Pattern And Other Short Stories |
| 1984 |
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Felt were one of the most archetypal representatives of the mid 80s indie guitar
avalanche. But contrary to other main players like The June Brides or The Loft
they stayed together long enough to finish a complete album. Ten complete albums
to be precise.
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| Tindersticks |
| Curtains |
| 1997 Review |
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After two quintessentially English albums this one sounds as if it was recorded
in the depth of the Mexican dessert amidst snakes and shoot-outs. Not as good as the real
Ennio Morricone but better than most of his imitators.
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| Mojave 3 |
| Spoon And Rafter |
| 2003 |
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It's been a long way from Slowdive's effect drenched guitar landscapes to the
simple modern folk music here. And don't forget most of their other albums are
overlooked gems too. |
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| Hope Of The States |
| The Last Riots |
| 2004 |
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A well balanced mixture of pop sensibility, post rock soundscapes and the shadows of the Manic's
'Holy Bible', sharing its prediction of imminent personal tragedy.
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| 109. | Throwing Muses |
| Throwing Muses |
| 1986 |
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One of the strongest, most intense female forces in music. Their debut
shows a young band working totally devoid of external influences. A modern
day Bronte sisters if you like.
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| Godspeed You Black Emperor! |
| Lift Your Skinny Fists ... |
| 2000 |
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Combines the best bits of the postrock concept and the possibilities of orchestral instruments.
If anyone has failed to understand the meaning of the word 'crescendo' he will after listening to this.
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| The Cranberries |
| Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We |
| 1993 Review |
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This band got terribly unfashionable with their second album and rightly so. What a shame cause this
debut was a really lovely and astonishingly well produced indie guitar album. |
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| 26. | The House Of Love |
| The House Of Love |
| 1988 |
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From the many post Smiths bands in the 80s House of Love were certainly the best.
When this is over after only 32 minutes you will reach for the repeat button immediately.
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| Kristin Hersh |
| Learn To Sing Like A Star |
| 2007 |
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| |
A perfect example that in some unique cases creativity can subsist over decades.
The emotional intensity and impressive songwriting skills displayed here are
even superior to the best efforts of her previous band Throwing Muses.
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Absolutely impossible to say something new about this album which is probably
the most important record of our generation. And of course everybody
still knows when and where he or she heard that first song for the first time.
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| 82. | Howling Bells |
| Howling Bells |
| 2006 |
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The 'pretty girl with a bunch of hobos forming a band' template revived to great effect. The spirit of down under
embodied by a crystal clear voice and some rather dirty guitar riffs.
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