Albums
- Please Consider Our Time (Shy Child) – astonishing electro-krautrock debut by this dynamic live drums/keytar duo.
- Title TK (The Breeders) – stunning comeback album from the awesome Deal sisters. every track is a winner from the rocking ‘Son Of Three’ to the heartbreaking ‘Off You’. And who knew Kim was an awesome drummer? Great sounding album despite Steve Albini.
- Steal This Album! (System Of A Down) – the ethic is incredible – the metal is awesome. Tight, humourous, live studio performances – an amazing album by one of the best metal bands of all time.
- No! (They Might Be Giants) – Even TMBG fans were surprised by ‘No!’, the band’s first children’s album. It’s undeniably brilliant.
- Reveille (Deerhoof) – this is their best album – ‘Holy Night Fever‘ is amazing, but its ‘This Magnificent Bird Will Rise‘ that got me hooked on Deerhoof.
- Space Metal (Star One) – ha ha ha! Amazing.
- Plastic Fang (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) – solid Explosion album – highlight is ‘Over and Over‘.
- I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love (My Chemical Romance) – shame these guys were so ‘Hot Topic’ their debut album has an rare classic punk ethic, awesome 2-guitar riffing and soloing. I’m also a big fan of extremely long titles.
- Finally We Are One (Múm) – I had the privilege to play a show with these Icelandic pixies during this period – it was an extraordinary experience. I wish Gyða and Kristín had continued to sing together – beautiful girls and beautiful vocals!
- Drink Me (Queen Adreena) – damaged suicide-blonde noiseniks making appropriate noises.
Songs
- Slip Away (David Bowie) – there’s a couple of tracks from Bowie’s later career that are worth listening to – this one is amazing. Visconti returns to produce and Bowie rises to the occasion – it could easily have been on Hunky Dory.
- You Held The World In Your Arms (Idlewild) – Smiths-esque single by this awesome Scottish 5-piece.
- Envy (Ash) – in 2002, I heard this track blasting in a club in Norway, its one of the best pieces of rock production I’ve ever heard and I use it constantly as a reference track. Ash were a Nirvana-influence Irish 3-piece, but added guitarist Charlotte Hatherley in 1998. Her backing vocals and guitar chops make this song, as well as the video (!)
- There Goes The Fear (Doves) – beloved indie anthem by this British band.
- Wake Up (Towa Tei) – insane Jap-electro-pop from Dee-Lite’s Towa Tei. The album ‘Sweet Robots Against the Machine is solid too.
- Spelad glädje (Bob Hund) – B-side of the ‘Düsseldorf 3:53 + c:a 11 min från Koppom okt. -94’ EP. Proper Swedish madness. The other B-side ‘Hörlurar‘ is equally brilliant.
- Outtatheway (The Vines) – This Australian 3-piece seemed to be a pretty standard Nirvana-influenced punk 3-piece, but lead singer/guitarist Craig Nicholls turns out to be one of the greatest rock n roll nutjobs of all time. He became increasingly disruptive and eventually the other original members left. Turns out Nicholls has Asperger’s syndrome and lives the life of a technophobic recluse. He gave some very disturbing interviews in these early years and trashed the stage on Letterman. Great song though!
- Ahoy There (Mr. Scruff) – charming and addictive track from the excellent ‘Trouser Jazz’ album.
- Losing My Edge (LCD Soundsystem) – the sort of meta post-modernism that I thought would usher in a new age of music. Boy was I wrong.
- Do You Realize? (The Flaming Lips) – I find them hit-and-miss, but this is surely one of the most lovely and profound songs ever written.