Tim’s 2002

Albums

1. Please Consider Our Time (Shy Child) – astonishing electro-krautrock debut by this dynamic live drums/keytar duo.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. No! (They Might Be Giants) – Even TMBG fans were surprised by ‘No!’, the band’s first children’s album. It’s undeniably brilliant.
5. 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.
6. Space Metal (Star One) – ha ha ha! Amazing.
7. Plastic Fang (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion) – solid Explosion album – highlight is ‘Over and Over‘.
8. 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.
9. 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!
10. Drink Me (Queen Adreena) – damaged suicide-blonde noiseniks making appropriate noises.

Songs

1. 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.
2. You Held The World In Your Arms (Idlewild) – Smiths-esque single by this awesome Scottish 5-piece.
3. 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 (!)
4. There Goes The Fear (Doves) – beloved indie anthem by this British band.
5. Wake Up (Towa Tei) – insane Jap-electro-pop from Dee-Lite’s Towa Tei. The album ‘Sweet Robots Against the Machine is solid too.
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Ahoy There (Mr. Scruff) – charming and addictive track from the excellent ‘Trouser Jazz’ album.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Tim’s B-List

1. Becker & Stuhlen ‘Mellotron’ – This is a track from a rare library album of vintage synthesizers. Sublime and trippy.
2. Butthole Surfers  ‘Chewin George Lucas’ Chocolate’ & ‘Goofy’s Concern’ – expert punk nihilsim.
3. The Books ‘The Lemon Of Pink’ – schizophrenic sample-magic. Also notable: ‘A Cold Freezin’ Night’ (amazing video!
4. The Beastie Boys ‘Oh Word!’ – So many amazing tracks from the Beasties – I love MCA’s sections. Always sing this when I’m in NY.
5. Biffy Clyro ‘Questions And Answers’ – Scottish. These boy keep you waiting and then drop the magic – check the BVs at 2:14 then the harmony – oh yes! All this and an album cover by Milo Manara.
6. Beck ‘Beercan’ – I shortlisted a bunch of Beck – mostly from Stereopathetic Soulmanure, but nothing can beat his rhymes on Beercan. Zeitgeist 1994.
7. Blind Mr Jones ‘Mesa’ – Sweet shoegaze from a relatively unappreciated album of great songs.
8. Big Star ‘Blue Moon (demo)’ – Again – so many to choose from, but this demo has been breaking my heart of late.
9. Busta Rhymes (feat. Mysikal) ‘Iz They Wildin Wid Us?’ – A rare hip-hop post from me – Busta Rhymes production is insane and this song is hilarious. Be sure to listen until Busta’s section 1:39 – 2:13.
10. The Byrds ‘Draft Morning’ – So many Byrds tracks could’ve made this list, but this won out over ‘What’s Happening?’
11. Boards Of Canada ‘ROYGBIV’ – This song blows my mind every time – delicately poised between whimsical, fun and utterly devastating.
12. Billy Bragg ‘A New England’ – Just great.
13. The Breeders ‘Off You’ – Kelley Deal brings it home [swoon].
14. Blur ‘This Is A Low’ – Check this live video. Graham Coxon is high in my pantheon of guitar gods.
15. Bob Hund ‘100 år’ – 100 år är ingenting för mig.
16. The Bonzo Dog Band ‘Quiet Talks and Summer Walks (Unpeeled Version)’ – A relatively straight and beautiful song from the original Novelty Band, inspirations to Monty Python. Neil Innes on vocals and the inimitable Vivian Stanshall on recorder. For contrast check out ‘The Intro And The Outro’ and ‘Big Shot’.
17. The Beach Boys ‘Little Bird’ – Just one of my favourite songs of all time, courtesy of Dennis.
18. Bee Gees ‘Wind Of Change’ – I watched a documentary recently that made me despise The Bee Gees – this song makes me forget my hatred.
19. Björk ‘Army Of Me (Suckerpunch Remix)‘ – Björk is 100% brilliant, and 90% unlistenable. This is part of the 10%. Particularly loved this remix from the ‘Suckerpunch’ movie.
20. Bad News ‘Warriors Of Ghengis Khan’ – The first Bad News TV show was shot before Spinal Tap – both are brilliant but very different parodies of Heavy Metal. Produced (and played in places) by Brian May the eponymous first album is a staple of 1980s British humor. Highly influenced by ‘The Troggs Tapes’ and 100% profane. Very funny, very metal.