Best albums, 1989-present, Part II

[Spider Jerusalem]

All right...I left off with 1996, so...

1997 - As someone else astutely pointed out, Radiohead gets a mention here for "OK Computer", which, together with "Kid A", marks the full development of the potential they showed on "Pablo Honey" and "The Bends" (which, while both quite good, were still somewhat uneven).

Björk, "Homogenic" - This was the album where Björk really came into her own, in my opinion. "Debut" and "Post" were both good, but here she becomes more musically experimental and moves away friom the fairly standard techno-pop of her earlier solo work.

1998 - Cat Power, "Moon Pix" - I remember being amazed the first time I heard this. Chan Marshall's vocal and lyrical ability utterly blew me away. I first hear her on the local college station; the next day I went and bought the album.

Air, "Moon Safari" - I'm not generally a fan of what's classed as "pop" music. Air are one of the rare exceptions to that. This album has a sort of retro-futuristic electro-lounge vibe to it; good music to relax to, and an excellent soundtrack for <ahem> intimate moments. :)

Boards of Canada, "Music Has The Right To Children" - one of the most brilliant albums of techno/electronica (or, as this is classed, "intelligent dance music") that I've heard. And I;ve heard a lot (I listened to electronica almost exclusively for about 5 years or so).

Massive Attack, "Mezzanine" - The second-best Massive Attack album, after "Blue Lines", "Mezzanine" features haunting vocals by Elizabeth Fraser (of Cocteau Twins), and the three tracks she appears on are reason enough by themselves to get the album; yet the rest of it is just as good.


2000: Radiohead, "Kid A" - See above for 1997.

Recoil, "Liquid" - Recoil is former Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder's solo project. Listening to it, you can see why he decide to strike out on his own. The music is much darker and more richly textured than anything Depeche Mode ever did. And the album features guest vox by Diamanda Galas (amongh others), which doesn't hurt.

2001: Björk, "Vespertine" - More brilliance from everyone's (well, some people's) favourite Icelandic pixie.

Einstürzende Neubauten, "Silence Is Sexy" - The best EN album in close to a decade; their overall sound is le3ss "industrial", but they haven't lost their edge.

2002: Steve Earle, "Jerusalem" - If Bruce Springsteen were a country musician instead of rock, he'd be Steve Earle.


2004: The Streets, "A Grand Don't Come For Free" - A concept album that works, with alternately moving and humorous....possibly the best of this year.

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - "Abattoir Blues/The Lyre of Orpheus" - A double album, but a GOOD double album. None of the tracks feel like filler, and each disc has its own disinctive sound..."Blues" is harder, more driving, while "Lyre" is overall softer and more contemplative. Also features (well-done, in my opinion) backing vocals by the London Community Gospel Choir.