Yeah I have a long way to go, I might even take longer than Urban at this rate.
78. Bat For Lashes- Fur & Gold- 2007
I have to admit I watched the Mercury Award performance of 2007 and was instantly won over. I downloaded the album soon after and was blown away. The project is lead by Natasha Khan who recalls all the great female vocalists and instrumentalists of years gone by from the likes of Cat Power to Bjork to Kate Bush with her own unique style.
The album commences with the sublime 'Horse and I', which was performed to full effect at the awards. As soon as the piano starts you know the class of the album waiting to be listened to. Natasha sings about haunting stories of magic, animals, sadness and female characters with a back drop of instruments including piano, strings and drums. Every song shines brightly and there are many great moments from the enchanting and mysterious 'What's a Girl to Do?' to the loneliness of 'Sad Eyes' to the lost Kate Bush song 'The Wizard' or the stark warning call of 'I Saw a Light'.
This album may become a classic in the future but as it currently stands it already cements Khan with the greatest of female vocalists of the past and present. Her vocals are simply out of the world and she does not really put a foot wrong with the musical side all the way through, this is a perfect example of how the genre should be done.
Key Songs: Horse and I, What's a Girl to Do?, Sad Eyes
77. A Tribe Called Quest- The Low End Theory- 1991
If you could only buy one rap or hip hop album you seriously could not do much better than this one. 14 songs, 47 minutes of jazz infused rap from Q-Tip and Phife Dawg with the slickest production and a clear vision throughout. Time and time again experts of the genre parade this as one of the most important albums ever and even with one listen you can clearly appreciate why.
This is a very intelligent album which sets Tribe apart in the golden era of rap. They take in all that is going around with references to the likes of Busta Rhymes and Chuck D in the lyrics them but instead of following the crowd they make their own incredible sound. They use carefully placed samples, jazz influences and electronic instruments creating such classic songs as 'Excursions', 'Show Business' and 'Check the Rhime'.
People who are not usually fans of rap and hip hop should still definitely give this album a chance. It is a monolith in the relatively short history of the genre. As it goes in 'Vibes and Stuff', they almost certainly 'have the vibe'.
Key Songs: Excursions, Verses From the Abstract, The Infamous Date Rape
76. Mclusky- Mclusky Do Dallas- 2002
If you ever wondered what is the musical equivalent of running full speed straight into a wall, well erm... here it is. Mclusky were a Welsh alternative rock outfit influenced by hardcore punk and college rock. Before the release of Mclusky Do Dallas they did not look like they offered much else to any other alternative band but with help from the production of Steve Albini they accomplished a landmark album. The lead singer, Andy Falkous, is often compared with Black Francis with his crazy, manic chants but in truth he is about a million times more outrageous. This is helped no end by the absurd lyrics he delivers which range from 'Turning me on with my lightsabre c**ksucking blues' to 'My dad is bigger than your dad, he's got eight cars and a house in Ireland, sing it!' to 'We had crazy f**king times, till her visa card expired'.
The best way to play this album is very loud. The album consistently rocks for 35 minutes with a whildwind of classic songs encountered on the way. There is even an old alternative rock cliche of the hidden song, which no doubt was to some extent the influence of Albini who famously helped 'All Apologies' last over 30 minutes on Nirvana's In Utero.
They were anti-mainstream to the extent that they were hated by their homeland Wales and pretty much everywhere else. But they had and still have strong underground fanbase, which is why when they disbanded in 2005 after only 3 albums it was all the more disappointing. Mclusky were a blast of fresh air into 21st century British rock.
Key Songs: To Hell With Good Intentions, Alan is a Cowboy Killer, Whoyouknow