838. OK Computer

OK Computer
Radiohead
1997

Tracks
1. Airbag
2. Paranoid Android
3. Subterranean Homesick Alien
4. Exit Music (For A Film)
5. Let Down
6. Karma Police
7. Fitter Happier
8. Electioneering
9. Climbing Up The Walls
10. No Surprises
11. Lucky
12. The Tourist

I thought the previous Radiohead album on the List, The Bends, was the best album of 1995. I was expecting to be blown away. While this was very good, I did like their previous effort better.

I think this was due to  "Fitter Happier" which was not very accessible. But I shouldn't let one bad apple spoil the bunch, and the rest of the songs were pretty fantastic. My personal favorites were "Let Down" and "Karma Police."

So Radiohead once again proves they are more than the song "Creep." Brilliant lyrical and production quality.

RATING: 4/5

837. Blur

Blur
Blur
1997

Tracks
1. Beetlebum
2. Song 2
3. Country Sad Ballad Man
4. MOR
5. On Your Own
6. Theme From Retro
7. You're So Great
8. Death Of A Party
9. Chinese Bombs
10. I'm Just A Killer For Your Love
11. Look Inside America
12. Strange News From Another Star
13. Movin' On
14. Essex Dogs

Noel Gallagher has been coming for my girl Taylor Swift hard lately in an attempt to be relevant again. So now I am determined to take Blur's side in this Oasis vs. Blur feud that nobody cares about anymore. After all, the enemy of my enemy is my casual acquaintance.

I liked this album, but I didn't love it. Blur is moving away from their Britpop sound and the results are a little cluttered. I appreciate that they are innovating their music (which Oasis never did), but it did lack focus.

At the same time, there were some really enjoyable songs, particularly the first two tracks of the album. Oh, and welcome to 1997!

RATING: 4/5

836. If You're Feeling Sinister

If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle and Sebastian
1996

Tracks
1. Stars Of Track And Field
2. Seeing Other People
3. Me And The Major
4. Like Dylan In The Movies
5. Fox In The Snow
6. Get Me Away From Here I'm Dying
7. If You're Feeling Sinister
8. Mayfly
9. Boy Done Wrong Again
10. Judy And The Dream Of Horses

I didn't realize there was another Belle and Sebastian album on this List, so this was a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, I think we are done for good now.

I actually liked this better than the previous entry, Tigermilk. Others will disagree, of course; they will view the lack of a random electronica track as proof that the band is compromising its sound. But I think they were still searching for their voice in Tigermilk, and this album is a lot more certain.

Just an amazing album from start to finish, and essential listening.

RATING: 5/5

835. 1977

1977
Ash
1996

Tracks
1. Lose Control
2. Goldfinger
3. Girl From Mars
4. I'd Give You Anything
5. Gone The Dream
6. Kung Fu
7. Oh Yeah
8. Let It Flow
9. Innocent Smile
10. Angel Interceptor
11. Lost In You
12. Darkside Lightside

I was familiar with the song "Girl From Mars" but the rest of the album was entirely new to me. Like most men their age, I guess they really like Star Wars.

I suppose some listeners might think the vocals have too much of a teen sound, but I didn't find the lead singer to be overly bratty.  I loved the youthful energy they brought to the music. You could tell they were committed to quality without taking themselves too seriously.

 

Catchy, accessible songs, which is all I ask for from my britpop. 

RATING: 4/5

834. The Score

The Score
The Fugees
1996

Tracks
1. Red Intro
2. How Many Mics
3. Ready Or Not
4. Zealots
5. The Beast
6. FU-GEE-LA
7. Family Business
8. Killing Me Softly With His Song
9. The Score
10. The Mask
11. Cowboys
12. No Woman, No Cry
13. Manifest/Outro
14. Fu-Gee-La (Refugee Camp Remix)
15. Fu-Gee-La (Sly & Robbie Mix)
16. Mista Mista
17. Fu-Gee-La (Refugee Camp Global Mix)

I grew up listening to this album. My older siblings would put it on in the car when they would drive me to school. Now it's even more timely. There's an entire song about how everybody wears a mask.

I think the highlight of this album is "Ready or Not" but I really enjoyed their covers too. Of course "No Woman, No Cry" is not as good as the original. It wasn't just a copy though, it was clearly a loving tribute. Okay, maybe four versions of the same track was excessive, but I enjoyed them all.  

Whenever people talk about Lauryn Hill I feel like they have to specify that she is really good female rapper. I think she's just a really good rapper.

RATING: 5/5

833. Antichrist Superstar

Antichrist Superstar
Marilyn Manson
1996

Tracks

1. Irresponsible Hate Anthem

2. The Beautiful People

3. Dried Up, Tied And Dead To The World

4. Tourniquet

5. Little Horn

6. Cryptorchid

7. Deformography

8. Wormboy

9. Mister Superstar

10. Angel With The Scabbed Wings

11. Kinderfeld

12. Antichrist Superstar

13. 1996

14. Minute Of Decay

15. The Reflecting God

16. Man That You Fear

17. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

18. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

19. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

20. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

21. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

22. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

23. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

24. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

25. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

26. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

27. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

28. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

29. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

30. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

31. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

32. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

33. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

34. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

35. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

36. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

37. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

38. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

39. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

40. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

41. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

42. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

43. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

44. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

45. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

46. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

47. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

48. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

49. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

50. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

51. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

52. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

53. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

54. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

55. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

56. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

57. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

58. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

59. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

60. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

61. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

62. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

63. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

64. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

65. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

66. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

67. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

68. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

69. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

70. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

71. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

72. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

73. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

74. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

75. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

76. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

77. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

78. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

79. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

80. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

81. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

82. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

83. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

84. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

85. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

86. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

87. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

88. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

89. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

90. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

91. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

92. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

93. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

94. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

95. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

96. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

97. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

98. Non-Musical Silence (Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

99. Untitled(Marilyn Manson/Antichrist Superstar)

Just looking at this album cover and track listing tells you how desperate this album is to prise a reaction from its audience. You must really have nothing to say if you need so many distractions from your actual music.

I guess metal isn't shocking to anybody in 1996 so they have to step up their weirdness game. Tracks 17 to 98 are about four seconds long of...nothing. You know you're a quality musician when you have to fill your album with gratuitous silence. I was only familiar with Marilyn Manson from the Bowling for Columbine documentary. He's a well spoken guy, but I still want him out of my face.

I guess the teenage boys who listen to this can feel like they are committing an act of rebellion simply by consuming this. But teenage boys have terrible taste, as evidenced by me never getting a date in high school. 

RATING: 1/5

832. First Band on the Moon

First Band on the Moon
The Cardigans
1996

Tracks
1. Your New Cuckoo
2. Been It
3. Heartbreaker
4. Happy Meal II
5. Never Recover
6. Step On Me
7. Lovefool
8. Losers
9. Iron Man
10. Great Divide
11. Choke

I know I have been grumpy with the last few posts (it's the music, I swear, not just me having having a case of the Mondays), but I think we are all in agreement that "Lovefool" is a helluva annoying song. The rest of the album isn't so bad, but that's a pretty big track to forgive.

I did like the vibe of the other tracks. The vocals were actually really sweet, which disguised the fact that these are fairly depressing songs. I can dig that. But I just can't get over "Lovefool," because now it is going to be stuck in my head all day, and my brain is in enough shambles as is. 

I guess it's a shame I am letting one song define a band. Sorry not sorry.

RATING: 3/5

831. Now I Got Worry

Now I Got Worry
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
1996

Tracks
1. Skunk
2. Identify
3. Wail
4. Fuck Shit Up
5. 2 Kindsa Love
6. Love All Of Me
7. Chicken Dog
8. Rocketship
9. Dynamite Lover
10. Hot Shot
11. Can't Stop
12. Firefly Child
13. Eyeballin'
14. B.L. Got Soul
15. Get Over Here
16. Sticky

This album begins with a man screaming and what was the goal of that? To set the bar so low that everything after it seemed really good in comparison? 

Well, it worked, so good job. Everything after it did seem better in comparison. At the very least, the melding of the blues and punk genres was interesting. I mean, it's still annoying, but at least it was different.

And so, our streak of meh albums continues. 

RATING: 3/5

830. Second Toughest In The Infants

Second Toughest In The Infants
Underworld
1996

Tracks
1. Juanita
2. Kiteless
3. To Dream Of Love
4. Banstyle/Sappys Curry
5. Confusion The Waitress
6. Rowla
7. Pearl's Girl
8. Air Towel
9. Blueski
10. Stagger

More electronica, which is even more intolerable because I am still reeling from having to listen to Logical Progression.

It's just so dull and bland, I don't understand how anybody can connect to it on an emotional level. I am also completely incapable of discerning this album from the many other electronica albums we've been subjected to on this List. 

So not my style of music, and a rather boring entry.

RATING: 2/5

829. Logical Progression

Logical Progression
L.T.J. Bukem
1996

Tracks

Disc: 1

1. Demons Theme
2. Links
3. Music
4. One and Only
5. Bringing Me Down
6. Dannys Song
7. Vocal Tune
8. Coolin' Out 
9. Western
10. Horizons

Disc: 2

1. Airtight [Remix]
2. New Element
3. Drum in a Grip 
4. Solution
5. In Too Deep
6. So Long
7. Pharaoh
8. After Hours
9. Groove Therapy
10. Mind Games

Is "chill out" music really supposed to be this excruciating? This album was 140 minutes. Honestly, what gives you the right?

This album begins with a sample from Ferris Bueller...and it's all pretty much downhill from there. I guess this is music to be played at sleek hair salons where everybody is sexy and mean. 

There is absolutely no reason why this is has to be 140 minutes. I think this sicko actually padded the length by looping tracks. But that might be my paranoia speaking, after a couple hours of this "music" I was feeling pretty desperate.

RATING: 1/5

828. Murder Ballads

Murder Ballads
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
1996

Tracks
1. Song Of Joy
2. Stagger Lee
3. Henry Lee
4. Lovely Creature
5. Where The Wild Roses Grow
6. The Curse Of Millhaven
7. The Kindness Of Strangers
8. Crow Jane
9. O'Malley's Bar
10. Death Is Not The End

So Nick Cave is a creepy weirdo, but somehow manages to be likably so. At least he is doing something different.

And that different thing is composing nine songs about horrible murders. He provides plenty of grisly details and tends to revel in the macabre. Then he ends the album with the song "Death Is Not End" which is surprisingly hopeful and sweet. That man has layers. 

There are also some pretty amazing collaborations here. Obviously an album is always improved by the presence of PJ Harvey. The song with Kylie Minogue was excellent as well. Worth listening to, and I'm glad there is more Nick Cave to come.

RATING: 4/5

827. Walking Wounded

Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
1996

Tracks
1. Before Today
2. Wrong
3. Single
4. Heart Remains a Child
5. Walking Wounded
6. Flipside
7. Big Deal
8. Mirrorball
9. Good Cop Bad Cop
10. Wrong [Todd Terry Remix]
11. Walking Wounded [Omni Trio Remix]

Tracey Thorn has such a lovely voice. I could listen to her perform any genre of music and likely be content. But she's also a very innovative artist and this album almost feels like a new style of music. Sophisticated pop meets trip hop. I'm down.

Naturally with that coupling, this isn't the most timeless entry on the List. But it's not necessarily a bad thing to be a product of your time, particularly in the 90s. I would say this is an improvement of the duo's previous album on the List, Idlewild. It's a little less sappy. Only a little.

Excellent vocals, and thoughtful lyrics, which is enough to make me happy.

RATING: 4/5

826. Everything Must Go

Everything Must Go
Manic Street Preachers
1996

Tracks
1. Elvis Impersonator: Blackpool Pier
2. A Design For Life
3. Kevin Carter
4. Enola/Alone
5. Everything Must Go
6. Small Black Flowers That Grow In the Sky
7. The Girl Who Wanted To Be God
8. Removables
9. Australia
10. Interiors (Song For Willem De Kooning)
11. Further Away
12. No Surface All Feeling

Well, that was certainly unexpected. After the previous Manic Street Preachers album on the List, The Holy Bible, I was anticipating something uber depressing that was not at all suitable for my current Friday bliss. This album turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I mean, it was still depressing but it was also much lighter than their last entry.

Their style has definitely transformed into something more accessible. Of course, in pursuing a more mainstream sound they sacrifice some of their individuality. Britpop isn't exactly a genre where musical innovation thrives.  But I think they still retain much of their edge and manage to create a very thoughtful album.

So it turns out I like Manic Street Preachers sans Richey James. Sorry, Richey, wherever you are.

RATING: 4/5

825. Tellin' Stories

Tellin' Stories
The Charlatans
1996

Tracks
1. With No Shoes
2. North Country Boy
3. Tellin' Stories
4. One To Another
5. You're A Big Girl Now
6. How Can You Leave Us
7. Area 51
8. How High
9. Only Teethin'
10. Get On It
11. Rob's Theme

The album cover makes it seem like these guys are trying to be the Beatles. But then once you listen to the music, you realize they are actually trying to be Oasis.

But I suppose Britpop on the whole is a rather derivative genre, so I should not begrudge the Charlatans too harshly for not sounding original. I actually enjoyed a few songs on the album but they weren't particularly memorable.

It's been a pretty "meh" stretch of albums lately, so I'm hoping something impressive comes along soon to shake things up.

RATING: 3/5

824. Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite
Maxwell
1996

Tracks
1. Urban Theme
2. Welcome
3. Sumthin' Sumthin'
4. Ascension (Don't Ever Wonder)
5. Dancewitme
6. Till The Cops Come Knockin'
7. Whenever Wherever Whatever
8. Lonely's The Only Company
9. Reunion
10. Suitelady
11. Suite Theme

There is something about the R&B genre that lends itself to cringe. This album is not without its merits, but it does come with a large portion of cheese.

But I'm American so I like cheese. We just had a similar album to this sound, Brown Sugar, that I think was better than this. But this still had some good tracks worth listening to. "Sumthin' Sumthin'" was not one of them.

Still, I'll take a fun album that occasionally misses the mark in terms of mood than some of the other pretentious drivel we've been subjected to on this List. At least it sounded like Maxwell was having a good time making it. 

RATING: 3/5

823. Come Find Yourself

Come Find Yourself
Fun Loving Criminals
1996

Tracks
1. The Fun Lovin' Criminal
2. Passive/Aggressive
3. The Grave and the Constant
4. Scooby Snacks
5. Smoke 'Em
6. Bombin' the L
7. I Can't Get with That
8. King of New York
9. We Have All the Time in the World
10. Bear Hug
11. Come Find Yourself
12. Crime and Punishment
13. Methadonia

I know I complain about hip hop a good deal, but there is actually the occasional hip hop album I enjoy. Case in point. So I don't despair of the genre completely like I do with heavy metal. I know I shouldn't live in the past, but I'm still smarting from yesterday's Sepultura experience.

This is an album very much of its time, which makes it very fun. "Scooby Snacks" in particular has a distinct 90s sound. It's also probably the highlight of the album (my other favorite was "Smoke 'Em") They weren't quite as clever in their lyrics as some other hip hop artists on this List, but their songs were catchy enough that it didn't matter.

It's a nice change of pace to get hip hop with the intensity dialed down a bit.

RATING: 3/5

822. Oedipus Schmoedipus

Oedipus Schmoedipus
Barry Adamson
1996

Tracks
1. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Pelvis
2. Something Wicked This Way Comes
3. The Vibes Ain't Nothin' But The Vibes
4. It's Business As Usual
5. Miles
6. Dirty Barry
7. In A Moment Of Clarity
8. Achieved In The Valley In The Dolls (Original Version)
9. Vermillion Kisses
10. The Big Bamboozle
11. State Of Contraction
12. The Sweetest Embrace
13. Set The Controls Again

We had a previous Barry Adamson album on the List that was an interesting concept:  a soundtrack for a non existent movie. I sort of thought he was a passing novelty, but apparently the Listmakers thought he was worthy of two precious spots on the List. I'm not so sure about that.

On the whole the album felt rather disjointed, with some tracks much better than others. But I can't imagine anybody playing any of these songs on repeat. Which of course isn't a requirement for an album to be on the List, but it does make it way less fun.

This album benefits from Nick Cave and Jarvis Cocker's touch, and you can't argue that this is unoriginal. Still, I find myself repulsed by him, because I know David Lynch is a fan. 

RATING: 2/5

821. Roots

Roots
Sepultura
1996

Tracks
1. Roots Bloody Roots
2. Attitude
3. Cut Throat
4. Ratamahatta
5. Breed Apart
6. Straighthate
7. Spit
8. Lookaway
9. Dusted
10. Born Stubborn
11. Jasco
12. Itsari
13. Ambush
14. Endangered Species
15. Dictatorshit
16. Canyon Jam

What did I do to deserve this? I'm a pretty good person who keeps her head down. I never talked loudly during movies, back when going to the movies was still a thing. I don't honk my horn at people driving, even when I should and not doing so is dangerous for both of us. I recycle when it is entirely convenient for me. All I'm trying to say is, I shouldn't have to put up with so much metal.

I really just don't enjoy this style of music. Towards the middle, it started to sound a little more Brazilian, which at least was a little variation. But there was still so much screaming. I could do without the screaming.

Another entirely skippable metal album to throw on the dung heap. 

RATING: 1/5

820. Being There

Being There
Wilco
1996

Tracks
1. Misunderstood
2. Forget The Flowers
3. I Got You (At The End Of The Century)
4. Red Eyed And Blue
5. Was I In Your Dreams
6. Dreamer In My Dreams
7. Lonely One
8. Why Would You Wanna Live
9. Kingpin
10. Someone Else's Song
11. Outta Mind (Outta Sight)
12. Someday Soon
13. Sunken Treasure
14. Say You Miss Me
15. Hotel Arizona
16. What's The World Got In Store
17. Far Far Away
18. Monday

I have my posts labeled by year, genre, and rating. Yes, I realize I should have organized by artist name. But you can't make me go back and change it now, you're not my dad! The point is, I struggled to determine what genre label I should use for this one.

I settled on "alternative country" but I think an argument could be made this was a blues album or some thing of psychedelic rock. I really enjoyed it, with my favorite track being "Lonely One."

This is a fairly long album at 76 minutes, but oddly it didn't drag. Wilco has such a wide variety of styles that the music was constantly changing and evolving into something new. I highly doubt the same will be true of the next album, which is a 72 minute long heavy metal album. Egads.

RATING: 4/5

819. Tidal

Tidal
Fiona Apple
1996

Tracks
1. Sleep To Dream
2. Sullen Girl
3. Shadowboxer
4. Criminal
5. Slow Like Honey
6. The First Taste
7. Never Is A Promise
8. The Child Is Gone
9. Pale September
10. Carrion

Is it a shock to anybody that I absolutely adored this? 

Lyrically and vocally, my girl was on point. It might sound a bit immature compared to her later work, but I like my other girl, Taylor Swift (I'm a bit of a womanizer), she captures those awkward growing pains well. This isn't as bratty as someone like Alanis Morissette or Tori Amos, but it's just as charming.

An impressive album, all the more so because it was her debut.

RATING: 5/5

818. Casanova

Casanova
The Divine Comedy
1996

Tracks
1. Something for the Weekend
2. Becoming More Like Alfie
3. Middle-Class Heroes
4. In & Out of Paris & London
5. Charge
6. Songs of Love
7. The Frog Princess
8. A Woman of the World
9. Through A Long & Sleepless Night
10. Theme From Casanova
11. The Dogs & The Horses

I didn't expect to enjoy this album, and in a different mood I might not have liked it. But by the sixth track I was really into this, which doesn't always happen with me and britpop. 

I suppose it wasn't the most original album on the List. But that's a common problem with britpop as a genre, I suppose. There aren't a lot of innovative artists exploring this style of music. But it was still enjoyable, and not every album needs to reinvent the wheel.

The lyrics were smart and sexy, which is always a winning combination. Worth listening to but perhaps not essential.

RATING: 4/5

817. Beautiful Freak

Beautiful Freak
Eels
1996

Tracks
1. Novocaine For The Soul
2. Susan's House
3. Rags To Rags
4. Beautiful Freak
5. Not Ready Yet
6. My Beloved Monster
7. Flower
8. Guest List
9. Mental
10. Spunky
11. Your Lucky Day In Hell
12. Manchild

I'm a bit ashamed to admit I recognized one of these songs from the Shrek soundtrack. I wish I could say that I knew Eels outside of that, but on this blog we drop all pretensions (for pretensions, please see my book blog). 

But I did enjoy getting to know this band with this album. The first half was definitely stronger, but the entire album was pretty good. My favorites were "Novocaine For The Soul" and "Susan's House," but "Beautiful Freak" was also catchy as hell. 

I loved the vocals, and just the entire vibe of this album. Including the cover art. 

RATING: 4/5