a blog about a lot of things

10. Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister -1996 -Scotland Why: The Belle and Sebastian indie-pop might be something entirely new or a throwback to 80's music like The Smiths. It was different but familiar. (lack of) Romance and childhood sadness, dealt with by the characters in the form of walks of solitude and reading. It was resonant with many then;as it still is now. Example Tracks: Seeing Other People; The Boy Done Wrong Again 9. The Verve - A Northern Soul -1995 -England Why: Intense and full of songs that can only be described as anthemic. You feel the hurt, the isolation, the drug-filled recording sessions. It's said too much that artists put it all in the record, like catharsis. But The Verve let it out, and it's great to hear all that turmoil of young men feeling so very old. Example Tracks: History, On Your Own 8. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral - 1994 -USA Why: A good industrial album that sold enough to go quadruple platinum. S...

I don't really rate bands unless they're great in concert. So I'm making a list of who I want to see in concert. Only rules are they must be still together and still touring (have had a tour in the last five years or one upcoming). Unusually, this list is in order. I'm not giving too much justification. Just one live video of the band. 15. Adele http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c753SCmy614 14. Muse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ggNOb2oFn8 13. Arcade Fire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtbrY6QrgPw 12.Mumford and Sons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsjo15AgTaU 11. The Kooks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iffz77kial4 10. Andrea Bocelli http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcrfvP11Hbo 9.The Cure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkeDzUVq1BM 8. John Mayer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJzGtzGydtQ 7.Eric Clapton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtLhPeLB9bA 6. Elton John http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EtCrHBq7Ds 5. U2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWBKBkEJQRk 4. Snow Patrol http://www...

30. The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land -1997 -USA Why: Probably the best album from The Prodigy.Heavy use of samples, which was innovate for the time, and at that time the band were the leaders in electronic/dance music. There's enough rock in it to appeal to a mass audience (of rock listeners) and that caused enough buying to send electronica mainstream. Example Tracks: Breathe, Firestarter, Smack My Bitch Up 29. Weezer -Weezer(the blue album) -1994 -USA Why: Geek rock. The only people singing about love songs that weren't thoroughly depressing in the grunge early 90's. Not that they didn't channel that heartbreak-emo vibe, they just didn't sound like they didn't. Because they had the melodic ideal. Example Tracks: Buddy Holly,Say It Ain't So 28. Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible -1994 -Wales Why: A bit of depression and anxiety, a bit of anti-right-wing totalitarianism and overall concern about the bleak state of the world. It's a work of genius ...

20. Radiohead - Idioteque (2000) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX-fDKWGbRs Why: The entry into electronic beats. Unclear lyrics, possibly apocalyptic and dealing with war, climate change and technology uprising. Weird how it all falls together so perfectly. 19. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psbs_8kkWqg Why: Proof that you don't have to depart from simplicity to still have a good song. Same guitar riff through most of the song until the solo kicks in. But it's the (much-debated) drumming of Meg White that gives the song its impact. 18. Arcade Fire - Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels) - 2004 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz-WDk7Tbsc&feature=related Why: A fantasy world where there are no parents and no adult problems in a town buried under the snow, with a tunnel connecting two people. The song builds slowly until all the instruments and voices enter into a sing-along which is both joyful and melancholy. 17. Outkast - B.O.B. (Bombs Ove...

30. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (2009) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8m55NDHvPY Why: Usually synthpop is forgettable but every now and again an excellent track turns up. Karen O went from punk idol to glam superstar with this song. Put this on and you can feel the in tune with your adolescence again. 29. Coldplay - Fix You (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrceZxL8r8 Why: Chris Martin thinks it's 'probably the most important we've written'. A sentimental rock ballad which delivers words of encouragement while having sympathy for the downtrodden. Add in the sing-along and it's completely song for the people. 28. Kanye West - Jesus Walks (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYF7H_fpc-g&ob=av3n Why: Criticize the media for not embracing songs about faith during a massive hit song about the same topic, extensively played by the said media. You can't make that up. Be positive with the lyrics, but have an awesome beat to make it popular- that's the lesson. ...

80. Between the Buried and Me - Selkies :The Endless Obsession (2005) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKQSe3TatPQ Why: A song that showcases BTBAM's style of merging multiple genres. It starts out as progressive, turns into metalcore, has moment of death metal and then ends up as alternative. 79. Sizzla - Just One of Those Days (2002) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvKme7NmzMA Why: Sizzla somehow manages to put out about two albums a year. But from 2002-2004 every album was excellent. No one did the sad songs better than he did and the lyrics from this apt break-up song are soaked in reality. 78. Muse - Knights of Cydonia (2006) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8WP7aOD_9Q&ob=av2n Why: An upbeat guitar track about making your own chances and controlling your destiny. A bit of crazy space rock which is exemplified by the intro coming from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. 77. Dizzee Rascal - Fix up, Look Sharp (2003) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZGvnI37mxk Why: Took a samp...