A Favorite 150 Albums: The Finale: Part 3 50-1
So here is the final part of the list ranging form 50 to 1. I had a lot of fun doing this and encourage others to do the same. If there is something you have not listened to on this list then I obviously encourage you to check it out! The formatting on a few of the descriptions may be a bit odd because I had to screw around with word count. If any of the links do not work, please let me know. If you have actually been reading all of this the whole way through then I thank you greatly for that! Genre on top, description in middle, favorite songs/song link on bottom. |
| 51 |  | Kyuss
Welcome to Sky Valley
*Desert Rock/Stoner Rock*
“Welcome to Sky Valley” is the one to beat out “Loveless.” Who would have thought? “Welcome…” is a one monster of an album. It’s a desert rock train that ain’t stopping for nothing. It’ll make your head bob to slick grooves, guaranteed. One of the very few downsides I can say is that it is a bit cheesy, but whether that gives it charm is for you to decide.
Favs: Supa Scoopa and the Mighty Scoop / Space Cadet / Whitewater
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcY3UF6_IaM |
| 50 |  | Elliott Smith
Either/Or
*Indie/Lo-fi*
Another Elliott Smith album, and let me tell you, this one can be a downer. It’s a trip through the depressed mind of a troubled soul. Smith’s voice is subtle but powerful. If you are unfamiliar with Smith’s work, this is a great place to start. It’s everything fans love about him and more. It is also widely considered to be his magnum opus.
Favs: 2:45am / Angeles / Say Yes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psLhTyj1sAY |
| 49 |  | Death
Leprosy
*Death Metal*
Seriously people, “Leprosy” is up there as one of Death’s best. It’s a no nonsense death metal album from start to finish. It features some killer instrumentation and my favorite Chuck vocal performance. It is not as popular as “Sound of Perseverance” or “Symbolic” but it is just as good.
Favs: Pull the Plug / Choke on it / Open Casket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg2SiFqQw8Q |
| 48 |  | Black Sabbath
Paranoid
Heavy Metal/Doom*
The most well known Sabbath record next to “Master of Reality.” With this said, it may come as no surprise that “Paranoid” contains many of the band’s best riffs. Despite being a guitar driven album, the rest of the group should not be shut out as their performances are also fantastic. A metal classic.
Favs: Iron Man / War Pigs / Planet Caravan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owt3depq2o |
| 47 |  | High on Fire
Death Is This Communion
*Sludgy Stoner Metal*
Matt Pike Sleeps no More
The Metal will Never Die
Evil Never Sleeps
Favs: Death is this Communion / Turk / Fury Whip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M1l0BbddIo
(This’ll be my last haiku as I am getting close to the end and would like to really talk about these next albums). |
| 46 |  | Pete Rock and CL Smooth
Mecca and the Soul Brother
*Jazzy Hip Hop*
An album from the “golden age” of hip hop. It is a collaboration between rapper C.L. Smooth and producer Pete Rock. “The Mecca…” is not as famous as famous as, say, “The chronic” or something but it is a very smart jazzy hip hop album in its own right. Smooth avoids profanity here, making the album less aggressive but more fun than others in the genre. Pete’s production is crisp and clean propelling the album to great heights.
Favs: Ghettos of the Mind / It’s Like That / T.R.O.Y.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ4EVnAxHIc |
| 45 |  | Hammock
Kenotic
*Ambient*
Hammock are a band (duo) that everyone should know. They create some of the most peaceful music I’ve ever heard. Kenotic is their debut Lp and surely one of their best. The album is more structured than other ambient works but still gives the listener enough room to interpret the music for him/herself. There is also very rare use of vocals on Kenotic. They are used so effectively however that Hammock makes their presence feel important and meaningful rather than out of place.
Favs: Blankets of Night / The Air Between Us / Stars in the Rearview Mirror
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAi7SfivVn8 |
| 44 |  | *shels
Plains Of The Purple Buffalo
*Post Rock/Post Metal*
“Plains of the Purple Buffalos” is a massive album. Its use of grand guitar tone, trumpets, and pounding drums gives the listener a powerful but beautiful atmosphere. Vocalist Mehdi Safa soars over songs and makes everything feel...bigger. “Plains... “ is rarely heavy so people who may not have been a fan of *shel’s debut may want to try this out instead. The main point to take home here is that this album is grand in scale.
Favs: Butterflies on Luci’s Way / Plains of the Purple Buffalo Part 2 / Searching for Zihuatanejo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRsfK3YvD-8 |
| 43 |  | The Mayan Factor
In Lake 'CH
*Progressive Rock*
One of the more unique albums I’ve listened to. “In Lake ‘Ch” combines elements of acoustic prog rock, post rock, and even rap which shouldn’t work at all but strangely does. My favorite aspect of “In Lake ‘Ch” has to be the vocalist. I just personally really like his tone and style. Unfortunately, he passed away and the band has been split up since.
Favs: Warflower / Beauty and the Beast / Son of Sam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkxjPjmUyBQ |
| 42 |  | Led Zeppelin
Physical Graffiti
*Hard Rock/Rock and Roll*
My favorite Led Zeppelin album is this one right here. “Physical Graffiti” is the last great Zeppelin Lp and is their most mature effort. The band experiments with more instruments here than previous albums making every song feel distinct. The only downside to this rock and roll behemoth is its length which is a staggering 80 minutes. That may not sound THAT bad, but for a rock album (whose length is usually around 40 minutes), it’s pretty damn long.
Favs: Trampled Under Foot / Custard Pie / Boogie With Stu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftknR1gf9qw |
| 41 |  | Ozric Tentacles
Become the Other
*Psychedelic Prog Rock/Electronic*
Ozric Tentacles’ greatest achievement. “Become the Other” is everything fans love about the band perfected. The first half of the album is more electronic than the second half, making the album feel like it is progressing and morphing before your ears. Bass work is stunning and (like I stated on “Jurassic Shift”) you’ll find something new every time you listen to this. It is one of my all time favorite progressive/jam rock albums.
Favs: Neurochasm / Cat DNA / Vibuthi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WphuQ_6wgc |
| 40 |  | Talk Talk
Spirit of Eden
*Post Rock*
“Spirit of Eden” marked a drastic change in sound for Talk Talk. It is slower, more spiritual, and much more mature than their debut. Critics at the time of its release denounced the album, calling it pretentious trash. Today, it is considered a classic and one of the albums credited with the creation of post rock. What I find most interesting is that despite being one of the first post rock records in history and the band having no other artists to work off of to perfect this style, it still remains one of the best in the genre.
Favs: Eden / I Believe in You / The Rainbow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FR45WPnM3qU |
| 39 |  | The American Dollar
A Memory Stream
*Electronic/Post Rock*
This album is about as warm and gorgeous as its cover art. It is an upbeat electronic/post rock album that is perfect for a rainy afternoon. It is one of the most chill Lps I’ve heard from an artist making use of guitars, synths, and piano. Unfortunately, the rest of their discog is not as good as this (with the exception of “Technicolour Sleep,” which you should check if you happen to like this).
Favs: The Slow Wait Pt 2 / Anything you Synthesize / Bump
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSU49AFzgtw |
| 38 |  | Electric Wizard
Come My Fanatics...
*Doom Metal/Stoner Metal*
“Come my Fanatics” is one of the heaviest albums of the 90s. Electric Wizard step up their game here and put out a darker, heavier, and more rifftastic album than their debut. It can even be a bit spacey at times making songs feel even denser. If you’re looking for experimentation, then you may want to look elsewhere as this is not the most diverse album. I don’t mind this though as I love this style and the more of it the better!
Favs: Solarian 13 / Doom Mantra / Return Trip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7Tfjq8fFCE |
| 37 |  | Oceansize
Effloresce
*Progressive Rock/Post Rock*
“Effloresce” is the marvelous debut album by progressive rockers Oceansize. What I love about “effloresce” is that it is not afraid to rock out but be beautiful at the same time. Big fan of the vocalist here and the melodies may just melt your soul on the slower tracks. You may catch yourself singing along or feel like you’re floating within minutes of each other. It is less “all over the place” than traditional prog rock albums, which also may be why I enjoy this so much.
Favs: Women Who Love Men Who Love Drugs / Massive Bereavement / Amputee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xakusOLnvPk |
| 36 |  | Pink Floyd
Meddle
*Psychedelic Prog Rock*
When people think of Pink Floyd, they think of “Dark of the Moon” and everything after it. “Meddle” is sadly never given the praise it deserves (maybe by fans but not by everyone). It is their most psychedelic effort and, in my opinion, is where Pink Floyd really became a top tier band. At first listen, I was rather underwhelmed. Let me tell you though, it grew on me very hard. I now consider it up there in quality with Floyd’s more famous albums. For casual fans of Floyd who only really listened to “Dark Side…” or “The Wall,” this album may not be for you. Just being honest. The final song “Echoes” is my favorite Pink Floyd song.
Favs: Echoes / One of These Days / A Pillow of Winds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm0VBWnUhvU |
| 35 |  | Rosetta
Wake/Lift
*Post Metal/”Metal for Astronauts”
* Wow. What an important album in terms of my evolution of musical taste. After listening to “Wake” for the first time I was blown away. I had never listened to something so aggressive yet graceful at the same time before. I decided to check out the whole album and BOOM. Instant favorite of mine. Wake/Lift was my first exposure to post metal yet still remains one of my all time favorites of the genre. It focuses heavily on spacey atmospheres and guitar twinkling. Some may not be a fan of the “twinkliness” of the band but I personally see it as a major plus.
Favs: Wake / Monument / Temet Nosce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5jvKYd0Pl8 |
| 34 |  | Humanfly
II
*Spacey Post Metal/Sludge Metal*
I like to consider Humanfly as the hidden gem of metal. Their quality and diversity is astonishing. “II” is Humanfly’s first album and their crack at heavy, spacey, sludge metal. “II” will reel you in with soothing melodies and then pummel you with crushing heaviness. The riffs on this bad boy are straight fire and may make you want to kick babies. Vocals are used but sparingly and don’t sidetrack any of the songs. Check this album (band) out, it’s a good ass time.
Favs: Another Week in the Theme Park of Death / Nenhuns Deuses Nenhuns Mestres / Marakech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZSorkofwoY |
| 33 |  | Madvillain
Madvillainy
*Hip Hop*
“Madvillainy” is the collaboration album between MF DOOM and Madlib. It is a classic of the rap genre and the best work from both participants. MF DOOM uses his signature rap style and odd lyricism with the help of Madlib’s engaging and varied production. This was my first exposure to DOOM as well as Madlib, who quickly became favorites of mine. I got lot of respect for this Lp and is a modern rap album you’ll not wanna miss.
Favs: All Caps / Money Folder / Meat Grinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm-3rnRbJ-I |
| 32 |  | The Mars Volta
Amputechture
*Progressive Rock/Jazz Fusion*
Hold up. “Amputechture?” “AMPUTECHTURE?” You’re goddamn right. There is no other Mars Volta album I like as much as this. I will not deny it is chaotic and disorganized but my brain sees something in this. It’s catchy, fun, and I find Cedric’s ridiculous lyrics and vocal performance wildly entertaining. There is always something new to find in this. Highly recommended for those with short attention spans.
Favs: Vicarious Atonement / Meccamputechture / Tetragrammaton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUoP7QvaxF8 |
| 31 |  | Tool
Lateralus
*Progressive Metal*
If you are new to this website, be prepared to see this album a lot. I am thankful I knew about this album before joining this site, as the Sputnik hivemind flocks this one like mindless sheep and may have turned me off to it had I not heard it before. Anyway, “Lateralus” is the third studio Lp by influential progressive metal quartet Tool. It is a masterpiece of the genre featuring brilliant instrumentation, and a unique performance by vocalist Maynard James Keenan. It is a very introspective listen and sets itself (very far) apart from other soulless prog metal albums.
Favs: Disposition / The Patient / Parabol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LozljN-3fWI |
| 30 |  | Balboa/Rosetta
Project Mercury
*Hardcore/Spacey Post Metal*
Yes I know. It’s a split, not an Lp. But I really felt wrong not putting this SOMEWHERE. Balboa’s contribution to the split is fantastic in its own right but jesus, Rosetta’s side is the best post metal I’ve ever heard. Everything I love about Rosetta is there; Emotion, occasional crushing heaviness, great musicianship, you name it. Again, I like Balboa’s side considerably but if this was just the last three songs, it would be the hardest 5 I’d ever 5.
Favs: Clavius / TMA1 / Project Mercury
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNXjjIhnHKQ |
| 29 |  | Journal
Unlorja
*Technical Death Metal/Wank*
Let’s get one thing straight. Unlorja is dumb. Very dumb actually. In fact, I have no idea how this album is so far up here. The thing is though, is that I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t have it here because I love this album so much. It’s a ridiculous technical death metal record based around a video game story the band made up. It’s fun, the band is crazy talented, and is made up of surprisingly awesome songs. Hell, even the interludes are actually pretty damn sick. If you have no musical shame and like wacky tech death, then you may just dig this.
Favs: Viela / Conducting With Passion from the Grave / A Remarkable Abomination
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmCwEgXscA |
| 28 |  | Edge of Sanity
Purgatory Afterglow
*Death Metal*
Edge of Sanity bring you a metal album for the ages. It is quite sad it is not up there in popularity with other progressive death metal classics like “Blackwater Park” and ”Focus” because it is just as good, if not better! Edge of Sanity are able to change up their style from song to song on “Purgatory Afterglow” while still maintaining a sound that is wholefully theirs. Dan Swano is an impressive vocalist able to switch between non-cliched cleans and brutal gutturals. The riffs and solos on this one are also awesome. This is the predecessor to “Crimson,” the album widely regarded as EoS’s best. I beg to differ, but “Crimson” is also pretty damn great.
Favs: Blood Colored / Twilight / Black Tears
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP4Lhe6E7YY |
| 27 |  | Death
Human
*Death Metal*
Yet another Death album on the list (but the last, sorry “Symbolic” fans). If you’ve actually been reading this, you may have figured out that I think Death’s take on...well...death metal...is no f’n joke. This is their greatest Lp in my opinion. I just love everything about it; The riffs, the solos, the drumming, the bass work, Chuck’s awesome pipes, the whole damn thing. It’s just a crazy good death metal album. (For real though, Human > Leprosy > TSoP > Symbolic. I’m not even sorry).
Favs: Suicide Machine / Cosmic Sea / Flattening of Emotions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSwIDKmCzeE&index=1&list=PLlpsJiGuS_nOn6Qvl35ik4X1AN7b7WlhM |
| 26 |  | Porcupine Tree
Stupid Dream
*Progressive Rock*
Sometimes I feel weird saying I think this is one of the best prog rock albums I’ve heard. Nothing else Porcupine Tree has done has really wow’d me aside from maybe “In Absentia.” I’m not particularly fond Steven Wilson either. But I can’t let things like that affect my opinion of the music itself. And the music itself is wonderful. Wilson’s vocals are great here and the songs are simply very well put together. This being a progressive rock album, you can imagine this making use of a wide array of instruments, and it does. Everything is used in moderation though and never feels cheesy. Guitars here are never really heavy and are 50/50 between acoustic and electric. I see this as a good thing because I don’t think heavy metal fits Wison at all.
Favs: Baby Dream in Cellephane / Stranger by the Minute / Piano Lessons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_SSPtDx2Bo |
| 25 |  | Converge
Jane Doe
*Chaotic Hardcore*
Another album newcomers to this site may see a lot as well as another album I am grateful for knowing about before I joined. “Jane Doe” is arguably the greatest hardcore album ever made. Jacob Bannon is a...unique vocalist. His blood curdling screeches are not for everyone but for those who do like them/tolerate them, you can actually find some rather interesting and poetic lyrics underneath them. To me, Bannon’s vocals are vicious and full of passion. The rest of the band play their heart out here. Kurt Ballou’s riffs and production are insane. Drummer Ben Koller and bassist Nate Newman also give tight performances. “Jane Doe” is the embodiment of what hardcore is all about.
Favs: Jane Doe / Thaw / The Broken Vow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoOLem3QYP4 |
| 24 |  | A Perfect Circle
Thirteenth Step
*Alt Rock*
“Thirteenth Step” was a little different than A Perfect Circle’s debut “Mer De Noms” It is less riff-centric and more subdued. I saw this as a major plus when I first heard it because I love Tool and APC’s slower and more simplistic songs. With “Thirteenth Step” there is much more emotion to be felt by Maynard than the debut. He still uses his signature style but because the rest of the band are playing in their own original way, it never sounds like a band just trying to be Tool. The album is much more attractive than the album cover, I promise.
Favs: The Noose / Blue / Gravity
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cDdMZ2K9o0 |
| 23 |  | The Ocean
Precambrian
*Progressive Post Metal/Sludge*
“Precambrian” was the last album by before The Ocean stopped being a “collective.” There are a lot of collaborators on this album, each giving their own original performances and contributions. The album is divided into two parts. The straightforward first side and the experimental second side. The heavy first half of the album mixes sludge and hardcore punk. When the band is done pummeling you with fast blasts of angry and heavy music, it switches things up and turns into a progressive (and even at times orchestral) post metal album. Like I stated before, there are a lot of people working together on this beast. Every song feels distinct and is a pleasure to hear. It is by far The Ocean’s best work.
Favs: Ectasian / Orosirian / Stenian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wndQP7CQoiw |
| 22 |  | maudlin of the Well
Bath
*”Avant Garde”/Progressive Metal*
“Bath” is part one of a two part album. While its brother album “Leaving your Body Map” is also a great listen, I prefer “Bath.” Toby Driver and company deliver you a stand out in avant garde metal. It has everything you’d expect from a band like this except expertly polished. No band member here gets overplayed. Toby’s dorky cleans yet shrilling growls are not something a listener may fall in love with fast but give them time and they may grow on you tremendously. Guitars, drumming and bass are not to be scoffed at here as they are played with tight efficiency. No member tries to outshine the other. Trumpets, flutes, and pianos are welcome additions to the album and give it a little extra something.
Favs: Geography / Heaven and Weak / The Ferryman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnDS_socrck |
| 21 |  | A Bunny's Caravan
Draining Puddles, Retrieving Treasures
*Emo/Indie/Post Rock*
I’m not going to sugarcoat anyone here. I found this album trough Sputnik and I really don’t think I would have found it otherwise. The album mixes traditional emo with post rock perfectly. Unfortunately, the band never even got to play a single show. The album was written, recorded, and released and then guess what? The band broke up. “The greatest band to never exist.” is the best way I saw a user describe these guys. The good news though, is that this album is amongst the finest in its genre. It catchy as all hell but full of emotion and great lyrics. The vox are rather accessible and not as grating like many other emo bands. Melodies are quite, for lack of a better word, pretty. A highly recommended “underground” classic.
Favs: Inclosed by Skies / Cartwheels Into the Abyss / My Attic Replace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKZJTw6uZd0 |
| 20 |  | Rosetta
A Determinism of Morality
*Hardcore/Post Metal*
Rosetta finally embrace their hardcore influences and write a hardcore/post metal album hybrid. The atmosphere here can be beautiful but devastating at the same time. Armine’s vocals are as passionate as ever and BJ solidifies himself as one of the best drummers in the metal scene. Original listens were not that enjoyable as I was bitter that the band was deviating from their spacey post metal roots. I grew to love the album later though. Coming to realize that this may not be the same Rosetta I first heard but it is still them and this album, no matter what genre it is, is actually brilliant. The new musical direction gave the band a unique and original sound of their own (and it paid off handsomely). It’s even got some sick cover art to boot.
Favs: A Determinism of Morality / Ayil / Renew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlOFUhNDsfI |
| 19 |  | Godspeed You! Black Emperor
F#A# (Infinity)
*Post Rock*
If you like post rock and have not heard of Godspeed at this point, you may have been living under a rock. I don’t know how to type an infinity symbol on a keyboard and I’m too lazy to find out so I’ll just call this “F#” for now. “Many people seem to believe “F#” is Godspeed’s attempt at creating a soundtrack for the apocalypse. What is interesting is that I really can’t think of any other way to describe this. It is haunting yet beautiful. Subtle yet massive. The atmosphere on “F#” is unparalleled compared many other traditional post rock albums. The album is bittersweet in a way; It is gloomy and depressing but there is a hint of hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. If you have not listened to this yet then I suggest you do. Be warned though, the album is an hour and change long but consists of a measly three songs. You need to listen to the whole thing in succession to really grasp it.
Favs: all three songs…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Ty3YnWN80 |
| 18 |  | Electric Wizard
Dopethrone
*Doom/Stoner Metal/Riffpocalypse*
Speaking of apocalypse soundtracks, Electric Wizard take a shot at creating one too. And hot damn is it awesome. “Dopethrone” is Electric Wizard’s best Lp and chock full of some of the best riffs Stoner/Doom metal has to offer. The guitars are loud and fuzzy while vocalist Jus Oborn wails his guts out, more so than any other album in their discography. This monster of an album is pretty heavy and could be appreciated by most metal fans. While this whole thing sounds rather straightforward (and it is, I won’t deny that), there is some experimentation going on here. The majority of “Weird Tales” is ambient and doesn’t feature much riffing. Also some tracks are a bit darker than others, making the band feel a little less cheesy.
Favs: Barbarian / I, The Witchfinder / Funeralopolis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdkbqgAmto |
| 17 |  | Lvmen
Mondo
*Post Hardcore/Post Rock/Post Metal*
“Mondo” is a really interesting album. It has a lot going on but is not chaotic or disjointed in any way, shape or form. “Mondo” can serenade you with tranquil guitar notes, make you bob your head to some great riffs, or even have you scream along with the band to post hardcore/punk sections. Some clean parts of the album are even reminiscent of “Eye of Every Storm” era Neurosis. The band makes good use of sampling here (and on their other albums as well, it’s kind of their shtick) to add to the more atmospheric song sections It should be noted that vocals are seldom used here and only show up at song climaxes, which is a plus for me. Lvmen were quite a band and it is a shame they never got much recognition.
Favs: XIII, IX, XIII
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u6AUeS3Rr8 |
| 16 |  | *shels
Sea of the Dying Dhow
*Post Metal/Rock*
*shels secured their position as one of my favorite post rock bands to exist after “Plains of the Purple Buffalo.” It was this album though, that started it all. “Sea…” is just as epic as their sophomore effort but in different ways. “Sea…” is heavier but not as monotonous. *shels start off the album with the massive “Conference of the Birds” making use of wailing guitar chords and trumpets. It eventually shifts into a more metal focused album with the title track and “White Umbrella.” The album does take a more laidback approach with “Water” but it is a welcome addition to change things up. LIstening to this is like looking out into a vast plain or ocean. You just take all of it in and embrace how big it is.
Favs: Conference of the Birds / In Dead Palm Fields / Indian Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlHSEiociJs |
| 15 |  | Talk Talk
Laughing Stock
*Post Rock*
One of the most spiritual post rock albums to grace my ears. “Laughing Stock” follows a similar path to it’s predecessor “Spirit of Eden.” Talk Talk take a very minimal approach here. There is never a lot going on during songs, but don’t take this as a bad thing. The reliance on emotion and the band’s sophistication is what carries this album. Notes are always played at the perfect time and vocalist Mark Hollis gives listeners a heartfelt and honest performance. “Laughing Stock” is ironically anything but. It is a classic and my personal favorite post rock album of the 90s.
Favs: After the Flood / New Grass / Ascension Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuYNidNgQic |
| 14 |  | Humanfly
Awesome Science
*Progressive Rock/Jam Metal/Post Rock*
After this album released, Humanfly earned a spot amongst my favorite bands of all time. I remember stating during my “II” blurb that this band did something different every album. “Awesome Science” is their most drastic change in sound, but by no means a sell out. If anything, it’s the opposite. “Awesome Science” has no harsh vocals or face melting sludgy heaviness. Expert musical precision and progressive tendencies now take the stage. The band switches between psychedelic soundscapes, heavy prog riffing and jam rock soloing. John Sutcliffe does not rely on his (rather unique) vocal melodies to carry songs along. Instead he uses his voice as if it is just another instrument in the fray. The riffs and bass on this are top notch, not to mention the solos. Oh my god, the solos…
Favs: Golden Arrows / Frozen in Time, Billions of Lightyears Away / The Apple that Never Fell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fmj1_gWw3E |
| 13 |  | Space Invaders
Dreadnought
*Psychedelic Space Rock/Ambient*
My personal 2015 AOTY. “Dreadnaught” is not an album to casually listen to. It is an 80 minute journey through the cosmos. I’m not even kidding. This album is like f’n surfing through the universe on surfboard made saturn rings and stars. “Dreadnaught” doesn’t riff often like other psych rock bands and instead relies on ambience and tasty guitar improv to gently guide you through it. This Lp should be digested as a whole to get the full experience. There are some traditional elements to this record however, like the riff centric “Jolly Roger and the High Speed Groove” or the standard but effective drumming heard track to track. “Dreadnaught” is a masterfully crafted piece of instrumental psychedelic rock that I felt wrong not placing in my top 50, despite only coming out this year. Czech it.
Favs: The Gap You Leave Behind / Two Skulls / Out in the Madness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2P0sfzWD0I |
| 12 |  | Stevie Wonder
Songs in the Key of Life
*Soul/Blues/Funk*
Ooo baby, I always love giving this a spin. This is, without question, my favorite Stevie Wonder album. You may not find a more loving and honest album in soul music. Stevie’s voice and musicianship are as impeccable as ever. Lyrics sometimes tend to be repeated with increasing intensity and passion (something i’ve always liked about Wonder’s singing approach). If you feel the rhythm and let it run through you, you’ll be shaking your head to the lyrics and beats in no time. It is obvious that this one of my all time favorite albums, but the top ten cut has to be somewhere. Sorry “Songs in the Key of Life,” I love ya, but you just missed it.
Favs: Joy Inside My Tears / I Wish / Love’s in Need of Love Today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k3pYwFlr_I |
| 11 |  | Blueneck
King Nine
*Post Rock/Alt Rock*
And so it begins. The top ten. If you’ve been actually reading these and withstanding my bad jokes and grammar then I commend you. Blueneck are a band that I’ve always seen potential in. I was a fan of their debut “Scars of the Midwest” but I felt that their quality was steadily declining since. Then “King Nine” happened and all that potential that I knew was there sprang up higher than I ever anticipated. “King Nine” is depressing, haunting, beautiful and diverse all at the same time. As I’ve said many times already, I usually prefer a scarce amount of vocals in my post rock. Ironically though, more vocals were exactly what this band needed. Vocalist Ben Green is strangely monotonous but very endearing. Songs usually start simple but build and build until the ideas are fully realized then fade out at the perfect time.
Favs: Sirens / King Nine / Broken Fingers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzz6OwAgjYw |
| 10 |  | Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here
*Psychedelic Prog Rock*
F you “DSOTM.” this the best Floyd album. Pink Floyd took a big risk with this one. After the astonishing success of “DSOTM,” many people (myself included) may have expected the band to go more commercial after gaining rapid fame and money. Instead, Floyd puts out a psychedelic rock classic with 10+ minutes bookends and no obviously distinguishable “single” (maybe the title track). “WYWH” features Gilmore’s best guitar performance in the band’s history. That doesn’t go without saying however that everyone else plays marvelously. “WYWH” is emotional (title track), thought provoking (“Welcome to the Machine”), psychedelic (“Shine on you Crazy Diamond Pt1&2), and straight rockin’ (“Have a Cigar”). Pink Floyd’s magnum opus is definitely not something you’ll want to brush by.
Favs: Shine on You Crazy Diamond Pt 1&2 / Wish You Were Here / Have a Cigar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJf5ZbumlgY |
| 9 |  | The Life and Times
Tragic Boogie
*Space Rock/Indie”
“What is this crap and why is it higher than WYWH?” Well, to answer the first question, “Tragic Boogie” is the sophomore album by The Life and Times. The second question’s answer is obviously because I’m me and not you. “Tragic Boogie” is a spacy indie rock album that has so far, yet to be topped by other albums in this genre (from my experience of course). The album seems to convey some kind of sense of celebration. The melodies are colorful but never immature. “Tragic Boogie” is filled with distortion and reverb. I’m quite a fan of this, as it heightens the music to places it could not have gone otherwise. Allen Epley’s voice is also a big reason I love this album so much. Epley’s husky tone is really cool and unique but he never overdoes it. “Tragic Boogie” is a hidden gem in indie music and really deserves more love than it gets.
Favs: Tragic Boogie / Fall of the Angry Clowns / Pain Don’t Hurt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZt2TZ9HLqU |
| 8 |  | Tool
Aenima
*Progressive Metal*
The second and last Tool album on the list. “Aenima” is a progressive metal album made in dedication to late comedian Bill Hicks. It was better than “Undertow” in every way and turned a good/smart band into a phenomenal/genius one. In my opinion, “Aemina” really showed that Maynard isn’t just another vocalist. He further develops his singing style and wrote some rather fantastic lyrics. Justin Chancellor delivers some sick bass grooves on this too. Tool can write riffs but that is not what makes them a great band. Everything comes together wonderfully. There is always more to a song than after first listen. Always a double meaning (except maybe “Hooker with a Penis,” that one’s pretty much a one way street). Verses are usually quite soft and have interesting percussion while choruses are usually heavy and in you face. This dynamic works very well here and becomes a staple in Tool’s sound.
Favs: Jimmy / Stinkfist / Pushit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uc9r1uf5ms |
| 7 |  | Nujabes
Metaphorical Music
*Jazzy Hip Hop/Instrumental Hip Hop*
I will have to shamelessly give thanks to “Samurai Champloo” for introducing me to Nujabes (Jun Seba). The opening track “Samurai” left me ever so interested in looking this guy up. Turns out he’s one hell of a producer and made what is probably my favorite jazzy hip hop album to date, “Metaphorical Music.” The beats here are ethereal, calming, and flow like water. I love the amount of sax that is incorporated into this and think it compliments Nujabes’ production style flawlessly. On initial listens, the rappers that sprang up on this album kind of bothered me a bit as I knew there were so many better emcees in the genre. Over time, I came to like them as I feel they can be quite charming and I couldn’t think of how any of the songs would work with anyone else. Unfortunately, Nujabes has been gone since 2010. Rest in beats, you glorious bastard.
Favs: Blessing It / Highs 2 Lows / Letters From Yokosuka
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r754jCpD3Xg |
| 6 |  | Spiritualized
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space
*Space Rock/(Gospel?)/Psychedelic Rock*
“Ladies and Gentlemen…” is the third album by space rock band spiritualized. I believe it to be the band’s best record by far. The album tells the story of Jason Pierce’s break up with his then girlfriend Kate Radley. The album starts off hopeful but eventually sinks into melancholy. Songs don’t really have climaxes but instead build off each other until their eventual ending. While some songs take a straightforward approach (“Electricity”) the album is more experimental than not. Songs make interesting use of repetition that gets the listener lost inside them. There is also more than the status quo guitar/bass/drums to be heard here. The integration of gospel choirs was a phenomenal decision, as the songs that make use of them feel larger than life. Only four more albums to go...
Favs: Cop Shoot Cop... / I Think I’m in Love / Stay with Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEXO15RX36Y |
| 5 |  | Oceansize
Frames
*Progressive Rock/Alt Rock*
I am really bad with genre tagging but those will do I guess. “Frames” doesn’t pigeonhole itself into the stereotypical prog rock genre. Instrumentation is focused and reserved but still progresses over the course of individual tracks. I feel this gives the album a sense of simplicity, but in a strangely good way. The ideas used here are more complex than previous efforts but toned down to where the subtlety won’t be noticed on first listen. I am aware that I am very bad at explaining this but it’s the best I can. What I CAN easily say though is that the drumming on this album and Vennart’s vocals are my personal favorite aspects of “Frames.” Al in all, Oceansize have really outdone themselves with this one and earned a seat amongst my favorite musical artists, and “Frames” specifically taking my fourth favorite album spot.
Favs: Commemorative 9/11 T-Shirt / Only Twin / The Frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODw2B1ZL4Ps |
| 4 |  | Orbs
Asleep Next to Science
*Progressive Rock/Space Rock
Asleep Next to Science” is wrong in all the right ways. The lyrics are absolutely ridiculous, Adam Fisher has one of the dorkiest vocals I’ve ever heard in a prog rock band (even worse than Geddy Lee), and contains simply odd psychedelic musicianship. But boy, it is really fun. From the quirky key solos to the rockin’ (even stoner rock esque) riffs, this album is just a kick ass time. “Asleep…” is not very riff-centric but can rock out on occasion. Some of the songs rely on either Fisher’s vocal delivery or the band building an atmosphere with the collective use of instruments. Either way is equally entertaining. I warn you now, Fisher’s vocals may take a long time to grow on you. I fully embrace their weirdness now but it was quite a turn off on first listen. At this point, I think they are the perfect fit for this strange little “supergroup.”
Favs: Megaloblastic Madness / Eclipsical / A Man of Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21idSz6JCsY |
| 3 |  | Hammock
Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo
*Ambient/Post Rock*
Wow. Just Wow. This album is unimaginably blissful. Hammock create some of the most relaxing and peaceful music you may ever hear on “Raising your Voice…” Quiet yet effective ambient guitar soundscapes grace the ears of the listener. You get lost in it’s sheer ambition to bring you everlasting peace. The album is mostly instrumental, but vocals are occasionally thrown in to change things up. They create waypoints for the album, giving you a vocal track then a handful of instrumental pieces to vibe out to until the next one.There is really nothing else to be said about this album other than it is absolutely stunning in execution and pure sonic bliss. An ambient/post rock classic.
Favs: I Can Almost See You / Shipwrecked / ...Like Starlight Into Day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-ayuRE5xd8 |
| 2 |  | Rosetta
The Galilean Satellites
Post Metal/Space Metal/Ambient*
So here it is. My favorite album. It’s not Radiohead or The Beatles, it’s Rosetta’s “The Galilean Satellites.” As I recall mentioning earlier, the song “Wake” was my first exposure to this band. Ever since that moment, I have yet to find a single band that has captivated me nearly as much (maybe Pink Floyd). Initial run throughs of “TGS” were *generally* positive but for some reason, I always felt compelled to return to it. With each listen I became more and more engrossed with this Lp. The spacey atmosphere is isolating and somber yet oddly beautiful. Mike Armine’s harsh vocal delivery is far more emotional and passionate than any other post metal vocalist I’ve heard (sorry Scott Kelly and Aaron Turner). Guitars are absolutely devastating at times and help the album maintain is monstrous size. What separates this from other run-of-the-mill post metal is it’s sheer emotion and the ability to let that carry the weight of the it without becoming boring |
| 1 | | Rosetta
The Galilean Satellites
It should be noted that “TGS” is a double album. There is the metal CD and the ambient CD. Both CDs are supposed to be played at the same time and sync with each other. This may sound familiar to some because Neurosis did it first with “Times of Grace.” To me, the idea is stupid, but I’m not judging this album by HOW it was made, I’m judging it by the music itself. And, by god, the music is fantastic. Conclusion: Despite the many years I’ve known this album, I have yet to like anything more. I think about it a lot, and truly can’t think of any other record that comes close for me. If you’ve miraculously read all of these stupid little blurbs than that is pretty damn cool of you and I thank you for taking the time to do that!
Favs: The whole thing obviously but I GUESS: Absent - Beta Aquilae / Au Pays Natal - Sol / ItineIrant - Ross 128
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftHiF4fIDfQ |
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