I got to know The New Pornographers a lot later than the release of this debut album of theirs. I've mostly listened to Challenger's from 2007, but I must say that Mass Romantic captures an atmosphere that is not achieved on their later albums. Even though this band is all about pop-melodies and playful sounds, this album brings forward punk influences as well. The bands name is a bit of a mystery to me. I guess it attracts the attention of many, but I think it's not the best name for a band to be taken seriously. The album cover is as weird as it gets: A goat staring at a couple making love on the field. In some weird way, it illustrates the music in question. This Canadian band's whole history is interesting enough! Listen to the album on Spotify.
Tom McRae has one of the most beautiful singing voices in the world. his debut album is filled with melancholic songs played with very simple instrumentation. All you need really is McRae's voice, guitar and some melodramatic strings. Again, this is one of those albums that no-one with allergy to sadness can ever understand. But for the rest of you, this is perfect singer-songwriter music for lonely moments, coldness and those dark moments of sadness. On his later albums the production has grown, but the quality of the songwriting has gone down album by album. The first two albums really offer the best songs and the best atmosphere. The black and white cover capture the mood of the album perfectly. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Belle & Sebastian is the master of endearing wuss pop. This album is definitely one of their best. The music is melodic mixture of melancholia and happy melodies. the lyrics are absolutely brilliant. Especially the part in The Model: "I'm not proud to say that I'm okay with the girl next door who's famous for showing her chest". The critics did not rate this album high, but I think it's because it did not bring the audiences that much new. For me this was, however, my first encounter with the band and it has some of the most important songs to me. Belle & Sebastian is one of the greatest bands in the late 90's and early 2000's music. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Teenage Fanclub was once hailed by late Kurt Cobain as the best band in the world. I wouldn't go that far but the sunny melodies and amazing harmonic singing definitely make it one of the greatest feel-good artists ever. Howdy! is filled with exceptionally beautiful songs. The first few times all the songs sounded sort of the same, but as you get to know the melodies and lyrics, you find that you just need to listen more. The Scottish trio changes the vocalist according to whoever has written the song. Therefore, it's amazing how you can always recognise their distinctive sound. This music is perfect for sunny days of the summer and for lazy Sundays. Listen to the album on Spotify.
This album was a shock for many Radiohead fans. Radiohead's previous record OK Computer had become one of the most highly rated albums of all times. Kid A changed the whole sound of the band. Clean guitar sounds disappeared and computerised weird noises and synthesizers came in. This is in my opinion, nevertheless, an amazing album. The dark and lazy mood of the album is great for slow afternoons, when you don't have to rush anywhere. The National Anthem is almost good for dancing and Motion Picture Soundtrack is one of the most calming song there ever was. This album is full of contrasts like that. The cover art is absolutely beautiful. Kid A is a classic album that everyone needs to give a chance to. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Coldplay is today one of the biggest bands in the world. Only problem is that their music today sucks! The first two albums are beautiful and innovative mixtures of folk, indie and pop. Especially this debut album is amazing. Chris Martin's soft singing voice and etherical clean guitars have a dream-like quality. I don't know what's wrong with Coldplay fans, since the album's only sort of dull song Yellow became the biggest hit from this album. The rest of the album is absolutely brilliant. So if you're one of the people who never understood Coldplay beacause of their radio hits, I suggest you take time to listen to this first album of theirs from start to finish and give the start of their career the respect it needs. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Eels had two years earlier made their most depressing album, telling all about Mark Oliver Everett's family, which had died from around him. Daisies of the Galaxy is a completely different story. Happy and simple songs bring a smile on my face every time. The lyrics are hysterically funny and the melodies are beautiful despite their simplicity. There are also a few of the best songs from the band: Flyswatter, It's a Motherfucker, Jeannie's Diary, Selective Memory and Mr. E's Beautiful Blues. The storybook covers illustrate perfectly the feel of the album. E is primarily a storyteller. He doesn't play complex tunes and the sounds are childishly simple, but the music itself with the stories is just so endearing. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Conor Oberst has one of the most distinctive voices in the history of popular music. He was only 20 years old when he made this masterpiece. Album filled with grief and sorrow. And terrific songs. The sounds are a bit simple, but that's just the way they are meant to be. It's a bit hard to categorise Bright Eyes' music but if I must, I'll call it emo folk. As every Bright Eyes album, this too starts with spoken word song. Arienette is one of the greatest melancholy pieces ever written. Some versions of the album portray a real mirror in the cover. This album requires probably more than a few times to listen to before it reveals all of its beauty, but I suggest to try it, since it's definitely worth it. Listen to the album on Spotify.
Elliott Smith is one of my all time favorite artists. His tragic life, melancholic take on music, beautiful voice and absolutely amazing songs make his music more interesting than most others. Figure 8 is his most produced album which some of the purists don't like. To me this is one of his best albums. From the first seconds of Son of Sam, you just know this is something special. The album has meny beautiful ballads and heartbreaking songs about love gone wrong. Smith's singing voice carries otherworldly sorrow and beauty. To commemorate his memory, there is a wall in Los Angeles with the colours from this album cover and thousands of people's writing telling how large of an impact his music had made to their lives. I hope to visit that wall one day to honour my idol. Listen to the album on Spotify.
This year's number one is one of the most meaningful albums to me. This concept album about humans destroying the environment and alienating from nature is an absolutely beautiful masterpiece. Jason Lytle's singing voice, synth sounds and folk guitars are used perfectly. He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's the Pilot is one of the best songs of all times. If you haven't heard this album, I strongly suggest you give it a go, since it's one of the greatest albums ever. This is a perfect way to say goodbye to the 2000's in my blog and move on to the 1990's. Let weird songs about Jed the Humanoid guide you on a mystical journey into beautiful and funny music which deserves to be remembered for ever. Listen to the album on Spotify.
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