My Top 10 Albums (So far)

Hi all,

Here are my top 10 albums of all time, from 10 to 1.

10. Bloc Party - 'Silent Alarm'

The British indie act have released some solid albums since their debut, but nothing compares to the unique sounds that blossomed from Silent Alarm. The percussion-heavy tracks are brought into life by the unreal drumming of Matt Tong. Its through this percussion in my opinion that Bloc Party have pioneered their sound, and this is done to perfection across Silent Alarm.

Ably driven by Kele Okereke's unique vocals and inventive lyrics, Silent Alarm is a fantastic debut for a band that has been very influential in all my avenues of composition

Notable Tracks:

1. Like Eating Glass

3. Positive Tension

10. So Here We Are

9. Tool - Lateralus

It doesn't have the effect it used to have on me.. but gee whiz this album is still amazing. Its got that post-humous appeal to it - metaphorical lyrics, powerful vocals from Maynard James Keenan, amazing percussion from Danny Carey and enough melodic material to warp your mind.

There's no doubt that this is hard-rock band Tool's strongest release. It is a perfect mix of their clever lyrical content, driving guitar riffs, mesmerising basslines and inventive percussion. The seamless interweaving of songs, emphatic tempo changes and all round musicianship make 'Lateralus' Tool's magnum opus.

Notable Tracks:

1. The Grudge

8. Ticks & Leeches

11. Reflection

8. The Streets 'Original Pirate Material'

Mike Skinner's style isn't for everyone - thats for sure. Mockney vocals bashed over garage beats with themes of alcoholism, drug use and brawls prominent, its clear that The Streets appeal to a very limited amount of people.  

Luckily enough for Skinner I happen to be one of these people. 

Original Pirate Material is Skinner's debut album, and by far his strongest effort, only to be matched by 'A Grand Don't Come for Free'. Relatable lyrics, catchy hooks... the albums pretty much about getting pissed, meeting women and the thought processes involved in between. What young adult can't relate to this?

Though some may find the content repetitious there's no doubt in my mind it works flawlessly as an album, and is a deserved addition to this list.

Notable Tracks:

2. Has it Come to This

7. Its Too Late

12. Weak Become Heroes

7. Beck - 'Odelay'

This album has really grown on me of late. Lets not beat around the bush - Beck is a genius. And while I haven't ventured through his entire discography there is no doubt that Odelay is an exquisite album, and a deserved addition to the list.

An interesting mix of samples, artificial sounds, guitar slides and inventive lyrics surround Odelay, and it is one of those albums where there simply isn't a bad track. Its best listened to from 'Devil's Haircut' to 'Ramshackle', and the fact that Beck is able to integrate so many styles into such an enjoyable listen throughout is testament to his creative genius.

Notable Tracks:

1. Devil's Haircut

6. Novacane

8. Where It's At

6. Radiohead - 'The Bends'

After releasing a lukewarm debut in 'Pablo Honey' Radiohead just exploded. My favourite band of all time for a definite reason, and their 1995 album 'The Bends' is at the forefront of their impressive discography.

This is the album that changed the scene of music. WIthout 'The Bends' there would be no Coldplay, no Travis, no Muse.. this was the album that the 90's needed and had been waiting for.

Thom Yorke's falsetto lyrics are powerful but emotive, and is perfectly suited to the musicianship of the other band members, most notably the aggressive stylings of lead guitarist Jonny Greenwood. The album has ballads, anthems and experimental elements that would revolutionise Radiohead's sound over the next decade or so.

Starting with the powerful and haunting themes of 'Planet Telex', the album showcases Radiohead's ability to showcase the entire spectrum of human emotion, with tracks like 'Fake Plastic Trees' and 'Street Spirit' becoming instant classics in the TW songbook.

Notable Tracks:

4. Fake Plastic Trees

10. Black Star

12. Street Spirit

5. The Avalanches - 'Since I've Left You'

What an ingenius album 'Since I've Left You' is. Its stuff like this album from the Melbourne group that make you oh so proud to be an Australian.  

Skipping tracks on this album would be a cardinal sin - because I love to treat this album as just one big song. It flies through different styles and lyrical content, and it feels almost like one big story. There's over 3,500 samples used throughout this album - and they have all been put to good use. Producers Robbie Chater and Darren Seltmann haven't put in all the effort in vain - this is truly a masterpiece.

Starting out with the title track we are introduced to 'The Avalanches' and their truly unique style of funky, feel-good music. Its good for every occasion, one of those albums that is as good under the microscope as it is in the background. 'Frontier Psychiatrist', the first single for the duo, is explosive and is just absolute bliss on the ears.

If Australians make more albums like this I may have to get a southern cross tattoo on some part of my body.

Notable Tracks:

3. Radio

10. Electricity

13. Frontier Psychiatrist

4. The Mars Volta - 'Frances the Mute' 

This album won't appeal to you on the first listen. Maybe not even on the fifth. But never has an album grown on me to the extent that 'Frances the Mute' did.  

Cedric Bixler's booming falsetto vocals definitely take some getting used to, but once you begin to appreciate them in spearheading a vicious arrangement of guitars, strings and brass, it truly is something.

'Frances the Mute' is the only concept album I have on this list. And this is not some love-story arty farty concept.. this tells a perverse story that I would truly hate to have to view. I hope that nobody ever makes a film interpretation of this album - something about the idea of intense abortion, rape and murder themes being thrown into a film makes me seriously shudder.

The opening track of 'Frances the Mute' is pretty much as epic as they come. 'Cygnus... Vismund Cygnus' is intense and really showcases Volta as the progressive rock band that they are. Numerous time signatures, unorthodox chord progressions and interchanging Spanish and English lyrics are hurled together to create a story that almost bleeds emotion from the ear. Its brilliant.

Notable tracks:

1. Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus

3. L'Via L'Viaquez

5. Cassandra Gemini

3. Jeff Buckley - Grace

There won't ever be a better singer than Jeff Buckley. That's my opinion anyways.

Buckley's debut album 'Grace' is simply gorgeous, and there's little doubt to why it accumulated such commercial and critical success. His ability to bring a song to a climax through vocals is truly breathtaking, and is just one of the features that make 'Grace' such a perfect album.

Leading in with 'Mojo Pin', Buckley reveals to us his talents as a lyricist, composer and performer. Lines such as 'Send whips of opinion down my back give me more' and 'Don't wanna weep for you, I don't wanna know' become haunting through Buckley's piercing, perfect voice. The song continues to grow in stature before erupting at the climax, as is the case throughout the proceedings of the album.

The album is just full of classics. Buckley's rendition of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' is definitely a highlight, and understandably a connotation that regularly is brought forward when discussing his works. But it is through his originals that we see the absolute peaks of his talent. The perfect 'Last Goodbye' showcases everything Buckley is perfect at - his delivery, song structure and of course his surreal voice.

If you don't own Grace please talk to me. I own four copies just in case three go missing.

Notable Tracks:

1. Mojo Pin

3. Last Goodbye

9. Eternal Life

2. The Strokes - 'Is This It'

'I just wanted to write music that could touch people. [As] a songwriter, you play a few chords and sing a melody that's been done a thousand times, and now you're a singer-songwriter. I think it takes a little more than that to do something that matters. And I wish I could write a song where all the parts work. When you hear a song like that, it's like finding a new friend.' - Julian Casablancas

As far as debut albums go, this is the pinnacle.

US band The Strokes' 2001 release 'Is This It' is pretty much everything anyone can want in an album. Through the first few tracks we are introduced to the raw, post-punk sound that would revolutionise the first decade of the new millenium. A unique, distinctive style that holds its own and is quite simply timeless.

'Is This It' is purely timeless. 35 Minutes of just pure joy on the ears. Strong lyrical content, refined sound and unique vocals from Julian Casablancas are at the forefront, and the album really just sounds like one big fucking awesome song.

While elements of the Sex Pistols and The Clash reign through, there is something truly unique about The Strokes and their debut album. It moved people from DJs and Pop Music to Skinny Jeans and Guitars.. through just 35 minutes The Strokes were able to define not only a musical style, but a 'ragged revolt' as The Rolling Stone put it.

The title track introduces us to Casablancas rasping, unique vocals and the raw accompaniments of the likes of Albert Hammond Jnr. and co. (raw.. thats the only way I can really explain 'Is This It' now that I think of it).

From there explosive tracks such as 'The Modern Age', 'Barely Legal' and 'Hard To Explain' shine through, and through their inventive style create just one friggen awesome album.

Notable Tracks:

2. The Modern Age

5. Someday

8. Hard to Explain

1. Radiohead - 'In Rainbows'

Here we are folks. Its 4am in the morning and I feel like killing myself if we're to be honest. But despite this, I could go on for days about my all-time favourite album - 'In Rainbows' by Radiohead.

Guitarist Ed O'Brien I believe best captures what this album is truly about when he says ' There wasn't a political agenda. It's about being human' . And that's simply it - as far as albums go, no album captures what it is like to be human quite like 'In Rainbows' does.

The album does not have a weakness. There is no track that you get to that pisses you off and you skip halfway through. It is 40-odd minutes of just pure enjoyment on the ears.

Thom Yorke's vocals are perfect. The lyrics are perfect. The sampling, musicianship, percussion is perfect.

Heck, even the marketing was perfect.

NME described the album as 'otherworldy', and too fucking right! This is bliss from the get-go... the inventive beats and melodies of '15 Step', fading into the driving guitars of 'Bodysnatchers' to move to the beautiful 'Nude' and then of course 'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi', the best song on the album and of Radiohead's entire discography.

You'd be extremely hard pressed to find an album anywhere near as good as 'In Rainbows', and I consider myself very fortunate to have been blessed with being able to hear it in my lifetime.

Notable Tracks: All of them! But if I had to:

1. 15 Step

4. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi

7. Reckoner

Okay well its time to get some sleep now but I'd love to hear your subjective thoughts on these choices. I know some of these albums might not be classics but music is such a beautiful thing because it is subjective!

Peace - T