personal favs
personal favs
Paula Cole-This Fire
The best LP EVER recorded, raw emotion, beautiful inspiring vocals, edgy arrangements, 100% flawless! Highlights: Mississippi, Tiger
Paula Cole-Amen
Calmer and more introspective than Fire, the other end of the spectrum, beautiful arrangements and songwriting. Highlights: Amen, Pearl
Tori Amos-Boys For Pele
The hardest album to hear the first time around melts into the darkest, most endearing audio adventure. Highlights: Blood Roses, Caught A Lite Sneeze
Tori Amos-Scarlet’s Walk
Tori goes folk/pop! Amazing haunting Arrangements from a new mommy who is still doing it her way. Highlights: Carbon, Taxi Ride
Tori Amos-Under The Pink
This is the album that, simply put, changed my life. After listening to it, I never viewed music the same way, ever. Highlights: The Waitress, Cloud On My Tongue
Bjork-Post
At the time, the weirdest album i had bought(when i was 15) but the most exciting, brilliant collaborations. Highlights: Hyper-Ballad, Enjoy
Bjork-Homogenic
Bjork takes it up a notch and makes almost industrial feeling ethereal nature music. Highlights: Alarm Call, 5 Years
Ministry-Greatest Fits
A few things are missing from this collection, but overall, a great look at Ministry’s best moments! Highlights: Stigmata, Supermanic Soul
Ministry-Filth Pig
Everyone else’s LEAST favorite ministry album, there’s something about the tunes on hear that draw me in and excite me every time! Highlights: The Fall, Reload
Duncan Sheik-Humming
Amazing songwriting and beautiful movements, Duncan doesn’t try to astound you, he just does what he thinks is musically sound. Highlights: Everyone, Everywhere; Varying Degrees Of Con-Artistry
Cardigans-Gran Tourismo
Incorporating a lil Trip-hop into their electro-friendly 60s pop sound, they NAIL it with this dark, underrated classic. Highlights: Explode, Hanging Around
Imogen Heap-Imegaphone
The best debut EVER! This album was the only good thing about turning 18 for me, it was everything I thought music should be. Highlights: Oh Me, Oh My; Come Here Boy
Imogen Heap-Speak For Yourself
Imogen proves to me she can’t put a foot wrong, she does most of the footwork on this blueprint on how to stand out without getting ridiculously gaudy. Highlights: Hide And Seek; Daylight Robbery
Frou Frou-Details
Imogen and Guy Sigsworth cook up a pot of classical electronic pop, Imogen’s revolutionary vocals bathe each track that you’ll think they used a vocal corrector(not to offend Immi, all the vocals are un-f!cked with, for the record) Highlights: It’s Good To Be In Love, Hear Me Out
Ben Folds 5-Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner
The best concept album where Ben Folds wears his heart heavily on his sleeve all the way though. Highlights: Mess, Your Redneck Past
Lauren Hill-Miseducation of…
The classic solo LP from this Fugee proves that you can have a successful hip-hop album AND use live instruments every now and again in it! Highlights: To Zion; Superstar
Kelis-Kaleidescope
An amazing and very NON mainstream hip-hop debut from one of the best attitudes in music. Highlights: Suspended, Caught Out There
Kelis-Wanderland
The underrated follow-up with Neptune’s Signature sound allowed Kelis to show off her Songwriting chops with exciting results. Highlights: Perfect Day, Shooting Stars
N.E.R.D-In Search Of…
The brilliant hip-rock LP wouldn’t have been as amazing had it not been rerecorded with rockers Spymob. Highlights: Lapdance, Stay Together
N.E.R.D-Fly Or Die
Neptunes prove they can rock out with or without Spymob and even show a more psychedelic side of their already spacey sound. Highlights: Thrasher, Maybe
Nine inch Nails-Broken
Heavy industrial EP that has the energy and spirit of a full LP, heavy on the guitars and pounding metal beats. Highlights: Last, Happiness In Slavery
Nine Inch Nails-The Downward Spiral
A bleak and exotic mix of electricity and anger that explodes in your ears. Highlights: Ruiner, Closer
Jars Of Clay
Smooth acoustic Jesus Freaks show us who they love(The J man) with great melodies and touching vocals. Highlights: Sinking, Blind
System Of A Down-Toxicity
Didn’t know what to think at first of this fierce quartet when they broke with Chop Suey but it snapped after hearing the rest of the album. Highlights: Forest, Bounce
Shakespear’s Sister-Hormonally Yours
Probably next in line after This Fire for me, the catchiest and most exquisite songs by the brilliant Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit. Highlights: Hello, The Trouble With Andre
Shakespear’s Sister-#3
Originally to be released in 1996 and delayed until 2005, the fans have been getting off to these great numbers for years! Highlights: Can You Wait; Oh Dear
Marcella Detroit-Feeler
Marcella did it right when she took the reigns from her former label and did it full on with this powerful collection of instantly memorable songs. Highlights: Without Medication, Gasoline
Marcella Detroit-Dancing Madly Sideways
An electro-rock bounce as powerful as it is fun, every turn is a surprise and delight. Highlights: Sign, Suckers And The Sage
Olivia Newton-John-Gaia
The most thought provoking Olivia record with more heart and soul than anything she’s done before or after. Highlights: No Matter What You Do, Trust Yourself
Olivia Newton-John-The Rumour
An almost Epic and tragically overlooked collection of meaningful pop, and Olivia’s first full attempt to delve into songwriting more-so. Highlights: Let’s Talk About Tomorrow, Walk Through Fire
Ace Of Base-The Bridge
A worthy follow up to the frothy euro-pop of The Sign from a band who, while mostly laughed at these days, made an undeniable impact on the charts. Highlights: Experience Pearls, Angel Eyes
Aphex Twin-Come To Daddy
An ep of twisted jangled beats and almost unreal electric twists and nob turning. Highlights: Come To Daddy, Come To Daddy-Little Lord Faultoroy mix
Lauren Christy-Breed
Super fun sugar rock from a brilliant songwriter who would go on to become part of the super-production team The Matrix. Highlights: I Want What I Want, could’ve Been
David Garza-This Euphoria
Let’s talk Texas: This authentic musician rocks out on the Led Zep inspired set of lovebabies and popmonsters. Highlights: Slave, Kinder
Toadies-Rubberneck
Texas’ BEST Post Grungers combine the jagged sound of Pixies’ surfa rosa with southern charm to create this dark classic. Highlights: I Burn, Quitter
Toadies-Live in Paradise
Todd Lewis tears it up once more before moving on to the grand Burden Brothers and showcases his manic shouts with his motley line of excellent musicians. Highlights: Heel, Hell Below/Stars Above (Todd lewis went on to form the awesome Burden Brothers with fellow Texas musicians)
Jump Rope Girls-8 track demos
A great collection of computer driven movements combining elements of industrial ambient acoustic rock. Highlights: Slingshot, Silvergirl (Casey Hess joined Todd lewis and co on his mission to kick-ass in Burden Brothers)
Sugarbomb-Bully
Although label-less by a month after the album was out, the band combines the fun rock sound of today with the theatrical sound of the 70s. Highlights: Posterchild For Tragedy, Hello
Sister 7-Wrestling Over Tiny Matters
A breakthrough of hard jagged rock with light catchy melodies from one of the best former jam bands in Texas. Highlights: Fallen Angel, Nobody Knows
Alanis Morissette-Jagged Little Pill
A phenomenal texture rich album that is a simple in it’s arrangements as it is complex in it’s writing. Highlights: Wake Up, All I Really Want
The Smiths-Strangeways, Here We Come
The best, and last, M/M album which proved their most experimental and sonically satisfying. Highlights: Last night i dreamt that somebody loved me, Girlfriend In A Coma
Katell Keineg-Jet
Crazy coconut acoustic renaissance rock with marvelous earthy vocals by a sensational, over ignored welsh goddess. Highlights: Battle Of The Trees, Smile
Katell Keineg-O Seasons, O Castles
Quaint singer/songwriter folk rock from a fiery musician with an underlying mischievous quality. I combine “Bop” with my song “vanilla” sometimes live. Highlights: Cut, Destiny’s Darling
Weezer(2001)
Stable and safe, yet adventurous and more catchy than your best hour of alternative radio. The boys at their shimmery best. Highlights: Smile, Don’t Let Go
Pearl Jam-Yield
A great band’s most mature and introspective album which is usually the most underrated. Highlights: No Way, In Hiding
Pearl Jam- No Code
Although not their most schizophrenic record, less polished and more grungy than usual on this messily wonderful lp. Highlights: Hail Hail, Mankind
Sheryl Crow
Mrs. Crow’s 1995 album is her brightest and most accomplished, in my opinion. Bluesy rock with attitude and a twang that sometimes rendered whiplash. As beautiful as it is dirrty. Highlights: Maybe Angels, Home
Kenna-New Sacred Cow
Awesome Freebase Alternative Rock Hip-Hop galore! As good a concept album as any and was created with the help of Neptunes’ Chad Hugo. Highlights: New Sacred Cow, Hell Bent
Bif Naked- I Bifficus
Raucous punk/pop from this Canadian spitfire full of energy and wide-eyed enthusiasm with a few bitter moments. Highlights: Any Day Now, I Died
TLC-Fanmail
Epilepsy inducing beeps and ticks from the super-trio of hip-hopettes that won’t escape from your senses. Highlights: Silly Ho, I’m Good At Being Bad
BT-ESCM
Electric Sky Church Music, although not in the “Christian” sense, sums up this breakthrough of a House album. Highlights: Lullaby For Gaia, Remember
Ani Difranco-Dilate
Trouble-Folk with an element of rock and hip-hop but always naked and revealing. Highlights: Napoleon, Outta Me, Onto You
Fiona Apple-When The Pawn…
Amazing chamber pop with a very Sargent Pepper vibe and glorious songwriting. Highlights: A Mistake, The Way Things Are
Fiona Apple-Tidal
Incredible loung-y piano based modern rock with diary-opening lyrics and excellent melodies. Highlights: Sleep To Dream, The First Taste
Badly Drawn Boy-Hour Of The Bewilderbeast
First class indie-rock from an idiosyncratic beatnik who ranges from folk rock to jazz to acoustic jams. Highlights: Once Around The Block, Everybody’s Stalking
Incubus-A Crow Left Of The Murder
Lovely lp made in a 2 week period by a great combination of musicians, finally taking the last drop of pseudo-funk out of their aggressive melodic sound. Highlights: A Crow Left Of The Murder, Zee Devil
Scissor Sisters (ST)
Instantly memorable 80s inspired electronic pop from 5 distinct new york personalities. Highlights: It Can’t Come Quickly Enough, Take Your Mama
Travis-12 Memories
Dark and meaningful introspective ditties from one of Britain’s cutest invaders. A laid back sound but very meaningful lyrics. Highlights: Love Will Come Through, Happy To Hand Around
PJ Harvey-To Bring You My Love
Indescribable almost cabaretic modern rock album with some amazing almost Spanish feeling arrangements. Highlights: Send His Love To Me, Long Snake Moan
Placebo-Once More With Feeling: Singles
A prefect roundup of killer catchy tunes from a great “singles” band, always underrated in the states. Highlights: Taste In Men, This Picture
Ben Lee-Breathing Tornadoes
A breathtaking journey of great songwriting and production from one of Australia’s great underground popsters. Highlights: Tornadoes, Cigarettes Will Kill You
Janet Jackson-Rhythm Nation 1814
Great fresh sounds for a boy of 9 to jam to, music with a message and a sexy beat all the way through. Highlights: The Knowledge, Livin’ In A World(They Didn’t Make)
Suzanne Vega-99.9F
The perfect blend of acoustic soul with industrial clicks and clanks, a telling piece that i can listen to over and over and always be moved. Highlights: Blood Makes Noise, Fat man and Dancing Girl
Suzanne Vega-9 Objects Of Desire
A more mature but still equally edgy folk lp that has elements of mystery and romance a brilliant production by the great Mitchell Froom. Highlights: Headshots, Tombstone
Rufus Wainwright
The ultimate in Chamber pop, lush orchestration and very classic songwriting combined with Rufus’ smooth pained voice. Highlights: Danny Boy, Matinee Idol
Poe-Hello
Loads and loads of new things to hear on every listen, this trippy alternative album saved me from music boredom in the mid-90s! Highlights: Choking The Cherry, Another World
Ruby-Salt Peter
Excellent cold-cut trip-hop with a hint of industrial from the absolutely brilliant Leslie Rankine and the genius of Mark Walk…Mark, anytime you want to collaborate, call me, I’ll stop what I’m doing!! Highlights: Paraffin, Hoops