fredag 24 Okt 2008, 12:43
Ok so hasn’t compiled this list for themselves? Therefore, I might as well.
This is a very selective list. I have narrowed down an inventory of my favourite albums into this definitive selection. I have chosen these albums as I like almost (if not every) track on them, but they have also caught my imagination in a way that others have not.
The Beloved
Happiness
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This album represents the dance/pop crossover that began to find success in the early 90’s. I particularly like Scarlet Beautiful and “Time After Time”. It’s no surprise that the two most played tracks by listeners on Last.FM are the seminal “The Sun Rising” and the chart hit “Hello”. Takes me back to my youth.
Bjork
Homogenic
http://www.kevchino.com/graffix/releases/bjork-homogenic.jpg
This album grew on me. To begin with I liked it, but repeated plays made me love it. Sure there are a couple of tracks that are unremarkale but the sheer genius of tracks like hunter and Immature would make almost anything else pale in comparison. Wish she still made music like this.
Depeche Mode
Violator
http://media.prefixmag.com/site_media/uploads/images/reviews/d/depeche-mode/150x150_153252399depeche-mode-violator.jpg
Genius from start to finish. By far their best album. World in my eyes is a stunning opening to an album that does not drop in quality for one second during its whole length.
Eurythmics
Savage
http://www.100xr.com/100_XR/Artists/E/Eurythmics/Savage.jpg
There isn't a track I don't like on this album. Just when I began to worry that this band had abandoned their synthesizer roots they returned with this album. Even the acoustic tracks such as I Need You are presented in a unique and interesting way. Beethoven (I Love to Listen To) remains one of their most underrated singles.
Front 242
Official version
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W.Y.H.I.W.Y.G. is a stunning opening to an album that I believe saw Front 242 at their peak. I love this album because it's both atmospheric and yet highly energetic. Masterhit (Part I & II) remains one of their most enduring classics.
Jean-Michel jarre
Equinoxe
http://i24.ebayimg.com/03/c/01/a3/11/58_7.JPG
This is my favourite Jarre album as I love Equinoxe Part 7. Parts 4 and 5 also deserve a mention. Very atmospheric and great tunes. Analogue synthesizers at their best. Forget part 8 though.
Junior Boys
So This Is Goodbye
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/mligon/blog/2006/favealbums2006/JuniorBoys-So_This_Is_Goodbye.jpg
I discovered this album through my brother. I'm very glad I did. Unlike most people, I love almost every track on this album (rather than buying it for In The Morning). FM is an all time favourite song of mine.
Kraftwerk
Computer World
http://www.treblezine.com/features/albumcovers/KraftwerkComputerWorld.jpg
There had to be some Kraftwerk in here. I was initially torn between this and The Man Machine but Computer World wins for consistency. Numbers and Computer World are highlights in a brilliant album. I once had a crusty old C90 cassette with this album on one side and The Man Machine on the other, I nearly wore that tape out in the late 80's.
Nine Inch Nails
Year Zero
http://www.productwiki.com/upload/images/nine_inch_nails_year_zero_2007-150-150.jpg
This is one of those albums that I can let play the whole way through and enjoy every second. Capital G and God Given are my favourites, but the whole album really is great As a fan of good remixes the follow up mix album Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D is also a favourite of mine.
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There are several editions of this album in circulation but the original One little Indian version is by far the best. There is only one track on this album I am not too keen on. Simple led me to buy this album. Possibly my favourite album of all. The remix album Flowermix is only for the dedicated. I wish they still made music like this. I don't think they ever will though.
Mike Oldfield
Crises
http://i7.ebayimg.com/06/c/000/77/3e/ccf4_7.JPG
I don't know why I like Mike oldfield. I hate guitar music. Yet the title track from this album Crises is a twenty minute opus showcasing the Fairlight CMI music computer with imagination and flair. I'm not mad about the flip side of this album and I'm sick to death of Moonlight Shadow but the title track is simply awesome and thus makes this list.
Pet Shop Boys
Actually
http://i15.ebayimg.com/07/c/000/77/3d/e011_7.JPG
As a huge PSB fan it is hard to say which album is my favourite. I have settled on Actually as it brings back the best memories. One More Chance is a killer introduction to a highly polished and consistent collection of songs. One of my favourite PSB songs I Want To Wake Up is included here.
Simian Mobile Disco
Attack Decay Sustain Release
http://assets1.pitchforkmedia.com/images/original/32192.attackdecaysustainrelease.jpg
I had never heard any music by Simian or Simian Mobile Disco prior to buying this album. I bought it on the back of a tepid review in Q magazine which described it as electronic dance music. As there is not a great deal of new British electronic music released, I had to try this album out. I enjoy every note of this album and think it is a classic electronic record. I Believe is one of my favourite track ever recorded. Avoid the remix album though.
Soulwax
Nite Versions
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Now this really is a classic album. Here the band have taken the mediocre Any Minute Now album and remixed it into one of the greatest dance/electronic albums ever made. These tracks aren't so much remixes as reinterpretations in a new style. I bought this CD as I heard the tracks Another Excuse (DFA Remix) and Compute on the Xbox 360 game Test Drive unlimited. The DVD and live CD 'Part of the Weekend Never Dies' showcases this great album and is worth investigating. Not many remix albums have a film made about them.
Underworld
Everything, Everything
http://www.almostcool.org/mr/art/1351
It's not often a 'live' album ends up sounding better than the original record; but this album is just that. There is so much more energy in these tracks when performed live, especially Juanita / Kiteless . it also helps that this album was recorded prior to the departure of Darren Emerson, whom it would appear, is the person that made the band sound good.