16. Pet Shop Boys: Nervously (1990)
I’ve posted the towering masterpiece that is Being Boring more times than I can count and decided to skip it this time. But this song, the emotional centerpiece of Behaviour, is nearly as fantastic.
youtu.be/vhhMf8vhUaA?...
16. Pet Shop Boys: Nervously (1990)
I’ve posted the towering masterpiece that is Being Boring more times than I can count and decided to skip it this time. But this song, the emotional centerpiece of Behaviour, is nearly as fantastic.
youtu.be/vhhMf8vhUaA?...
17. Aimee Mann: Wise Up (1996)
Absolutely adore this stark piano ballad. Superb composition and superb performance.
youtu.be/Ec8SJqGd6o0?...
17. Aimee Mann: Wise Up (1996)
Absolutely adore this stark piano ballad. Superb composition and superb performance.
youtu.be/Ec8SJqGd6o0?...
18. Bonnie Prince Billy: A Minor Place (1999)
A folk masterpiece balancing beauty, unease and an exquisite, sparse arrangement.
’Since the scars of last year's storm
Rest like maggots on my arm’
youtu.be/GHFldNEkwSc?...
18. Bonnie Prince Billy: A Minor Place (1999)
A folk masterpiece balancing beauty, unease and an exquisite, sparse arrangement.
’Since the scars of last year's storm
Rest like maggots on my arm’
youtu.be/GHFldNEkwSc?...
19. The Future Sound Of London: Egypt (1994)
Peak FSOL and a perfect showcase of their ability to blend organic samples with electronic manipulation. Outstanding drum programming too 🎶👏.
youtu.be/9jzASHNav2U?...
19. The Future Sound Of London: Egypt (1994)
Peak FSOL and a perfect showcase of their ability to blend organic samples with electronic manipulation. Outstanding drum programming too 🎶👏.
youtu.be/9jzASHNav2U?...
20. Suede: The Living Dead (1994)
To me, this devastatingly beautiful ballad about shattered dreams and broken promises is Anderson/Butler’s greatest composition. 🎶
youtu.be/gp6Ri4pFr1o?...
20. Suede: The Living Dead (1994)
To me, this devastatingly beautiful ballad about shattered dreams and broken promises is Anderson/Butler’s greatest composition. 🎶
youtu.be/gp6Ri4pFr1o?...
21. Autechre: 777 (1998)
A glitchy, immersive and endlessly fascinating sonic puzzle by two master craftsmen.
youtu.be/gzfgUCOzUoY?...
21. Autechre: 777 (1998)
A glitchy, immersive and endlessly fascinating sonic puzzle by two master craftsmen.
youtu.be/gzfgUCOzUoY?...
21. I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You (1973)
Early Tom at his most accessible. Lovely song.
youtu.be/UhZyLn0oVCs?...
21. I Hope That I Don’t Fall In Love With You (1973)
Early Tom at his most accessible. Lovely song.
youtu.be/UhZyLn0oVCs?...
22. The Briar And The Rose (1993)
The part of the Waits Universe in which love and suffering are inseparable.
youtu.be/UHhINCgGTlQ?...
22. The Briar And The Rose (1993)
The part of the Waits Universe in which love and suffering are inseparable.
youtu.be/UHhINCgGTlQ?...
22. Bruce Springsteen: Across The Border (1995)
Incredibly beautiful americana, so warm and passionate it borders on blue-eyed soul. My favourite Springsteen song.
youtu.be/LuJjiD8j6fQ?...
22. Bruce Springsteen: Across The Border (1995)
Incredibly beautiful americana, so warm and passionate it borders on blue-eyed soul. My favourite Springsteen song.
youtu.be/LuJjiD8j6fQ?...
23. Such A Scream (1992)
This is just trademark Waits instrumentation and execution. Top stuff.
youtu.be/joHkc4G2V8s?...
23. Such A Scream (1992)
This is just trademark Waits instrumentation and execution. Top stuff.
youtu.be/joHkc4G2V8s?...
23. Primal Scream: Higher Than The Sun (1991)
Peak Scream AND peak Andy. Still mindblowing, to my ears at least.
youtu.be/YHjVIBDYgXg?...
23. Primal Scream: Higher Than The Sun (1991)
Peak Scream AND peak Andy. Still mindblowing, to my ears at least.
youtu.be/YHjVIBDYgXg?...
24. Underground (1983)
And right there, with a skronk and some obtrusive percussion, begins Tom’s imperial phase and one of the great artistic reimaginations in pop music.
youtu.be/vaTSQzYIR3U?...
24. Underground (1983)
And right there, with a skronk and some obtrusive percussion, begins Tom’s imperial phase and one of the great artistic reimaginations in pop music.
youtu.be/vaTSQzYIR3U?...
25. Stina Nordenstam: When Debbie’s Back From Texas (1994)
An absolute triumph of melancholia and understated musicianship.
youtu.be/CVU91L-iOBw?...
25. Stina Nordenstam: When Debbie’s Back From Texas (1994)
An absolute triumph of melancholia and understated musicianship.
youtu.be/CVU91L-iOBw?...
(Catching up)
26 I’ll be gone (1987)
27 Red shoes by the drugstore (1978)
28 A sight for sore eyes (1977)
29 Town with No cheer (1983)
30 I wish I was in New Orleans (1976)
(Catching up)
26 I’ll be gone (1987)
27 Red shoes by the drugstore (1978)
28 A sight for sore eyes (1977)
29 Town with No cheer (1983)
30 I wish I was in New Orleans (1976)
26. Björk: Venus As A Boy (1993)
Killer basslines, vipraphones, avant-garde Bollywood strings and a gorgeous melody.
youtu.be/KwU83PdEzNc
26. Björk: Venus As A Boy (1993)
Killer basslines, vipraphones, avant-garde Bollywood strings and a gorgeous melody.
youtu.be/KwU83PdEzNc
27. The Magnetic Fields: Abigail, Belle of Kilronan (1999)
I’ve always found this song, the majestic cello arrangement and the lyrics sung from the perspective of a father to his infant daughter, deeply touching.
youtu.be/pq8l7C80nDI?...
27. The Magnetic Fields: Abigail, Belle of Kilronan (1999)
I’ve always found this song, the majestic cello arrangement and the lyrics sung from the perspective of a father to his infant daughter, deeply touching.
youtu.be/pq8l7C80nDI?...
28. The KLF: Last Train To Trancentral (LP mix) (1990)
Love the ’91 hit single version too, but ultimately it’s the more soulful and subtly dynamic LP mix I return to most frequently.
youtu.be/hWeG5CMYBzU?...
28. The KLF: Last Train To Trancentral (LP mix) (1990)
Love the ’91 hit single version too, but ultimately it’s the more soulful and subtly dynamic LP mix I return to most frequently.
youtu.be/hWeG5CMYBzU?...
29. Lou Reed: Sword of Damocles (1992)
The sparse but propulsive arrangement makes a perfect backdrop to Lou’s tough, evocative narration. A massive late-career highlight.
youtu.be/EdgJo75bpc0?...
29. Lou Reed: Sword of Damocles (1992)
The sparse but propulsive arrangement makes a perfect backdrop to Lou’s tough, evocative narration. A massive late-career highlight.
youtu.be/EdgJo75bpc0?...