My Top 30... Albums

Records that have made the list are ones where you feel like listening to a CD & you can listen to it without too many tracks to skip and a good array of songs. Probably thinking back to a pre-itunes era where you can throw on a CD at home or in the car and listen to it until it starts to scratch.

Like in sport where a champion team will beat a team of champions, a hit album is better than an album of hits. Pretty much triple j from the mid 90's to mid 00's. No double ups of artists to make it easier to cut it down to 30. Also no best of's, live albums, soundtracks or compilations either.

Starting with a random first memory or how I came across it or what I remember or what I like about the album.
Aside = favourite single / radio song with film clip
Bside = favourite album track
Video = tried to find a good live version of one of the songs, preferably the Bside
Vs = comparing to their other albums
Live = random memories from seeing them play in concert

30. FAR - Regina Spektor (2009)

Only recently discovered this album from my local library (so just scraped in the list) & it surprised me how many good songs there are & how it can go from cute pop to gutsy ballad

Aside - Laughing With

 

Bside - Blue Lips
Vs - I remember first hearing the song Fidelity & thought it was a bit annoying but have since listened to Begin to Hope which is also a pretty good album. Want to listen to her new album now too

29. THROWING COPPER - Live (1994)

Grew up listening to this mega hit 90's rock with half the songs still getting played on the radio, a good listen start to finish
Aside - Lightning Crashes

Bside - Pillar of Davidson
Vs - They had a couple of other hit songs but no other good albums, they will always be remembered for this record
Live - saw them at the Ent Cent while still in high school, played heaps of tracks from this album & put on a good show

28. AMERICAN IDIOT - Green Day (2004)

Who knew this punk band could make a comeback from basically an album theme around a 9 minute rock-opera song? Got very popular with the emo kids
Aside - Jesus of Suburbia

Bside - Letterbomb
Vs - I still remember have a cassette with Dookie on one side & Smash from The Offspring on the other. Dookie is their next best album with their others being a mixture of hits & misses
Live - saw them at the UNSW Roundhouse on their Nimrod tour with Carole which was great in such a small venue but also saw them on the tour for this album at Acer Arena, Alicia & I scalped cheap tickets & just got in time for the first song & put on a good arena show

27. INSIDE IN/INSIDE OUT - The Kooks (2006)

Debut catchy Brit pop/rock that I got into while in the UK. It was a hard CD to find when I returned to Australia but has become an album popular a few years after being released.
Aside - Naive

Bside - Seaside
Vs - The first half of their follow up Konk was good but the second half wasn't & I hear their latest album sucks

25. ORIGINAL PIRATE MATERIAL - The Streets (2002)

UK garage inspired hip-hop album recorded in Mike Skinner's house to get it's unique & raw sound. Although I can't relate to him being a stoner in lower class England I loved his lyrics and still give it a occasional spin in the car
Aside - Has Is Come To This?

Bside -  Same Old Thing
Vs - A Grand Don't Come For Free was pretty close to this album & The Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living in which he was rapping about being famous wasn't so good
Live - not the best live performer but he loved doing a 'go low' (got it on the clip) with the audience getting close to the ground then all going up together going 'bonkers'

25. GRACE - Jeff Buckley (1994)

Unfortunately like most people I got into this record after his death. Last Goodbye & Grace are songs I can't get sick of listening to & people should stop covering Hallelujah as he has the best version of it. Back chilling voice
Aside - Last Goodbye

Bside - Lover, You Should Have Come Over
Vs - this is his only proper album & is all the more popular because of it

24. AHA SHAKE HEARTBREAK - Kings of Leon (2004)

Probably the album between them being indie darling & mainstream angels with a young, raw southern rock sound. Another album that gained more popularity years after it's release
Aside - King of the Rodeo
Bside - Taper Jean Girl
Vs - I love Because of the Times but their other albums have a few good songs but a lot of filler

Live - watched them support Pearl Jam twice, first time we missed half their set but got their earlier the second time & they closed with Slow Night, So Long with an Eddie Vedder duet / tamborine smash which was pretty cool

23. WHAT THE SEA WANTS THE SEA WILL HAVE - Sarah Blasko (2006)

Second album from this beautiful vintage Sydney songstress who can somehow mix quiet & epic together
Aside - Always on the Line

Bside - The Garden's End
Vs - I haven't heard her new album (I Awake) but her other 2 (As Day Follows Night & The Overture...) are just as good & it's usually those that are on others 'best of' lists but for some unknown reason I prefer this one
Live - seen her at homebake a couple of times, sounding beautiful & doing her robot dance moves

22. ILL COMMUNICATION - Beastie Boys (1994)

The most eclectic Beasties record with hip hop, rock, punk & jazz-funk instrumentals all rolled into a big (& just a little too) long creative spin
Aside - Sure Shot

Bside - Get It Together
Vs - Each record is so different but my other favourites are Hello Nasty & Paul's Boutique
Live -  watched them headline BDO & Good Vibrations not long after each other, BDO from the bleachers & at Good Vibes got close enough to see while still being able to dance

21. PNAU - Pnau (2007)

Dancefloor festival friendly hands in the air beats & wild strawberries. Great album to listen to when going for a run
Aside - Baby

Bside - No More Violence
Vs - Sambanova is underrated & still sounds good now but their other 2 albums are pretty crap
Live - seen them countless times at homebake but most memerable was just after this album came out they headlined the big top stage & had the people dressed as fruit along with a much improved stage show, even if Nick turned into a over-the-top front man

20. SIGH NO MORE - Mumford & Sons (2009)

Indie folk... who knew banjo's could sound so cool? I did avoid this when it came out due to it's popularity but discovered it a year or so late & loved it
Aside - The Cave

Bside - White Blank Page

Vs - Haven't heard Babel yet but will probably find it in a years time

19. SILENT ALARM - Bloc Party (2005)

Fast tempo, passionate & energetic rock you can dance to. Lots of great tracks & a great driving album
Aside - Banquet

Bside - Helicopter
Vs - to put simply, I think their other albums suck & they've barely written a good song since

18. AENIMA - Tool (1996)

I still remember the first time I heard the intro to Stinkfist on 10 on a discman & was blown away. Definitely the heaviest music I would listen to but this album still rocks. Maynard has the best & longest scream
Aside - Stinkfist

Bside - Forty Six & Two
Vs - Lateralus was pretty good & 10,000 Days had it's moments
Live - scalped a cheap ticket on their Lateralus tour at the Ent Cent & epic is the only way to describe it, from the visuals to actually making the Entertainment Centre sound like a good venue. Also saw them headling BDO but didn't have the same connection on a festival stage

17. FOOD & LIQUOR - Lupe Fiasco (2006)

Kanye's protege delivers smart, bold & witty debut with plenty of famous guest MC's & producers. The kind of hip-hop I like, positive lyrics, great flow, variety of genres sampled, not pop enough to be on commercial radio but can fit nicely on rock festival stages
Aside - Kick, Push

Bside - I Gotcha
Vs - I have only heard some singles from other albums but he seems to be a bit all over the place, from concept records to auto-tune pop influenced verses & featuring on a Guy Sebastian single?

16. THE COLOUR & THE SHAPE - Foo Fighters (1997)

I remember having this taped on cassette & listening to it while getting ready for school (with a slice of air guitar and/or drums) thinking why isn't this album more popular. When first out Dave had to shake the 'guy from Nirvana' tag & were more remembered for their great film clips (my favourite from my previous blog). Another album that got popular years after it's release & one of the best late 90's rock albums
Aside - Everlong

Bside - Hey, Johnny Park
Vs - There Is Nothing Left To Lose reminds me of a Kiama caravan & their recent Wasting Light is their best since with  their debut, 1x1, In Your Honor having a mix of good & bad songs with Echoes, Silence... being crap
Live - saw them at my first BDO & couldn't believe they were headlining festivals, have been ever since though

15. WHATEVER & EVER AMEN - Ben Folds Five (1997)

Although probably remembered for their breakout hit Brick, this is an awesome album with a great mix of tempo from rocking out ballads. I still listen to it regularly & has the best harmonies & backing vocals of any album I have. Who knew a geeky white boy with glasses could rock so hard?
Aside - Brick

Bside - Kate
Vs - Including his solo stuff Rocking the Suburbs is another favourite of mine & the follow up ...Reinhold Messner had some good songs with his other albums have the occasional hit followed with plenty of filler

14. STAY HUMAN - Michael Franti & Spearhead (2001)

Half the album is venting anger at the world we live & the other half about how to cope with it & holding onto our community & spirituality with a theme of anti globalisation & the death penalty. Although this sounds negative it is a very positive & upbeat sound. It makes you think & makes you dance
Aside - Rock the Nation

Bside - Oh My God
Vs - Everyone Deserves Music is another classic album with his more recent material being a more blues/reggae/guitar influenced sound

13. THE LIVING END - The Living End (1998)

Singalong rockabilly punk with half the songs becoming singles & still sounding great today. I think if it was released a few years later during they would have been bigger overseas. Key to their sound is the backing of 3 top musicians when combined have a big sound for a trio.
Aside - West End Riot

Bside - Bloody Mary
Vs - State of Emergency, Roll On & White Noise are my next favourites (in that order) and very underrated with Modern Artillery having a few good songs but their recent The Ending... slipping from their high standards
Live - Top live band & probably seen them over 10 times, at a variety of different venues & festivals. Recently saw this album in it's entirety which was a great flashback

12. GRAND NATIONAL - John Butler Trio (2007)

Assisted by Beastie Boy producer Mario Caldato Jr helped change their sound from epic blues to a upbeat funkier sound & lyrics from anti government/corporation into a more positive outlook on love & life. Although some fans might not have like the change I really enjoyed it & has a good variety of songs crossing over different influences
Aside - Used to Get High

Bside - Groovin' Slowly
Vs - I love Three for it's guitar solo's and jams on it's 8 minute plus songs & Sunrise Over Sea has Zebra which is one of my all time favourite songs but their recent April Uprising isn't half as good. Oceans from his debut is the best guitar instrumental ever
Live - Great live & is probably the best guitarist I've seen up close. I remember going to a few shows at The Metro just after Three was released & couldn't believe they could play for over 2 1/2 hours, crazy!

11. A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD - Coldplay (2002)

Confident follow up album with a greater use of piano & electric guitar littered with hits helping them become maybe the decades biggest band. A solid listen & hard to find a bad song on there

Aside - Clocks

Bside - Green Eyes
Vs - I got into Parachutes while studying for my HSC but their albums since haven't been half as good
Live - saw them do an afternoon set at BDO but never expected them to be playing stadiums 10 years later. They played a great show to close the London Paralympics

10. VULTURE STREET  - Powderfinger (2003)

A rock record. From the opening riff it pretty much sets a good tone for the album. They were playing arenas & headlining festivals by this stage so they found a sound to fit. Although their previous 2 albums might be more popular this is their best album from start to finish.
Aside - Sunsets

Bside - A Song Called Everything
Vs - Internationalist, Double Allergic & Odyssey Number 5 are my other favourites (in that order) with Golden Rule slightly better than Dream Days... but not up to their previous work
Live - saw them many times but have a funny story from a show. Went with Mahony & Jeff to an afternoon all ages show in Newtown & while we got dropped off I heard some guys saying "how you boys going" or something, I tried to ignore them thinking they were some freaky person on King Street but it was Bernard & one other (maybe JC, can't remember) & I got paid out for the rest of the day for snobbing the band we were about to watch

9. LOVEBOX - Groove Armada (2003)

Variety of genres from big beats to rock to soul to hip-hop to funk to house but seems to sound well together somehow. It's my favourite electronic album but I lost it a few years ago but got most of the songs on a best of album
Aside - Easy

Bside - Hands of Time
Vs - Goodbye Country (Hello Nightclub) has my favourite song to dance to (Superstylin') & their recent album Black Light is pretty good & similar to Lovebox. Their other records only have the occassional hit song & is probably why they have so many best of albums
Live - even though they've come to Oz many times only caught them when they headlined the Boiler Room at the last BDO I went to, Superstylin was the perfect way to end the day 

8. IVY & THE BIG APPLES - Spiderbait (1996)

The first album I really got into & pretty much helped influence a lot of music I listened to & discovered how good Australian music is. The majority is a pretty raw rocking album with dabbles of pop, electronica & experimenting in other genres.
Aside - Buy Me A Pony

Bside - Should Have Done What My Mum Always Told Me To
Vs - ...Spanish Galleon, Grand Slam, Tonight Alright are my next favourites (in that order) & all top albums with Shashavaglava & The Flight of Wally Funk with a few good tracks but nowhere near as good
Live -  The first concert I went to they headlined a youthfest concert at Manly & it cost $5 from memory with some other bands like The Porkers on the bill

7. POWER IN NUMBERS - Jurassic 5 (2003)

Barbershop harmonies in a hip-hop collective with 4 MC's & 2 DJ's. Jurassic 5 with 6 members. All sounds confusing but this along with Quality Control my favourite hip-hop albums, probably from it's positive messages, top beats & the flows of each MC, with Chali 2na in a league of his own
Aside -What's Golden

Bside - I Am Somebody
Vs - Quality Control is equally as good but Feedback was a bit disappointing & no surprise they split afterwards
Live - while visiting Ben, Owen & James for a weekend while they were living in Dublin we all went to their show, what great timing! You know it was a good show when Ben hadn't heard of them but buys a T-shirt on the way out. Was funny being at a hip-hop show even with a whiter audience than at home

6. SONGS FOR THE DEAF (2002)

Awesome rock album! Although Dave Grohl might get too much credit for playing drums on this record I just think he was in the right place at the right time while the band were probably at the peak of their powers with their best lineup together. Used to listen to it to psych me up at judo comps

Aside - No One Knows

Bside - God Is On The Radio
Vs - I enjoyed Lullabies to Paralyze & recently heard Rated R which is better than I remember hearing it 10 years ago, their latest Era Vulgaris is forgettable but has one good song (Make It Wit Chu)
Live - Saw them at BDO after Rated R & thought they were ok but couldn't imagine the quality that would come next. If I could pick a concert where I could hear an album to hear from start to finish I this would be it

5. SO MANY NIGHTS - The Cat Empire (2007)

I remember walking past or lining up for a drink at the Dome stage at Homebake one year hearing trumpets blaring to a "Hello Hello", I had to check the timetable to find out who they were. Great live band with this album famous for their record 8 sold out shows at The Metro. You can't not be in a good mood listening to it
Aside - Fishies

Bside - Lonely Moon/Sunny Moon (combo)
Vs - Two Shoes & Cinema are a bit hit & miss but their debut is so good, so many great tracks but I just barely prefer this album
Live - Best festival band ever!

4. IS THIS IT? - The Strokes (2001)

Saviours of rock? 70's garage rock? Modern rock? Who knows, all I know it's the best driving album ever! Maybe also the best house party album & best song to close an album too. Riffs, solos, just simple rock'n'roll done so well
Aside - Someday

Bside - Take It Or Leave It
Vs - Room on Fire & First Impressions... have a few good songs but they will never get close to their debut
Live - Saw them support You Am I just before this album exploded, they were good but You Am I blew them offstage as I think they wanted to show the young boys how it was done

3. CALIFORNICATION - Red Hot Chili Peppers (1999)

Although maybe drifting away from their signature funk-rock sound into a more mellow sound, this is a quality album with a great mix of sounds. Even with it producing so many singles all the tracks are good & also shows off the musicianship of Chad's great drumming, Flea's bass but John is definitely the catalyst for the creativity of the group
Aside - Scar Tissue

Bside - Purple Stain
Vs - Blood Sugar... is probably the more famous but I think it's a couple of tracks too long, Stadium Arcadium I didn't mind (especially for a double album) with By the Way having it's moments
Live - Headlined the 1st BDO I went to & are one band that can pull off the big festival headline slot

2. VS - Pearl Jam (1993)

Rawrer & more aggressive sound than their popular debut & definitely my favourite album of theirs as it has everything that's good about them, from hard rock to acoustic ballads, Eddie's amazing voice & the band collectively sounding great. Can't believe it's 20 years old but still sounds great now
Aside - Daughter

Bside - Indifference
Vs - Ten has the big hits & Vitalogy is another classic but I think their most underrated is Yield. I do like some of their obscure stuff & most of their albums but they can't really compare to their early work
Live - Lucky to been able to see them a few times & they are the best band to their fans, from changing their setlist every night, playing everything from hits to rarities to covers & everything in between. Mike McCready pulls off the best solo's & Eddie is always the consummate rockstar

1. ECHOLALIA - Something For Kate (2001)

This is number 1 because if I have to quickly pick an album from my shelf to listen to I will probably pick this. Probably their most popular album but 10 years on it's still a great listen. Listened to it countless times but still not sick of it
Aside - Monsters

Bside - Old Pictures
Vs - I like all their albums but here is the order of my next favourite - Beautiful Sharks, Everything is True (Paul Dempsey), Desert Lights, Elsewhere for 8 Minutes, Leave Your Soul to Science & The Official Fiction
Live - Seen them more times than I can remember, even lucky enough to win tickets to some secret gigs but as much as I love the band I think hearing Paul solo with just his acoustic guitar gives me goosebumps

Took me ages to finish so it's a bit all over the place. Not sure what was predictable & what was a surprise but thanks for checking it out & hope you enjoyed