10 albums you should definitely listen to. Vol. 3
1. Joe Bonamassa - 'Sloe Gin'
My favourite album by the incredible blues guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa. Soulful, powerful vocals coupled with amazing guitar work. Though blues appears to be an acquired taste, I HIGHLY recommend this album. High points for me have to be 'Around The Bend' and 'Black Night'.
2. Johnny Cash - 'American IV: The Man Comes Around'
One of the last albums Cash recorded before his death in 2003. Though it may not be his best work, and is essentially an album of covers for the most part, I found it to be one of the most moving. To me, Cash used this album to explore the issues he faced in his life and face them before his death, especially with his now iconic cover of Trent Reznor's 'Hurt', which has to be the best track on this album for me. Trent Reznor had this to say about the cover, and it's accompanying music video:
"I pop the video in, and wow… Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps… Wow. [I felt like] I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore… It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. [Somehow] that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning — different, but every bit as pure."
3. Jason Mraz - 'We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things'
Jason Mraz's last studio release was a real summer feel good album for me for sometime after it was released. It wasn't for a while that I came to realise how good an album it really was, and how it was so much more than that. For example, my favourite song on the album, 'Details In The Fabric', explores some really deep issues and really stands out from the feel good, catchy tunes of the rest of the album.
4. James Blunt - 'Back To Bedlam'
Though he is regarded as a slightly marmite artist, I do have a lot of time for James Blunt. His debut album explored the ever so familiar themes of love and loss that every person on the planet comes to face at some stage, however offering that glimmer of hope that we can pull out of it if we face up to it. However, for me, the stunning 'No Bravery' makes the album, a haunting and sorrowful song written about the horrors Blunt saw in parts of the world, especially during his tour of duty with the armed forces.
5. Limp Bizkit - 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavoured Water'
No real deep dealios here, Limp Bizkit's music is just simply some of the most badass music made in the last decade or so, and this album comprises of sheer badassery. Durst and co's combination of sick guitar licks, heavy beats and hip-hop styled vocals offer a epic and unique experience. Coming in the top for me has to be 'Livin' It Up'.
6. Lostprophets - 'Liberation Transmission'
As I write, I can hear all the so called LP fans calling out "WHY!?!? IT WAS A SHIT ALBUM!! START SOMETHING IS #1!??!!!"!!211!!!!!!!!!11111!!!!! [Insert assorted derogatory comments about myself and my family]". To you guys I say you're half right, but also: shut the fuck up! This album was awesome, had some of LP's best lyrics to date, and showed the band had the courage to try a new direction. Go listen to 'Always All Ways (Apologies, Glances and Messed Up Chances)' and 'Broken Hearts and Torn Up Letters' and see that I'm right and you are sadly deluded for doubting some of the finest rockers to ever come out of Wales.
7. Nine Inch Nails - 'The Downward Spiral'
Trent Reznor is one of the most talented men in music. Performing under the guise of 'Nine Inch Nails', all of his albums are recorded solely by himself. He writes all the music, plays all the music, writes all the lyrics etc. This album, praised as one of his finest, is one of the concept albums I love oh-so-much. Instead of me trying to sum it up, I'm going to just copy and paste the proper explanation by some of those hyper intelligent musical critic/analyst type thing:
"There are numerous layers of metaphors that are present throughout the album, which leaves it open to wide interpretation. The album relays many concepts of Nihilism, such as the chorus line in "Heresy," which exclaims: "Your god is dead/And no one cares. If there is a hell/I'll see you there." As a whole, The Downward Spiral is defined by Nietzschean concepts and a prominent theme of existentialism. It is a concept album in which the overarching plot follows the protagonist's descent into his own inner solipsistic world, through a metaphorical "Downward Spiral", dealing with religion, dehumanization, violence, disease, society, drugs, sex, and finally suicide."
Some dark stuff, but very powerful. My favourite tracks have to be 'Hurt' and 'Mr Self Destruct'.
8. Nirvana - 'Nevermind'
It was only a matter of time before this album came up. In my opinion the highlight of the now iconic grunge rock band Nirvana's glittering career charged by teen angst, drugs, alcohol, sex and the (BLATANTLY FAKED) suicide of legend front man Kurt Cobain. Also without Nirvana, we would have no Dave Grohl, undoubtedly one of the best musicians of his generation (but we'll cover more of him later). This album brought some of Nirvana's greatest hits into the limelight, including 'Lithium' and of course the now legendary anthem 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. Pick up a copy, or dust of the copy sitting on your shelf and rock out to a true rock classic. RIP Kurt Cobain.
9. Phil Collins - 'Face Value'
One of my favourite artists of all time, Phil Collins, made this stunner of an album back in 1981. At the risk of sounding cliché, my favourite track has got to be 'In The Air Tonight', as it was probably one of the most played songs in my house during my youth due to me and my Dad's mutual liking of the legendary balladeer and fantastic drummer Mr. Phil Collins. This album shows off Phil's insightful lyric writing, and breathtaking musical prowess. I beg of you, if you're young like me, go root around in your parent's music collection to see if you're lucky enough to have parents with good enough taste to have this gem, turn out all the lights and listen to this album. You can thank me later.
10. Seasick Steve - 'I Started Out With Nothin' and I Still Got Most Of It Left'
A humble man from poor roots, Steve ran away from home at an early age due to an abusive step-father, during which time he lived as a hobo, tramp and bum (three- in the words of Steve himself- different types of people). He travelled the country hopping freight trains finding work from town to town until his path eventually led him to music. Steve's life of hardship has done his music some great favours though, using his music to tell some fond and some solemn memories of his time on the road. His distinctive blues sound is very unique, most likely owing to his reluctance to play any instruments other than those which he has played throughout his poverty including; The 'Three Stringed Transwonder' guitar and The 'Mississippi Drum Machine' (a block of wood he taps with his foot to make a drum beat). Strange, but brilliant, check out this great live rendition of 'Walking Man'.