The 1990's
I managed somehow to come across Pitchfork's revised "Top 100 Albums of the 90's" list, and when I realized how little of it I actually know, I decided it's time to rectify the situation. I figured I'd better start with #1, so that I make it through the best before I get bored of the whole project.
#1 Radiohead
OK Computer
Well, there's nothing to say here. a) I worship this album. b) I actually listened to it and started worshipping it in the 90's, so I didn't even bother to listen to it again for the project. I know it well enough that it always comes to mind when appropriate.
#2 My Bloody Valentine
Loveless
I had heard of them, and someone had given me this album. I am actually a bit suspicious about that, because I have this niggling feeling every time I get to song #5 that it's actually song #1 all over again, so I suppose I ought to eat it and dredge it up online to give it a fair trial. So far, though, the hooks do appeal, though I can't claim any passion for it yet (only 2 listens this week so far).
#3 The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin
This brings to mind the major annoyance that, when I switched computers, I managed to delete every piece of music that Toren gave me, and I'm convinced The Flaming Lips were on this list. Anyhow, that leaves my only recourse to be Deezer, and I'll say now that the only bone I have to pick with Deezer is actually enough to make me not listen to them at all. And that is: they mess up all of the track orders on the albums. But, having no choice in this case (being too cheap to buy 100 albums that I've never even heard, just on the recommendation of Pitchfork), I gave it a listen. Unlike "Loveless", I felt and immediate bond with this music, and it's gone straight to the top of the "to-buy" list.
#4 Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
More lost-Toren music. I remember listening to a few track on random, and not being particularly impressed. Deezer didn't even have the whole album, but the only track that made any impression at all was "Oh, Comely". I have to admit my bias here, however, as I've just never been able to get into lo-fi folk style music. Leonard Cohen is probably the only exception. But I'll give it a week's worth of once a day listenings to see if it takes. These things especially usually take me some time to come around to.
#5 Pavement
Slanted & Enchanted
Well, this record is certainly diverse. There were songs here that I liked, songs that I wished I wasn't listening to, because they just felt like noise, and songs I didn't notice at all. This breeds respect for the band, but leaves me ambivalent about the record. More listens for it, too, I suppose.
#6 Nirvana
Nevermind
Yea! Another record that I actually know. I'm afraid that I'm the most trite of Nirvana fans. I like all of their hit songs that everyone else likes, and the rest I'd just as soon skip. I'm giving this album another listen in honor of it's position, though, because it had been a while, and I really like those hit songs. As a concluding aside, now that I consider it, Pitchfork's claims about Nirvana's punk roots actually make a lot of sense to me.
#7 DJ Shadow
...Endtroducing
Although I had randomly listened to a few tracks from this album, I found it did gain quite a bit when taken as a whole. All in all, I enjoyed it, and I think I'll try to continue this project.
#1 Radiohead
OK Computer
Well, there's nothing to say here. a) I worship this album. b) I actually listened to it and started worshipping it in the 90's, so I didn't even bother to listen to it again for the project. I know it well enough that it always comes to mind when appropriate.
#2 My Bloody Valentine
Loveless
I had heard of them, and someone had given me this album. I am actually a bit suspicious about that, because I have this niggling feeling every time I get to song #5 that it's actually song #1 all over again, so I suppose I ought to eat it and dredge it up online to give it a fair trial. So far, though, the hooks do appeal, though I can't claim any passion for it yet (only 2 listens this week so far).
#3 The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin
This brings to mind the major annoyance that, when I switched computers, I managed to delete every piece of music that Toren gave me, and I'm convinced The Flaming Lips were on this list. Anyhow, that leaves my only recourse to be Deezer, and I'll say now that the only bone I have to pick with Deezer is actually enough to make me not listen to them at all. And that is: they mess up all of the track orders on the albums. But, having no choice in this case (being too cheap to buy 100 albums that I've never even heard, just on the recommendation of Pitchfork), I gave it a listen. Unlike "Loveless", I felt and immediate bond with this music, and it's gone straight to the top of the "to-buy" list.
#4 Neutral Milk Hotel
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
More lost-Toren music. I remember listening to a few track on random, and not being particularly impressed. Deezer didn't even have the whole album, but the only track that made any impression at all was "Oh, Comely". I have to admit my bias here, however, as I've just never been able to get into lo-fi folk style music. Leonard Cohen is probably the only exception. But I'll give it a week's worth of once a day listenings to see if it takes. These things especially usually take me some time to come around to.
#5 Pavement
Slanted & Enchanted
Well, this record is certainly diverse. There were songs here that I liked, songs that I wished I wasn't listening to, because they just felt like noise, and songs I didn't notice at all. This breeds respect for the band, but leaves me ambivalent about the record. More listens for it, too, I suppose.
#6 Nirvana
Nevermind
Yea! Another record that I actually know. I'm afraid that I'm the most trite of Nirvana fans. I like all of their hit songs that everyone else likes, and the rest I'd just as soon skip. I'm giving this album another listen in honor of it's position, though, because it had been a while, and I really like those hit songs. As a concluding aside, now that I consider it, Pitchfork's claims about Nirvana's punk roots actually make a lot of sense to me.
#7 DJ Shadow
...Endtroducing
Although I had randomly listened to a few tracks from this album, I found it did gain quite a bit when taken as a whole. All in all, I enjoyed it, and I think I'll try to continue this project.