TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 29, 2024 8:49:19 GMT 1
47 Back To The Planet - Mind & Soul CollaboratorsOk this isn't strictly a debut as they have released 2 DIY cassette only albums but this is their first high profile release. Another what I called at the time Glastonbury band. We have had a few already Dreadzone, Levellers and the one we haven't seen yet, Chumbawamba. We should have mind you I missed their 1992 record. So yes this is what was called 'Crusty' but it is a step above most of that, there is some great pop on this like "Please Don't Fight" and "Teenage Dream". They deserved more success but were dropped after this. The record reached #32 that is pretty good in 1993, number one albums now barely sell what was needed to get to #32 in 1993. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 29, 2024 8:54:42 GMT 1
46 Goo Goo Dolls - Superstar Car WashThe fourth album from the alternative rock band. We are still not into their classic run yet but everything is here. The mix between radio friendly soft rock, the one or two punk songs, the big ballad and very competent alt-rock. And with each release, John Rzeznik takes over more and more of the songwriting and vocals. So for me this is probably more than the sum of its parts as it is Goo Goo Dolls so I love it but I know they will get better. This album also missed the US top 100 but all that will change soon. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 8:34:53 GMT 1
45 Catherine Wheel - ChromeThe second album from the shoegaze band from Norfolk. Well that is the thing they never were totally a shoegaze band, this album is even more varied crossing grunge, Brit Pop and more traditional indie sounds but it is still shoegaze at its heart and in fact if it came out today you would probably call it grungegaze. As usual with Catherine Wheel their best songs do tend to be on EPs and singles but this record does have 'Crank' which is one of their best songs. The record reached #58 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 8:39:56 GMT 1
44 Jesus Jones - PerverseThe third album from Jesus Jones is pretty solid and I just loved their sound at the time. But it is very clear this is a step-down from their first two albums. It is generally more of the same from 'Doubt' but the songs just aren't as good. 'The Devil You Know' is probably the best single. So not really disappointing but nothing to rave about either. The record reached #6 in the UK and #59 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 8:47:50 GMT 1
43 Deacon Blue - Whatever You Say, Say NothingTheir fourth album and hmm. This is their first to miss by top 40 and it is very obvious what is going on here. Deacon Blue are a stadium band now so what do they do , make their own 'Achtung Baby'. Some it of really works 'Your Town' is just so well done and epic but is it really Deacon Blue, not sure it is all early 90s production. 'Will We Be Lovers' is good as well but it is just 'Mysterious Ways'/ The only big song that still sounds like Deacon Blue is 'Only Tender Love'. It is good to listen to but just a bit too bandwagon jumping and they should have stuck their ground. The record reached '4 but it was their lowest seller and the last success until they turned things around in the 10s 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 9:02:33 GMT 1
Ok at #42 and these are all classics and/or brilliant records from now on. 42 Paul Weller - Wild WoodThis might be the first record where I will be told, this is too low. The fact I have got this far without thinking that, shows I have got things pretty accurate till now. Well first thing you cannot really argue that Paul Weller's second album is possibly the best thing he has done since The Jam split. Yes Style Council had their moments but they never had an album as complete as this. The singles are all bangers and classics and the whole feel of the record is just so 1993. The only reason this misses my top 40 is, the record is a bit too long. The album reached #2 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 9:08:07 GMT 1
41 Chapterhouse - Blood MusicThe second album from yes another shoegaze band but Chapterhouse could not be more different than Catherine Wheel. I had never heard this before and the singles were good but not amazing. Well that was a bad move, this album is awesome. Nobody bar MBV when working with Andy Weatherall does shoegaze that you can dance to better, no not even Ride. This album is just so uplifting and it is a real shame that the media had decided shoegaze was poison by now as this is a must listen for any shoegaze fan. The record did not chart 4/5
|
|
|
Post by Earl Purple on Jan 30, 2024 13:03:28 GMT 1
Wild Wood is the "comeback" album for Paul Weller who for me had done nothing special since about 1985 with "Our Favourite Shop" and I don't know what you actually thought of the Style Council, but it did appear to be all downhill from that point until this one, including "The Cost Of Loving".
I'm wondering if Kingmaker haven't appeared yet because they're going to appear a lot higher, or you blanked them out completely. I'm not expecting Meat Loaf on your list, and Carter USM's Post Historic Monsters was a huge disappontment to me but I liked their albums after that.
Of course Hit Parade II was technically a 1993 release although I think of it as being 1992. They will be back with Watusi in 1994, a great album of pop anthems.
Incidentally 1995 is considered for me the strongest year for albums ever, with 1994 not that far behind, but maybe because I bought a lot more albums those years. 1993 though was way behind.
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 30, 2024 14:10:17 GMT 1
Wild Wood is the "comeback" album for Paul Weller who for me had done nothing special since about 1985 with "Our Favourite Shop" and I don't know what you actually thought of the Style Council, but it did appear to be all downhill from that point until this one, including "The Cost Of Loving". I'm wondering if Kingmaker haven't appeared yet because they're going to appear a lot higher, or you blanked them out completely. I'm not expecting Meat Loaf on your list, and Carter USM's Post Historic Monsters was a huge disappontment to me but I liked their albums after that. Of course Hit Parade II was technically a 1993 release although I think of it as being 1992. They will be back with Watusi in 1994, a great album of pop anthems. Incidentally 1995 is considered for me the strongest year for albums ever, with 1994 not that far behind, but maybe because I bought a lot more albums those years. 1993 though was way behind. Kingmaker are still to come, Meatloaf was #107, Carter just got 3/5 so missed the cut. I didn't count 'Hit Parade II' as it is really a compilation but it would have been top 75 if I did. As for 1995 at this point I agree my top 20 is much stronger than this one.
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 31, 2024 8:41:15 GMT 1
Top 40 time 40 Cypress Hill - Black SundayThe second album from the US hip hop group and this could be one of the highest placed albums in that genre. What was it about this band that made them so beloved of rock fans as well as hip hop fans. Well the first thing is of course the tunes, the big singles are awesome, then the production, the darkness and the groove also on top of the that, lyrics that just felt like they were out of a Scorcese/Tarantino movie. I was 22 of course I would love this. Playing the album now I wasn't so sure how much it stands up and the vocals are a bit more annoying than they were then but otherwise still damn good. The record reached #1 in the UK and #13 in the UK. It sold 4 million in the US alone. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 31, 2024 8:47:40 GMT 1
39 Counting Crows - August and Everything AfterThe debut album from LA rock band. And you must admit they certainly not sound like a 90s LA band. I wasn't that big into Counting Crows at the time, some of my friends were very into them. I loved 'Mr Jones' of course. But these days , this is really up my street and it is probably one of the best debut records of this year. But I must admit it didn't really hold my attention to the end and the tracks started to blur into each other. The record reached #4 in the US and #16 in the US. Hard to believe but this album sold over 10 million worldwide. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 31, 2024 8:54:29 GMT 1
38 Madder Rose - Bring It DownAnother debut album this time from a New York based alternative rock band. They have recently reformed and they are still pretty great but this album is on a different level to their new stuff. Not as brilliant as their 2nd album but it is very very good, highlights are the title track, 'Beautiful John' and the first song I bought 'Swim'. The band were compared to Velvet Underground but I think comparing them to contemporaries like Dinosaur Jr. and My Bloody Valentine in guitar sound and 4AD indie rock. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 31, 2024 9:02:39 GMT 1
37 Verve - A Storm in HeavenThe debut album from the indie rock band from Wigan. The love that was spouted over this record and Richard Ashcroft was just so OTT which really tarnished by view of them from day one. Just go to the wikipage for this record and see it gush for 5 pages!! But here we go 30 years later and it is a damn good psychedelic rock album. Is it better than bands that do the same thing today, probably not. But must admit I do love a lot about this, I wish they had kept this more shoegaze sound and didn't go so straight Brit Pop in a few years. 'Blue' is my favourite song. So yeh I actually really liked this, so maybe the hype was real. The record reached #27 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Jan 31, 2024 9:09:23 GMT 1
36 Sugar - BeasterI must admit I have not been consistent when it comes to EPs but this is a mini-album and since I love the band so much at the time I had to include it. It has a heavier sound than their debut but still accessible, 'Tilted' is one of their best songs. I just wish it was longer. These days it would all have been added to the debut extended/special/deluxe and that would have been a bad thing as it just wouldn't fit. The record reached #3 in the UK and #130 in the US. 4/5
|
|
|
Post by greendemon on Jan 31, 2024 14:52:07 GMT 1
Like a lot of people I got into The Verve with Urban Hymns, but going back to A Storm In Heaven I now far prefer that album and that sound from them in general. Still listen to it now, such a great chill-out album.
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Feb 1, 2024 8:45:35 GMT 1
35 Radiohead - Pablo HoneyA very timely appearance of Radiohead's debut album just as we have their latest album from The Smile side project. Radiohead's first album is an interesting one as yes it has one classic song but the rest is kinda fine with some brilliant highlights. I don't think many people would predict their influence and longevity based on this album. Saying that for me , it is their third-best album, what a heathen ok maybe fourth!! It is very grunge influenced that is clear on the EP single 'Prove Yourself' and I think 'Stop Whispering' is one of their top 10 best songs. The rest apart from 'Creep' is good if not unique or stand out from the crowd. If it hadn't been for 'Creep' it would not have been farfetched to suggest they would have been dropped before we even got to 'The Bends'. The album did moderately well reaching #22 in the UK and #32 in the US but has gone on to sell over 2 million worldwide. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Feb 1, 2024 8:52:24 GMT 1
34 Teenage Fanclub - ThirteenI was a huge fan of Teenage Fanclub in the 90s especially but for me, this album their fourth was their weakest release of that decade. It is hard to describe why it falls between 'Bandwagonesque' and 'Grand Prix' so much. Yes it is still great of course but the songs are not as good at all, the production is quite lazy and it lacks the energy and heaviness of 'Bandwagonesque' and the classic sound of 'Grand Prix'. So maybe 'Thirteen' is a good name for it as it is unlucky to fall between two classics, 3rd album slump maybe. Don't get me wrong I still really enjoy it but I wouldn't play it ahead of their other albums from that era. The record reached #14 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Feb 1, 2024 8:58:51 GMT 1
33 Kingmaker - SleepwalkingReally was I going to miss this superb follow-up to their debut album. I probably rate this album almost the same as that first record but I actually think the singles are even better on this one. 'Ten Years Asleep' probably my favourite and 'Queen Jane' keeps that Wonderstuff grebo sound alive deeper into the 90s that we ever expected. Not the biggest fan of 'Armchair Anarchist' the other single but on the whole, you totally get what you want from this release. This was their most successful album reaching #15 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Feb 1, 2024 9:04:52 GMT 1
32 Midnight Oil - Earth and Sun and MoonAs you will see there is still very much room for some of my 80s favourites. This is their eighth album and although they were falling of my radar, "Truganini" got them right back in. Then the follow-up single which is ok very Midnight OIl by numbers but they filled the spaces just as you want and it is so catchy. that is of course 'My Country', probably their best pop song since 'Beds Are Burning'. The rest of the album does not disappoint but of course it is full of all the usual tropes and subjects you expect from them. The record was a huge success in OZ and New Zealand of course but was totally ignored by US/Uk although it still made the top 10 in Canada. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,550
|
Post by TheThorne on Feb 1, 2024 9:12:14 GMT 1
31 The Breeders - Last SplashWe recently saw what Frank Black was up to, now we see what Kim Deal is doing. The second album from the Deal sisters but this time no Tanya Donnelly as she has a new project of her own. That is coming up a lot later. But even without Tanya, they make an even better album and probably the best record Kim has made outwith The Pixies. What made this stand out, of course is "Cannonball". A total indie disco classic and one of the best 90s alt rcck songs. But there is plenty more on there , the very Throwing Muses 'Divine Hammer' and many more. Yes there are some weird moments and experimental stuff but that is really par for the course from most 4AD signings. So not perfect by any means but still a classic. The record reached #6 in the UK and #33 in the US. 4/5
|
|