Nirvana- MTV Unplugged in New York

In 1993, the grunge band responsible for Smells Like Teen Spirit cast aside their deafening amplified guitars and thrashing anger, to produce this gentle acoustic album

Who would have guessed that stripping the distortion and violence from a band fuelled by anger would reveal songs which work so well in this naked form? Think of it as a great folk album. Cobain's vocals aren't the most versatile (neither are Bob Dylan's for what it's worth...), but the compositions are excellent.

While some people might find the often sorrowful lyrics to become draining, the varied instrumentals means this is an excellent album to have on in the background. Nirvana elevator muzak perhaps?! After the halfway point, I found the album can start to drag out a bit, but then the more upbeat All Apologies enters to re-inject some energy. And the banter between songs gives a great casual and intimate atmosphere. It makes the CD an occasion, rather than something manufactured on a producer's computer.

Favourite Songs

About a Girl, Come As You Are, The Man Who Sold the World, Polly, Plateau, Lake of Fire, All Apologies, Where Did You Sleep Last Night

Would I buy it again?

Yep. It's proof that there was more to Nirvana than mindless thrashing, and a great folk album to boot.

Live- Throwing Copper

Finally, a respectable album in my collection! After too many pop singles, ska records and even a comedian with stupid hair, I hope to gain some kind of credibility with the next few CDs...

Throwing Copper is the album which saw Live develop from a Christian folk/rock band to a successful mainstream rock band. It was released in 1994, three years after Mental Jewelry.

Time to take your serious pills, folks, because this is a serious album. Although free from any Christian preaching, the lyrics are very heavy on protest, suffering and sorrow. Even Shit Towne, which could have been delivered with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, is very serious business. In a way, Lightening Crashes is the most positive song on the album, with the birth scene offering some hope. For the rest of the album, I sometimes find myself merely tolerating the gloomy lyrics, in order to enjoy some great instrumental rock action.

The Dam at Otter Creek is the perfect introduction song for this album. Its buildup gently brings you into the required mood, and sets the scene brilliantly. Most of the songs follow the structure of a gentle acoustic opening which slowly builds up to maximum-attack-distortion-guitars. But they do it well, so I'm not complaining about the cookie-cutter structure. The choruses are catchy, everything is delivered with passion and the guitars and drums are cleverly used to give good variety while maintaining a consistent style.

And the epic songs are truly epic. Lightening Crashes still gives me goosebumps, even after all these years. With brilliantly illustrative lyrics and instrumentals which are fantastic all the way from whispered introduction to soaring climax, its status as a modern classic is well deserved. The recording quality has held up very well over the years: the guitars are warm and powerful as required, and the musicianship is very tight. I Alone, T.B.D and Pillar of Davidson also portray a grand sense of drama. The vocal counter-melody in the final chorus of Pillar of Davidson is a highlight for me.

The album works very well, with a clever track order to maintain the mood, but avoid fatigue. And it gently brings the listener back to reality with the (otherwise out of place) softer Bonus Track.

Listening to this album is hard work, but the reward is a great rock experience.

Favourite songs

Selling the Drama, I Alone, Iris, Lightening Crashes, Top, All Over You, T.B.D, Stage, Waitress, Pillar of Davidson

Would I buy it again?

Absolutely.

Area 7- Bitter & Twisted

Bitter & Twisted is Area-7's debut album and the follow-up to the Bitter Words single. It was released in 2000, strangely almost a year after the single was released. Since Bitter Words had whet my appetite for this mysterious "ska" phenomenon, the album was keenly anticipated by me at the time.

Aside from Bitter Words and Let Me Down, many many of the songs have a major gripe for me: an awful kick-drum sound is awful. There's a lot of "slapping" sound to it, which I can't stand. The rest of the recording is pretty good: nice horn lines, bouncy keyboard and tongue-in-cheek grunty guitar. The lyrics are often poignant social commentaries, although for some reason they have lost their "bite" for me over the years.

Start Making Sense, Dodgy Mate, Himbo and Big Ben continue the style set by Bitter Words, and the cover of Boys Don't Cry is a great fast-tempo version.

As for the slower songs, the reggae song Blind is very awkward. Skin Deep hold together much better and builds up nicely throughout the song.  Walk Away is one of my favourite songs, due to the interesting "slow motion" drums in the chorus.

Finally, Unsrung Hero and Second Class Citizen have their moments as angsty ska-rock anthems, but somehow I don't think they resonate any more. While the highly stylised cartoon feel and slick production was light-hearted fun  back in the day, I think it undermines the songs because they start to feel like throwaway pop ditties.

Favourite songs

Bitter Words, Start Making Sense, Himbo, Let Me Down, Big Ben

Would I buy it again?

That terrible "slapping" kick-drum sound is pretty much a deal-breaker on its own! Actually, this album was a key step in my discovery of ska, so I have much to thank it for. But, at the end of the day, my tastes have moved on.

Two Hands soundtrack

Two Hands is a great little Aussie film from 1999. It's a quirky and moody crime drama, and the soundtrack is a key part of crafting the moods. Also, thanks to These Days by Powderfinger and the title track by Kate Cebrano, this soundtrack was also quite successful in its own right.

I think any pretence of objectivity will have to be abandoned for this review, because my enjoyment of the film is probably subconsciously affecting my judgement of this collection of songs! On a related topic, the album has many abrupt mood changes between songs, so I find it hard to listen to start-to-finish. So I tend to listen to this album in a shuffled playlist as background music (hopefully this isn't damning the album with faint praise!). None of the tracks would rate in a list of my favourite songs, but they are still an enjoyable listen whenever I stumble across them.

Most of the pop/rock tunes (These Days, Lucky Star, What Does it Matter, Belter and Kare Kare by Crowded House) have a pained/desperate undercurrent to the lyrics, but thankfully with enough style to avoid becoming emotionally draining. The ballads provide a nice contrast, such as Down in Splendour (in a similar style to Lucky Man by The Verve), Two Hands and This Guy's in Love. In between, the instrumental songs have a gritty underworld feel, such as Walking Kings X, Dark State of Mind, Staircase and Love Theme.

Favourite songs

These Days, Stadium, Dark State of Mind, Staircase, Love Theme, Kare Kare

Would I buy it again?

Even though I'd never sit down to listen to it, it's worth having as a nice oddball background music collection.

Sheryl Crow- There Goes the Neighbourhood

This single was released in 1998, shortly after her smash hit My Favourite Mistake. In fact, I mainly bought this single for the acoustic B-side version of Favourite Mistake.

So, what about There Goes the Neighborhood itself then? Well, in my opinion it is overblown pop cheese with all of the pop smoke and mirrors trying to hide a fundamentally bland song. Ouch! Also, the song gets quieter for each chorus, which is very strange. For me, the only thing that saves it are the obscurely non-sensical lyrics (I'm a sucker for confusing lyrics for some strange reason!). It seems like those lyrics are hardly a fluke, though, since all of the songs on this single have wonderfully vivid yet obscure lyrics.

Straight to the Moon is more of the same, but actually a lot better in my book. The groove and hooks are a lot catchier, and the song is hiding behind a lot less pop glitter.

Finally, the acoustic version of My Favourite Mistake is fantastic. The rawness gives the song a more honest feel, and enhances Sheryl's lyrical variety by adding wonderful huskiness to the verses.

Favourite songs

Straight to the Moon, My Favourite Mistake

Would I buy it again?

Ironically, the B-sides put together a compelling case. But in the end, it's more of an enjoyable oddity than a "must have".

The Animals- Most Of (1993 compilation)

This compilation, originally released in 1966, consists of songs the band recorded in 1964 and 1965. Its impressive collection of hits illustrates the surprisingly short time in the spotlight for such a renowned band.

To start with, a bit of chin-scratching about the recording quality. Purists would probably consider that to re-master The Animals- thus possibly changing their signature sound- would be sacrilegious. However, the harsh reality is that old-time production values means lots of distortion, poor dynamic range, muffled instruments and other areas that are totally humbled by modern recordings. However, the balance between instruments is very good, and the crackly hammond organ sound is wonderous.

It turns out that most of their songs are covers, but their infectious style and great hooks means I'm too busy enjoying the songs to worry about originality. Blues undertones are present in most songs, and come to the foreground in I'm Mad Again. Compared with say The Beatles, the songs are a lot more serious and gritty. They did attempt the sugar-coated pop in Let the Good Times Roll and I've Been Around, but in my opinion they feel clunky and contrived.

It's My Life is one of my favourite songs, to me its use of a simple guitar riff is ahead of its time. And I think there is also untapped potential in the song: I've never heard a cover of it, but I think think it would work well as a modern heavy-rock song, or as a fast-paced punk version.

Speaking of covers, The Animals' simple version of Johnny Lee Hooker's Dimples is also amongst my all-time favourites. It's not the slightest bit unique,  but it hits the spot perfectly.

Favourite songs

House of the Rising Sun, Boom Boom, Baby Let Me Take You Home, Around and Around, I'm Mad Again, The Girl Can't Help It, We've Gotta Get Out of this Place, Bring it on Home to Me, It's My Life, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Bright Lights Big City, Dimples, Roadrunner.

Would I buy it again?

Yes. The band sure cranked out a lot of great tunes during those 2 years!

Jewell- Hands

Hands is the first single from Jewel's second album, released in 1998. It built on the pop success established with her debut album, Pieces of You.

For me, Jewell's vocals are a wonderful highlight. Within a single song, they can jump between triumphant, quietly soulful, mourning and enraged- each of which is executed brilliantly. Hands also has some good instrumental hooks, which sit nicely behind the vocals. It all makes for a great pop song with some nicely biting commentaries.

The recording quality is also very good. A particular highlight is the powerful thud of the kick-drum sound. While it might be strange to compliment an acoustic song for "hectic bass, bro", here it is perfectly executed as a gentle, yet reassuringly powerful padding sound.

Innocence Maintained has some great poetry, but edges a bit close to preachy Christian-pop for my liking. Enter From the East is perfectly raw and simple: just a guitar and an extremely talented singer. Brilliant.

Favourite songs

Hands, Enter From the East

Would I buy it again?

Yes. Even though it's "just" a single, there is something very special about two of the three songs.

Dire Straits- Sultans of Swing (Best of)

This Best Of compilation was released in 1998, seven years after the release of their final studio album.

With beautifully poetic lyrics, excellent guitar work and a mix of rock/roots/jazz, Dire Straits pushes a lot of buttons for me. Of course, there's the famous hits of Romeo and Juliet, Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing. But their talent goes a lot further than that, such as Lady Writer, Tunnel of Love (my favourite Dire Straits song), Brothers in Arms and Heavy Fuel.

Some of the songs are a bit heavy-handed with the 1980s cheese (guitar reverb, synth sounds and inappropriate sax), which is why Money for Nothing isn't my cup of tea. But many others are simple, honest and emotive, such as the haunting Brothers in Arms.  

Twisting by the Pool is a bit twee (especially the drum breaks in the verses) but it adds some variety the album.

The decision to put Walk of Life straight after Brothers in Arms is an odd one. I realise it's a compilation, so track order isn't too important, but this jump is a far too steep shift in mood.

The recording quality of this re-mastered compilation is fantastic, which is incredible considering how old some of the recordings are. In particular, the bass guitar has great character, the guitars are silky smooth and the cymbals are wonderfully crisp.

Favourite songs

Sultans of Swing, Lady Writer, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Twisting by the Pool, Brothers in Arms, Walk of Life, Calling Elvis.

Would I buy it again?

Yes. It's a great summary of a great band.

The Verve- Urban Hymns

Finally, a well respected album in my collection! This is the band's third album, which was released in 1997, which shot the psychedelic rock band to the heights of international superstardom.

Bitter Sweet Symphony, heavily based on Andrew Oldham's loosely (very very loosely!) based version of the Rolling Stones' The Last Time, sits very awkwardly on an album that otherwise drifts between guitar ballads and psychedelic rock. For me, the song has been played to death, so all I can fairly say is that I'm over it. However, as inspired by Cruel Intentions, if I was ever fleeing the scene of a coldly served revenge in a stolen E-Type convertible, I can't think of a better song for the journey!

Then things abruptly change into pretty much alternating between guitar ballads (Sonnet, The Drugs Don't Work, Lucky Man, One Day, Velvet Morning) and trippy rock (The Rolling People, Catching the Butterfly, Neon Wilderness, Weeping Willow, This Time, Come On). While I haven't ever tried the right drugs to properly appreciate the more psychedelic stuff(!), the simple hooks and beautifully mourning lyrics of the ballads are very moving. It feels like someones' heart and soul has been poured into this artwork.

The use of strings also deserves some praise. Where many pop albums will randomly shove a violin down your ear canal, the use of strings here is restrained and adds a wonderful layer.

Velvet Morning ranks highly amongst my favourite songs ever, thanks to brilliant lyrics, such as:
Time... stands still
As you take... your last pill
Also, the unusual time signature of the verses and the gentle ebb and flow of the songs intensity are great.

Favourite songs

Bitter Sweet Symphony (if I hadn't heard it a million times), Sonnet, The Drugs Don't Work, Catching the Butterfly, Space and Time, Lucky Man, One Day, Velvet Morning

Would I buy it again?

Yes. It truly deserves its status as a modern classic.

 

Epilogue: For some reason I'd given the recording quality a rating of "average". Looking back, the only explanation I can think of is that the lead singer isn't the most melodic of vocalists. But the recording itself is wonderful: detailed and crisp yet also spacious and grand when the situation calls for it. The balance and layering are also superlative. Thank goodness this album somehow escaped the Loudness Wars.

Touch and Go- Would You...?

This single was the breakthrough debut for the group, and was released in 1998. It launched the band into the heights of fame... as a one-hit wonder (although apparently they are still together to this day)

Back then, the song was a complete oddball. And even today, it is unique and hard to pigeonhole. The drum'n'bass and funk-jazz influence sets an interesting eclectic groove. But the highlight is the very catchy trumpet line over the top. Also featured is some awful sampled spoken word. The lyrics might be a clever reference to some psychology study apparently, but in isolation  I would be embarrassed to play this for anyone. Which is a real shame, because I highly rate the instrumental aspects of this song. To me, it is a great modern interpretation of the Herbie Hancock vibe.

The Trailermen Go to Rio Remix is a cheesy plastic "dance music meets latin" song which (again, aside from the vocals), I quote dig. Finally the Homewreckers Mix is a deconstructed version of the title track which has a great beat, but a million incoherent ideas thrown on top.

Favourite songs

Would You...?, Trailermen Go to Rio Remix

Would I buy it again?

Tough question! I really dig the unique instrumental style, but perhaps the lyrics are a deal-breaker. The uniqueness juuuust gets it over the line for me.