Kords

This is how you put together a supergroup (Josh) Homme QOTSA, Grohl (Nirvana) and John Paul Jones from the Mighty Led Zeppelin . Even more awesome live and it’s a shame they only made one album, but what an album! Dave should bin off The Foo Fighters for a few years and make another badass TCV album.

Blur invoke XTC and The Kinks to produce a British classic look at life in the wake of the grunge invasion. This is the album that kickstarted ‘Britpop’ and remains a classic. Check out on YouTube their documentary around this album called ‘Starshaped’.

Norwegian troubadour Sondre Lerche brings it on this album. Was lucky enough to see him tour the album and meet afterwards. Top bloke as we say and cool as f**k, much like this album.

Josh Rouse remains one of the great underrated singer songwriters of his generation consistently releasing great albums. ‘1972’ is where he lets it all hang loose, Americana at its finest. Beautiful songs - glorious harmonies surrounding an early 1970’s vibe. Don’t stop at this album though, go check the other albums out.

Wakefield’s ‘The Cribs’ remain one of the survivors of the noughties indie rush alongside ‘The Libertines’, but the brothers Jarman remained together over the years continuing to bang out great album after album. I mean, Jonny Marr doesn’t just join any band after a 2 year stint with The Cribs. Men’s needs is where the promise of the albums that came before all clicked on this one. Powerhouse opener ‘Our Bovine Public’ sets the tone and it doesn’t let up, with cult favourite live ‘Be Safe’ with Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth on spoken word duties. No filler on this classic.

Hometown (Swindon) post punk heroes third album where they really find their sound with new recruit Dave Gregory and it all clicks! Hugely influential to many bands since and Blur don’t have a career without XTC - you’ll be shocked how many bands stole from them but they could never steal the elite songwriting and craftsmanship the band had. Every album was an evolution and this one bangs.

The film remains a favourite, amazing practical effects and a beautiful slant on the Dracula myth from the originator himself. The score though is what elevates the film, Polish composer Wojciech Kilar crafted a score for the ages. It’s haunting, beautiful, scary, romantic, foreboding in the best way. It’s incredibly emotional in the way it’s used in the film. Kilar’s work remains IMO underrated and his genius shone again in the score for ‘The Ninth Gate’ also elevating that film. He is very much missed from the cinematic world. ‘The Beginning’ and ‘Love Remembered’ the standouts IMO.

This Boston Shoegaze outfit had me hooked after seeing the song ‘Winona’ on MTV’s 120 minutes alternative show in 1992. It took me down a rabbit hole of almost bands I still listen to today but this is an underrated gem. From the dreamy opening ‘Delaware’ to the epic ‘Kick The Tragedy’ and its break midway through I still love it. Their cover of Madonna’s ‘Angel’ is an all time favourite and I’m glad they reformed after an acrimonious split in 1994. Definitely check out this album.

I’m still obsessed with this album from the first listen after purchase on the release date and have listened to it every month since. As a huge Radiohead fan this album is and remains otherworldly to me, beautifully ambient and futuristic. Those who throw down ‘OK Computer’ as the high point need to go back and re-listen. This album was way ahead of its time and remains so.