Top 100 Greatest Albums (According to this guy)

“And I feel it's going down, ten feet below the ground;  I'm waiting for your healing hand, one touch could bring me round ; I feel we're going down, ten feet below the ground;  It's just the way I'm feeling…” I’ve always had a soft spot for early 2000s indie rock, the root being 2001s ‘The Album’ compilation, which I received at Christmas. A few songs stood out as new discoveries for me; My Vitriol’s ‘Always The Way’, (no spoilers) by (no spoilers) who are still to feature, and ‘Buck Rogers’ by the excellent Feeder. Having heard a few of their songs on the radio, it wasn’t until i purchased their Singles compilation some years later that I realised they weren’t just another Foo Fighters copy but had an ability to write incredible music. In fact they are one of the biggest UK rock bands, and if  you are a fan of the Foos and other grungey bands, Feeder will be right up your street. Heavier than most indie rock rock bands, Feeder write a mix of very catchy, high ener...

Couldn't find a way to you;  Seems that's all I ever do;  Turning up in black and blue;  Rewarded;  All the static we are left;  Wait until the time has come; Figure that's where time comes from; Leaving all my senses numb; Is heaven It is not often that the drummer of the biggest rock band in the world turns down opportunities to join other bands, for recording a 15 track demo from songs written in between gigs on tours, playing every instrument and vocal, creating arguably his best album to date, then forming a new band, who go on to become the greatest rock band for the next three decades… this is the phenomenon that is Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters. ‘Learn To Fly’, ‘Monkey Wrench’, ‘Everlong’, and ‘Breakout’ are among some of their biggest songs, but our focus is on the debut self-titled album. It often goes overlooked to the masses, with their huge songs appearing on the multiple albums that followed. Although the above are fantastic songs and bigger hits, no...

“  The search parties with their razor lights  could never capture our wicked love;  They look for reason in their cold cathedrals;  It’s so far from where we have run … ” The origins of my  introduction to the Mad Caddies escapes me, their 1998 album ‘Duck And Cover’ pushed me to buy my first banjo and would arguably be the biggest influence on some of my songwriting over the following years. But it’s their 2014 release, ‘Dirty Rice’ that breaks into my top 100 albums, and what a fun album this is! A fantastic ‘pick me up’ that is far from your average ska album . A few decent uptempo punk rock songs are thrown in amongst a load of really catchy ska tunes. Highlights for me include ‘Shoot Out The Lights’, a lovely little modern reggae track with very tasteful brass arrangements. Compare that with some classic Mad Caddies in ‘Bring It Down’, combining thrashy melodic punk with their banjo-tinged ragtime, complete with bouncing trombone and muted trumpet.  T...

“ Please, leave all overcoats, canes and top hats with the doorman;  And from that moment, you'll be out of place and underdressed;  I'm wrecking this evening already and loving every minute of it;  Ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring… ” The mid 00s saw a boom in the emo and punk pop genre, with new bands smashing into the UK charts. The likes of Paramore and Fallout Boy, among the more popular emo-pop bands, were joined by the ever intriguing Panic! At The Disco. With an ever-increasing popularity and widening audience, it is their debut album that enters my list at 44. Alongside the popular song from the album, ‘I Write Sins Not Tragedies’, we have a plethora of incredible songs, pulling in a vast array of musical styles. Mixing their upbeat rock with the likes of trance/techno, classical, bouncy beach boys pianoesque rock, disco, baroque, waltz and even big band; it certainly is one of the most unique rock albums you will ever come across. Singer Brendon Urie...

“  If I could learn to act patiently, then I would see that my view of time is selfishly based around me;  I should run away, but I  can't; chasing dreams that are slowing down for me;  I should turn around, but I can't; It's within my reach …” Another round of applause  given to the pool of online streaming algorithms for showing me a plethora of new music. Not all stay within my listening world for long and some become firm favourites. The Bell And Hammer is one of the best albums ever  recommended to me and one that continues to grow on me with every listen. This Day & Age cross into indie from melodic rock. If you are a fan of Keane, Coldplay or Ben Folds, but fancy something a little heavier in the guitar department, you will absolutely enjoy this album. A strong piano/keys and soaring vocals with decent harmonies set the standard for most songs.  The tone of Jeff Martin’s voice has a sweetness that fans of the aforementioned bands will love. ...

“ I need a saviour now, someone  to break me out who’s  been the place I've been;  Don't wanna be forgotten,  when I'm dead and gone;  I just wanna be the one who  got up and came back strong …” Predictability within music can often be a bore; Bands are always looking for ways to reinvent themselves through experimentation and genre switching. But when you have a tried and tested sound that never grows old, why change it? Skillet haven’t adjusted too much in their most recent 6 or so albums and this is to their, and our, huge benefit. Skillet are possibly the biggest band in the Christian metal scene and becoming universally massive, simply down to their incredibly epic song writing and huge catchy sound. Mixing the odd synth and strings with massive guitar riffs and pumping drum beats is the core of many more listenable metal bands and Skillet do this especially well. But their standout feature is the incredible vocals of Jon Cooper interweaving every now ...