Top 100 Greatest Albums (According to this guy)

“ I met God in a velvet Elvis painting that I painted myself, in  a bar where I was pulling off the bottom shelf;  When I had to quit before I killed myself,  I met him there and  I was scared;  And so I asked God if he could fix my flaws;  he said I gave them to you, I  know they are killing you;  But I'm not done with you yet …” It is a breath of fresh air when bands with a particular world view or religious ideals are real about the hardships of life and struggles of faith . Although The Classic Crime  don’t identify under the Christian rock genre due to differing views on faith amongst the members, themes certainly shine through. They  are an honest band and How To Be Human is a wonderful album, both musically and lyrically. The band were  one of my Spotify discoveries throughout a period of finding new (to me) Alternative rock and metal bands.  Their sound is not unlike that of Fallout Boy, but devoid of the polished pop f...

“ The old world was dying w hile we took our flying;  Like peregrine falcons beneath  the transparent blue waves,  far below the surf;  And we spent the hours  with submarine flowers;  I knew I'd remember  that day in November,  as we  felt alive again …” When I first heard Owl City on the radio, I could swear it was Matthew Thiessen, the singer of one of my favourite bands. After buying Ocean Eyes on CD, I was amazed to see that he featured on the album and helped co-write many of the songs. Turns out that Relient K are a huge influence on Adam Young. Although the Owl City works are his most popular, the lesser known Sky Sailing is my favourite. The primary draw for me was an intriguing sound that I’d never heard before in music. It was totally unique.  Adam Young’s vocals, the melodies and almost fairytale/dreamlike themes and innocence to his songs were an instant hit with me. This is the exact same feel on this release. Owl City albu...

“ In a few weeks, I will get time to  realise it's right before my eyes;  And I can take it if it's what I want to do;  And I am leaving and this is starting to feel like it’s  right before my eyes;  And I can taste it; it’s  my sweet beginning…” There are bands that always  make me smile when I hear their songs. Every Two Door single I heard on the radio was a joy. In 2016, I heard the excellent disco, Bee Gee-esque ‘Bad Decisions’ for the first time and Gameshow was the first Two Door album that I owned. Although it was a far removal from the likes of the other singles, it didn’t sway me from listening further. Glad I did, because Tourist History has found it’s well deserved place at no.52.  Very upbeat with a recognisable sound that sets them apart from other indie bands; The sweet high registered vocals of Trimble, the wonderful squealing guitars of Halliday, and brilliantly held up by the wandering bass of Baird. Backed by a hectic drum beat ...

“ There  won't be anything c ompared to what the world has shown us;  We're nothing but a speck;  Let's give them what they least expect…” Another success of the Spotify recommends feature, I discovered Crash Kings in the recent years. It was one of those albums, that on first listen, I absolutely loved, and it remains loved to this day. The most obvious comparison would be the Ben Fold’s Five just even more hectic - a punky Elton John. Crash Kings are a three piece band with Piano, Bass and Drums. The sound is huge for such a simple lineup.  The songs are filled with adrenaline and the superb vocals are way way over the top, in the best way! Throughout the album are interesting rhythms, and very well constructed songs.  Some of the straighter songs are incredibly catchy as well, and slower ones have a vibe unlike that of some Wheezer songs. It’s also noted that they use analogue organs with overdriven effects etc to emulate an electric guitar. A very ...

“Departments of police, the judges, the feds;  Networks at work, keepin' people calm;  You know they went after King  when he spoke out on Vietnam;  He turned the power to the have-nots… and then came the shot…” Let me take you back to no.78 and the box of scratched up CDs. Amongst them was Evil Empire by Rage. Although not too fond of it at the time (and it’s still my least favourite Rage album), this one gets a good few spins…when the kids aren't around anyway! Not for the faint-hearted, and the most political album on this list. This is funk rock rap metal with a message. The songs are strong, the lyrics are both brilliant and overly explicit. Look past the passionate shouting and we see incredible musicians, fantastic rhythms and very well crafted songs.  The bass lines compliment the guitar riffs very well, and get to shine with the funk/slap here and there. Tom Morello is one of the greatest guitarists in the world, and has plenty of space to share his tal...

“ High tide,  summer in the city;  The kids are looking pretty, but  isn't it a pity that the sunshine  is followed by thunder;  With thoughts of going under, a nd is it any wonder why the sea is  calling out to me …” The date was 20th August 1995, and I was in my living room eagerly listening to the radio. Never can I remember a radio countdown as well as this one. Who would take the No.2 slot? ‘Roll with it’ came on and I gave a woop; Blur’s ‘Country House’ took the title. Growing up, Blur were the band for me, but I was a big fan of ‘Whats The Story Morning Glory’. Over time, Liam’s vocals ended up grating me more than a chunk of cheddar on a sanding machine; the lyrics didn’t really make sense and I was always drawn to songs like ‘Little by Little’ and ‘Half the World Away’. With the news of the end of Oasis, it was just another day, but on hearing Noel’s recent material, it was everything I wanted them to be, and more! Every song I was hearing on ...

“ Hey, how're you feelin'?   Are you still the same?   Don't you realise the things we did, we did, were all for real?   Not a dream;   I just can't believe they've all faded out of view …” Yes, it’s one of those rare, pre-90s albums to feature on this list. From absolutely loving Mr Blue Sky as a child (a song I would possibly say is the best popular song ever written), I took the time a few years back to pour over their albums. Out of the Blue is THE album for most people but A New World Record just pips it to the post for me. This album is incredible. A huge range to the styles, really catchy songs, interesting melodies and well written, crafted, produced and played. I love Jeff Lynne’s voice and the harmonies are so sweet in both tone and theatrics. The mix of classical music and rock works so well. Others have tried to great success, most notably the Beatles who are a huge influence for ELO, but to make it the interwoven core of every song; no-one has ever done...

“ Fighting for peace with no identity, I know  I speak for those around me;  Calling you out, all  of your plans will be washed away, washed  away;  Life is a sin, living  to win, and  we're all sinners after all…” I first came across the Living End from colleagues in my short lived career as a theatre technician. The thought of a punk rock band with upright bass player certainly did tickle the fancy parts of my ears. Roll On was the first album i owned by the band and has remained my pick of a good bunch. The Living End are punk rockabilly band . Think Green Day, The Stray Cats and The Clash placed in a beautiful blender of goodness; Welcome to Strut Paradise Calling. In fact the vocals are incredibly Billy Joe-esque in tone and melody, but the energy and bounce to these songs mark a notable difference between the bands, especially the wide use of rockabilly rhythms.  Each talented musician shines and the songwriting is most excellent.  The ...

“Sometimes I feel the fear of uncertainty stinging clear; And I can’t help myself but ask myself how much I’ll let the fear take the wheel and steer; It’s driven me before and seems to have a vague haunting mass appeal; But lately I’m beginning to find that I should be the one behind the wheel …” I first heard of Incubus from friend’s hoodies at secondary school, and even though I bought a couple of albums from the bargain bin at Virgin Megastores, I didn't really give them a thought and proper listen. It was approximately a decade later when revisiting and ‘Make Yourself’ became a firm favourite.  Through discovering certain bands, I’ve enjoyed interesting rhythms, notably between the score and vocals. This album thrives on it,  mostly due to the funk and hip hop influence, mixed with alternative metal. Heavy guitars, superb drum riffs, prominent bass and DJ scratches fill this album.  There is a real beauty in the changes between reflective slower verses and  rip r...

“ Everybody talkin' bout the power of the gospel;  Getting the cool with the happy, they went fire;  Seems to feel that beat you can't stop bouncing;  Why don't we keep the rhythm just how it sounds…” Growing up, there are defining songs and bands your ears here that form positive paths to musical enjoyment.  For me, Madness, ELO, Oasis, Linkin Park and Thousand Foot Krutch, were my bridges into ska, 70s rock, brit pop, heavy metal and alternative Christian rock.  There are also some that   open up whole new genres one never knew existed. My good friend Phil introduced me to Caravan Palace and electro swing was firmly placed in my listening library. Where to start?! Django style gypsy jazz infused with Daft Punk style electronica, samples of old swing and jazz tracks, excellent vocals, uptempo beats, huge bass, some downtempo songs, waltzes… Caravan Palace have an incredible sound that, in my opinion, sets them above any other electro swing band. They’ve te...