Lambchops' Top 100 Alternative Albums Since 1990: # 70 - # 61 May 24 '07 (Updated Jun 13 '07)    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line Stay tuned for the 100 best alternative albums since 1990. This is the fourth entry and six more will follow. Here is another group of ten--numbers 70-61. This being the fourth installment of Lambchops' Top 100 Alternative Albums Since 1990, it should be obvious that purpose of this series is to help listeners to discover the best albums from the best artists. Alternative is much more than a handful of examples and adjectives. Alternative music extends into the farthest reaches of rock and roll and goes places that may or may not be comfortable or familiar to you. If something sounds interesting, don't be afraid because I've used a word you're unfamiliar with. This is alternative music--anything goes. Sometimes it's soft, sometimes it is loud. Sometimes there are guitars and sometimes there may be a harmonica. Prepare yourself for the unexpected. Join me for the 100 most entertaining albums in alternative music from 1990 through today. Your favorite artist may not be listed, but there is something here for all fans of every level of familiarity. Like it or not, these are artists and recordings that are not willing to go away. The rules to qualify were simple--I must actually "like" the album, it must have had some effect on the industry, and it must have been released no earlier than 1990. Additionally, to narrow down bands I chose to not include industrial acts (though they do in many ways qualify as "alternative") and did not include bands that were mostly rock and roll (though "grunge" does appear). Finally, there are no greatest hits or best of compilations included despite my desire to include one particular title (Add It Up by Violent Femmes). Last but not least, these are all mainstream titles. You won't find indie titles--these are all widely available from whatever shopping outlet you choose. This isn't to say that there aren't excellent independent alternative albums from this era, it is just to say that I don't believe the ones I am familiar with to be as great as those listed. Sit back and enjoy and don't forget to comment. I would love to read comments about this topic especially considering that nobody should agree with me on every level. And without further ado, here are the # 70 - # 61 top alternative albums. 70. Let It Come Down - Spiritualized (2001) http://www.epinions.com/content_120647290500 Despite having major label support, it's pretty likely you don't know who Spiritualized is. In fact, if you do recognize their name it's also pretty likely you've ignored them because you think their music will be pretentious or "heavy" or psychedelic or something. In reality what is presented on Let It Come Down (the band's best release to date) is a wonderfully entertaining style of alt-pop. It is not necessarily the most original thing I've ever heard, but front man Jason Pierce proves himself on these songs peppered with woodwinds, brass, strings, and strange percussion. The melodies are all familiar but the arrangements are compelling. Just Don't Do Something, The Straight and the Narrow, Stop Your Crying, and Lord Can You Hear Me are all sparkly and adventurous and the best of Let It Come Down. Tune in to this often forgotten band and album. 69. Kerosene Hat - Cracker (1993) http://www.epinions.com/content_32102190724 I have a love-hate relationship with Cracker. Kerosene Hat yielded two upbeat and catchy songs--Low and Get Off This. The album also brought a few other decent tracks together. Eurotrash Girl, Sick of Goodbyes, and Movie Star all do it for me. WIth that said I personally am a bit distracted by the sameness of the release. With that said this sameness is probably what draws more people to Cracker than it repels. David Lowery (lead singer and guitar guru) and guitarist Johnny Hickman provide riveting performances and the swaggering, swaying, vaguely country-rock and vaguely blues-pop sound are definitely among the most interesting of the last few decades. Far from perfect, Kerosene Hat still did help to make certain sounds more widely accepted. 68. The Man Who - Travis (1999) http://www.epinions.com/content_55236202116 Formed years prior to Coldplay and Keane, there was another UK band named Travis. Exhibiting the cool, lovely style that came to be popular in the early part of the twenty-first century the band has released five albums to date including 1999s excellent The Man Who. Arguably their best release it is also my favorite. I so adore Travis because of Fran Healy's capable voice. The Man Who sold ridiculously well in the UK and moderately well in the United States. Songs Why Does It Always Rain on Me?, Writing to Reach You, As You Are, Driftwood, and The Last Laugh of the the Laughter are all remarkable but what really gets me is that the whole album is very well thought out and intelligently made. 67. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel (1998) http://www.epinions.com/content_85211713156 There are both musically entertaining albums and albums that are political. Rarely do these ideas meet. In the case of In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel the audience gets to experience both. Auteur music man Jeff Mangum speaks in depth about his dreams of a Jewish family during the holocaust. The idea may or may not be original, but the fact that you can completely ignore the lyrics and enjoy these songs as pure alt-pop goodness is unique. Taken together this is a surprising and brilliant album. To this day, The King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 1 remains among my all time favorite songs from any genre/band. I also love Two-Headed Boy, Holland, 1945, Communist Daughter, and Oh Comely but there really is something here for every listener. 66. Duran Duran - Duran Duran (1993) http://www.epinions.com/content_37441670788 Known mostly for their MTV-ready synth pop of the 1980s, Duran Duran released a different kind of eponymous album in 1993. Rather than just returning to their own formula, the four-man band gave the world The Wedding Album (as this one is commonly known) and two mellow hits. Both Ordinary World and Come Undone are hauntingly gorgeous. Of course if it wasn't for the fact that there is more to this release I wouldn't have it so high on this list. Check out less popular cuts like the ironic Too Much Information not to mention Shotgun, None of the Above and Femme Fatale. Even if you didn't like the Duran Duran of yesteryear you may enjoy this one. 65. When I Was Born for the 7th Time - Cornershop (1997) http://www.epinions.com/content_66858225284 There has never been another band that has so successfully fused Indian music and pop. Without making a mockery of either, Cornershop released the widely popular When I Was Born for the 7th Time in 1997. The politically minded band led by Tjinder Singh is unlike anything or anybody else and this is why I find myself returning to their work time and time again. The musical fusion is unexpected and magical. Hit single Brimful of Asha is definitely indicative of what else you'll find on this album. Check out the equally fantastic Sleep on the Left Side, Funky Days Are Back Again, and Good to be on the Road Again for more proof of the band's talent. Also you can't ignore the remake of Beatles tune Norwegian Wood even if you don't understand Singh's native language. This is some of the most original pop music you're likely to ever hear. 64. Hello - Poe (1995) http://www.epinions.com/content_116510723716 Poe is one weird chick. Her brother (writer Mark Z. Danielewski) and dad (Tad Danielewski) are also pretty strange but Annie fits right in to the mix. She and her brother late collaborated--he wrote the book House of Leaves and she released the sister album Haunted. I thought both were painfully pretentious. However, Poe was musically successful with her debut Hello. She used R&B samples in her alt-rock music much earlier than others which makes her album innovative. The single Angry Johnny is what attracted me to the album but Trigger Happy Jack, Fingertips, Beautiful Girl, and Junkie round out Hello. Even if the overall piece isn't without fault I realize that Poe was definitely ahead of her time. 63. Bring It On - Gomez (1998) http://www.epinions.com/content_84024790660 What? You don't know who Gomez is? For shame. Gomez is a British band that has been making music for years. To date they have released five albums, one release of rarities and b-sides, a live disc, and a best of collection. While there are many moments in their career that I enjoy it is their debut that is most important. Still teenagers when they recorded Bring It On, Gomez managed something that very few mature bands ever accomplish. They made a musically relevant, original, and completely entertaining album. My favorite songs are always changing but I always lean toward Whippin' Piccadilly, Tijuana Lady, Get Miles, and 78 Stone Wobble. On a side note, this bluesy alt-rock band is the most American sounding British band...EVER. 62. Rockin' the Suburbs - Ben Folds (2001) http://www.epinions.com/content_136213401220 Ben Folds' trademark sound is the piano. His pop songs are always accompanied by the keys. This helps to set him apart from the pack and always makes me pay attention. Rockin' the Suburbs was his first solo release after his Five broke up. It hit the streets in 2001 and sold very well. He played nearly all the instruments, including guitar (something he rarely used prior to his solo career). Rockin' the Suburbs is his most perfect album to date. I love putting the disc into the stereo, sitting back, and listening from start to finish. Not the Same, The Ascent of Stan, Annie Waits, Zak and Sara, and Still Fighting It prove the amazing nature of this album. The Luckiest is however one of the most emotional songs I've ever heard--of any kind, in any era. This one should be in EVERY music collection, especially those who think they are "alternative." 61. Exile in Guyville - Liz Phair (1993) http://www.epinions.com/content_93089664644 Truly important albums have people who both hate them and loathe them. I loathe Exile in Guyville with every single molecule of my being. I dislike Liz Phair, despise her voice, and am driven to the toilet with nausea by her lyrics. So why does this album appear on this list, you ask? Well, it is actually important whether I like it or not. My full-length review will tell you what my problems with this album are. They are numerous and colorful. However I recognize that even things I hate have a place among the top 100 alternative albums since 1990. Even if they make my physically ill. In any case, 6'1" is the only song I actually kind of like. Phair hybridized indie rock and pop on her debut and her low, straight voice became a trademark. Songs like Flower, Help Me Mary, Fuck and Run, Stratford-on-Guy, and The Divorce Song feature the singer-songwriter at her most creative. She is imaginative and helped to usher in an era of profane and in-your-face artists. Love her or hate her, Phair is a different breed. ___________________________________ Stay tuned for all the upcoming installments of Lambchops' Top 100 Alternative Albums Since 1990. # 100 - # 91: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 90 - # 81: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 80 - # 71: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 70 - # 61: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 60 - # 51: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 50 - # 41: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 40 - # 31: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 30 - # 21: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 20 - # 11: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990 # 10 - # 1: Top Alternative Albums Since 1990

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