The sequel to part 1 yesterday, today part 2, numbers 25 to 11.
Japan – Oil On Canvas
25. Japan – Oil On Canvas
At the time an idol of mine: David Sylvian. I had seen Japan on televison in 1978 (Adolescent Sex) and in the following years kinda forgot about them. This album reintroduced me to them and what a difference it was. Gone was the glamrock, in came arty soundscapes and completely unique music, with strange rhythms and (a lot of) Chinese influeneces. I still play this album regularly..
Also recommended: Tin Drum, Brilliant Trees (David Sylvian)
24. The Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols
The first punk album I owned. I thought it was great. Still do.
Also recommended: The Great Rock ‘N’ Roll Swindle, Public Image: First Issue (PIL)
23. Roxy Music – Viva! Roxy Music
Bryan Ferry was the man my mother adored. Roxy’s music still hooks me. My father owned every Roxy Music album. As a young boy I was fascinated by the covers, but also the music (Both Ends Burning) was fantastic. Family favorite Psalm was selected as one of the songs played at my mother’s funeral.
Also recommended: Stranded, Avalon
22. Neil Young – After The Goldrush
During the time I was emplyed at Concerto also dicoverd Neil Young. Almost evrything he made in the beginning of his career is classic. It moves me. The sentiments, with all its despair, are beautiful (Everybody’s going out and having fun, I’m a fool for staying home and having none).
Also recommended: Harvest, On The Beach
21. ABBA – The Singles: The First Ten Years
Superior European popmusic. So may great songs: SOS, Dancing Queen, The Name Of The Game, The Winner Takes It All, One Of Us, The Day Before You Came. Everything that features the voice of Agnetha Fältskog is absolutely great. Her voice moves me.
Also recommended: Arrival, The Visitors
The Cure – Faith
20. The Cure – Faith
Well, the eighties. Grim, no prospect for better times, the shock felt by everyone that things could become worse and, of course, the very real danger of the bomb which could go off at any moment. In short: doom. This album soundtracked the whole atmosphere, I clearly remmeber this album being released and I had to have it. I took a job for the album. I managed to collect it the same day and could buy the album, just before closing time. Going home on my bike through the rain with my prized possession and playing this album: hundreds and hundreds of times.
Also recommended: Seventeen Seconds, The Head On The Door
19. Van Halen – Van Halen
Toppop showed Running With The Devil. That guitar, that singer, top! Bought the debutalbum and I was hooked. One of the best debutalbums of all time and still a classic in its genre.
Also recommended: Women And Children First, 1984
18. The Waterboys – Fisherman’s Blues
The Waterboys were part of the line-up at the Pinkpop festival in 1986. On a sunny afternoon they introduced the music that would end up on Fisherman’s Blues. The set closed with Purple Rain. One of the highlights of the day, this show. I followed the band and loved their last two records. Fisherman’s Blues was still to be released and I couln’t wait for it. Once released I was a bit disappointed. What was I thinking?
Ook recommended: A Pagan Place, An Appointment With Mr Yeats
17. Bob Marley & The Wailers – Babylon By Bus
As long as I know his music (ever since I was 10 years old) I think he’s great. Good music, lyrics, presentation. Everything’s complete.
Also recommended: Live!, Exodus
16. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
At the time I missed the subjects of the songs and the album, but Stevie Nicks was ‘da bomb’ and Go Your Own Way was great (in particular the second solo by Lindsey Buckingham)! Besides that, this is a classic album, where everything fits. It doesn’t contain a bad song, has a perfect flow, perfect sound en all performances are great.
Also recommended: Tusk
Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
15. Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
Love this band. Thought (and still think) they’re way better than the wordwide beloved (even though Nevermind and In Utero are really good). Musically more complete, complex and innovative. Billy Corgan is underestimated. This album if one of the best rockalbums I own.
Also recommended: Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, Adore
14. The Clash – Sandinista!
When this album was released I immediately loved it and I thought it was the best album I had ever heard. It still amazes me. The number of styles covered on this album is mind-boggling. You can hear the freedeom the band felt when creating this album.
Also recommended: London Calling
13. The Specials – More Specials
After the overwhelming debut, this album was released, which, I thouht, was even better than the first. Also a very diverse and free album. At the time a lot of people in my immediate surroundings didn’t get the album, but I was hooked. Still am!
Also recommended: The Specials
12. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
When this album was released I didn’t get it, but I was very impressed by Chuck D. His way of rapping, the subjects, the fierceness and the lyrics were impressive. It didn’t tak too long before Public Enemy became one of my most beloved bands. The 1992 concert in Paradiso is forever carved into my memory. Together with (as I remember it) ten other white men in a sold out Paradiso, as Chuck D ‘discussed’ Holland’s history of slave trading. Pure adrenaline!
Also recommended: Fear Of A Black Planet. Apocalypse ’91… The Enemy Strikes Black
11. Arcade Fire – Funeral
I first heard this album in 2004. It sounded very lo-fi, but the songs kept on growing and growing. For a long time I didn’t listen to anything else than Arcade Fire. An absolutely original band with a great ear for great songs and a very strong live reputation. To date, haven’t released a bad album.
Also recommended: Neon Bible, The Suburbs
