|
Discuss this list on the Rock Czar's Forums: www.therockczar.com/simplemachinesforum
1) Alice in Chains- Jar of Flies (1994)- It’s not number one, just because the Rock Czar loves Alice in Chains. On the contrary, it is number one because it is criminally underappreciated. Whether it is because this album is an EP or not, this jewel is hardly ever talked about these days. It has some of the most melodic, touching, and original sounding music known to mankind.
Best Songs: No Excuses, Nutshell, I Stay Away, Rotten Apple,
2) Interpol- Antics (2004)- I maintain that it’s just a coincidence that my first two albums are by my two favorite bands. These two albums just don’t get enough credit. Paul Banks leaves his Ian Curtis aping behind, and really branches of to create a record led by fantastic vocals. Antics is easily Interpol’s best album, which is saying a lot, because Turn on the Bright Lights and Our Love to Admire are two of my favorite albums..
Best Songs: Slow Hands, NARC, Evil, Public Pervert
3) Red Hot Chili Peppers- By the Way (2002)- You probably recognize a trend on this list- I am highlighting lesser appreciated albums by popular bands. This album emphasizes melody and maturity. It’s very much an adult album, while maintaining enough of RHCP’s past creativity and spunk to keep it from being adult contemporary.
Best Songs: Can’t Stop, Dosed, Midnight, Venice Queen
4. Pixies- Bossanova (1990)- Obviously nobody is debating what the Pixies best album is, that is undoubtedly Doolittle. However, for me, Bossanova is dangerously near that masterpiece on the totem poll. Not being much of a fan of the Pixies rougher music, I embraced this album’s more accessible and controlled approach. There’s no excuse for people deeming this the Pixies 4th best album.
Best Songs: Rock Music, Is She Weird, Velouria, Hang Wire
5. Army of Anyone- Army of Anyone (2006)- Unfortunately it appears that this instant classic will be the first and last album from this supergroup. Army of Anyone combined the agonizingly beautiful voice of Richard Patrick (of Filter) with the grittiness of the DeLeo brothers’ (of STP fame) guitars. It boggles my mind how such an incredible album did not stand out more in an extremely underwhelming year for mainstream rock.
Best Songs: Goodbye, This Wasn’t Supposed to Happen, Father Figure, A Better Place
6. Green Day- Warning (2000)- Although this album did reach number 4 on the charts, it is still very much underappreciated. This is primarily because it is much better than Dookie, and significantly better than American Idiot. Warning is much more grown up and sophisticated than the infantile Dookie yet less overbearing and pretentious than American Idiot. It is much more creative and catchier than those albums as well.
Best Songs: Misery, Macy’s Day Parade, Hold On, Minority
7. The Bravery- The Bravery (2004)- Many people rag on this album for its lyrical shortcomings. However, to appreciate the Bravery, it is necessary to temporarily shut off the brain, and let your ears enjoy the endless hooks and sugary synthesizers. If you insist on dissecting, remember to take Sam Endicott’s lyrics with a grain of salt, as he is the same person that was in a band called Skabba the Hut.
Best Songs: Honest Mistake, Out of Line, The Ring Song, Swollen Summer
8. REM- Monster (1994)- Perhaps I’m biased because this effort represented one of my favorite alternative bands trying their hand at my favorite genre (grunge). Either way, this album is chocked full of classic songs like “What’s the Frequency Kenneth,” and is strong in terms of variety with ballads like “Strange Currencies.” I admit that there are a handful of lackluster songs, however you have to respect this world class album.
Best Songs: What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?, Strange Currencies, Bang and Blame, Crush With Eyeliner
9. The Verve- Urban Hymns (1997)- Led by a super-single that is one of my favorite songs of all time, “Bittersweet Symphony.” This is an incredibly complete and touching album. This Britpop classic is not given any respect in the States, and amazing songs like “Lucky Man” and “Sonnet” make this an all-time favorite.
Best Songs: Bittersweet Symphony, Lucky Man, Sonnet, Come On
10. Candlebox- Happy Pills (1998)- I love Kevin Martin’s voice. The reason I use this album and not their eponymous effort, is for two reasons. First, this album only sold a handful of copies, with people long ago writing off Candlebox as a Nirvana/PJ rip-off. Second, is because Kevin Martin’s emotive and soulful voice takes center stage in this album, and isn’t drowned in as many guitars as past records.
Best Songs: Sometimes, 10,000 Horses, Blinders, It’s Alright
|
By Genre 
