Its a list that had to be done

A friend of mine is a great one for lists. You know, like on 'High Fidelity'...."Top 5 tracks to go to sleep to" or "Top 3 albums to listen to after drinking all night".

I have become a glutton for music since being able to store it on my computer and carry it with me on my iPod. The thing is, while I pick up new albums all the time, I keep going back to the same albums time and time again. Some I may not listen to for a year, but when I do listen to them again, they get some serious rotation before making way on my iPod for some afro-cuban mix CD that someone said I would love (by the way, most often, I don't).

So here goes. I will add as many as I can and count them backwards. I get the feeling it is going to take a long time and my feelings will probably change as time moves on.... but I'm sure the same albums will keep floating near the top.

There is so much I haven't heard. I am embarrassed to say that I don't own any Neil Young or Elvis Costello. As time moves on, these 'timeless' albums will get added I'm sure.

Feel free to add your thoughts about my picks. Have a listen to what you can. If you have something to recommend that is similar...post your comments.

Number 99 - The Pharcyde 'Labincabincalifornia'

While at school I managed to hook up an aerial to get reception to Radio Active in Wellington, which on Wednesday nights ran 'The Wednesday Night Jam!' which is New Zealand's longest running hip-hop show. It was on one of those nights I first heard the Pharcyde's 'Passing Me By' which is an absolute classic. This album was released just before they broke up and is completely like no other hip hop album since. So funny, so catchy, and so soulful. I have only recently got ahold of this (after having various of the albums tracks on compilations) and I am loving it!

For information about 'The Pharcyde' check out wikipedia here

Number 100 - A Perfect Circle 'Mer De Noms'.

Mayard Keenan and Co. should have released this album and left it at that. While I would say I probably only like half the album, '3 Libras', 'The Hollow' and 'Judith' are stonkers that would make any rock act trade their mothers just to have written them. One of those albums that are good to listen to on long journeys.

For information about 'A Perfect Circle' check out wikipedia here

Number 98 - Stereophonics 'Performance and Cocktails'

I first heard The Stereophonics while working with a guy who had been playing the 'Hard Rock Cafe' circuit in Asia who raved about them. I know I like the songs they write, and I know that I rate Kelly Jones (like a modern day Rod Stewart) but sometimes they can come off a little bland (I need to emphasise SOMETIMES) . For me 'I stopped to fill my car up' is the highlight.

For information about 'Stereophonics' check out wikipedia here

Number 97 - Pearl Jam 'Riot Act'

I absolutely love Pearl Jam. Be under no illusions about that. For me they are a lifeline back to the glory days of feeling something in music (i.e. Having the sun shine in my face as I listened to 'Oceans' would give me goosebumps). I think this album is probably their best since 'Vitology' and love the way that they have matured their sound without sounding dated. Neil Young must be proud. 'Bushleaguer' is definitely a highlight of this album.

For information about 'Pearl Jam' check out wikipedia here

Number 96 - Deftones 'White Pony'

Probably the most interesting Deftone album, its a wonder that these guys haven't completely blown up. It has almost sultry moments 'Teenager' to absolute cranking metal 'Elite' and lots in between. The production on this album is also terrific. Some may seem it is over-produced, but it has achieved what many others have failed. It is less of a group of songs as it is a reality tied together by the mood created by the shiny production of the whole album. It sounds wanky, but if you have heard the album, you might know what I am saying (without agreeing with me probably). Listen to 'Digital Bath' on headphones or in a big room on 'loud' and you will begin to appreciate what I am saying.

For information about 'Deftones' check out wikipedia here

Number 95 - Ben Harper 'Diamonds on the Inside'

Like Pearl Jam, Ben Harper features alot in my collection. He has to be the coolest person alive. And all that talent to boot. Diamonds on the Inside could be accused of being a generic Ben Harper album, but he is just so damn good at what he does I just don't care. If you have seen him live, you'll know what I mean. Still easily the most moving performance I have ever been to and I can't imagine anyone even coming close. Has "With my own two hands" and of course, "Diamonds on the Inside" but the stand out for me is "She's only happy in the Sun" and probably my favourite Ben Harper song "Amen Omen".

For information about 'Ben Harper' check out wikipedia here

Number 94 - Beastie Boys 'Hello Nasty'

The Beastie Boys were my first introduction to alternative music. While the tracks 'Fight for your right' and 'No Sleep Til Brooklyn' were in the charts, 'License to Ill' wasn't exactly mainstream music. The Beastie Boys opened up to me a new genre - the doorway to Public Enemy, Ice T and Run DMC. Hello Nasty was a surprise for me. I really expected them to never do anything better than 'Ill Communication' and never even bothered to listen to this when it was released. One of my close friends bought it and before I knew it I was hooked. It was definitely a highlight of the music year that was 1998.
Stand out tracks include "Three MC's and One DJ" (the video live version is soooo sweet) and "Negotiation Limerick File".

For information about 'The Beastie Boys' check out wikipedia here

Number 93 - Ash 'Trailer/Kung Fu'

I think I was introduced to this band by a friend of mine and instantly liked the hooks and the energy on the Trailer EP. While they were only 15 at the time, the music was like something that had been written by some jaded punks twice their age. 1977 was their first full length album, and while it was good - it wasn't as consistent as Trailer (which also came with 'Kung Fu' as a bonus).

'Uncle Pat' and 'Kung Fu' are awesome. In 2002 Q magazine named Ash as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die"

For information about 'Ash' check out wikipedia here

Number 92 - Lenny Kravitz 'Mama Said'

In 1992, there were a number of albums that got some serious rotation on my tape deck. Lenny Kravitz's 'Mama Said' was definitely one of them. The first time I heard 'It ain't over till its over' I realised that there was a lot of music out there to appreciate (having being focused on Pearl Jam, Ice Cube, NWA, Nirvana, Red Hot Chilli Peppers mainly). A good school friend gave me a stack of stuff to listen to that I had heard, but never really listened to. Things like 'The Doors', 'Jimi Hendrix', and even 'Led Zeppelin'. Lenny Kravitz's early albums ('Mama Said' and 'Let Love Rule') were the closest thing to hippy psychedelic rock that was around. And listening to other classics of similar vein seemed a natural progression. To think I may have spent my life never listening to 'The End' by The Doors - thats just damn scary.

This album is solid from beginning to end, and a CD that seems to have gone for a walk from my CD collection - proof that I am not the only person to like this CD!

For information about 'Lenny Kravitz' check out wikipedia here

Number 91 - Head Like A Hole 'Double your strength...'

Before they were HLAH, Head Like a Hole played naked, and signed autographs with their dicks. Along with Shihad, these guys toured Europe and the US with 'Faith No More' in the early 90's and made a name for their antics and hardcore shows. I really loved 'Cornbag' and decided on a whim to buy this album - and initially regretted it. It is a mad array of songs, and at the time (1995) I wasn't quite prepared for it. Now when I listen to it, it makes me smile, jump around, air guitar...and something that manages to make me act crazy like that can't be all that bad!

If you haven't heard this album - buy it. It is a Kiwi Classic!.

For information about 'Head Like A Hole (HLAH)' check out nzmusic.com here

ten down - ninety to go

I feel that I have managed to reach a little milestone - my first 10 albums done and dusted.

The massive thing about doing this is the fact that I am listening to some of my old music - with my iPod/iMac having changed my listening habits so much there is so much of my music just getting dusty and not being listened to! - and working out things like whether 'Let Love Rule' is better than 'Mama Said' or whether 'Hello Nasty' deserves a better rating.

I initially wrote down a list of 100 albums and figured my list was done. But I have found depending on my moods - my feelings change about music from day to day.

Hopefully, I get my head around sorting it all out.

Number 90 - DJ Marky 'The Brazilian Job'

Without anyone actually telling me, I had figured our how to tell the different between 'hard-house', 'house' and 'Drum and Bass'. And while I find that the house stuff is generally funkier, I do enjoy a bit of the 'wannnp whaaanp, wannnp whaaanp' of drum and bass. This album manages to throw the two together on several tracks but it is definitely more dnb than house.
DJ Marky manages to throw together no less than 19 tracks of drum and bass that makes me understand why so many people drop pills and dance until the sun comes up.

Some nice deep bass here to test your sub, and some nice cheesy house vocals to test your moves on the chicks. This album has it all.

For information about 'DJ Marky' check out Wikipedia here

Number 89 - Toots and The Maytals 'Funky Kingston'

I grew up listening to a heap of reggae. Around my pot smoking sisters, Bob Marley was a staple diet. At school all the parties we used to go to at the Titahi Bay Boardriders were Bob Marley parties (i.e. The only tape that we had was 'Legend - The Best of Bob Marley'). For a long time reggae music to me meant stoners, no hopers and lack of urgency. So I stopped listening to it.

About 5 years ago, I started listening to Radio Active who play a ton of reggae music. On Sundays, I would sometimes catch the 'Roots and Culture' show and catch some of the reggae music that was out there that was not done by Robert Nesta Marley. And it was good.

Toots has a very distinct voice and while there are probably a 1000 other reggae albums that should feature higher - I just love Funky Kingston. The edition I have is the double CD with 'In the Dark' as well.

Awesome versions of 'Pressure Drop', 'Louie Louie' and 'Got To Be There' feature on this album.

For information about 'Toots and The Maytals' check out wikipedia here

Number 88 - Dr Dre 'The Chronic'

Before Eminem, before 50 Cent there was 'The Chronic'. While many point to this as being the blueprint for modern hip hop, DJ Pooh and Ice Cube had been doing similar stuff on their instrumentals but were being overlooked by most of the hip hop community. Maybe while Cube was talking about his dead homies, Dre was talking about killing people, bitches and weed.

One thing Dre has always done well was blood other artists - his strengths have always been beat production and producing - Eazy and Ice Cube owed him from N.W.A days - and on this album Snoop takes over and...well the rest is history.

The most endearing quality of having this album in your collection is that it has aged really really well.

'Wit Dre Day and 'The Day The Niggaz Took Over' are stand-outs here.

For information about 'Dr Dre' check out wikipedia here

Number 87 - Stevie Wonder ' Talking Book'

While Stevie Wonder was around as I was growing up (I remember 'Happy Birthday' and 'I Just Called to Say') I wouldn't say I was big on him. In reading what other artists say about him, and on the basis of 'MasterBlaster' and 'Superstitious' I decided to check out this album and loved it instantly.

It does come off a bit like an epic at times ('Maybe Your Baby' is a hefty 6mins 51), Stevie shows that he can take simple 'lounge' type music (the instrumentals at times sound like elevator music) and throw his voice over it to fill it with passion, soul and heart.

Fantastic for sleepy sunny sunday afternoons.

'You are the Sunshine of My Life' and 'Maybe Your Baby' are stand outs on this album.

For information about 'Stevie Wonder' check out wikipedia here

Number 86 - Blur 'Blur'

Parklife was the first album that I heard from Blur, and I am sure that the only reason I liked it so much was their funny accents. Those crazy geezers.

'Blur' was a break-through album for Blur, with Song 2 (the woo-hoo! song) getting the attention of the US population - probably because the chorus was so catchy, and it was only 2 minutes something long. Beetlebum is a stand out on this album for me, but it is truly a glorious listen from start to finish.

For information about 'Blur' check out wikipedia here

Its like the Mainland cheese ads....

Good things take time...and with so much been going on at the moment, I have been neglecting this little baby for a good few weeks. So before I list another few of my list...I thought I should let you know that:

-'Take it Slow' by Boozoo Bajou (feat. Joe Dukie) is killing me at the moment! I love it.
-'Lost Dogs' a double disc of rarities from Pearl Jam is rocking me at the moment. I wish I had bought this sooner.
-Mark De Clive Lowe's 'Tides Arising' is wonderful listening - That dude knows how to use a rimshot!

The second season of Lost is also blowing my mind. It just keeps getting better.

Word.

Number 85 - Coldplay 'A Rush of Blood to the Head'

I go through stages of really digging Coldplay and other times I just can't be bothered.

Perhaps they are overhyped? Perhaps they are as good as the media says...they sell a heap of records so they must be good right? Well their most recent album wasn't that great, but they sold heaps of them so what does that say?

If you like this one, check out their debut 'Parachutes' out as well - it is possibly as good (if not better - depending on how you feel...)

For information about 'Coldplay' check out wikipedia here

Number 84 - Green Day 'Insomniac'

These guys have gone a complete circle since Dookie. With their most recent album they have the industry at their feet, which is nice, because so often bands are forgotten about and burn out early in their careers.

Not these guys though, they have been around since MC Hammer days, and knocking out 2 1/2 minute gems by the dozens. This album is a little quirky, and though it departs little from the formula that was used on Dookie, it seems a very different album (probably from the lack of songs about poos and wanking).

For information about 'Green Day' check out wikipedia here

Number 83 - De La Soul '3FT High and Rising'

Oh my gawd. I remember first hearing this album around the same time as N.W.A's 'Straight Outta Compton', and it turned out to be a complete sleeper. I spent most of my 5th Form year listening to N.W.A, but began to more frequently listen to '3FT High' and time wore on. The album sounds like it was recorded through a shitty 4 track or something but is just so bloddy dynamic and groundbreaking you can't help but love it.

While De La never made another album like it - no one else has either.

Jenny and Eye Know are two of my all time hip hop faves - and you will find them on this album!

For information about 'De La Soul' check out wikipedia here

Number 82 - The Brunettes 'Mars Loves Venus'

I put this album in my top 100 at the risk of losing all my male friends...luckly, most of them would not have listened to The Brunettes so it should be cool (For my buds reading this - they are heavy metal....stop reading now)...

Seriously though, I really like this album - and guiltily it is the only one I have actually listened to! They are from New Zealand (which is good) but sound like they could be from somewhere like Ohio or Idaho or something. Not quite sure how you would even describe why this is or even what or who they sound like.

Alls I Know is that I really like the tracks 'Loopy Loopy Love' which sounds like 'chinese folk' sung by americans, and 'Best Friend Envy' which sounds like a Breeders/Amps track done at half volume.

Crazy huh?

For information about 'The Brunettes' check out Amplifier.co.nz here

Number 81 - James Brown 'Star Time'

Early James Brown is priceless. Its crazy how long James has been working and his title 'The Hardest Working Man in Show Business' is such because he has paid his dues (his band members over the past 40-50 years need to be given credit as well).

Star Time is a selection of his earlier songs, so if you are looking for a wider selection, try the 'Sex Machine' compilation.

'Please Please Please' is a masterpiece and for me sums up James Brown!

For information about 'Coldplay' check out wikipedia here