Millenium Project: Day Ten (ALBUMS 10-1!!!)
10. Kylie Minogue - Fever (2002)
Here it is, Kylie’s perfect album. It’s like Kylie sailed to another world and brought back twelve perfect pop gems. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head may have been the big hit (and really, Kylie’s only substantial modern hit in the States), but that’s not the only thing here. Just listen to the title track or the electro pop of Give It To Me and the album’s consistency is evident. All the songs have a dance/disco beat to them, which is perfect because it allows the album to flow like an endless party.
Kylie Minogue - Fever
9. Janet Jackson - All For You (2001)
Anyone who thinks that Janet is no longer relevant since the nineties must only listen to Trust A Try from this 2001 release. That is absolute avant garde pop. All For You is probably Janet’s most pop-oriented work ever and a complete contrast to it’s predecessor, The Velvet Rope. The lead off single (and title track) is pure summer brilliance. It still sounds good today. Also, Come On Get Up, You Ain’t Right and Someone To Call My Lover are ridiculousy catchy, excellent pop tunes. I remember skipping school to go out and get this album. It was totally worth it.
Janet Jackson - Trust A Try
8. The Ark - In Lust We Trust (2004)
The Ark’s most dramatic and rocky album, In Lust We Trust is a true classic. It’s also got three of the band’s best songs: the glam-rock anthem Father Of A Son, the driving Calleth You, Cometh I, and the gorgeous, gospel inflected Tell Me This Night Is Over. It’s the album where the band really came into their own, addressing social issues and really cementing their place as my favorite band in the world. The album plays like the best sexy rock/glam musical in the world.
The Ark - Father Of A Son
7. The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)
America’s sole massive synth-pop hit, Hot Fuss will be remembered as an absolute classic of the genre. Not only is it incredibly catchy (“I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier” anyone?) but it’s also quality stuff. Looking past the album’s biggest hit (Mr. Brightside) to the galloping synth of Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine and the glam-rock of Andy, You’re A Star, it’s easy to see why the album (not just the singles) was an unqualified smash. Plus, if you reorder the tracks, the album tells an interesting sex/murder story. I’ll post it on the blog in a bit.
The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
6. Robbie Williams - Sing When You’re Winning (2000)
This could just be Robbie’s best album. As an unknowing American, I was introduced to Williams through The Ego Has Landed, a compilation of his first two albums. So, this was the first real “album” of his that I had heard all the way through. It’s probably his most eclectic work to date and has some fantastic dance elements (the I Will Survive strings in Supreme, the silly rap of Rock DJ - the only time rap has really worked in Robbie’s favor, btw). The album is basically a string of glorious pop hits, and even the non-singles (Forever Texas, Knutsford City Limits) are worthy of praise. A perfect pop/rock album.
Robbie Williams - Supreme
5. Delays - You See Colours (2006)
This album is totally recent, I know, but it is simply good enough to be this high on the countdown. It’s one of those albums that, upon the first listen, hooked me in a way that goes beyond music. From the opening tremors of You And Me to synthpop classic Valentine (with one of the most gorgeous breakdown sections I have ever heard), the record starts off with such amazing propulsion that you can hardly imagine the rest of the thing will keep up. But, amazingly, it does. Each song is so immediate and inventive, and the way they blend into one another gives the record a real cohesive feeling. The vocals are straight from heaven with a dirty edge and the songwriting can be described in a similar way. An essential for pop fans.
Delays - Valentine (Album Version)
4. Melody Club - Face The Music (2005)
While Melody Club’s first album defined them as a fantastic synthpop band, 2005’s Face The Music made them pop stars. First single Take Me Away is ridiculously fun glam-synth-punk, while follow ups Baby (Stand Up), Boys In The Girl’s Room and Wildhearts are just as great. Love Drive sounds like the Who gone synthpop, while Summer Low is like Swedish Beach Boys mixed with Duran Duran or something. Cats In The Dark and Killing A Boy are both inventive, exciting dance tracks. I envy pop lovers who have yet to discover Melody Club because they’re in for an incredible treat.
Melody Club - Take Me Away
3. The Mo - Night At The Zoo (2004)
God, I don’t even know what to say about how fantastic this album is. For one, it includes the best song ever written, bar none. The Right World encapsulates everything that’s great about pop: epic melody, catchy as hell riffs, anthematic lyrics, pounding drums. Listening to it was a life-changing moment, the kind that only rock music can deliver. And, if that’s not enough, there are at least three other songs on here that rival The Right World! Howl In The Jungle and Dancing Like A Heathen (the title alone, right?) are just as catchy, while Nostalgia Locomotive is one of the best ballads you’ll ever hear. Simply put, Night At The Zoo is one of the greatest pop albums ever made. Ever.
The Mo - The Right World
2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters (2004)
I credit this album with reigniting my passion in rock ’n roll. It arrived like some gift from another dimension and has been lodged in my cd player for years. It’s the best kind of pop: the kind that never get’s old no matter how much you listen to it. I don’t know how SS does it. They write absolute classics, and their classic status is apparent from the very first listen. It’s astonishing. This album covers so much ground. There are party dance tracks (Take Your Mama, Filthy/Gorgeous). Ballads (Mary and Return To Oz being some of the best ballads ever written) and perfect pop nuggets (Music Is The Victim, Laura). If I could have a tie, this album would also be #1, and it may very well overtake that position upon the release of Ta-Dah when my SS adoration is at its most high. We’ll see…
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
1. The Ark - State Of The Ark (2005)
Simply classic. The best album by the best band. The Ark are glam rock superstars and can do no wrong, that’s a given. But, little did I suspect that they’d release an album this classic. Lead off single One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young is one of the best rock tunes ever written (notice all of my “best blah blah blah EVER” proclamations --I’m obviously excited) and then there’s Rock City Wankers and Clamour For Glamour, two songs that could have ended up being tedious exercises in glam attitude, but end up being masterful pop songs. Nowhere in music these days is the spirit of rock so apparent than in this album. It drips off of every song. It’s a poppy, sweaty, sexy delight and anyone who says different does not know what rock ’n roll is. So there!
The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)
10. Kylie Minogue - Fever (2002)
Here it is, Kylie’s perfect album. It’s like Kylie sailed to another world and brought back twelve perfect pop gems. Can’t Get You Out Of My Head may have been the big hit (and really, Kylie’s only substantial modern hit in the States), but that’s not the only thing here. Just listen to the title track or the electro pop of Give It To Me and the album’s consistency is evident. All the songs have a dance/disco beat to them, which is perfect because it allows the album to flow like an endless party.
Kylie Minogue - Fever
9. Janet Jackson - All For You (2001)
Anyone who thinks that Janet is no longer relevant since the nineties must only listen to Trust A Try from this 2001 release. That is absolute avant garde pop. All For You is probably Janet’s most pop-oriented work ever and a complete contrast to it’s predecessor, The Velvet Rope. The lead off single (and title track) is pure summer brilliance. It still sounds good today. Also, Come On Get Up, You Ain’t Right and Someone To Call My Lover are ridiculousy catchy, excellent pop tunes. I remember skipping school to go out and get this album. It was totally worth it.
Janet Jackson - Trust A Try
8. The Ark - In Lust We Trust (2004)
The Ark’s most dramatic and rocky album, In Lust We Trust is a true classic. It’s also got three of the band’s best songs: the glam-rock anthem Father Of A Son, the driving Calleth You, Cometh I, and the gorgeous, gospel inflected Tell Me This Night Is Over. It’s the album where the band really came into their own, addressing social issues and really cementing their place as my favorite band in the world. The album plays like the best sexy rock/glam musical in the world.
The Ark - Father Of A Son
7. The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)
America’s sole massive synth-pop hit, Hot Fuss will be remembered as an absolute classic of the genre. Not only is it incredibly catchy (“I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier” anyone?) but it’s also quality stuff. Looking past the album’s biggest hit (Mr. Brightside) to the galloping synth of Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine and the glam-rock of Andy, You’re A Star, it’s easy to see why the album (not just the singles) was an unqualified smash. Plus, if you reorder the tracks, the album tells an interesting sex/murder story. I’ll post it on the blog in a bit.
The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
6. Robbie Williams - Sing When You’re Winning (2000)
This could just be Robbie’s best album. As an unknowing American, I was introduced to Williams through The Ego Has Landed, a compilation of his first two albums. So, this was the first real “album” of his that I had heard all the way through. It’s probably his most eclectic work to date and has some fantastic dance elements (the I Will Survive strings in Supreme, the silly rap of Rock DJ - the only time rap has really worked in Robbie’s favor, btw). The album is basically a string of glorious pop hits, and even the non-singles (Forever Texas, Knutsford City Limits) are worthy of praise. A perfect pop/rock album.
Robbie Williams - Supreme
5. Delays - You See Colours (2006)
This album is totally recent, I know, but it is simply good enough to be this high on the countdown. It’s one of those albums that, upon the first listen, hooked me in a way that goes beyond music. From the opening tremors of You And Me to synthpop classic Valentine (with one of the most gorgeous breakdown sections I have ever heard), the record starts off with such amazing propulsion that you can hardly imagine the rest of the thing will keep up. But, amazingly, it does. Each song is so immediate and inventive, and the way they blend into one another gives the record a real cohesive feeling. The vocals are straight from heaven with a dirty edge and the songwriting can be described in a similar way. An essential for pop fans.
Delays - Valentine (Album Version)
4. Melody Club - Face The Music (2005)
While Melody Club’s first album defined them as a fantastic synthpop band, 2005’s Face The Music made them pop stars. First single Take Me Away is ridiculously fun glam-synth-punk, while follow ups Baby (Stand Up), Boys In The Girl’s Room and Wildhearts are just as great. Love Drive sounds like the Who gone synthpop, while Summer Low is like Swedish Beach Boys mixed with Duran Duran or something. Cats In The Dark and Killing A Boy are both inventive, exciting dance tracks. I envy pop lovers who have yet to discover Melody Club because they’re in for an incredible treat.
Melody Club - Take Me Away
3. The Mo - Night At The Zoo (2004)
God, I don’t even know what to say about how fantastic this album is. For one, it includes the best song ever written, bar none. The Right World encapsulates everything that’s great about pop: epic melody, catchy as hell riffs, anthematic lyrics, pounding drums. Listening to it was a life-changing moment, the kind that only rock music can deliver. And, if that’s not enough, there are at least three other songs on here that rival The Right World! Howl In The Jungle and Dancing Like A Heathen (the title alone, right?) are just as catchy, while Nostalgia Locomotive is one of the best ballads you’ll ever hear. Simply put, Night At The Zoo is one of the greatest pop albums ever made. Ever.
The Mo - The Right World
2. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters (2004)
I credit this album with reigniting my passion in rock ’n roll. It arrived like some gift from another dimension and has been lodged in my cd player for years. It’s the best kind of pop: the kind that never get’s old no matter how much you listen to it. I don’t know how SS does it. They write absolute classics, and their classic status is apparent from the very first listen. It’s astonishing. This album covers so much ground. There are party dance tracks (Take Your Mama, Filthy/Gorgeous). Ballads (Mary and Return To Oz being some of the best ballads ever written) and perfect pop nuggets (Music Is The Victim, Laura). If I could have a tie, this album would also be #1, and it may very well overtake that position upon the release of Ta-Dah when my SS adoration is at its most high. We’ll see…
Scissor Sisters - Take Your Mama
1. The Ark - State Of The Ark (2005)
Simply classic. The best album by the best band. The Ark are glam rock superstars and can do no wrong, that’s a given. But, little did I suspect that they’d release an album this classic. Lead off single One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young is one of the best rock tunes ever written (notice all of my “best blah blah blah EVER” proclamations --I’m obviously excited) and then there’s Rock City Wankers and Clamour For Glamour, two songs that could have ended up being tedious exercises in glam attitude, but end up being masterful pop songs. Nowhere in music these days is the spirit of rock so apparent than in this album. It drips off of every song. It’s a poppy, sweaty, sexy delight and anyone who says different does not know what rock ’n roll is. So there!
The Ark - One Of Us Is Gonna Die Young
(Music is for evaluation purposes only. Buy these fabulous albums here.)
posted by Nick at 3:28 PM
7 Comments:
I've really enjoyed reading through the Millenium Project. I've found some great music.
Awesome! Glad you discovered something new. That's what it's all about here!
Wow, that's cool. I always think that I have this weird taste in music. I'm glad there are other people.
Yeap! That's a nice,cool,alternative top list.
Ark,Melody Club.Elkland & BWO!
You really got me...
Chears.
Some of this songs should be included in the list of the greatest of all time on rankopedia.com
Ah where have you been all my life....or at least the past few years of it?!
Your taste in music is very similar to my own and it's now great to have guidance and tips before dropping tons of cash at HMV.
Thank you so much for your time and effort!
I tip my glass to you.
Margaret (in Toronto)
The Melody Club. Brothers and sisters, I have seen the light. Just stumbled across them today. Wow.
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