1️⃣
🌟🌟 Bonus - 12 Points 🌟🌟
Jimi Hendrix
Voodoo Chile
1968
Electric Ladyland
-
God.
Immaculate, incomprehensible.
Robust angels around him - every fill, every flourish - but always returning to the omnipotence of that guitar.
The only rational explanation is voodoo.
1️⃣
🌟🌟 Bonus - 12 Points 🌟🌟
Jimi Hendrix
Voodoo Chile
1968
Electric Ladyland
-
God.
Immaculate, incomprehensible.
Robust angels around him - every fill, every flourish - but always returning to the omnipotence of that guitar.
The only rational explanation is voodoo.
2️⃣
🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
Paul McCartney
Maybe I’m Amazed
1970
McCartney
-
He declined to release it as a single! That’s why!
You can feel the relief. Write an epic love song. Play everything. Stick guitar solos between everything. Have a false ending.
He’s the modern day Mozart.
2️⃣
🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
Paul McCartney
Maybe I’m Amazed
1970
McCartney
-
He declined to release it as a single! That’s why!
You can feel the relief. Write an epic love song. Play everything. Stick guitar solos between everything. Have a false ending.
He’s the modern day Mozart.
3️⃣
🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
Radiohead
Reckoner
2007
In Rainbows
-
Ok, guitarists. Here are some maracas. I’ve got the rest.
For such masters of soundscapesmithery, this is so basic. A shit-load of percussion, simple plucks, and the mournful melody. Then a sunrise coda!
Heavenly.
3️⃣
🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
Radiohead
Reckoner
2007
In Rainbows
-
Ok, guitarists. Here are some maracas. I’ve got the rest.
For such masters of soundscapesmithery, this is so basic. A shit-load of percussion, simple plucks, and the mournful melody. Then a sunrise coda!
Heavenly.
4️⃣🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
New Order
Elegia
1985
Low Life
-
Apparently, the Blue Monday bassline is a variation on Sergio Leone’s GBU theme. Well this takes the homage to that music box into overdrive. Epic in scope with some swirling counterpoint.
And no weird Barney vocals! 👌
4️⃣🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
New Order
Elegia
1985
Low Life
-
Apparently, the Blue Monday bassline is a variation on Sergio Leone’s GBU theme. Well this takes the homage to that music box into overdrive. Epic in scope with some swirling counterpoint.
And no weird Barney vocals! 👌
5️⃣ 🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
David Bowie
Moonage Daydream
1972
Ziggy Stardust…
-
I’m an alligator!
Yes, David. Of course you are.
I can’t put my finger on precisely why I love this so much. Its nonsense. It’s universal. It’s exciting. It’s melancholy. It’s fun. It’s MY Bowie song.
5️⃣ 🌟 Bonus - 11 Points 🌟
David Bowie
Moonage Daydream
1972
Ziggy Stardust…
-
I’m an alligator!
Yes, David. Of course you are.
I can’t put my finger on precisely why I love this so much. Its nonsense. It’s universal. It’s exciting. It’s melancholy. It’s fun. It’s MY Bowie song.
6️⃣
The Beatles
Golden Slumbers
1969
Abbey Road
-
A melodic McCartney masterclass.
Often derided for his twee, romantic sensibilities, he’s even written ‘Silly Love Songs’ “…and what’s wrong with that?”
Love is.. to inspire sweet dreams. And love is the best thing we humans do ❤️
6️⃣
The Beatles
Golden Slumbers
1969
Abbey Road
-
A melodic McCartney masterclass.
Often derided for his twee, romantic sensibilities, he’s even written ‘Silly Love Songs’ “…and what’s wrong with that?”
Love is.. to inspire sweet dreams. And love is the best thing we humans do ❤️
7️⃣
Interpol
The New
2002
Turn on the Bright Lights
-
My favourite song structure:
Pretty, melodic, lullaby introduction. Darker, propulsive exposition. Ultimate discordant recapitulation. Then bring it back with a malevolent, imploding coda.
These guys execute it perfectly. 🖤❤️
7️⃣
Interpol
The New
2002
Turn on the Bright Lights
-
My favourite song structure:
Pretty, melodic, lullaby introduction. Darker, propulsive exposition. Ultimate discordant recapitulation. Then bring it back with a malevolent, imploding coda.
These guys execute it perfectly. 🖤❤️
8️⃣
Bill Withers
Let me in your Life
1972
Still Bill
-
Such a simple love song. Handled by my favourite male voice. He’s properly underrated.
8️⃣
Bill Withers
Let me in your Life
1972
Still Bill
-
Such a simple love song. Handled by my favourite male voice. He’s properly underrated.
9️⃣
Queens of the Stone Age
In the Fade
2000
Rated R
-
Another art form perfected. In this case, Desert Rock.
The extended grunge riff of the chorus, the unfussy, melodic fills, all contrasted with the fragile, desolate verses.
And then some nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, etc….
9️⃣
Queens of the Stone Age
In the Fade
2000
Rated R
-
Another art form perfected. In this case, Desert Rock.
The extended grunge riff of the chorus, the unfussy, melodic fills, all contrasted with the fragile, desolate verses.
And then some nicotine, Valium, Vicodin, etc….
1️⃣0️⃣
Nick Drake
Way to Blue
1969
Five Leaves Left
-
His calming voice is so suited to his acoustic pluck. So when it is contrasted with the baroque, processional of the string quartet, the spotlight accentuates the strength in his calmness.
Disconcertingly gorgeous.
1️⃣0️⃣
Nick Drake
Way to Blue
1969
Five Leaves Left
-
His calming voice is so suited to his acoustic pluck. So when it is contrasted with the baroque, processional of the string quartet, the spotlight accentuates the strength in his calmness.
Disconcertingly gorgeous.
1️⃣1️⃣
Radiohead
Let Down
1997
OK Computer
-
The sleeper highlight of OKC?
First packed between the devastating and the monumental, it initially seemed like a soothing palette cleanser. But it is so fucking clever. Weird time signatures, early cadences,
I’m out of space..
Euphoria.
1️⃣1️⃣
Radiohead
Let Down
1997
OK Computer
-
The sleeper highlight of OKC?
First packed between the devastating and the monumental, it initially seemed like a soothing palette cleanser. But it is so fucking clever. Weird time signatures, early cadences,
I’m out of space..
Euphoria.
1️⃣2️⃣
Massive Attack
Man Next Door
1998
Mezzanine
-
On an album which absorbs light, this is possibly its most threatening track. Horace’s angelic clarity pierces through the murk of fear of unnamed, fussy, fighty men
And HM to the similarly foreboding Cure sample 👌
1️⃣2️⃣
Massive Attack
Man Next Door
1998
Mezzanine
-
On an album which absorbs light, this is possibly its most threatening track. Horace’s angelic clarity pierces through the murk of fear of unnamed, fussy, fighty men
And HM to the similarly foreboding Cure sample 👌
1️⃣4️⃣
Pearl Jam
Black
1991
Ten
-
An atmospheric track becomes transcendent with that line….
I know someday you’ll have beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky
But why, why, why
Can’t it be
Cant it be mine
And then the du-du-duh-duh du-du-duh outro…
RIP Vicky 🖤
1️⃣4️⃣
Pearl Jam
Black
1991
Ten
-
An atmospheric track becomes transcendent with that line….
I know someday you’ll have beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky
But why, why, why
Can’t it be
Cant it be mine
And then the du-du-duh-duh du-du-duh outro…
RIP Vicky 🖤
1️⃣6️⃣
Pixies
Gouge Away
1989
Doolittle
-
Ok, fellow Pixies. For this album’s closer, what we will do is perfect the quiet-loud artform, invent a thousand bands, and create the scene for the next decade. Oh, and make it biblical.
1️⃣6️⃣
Pixies
Gouge Away
1989
Doolittle
-
Ok, fellow Pixies. For this album’s closer, what we will do is perfect the quiet-loud artform, invent a thousand bands, and create the scene for the next decade. Oh, and make it biblical.
1️⃣6️⃣
Damien Rice
I Remember
2002
O
-
The battle of the sexes’ relationship memories
Lisa tells of how her head’s gone and ships had sailed at the mere sight of his wet hair…. Damien grizzles guilt at God and porn
They both just need a good ‘O’
1️⃣6️⃣
Damien Rice
I Remember
2002
O
-
The battle of the sexes’ relationship memories
Lisa tells of how her head’s gone and ships had sailed at the mere sight of his wet hair…. Damien grizzles guilt at God and porn
They both just need a good ‘O’
1️⃣7️⃣
Smashing Pumpkins
Here is no Why
1995
Mellon Collie….
-
Dante used ‘Terza Rima’; Billy uses cadence rolls. Even the base chord is a fragile 7th. This track doesn’t settle or resolve until all fireworks popping off before a final rallentando roll to the end.
Air guitar heaven!
1️⃣7️⃣
Smashing Pumpkins
Here is no Why
1995
Mellon Collie….
-
Dante used ‘Terza Rima’; Billy uses cadence rolls. Even the base chord is a fragile 7th. This track doesn’t settle or resolve until all fireworks popping off before a final rallentando roll to the end.
Air guitar heaven!
1️⃣8️⃣
Jimi Hendrix
1983 (…a Merman I should turn to be)
1968
Electric Ladyland
-
A 13-minute history of the world. Everything just takes its time ebbing and flowing between that simple, languorous figure until it all falls off a cliff into an extinction burst
I don’t comprehend Jimi…❤️
1️⃣8️⃣
Jimi Hendrix
1983 (…a Merman I should turn to be)
1968
Electric Ladyland
-
A 13-minute history of the world. Everything just takes its time ebbing and flowing between that simple, languorous figure until it all falls off a cliff into an extinction burst
I don’t comprehend Jimi…❤️
1️⃣9️⃣
Wedding Present
Heather
1991
Seamonsters
-
Small and perfectly formed. The greatest songwriter of the generation. I mean, this beats a Radiohead track!! Which is PROPER music.
And this album is perfection. 🖤
1️⃣9️⃣
Wedding Present
Heather
1991
Seamonsters
-
Small and perfectly formed. The greatest songwriter of the generation. I mean, this beats a Radiohead track!! Which is PROPER music.
And this album is perfection. 🖤
2️⃣0️⃣
Radiohead
The National Anthem
2000
Kid A
-
Finally…. The last of my hattrick heroes to appear. I could easily have picked a track (or two) off each album for this challenge. They are wonderful.
The constancy of the grimy bass riff while everything else goes a bit turbo
2️⃣0️⃣
Radiohead
The National Anthem
2000
Kid A
-
Finally…. The last of my hattrick heroes to appear. I could easily have picked a track (or two) off each album for this challenge. They are wonderful.
The constancy of the grimy bass riff while everything else goes a bit turbo
2️⃣1️⃣
Jeff Buckley
Eternal Life
1994
Grace
-
The track that taught me how to play the guitar! And there are some cracking live versions out there that morph into Kick out the Jamms
Ayyyyyyyyyn-geeeeeeeel
2️⃣1️⃣
Jeff Buckley
Eternal Life
1994
Grace
-
The track that taught me how to play the guitar! And there are some cracking live versions out there that morph into Kick out the Jamms
Ayyyyyyyyyn-geeeeeeeel
2️⃣2️⃣
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dull Life
2099
It’s Blitz
-
Every challenge, there is a track that is on the peripheries and then leaps and bounds itself up the rankings. See: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, 1 Thing, Manhattan Skyline.
Welcome to a cracking club!
2️⃣2️⃣
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Dull Life
2099
It’s Blitz
-
Every challenge, there is a track that is on the peripheries and then leaps and bounds itself up the rankings. See: Say Hello, Wave Goodbye, 1 Thing, Manhattan Skyline.
Welcome to a cracking club!
2️⃣4️⃣
Talk Talk
Inheritence
1988
Spirit of Eden
-
My pick from the most unpickapartable album. The backing is sparse but intricate. But here, Mark allows his vocals to soar.
2️⃣4️⃣
Talk Talk
Inheritence
1988
Spirit of Eden
-
My pick from the most unpickapartable album. The backing is sparse but intricate. But here, Mark allows his vocals to soar.
2️⃣5️⃣
Taylor Swift
Maroon
2022
Midnights
-
Start the second half as we started the first….. TayTay!
The minimalism? The breathlessness? The tricky little couplets? I don’t know what it was precisely, but it made me realise - Damn. She is really rather good. ❤️
2️⃣5️⃣
Taylor Swift
Maroon
2022
Midnights
-
Start the second half as we started the first….. TayTay!
The minimalism? The breathlessness? The tricky little couplets? I don’t know what it was precisely, but it made me realise - Damn. She is really rather good. ❤️