We're back again with another breakdown of some of my favourite albums to date. A bit like my Vinyl record blogs that I've just started, these come along when I have nothing else to write about, or I fancy talking about the music I love to have on repeat. It's a record for me, who likes to yap about music I love, and I hope it's semi fun for you to interact with and get a sense of what I have on repeat. So sit back, have a read, and enjoy!
TRENCH - TWENTY ONE PILOTS (2018)
(Trench Album Cover - Twenty One Pilots 2018)
Favourite Song - Jumpsuit
Rating - 9/10
I have a genuine, tangible memory of when this record came out and how damn excited I was for it. I was on Twitter back in those days, and the hype around this brand new TOP record had everyone in a frenzy - so much so that I remember staying up until midnight to hide my little tablet under my pillow and listen to the new record the moment it came out in the UK. Under my covers at 12am, I listened to the album over twice, before declaring it one of the best things I had ever had the pleasure of listening to. Over time, my fondness of this album has extended to owning it on vinyl and asking for the pre-order package of it for my birthday the next year - I still rock my Trench hoodie to this day. As far as the music goes, it's brilliantly diverse, narratively perfect, and was the pinnacle of immersion when it came out - just a stunner of a record front to back.
RAIN IN JULY - NECK DEEP (2012)
(Rain in July Album Art - Neck Deep 2012)
Favourite Song - I Couldn't Wait to Leave 6 Months Ago
Rating - 7.5/20
Before you ask, no I was not listening to this record in 2012 - I was like nine or something, I hadn't discovered Neck Deep, and wouldn't for some time after - but when I found this record, it was on repeat for a very, very long time. Full of pop-punk instrumentals, insanely quick drum breaks and some emotional lyricism that hits you on a whole other level. Sure, it can be a little derivative at points, and the speed of the drums and instruments can get a little much, but for a first record from a band what a way to prove your bones - class record with arguably one of Neck Deep's most popular tracks on it Part of Me. If you ever feel like a bit of pop punk nostalgia, this is the way to go.
AROUND THE FUR - DEFTONES (1997)
(Around the Fur Album Art - Deftones 1997)
Favourite Song - Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
Rating - 8/10
Deftones were, and arguably still are, one of the remaining bands from a vein of so called 'nu metal' troupes that lit up airways in and around the late nineties. However, unlike some of their more commercially successful cousins, they've seemingly always had more of a cult following than a general all around listener base - that's by no means saying they don't have fans, or that I'm not into them, but it's rare to find fans of these guys really in the day to day, or at least people who talk about them all that much. This record came into my life pretty late on, I want to say around four or so years ago, and has some absolute classics. From the insanely well known My Own Summer to the grinding Dai The Flu, this record is a statement from a band who were already making waves in the alternative scene that they can make music that subverts all genre expectations placed upon them and just make some insanely good music. But hell, everyone knows this is a killer record, that's why it went platinum in 2011 and is still being re-issued on various physical forms to this day.
IN UTERO - NIRVANA (1993)
(In Utero Album Cover - Nirvana 1993)
Favourite Song - Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle
Rating: 10/10
Nirvana, and especially Kurt Cobain continue to be massive inspirations to me, even now long after their career. Obviously, I wasn't around when Nirvana was, with Cobain killing himself around a year after this record's release - but holy shit what a record. Between some songs that are absolute benchmarks for the band, including Rape Me, Heart Shaped Box and Pennyroyal Tea, this album was a follow up to their mainstream success Nevermind - and once again forced the mainstream to go their own way. Chocked full of impressive and emotive vocal performance, chunky basslines and more insane drums from Dave Ghrol, this album really is a juggernaut of musicianship, talent, and some of the most cutthroat song writing ever to be written. I am in constant awe of this record, and the brains behind it, because it is sheer perfection.
BE NOTHING - BOSTON MANOR (2016)
(Be Nothing Album Cover - Boston Manor 2016)
Favourite Song - Burn You Up
Rating - 8/10
If we're talking debuts, off the back of the Neck Deep record earlier, look no further than Be Nothing if you fancy another insane way to start off your career. Although it's only half an hour or so in length, some of these tracks went on to define Boston Manor's career - with Laika being arguably one of their most well known tracks to date. Full of songs that span genres of rock and hardcore, Be Nothing is a full length dedication to Boston Manor's attitudes, and proof that if not now, they would later come to shape the industry and carve out their own place in the UK scene. I own this record on vinyl, after picking it up from my favourite record store Banquet in Kingston, and it gets spun pretty regularly.
There's another five listed off. I have the whole list of albums I want to talk about on my phone, and safe to say, this series will probably continue till the end of time - or as long as I can be bothered to continue yapping about the music I love.
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