Music Gourmets Presents 60 Years of Great Music - 1996

[Zeeba Neighba]

Man, we are reeling in the years! Already at 1996

Welcome to the next year in our "Great Music" series - 1996!

Here's the rules:

Each Friday (typically) we'll introduce a new year from 1957 through 2016. Each member selects an album released in that year with a few lines (or more) on why you picked it/enjoy it. Your selection does not have to be the most important release or the most admired release of that year (though it certainly can be), simply an album that grabs you and that you really love.

However, once an album is selected by a member, you must choose a different album.

Together we will compile quite the canon of "Great Music" and, who knows, maybe inspire each other to check out some new artists (or to revisit old forgotten classics).

This week - the albums of 1996

 

[patrikc325]

Sublime-S/T

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Beck - Odelay

 

[LeslieC]

The Wallflowers - Bringing Down the Horse

 

[Mattafett]

Tool - Ænima

 

[Pops]

Acid Bath - Paegan Terrorism Tactics

 

[lpfreak1170]

Weezer - Pinkerton


Their masterpiece and easily one of the best of the 90s.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

Patty Griffin - Living With Ghosts.



The story goes that A&M execs heard this cassette demo tape she recorded at home accompanied only by her acoustic guitar. They were so impressed they released the demo, unchanged, as her debut album. The woman is a wonderful singer and her lyrics are generally interesting and thoughtful. She's not known as a remarkable guitarist, but she's quite competent and perfectly able to accompany herself without getting repetitive and boring. But really, there's something about her voice that draws me in. Even when she guests on other bands' releases -- and is mixed appropriately as background or harmony vocals -- her voice always stands out, something like a woman in an evening gown among a crowd of twenty-somethings in club wear.

 

[Postalboy]

Eels- Beautiful Freak

 

[Worm]

Fiona Apple - Tidal

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Ocean Colour Scene - Moseley Shoals



Pinkerton would have been my first choice, and I hate leaving Nick Cave's Murder Ballads and The Fugee's The Score unchosen but really love this one. A lesser known Britpop album among most Yanks, and it doesn't boast the quirkiness of Blur or oomph of Oasis or offbeat style of Pulp. It doesn't really have the obvious 60s Beatles or Kinks influence many groups of that genre display. It's just a really good pop/rock album with great melodies. I dunno why - it just grabbed me on first listen and I've enjoyed it since

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Before we get to Honorable Mentions, I know there are some more picks out there - let's get 'em in

 

[axolotl]

Rachel's ~ Music for Egon Schiele

 

[Ojai Sam]

The Scud Mountain Boys - Massachusetts

1996 represented another banner year for alt country. The Scuds were one more disenchanted rock group that unplugged, changed its name and reinvented itself in the image of country music. Or as AMG described it:

...the bandmembers soon tired of hauling equipment around and found they much more enjoyed the after-show get-togethers playing acoustic country songs around the kitchen table at home to the stage. Finally they decided to haul the kitchen table to a club. Finding the response positive, they've stayed with the new format.

This is one of the rare records that is so quiet yet powerful that it demands attentive listening.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Spotify playlist:

 

[Unsomnambulist]

HMs:

Swans - Soundtracks For The Blind



Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup



Tortoise - Millions Now Living Will Never Die



Modest Mouse - This Is A Long Drive For Someone With Nothing To Think About

 

[JazzyRandy]

Tony! Toni! Toné! - House Of Music