my top pick
of best albums '2001
last year, i've been listening to a lot of music and i guess those mentioned
here really meant something for me. the comments are entitled to my opinion
only.
bjork - vespertine
this is her fourth LP following 'Debut', 'Post' & 'Homogenic'. She kinda
previewed the sound of this album on her EP to the Dancer In The Dark. And
who will forget of her performance at the Oscar night last year wearing the
infamous swan dress? my favorite tracks from the album are 'Hidden Place',
'It's All Up To You', 'Pagan Poetry' & 'Unison'. Anyway, this is a kinda
electronica 'acoustic' set which is quiet than her previous effects. She used
music box for some of the tracks as background music and this LP is a 'reflection'
to me in certain aspects.
sigur ros - agaetis byrjun
this icelandic album is their second effort although it was released way back
in 2000. i love the title track and 'Svefn-g-englar'. the only thing i wanted
to complain is that the length of each songs. Although I don't understand
what they are singing in Icelandic, but this is a masterpiece. This is kinda
experimental album using band sound, electronic music & ethereal voices.
Those who listen to Cocteau Twins and Radiohead sure will be familiar with
the sound.
sade - lovers rock
this is also a 2000 album but i really purchased it in 2001. my favorites
from the album are 'Lovers Rock', 'By Your Side', 'All About Our Love' &
others. I really like her vocal and how they really suited the songs. This
is an acoustic set with bit of reggae, hip hop and r & b influences. One
important thing is this LP is released 8 years after the last one.
no doubt - rock steady
this effort is only 2 years after their last LP 'Return of Saturn'. The last
one, umm, is not what i expected. But this time, the sound is totally new
and refreshing. I really like the heavy party and dance feel all over the
album. Actually, I think most of the songs should be released as singles and
they will sure be no. 1 hits. songs like 'hella good', 'making out', 'detective',
'running', 'don't let me down' and 'rock steady' are my favorite choices.
various artists - music from moulin rouge
who will expect nicole kidman & ewan mcgregor to be able to carry a tune
or two? this amazing compilation of songs contributed by various artistes
like bono, beck, fatboy slim, david bowie, rufus wainwright and etc is overwhelming.
my favorite tunes are 'sparkling diamonds', 'elephant love medley', 'come
what may', 'children of the revolution', 'diamond dogs' & others.
various artists - music from vanilla sky
don't really like the movie but the soundtrack really kicks butt. overall,
the sound is guitar-oriented pop music followed by some slightly dark atmospheric
songs like alternative ambient and techno. Favorites are 'Vanilla Sky' by
Paul McCartney, 'Where Do I Begin' by The Chemical Brothers, 'Mondo 77' by
Looper & R.E.M.'s 'All The Right Friends'.
natalie imbruglia - white lilies island
second effort by natalie following her debut album 'left of the middle' 4
years later. songs like 'beauty on the fire', 'wrong impression', butterflies',
'come september' and 'that day' stuck into your brain after couple of times
listening. it's not over produced and i'm very impressed by it since i dun
really listen to her couple of years ago.
r.e.m. - reveal
their latest set following the critically acclaimed experimental 1998 release
'Up' which is still my personal favorite. This is kinda 'happy' record and
Michael Stipes vocals is still haunting as ever. The band sound is typically
heavy all over the record. Personal favorites are 'The Lifting', 'Summer Turns
To High', 'All The Way To Reno', 'I've Been High' and etc. I find myself singing
alone to the lines each time I listen to them.
garbage - beautifulgarbage
although i can't simply compare this new release to their last record, but
I still pick it. Why? Because they try to explore and search for new ground
with this effort. Their formula kinda gone and replaced by experimental and
poppy stuffs. It really sounds awful after the first listening but you won't
regret it after couple of times like myself. Stuffs like 'Androgyny', 'Cherry
Lips', 'Can't Cry These Tears Anymore', Breaking Up The Girl' and others are
typical Garbage-ish sound dat you might die for. But, the last song, 'So Like
A Rose', which is a ballad really touched me.
gorillaz - gorillaz
this 2-D animated rock, hip hop and experimental band really shines on their
debut effort. songs like 'clint eastwood', 'rock da house', 'tomorrow comes
today' and '19-2000' are my favorites. well, u can dance to their music and
i'm sure you be entertained by their music videos as well.
david gray - white ladder
i only discovered this album last year although it was released 3 years back
in 1999. accompanied with simple instruments like guitar and piano, he showcases
how simplicity can really touch us with his emotional voice expressed in a
universal way. favorites are 'babylon', 'please forgive me' and others.
train - drops of jupiter
'drops of jupiter' & 'getaway' are my favorites from this album. basically,
it's kinda rock pop sound but I guess it's a bit different from the other
American rock band. It gives me this Bon Jovi feel.
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