Best Of The Best, Albums Full Of Feels (current 5's)
Albums which effect my mood in such a way, that they have all
earned well deserved 5 star ratings. Most seem to have a distinct
"American" atmosphere, and even though I'm British, I've always
found myself drawn to this vibe. |
| 1 |  | Agalloch
Pale Folklore
I remember listening to this album right after watching the shining, and the
mood being so perfect. Makes me think of campfires, and just generally
being outdoors. Personal highlight would definitely have to be the Acoustic
guitar break in As Embers Dress the Sky. Beautiful |
| 2 |  | Agalloch
The Mantle
Agalloch's "hugest" album, really does feel like going on a joruney through
mountain ranges, or something in similar in that vein. |
| 3 |  | Bon Iver
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
For Emma, Forever Ago seemed like an album that would be impossible to
follow up, a one off, yet somehow he managed to make his second album
not just as good, but better. Absolutely wonderful, so peaceful. Blends
many different sounds and textures together very cleverly. Clean sounding,
like freshly fallen snow |
| 4 | | Death Cab For Cutie
Sure, it may seem kind of cheesy in points, but I can't help but be incredibly
moved on each listen. The build up in Transatlanticism is one of my favourite
moments of any album ever |
| 5 |  | Eddie Vedder
Into The Wild [Music For The Motion Picture]
My most played album on Itunes, incredible soundtrack to an incredible film.
Every song is so irresistable. A short album, but one which feels "huge" in
scope. |
| 6 |  | Elliott Smith
XO
Really blew me away the first time I heard it. One of the albums which
motivated me to delve further into singer-songwriter/indie territory |
| 7 |  | Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas...
Wow, 90mins of the best post-rock put to tape. Huge climaxes, incredible
use of samples and a generally very forbading atmosphere. The sample of
the preacher and the subsequent build up after it = goosebumps every
time |
| 8 |  | Lucinda Williams
Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
Album cover sums up the mood of this album very nicely. Always makes me
feel very reflective, Lucinda Williams really does have a very powerful voice. |
| 9 |  | Modest Mouse
The Lonesome Crowded West
Bleak, expansive, two of the first words which come to mind when I think of
this album. The album title gives a good indication as to what the
atmosphere of this album is like. Lyrically stunning. Isaac Brock's guitar
style and lyrics both in combination conjure up images of very lonely yet
beautiful landscapes. |
| 10 |  | Neil Young
After the Gold Rush
My favourite artist of the 70's, and what a way to begin the decade! Tell Me
Why has got to be one of my favourite album openers of all time... |
| 11 |  | Neil Young
Rust Never Sleeps
...and what a way to end the decade. Stunning, perfect mix of his singer-
songwriter material and coutry tinged hard rock. Thrasher has to have
some of my favourite lyrics. |
| 12 |  | Nine Inch Nails
The Downward Spiral
Excellent portrayal of a man's descent into madness, and eventual suicide.
A very moving album. |
| 13 |  | Nirvana
MTV Unplugged in New York (DVD)
Perfect, best live DVD I've yet to see. Kurt Cobain makes a very good
singer-songwriter. The Meat Puppets covers are awesome too! |
| 14 |  | Pearl Jam
Ten
My favourite grunge album, so many memories connected with it. Release,
my favourite song from the album, really shows how powerful and brilliant
Eddie Vedder's voice is. |
| 15 |  | R.E.M.
Automatic For the People
The peak of REM's career, a restrained somber album, with a very unique,
expansive sound. |
| 16 |  | Simon and Garfunkel
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel's final album, and what a way to end their period of
writing music together. Excellent songwriting and beautiful vocal
harmonisations. |
| 17 |  | Sufjan Stevens
Michigan
Sufjan Steven's sings about his home state to create an incredibly personal
and moving album. Contains some of my favourite songs of all time with
"Romulus", "Sleeping Bear, Sault Saint Marie" and "Oh God, Where Are You
Now?" I have to say, it genuinely made my day when the average rating of
this album went up from a 3.9 to a 4 after I 5'd it. |
| 18 |  | Sufjan Stevens
Illinois
Possibly my favourite album of all time. "Casimir Pulaski Day" and "The
Predatory Wasp of the Palisades" are 2 of the most heartbreaking songs
I've yet to hear |
| 19 |  | The Beach Boys
Pet Sounds
My favourite 60's album, Brian Wilson demonstrates just how incredibly
tallented of a songwriter he is here. |
| 20 |  | The Cure
Disintegration
So dark and hypnotic, perfect night time music. Robert Smith's voice is
incredibly intimate, and he delivers his very personal lyrics perfectly |
| 21 |  | The Smashing Pumpkins
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Very diverse album, which contains a great balance of The Smashing
Pumpkins' unique style of alternative rock and more dream-pop inspired
moments. "Here is no Why", "Galapogos", "Muzzle", "Thru the Eyes of
Ruby" and "By Starlight" all rank among my favourite songs of the 90's |
| 22 |  | Tool
Aenima
Tool's most cohesive and best album, flows brilliantly and has an excellent
dark, and ultimately very distinct feel. |
| 23 |  | Sun Kil Moon
Ghosts of the Great Highway
Mark Kozelek's magnum opus, I think someone on RYM summed up this
album perfectly by saying that it's like music to go with some incredibly long
ending credits of a moving film. Conjures up a very "midwestern"
atmosphere |
| 24 |  | Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt was very much the troubled genius, and with this album
he recorded some very bleak and expressive Country/Americana music |
| 25 |  | Weezer
Pinkerton
Baisically my go-to album for every time I do something cringeworhty in
trying to win over a girl I like |
| 26 |  | Wolves in the Throne Room
Diadem of 12 Stars
I remember walking back to my house through the woods at night, in the
rain. It was at that moment the album suddenly clicked. |
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