I saw them live here last year and they were so incredible that i rushed to buy this three days later. WHAT an album! From the first to the last minute of this record, you won't be able to stop your feet moving. They've mixed up almost everything - from hip hop to dub to guitar riffs to... i couldn't say what else. Turn up the volume. These guys are what Rage Against The Machine dream of but will never be. Moreover, they're all Asian people who live in England and their lyrics have an incredible power, just because they are REAL. Buy this. Do it for yourself.(****)
Fave tracks: "Black White", "Naxalite", "Charge", "Free Satpal Ram", "Dub Mentality"

BJORK - "Debut"

I've been wanting this CD for ages, and now it's mine! What can I say? There are no words to describe her performances here. And the bitter-sweet-ness of the whole thing. This is one of the best albums of the decade. Easily.(*****)
Fave tracks:"Come To Me", "Violently Happy", "Play Dead", "Big Time Sensuality", "There's More To LIfe Than This"

BLUR - "Blur"

Fifth and best album for them... Their sound has turned more "American", and it's obvious that they are big Pavement fans. It's difficult and peculiar, but also very appealing and sincere. To me, Damon Albarn sings like he's never done before, on this album... but it's Graham Coxon who dominates it! (*****)
Fave tracks: "Song II" (already an anthem), "Death of a party", "M.O.R.", "Beetlebum"

BLUR - "The Great Escape"

If "Blur" is their best album as of yet, then this is the one that should be their most popular. Already a classic for the 90's, this one defined Britpop in a classy, smart way. There are some songs here that won't get out of your head and will make you jump around incontrollably, and you'll know it's all worth it! And there's also "The Universal"...(****)
Fave tracks: "Stereotypes", "The Universal", "Charmless Man"

CHEMICAL BROTHERS - "Dig Your Own Hole"

It is massive. It blows you away. It makes you get up and dance your ass off! Let yourself loose, get into it! Forget everything, let it take you over! It's so full of sonic avalanches, it really amazes you... Cataclysmic...(****)
Fave tracks: "Block rockin' beats", "The private psychedelic reel", "Lost in the k-hole", "Setting sun", "Where do I begin", "Elektrobank"

NIRVANA - "Unplugged in New York"

Nirvana - definitely one of the most influencial bands of the 90's. In this last performance, just a few months before Cobain's death, they just confirmed that their greatness didn't need electricity to be heard. Shining... (*****)
Fave tracks: "Dumb", "The man who sold the world", "About a girl", "Plateau", "Where did you sleep last night", "Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam"

PLACEBO - "Placebo"

Energy! Fast guitars! Great melodies! Man, this is an amazing debut album, full of rockers and little epics... I also love their lyrics. Their second album (1998) was very good, but not like this one... (****)
Fave tracks: "I know", "Teenage Angst", "Hang on to your IQ", "Nancy Boy", "Come Home"

PURESSENCE - "Puressence"

First album for this ABSOLUTELY F***IN' BRILLIANT Manchester quartet. Dark melodies, searing guitars, great production and a stunning voice (James Mudriczki). Already my second favourite band... (****)
Fave tracks: "Every house on every street", "Fire", "India", "I suppose"

R.E.M. - "Automatic for the people"

This is a key album for this decade. Perhaps THE key album. R.E.M. have influenced so many bands... This one is quite introverted and sweet. And it's just great. (*****)
Fave tracks: "Drive", "Man on the moon", "The sidewinder sleeps tonite", "Nightswimming", "Star me kitten", "Everybody hurts"

SCREAMING TREES - "Dust"

This is a band that has survived from the grunge era quite intact. Excellent songs, mature but extremely fresh-sounding. Mark Lanegan's voice is something else, really... (****)
Fave tracks: "All I know", "Witness", "Dying days", "Sworn and broken"

SPIRITUALIZED - "Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space"

Here is the only album that deserves to take a place alongside "OK Computer" in every year-end poll's top for 1997! Isn't that enough? Just get it and PLAY it. LOUD. There is a trip in there, waiting for you to get inside it. (*****)
Fave tracks:"I think I'm in love", "Electricity", "Come together", "Broken heart", "Ladies and gentlemen we are floating in space"

TELSTAR PONIES - "Voices from the new music"

Now, here is the darkest album I possess. Very stark and intense, full of splendid string arrangements and songs of majestic beauty. Difficult, yes, but totally worth owning! A real aural experience... (****)
Fave track: "Last outpost"

TINDERSTICKS - "II"

And I am asking you now. Can a man's voice get much more beautiful and touching and thrilling than this?? (well, it can get, just a little bit more... but that's another story, forget it...) Can a song get much more beautiful and moving than "Travelling Light" or "Tiny Tears" or "No More Affairs"??? Just tell me! Can sad stories like these be turned into lovelier music? Well, who knows? (****)
Fave Tracks: "Travelling Light", "Tiny Tears", "No More Affairs", "A Night In"
 

SOON TO BE HERE:

Puressence - "Only Forever"
PJ Harvey - "Is This Desire?"
Portishead - "P.N.Y.C."
Massive Attack - "Blue Lines"
Massive Attack - "Mezzanine"
Pavement - "Crooked Rain Crooked Rain"
Afghan Whigs - "Gentlemen"
Mogwai - "Young Team"
Beta Band - "The 3 EPs"
Air - "Moon Safari"
Mercury Rev - "Deserter's Songs"
Pulp - "This Is Hardcore"
The Verve - "Urban Hymns"
Six By Seven - "The Things We Make"
REM - "Up"
UNKLE - "Psyence Fiction"
Various Artists - "Velvet Goldmine OST"
and more.

SOON TO BE ACQUIRED - hopefully:

Primal Scream - "Screamadelica"
Gorky's Zydotic Mynci - "Barafundle"
Gus Gus - "This Is Normal"
Add N To X - "Avant Hard"
and more......