One of the first bands to play industrial.. and maybe the best. The word that describes them best is mesmerizing. Another is - ever-changing. These guys always find a way to suprise you and yet - to stay true to themselves. Early albums are pure anarchy and late - pure beauty.
The best album: Halber Mensch
The best song: Yu-Gung
Possible drawbacks: May seem too sophisticated... most lyrics are in German, so not everyone will understand what they are singing about
Need to listen? - absolutely... but not as some background music
The Tiger Lillies
Twisted and crazy band singing about death, perverts, prostitutes and mocking religion. Add to this very unusual vocals and strange minimalistic music - and you will get a band that very few people can understand. But they are sheer beauty... believe me. -)
The best album: The Brothel To The Cemetery
The Best Song:
Possible Drawbacks: Too unusual and even insulting. Sometimes repetetive and boring.
Need to listen? - Not necessarily. Only if you have a twisted perception of beauty and want something really weird.
The Doors
One of the most influential bands ever. And IMHO - the best band ever to ever exist in this world. Deep, sexual, bluesy sound along with Morrison's incredible lyrics make the band unique. And their live shows have become a new standard.
The best album: The Doors
The best song: Riders on the Storm
Need to listen? - If you haven't heard them by some chance - you've missed awfully a lot. And if you know them only by their hit singles - try listening all their studio albums - they are worth it.
Possible Drawbacks: Honestly, I can see none -)
The Beatles
Just The Beatles
The best album: The Beatles
The best song: Strawberry Fields Forever
Need to listen? - No, you've heard them already
Possible Drawbacks: They are way too popular -)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Gloomy and schizophrenic, yet very beautiful and touching band. Nick has gone a long way from a mad post-punk to a sad piano man. But he has stayed unique all the way.
Best album: Let Love In
Best Song: The Carney
Need to listen? - absolutely yes... if you are a melancholic -) If not - try "Let Love In" album... this one shouldn't be missed by anyone.
Possible drawbacks: Too melancholy. Too weird. Too unique.
The Velvet Underground
Possibly, the most influential experimental group ever. They played their music 10 years earlier than they should have to be really successful. They are really something very special.
The best album: Velvet Underground & Nico
Best Song:
Need to Listen? - Yes, just to know how it all began. They might surprise you... it's not what you could expect of 60's band at all.
Possible drawbacks: They may not seem so interesting now as in 1968.
Joy Division
The first band actually to play post-punk. Short-lived but truly unique.
Best album: Unknown Pleasures
Best Song:
Need to listen? - again... only if you like gloomy music.
Possible drawbacks: Very depressing -)
Bob Dylan
A legend. Possibly, the greatest poet of popular music. He also has a gift for unforgettable melodies. His music touches and moves... really.
Best Album: Highway 61 Revisited
Best song: Mr Tambourine Man
Need to Listen? - Absolutely yes. The early stuff at least.
Possible drawbacks: The music is too simple. The voice is nothing special. May sound boring at times.
Tom Waits
A man singing weird blues with a weird voice... his looks is also weird -) Still, his songs are so beautiful that he has stayed popular for some decades already.
Best Album: Bone Machine
Best Song:
Need to listen? - you could try...
Possible drawbacks: Too unusual, perhaps. Not all of his albums are really great.
The Birthday Party
In my opinion, they are the maddest and the most challenging band ever. The songs balance on the edge of not being music at all. Some categorise them to be post-punk but in fact they are indescribable. Just schizophrenia.
Best album: Junkyard
Best song: Release the Bats
Possible drawbacks: Can't be liked by a person in his right mind -)
That is it for today. In my next entry I'm going to write about ## 11-20.
All the :best albums" and "best songs" are just my taste... nothing more.
Comments are welcome
