The Top 100 of the 10s, part 4

And here is the seventh instalment, slowing we are moving into the regions that really matter but still a long way from that most coveted position of all. Music isn't a competition and I fully know that this list may look different tomorrow, next week, let alone next month, year. And what is the meaning of this list really? Just me showing off a little when all is said and done, isn't it? Let's continue anyway and not get side railed because of philosophical musings, shall we?

40. Skeleton Tree. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (2016)
The first of three Nick Cave albums in this list. The one released after the death of one of his teenage son, making the album even bleaker, sadder and darker than he had already envisioned it. Most of it was already finished before that most unfortunate of events, so darkness must have been what Cave intended to share with the world. Since then he is on a large healing his soul tour resulting into what may prove to be his most impressive album. Only time can tell whether that is true.

39. Misleadingly Soft. Elenne May (2012)
The album before I discovered this band from Amsterdam. The album I always heard songs from live but always forgot to buy. Until somewhere in 2017. Since then it has not often left my attention. Hence the rather high position in this list. The mysterious atmosphere Elenne May is able to create live and on record is in full spin here. A beautiful album deserving discovery by a huge audience.

38. El Camino. The Black Keys (2011)
The second and final album by the band in this list. You won't find any solo cavorting though. They are all sub par to the band itself. El Camino contains some of the best singles of this decade. 'Lonely Boy', 'Gold On The Ceiling' and 'Little Black Submarines' can be heard on the radio regularly still and quite rightly so. They take away a little of the attention of the album as a whole even, that of course is more than alright. (Dan Auerbach in a way does return later ...)

37. Shangri La. Jake Bugg (2013)
The youngster that came like a storm and has already petered out it seems before reaching 25. His second album cooked up that storm a little more and is still great fun to listen to. Jake Bugg captured a tremendous lot of positive energy in his music and literally throws it at his listeners. You better catch or be crushed. The riffs fly around in superb ways. I simply love several of the songs on this album.

36. Is This The Life We Really Want? Roger Waters (2017)
And all of a sudden Roger Waters released a new album out of nowhere, 25 years after 'Amused To Death'. Everything has been done before of course and better in the mid 70 when Pink Floyd peaked. The fact that this album comes close to albums like 'Meddle' and 'Animals' is telling for the inspiration that hit Waters. There is only one criticism possible. This should have been a new Pink Floyd album. With David Gilmore's guitar and Nick Mason's soft, yet powerful drumming it would have been a perfect album.

35. Demo 4. Bongely Dead (2014)
The second album by this Italian band in the list. The Bongley what? I thought when I received that email some years ago. The alternative rock of the Italian trio is simply catchy. The powerful rhythm section and the melodic prowess of the guitar and singing. All songs recorded in the band's studio in the Italian country side west of Florence. All the lyrics written from a band of English books, starting with Shakespeare, on a shelf in that studio. The music is all on the band's homepage, so check it out.

34. Songs Of Praise. Shame (2018)
Some prefer Idles, others Fontaines DC or The Murder Capital, I prefer Shame. The level of snottiness in the singing is just this little more convincing, the music just a little more melodic and the overall songs better. To me there's no comparison, with The Murder Capital as a good second. But not (yet?) top 100 material. Songs Of Praise is. This album was played so much over the past nearly two years and still lies within reach, just to be sure.

33. When The Dust Settles. The Parlor Soldiers (2011)
The album, thank you Erwin, once again, that brought Karen Jonas into my life. The way this album opens her collaboration with Alex Culbraith, is without compare. 'Shallow Grave' is a harsh yet beautiful statement. Unfortunately the duo never continued its collaboration as I would have loved to hear more from them. Karen Jonas went her own way and Alex continued his solo career. Both producing some fine records. This one remains my favourite though. Bare, stripped of many possible instruments, full focus spot on the two voices that go for it totally.

32. Brik. De Kift (2011)
Was it the Brik show, where De Kift marched to the stage in the old LVC Leiden behind a self-created contraption, bike and percussion apparatus in one, peddled forward by drummer Wim van Weele? I think it was. Again an album where De Kift showed how it was growing musically. Something they left behind in the more conceptual album cum show around 'Bidonville' that came next (2014). Brik is another fine album by the band and the final contribution of De Kift to this list.

31. Flying Colors. Flying Colors (2012)
Yes, finally a progrock album in this list. But then, people following this blog and solely loving prog or symphonic rock either love my writing skills or have left long ago. Flying Colors, a sort of super group with two albums to its name, fully surprised me with this album. It is melodically strong and most songs have fairly normal lengths. Hence I found my way into it and enjoyed it a lot at the time. In 2019 it's been a while since I played it.

TBC

Wo.

In the forgotten section.

No Sound From The Outside. Saybia should have been found around here.