The Albums of My Life
We did songs. Now its time for albums. 24 albums for 24 years. Expect some classics. Some modern day masterpieces.
So here goes…
Stereophonics- Word Gets Around
Those of you who know me well, know that's no surprise a Stereophonics album made the list. However this was a really hard pick. Part of me wanted to do a real cop out answer and pick ‘Decade in the Sun’ the bands best of. However I couldn't bring myself to do that, there were three Sterophonics albums up for contention. Upon revisiting them. This one won.
The bands 1997 debut, its an album I always find myself going back to. That and its follow up 1999’s ‘Performance & Cocktails.’
Its an album that sees Stereophonics introduce themselves to the world. As well as talking about the environment in which they lives they had led. Being from a small town in South Wales. Its an album that covers loss, love, crime, scandal, the mundanity of life, jobs we hate. Weddings, suicides, a lack of escape. Yet they did escape.
This is the album that launched Stereophonics to the world, and an album that has twelve of the best songs they have ever written on. From ‘A Thousand Trees’ all the way through to ‘Billy Davey’s Dayghter’ its an album that showcased everything that makes Stereophonics great. An album that has followed me throughout life. One of mine and my dads favourite records.
Oasis- Definitley Maybe
This was one of the easiest picks on the list. In my opinion the best Oasis record and one of the greatest records by a British band. ‘Definitely Maybe’ is the album that would launch Oasis to the world, and its the album that contains some of the best songs Noel Gallagher has ever written.
From ‘Rock n Roll Star’ and the longing to escape the surroundings they were living in. To the anthem of hope and optimism ‘Live Forever’ to one of the greatest love songs ever written ‘Slide Away.’ Its a collection of great songs. 11 in total. As an album it doesn't hang around, it shows everything that makes Oasis great and wears its influences on its sleeve. From The Beatles, T Rex, Slade, The Jam you can hear it all on this record. Yet it's still very much an Oasis album.
An album that has punk, ballads and even a song about lasagne. The sound is firmly the Oasis sound. However, it's the way that those songs make you feel that's important. With themes that are universal to us, a record filled with optimism and hope. Young people in 2024 can relate to it as much as the young people in 1994 could relate to it. Its impact cannot be understated.
‘What's the Story Morning Glory’ is the album that had all of the classics on but ask most Oasis fans, what their favourite Oasis album is. I imagine most will say ‘Definitely Maybe.’
From being 14/15 and hearing it for the first time all the way to now. Its still as impactful.
Arctic Monkeys- Suck It & See
Every Arctic Monkeys fan will give you a different answer for what they think is the best album by the band. Some love the brutish nature of the bands debut. Others love the weirdness of ‘Humbug’ some love the hip-hop tinged nature of ‘AM’ some love the concept of a hotel on the moon, which the band present on ‘Tranquillity Base Hotel & Casino’ all of these records are great in their own right.
To me I feel as if each of them comes with a little bit extra. ‘Humbug’ saw the band make a huge left turn in sound. ‘AM’ is where they became the biggest band in the world. ‘Tranquility Base’ well that's where they divided the fan base.
My favourite ‘Suck It & See’ does not come with anything extra.
It is simply a collection of brilliant songs. Some of the best the band have written. With quick witted lyrics, festival bangers and introspective tales of love and lust. This album is the biggest pop record the Arctic Monkeys have ever made.
The albums title track is one of the bands best love songs. ‘Love is a Laserquest’ explores this theme further. ’That's Where You’re Wrong’ is one of the best pieces of music the band have ever recorded. A true gem in a brilliant discography. Its such an underrated and underappreciated album even by Arctic Monkeys fans.
The Beatles- Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles have been ever present in my life for as long as I can remember. They've always been there, I was a child the first time I ever heard a Beatles song. However the first time I really delved in deeper. Was as a teenager. The first album I played was this one.
After being gripped by the cover, and its psychedelic undertones. Upon hearing it my head immediately fell off. How could it be from 1967. It sounds like its from the future. The Beatles managed to create something so unique and powerful with this album.
Its an album that changed the world. It changed what an album could be, and would pave the way for concept albums forever. Music today can owe something to The Beatles and in particular this album.
‘Sgt Pepper’s’ also opened my eyes to The Beatles even more. Its the album that made me delve deeper and find out more about the ‘Fab Four’. Just how did they make this album? Why did they make this album? From there you find out about why they stopped touring, the idea of a fake band, how Abbey Road became their playground. Its such a fascinating story.
One of the most important albums ever made, definitely worthy of a place on this list.
Blossoms- Blossoms
Another debut album, there's a theme here. This album came out when I was 16 and I suppose that's a reason why it's always stuck with me. That is such a formative time in your life, you start to find out who you really are.
Alongside being a pivotal album for me growing up. It's a collection of great songs. That sees the five lads from Stockport embrace everything in their record collections from Oasis to ABBA.
From the jangly indie pop of ‘Charlemagne’ to the acoustic led heartbreak anthem ‘My Favourite Room’ to the synth classic ‘Honey Sweet’ its an album that's got it all. Blossoms have become a huge part of my musical journey. The band I've seen live the most.
It was this album that started it all. 8 years ago! This album still sounds as good 8 years on, the songs have become fan favourites. Its the Blossoms album I always find myself going back to. In my opinion , it's their best.
Wolf Alice- Blue Weekend
This album has to make this list. Upon the announcement of this record, Wolf Alice had not released an album for four years. That album ‘Visions of a Life’ had won the Mercury Prize and saw the band raise things up a notch. ‘My Love is Cool’ the band debut is a great record and ‘Visions of a Life’ is even better.
Would the third live up to the hype, I was naturally worried. I had waited a long time, was I going to be disappointed?
Believe me I wasn't disappointed.
Things often get called ‘Masterpieces’ this record really is a masterpiece though.
11 of the best songs the band have ever written. From the snarling punk of ‘Smile’ to the piano led ‘The Last Man on the Earth’ its the sound of a band operating at the peak of their powers. Its the first time that the band really look inward, talking about relationships with partners, friends, and ourselves. Wrapping these thoughts, feelings and ideas up in some brilliant beautiful songs.
This album received critical acclaim upon release and rightly so. It is their best record. I love this album. It had to make the list.
Fleetwood Mac- Rumours
This album is always in the list of the Greatest Albums of All time, and its always near the top. With good reason. It's a collection of 11 songs written by one of the best bands to ever do it. In circumstances that shouldn't have worked for making an album. With sessions marred by breakups, and addiction. It's a miracle that this album was even made.
These fraught relationships between the band members are what makes the songs great though. With each song acting as almost a chapter in the Fleetwood Mac story.
Since its release the album has gone 21x platinum, highlighting its universal impact. Those songs still mean something today. Its a blue print on how to make a great album, there's not a weak song on it. Each member of Fleetwood Mac brings something to the table. Its songs will stand the test of time.
This album has ‘Dreams’, ‘Go Your Own Way’ ‘You Make Loving Fun’ and ‘The Chain’ as its singles. It has to make this list. The songs on this album mean something to me too, they soundtracked my late teens and early twenties. Its not a record I listen to often, yet everytime I put it on. I think to myself I should listen to this more! A real masterpiece.
Circa Waves- Different Creatures
This album is criminally underrated, upon its release it became one of my favourite albums of 2017 and in 2024 remains one of my favourite albums.
It saw Circa Waves up the tempo and turn up the volume. A much heavier affair than the band’s debut ‘Young Chasers’
11 songs and with an album time of 40 minutes it's a record that doesn't hang around. Yet it has a lot to say. Tackling important subjects with beautiful instrumentation and huge choruses.
Circa Waves proved on this record that they weren't one-trick ponies. This change in sound was a good one, it allowed the songs to breathe. The band slowed things down as well as turning up the volume. None more so than on ‘Old Friends’ one of the bands very best ballads and the album's closing track. A real tear-jerker. About the power of relationships and how life makes us drift apart. A brilliant record.
Shack- HMS Fable
I feel obliged to talk about this record, because it does not get the credit it deserves. Released at the back end of the 1990s by a band from Liverpool. ‘HMS Fable’, is a collection of brilliant ideas and great songs. Written by Michael Head, a man the NME once branded as Britain’s best songwriter.
It has nods to The Beatles, The Byrds, Love, The Velvet Underground. This album is majestic storytelling with guitars. Rivaling anything else that has come from Liverpool.
Michael Head and Shack's history is marred by substance abuse, in particular heroin. Two of the songs on this album ‘Streets of Kenny’ and ‘Lend Some Dough’ tackle this subject head on, and paint a truly accurate picture of what life on the drug is really like. Unlike there heroes Shack do not try and glamourise drugs. They hit the listener with some real home truths.
Its a masterpiece of a record, Liverpool has produced some characters and some great song writers. McCartney, Lennon, Harrison, McCullouch, Mavers, Broudie, Michael Head sits firmly in that list. He's one of the greats. This album proves it!
I found this album tucked away in a book. The 1001 Albums to Listen to Before you Die. The book was right. You need to listen to it, its spectacular.
Michael Head, John Head, Ren Parry and Ian Templeton gave us one of the best British records ever with ‘HMS Fable’ its predecessor ‘Waterpistol’ is very good too.
There you go two for the price of one.
The Stone Roses- The Stone Roses
I always feel weird talking about this album. Its been talked about a million times. By music journalists, and indie kids all over the world.
Routinely called one of the best debut albums ever, and classed as one of the best British albums of all time. This album has been talked about more than most of the albums on this list put together.
However it's unfair to dismiss it because of that. It is away from all of the fan fare. A superb album. A snapshot into a time and yet full of timeless songs.
‘The Stone Roses’ is fuelled by one overriding factor. Enormous self belief, Ian Brown, John Squire, Gary ‘Mani’ Mountfield and Ian ‘Reni’ Wren genuinely believed that they were going to be bigger than The Beatles.
This album transpsorts a listener back to 1989, to Madchester and yet in 2024 it still sounds modern and fresh. It's a timeless record, that is every bit as iconic now as it was then.
From the lemons on the front cover which earnt there place due to a conversation with a man in Paris. Who'd be there in the 60s for the student riots. He had learnt that lemon counteracts the effects to tear gas, and therefore always carried a lemon in case it ever happened again. Hence why there is also a French flag on the cover.
In terms of the songs. You only have to listen to the opening three tracks ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ ‘She Bangs the Drums’ and ‘Waterfall’ to have that as your opening Side, your announcement to the world is something really special.
The self belief and brilliant songs are lapped up by teenagers of all generations. You listen to this record and you cannot help but be inspired. It was a glint of colour in a rather grey time in 1989. I suppose it's the same in 2024. Not much has changed.
The Stone Roses may not have bloomed for long but this album still stand the test of time.
None of what I've said here hasn't been said hundreds of times before. All of those people are true with what they say however. Go and listen to it! It is and always will be a masterpiece.
Catfish & the Bottlemen- The Balcony
Its an album about relationships, drinking, break ups and nights out. But its a good one. Catfish and the Bottlemen are still one of the biggest talking points in British music, but ten years ago they were indie upstarts. Who had just released a debut albumm.
‘The Balcony’ is 37 minutes and 11 snarling fast paced anthems. It wasn't made for introspective listening. It was made for chanting and bellowing the lyrics out in a field.
They've had their critics including me but this is the band's best record. It was the sound of a band who knew how good they were. In 2014 there was no one else making music like this. Not for their debut album anyway!
With songs like ‘Cocoon’ and ‘Pacifier’ Catfish knew what they were doing. It's raw its visceral it's anthemic. One of the very best records of the 2010s.
A record that the teenage me loved, a record that soundtracked my GCSE’s and A Levels.
It had to make the list!
Peter Gabriel- So
The 80s was an amazing time for music. In my opinion this album is the crowing jewel of that decade, and the crowning jewel of an excellent discography.
Peter Gabriel firmly escaped his prog routes on this album, if he hadnt already. This album is a great pop record.
Gabriel embraced new sounds and new technology in order to create this record. Its the record that gave him the hit ‘Sledgehammer’ saw him collaborate with one of the biggest stars in the world of music on ‘Don’t Give Up’ go full on popstar on ‘Big Time’ and write some of the best songs of his career with ‘In Your Eyes’, ‘That Voice Again’ and ‘Red Rain.’
Musically adventurous and emotively gripping. This collection of songs is some of the best ever put to record. It sounds like nothing before and nothing since.
Gabriel employed some of the best musicians in the world to help make this record from Stewart Copeland to Nile Rodgers, Jim Kerr, Laurie Anderson and the aforementioned Kate Bush.
‘So’ is one of my favourite albums ever, and if completely changed how I see music, and albums as a whole. I began to open my doors to more, and embrace new genres and ideas.
It was also one of the first records I bought. A 1986 original for £5 in a record store in Birmingham an album that I spin frequently. I urge you to give it a spin.
Blur- Modern Life is Rubbish
I was torn with this pick, it was between this record and its follow up ‘Parklife’
This record won. Arguably the first Britpop record and the record that would set Blur on their way. ‘Parklife’ was the one that made them into the biggest band in Britain.
‘Modern Life is Rubbish’ set the groundwork, its got some of the bands very best work on it. ‘For Tomorrow’ opens the album with all of the joy and zip of Madness, and The Kinks. Yet with a menacing undertone. ‘Chemical World’ contains some of Graham Coxon’s best guitar work and a huge chorus that the band would subsequently be known for.
There are so many classics on this record, it showcases a band operating at their best but who are also on the ascendancy. Blur proved that they weren't a flash in the pan indie band with this album. ‘Oily Water’ and ‘Coping’ for example are snarling guitar heavy attacks, ‘Sunday Sunday’ is almost music hall and talks about Britain in the same vein The Kinks had done in the decades previously.
I love this record. Its got some of my favourite Blur songs on. ‘Parklife’ was unlucky to miss out, really unlucky in fact. ‘Modern Life is Rubbish just edges it.
Sam Fender- Seventeen Going Under
A fairly new album for this list, yet that doesn't make it any less impactful. ‘Seventeen Going Under’ is one of the best albums of recent memory.
An album written and sung by a man who exudes working-class pride. It is a collection of songs born out of hardship and strife. Written for the every man and woman.
I remember hearing it all for the first time and being blown away. It tackles so much, both at home and with the wider world. Poverty, loss, love, war, relationships, parenthood, politics, mental health, self worth are all tackled on this record.
I proclaimed on this page that the title track is the best song of the last decade. ‘Spit of You’ perfectly sums up the relationship that many young men have with their dads. ‘Get You Down’ sees Sam look back at his youth and his struggles. ‘The Dying Light’ is a fitting tribute to North Shields and those he's lost along the way. ‘Aye’ and ‘Long Way Off’ look outward and try their best to question the way the world is now. Its a brilliant collection of songs,to which I can really relate.
One of those albums that upon its release got the praise it deserved, yet in future years I think we will be talking about it as one of he best British albums ever.
The Smiths- The Queen is Dead
Britains most important band and their most important album. Evocative, provocative, brutal and beautiful. ‘The Queen is Dead’ is quite a statement. From its title track that talks about the royal family in such a way that hadn't been heard since 1977 and the Sex Pistols. To the hauntingly beautiful riff of ‘Some Girls are Bigger than Others’ its an album that presents everything that makes The Smiths great.
Its the band at their creative peak. Morrissey was writing his best lyrics, Marr have proved that he was his generation's greatest guitarist and Rourke and Joyce were the tightest rhythm section holding it all together.
It has the hits ‘Theres a Light That Never Goes Out’ ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ and ‘The Boy with the Thorn in his Side’ but also has some of the most understated and underrated songs in the bands discography.
The extremely heart breaking song ‘I Know Its Over’ the very very funny ‘Vicar in a Tutu’ and the quick witted ‘Cemetry Gates’. This album is a right of passage for every single indie kid. I was no different in that regard.
However it's more than just a fad, a phase. Its a timeless collection of songs produced by four of the most talented musicians this country has ever produced.
Foals- Life is Yours
Another fairly recent album. However I feel that it deserves a placing on this list, because upon release and even since. Its been on heavy rotation in my listening habits. Especially when the weather gets a bit warmer.
This is a real summery record. A party record, that ironically was written when the world was locked down, and we could not go out and enjoy lifes offering. Despite the circumstances that it was written in. This record sounds free and liberating.
A collection of indie pop songs that you lead you to the dancefloor. Guitar music you can dance to is a rare thing. Think New Order, LCD Soundsystem, Primal Scream, The Killers and now Foals.
The shock factor of this album also adds to why its on this list. After 2019 and the Everything is Not Lost double album. No one expected Foals to make a Baleric fueled party record. No one! So when this dropped people were in shock. Including myself.
That shock was quickly gone though. They pulled it off, this record is brilliant. Some of the best stuff they've ever done. It still sounds like Foals. Yet with a party feel. Its Foals in swimming trunks! Give it a listen
Courteeners- St Jude
An album can soundtrack a part of your life, this album soundtracks university. Especially the first year. Me and my friends saw the band quite a few times, especially in that period.
‘St Jude’ is the reason we fell in love. Those songs are still as prominent today in 2024 as they were in 2008. In my opinion it's the bands best record, it has the songs that put the band on the map.
From the snarling attack of ‘Cavorting’ to the universally anthemic ‘Not Nineteen Forever’ this album is the blueprint on how to make a debut album. It does not relent and still sounds as good today as it did in 2008.
Full of anthems, and universally relatable songs. This album doesn't require complicated listening, its in your face, and best heard in a field with your mates. Isn't that right Archie and Sean?
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds- Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds
The first post-Oasis album makes the list. I've always preferred Noels' solo career to Liam's. I understand that Liam’s has arguably been more successful and had a bigger impact. However I prefer Noel, and this album is a good reason why.
A collection of some of his best work for years, and an album that paved the way for a collection of great solo work. I never got to see Oasis but I have seen Noel’s High Flying Birds quite a few times. The songs on this album especially stand up to the stuff he wrote in the later periods of Oasis.
From the powerful opening of ‘Everybody’s on the Run’ through to the melancholic master piece of ‘If I Had a Gun’ to the acid house in debated ‘AKA What A Life’ its a record of brilliant and unique songs.
A departure in the meat and potatoes stadium rock that had littered the last few Oasis releases. Its an album I still find myself dipping into regularly. One of the albums of my teenage years. A classic.
Queen- Live at Wembley 1986
It might be seem as a bit of a cop-out putting a best of or a live album on a list line this. However I don't care.
This album is an album that reminds me of my childhood. I remember watching the live footage with my dad, as a child. Being blown away with the crowd during ‘Radio GaGa’ the call and response vocals before ‘Under Pressure’ Freddies speech about the band being together until they died. Just how bonkers ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is.
The album is Queen at their best, with a series of songs that spans their whole career. From the massive singles to some hidden gems. Its a perfect representation of Queen and what made them great. A real performance, some great songs full of emotion.
It was recorded at one of the band's last ever gigs, with the original lineup. The gig may be one of their last but it's also one of their best. A beautiful record that fills me with joy and nostalgia with every listen. It takes me back to the days in front of the TV with my dad. Looking at the screen is a mesmerised state. This is the album that started my love affair with Queen and also made me take even more of an interest in my dads record collection.
Tame Impala- Currents
What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said? It’s a collection of some of the best pop songs ever written. Kevin Parker became a pop star with this record. Where its predecessor owed a lot of its existence to The Beatles and Pink Floyd. ‘Currents’ is more indebted to disco, ABBA and 80s pop. Yet still with that psychedelic element we’ve come to expect.
It’s a unique record, nothing before and since has sounded quite like ‘Currents’ it transcends rock and pop music. Combining the two to make a collection of 13 songs and 51 minutes that seems to fly by.
From the 7 and a half minute opener ‘Let it Happen’ through to ‘New Person Same Old Mistakes’ Kevin Parker takes listeners on a musical journey. Down a path of psychedelic pop. This album is one of the most pivotal on this list. It changed pop music
I just wish he’d come to the UK more. I need to hear these songs live.
The Jam- Snap
It’s a best of! The Jam had to make this list in some capacity, their songs have become part of my listening habits and they’ve influenced many of the artists on this list.
However I couldn’t have picked a Jam album, there’s not one that stands out above the rest. One where every track is a classic.
The Jam are traditionally a brilliant singles band. Much like The Who before them. ‘Snap’ is a collection of the bands best work. From their short lived career. It has the punk of ‘In the City’ all the way through to the more soul indebted ‘The Bitterest Pill I Had to Swallow’ it’s a catalogue of the hits and some fan favourites.
Released the year after they broke up. It’s a causal fans first introduction to the band. Believe me it’s a good one. Away from the classic singles ‘Going Underground’ ‘That’s Entertainment’ and ‘Town Called Malice.’ This record has ‘Smithers Jones’ ‘Thick as Thieves’ ‘Strange Town’ ‘The Dreams of Children’.
As best of’s go this is a very very good one. By one of Britain’s best singles bands. It may be a best of but that does not diminish this albums quality.
The Verve- Urban Hymns
An album that saw a change in Britain. The album that knocked ‘Be Here Now’ off the top spot, an album that saw The Verve become one of the UK’s best and biggest bands. With some of the most iconic songs ever written and recorded by a British band.
Its singles are extraordinary pieces of music in their own right. ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ is a string-filled epic, that marches forwarded. With some of the saddest lyrics ever sung. Its an uplifting yet extremely depressing affair. ‘The Drugs Don’t Work’ the bands Number One single, is a beautiful song that sums up the end of the Britpop party. Acoustic and melachonic it brings the hedonism back down to earth. ‘Lucky Man’ is a brilliant song, and to this day is still lyrically one of the band's best. They firmly made the jump into the main stream with this record.
The things that fans had become to know The Verve for are still present though. Psychedelic efforts like ‘The Rolling People’ see the band look back to the past. ‘Space & Time’ in particular sees the band combine the old with the new. Showcasing Ashcrofts song writing ability with Nick McCabes brilliant guitar work.
A collection of brilliant songs that all these years later still sound timeless and fresh. One of my most treasured records.
The 1975- I Like it When You Sleep For You are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It
The award for the longest album title goes to. I've really go into The 1975 over the last couple of years and it was a toss up between a couple of records for this list. I picked the band second album. Its an album full of brilliantly crafted pop songs.
Influenced by the 80s and tackling fame, addiction, love, lust and grief. Its an album that showed that The 1975 were not some flash in the pan indie band. They are here to stay.
With pop bangers like ‘The Sound’ and ‘She’s American’ tied in with introspective tales of relationships ‘A Change of Heart’ and addication ‘Paris’ and a brilliant almost punk effort about dealing with the trappings of fame ‘The Ballad of Me and My Brain’ its some of the bands's best work to date.
A collection of songs that still sounds brilliant. Nearly 10 years on.
Haim- Women in Music III
This last pick was a hard one, I had three shortlisted but upon listening to them all again. I feel like this album fits perfectly here. A collection of different sounds and genres. That sees Haim create their most direct and impactful record to date.
It has everything from 00s garage, to 70s Fleetwood Mac, and soulful acoustic ballads. A really well worked outfit of songs. Each one sounding different and unique.
An emotionally charged record that sees the three sisters tackle some of their most sensitive subjects to date. Whether that be the loss of a friend, or misogyny in the music industry. The songs do not suffer though, in fact these are the best songs the band have ever written.
A record made by three extremely talented women, three sisters with a lot to say. One of the best records of recent memory.
The End
So that brings the list to an end, some records have been unlucky to miss out. Ask me next week its ‘Performance & Cocktails’ instead of ‘Word Gets Around’. It's ‘Parklife’ rather than ‘Modern Life is Rubbish.’
There's been some that didn't make the list at all. Pulp’s ‘Different Class’ Peace ‘In Love’ and New Order ‘Power Corruption & Lies’ just to name a few.
Its a list that I'm happy with, however. These records have soundtracked pivotal moments of my life. From childhood to present day. I have memories associated with them all. Both good and bad.
Music has been an ever pressent constant in my life and these albums have been spun, streamed and played hundreds of times. Soundtracking the journey, providing snapshots of moments, being the moment themselves.
We all have the songs and albums that are close to our hearts. These 24 are mine.
Thank you for reading x