Aural Pleasure (Top 10 Artists)

Member Name: Glory_FishesII

Product:	Top 10 Artists
Date:	08/02/05 (429 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I love them

Disadvantages: You might not, This is a long opinion

This opinion is LONG: I have included track listings in case you 'the consumer' happen to be looking for a certain song by one of the bands/artists featured here.

Having read a couple of opinions in this category and being a bit of a freak when it comes to music. I decided to do this opinion right here, right now rather than go through my various music collections (LP, tape, CD MP3) with a fine toothed comb.

I will say that Nick Cave and The Badseeds and The Smiths and Mr. Morrissey, I do adore you more than sex and chocolate but these are EVER EVER.

Some of these will not come of any surprise to you, others may not...

*** You got me wearing Adidas trainers and possibly the tightest hipster cord trousers /baggiest jeans ever.....***

PULP (How predictable am I?)

From the first time I heard 'Babies' back in the early 1990's to the last time I listened to 'Sunrise' this morning, I remain to be scarily passionate about this band.

Originally called Pulp Arabucus and subject to a number of member changes (Peter Mansell and Russell Senior, perhaps my most missed), this band has spawned a thousand seedy moments in my life.

The lyrics are wry and often sentimental and I still feel as euphoric when I hear PULP being played in a club (Unless it's that bugger of a song, Common People grrrr)

Musically they have progressed a lot through the years from the often folky sounding 'Freaks' CD to the more electro pop stomp ' Countdown' to the multi layered more guitar based wonder of 'His and Hers'

Favourite Songs:

Early Pulp : My Lighthouse, (It, 1983 ;Red Rhino) Anorexic Beauty (Freaks, 1987; Fire Records) Don't You Know (Freaks,1987; Fire Records)

Folky and mellow alongside two rather keyboard based tales of unrequited love and attraction.

NB:
‘It’ was Re-released on CD only on Cherry Red in 1994 and ‘Freaks’ was : Re-released on CD on Fire in 1993

Mid Pulp : Acrylic Afternoons, ( His and Hers, 1994) His and Hers, Seconds. (The Sisters EP 1994)

Three electro/guitar based little songs based on seduction, sex and restlessness respectively.

B sides : PTA, (Mis-Shapes, 1995) The Professional (This is Hardcore, 1998), Ansaphone (Disco 2000, 1995)

Seducing a schoolgirl, being a cad and being lovelorn in three easy steps. You are a complex one our Jarv!

Recommends : PULP intro: Classics such as Babies and Razzamatazz alongside some lesser-known gems such as Sheffield Sex City. Indie heaven.

1.Space
2.O.U.
3. Babies
4.Styloroc Nites of Suburbia
5.Razzmatazz
6.Sheffield Sex City
Inside Susan: A Story In Three Parts
7. Stacks
8.Inside Susan
9. 59 Lyndhurst Grove

Amazon Price : £8.99

Official Site: www.pulponline.com

2. The Charlatans

Tim cushiony-lipped Burgess originally inspired my 12 year long interest in the band.

But I was in awe when they released 'Weirdo' as it seemed to encapsulate my feelings, to encompass my teenage angst in a swear free way and with great keyboards to boot.

Over the years, I have doubted this band a few times, much to my shame, but just as I did, they would come back with something to kick me in the teeth and send my head a-spinning.

Favourite Songs:

Weirdo ( Between 10th and 11th 1992)

'Look at your ugly shame , what are you talking for' Sorry I am listening to it as I type! Keyboards that scarred my soul. Rest in Peace Rob!

Here Comes A Soulsaver (The Charlatans, 1995)

They have never played this live when I've seen them. When I luckily got the chance to meet Mr. Burgess I mentioned this. Let's hope he took note eh?

North Country Boy. (Tellin’ Stories 1997)

More laidback, a few people don't rate this but I do so there!

I Just Can't Over Losing You. (Wonderland, 2001)

Tim singing like a girl. In a girl's changing room. With his reputation? LOL sorry blame The Fast Show. Excellent bluesy feeling . Strangely mellow and intense at the same time.

A Man Needs To Be Told. (Wonderland, 2001)

First time I heard this I was in The Royal Court in Liverpool. I was shocked into submission. More womb based vocals from the man. Simple and minimalist but as contagious as chicken pox in a primary school.

Recommends : Melting Pot ( 1998)

1.The Only One I Know
2.Then
3. Opportunity Three
4. Over Rising
5.Sproston Green (US version)
6.Weirdo
7.Theme From The Wish
8.Patrol (The Chemical Brothers mix)
9.Can't Get Out Of Bed
10.I Never Want An Easy Life If Me And He Were Ever To Get There
11.Jesus Hairdo
12.Crashin' In
13.Just Lookin'
14.Here Comes A Soul Saver
15.Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over
16.One To Another
17.North Country Boy


Amazon Price : £10.99


Official Site :http://thecharlatans.net/

***You made me laugh for hours but I think people misunderstand you…***

3. Eminem.

Sigh. Marshall put down Christopher Reeves legs. It’s not funny or clever. No actually, I think it’s both. I started liking Mr. Mathers after my teenage sister started bombarding us with him at every opportunity. I was there for a week, but by the end of that week, I’d stopped hearing noise and actually listened. Now, I must take this opportunity to say that I do indeed take his lyrics with a large chunk of rock salt and a couple of tequila shots.

Firstly, listen to the music. The baselines are so crisp it is as if they have been pulled from the Artic. As much as I like The Streets, Eminem is in a whole different postal code.

In fact instead of choosing favourite songs I am in fact going to choose the whole of the Marshall Mathers LP. I am greedy like that. Nevertheless, if I were pressed I would choose:

Favourite Songs :

Kim: (Marshall Mathers LP ,2000)

Highly disturbing song where ‘Marshall’ kills his on and off wife Kim after he finds out she has been having an affair. A truly chilling yet human offering, which alternates between rage and emotional disorientation. An epic argument. Dark beats
and full of hurt. ‘You were supposed to love me / Now bleed bitch bleed’

Stan (Marshall Mathers LP, 2000)

Does this mean Emmy is a Dido fan or indeed watched Sliding Doors? I don’t know but everything about this song tells us that Marshall does see sense , even if it is only in brief flashes.

Guilty Conscience (Slim Shady LP, 1999)

Featuring the ubiquitous Dr Dre. This is a baseline led romp into a trailer park! With the rappers taking the parts of Good and Bad.


Recommends : Marshall Mathers LP EXPLICIT LYRICS

1.Public Service Announcement 2000
2.Kill You
3 Stan
4.Paul (Skit)
5.Who Knew
6.Steve Berman (Skit)
7.The Way I Am
8.The Real Slim Shady
9.Remember Me
10.I'm Back
11.Marshall Mathers
12.Ken Kaniff [skit]
13.Drug Ballad
14.Amityville
15.Bitch Please II
16.Kim
17.Under the Influence
18. Criminal





Amazon Price : £8.99

Official site:www.eminem.com



4. The Bloodhound Gang

Doing ‘it’ like animals on the discovery channel. Eh did I hear right? Oh yes I think I did. It all happened on an innocent enough afternoon, whilst flicking between MTV and MTV2. Then I saw the monkey suits and I laughed and laughed a bit more. About a month later, it played in The Krazy House and I laughed again. Then I went and bought ‘Use Your Fingers’ and lost all my sensibilities. Bah, humbug to those who get their knickers in a twist over the lyrics. Anyone who can incorporate ‘ The drummer from Def Leppard’s only got one arm!’ into a chorus is ok by me. They are just a silly rap/rock hybrid waiting to pass musical puberty I hope they never get there!

Favourite Songs:

You’re pretty when I’m drunk (Use your Fingers)

Full of rude clichés about a drunken one night stand and Jimmy Pop’s prowess as a lover.
And mentions of dwarfs LOL. Less rock more like drunken mayhem.

She Ain’t Got No Legs. (Use Your Fingers 2000)

Slow ballad. About a love affair with a paraplegic . Being as I am in a wheelchair I find it highly amusing as it talks of ramps and the like with the morose yet amusing finale of a split up with Jimmy begging to hear the squeaks in her wheels.

The Ballad Of Chasey Lain (Hooray for Boobies, 2000)

Chasey is a real life porn star. A fan writing a letter asking for sex. And imagining introducing her to his parents.

Why’s everybody always picking on me? ( One Fierce Beercoaster, 1997)

High school geek laments with hilarious consequences and the aforementioned Def Leppard lyric. Hey don’t expect it to make sense ‘Cos nobody likes you monkey boy’

Recommends : ‘ Use your Fingers’ (2000) EXPLICIT LYRICS

1. Rip Taylor is God
2. We are the knuckleheads
3. Legend in my spare time
4. BHGPSA
5. Mama say
6. Kids in America
7. You're pretty when I'm drunk
8. Evils of placenta hustling
9. One way
10. Shitty record offer
11. Go down
12. Earlameyer the butt pirate
13. No rest for the wicked
14. She ain't got no legs
15. We like meat
16. Coo coo ca choo
17. Rang dang
18. Nightmare at the Apollo
19. KIDS Incorporated


Amazon Price: £7.99

Official Site: www.bloodhoundgang.com


***You made me backcomb my hair far too much and swear at my parents and drink Jack Daniels from the bottle while in the bath***

5. Guns N Roses

Heavy Metal Heaven , a BBC2 show featuring the gothic/rock charms of Elvira prompted this ‘ Bad Obsession’. Axl may not be the most orthodox of vocal talents but combined with the pure Jack Daniels fuelled mayhem and sublime god given talent of Slash it was a marriage made between heaven and hell. Sadly the band have long since combusted , so then let me share my favourite moments.

Favourite Songs:

Crazy (GNR Lies, 1986 Re-released 1989)

Yes, the same song that features on the notorious Appetite For Destruction, but this is the original acoustic version full of bile and sexual frustration, May not head butt you with the same force but instead slyly kicks you in the stomach and struts off.

November Rain (Use your Illusion 1, 1991)

‘If we could take the time to lay it on the line/I could rest my head/Just knowin' that you were mine’

Emotional roller coaster of a monster with one of the most soul piercing guitar solos this side of heaven.

Coma (Use Your Illusion 1 , 1991)

‘No one's gonna bother me anymore/No one's gonna mess with my head no more’

Sigh. A weird hybrid of a song full of a barrage of emotions. All I can say is that it made me laugh ( The section with the women slagging off Mr. Rose) and it has made me cry (the lyrics are extremely poignant as I have struggled with my depression for years all this set amongst the best guitar work be it bass , slide or main. Ahhhhhhhhh.
.
Recommends: GNR Lies (1986/89) EXPLICIT LYRICS

1. Reckless life
2. Patience
3. Nice boys
4. Used to love her
5. Move to the city
6. You're crazy
7. Mama kin
8. One in a million

Amazon Price : £7.99

Official Site:www.gnronline.com/

6. Red Hot Chili Peppers

I was sitting in a friend’s bedroom. She said listen to this. It was ‘One Hot Moment’ I flushed. This effect was worsened when I saw the folically blessed charms of Anthony Kiedis as since Nuno of Extreme , I have had a weakness for men with straight, dark, fine hair. She made me a copy and I listened a lot more. Just as I was mourning over the newly cropped and bleached look, the downright orgasmically excellent Californication slapped me into consciousness.

Favourite Songs:

Aeroplane (One Hot Moment, 1995)

‘I like pleasure spiked with pain and music is my aeroplane’.

Funkiness beyond funk with the baseline making me dance in public without alcohol. Starts like a mellow wave then drowns you in brilliance. Upbeat little number with melancholy and great guitars and I love the bit with the kids as well. ahhhhhhhhh.

Scar Tissue (Californication, 1999)

‘Scar tissue that I wish you saw sarcastic mister know it all’

That one line embodies two years of my life. An ex lover, an ex best friend and my favourite club in the whole of Liverpool…. Not a Friday night went by without this being played and my vodka fuelled vocal chords shouting out the highly infectious chorus while trying to avoid holding hands with a certain member of the male species.

My Friends (One Hot Moment, 1995)

Acoustic bliss. ‘ I love all of you hurt by the cold’ I just think it’s one of Mr. Kiedis finest moments. Haunting chorus and sublime melody.

Recommends : Californication (1999) (EXPLICIT LYRICS)

1. Around the World
2. Parallel Universe
3. Scar Tissue
4. Otherside
5. Get on Top
6. Californication
7. Easily
8. Porcelain
9. Emitremmus
10. I Like Dirt
11. This Velvet Glove
12. Savior
13. Purple Stain
14. Right On Time
15. Road Trippin

Amazon Price : £8.99

Official Site:www.redhotchilipeppers.com/

*** You made me realise that wombs are for winners***

7. Madonna.

I’ll always admire Madge. I remember buying ‘True Blue’ and sitting there copying the dance routines. You can say what you like about the woman, but I really do think that she is one of the biggest musical influences upon me. From the 80’s stiletto wearing pop icon who made me realise that a woman can be sexy to the recent philosophical wonder in ‘Music’ and ‘Ray of Light’. We have both grown up and loved men and made mistakes. The most sickening thing is that Madonna still looks so great, apart from when she looked like a scally in the ‘Music’ video.

Favourite Songs

Borderline. (Madonna, 1984)

‘Something in the way you love me wont let me be’

Vocally not the best, but how many times have I felt like this over the years? Synthetic pop with a soul and fab harmonies. . Let us try to forget that she is wearing yellow high heels with green socks in the video.

Like A Prayer (Like A Prayer, 1989)

‘Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone/I hear you call my name/And it feels like home’

Even now … even the terrible dance versions of this song make me feel womanly, wanton and ready to be a tease. Fantastic vocals. Great melody and Madonna looks all curvy in the video.

Hanky Panky (I’m Breathless , 1990)

‘Please don’t call the doctor cos there’s nothing wrong with me / I just like things a little rough and you’d better not disagree’

Most people hate this song but I would LOVE to sing this on the karaoke because I think it’s so funny and would adore to get up on stage and camp it up. I mean this song is so tongue in cheek, if you don’t think so check out the bare bottom mix !

Recommends:

The Immaculate Collection (1990)

1. Holiday
2. Lucky Star
3. Borderline
4. Like A Virgin
5. Material Girl
6. Crazy for You
7. Into the Groove
8. Live to Tell
9. Papa Don't Preach
10. Open Your Heart
11. La Isla Bonita
12. Like a Prayer
13. Express Yourself
14. Cherish
15. Vogue
16. Justify My Love
17. Rescue Me
Amazon Price: £8.99

Official website:www.madonna.com

8. Joni Mitchell

Have you not heard of Joni Mitchell? Shame, Shame ,Shame on you! Acoustic guitar wielding hippy chick songbird with a voice like caramel. Lyrics that touch and melodies that will stay embedded in your frontal lobes regardless of any brain surgery. Quietly rebellious and always poetic Miss Mitchell had a lot to do with Crosby Stills and Nash and the like. A woman with artistic temperament stamped through her like a stick of rock.

Favourite Songs:

Case of You (Blue, 1971)

‘ I remember that you told me/ You said love is touching souls/ Surely you touched mine’

Nicole Kidman sings this in that awful witch film she starred in with Sandra Bullock
Gentle acoustic strumming intertwines with a crystalline voice and lyrics that could make a glass eye weep. A tender ballad of love that whispers devotion and heartbreak at the same time.

All I want (Blue, 1971)

‘I ‘m going to knit you a sweater make you feel better/ Make you feel free’

Seemingly, more upbeat but still aches with yearning and pensiveness. What a woman in love wants to do. Touching and wry observations with Joni’s clear and pleadingly playful vocals over a song that invades your heart like the early morning dew.

Chelsea Morning (Clouds, 1969)

‘The sun poured in like butterscotch and stuck to all my senses’

Oozes with joy. Making a mundane morning burst with possibilities and optimism, short sunny and full of eagerness. I always picture Joni talking to a new lover with happiness.

Recommends: Blue (1971)

1.All I Want
2. My Old Man
3. Little Green
4. Carey
5. Blue
6. California
7. This Flight Tonight
8. River
9. A Case of You
10. The Last Time I Saw Richard

Amazon Price: £6.66

Official Site: http://www.jonimitchell.com/

*** You made me love you and think men aren't all that bad afterall ***

9. Ryan Adams

In need of a good haircut, Mr. Adams quickly made a lasting impression upon me. Scruffy, quirky and armed with a guitar and banjo he barged into my flat about nine months ago and has remained a solid fixture ever since. I had read about him in Q (he has worked with Alanis Morrisette and Counting Crows y’see) I downloaded an Mp3 out of curiousity. The Mp3 was ‘Come Pick Me Up’ . Later that evening, after I had stopped crying, I ordered ‘Heartbreaker’. Oh, I am just a sucker for a miskempt genius.

Favourite Songs :

Come Pick Me Up. (Heartbreaker, 2000)

‘Will you cower in fear in your favourite sweater?’

An odd song that makes me a heap of gooseflesh. Seemingly slow but, burns with passion and confusion. Ryan’s voice pours itself over your soul like a fine red wine until you are drunk and melancholy. Gorgeous harmonies, harmonica and the underplaying banjo is enough to push me to the depths of incoherence

Oh My Sweet Carolina (Heartbreaker, 2000)

‘ I was trying to find me somethin’ but I wasn’t sure just what /And I ended up with pockets full of dust’

Meandering guitar with flashes of piano and the sweetest harmonies that you can nestle in your inner ear. Full of nostalgia and talent. And it has Emmylou Harris of Gram Parsons gorgeousity on it too!

Sylvia Plath (Gold, 2001)

'And she and I would sleep on a boat/And swim in the sea without clothes/With rain falling fast on the sea’

Piano based with gentle strings. In the whole ‘ Oh I am poetic and misunderstood and all I need is the love of a good woman’ vein.’ Sigh. Folksy bluesy soulful men should be against the law.

Recommends:

Heartbreaker (2001)

1. (Argument with David Rawlings concerning Morrissey)
2. To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high)3. My Winding Wheel
4. AMY
5. Oh My Sweet Carolina
6. Bartering Lines
7. Call Me On Your Way Back Home
8. Damn, Sam (I love a woman that rains)
9. Come Pick Me Up
10. To Be The One
11. Why Do They Leave?
12. Shakedown on 9th Street
13. Don't Ask For The Water
14. In My Time of Need
15. Sweet Lil Gal (23rd/1st)

Amazon Price: £8.99

Official Site : http://www.ryan-adams.com/

10. Ed Harcourt.

You can just get yourself a barber too Mr. Harcourt. With rakish wit and foppish charm from the moment I heard ‘ Apple of My Eye’ I knew I would have to listen to more. His voice is rather husky at times but his eclectic sound makes you feel that this man is rather mad. But who is normal anyhow? ‘Maplewood’ confirmed all my suspicions.

Favourite Song:

Apple Of My Eye (Maplewood, 2000)

‘ I drink a lot of wine when I am alone/ I lose my track of time and my ideas turn to stone’

Winsomely crooning of drinking too much red wine, paradoxically laid back with the bare minimum of instruments (piano and dashes of guitar) with a beat that is almost lazy while being about intense longing and a love gone sour, while being optimistic in parts. A strange that little song begs to be heard.

Recommends: Maplewood (2000)

1. Hanging with the wrong crowd
2. I've become misguided
3. Apple of my eye
4. Attaboy go spin a yarn
5. He's a building a swamp
6. Whistle of a distant train

Amazon Price: £6.99

Official Site : (Currently under construction) http://www.edharcourt.com/

Well , if you’re still awake I owe you a pint ! I hope that I at least managed to encourage you to get some Mp3’s of someone you never heard of before!

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