No rembrandts in here! (Top 10 Artists)

Name: dididave

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Top 10 Artists
Date:	17.08.05 (157 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A varied mix of artists that portray my personal tastes

Disadvantages: My tastes are not your tastes?

No messing lets get straight into it. In no particular order.

One
***

Crowded House.

What a fantastically underrated band these were. Known primarily for "Don't Dream Its Over" and "Weather With You" there folk tinged pop/rock crossover sound was subtle yet also had lyrics so poignant. I have fond memories of watching their final concert on television live from Sydney and crying bucketloads. This group from New Zealand splitting up was a loss to music as a whole. Fortunately, the bands frontman and main lyricist Neil Finn has released his own solo material that is almost as impressive as the Houses stuff.

Most memorable song: Four Seasons in One Day

Lyric: "Smiling as the shit comes down, you can tell a man by what he has to say."

Albums of note: Crowded House (1986)
Woodface (1991)
Recurring Dream- The Very Best Of (1996)

Two
***

Blur.

What can I say about Blur? There transformation from the cheeky chappy, cockney pop of "Parklife" to rock anthems such as "Song 2" was a fascinating process to behold. In the rather mundane musically wise decade of the 1990's this band for me stood head and shoulders above the rest and still does. What was and is refreshing about Blur is they were never really "Indie" and there sound remains different. During their supposed battle with Oasis they took several changes in style whereas Oasis's sound remains the same. Constantly re-inventing themselves seems to be the key to longevity and lead singer Damon Albarn's success with offshoot band "The Gorillaz" seems to support this as does Graham Coxon's solo efforts.

Most memorable song: Song 2

Lyric: "He sat me down and so began, the story of a Charmless Man.

Albums of note: Parklife (1994)
Blur (1997)
13 (1999)


Three
*****

Simon and Garfunkel

No sniggering at the back there. You heard me correctly. This duo was writing and singing many years before I was born. It was on a geography field trip when I first discovered their folk and country charm as Scarborough Fair echoed along the corridors of our dormitory. Ideal relaxation music is that of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Those who know them for "Mrs Robinson" probably have a poor representation of their music as their truly great songs are those such as the emotion filled "Bridge Over Troubled Water" are eerie "Sound of Silence". There are so many tracks to choose from in over forty years of musical brilliance. As such there is nothing worse than hearing "Bridge Over Troubled Water" massacred from everyone from Foster and Allen to Cilla Black!

Most memorable song: The Boxer

Lyric: "You may burn down my churches but I will be free.

Albums of note: Sound of Silence (1966)
Bookends (1968)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

Four
****

REM

I remember hearing Shiny, Happy People and thinking, "Wow, this is great". Little was I to know this was perhaps REM's worst song! REM are for me the best rock band of the last forty years. Michael Stipe is an amazing frontman with a fantastic vocal and the bands albums verge from country to rock to ballad and are always experimental. There sound can verge from the atmospheric sound of a zither on their "New Adventures in Hi-fi" album to the rock and roll sound of "What's the Frequency Kenneth". Of course REM are known primarily for two songs, the emotional ballad "Everybody Hurts" and "Losing My Religion". These completely contrasting songs perhaps sum up what is great about REM, they can rock or they can leave you bereft and emotional.

Most memorable song: The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

Lyric: "Judge not lest ye be judged, what a beautiful refrain".

Albums of note: Green (1988)
Out Of Time (1991)
New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)

Five
****

The Beautiful South.

Definitely one of those bands that people know are good but do not own an album "The Beautiful South" first came to my attention during my college period when a friend of mine played "Carry on up the Charts" relentlessly. It was then that I began to realise how many great songs they had released over the years. Lyrically The Beautiful South are brilliant at subversive cynicism. Listening to their bright and breezy singalong pop you are lulled as they rip apart relationships and life. There music is melancholy yet sounds so good but what do you expect from a songwriter of Paul Heaton's calibre (anybody remember The Housemartin's?). Of course everybody knows The Beautiful South for "Song for Whoever" and the best anti-ballad in history, "I need a little time" but it is the less well-known tracks such as "Carry on regardless" that are forgotten gems of pop perfection.

Most memorable song: You keep it all in

Lyric: "Well your eyes look like a map of a town".

Albums of note: Welcome to the Beautiful South (1989)
I'll Sail this Ship Alone (1989)
Welcome to 0898 (1992)

Six
***

The Manic Street Preachers.

Before the release of "Design for Life" The Manics were the ultimate anti-establishment, religion and pretty much everything else band. They struck a chord in a Thatcherite Britain. Although the music after "Design for Life" was undoubtedly commercial they remained a band with a message particularly on their "This is my truth now tell me yours" album. Some would say the mysterious disappearance of Richey Edwards led to the bands downward spiral musically but I would say that their success was not their fault. However, it is the rock sound combined with fast paced electric guitar that see them at their best with tracks such as "Motorcycle Emptiness" and "Natwest-Barclays-Midlands-Lloyds" given cult status. As a bit of a rocker The Manics never fail to do it for me.

Most memorable song: Motorcycle Emptiness

Lyric: "If you tolerate this, then your children will be next."

Albums of note: Generation Terrorists (1992)
The Holy Bible (1994)
Everything Must Go (1996)
Seven
******

Marvin Gaye.

What a legend this man truly is. Abraham, Martin and John is perhaps the most inspirational, emotional slice of soul I have ever heard and it is a testament to his vocals that I did not believe it was him when I first heard it. There is nothing this man could not turn his hand to be it the soul ballad of "Sexual Healing" or the gravely voice of "Heard it through the Grapevine". Soul music is such an amazingly emotional experience and Gaye is the master when it comes to this genre.

Most memorable song: Sexual Healing

Lyric: "Has anybody hear, seen my own friend Martin. Can you tell me where he's gone?"

Albums of note: The Soulful Moods of Marvin Gaye (1961)
How Sweet It is to be Loved by You (1965)
What's Going On (1971)

Eight
*****

Michael Jackson.

Perhaps not a popular choice nowadays given his chequered life but nobody can deny his musical contributions pre-1990. His music with The Jackson Five was fantastic soul/pop at its best and his Bad and Thriller albums created hit after hit. Known for his live performances people forget how great his vocals are and songs such as "Man in the Mirror" and "Billie Jean" are perfect examples of how pop should be done. Not to mention some of the best music videos in history. Thriller used to scare the bejesus out of me! Everybody has a Jackson album somewhere and I am not ashamed to say I have more than one. It is such a shame he will almost certainly not be remembered in future for the music rather than the show.

Most memorable song: Liberian Girl

Lyric: "I'm searchin' for the man in the mirror, I'm asking him to change his name."

Albums of note: Got to be there (1972)
Thriller (1982)
Bad (1987)

Nine
****

Bob Dylan.

You either love or hate Bob Dylan. I only discovered him a few years ago and certainly fall into the former categories. Do not get me wrong, a great vocalist he is not. However, a fantastic lyricist he most certainly is. "Hurricane" a song about Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer convicted of murder whom Dylan forged close links with. Convinced of his innocence it was largely this song and his appeals that got his conviction overturned. One of Dylan's major criticisms is that he has produced far too many songs of poor quality and this is true. In a career spanning over forty years he has produced a ridiculous amount of albums and songs some of which are truly terrible. However, those willing to look through the chaff are suitably rewarded with lyrically brilliant songs such as "Like a Rolling Stone". Perhaps, the most suitable artist ever to invest in a "best of" compilation. Knock him or not though he continues to produce some great stuff and always sings live. A rare commodity indeed.

Most memorable song: Hurricane

Lyric: How does it feel, To be without a home, Like a complete unknown Like a rolling stone?

Albums of note: Bringing it all back home (1965)
Dylan (1973)
Hard Rain (1976)

Ten
***

Elton John.

Elton John has been making great music since before I was born and continues to do so. He is perhaps the best singer/songwriter in terms of scope and ability to cross genres ever. Whether it be traditional rock such as "Saturday Night's Alright" or slow ballad such as "Daniel" there is little this man cannot turn his hand to. Endlessly sampled (most recently by the late Tupac Shakur) and mimicked his songs have been a constant soundtrack throughout my life. John's extravagant lifestyle often overshadows the fact he is a damn good musician and although he may not be trendy I defy anyone not to find at least a couple of tracks of his they love.

Most memorable song: Your Song

Lyric: "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids, In fact it's cold as hell."

Albums of note: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Reg Strikes Back (1988)
Songs from the West Coast (2001)

So there you go. Narrowing it down to ten came surprisingly easy in the end although there are some great artists I have omitted I think the ones I have included represents were my musical tastes lie. Congratulations if you got to the end of this admittedly long ramble.

Summary: An eclectic mix of my type of music