Fallen Leaves, Butterfly

A single leaf falls
Fluttering in the still air
Like a butterfly

Dig Your Own Hole by The Chemical Brothers

I'm a bit conflicted about this one. In theory I like big beat electronica, but in practice this album has an uneasy crossover with the more laddish side of 90s Britpop even featuring Noel Gallagher on vocals on one track. The music is aggressive, loud beats and samples that quickly becomes wearing to listen to out of context. There's very little range or subtlety here, as a contrast to the in your face sonic assault.

I listened to a recent Chemincal Brothers album on this list and putting them side by side, it proves that they haven't changed much in the quarter of a century since this release. I think I prefer my 90's electronica to be a bit weirder and more eclectic than this. It was interesting to listen to the recent official release of Orbital's seminal 1994 Glastonbury performance that builds from ambient swirls to a full on stomping freak out that had the crowd jumping and still stands up as a great live set.

Road, Cold Night

On the road again
Frost glistens on frozen fields
A cold night ahead

American Gothic by David Ackles

This album certainly lived up to its name. Whilst the picture suggested something folksy, the lyrics and delivery were a much sharper, Brechtian exploration of the dark and seedy underbelly of American life, with shattered dreams and one night stands and drifting from place to place trying to earn a buck or two.

I was intrigued to see that this was produced in collaboration with Bernie Taupin, whose work with the legendary Elton John often had a darker and more melancholy edge than many people realise. I'm not entirely surprised that this wasn't a hit at the time, but it holds up as a significant piece of work in retrospect.

Plunge, Lost

Finally took the plunge
Binged that magic island show
Got completely Lost

Live at Leeds by The Who

In just a few years The Who went from being a scrappy, amphetamine fuelled mod band to producing a insanely ambitious prog rock opera and back to playing a grotty student union bar in Leeds one night in the middle of February 1970. After the Tommy tour, Pete Townshend couldn’t face reviewing the recordings of the performances to pick out tracks for a live album so he ordered the tapes to be burned, later calling it the worst decision he’d ever made.

Instead the decision was made to record this gig in Leeds, picking out six tracks for the initial release and later including almost the entire performance. It’s fun to listen to the banter with the crowd where he name checks the artists who they are covering and reminiscing about the Who of just three years previously.

There is a good mix of songs on this including ones from Tommy, classic R&B numbers and old favourites. The highlight for me is the 15 minute medley that starts with My Generation mixed with “See Me, Feel Me” from Tommy and other pieces, before closing out with Magic Bus. The sound is excellent for a live album and it really captures the feel of what must have been an amazing night for those students in Leeds.

Kingfisher

The kingfisher keeps watch
Over water smooth as silk
The world holds its breath