A Controversial Top 50 Albums (50-41)

A strange album, and a bit of a marmite one. Essentially political poetry (in an Irish accent) with haunting, occasionally distorted noise behind it, Pink Punk delivers something new and interesting onto the plates of pop culture. Many might refuse to eat, but this album is one that really absorbs me and I feel every word reaching my ear.

Favourite track: Down a Hole With Alice

‘Death pop’ was what Orgy branded themselves upon their appearance onto the scene, their first album spawning a hit cover of Blue Monday, and their first self-written single Stitches. Vapor Transmission followed this album, taking the elements from the first, grinding distorted bass, synthesised vocals and a simple driving beat. A cross between rock and dance in some ways,  this album was well played when I first bought it.

Favourite Track: Chasing Sirens

Some people would argue not their best album, but it’s always been a favourite of mine; still a little ‘emo’ for some, but some good musical value too, more than some of their other records. It breaks the moulds of other (what I think are) frankly awful bands like Panic! Who constantly repeat the same formula in every track, and rely on stupid track titles for anything remotely interesting. A lot of bands like this get worse each album, but The Used definitely improved on albums one and two with this one

Favourite track: Wake the Dead

A tough choice between this and his first- It’s Not a Rumour, I chose this one based on it’s wider diversity of musical and lyrical elements. Akala is a breath of fresh air for Hip-hop, he’s not about bitches and bling, he’s about real life, and things he’s experienced, often related to his London upbringing. He does often sample, but from classic tracks, and makes them work, often retaining the music’s originality, instead of screwing it up like big Hip-Hop stars have done.

Favourite track: Love in My Eyes orBit by Bit (Too hard to choose!)

Richard Patrick’s recently reformed band, rose to fame with the single Hey Man, Nice Shot on their album ‘Short Bus’. Patrick’s voice seems to be able to hit about any note you could wish to give him, and this is an Industrial Rock group that you can’t get bored of. They mix things up nicely in their albums, differently to others who maintain the same formula. Filter is heavy, then light, then soaring and beautiful, but always with a dark edge. Title of Record for me is the most consistent in it’s quality tracks, despite spawning less big tracks than Short Bus.

Favourite track: The Best Things

Charlie’s come a long way since leaving Busted, his ‘side project’ Fightstar are now an established band themselves. Their latest album ‘Be Human’ was recently released, and I saw them live. I’m a fan of all their albums, but ‘One Day Son’ was my favourite album, apart from perhaps their EP. Big changes between hard and soft here again, but everyone can appreciate the skill and pure clean sound this band makes, even when they’re in a heavier mode.

Favourite track: Floods

The Drum & Bass sensations released this album this year, to great success. While traditional D&B artists tend to just stick to the sounds they know, these guys aren’t afraid to have a play around with some different sounds, some tracks more poppy, some almost dubstep, it’s a great album for a party!

Favourite track: Pieces

Mike Shinoda’s project outside Linkin Park, also with Styles of Beyond, a group who also deserve a mention. The Rising Tied was a fantastic Hip-Hop album, and one that portrays great music and great vocals, without becoming cheesy, and with a more serious side than some other albums. Once again, less bitches and bling here. It’s a down to earth album with heavy sounds and heavy bass that gets you moving.

Favourite track: Petrified

Hyper has really taken off recently, with plenty of guests willing to appear alongside him on his album. We Control, the title track, was featured in an advert that increased the albums popularity. A cover of Ant Music is also a highlight of the album, which has some genuinely brilliant electro styles. A must-listen for any electronic music fan, Hyper has become much more than the original one man project it started as.

Favourite track: Never Stop

They started out many years ago as a New Wave Pop group, but did they change! Rio Grande Blood is one of Ministry’s later works, and is as different from their earlier material as it could be. Politically charged Industrial Metal may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if that’s what you like, there’s none better than Ministry. And that is a fact.

Favourite track: Lieslieslies