Coldplay - Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Favorite Tracks: Life In Technicolor, Lost!, Lovers In Japan, Viva La Vida, Violet Hill, Strawberry Swing
(Released June 12, 2008)
I remember seeing the iTunes commercials promoting the new Coldplay album in 2008 and being immersed in the imagery of what looked like a French Revolution painting and one of the catchiest pop songs I had ever heard. As I listened to more songs from the album I quickly realized that this is a once-in-a-generation band that has made some of the great alternative music of all time. Songs such as Lovers In Japan and Lost are up there with the greatest Coldplay has ever composed.
The Strokes - Comedown Machine
Favorite Tracks: One Way Trigger, Slow Animals, Partners In Crime, Call It Fate, Call It Karma
(Released March 26, 2013)
To continue the run of amazing 2013 albums, we have this comeback effort from the Strokes. After a few years off working on solo projects, the boys came back together to give one of their most nuanced albums to date. The songwriting pulls a lot from what Julian had been doing in his solo/side projects, but coming together with the other band members gave it that Strokes charm and feel. Though it would be 7 long years until their next-full length, they freshened up their sound and kicked off a second chapter in the bands history that they continue to build upon today.
John Mayer - Continuum
Favorite Tracks: Waiting On The World To Change, Gravity, Stop This Train, Slow Dancing In A Burning Room, Dreaming With A Broken Heart, Say
(Released September 12, 2006)
In 2006, this album is what I envisioned adult life looked like. Smooth, easy listening... John Mayer is the greatest guitarist of his generation, a legitimate maestro... Paired with some of the better adult-contemporary songwriting of his era, John made a classic with songs detailing his view of the world, love, mortality and his place in it all.
The Weeknd - Dawn FM
Favorite Tracks: Gasoline, How Do I Make You Love Me?, Take My Breath, Sacrifice, Out of Time, Best Friends, Less Than Zero
(Released January 7, 2022)
Perhaps the MVP of the pandemic, Abel Tesfaye's 2020 release After Hours shot him into a new stratosphere of Pop music when he began leaning into to elements of New Wave. His follow up a little under 2 years later expands on these ideas and goes directly into the realm of dance-y synth pop. The sequencing of these songs as they bleed into one another, as well as the spoken interludes by Quincy Jones and Jim Carrey only show that Abel has reached his zenith as a pop star. The never ending amount of content generated from this project such as the Amazon livestream experiences, the tied together narratives of his music videos, or his HBO live concert experience showcase just how much in his moment the Weeknd is.
Kate Bush - Hounds of Love
Favorite Tracks: Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God), Hounds of Love, Cloudbusting, And Dream Of Sheep
(Released September 16, 1985)
In 1985, the women of pop music whether it be Madonna, Whitney Houston, or Janet Jackson were establishing themselves as forces to be reckoned with, however, a British singer named Kate Bush would be laying the ground work to push the genre forward with her experimental forays into synth pop and progressive art rock territory. What she accomplished not only as a vocalist, but also as a producer set her apart as a history making icon, with this being her magnum opus.
Oasis - Knebworth 1996 (Live)
Favorite Tracks: Acquiesce, Slide Away, Round Are Way, The Masterplan, My Big Mouth, It's Getting Better (Man!!)
(Released November 19, 2021)
By 1996 Oasis was the biggest band in the world, coming off back-to-back classic albums that we've discussed earlier in this series. This is Oasis atthe peak of their powers. Liam's on stage vocals were never better, and back-to-back sold out nights at the biggest concert in British history only barely puts into perspective how much of a moment in time Oasis's peak was. With two albums worth of hits, a seemingly never ending amount of hit b-sides and deep cuts as well as early previews into some songs from their next album, 1997s Be Here Now, Oasis had the entire world in their hands.
The Postal Service - Give Up
Favorite Tracks: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, Such Great Heights, Sleeping In, Nothing Better, Clark Gable, We Will Become Silhouettes
(Released February 18, 2003)
Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard creates his own sonic utopia with the help of musicians Jimmy Tamborelllo, Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, and Jen Wood. This indie synth-pop, cult classic remains so influential and popular that The Postal Service still reunites to play it some 20 years later despite it being a one off side project. Songs such as We Will Become Silhouettes and Such Great Heights ushered in a new era of indie music that played a huge part in shaping the sound of the mid 2000s indie boom.
Weezer - Pinkerton
Favorite Tracks: Pink Triangle, El Scorcho, Falling For You, The Good Life
(Released September 24, 1996)
Weezer's debut album was a success that brought them fame I'm not sure they were ready for. This follow up shows a side of Weezer we hadn't seen yet, with less pop-sounding songs and more personal lyrics. Though it wasn't an immediate success, it has aged incredibly well and is now one of the bands classic albums. A quick 10 songs, Pinkerton cultivates the feeling of having everything at your disposal, but steel feeling lost in the world.
Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
Favorite Tracks: Mansard Roof, Oxford Comma, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, Walcott, The Kids Don't Stand A Chance
(Released January 29, 2008)
Upon their debut, the idea of Vampire Weekend was ambitious to say the least. 4 Ivy Leaguers wearing pretentious clothes parodying elitists while making music rooted in African culture and sounding like Paul Simon. Little did we know that this wouldn't just be a gimmick. This was the start of one of the most influential music partnerships of all time. With lead singer Ezra Koenig as the primary songwriter, we get insight into his style of idiosyncratic songwriting, the likes of which can still be seen today on their major label Grammy nominated album Father of the Bride. We also saw the early production of Rostam Batmanglij who would go on to shape the sound of alternative music with his work with Haim, Clairo, Charli XCX, Carly Rae Jepsen and more.
Black Country, New Road - Ants From Up There
Favorite Tracks: Concorde, Good Will Hunting, Haldern, Basketball Shoes
(Released February 4, 2022)
The more I learn about BCNR, the more fascinated with them I become. Two critically acclaimed albums, then their lead singer, whose distinct tone and vocal presence shines throughout this project, leaves the band. Where the band goes from here will be exciting to watch unravel, but if nothing else, for this one project they made a very special piece of work that will be adored for years to come.
Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City
Favorite Tracks: Obvious Bicycle, Unbelievers, Step, Diane Young, Hannah Hunt, Ya Hey, Finger Back
(Released May 14, 2013)
Of all of the amazing alternative albums to release in 2013, one stood above them all. Modern Vampire's of the City is the final album to feature founding member Rostam Batmanglij whose production has been at the forefront of alternative music over the last decade. This album established a more mature sound from their first two, yet still sits firmly between those and its follow up, Father of the Bride on the VW vibe spectrum. At alternative music's 21st century peak, this was its best album.
Oasis - Definitely Maybe
Favorite Tracks: Rock 'n' Roll Star, Live Forever, Supersonic, Columbia, Sad Song, Slide Away
(Released August 29, 1994)
Working class lads from Manchester became the world's biggest band by making songs for the British everyman such as Live Forever, Whatever, and Rock 'n' Roll Star. The wave and buzz of this momentous debut carried them forward into the next year where they would solidify themselves as rock Gods.
Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
Favorite Tracks: French Navy, The Sweetest Thing, Honey in the Sun
(Released April 20, 2009)
With string arrangements, big band horns, and a retro, throwback feel to play along with their twee-pop sensibilities, Camera Obscura created one of the better indie pop albums of their time. Standout songs such as French Navy embody the entire feeling of their style which is simple, but nevertheless enjoyable and has a lot of replay value.
Childish Gambino - Because The Internet
Favorite Tracks: Crawl, The Worst Guys, Shadows, Telegraph Ave, 3005, Urn, Pink Toes, Life: The Biggest Troll
(Released December 10, 2013)
This album represents the moment everything became meta. It's like before this album we just lived life, then at some point after it started seeming like life is a show or movie and we're all in on it. But what this album did for Black Creatives as a whole can't be understated. Donald Glover became the unofficial face of being a multitalented young black dude who could thrive in every avenue. Between that and the massive influence on internet culture this is another big album from 2013. That's the year I turned 16 and started driving, so I hold many albums from that time in my life near and dear.
The Beatles - The Beatles
Favorite Tracks: Back In The USSR, Dear Prudence, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Good Night
(Released November 22, 1968)
This one is all about the narratives. The seemingly greatest most influential band ever should be at the peak of their powers, and they all can't stand one another. What you get are some brilliant minds who in the process of growing increasingly independent, create an overcrowded cluster of an album. It's a beautiful disaster.
Charli XCX - Charli
Favorite Tracks: Next Level Charli, Gone, Cross You Out, Warm, White Mercedes, February 2017
(Released September 13, 2019)
A few years after Boom Clap, Fancy and I Love It, you would've thought Charli XCX was one of the biggest names in pop music, but that wasn't the case. Her mixtapes Number 1 Angel and Pop 2 helped her establish a new sound and along with collaborators like A.G. Cook and Sophie, she began trying to change pop music again. In her most experimental album to date, Charli meshes the early stages of what would become hyper pop with a commercial sensibility and pen that created another one of the best pop albums of the last 5 years. Her run of this album, How I'm Feeling Now, and Crash have firmly reestablished her as the pop presence she was always destined to become.
Vampire Weekend - Contra
Favorite Tracks: Horchata, White Sky, Holiday, Run, Giving Up The Gun, Diplomat's Son, I Think Ur A Contra
(Released January 11, 2010)
Vampire Weekend is my favorite band. Contra is my favorite Vampire Weekend album. This is the album that made me like alternative music. I bought this album with an iTunes gift card back in 2010 and I was blown away by every song. From hearing Holiday in a commercial, to getting Ottoman as a bonus cut from Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist (great movie btw), this entire VW era is what made me love this band. I got to see VW a few years back and I got to choose the song they performed for their encore. I chose Ottoman and don't regret anything, but there's at least 5 songs from this album I would've chosen if I got a second choice.
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
Favorite Tracks: Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums, Shoot You Down, This Is The One, Fools Gold
(Released May 2, 1989)
The Madchester/Baggy scenes of British Music culture in the 80s/90s fascinate me and among the faces of this scene were The Stone Roses. Pre-dating Oasis by a few years, a look at the Stone Roses gave you a look at late 80s early 90s Manchester, and this album is the soundtrack to it all.
Haim - Days Are Gone
Favorite Tracks: Falling, Forever, The Wire, If I Could Change Your Mind, Don't Save Me, Days Are Gone, Go Slow, Running If You Call My Name
(Released September 27, 2013)
The first Haim album is actually the first vinyl I ever bought. I remember having the videos for Forever, Falling, and the other songs from their EP in rotation as I waited for this album to release. For me this album represents a point in my life when I really started to care about music releases, and following rollouts, making an effort to go see these artists in concert, and continuing to expand my taste into new genres. I had discovered this band through features they did with Kid Cudi and Childish Gambino, and now I was at record stores trying to get their album the day it released. I got to see Haim perform some of these songs last year and 16 year old me who knew all the words just returned to my soul.
Beach House - Teen Dream
Favorite Tracks: Zebra, Silver Soul, Norway, Walk In The Park, Take Care
(Released January 26, 2010)
Beach House is seemingly never not at their best. Teen Dream is another strong outing within their catalog and while it may not have the same dark elements as its follow-up Bloom, Victoria's vocals are as haunting as ever, just over lighter production. The instrumentals here are a lot more dreamy as shown in songs such as Silver Soul and Walk in The Park. When it comes to dream pop or any genres of similar vibes, Beach House have made themselves the far and away standard bearers of this entire sound.