The style remains the same but there is enough innovation between each album to make them the best band of the 1990s. This album, their third, does hove a slightly 'spacey' feel at times and benefits from a slightly harsher guitar sound from Peter Svensson. It includes the wonderful Lovefool and the second single, Been It, both of which are superb. Perhaps the best track is Step On Me, but with 11 gems it's very hard to pick the one that sparkles the brightest.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the year was unearthing this album just before Christmas. The single, Race, got better and better with each play and so does the album. A tinge of punk but just generally spikey and in-yer-face which goes down a treat.
Not strictly a 1996 release as it originally saw the light of day in 1995, but it's in because I didn't get my trotters on it until this year. The addition of former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro helped the Chillis go from being a good band to being a great band. They cover all the expected Chillis' styles on this album but manage to make it stand out from previous releases by making the songs that much better.
Who said grunge was dead? Bands of the genre who were anything but the best have long since disappeared. Not so for Soundgarden. Another band who seem to improve with each album. Loud as ever - some of the guitar riffs come with a headache guarantee - but the melodies remain potent.
Clearly the cream of the US female singer/songwriters. This album is dlightly darker and searching than her debut, but is better off for it. Highlights are Home and The Book.
This is a compilation of the best easy listening tracks around. Cheesy, but definitely cool.
This originally saw the light of day in July and enjoyed minor success off the back of the singles Insomnia, Salva Mea and Don't Leave. These three are clearly the best tracks on the album which occasionally produces a duff moment but on the whole was the most supperior dance moment of the year (Yes! Better than Underworld!). Eventually went stella when rereleased later in the year.
3 cds worth of club anthems which went down a treat in the summer.
All sorts of star names (Iggy Pop, Blur, Pulp, Underworld,....) contribute to the soundtrack of the film of the year.
Plenty of strings, plenty of wit and plenty of good tunes from Neil Hannon.