Its a groovy time for an update time!
44. The Decemberists-The Crane Wife
This album was the definition of a grower for me. After hearing the Hazards of Love and liking its retro-prog, folky style, I gave The Crane Wife a try. After the first two songs it got harder and harder for me to appreciate. But I kept listening, and Meloy's voice grew on me more, as did the indie-pop elements of the band. The first two songs are still my favorites, but this album was an important step for me in warming up to indie music with peculiar vocalists. Not warm enough to the point where I can appreciate Neutral Milk Hotel, but without this album I probably wouldn't be able to really get into Bright Eyes or open myself up to listen to new "indie" music.
Favorite songs: The Island, The Crane Wife 3, Sons and Daughters, Yankee Bayonet
43. Devin Townsend-Terria
This is probably Devin's most diverse album. You get a good sense of his softer, power ballad side with songs like "Nobody's Here" and "Stagnant," crazy metal like "The Fluke" and "Earth Day," and everything in between those two extremes. Its also a perfect album journey, meant to be dedicated to Canada (though I honestly have no idea where "Earth Day" fits into this concept
). Its hard to describe in detail why I like this album so much, other than every song is great, and its pretty soothing, even with consistently metal moments like "Canada," "Mountain," "Earth Day" and "The Fluke" on it.
Favorite songs: Deep Peace, Earth Day, Stagnant, Canada, Nobody's Here
42. Bruce Springsteen-Nebraska
Attention all fans of folk music: listen to this album. It took me awhile before I gave this album a proper listen, mostly because my parents cite it as the moment Springsteen got "weird and depressing." Well a year or so ago I realized that hey, I like weird and depressing music, and my parents and I don't agree a lot about music anyways, let's give it a real chance. Well, I did, and holy balls is it good. Its not upbeat, bluesy, jazzy, or rocking at all. Just Bruce, a harmonica, an acoustic guitar and all those songs about how much New Jersey sucks ass.
His voice, while great when belting out powerful anthems, is even better on this album. Its like a haunting croon, and he really succeeds at showing the right amount of emotion. Its a bit depressing, mostly because of lyrics and the atmosphere of the album (which is greatly enhanced by the vinyl), but its definitely one of Springsteen's best, even if the E Street Band is nowhere to be seen.
Favorite Songs: Atlantic City, Nebraska, Highway Patrolman