Long time without updates, busy week and one MASSIVE disappointment got the better of me. I'll try to be a bit quicker now, really.
First, three beauties from the 90's:
17. Royal Hunt - Paradox (1997)Thank you, Nick, for introducing me to this album, when it was in your own top 50. Quality Danish progressive metal from the late 90's. What can I say? just everything is very good; drums, guitars, keyboards and vocals. Songwriting based the band uses quite a vast array of different styles and starting points to craft their work. It even sounds like they're ripping off some classical music here and there, but I can't exactly place the influences, so I guess that's a good thing. I must admit, to this date I haven't heard any other Royal Hunt album, but having known, owned and loved this one for over a year now, I suppose I should check out some of their other stuff someday. This is a great album regardless, one that will will be liked and loved by most people on these forums should they hear it.
Favourite song: Time Will Tell
Other songs worth checking out: Tearing Down the World, River of Pain, Silent Scream
16. Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)Porcupine Tree was on my previous list twice, with my two favourite PT albums, Signify (#24) and In Absentia (#5). 'The Sky Moves Sideways' was named an honourable mention and is still my third favourite Porcupine Tree album. I have always been more of a fan of Porcupine Tree's earlier work than their latter stuff and it's albums like Signify and TSMS that reinforce that idea. Actually, if I hadn't set a rule for 'no live-albums', Porcupine Tree's 'Coma Divine' would rank ridiculously high on my list, by far my favourite thing the band has released and one of my favourite CDs in my rack. Funnily, most of 'The Sky Moves Sideways' is actually featured on 'Coma Divine', including an excerpt of the fantastic bonus track/extended edition track 'Moonloop'. Obviously, this is Porcupine Tree still in its beginning stages, but don't be fooled by that! The music on TSMS is vert well thought out and contains (in my opinion) some of their best songs. I also firmly believe that the best way to listen to this album is by taking the bonus tracks as well and place them between the actual CD tracks, creating a larger/longer CD. I'm sorry for all the people who prefer Deadwing, Lightbulb Sun or Stupid Dream, for it's Signify, The Sky Moves Sideways and Up the Downstair (my #4 PT album) where it's all at. Fantastic record and, once more, if 'Coma Divine' weren't a live disc, it would rank in the top 3 overall, without a doubt, with thanks to the songs from 'The Sky Moves Sideways'.
Favourite song: The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1
Other songs worth checking out: The Moon Touches Your Shoulder, The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 2, Dislocated Day
and counting bonus tracks: Stars Die, Moonloop
15. Pink Floyd - The Division Bell (1994)And I'm going to disappoint some more people as well with this choice as well. This is my third favourite Pink Floyd album, after 'The Dark Side of the Moon' (#11 on previous list) and 'Animals' (#36 on previous list). 'Meddle' was featured on this list at #36 as my fourth favourite Floyd album, so that means NO 'Wish You Were Here' and NO 'The Wall'. What a shame. Or is it? Not really, for this is my (second) top 50 and I think 'The Division Bell' is a better album than those two. I can't really explain why. Maybe it has to do with Waters's non-involvement on this album and I'm just much more of a Gilmour-fan than a Waters-fan. Yes, I think it's mostly that. I love Gilmour's guitar work, always have, and think his voice is nicer to listen to than Waters's. On top of that, he really outdid himself with the songs on this album and overall, 'The Division Bell', but especially the fantastic top-3-Pink-Floyd-track closer 'High Hopes' is a fantastic swan-song for a band that had already passed its prime.
Favourite song: High Hopes
Other songs worth checking out: Poles Apart, Coming Back to Life, Cluster One
---
Thanks again for reading. I'll try to do more this weekend!