Two albums that I checked out due to Sigz's praise. Shame that he isn't around anymore, he'd approve of this update.
38. Agalloch – The Mantle (2002)The Mantle was my introduction to the genius that is Agalloch, and, to me, it's the definition of a grower. When I first heard it, I thought that it was boring, monotone and meandering. Sure, bits appealed to me, but every song seemed to be longer than it needed to be. However, the bits that I did like didn't leave my head for weeks, and every time they caused me to return to the album, I loved it a little more, until, finally, the last two tracks – Odal and ...and the Great Cold Death of Earth – clicked into place for me as well. What makes this album so great is the amount of atmospheric detail that this album possesses, even though, or maybe because it takes such a long time to reveal it in its entirety. Another thing that is amazing here is the use of acoustic guitars, and often, the layering of electric and acoustic guitars, which produces an amazing depth of sound. One thing that doesn't quite appeal to me quite as much are John Haughm's clean vocals – his growls are massively superior – but they nevertheless contribute to the unique atmosphere of the album.
Favourite tracks: In the Shadow of Our Pale Companion, You Were But a Ghost In My Arms, ...and the Great Cold Death of Earth, The Hawthorne Passage, A Desolation Song
37. Nine Inch Nails – The Downward Spiral (1994)Having heard a lot of praise for this one, The Downward Spiral was my first Nine Inch Nails album and it immediately pulled me in. The atmosphere on this album is incredible, from the evilly distorted guitars to Trent Reznor's amazing vocals, everything here is amazing. Mr. Self Destruct kicks off the album amazingly with metallic drums, guitars that barely even sound like guitars any more and weirdly processed vocals, but it just works like a charm. From there, the album is an emotional rollercoaster like no other album that I know and never lets up, until the closing track Hurt, which is probably NIN's most popular track, but that doesn't make it bad – on the contrary, there's a reason why it's so popular, and it closes the album fantastically. This is definitely not an easy album, but once you've gotten into it, this is an album, nay, an experience unlike any other.
Favourite tracks: Mr. Self Destruct, Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now), March of the Pigs, Closer, Ruiner, A Warm Place, Eraser, Reptile, Hurt