#23: Porcupine Tree - Lightbulb Sun(2000)Progressive rockIt's obvious by now I'm Steven Wilson fanboy
Really, I love everything he did. As it was case with Stupid Dream, I discovered this some time later after discovering Porcupine Tree. And Lightbulb Sun is perfect link between alternative, almost Radiohead-like Stupid Dream and their later progressive rock with heavy edge albums. This one has elements from both worlds as well as some tunes which sound unusual even for the band like Porcupine Tree. What I like very much on this album is rhythm guitar work, especially on Lightbulb Sun and Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled. But lead solos are cool, too, with melodic moments which are prominent on some later albums. I don't know if others like song The Rest Will Flow but to me it is special little gem in PT's discography. It sounds sad and happy at the same time, awakening kind of nostalgic feel. Another song which recently became one of my favorites is Russian on Ice, it reminds me of their early albums and Pink Floyd. It also has great guitar work. Can't believe this album surpassed Deadwing on my list but it somehow did, such a grower album.
Recommended songs:
Lightbulb Sun,
Shesmovedon,
Russian on Ice#22: The Who - Quadrophenia(1973)Hard rockThis is second of my best discoveries of last year. I'm not sure but I think I decided to check this album after I heard Love, Reign O'er me on Freaks and Geeks, teen tv shows from late '90s (it's better than it sounds). Show had really cool soundtrack in every episode but in that one particular they were going to The Who's concert so they played only The Who in that episode. Everything I heard from The Who before was cool but not this cool. I don't even know how to describe this album. It's double concept album with young mod Jimmy who do drugs and loves to fight. Not so epic as some other concepts albums
Albums follows Jimmy, after girlfriend left him, as he travel alone and contemplates. I have to say I never thought Keith Moon was great drummer before I heard this album. I can hear his drumming influenced some metal drummers (Mike Portnoy for example). Those drum fills are great. I always loved Roger Daltrey's voice and he's magnificent here. It ranges from soft and low to high and gritty. There are also some quite symphonic moments on the album and that makes it really unique. I feel this album should be more popular than it is, check it out.
Recommended songs:
Love Reign O'er Me,
The Dirty Jobs,
Doctor Jimmy (but really, the whole album)
#21: Opeth - Blackwater Park(2001)Progressive death metalI know I said this about half albums on this list but this, for me, was one of the biggest growers. And actually, for quite some time I didn't get why people like this album so much. I used to love half songs on the album but other half didn't do it for me. After some time songs like Dirge of November, The Funeral Portrait and The Leper Affinity finally clicked with me and two of those became my favorites(Dirge and Leper). Harvest and Bleak, on the other hand, were songs I liked from first time I heard them (Bleak actually was first Opeth's songs with growls I liked). Blackwater Park is just perfect in many ways: there are brutal growly moments, peaceful moments, more peaceful moments, riffs that really remind me of jazz(The Funeral Portrait) and perfect production. Drummer Martin Lopez shines on this one, that man should get more credit for his work, his drumming is very unique. This is one of the best albums, I feel it could be even higher on the list, it only gets better.
Recommended songs:
Harvest,
Dirge for November,
Bleak