Kid A - Radiohead

After the huge critical success of Ok Computer Radiohead almost disintegrated. What they came back with was a fractured disjointed record without chorus or catchy single it was a masterpiece. Released in 2000 it was the soundtrack to the destruction and re creation of one of music’s most important bands.

From the first 5 notes of Kid A you know the album is something special. Everything In Its Right Place begins like a waking dream. The warm layers of lead singers Thom Yorke’s vocals interact seamlessly with drum machined beats and delicate organ. It is quickly followed by the title track an ambient mechanical song in the vein of Aphex Twin. It is explosively countered by National Anthem, a song bursting apart with a horn section and distorted bass. The album drifts into How To Disappear Completely a song written after Yorke had a dream before a concert in Dublin. It is the most typical Radiohead song on Kid A and one of the most haunting. Tree fingers is yet another sound-scape song akin to Brian Enos works while Optimistic is guitar driven and a perfect set up for the fast paced dance track Idioteque. Morning Bell and Motion Picture round off this phenomenal album.

Refusing to release a video or single from the album did not halt its success, achieving platinum sales in its first month, only radiohead album to do so. And debuting at number 1 on the billboard charts. Radiohead were accused of being wilfully difficult however only one song on the album is over 6 minutes long. It may have divided fans and critics alike but Kid A will be the album Radiohead will be remembered for.

Track listing
1. Everything In Its Right Place
2. Kid A
3. National Anthem, The
4. How To Disappear Completely
5. Treefingers
6. Optimistic
7. In Limbo
8. Idioteque
9. Morning Bell
10. Motion Picture Soundtrack

The Black Album - Metallica

It's probably safe to say that when Metallica released their fifth studio album "Metalllica" on August 12th 1991 (also known as the "Black Album" due to its mostly plain cover), they had no idea that it would help to propel them to their present status of seventh biggest selling act ever in America's history. The album remains the band’s biggest selling release to date, with a total of nearly 15 million copies sold in the United States alone.

It is also their most controversial album amongst fans, as its release heralded a new radio-friendly sound that divided fans right down the middle. Songs like “Holier Than Thou” and “The Struggle Within” still maintained elements of the band’s thrash metal roots, yet some fans felt that the success of singles like “Nothing Else Matters” and “Enter Sandman” showed that the band were now more interested in commercial gain than with artistic integrity and staying true to the scene that the Bay Area group had a large part in cultivating. It was the band’s first album with producer Bob Rock and despite his altering their working schedule and routine to such an extent that the band swore they would never work with him again, Rock has subsequently produced all five albums released by Metallica since the “Black Album”.
The “Black Album” is also noted for being the first Metallica album to not include an instrumental track, a feature that was a particular favourite of fans from their other albums.
Pam, our metal afficionado has chosen the tracks. After much agonising, the four songs will be Enter Sandman, Nothing Else Matters (the crowd pleasers), Don't Tread On Me and My Friend Of Misery (fan favourites!).

Track Listing:
1. "Enter Sandman"
2. "Sad But True"
3. "Holier Than Thou"
4. "The Unforgiven"
5. "Wherever I May Roam"
6. "Don't Tread On Me"
7. "Through The Never"
8. "Nothing Else Matters"
9. "Of Wolf And Man"
10. "The God That Failed"
11. "My Friend Of Misery"
12. The Struggle Within".

The Who Sell Out - The Who

This is the first "Concept Album" from The Who, it was released in 1968 and reissued, remastered in 1995 with additional material. The Album follows a day in the life of a radio broadcast complete with fake ads and jingles. Some of the tracks like Odorono and Medac are even written about fake products. The stand out track is "I Can See For Miles" but the album is chock full of jangly "radio friendly" pop songs. MaryAnne With The Shaky Hands is pure sixties with a bit of a folky Beach Boy sound, and for the romantic at heart there is Our Love Was and I Can't Reach You. This is an opportunity to acquaint yourself with one of the more unusual offerings from The Who.
Leave a comment if you would like us to play a particular track!

Track Listing

1. "Armenia City in the Sky"
2. "Heinz Baked Beans"
3. "Mary-Anne With the Shaky Hand"
4. "Odorono"
5. "Tattoo"
6. "Our Love Was"
7. "I Can See for Miles"
8. "I Can't Reach You"
9. "Medac"
10. "Relax"
11. "Silas Stingy"
12. "Sunrise"
13. "Rael"

The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars - David Bowie

In 1971 David Bowie took on the persona of a doomed alien rock star, Ziggy Stardust, assembled the back up band, The Spiders from Mars and told reporters he was "going to be huge". The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars is a Glam Rock concept album covering the doomed career arc of the rock star, Ziggy Stardust who "took it all to far". Though the plot gets lost a little the strength of the individual tracks save it, all Bowie originals except "It Ain't Easy". Bowies first truly commercial offering is Thursdays Critical Junction. Five Years is a definite on the playlist, the rest is up to you!
Track listing
1. Five Years
2. Soul Love
3. Moonage Daydream
4. Starman
5. It Ain't Easy
6. Lady Stardust
7. Star
8. Hang On To Yourself
9. Ziggy Stardust
10. Suffragette City
11. Rock & Roll Suicide