874. Air - Moon Safari

Release Date: 1998
Label: Virgin

I have this album.

Rating: 9/10

864. Turbonegro - Apocalypse Dudes

Release Date: 1998
Label: Virgin

This was one of those albums that I expected to be terrible, but instead was pleasantly surprised by. It was inoffesnive, stupid glam metal.

Rating: 6/10

862. Manu Chao - Clandestino

Release Date: 1998
Label: Virgin

We have this album too, though it isn't mine.

Rating: 6/10

851. Daft Punk - Homework

Release Date: 1997
Label: Virgin

Daft Punk are 90s French footballers David Ginola and Bixente Lizarazu. At least they were in 1997. They have since gone on to be Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy. 'Homework' was written and recorded after school one night as part of their coursework.

Rating: 8/10

841. The Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole

Release Date: 1997
Label: Virgin

In the mid-90s, dance music was one of the most popular genres in the charts. It seemed to appeal to everyone and even had dedicated slots on Radio 1. This is the album where The Chemical Brothers fulfill their potential.

Rating: 9/10

793. The Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust

Release Date: 1995
Label: Virgin

Along with The Prodigy and Fat Boy Slim, The Chemical Brothers are pioneers of the Big Beat genre that was popular in the mid to late 90s. This album doesn't represent the Chembros at their best.

Rating: 6/10

791. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Release Date: 1995
Label: Virgin

At over two hours long, this could've been a chore to get through. It wasn't. Apparently, you'll either love or hate this album. I'm towards the former.

Rating: 9/10

776. Massive Attack - Protection

Release Date: 1994
Label: Virgin

The best thing about this albums were the vocal contributions from Tracey Thorn. Unfortunately they are few and far between, and if you own their debut you've really no need for much else.

Rating: 6/10

755. William Orbit - Strange Cargo III

Release Date: 1993
Label: Virgin

Rating: 5/10

736. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

Release Date: 1993
Label: Virgin

I didn't hate this album, but I don't think I could bring myself to love it either. I found myself knowing one of the songs before discovering it was on one of the Now albums.

Rating: 6/10

704. Massive Attack - Blue Lines

Release Date: 1991
Label: Virgin

It's interesting how specific cities become synomonous for creating their own musical identities. At the same time grunge and Seattle was reaching peak commercial success, Trip-Hop was starting to come out of Bristol. This, along with Portishead's 'Dummy' and Tricky's 'Maxinquaye' are all essential purchases if you're even vaguely interested in tripping or hopping.

Rating: 9/10

659. Soul II Soul - Club Classics Vol. One

Release Date: 1989
Label: Virgin

Rating: 6/10

648. Neneh Cherry - Raw Like Sushi

Release Date: 1989
Label: Virgin

Rating: 7/10

580. XTC - Skylarking

Release Date: 1986
Label: Virgin

Rating: 9/10

564. Scritti Politti - Cupid & Psyche 85

 

Release Date: 1985
Label: Virgin

Having listened to this album a few days ago, I can't really remember too much about it. Suffice to say, it didn't really thrill me so I'll give it an average six out of ten.

Rating: 6/10

531. Culture Club - Colour By Numbers

Release Date: 1983
Label: Virgin

Rating: 7/10

502. Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)

Release Date: 1982
Label: Virgin

Simple Minds are perhaps everything that is good and bad with 80s music. They're like a lesser version of U2.

Rating: 6/10

489. Human League - Dare

Release Date: 1981
Label: Virgin

By 1981, The Human League had already released two synth-pop albums without finding chart success. Following the departure of Ian Craig Marsh and Maryn Ware (to form Heaven 17), Phil Oakey went on to recruit teenage 'backing dancers' Joanne Catherell and Susan Sulley, and thus The Human League were to become succesful. Dare is their crowning achievement, although if you are only familiar with 'Don't You Want Me' you'd be wise to know it features less female vocals than you'd expect.

Rating: 9/10

484. Orchestral Manoeuveres in the Dark - Arcitechture and Morality

Release Date: 1981
Label: Virgin

This is yet another brilliant piece of synth-pop from the early 80s. Whilst the stand out tracks are 'Joan of Arc (Maid of Orleans)' and 'Souvenir' (because they're the ones on the compilation I have) the rest are all good too.

Rating: 9/10

480. Heaven 17 - Penthouse and Pavement

Release Date: 1981
Label: Virgin

Heaven 17 were formed when the two synthasizists left the Human League to Phil Oakley and an ex-waitress to start their own band. With song titles like 'We Don't Need This Facist Groove Thang' it's impossible not to enjoy this album.

Rating: 8/10