Our Favorite Albums (441 – 450)

441. 1 Giant Leap – 1 Giant Leap [2002]

Nominated by Karen Stein of Imagine who says: Electronic music duo 1Giant Leap (Duncan Bridgeman and Jamie Catto) travelled the world for 6 months to records vocals and music from musicians from Senegal, Nepal, Australia, Uganda, and many more countries. They layered these sounds with their own production and songs. Smart, tuneful, ambitious, it really works. One of those albums that gets better with repeated listening.

442. Hound Dog Taylor & The House Rockers – Beware of the Dog (1976)

Nominated by Sir Jon of Pint o’ Comics who says: Live music hits the list again with this incredible artist who just raises the roof. There’s a reason his band was called the Houserockers. That’s what they did and this release makes it honest.

443. Julieta Venegas – Limón y Sal [2006]

Nominated by DJ Livor Mortis of Word on the Street.

The album’s overall themes deal with the general ups and downs of life and relationships. All the songs were composed by Venegas, with the exception of three songs, where she had the help of Coti Sorokin and Cachorro López. Some notable songs are “Primer Día” and its reggae rhythm, sung in a duet with Dante Spinetta. In “De Qué Me Sirve” she plays the accordion in a tango and “bolero” fashion. “Eres Para Mí” is a duet with Chilean singer Anita Tijoux. (wikipedia.org)

444. Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)

Nominated by Michael Benson of 75% Folk.

While the album initially had poor sales and received mixed reviews, in subsequent years it has dramatically risen in critical reputation. Jimmy Page considered Grace close to being his “favorite album of the decade.” (wikipedia.org)

445. Dominic Fike – Don’t Forget About Me, Demos (2018)

Nominated by DJ Lukey G of The Guest List.

Most of the songs that appear on the EP were recorded in late 2017 while Fike was on house arrest for battery of a police officer and were released independently through SoundCloud. In 2018, while serving a short jail sentence for breaking the terms of his house arrest, Fike’s music generated a substantial amount of interest and sparked a bidding war amongst record labels. (wikipedia.org)

446. Dick Dale and His Del-Tones – King Of The Surf Guitar (1963)

Nominated by Psychedelic Rick of The Psychedelicatessen.

A combination of Dale-penned originals and covers, including selections written by Ray Charles, Hoyt Axton, and others.

447. Various Artists – It Happened…But Nobody Noticed (1982)

Nominated by Robbie of Homegrown.

A compilation of Connecticut bands from 1978 to 1982, including Poodle Boyd, Subdueds, Scout House, and The Snotz.

448. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Will the Circle be Unbroken (1971)

Nominated by Bill Revill of Acoustic Blender who says: A slew of legendary country and bluegrass players get introduced to a new generation.

449. Primus – Pork Soda [1993]

Nominated by Johnny Ganache of Pint O’ Comics who says: Space rock from Mars. Love these guys.

450. Crass – Best Before 1984 (1986)

Nominated by Rick Reaction.

Best Before 1984 is a compilation of Crass’ singles and other tracks, released in 1986, including lyrics and a booklet (“…In Which Crass Voluntarily ‘Blow Their Own'”) which details the history of the band in their own words. The album was named in reference to the notion that 1984 was the band’s “‘sell by date”, the year that they had often publicly stated that they would split up. Indeed, the band ceased gigging and recording in that year. (wikipedia.org)