7 Alternative Albums You Must Add to Your Collection

1. Björk – Post

This is Björk at her ultimate best. Indeed, while she has had spots of brilliance since this, her second record, this was the one that was perfect from beginning to end. I remember the first time I listened to it, at high volume, in a residential area. And I didn’t even care because the sound was so pure, so alien, and yet so familiar. It was like I had heard it before, because it speaks to my soul. There is just something about Björk that goes deep, for me, anyway. Every single time I hear Army of Me, I can’t help but stop what I’m doing and sing along, trying to get it just so, like she does. Standout song: Army of Me.

2. Death Cab For Cutie – Transatlanticism

I first heard the title track of this album in an episode of Six Feet Under and I thought it was one of the best songs I had ever heard. I still think that. After buying the album (I do things like that after hearing only one song), I was convinced that this band is amazing. Before long, I had gotten all of their albums and I knew most of their songs by heart, but this one remains my favorite record of theirs. Ben Gibbard’s haunting voice creates a tapestry of pain, hurt, and understanding, and the band behind him provides the perfect background for that voice. Standout song: Transatlanticism.

3. Thom Yorke – The Eraser

For a guy who has two totally useless letters in his name, it should come as no surprise that his first solo album has a lot going on in it. Except that he has no useless filler in his songs. The Eraser is full of electronica, and every song is stacked with beats, and try the album still manages to sound sparse and clear. This is an amazing feat that I think only the lead singer of Radiohead could pull off as easily. The drum machine sets the tone early, and it never drops. Here’s hoping he releases a second solo album soon. Standout song: Black Swan.

4. U2 – Zooropa

How ironic that the largest rock band in the world, at the zenith of its powers, decided to put out an album so forward thinking, so… alternative as Zooropa when it was released in 1993. Bono himself, upon accepting the Grammy for best alternative album that year even mentioned the irony, saying that the band was going to “f*$% up the mainstream.” It remains my favorite album from the band. What ever major rock band would experiment so much with a guitar that it doesn’t even sound like a guitar… for most of an album?! Songs like “Numb,” and “Daddy’s Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car,” are phenomenal representations of songs for the future. It’s incredible, and it’s still alternative, even today. Standout song: Lemon.

5. Liz Phair – Whip-Smart

Liz Phair used to be the ultimate in alternative. A rocker chick who isn’t afraid to create songs that don’t rhyme, that have excessive swearing, and are as non-radio friendly as you can get. I loved them. This album was the best one, in my opinion, because unlike her first record, she seems to actually be enjoying herself here. Whip-Smart is ear candy for the person who wants to wallow in his misery, and Liz’s voice has that extra grit in it that makes you believe she lived it. Standout song: Dogs of L.A.

6. Modest Mouse – Good News For People Who Love Bad News

If I heard that voice apart from the background music, I honestly don’t know if I would listen long enough to know what he was singing, so I’m really glad he’s in a band. This is by far the best album by Modest Mouse, lyrically and musically, particularly when the subject is deeply satirical, like with “Bukowski.” “Well we sat on the edge of the river. The crowd screamed ‘sacrifice the liver.’ If God takes life, he’s an Indian giver.” It’s just quirky, but it works. Give it a listen and you’ll see what I mean. Standout song: Bukowski.

7. Kate Nash – Made of Bricks

Since when did Brits who sound like Brits when they sing become the rage? I guess Lily Allen broke that barrier for females, and Kate Nash is nearly indistinguishable from Lily Allen, at least vocally. Lyrically and musically, she is leagues better. The best thing about Kate Nash is her brash style. I stumbled upon her first record (this is it) quite by accident, but I’m glad I did. The best part is, it’s explicit, raw, and full of nails. And the album’s finale, “Merry Happy,” is the antithesis of most other album endings in that it does not wrap things up neatly. It actually sounds like the start to a new album with its ironic ending that is really more like a beginning. Standout song: We Get On.

Sam

7 Albums: The Archive