1997 in music. • Page 2

whats up with this

 

Picking three better albums than you? I do that every year

 

It’s transistor we know.

 

I reckon Gianni's a bigger Spice Girls fan than he's previously let on.

 

I’m in a sharing mood again so here is my list with little blurbs for those of you interested in how these were perceived at the time:

01) THIRD EYE BLIND – Third Eye Blind

I know that OK Computer is probably the front-runner for this but there is no way I can put that head of Third Eye Blind’s debut. When it came out, it was often mocked by alt-rock purists as being overly commercial and poppy (the alt-rock station in NYC made a specific point to NOT play “How’s It Going To Be” since they though it was “too soft”). Stephan Jenkins being extremely arrogant and cocky at the time didn’t help matters but there is no denying the undeniable collection of songs this is. Beyond just pop/rock, the atmospheres just sink into your skin and the production deserves just as much credit as the songwriting. Given how many emo bands still site this as an influence, it definitely deserves a spot in the cannon.

02) RADIOHEAD – OK Computer

No need for much of an introduction here. At the time, I actually didn’t think this was THAT radical of a step from The Bends as there are plenty of extensions from that album on OKC (Karma Police, No Surprises, Electioneering, etc.) but the painstakingly precise craft of this along with the tasteful addition of electronics of this album definitely deserve all the hype. Bonus points for the truly unique videos. As I stated in the 1995 thread, many people forget that MTV (believe it or not) prioritized Radiohead over many other bands that were selling more records due to the unique videos.

03) FOO FIGHTERS - The Colour & The Shape

I don’t think Foo Fighters has one truly “classic” album but this is the closest they’ve come. The drama leading up this album is legendary with Dave Grohl re-doing the original drummer’s tracks (and that guy leaving being replaced by Taylor Hawkins) but it’s amazing how clean and precise it sounds. Also, I think this is truly Dave’s best set of songs as he balances out the big rockers with tender ballads and swinging mid-tempo stuff.

04) THE OFFSPRING – Ixnay On The Hombre

This album tends to get disregarded in The Offspring’s canon but, song-for-song, I still think it’s my favorite. The band must have been feeling a bit self-conscious about joining a major label since they released their fastest punk song as the first single. They probably didn’t realize that the majority of the people who bought Smash didn’t give a shit about punk credibility but that didn’t matter as this is the most direct, harsh and tuneful The Offspring has ever been. Unlike the other Epitath bands, Dexter Holland knew how to play with tempo-change and dramatics which put them a step ahead of the likes of Bad Religion, NOFX and Pennywise in the 90’s (I mean….the emotion of “Gone Away” still hits today).

05) GREEN DAY – Nimrod

Green Day was kind of in no-mans land in 1997 as the mainstream fans of the mid-90’s had gone on to other flavor-of-the-moment genres while the pure punks had long snubbed their nose at them. Realizing they were pretty much free to do whatever they wanted, they turned in their most diverse set of songs to date. Most people don’t realize this album almost completely flopped has it not been for “Good Riddance” becoming a crossover hit. Also, interesting note, I saw Green Day in 1998 at Jones Beach at a modern-rock radio festival of which there were several in the country. I still think they leveraged these festivals to show what a great live band they were and how boring all the other modern rock bands played at the time.

06) MATTHEW GOOD BAND – Underdogs

One of the many benefits of living in the NYC area was we somehow picked up Canada’s music video channel MuchMusic. Matthew Good Band never hit it in the states but if they did, I’d image many emo bands would be citing them as references these days. Taking a Springstreen-like approach to modern rock, Good’s songs are undeniably catchy while almost universally focusing on some very dark themes.

07) OUR LADY PEACE – Clumsy

And speaking of Canada, this was another benefit of having MuchMusic though the singles did eventually crossover into the U.S. Raine Maida’s vocals are definitely an acquired taste but the angst that permeated this album was catnip to my 13-year-old self at the time. I can’t say I connect much with the band’s later work but their first 5 albums are a phenomenal run.

08) INCUBUS – S.C.I.E.N.C.E

When Incubus started breaking on the radio with “Pardon Me” in 1999/2000, a lot of fans would promote their love of this album as being a “real fan”. While I think it still is a bit scattered in areas, it showcased a lot of their talent early on and was also a tasteful rap/rock/Primus combo that didn’t sacrifice melody or sensitivity.

09) BLACK LAB – Your Body Above Me

Nobody will probably remember this band unless you paid attention to alt-rock radio in 1997/98. I can’t say there is anything inherently unique about this album but songwriter Paul Durham essentially made an American U2 record when U2 themselves were in their post-irony phase. Just tons of big melodies, guitars and hooks all with an anthemic feel that never wear out their welcome.

10) FINGER ELEVEN – Tip

More Canadian bans via MuchMusic! Finger Eleven eventually went total butt-rock but this album was like if Our Lady Peace decided to keep the distortion pedal on for longer (probably due to using the same producer).

11) EVERCLEAR – So Much For The Afterglow

Art Alexakis must have saw how a lot of MTV Buzz Bin bands shit the bed in late 96 and made sure to craft his follow-up to not rely on the typical quiet/loud dynamics and distortion. The hits are still undeniable and his capacity for tragic storytelling on top of almost new wave-y modern rock was unique at the time.

12) OASIS – Be Here Now

I’m obviously not from the U.K. so I can’t appreciate the true Oasis-mania but I will say that, even the States, Oasis were an actual popular concern on the heels of this album. Of course, the Gallaghers sense of Manchester arrogance and humor did NOT translate on this side of the pond with many people simply finding them obnoxious. I actually don’t think this album is all that much of a stesp down from Morning Glory since there are so many undeniable bangers on here. Sure, some songs might run a little bit long but I’ll listen to this album any day over Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants or Heathen Chemistry.

13) 311 – Transistor

Given the success of their self-titled, 311 must have gotten a larger studio budget and made a point to take full advantage. This is pretty much the only “experimental” album 311 ever made and it’s a fan favorite due to the band actually taking some risks while still providing plenty of mosh pit-friendly songs to the setlist. There’s a reason this is the fan favorite they often do in full at 311 day.

14) DEPECHE MODE – Ultra

In 1997, two of the biggest bands were Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails, both obviously influenced by Depeche Mode. Ultra, in turn, was probably the most NIN-sounding album Depeche Mode ever made with squealing industrial sounds and moody ballads. While not their biggest commercial success (or best album), I think it’s one of the most under-rated DM records.

15) BLINK 182 – Dude Ranch

I bought this album in the fall of 1997 due to “Damnit” being on the radio nonstop. This album was a HUGE step-up from Chesire Cat and it’s only real flaw is that is starts to sound kinda same-y being 15 songs long. For the skate-punk fans, this is probably the Blink album of choice.

16) DAYS OF THE NEW – Days Of The New

Another relic of rock radio from the late 90’s, if you ever wanted Alice In Chains to exclusively focus on their acoustic songs, this is the album for you. Lead singer/songwriter Travis Meeks was only 17 years old when he wrote this album and, while some of the lyrics are too mired in the typical grunge misery, the acoustic guitar arrangements and tunings are phenomenal. Even 20 + years later, I can still appreciate as a dude in my late 30’s.

17) SAVE FERRIS – It Means Everything

Ska-Punk (but really pop in many ways) had a huge year in 1997 and this is one of my favorite gems of the era. For those of you who dig Reel Big Fish, the lead singer, Monique Powell, was the girl singing on RBF’s song “She Has A Girlfriend Now”. Anyways, this album is a great quick collection of excellent ska songs including an awesome cover of “Come On Eileen”.

18) SARAH MCLACHLAN – Surfacing

As someone who’s always had an interest in radio, the mid to late 90’s saw various modern rock acts diverging into other formats, noticeably the softer singer-songwriters being played on a new format known as Hot Adult Contemporary (i.e. the “Best Variety” or “Mix” stations in your town). In a poptimist world, Sarah McLachlan’s album would not only sell 8 million copies as it did but also get a lot of traction in the critical world. Either way, songs like “Building A Mysery”, “Angel” and “Adia” are undeniable gems and the whole album is a great showcase of McLachlan’s dramatic voice and arrangements.

19) BEN FOLDS FIVE – Whatever And Ever, Amen

Wiseguys forming alt-rock bands wasn’t new in 1997 and Ben Folds Five had been around for a while. It’s ironic they broke through with their most sincere song (“Brick”) on an otherwise excellent album of snarky, funny and quirky piano-led pop songs.

20) U2 – Pop

Still known as the biggest misstep in U2’s career (though having their album automatically uploaded to everyone’s phone in 2014 is close), Pop is a fascinating example of how many of the biggest rock bands in the 90’s felt they had to embrace electronic music in order to move forward. Ironically, some of the more standard songs on this album (Please, Starting At The Sun) rank as some of the best stuff U2 has ever done and even the few clunkers (The Playboy Mansion comes to mind) are more interesting than the MOR dreck on their Innocence/Experience albums.

 

1. Radiohead - OK Computer
2. Elliott Smith - Either/Or
3. Blink 182 - Dude Ranch

Honorable Mentions: Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One, The Ataris - Anywhere But Here, Pavement - Brighten the Corners

OK Computer is the easy pick. Either/Or is probably my favorite Elliott album. Dude Ranch is the best blink album and a contender for best pop punk album of all time, of which I think there are a handful that warrant consideration on the year best of lists. The Yo La Tengo album has some of my favorite songs ever but is a little boring as a whole to crack my point getters. ABH is a surprisingly excellent debut record, it's not as technically good as their other records but might be the one I'd be most inclined to listen to today.

And last but not least, Brighten is so underrated. Hype and importance aside I like it as much as Crooked Rain, it's an equally good collection of songs just a bit of a retread. Kind of a perfect sounding record, too.

 

One of my High School years

01. Dinosaur Jr. - Hand it Over
02. Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Let’s Face It
03. Goldfinger - Hang Ups

Honorable Mention

Samiam - You Are Freaking Me Out
Blink-182 - Dude Ranch
Aquabats - The Fury of the Aquabats
Millencolin - For Monkeys
Mustard Plug - Evildoers Beware
Riverfenix - Riverfenix
Green Day - Nimrod
Buck-o-Nine - Twenty-Eight Teeth

 

dude ranch isn't even good by the bad blink 182 standards

 

Also:
Radiohead - OK Computer
Green Day - Nimrod
Camp Lo - Uptown Saturday Night
Daft Punk - Homework
BIG - Life After Death
Elliott Smith - Either/Or
Bjork - Homogenic
Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
Foo Fighters - The Colour and Shape
Puffy - No Way Out
Aqua - Aquarium
Mariah Carey - Butterfly
The Get Up Kids - Four Minute Mile
Jay Z - Vol 1
Spice Girls - Spice World

 

It’s the best of the genre and easily the best of their career

 

lmao

 

Bahahahahahaha my 12 year old self was blasting Foo Fighters, Oasis, and 311 to drown out my sister listening to Spice Girls. I hadn't discovered Deftones at that age, sadly.

 

Not trying to knock anyone’s taste but I feel like y’all are letting nostalgia cloud your judgement a bit too much when it comes to the excessive high praise of Dude Ranch.

 

And I think you’re a loser

 

I can’t speak for anyone else but Nostalgia plays a huge part in me picking FAVORITE albums.

 

This discussion happened earlier in the thread you dorks!

Motherfuckers putting Deftones and Finger 11 in their lists but are mad that I ranked my favorite album from ages 7-20 as #1??? Get outta here

 

And to think that I was afraid me putting 311 as my #1 would draw the most ire. Lol

 

I was today years old when I learned that Finger Eleven used to be called Rainbow Butt Monkeys.

 

Scrap the like 3 embarrassing jokes from the 15 song track list and dude ranch is perfect. Not to rehash the finger 11 point but we’ve had like 30 Green Day votes at this point and blink votes are embarrassing? lol

 

I would just like to quote Nick Hexum for a moment here and say "fuck the naysayers cuz they don't mean a thing". Lol

The thing I love most about this thread is the wide range of styles represented each year, and how passionate everyone who posts in here is about the music they love - especially as we get into the years where many of us were young and discovering faves.

let's get back to that rather than trashing other peoples' picks.

 

1. Björk - Homogenic
2. Deftones - Around the Fur
3. Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope

 

I've obviously gotta check out this Janet Jackson album.

 

same

 

Whenever "She Found You" by Samiam comes up on my workout playlist, it's a good workout.