Ok kids, it's time for albums 11-15. Next time we'll be in the top 10. The fact that these records didn't make the top 10 is a testament to the strength of releases in 1994. Just a heads up, I might interrupt the 1994 dive to post about Record Store Day 2024, which is Saturday, if I find some good pickups. There are a few things on my radar.
15. Ride - Carnival of Light ( 4.5 Stars )
I almost didn't listen to Carnival of Light, because other than the track Vapour Trails I don't like Ride's early shoegaze stuff. While most people dislike this record because they abandoned shoegaze and fully embraced Britpop, I think it's amazing. Even though the opening track, "Moonlight Medicine", is almost seven minutes long it's a muscular, psychedelic rock song. This album also has tons of jangle. It's interesting that Carnival of Light was released a couple months before Oasis' debut album, because the track "Moonlight Spring" is straight out of the Oasis playbook. "I Don't Know Where It Comes From" is an exquisite pop tune. Other standouts are "Birdman" and "Don't Let it Die". Ride just put out a new record a few weeks ago and are still going strong.
14. Built To Spill - There's Nothing Wrong With Love ( 4.5 Stars )
If, like myself, you are into distorted guitars and fragile, idiosyncratic vocals; this is your jam. Doug Martsch's lyrics and delivery are sublime. I can't list all the great lyrics in this post. Just take my word and check it out. If I had to pick a favorite it would be "Big Dipper".
13. Sebadoh - Bakesale ( 4.5 Stars )
This album is an indie rock classic with just enough production to not be lo-fi, but it's lo-fi adjacent. Sebadoh is one of Lou Barlow's non-Dinosaur Jr. side projects. Bakesale is kind of all over the place; sludgy, sloppy, aggressive, poppy. In an alternate universe, "Skull" would have been a one hit wonder. "Got It" is really the only track that's reminiscent of Dinosaur Jr.
12. Bailter Space - Vortura ( 4.5 Stars )
New Zealand strikes again! I love these guys. Oddly enough, I don't own this album or Wammo, which are my two favorite Bailter Space records. They are difficult to come by in The States if you don't buy records online. I do have a bunch of their other CDs though. They are classified as noise rock, but I think they are just intense guitar rock. There is plenty of melody and songcraft on this record, as illustrated by the tracks "X" and "No. 2". Fun fact: Bailter Space was formed from the Flying Nun band The Gordons.
11. Green Day - Dookie ( 4.5 Stars )
I'm having a hard time with Dookie. It's been all over this top 25. I hadn't listened to it in quite a while and forgot how tremendous it is. As of now, I have it at #11 and 4.5, but it probably is a 5 star record. Every song on here is a banger. At some point this year I should do a separate post for Dookie. My least favorite song on here is "Longview" if that's any indication of how much I like these tracks. It's sad that they've gone the way of Weezer and have sucked for the past twenty years. Dookie and Nimrod are all the Green Day I need in my life. Peace.
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