Albums 11-15 feature a couple more under the radar selections, then it's all heavy hitters and Sound Mind favorites the rest of the way. For the record, my Mt. Rushmore didn't change much.
15. Bailter Space - Wammo ( 4.5 Stars )
Wammo was released on both Flying Nun and Matador. I first discovered these guys from a Matador comp that featured the song "Splat". This track not only got me hooked on Bailter Space, but also sent me down the Flying Nun rabbit hole. Wammo leads off with the fuzzed out jangle of "Untied" and the aforementioned "Splat". "Colours" locks in on an exquisite, psychedelic grove and rides it out. The guitar and drum interplay on "Retro" predates "There, There" by Radiohead. Bottom line, this is a Top 5 guitar album of all time. Honestly, it should be higher, but 1995 is loaded.
14. Pavement - Wowee Zowee ( 4.5 Stars )
Hey look, another Matador record. I published an entire series of posts on Pavement's albums, so I've talked about Wowee Zowee before. I still maintain my assessment that this album is an exercise in co-opting, and improving upon the sounds of other bands. The opening track, "We Dance" out-Bowies David Bowie. However, there are tracks like the fantastic "Rattled By the Rush" that are quintessential Pavement. The highlight, for me, is "Kennel District". I didn't go back and look at my old post on Wowee Zowee, but if you're interested it's in here somewhere.
13. The Boo Radleys - Wake Up! ( 4.5 Stars )
This is a tremendous album by a band that is virtually unknown in the States. The single, "Wake Up Boo!", is an up-tempo, sunshine pop, Northern Soul extravaganza. They have a fun video for the track "It's Lulu" where Lulu is "reading books from school" and it's a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, from which the band's name is derived. If you love great vocals, guitars, and horns this album is right in your wheelhouse.
12. Wilco - A.M. ( 4.5 Stars )
Wilco's debut album, A.M., is the favorite Wilco album of Uncle Tupelo fans and the least favorite of Wilco fans. So, it's my favorite. That's not to say it's Uncle Tupelo 2.0, but it retains some of that musical DNA. "Box Full of Letters" is a perfect pop composition. I also like to imagine it would be Franz Kafka's favorite song. "I just can't find the time to write my mind the way I want it to read". "Passenger Side" is a poignant, yet hilarious track about a guy whose license is suspended and has to bum rides off the only sober person he knows. A.M. has the perfect amount of Jeff Tweedy looking back... and looking forward to make this a great record.
11. Blur - The Great Escape ( 4.5 Stars )
I've mentioned this before, but The Kinks, XTC, and Blur are the preeminent bands at writing songs that capture every day British life. At least that's my perception from America. It seems to ring true. Love it or hate it, Blur have a unique, art school style of song construction. Damon Albarn has a keen eye and a singular talk-singing approach. The Great Escape isn't as immediate as Parklife or 1997's self-titled album, but it rewards repeat listens. There's a lot to take in at one go. At the time, going up against What's the Story by Oasis, The Great Escape was probably quite a challenge for the record buying public. And Graham Coxon is a sneaky great guitarist. Peace.
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