Music
The Best of 1997
Spice, Puffy and "Mmm-Bop" might sound like breakfast cereals, but these were the record industry's buzzwords at year's end.
It was supposed to be the year electronica broke. Or killed rock. Or something. But it wasn't. The biggest trend of 1997 was that there was no trend. Like so many other aspects of society, music became more and more fractious. The mainstream embraced novelty acts like the Spice Girls and Hanson, not to mention anything with a ska-inflected chorus. For all the effort the music industry made to uproot electronic artists from the underground, only a few of the resulting albums proved to be cohesive, and almost no masterpieces were produced. Grunge's residue became as insignificant as minor mildew, but the Pacific Northwest remained a key music region without showing overpowering strength in any one genre. Alt-country headed back to the hills, leaving only a few stragglers. Hip-hop entered an uncertain yet intriguing phase; high-profile MCs from the Wu-Tang Clan and the Fugees were somewhat disappointing, while underground DJs established the turntable as a true instrument. Brit-pop became a meaningless category, though several bands from the United Kingdom unexpectedly captured America's attention. So what does it all mean? Perhaps 1997 will have no legacy despite being an extremely active year for music. Some truly inspired albums were made, but not enough of any similar style to provide the appearance of a movement. In choosing my "Best of '97," I've attempted to whittle it down to the albums I think will endure, the ones that can be played beginning to end while maintaining a consistent mood or tone and emitting showers of sparks along the way. --Richard Martin
Richard Martin's Top 10 of 1997 1. Radiohead, OK Computer(Capitol)
Some may argue that this is a contemporary classic-rock album, but its themes are reflective of the times, and the music is luminescent. 2. Belle and Sebastian, If You're Feeling Sinister(The Enclave)
A group of poetically inclined Scots hit a graceful stride with their first proper release, simultaneously recalling Bob Dylan, Nick Drake and the Smiths. 3. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One(Matador)
Indie-rock veterans reach their creative apex on an album of ponderous, well-crafted songs. 4. Verbena, Souls for Sale(Merge)
Proving that Southern rock doesn't have to be stupid, this sharp Alabama quartet makes .38 Special sound like a cap gun. 5. Elliott Smith, Either/Or (Kill Rock Stars)
Though he's still gloomy, the singer and guitarist serves up tender love songs and winsome melodic pop on his third album. 6. Björk, Homogenic (Elektra)
Forbidding, futuristic and unearthly, this album skews traditional notions of rock, pop and electronic music. 7. Quasi, R&B Transmogrification(Up Records)
After a decade of writing whimsical pop songs, Sam Coomes finally places his offbeat thoughts on love and death into a musically engaging format. 8. Cornershop, When I Was Born for the 7th Time(Luaka Bop/Warner Bros.)
The distinctive English ensemble chauffeurs us on a wild ride through funky beats, strummed guitars, buoyant sitar and poignant social commentary.
9. Sleater-Kinney, Dig Me Out(Kill Rock Stars)
The Portland/Olympia trio's third album is its best yet, filled with energetic and edgy pop/punk tunes. 10. The Notwist, 12(Zero Hour)
Beneath the German art-rock veneer, this band masterfully melds heavy-metal riffs, mesmerizing loops and murmured lyrics into a variously ethereal and unsettling gem. Honorable Mention: Smog, Red Apple Falls; Pavement, Brighten the Corners; Stereolab, Dots and Loops; Roni Size/Reprazent, New Forms; Latyrx, Lateef and Lyrics Born--The Album; The Need, The Need; Beth Orton, Trailer Park; Danielson Famile, Tell Another Joke on the Ol' Chopping Block; Blur, Blur; Swell, Too Many Days Without Thinking.
Alyssa Isenstein's Top 10
1. Laika, Sounds of the Satellites(Sire/Too Pure)
Laika proves that going electronic doesn't mean selling your soul. Touched up with Margaret Fiedler's hushed vocals, Laika straddles rock and techno and winds up with one of the most organically intelligent albums of the year.
2. Peter Jefferies and Jono Lonie, At Swim 2 Birds(Drunken Fish)
These lonesome, minimalist, piano-based instrumentals by one of New Zealand's finest musicians (and a friend) open new dimensions of time and space, not unlike Czech animator Jan Svankmajer's films. 3. Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments, Straight to Video (Anyway)
Ron House, the rock 'n' roll poet of Columbus, Ohio, and his band know that the punk-rock planet wasn't built in a day, but that doesn't stop them from trying. 4. Yo La Tengo, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One(Matador)
One of the finest bands of the decade releases yet another sound capsule of timeless beauty that touches the heart and soul of admirers everywhere. 5. Danielson Famile, Tell Another Joke on the Ol' Choppin' Block(Tooth & Nail)
These charismatic folkster siblings pay homage to the Lord and their mother in truly offbeat songs constructed with wholesome lyrics, catchy choruses and whiny vocals. 6. Spiritualized, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space (Arista)
Expansive space-rock gospel for one and all. The musical equivalent of a Calgon bubble bath. 7. Tarnation, Mirador (Reprise)
Another batch of spine-tingling gothic/country songs by multi-octave singer/songwriter Paula Frazer. 8. Fuck, Pardon My French (Matador)
On its third album, Fuck saunters, sizzles and slips out some gorgeous unconventional pop nuggets along the way. Essential. 9. The Need, The Need(Chainsaw)
You know that feeling you get after the pain from knocking skulls with somebody has subsided? This album is kind of like that, only better. 10. Albert Ayler, Spirits Rejoice and Spiritual Unity vinyl reissues (ESP/Get Back)
Originally released on vinyl way more than 30 years ago, two classics by this master of transcendent free jazz are back on heavy vinyl.
H.V. Claytor Jr.'s Top 10
1. Gravediggaz, The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel (Gee Street)
Off tha hook production with profound, esoteric lyrics. 2. The Wu-Tang Clan, Wu-Tang Forever(Loud)
You better act like you know. 3. Rakim, The 18th Letter(Universal)
The so-so production doesn't diminish the Soul Controller's skills. 4. Common, One Day It'll All Make Sense(Relativity)
An introspective album by one of hip-hop's finest poets. 5. Various Artists, Soul in the Hole soundtrack (Loud)
"A Child Is Born"--the reunited Brand Nubian still does the knowledge better than most. 6. EPMD, Back in Business(Def Jam)
Da-da da da da-da it's Da Joint. 7. Tha Alkaholiks, Likwidation(Loud)
This joint is for those that get their drink on all night long. 8. Organized Konfusion, Equinox (Priority)
"Hate." 'Nuff said. 9. Killarmy, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars(Priority)
Cerebral warfare at its finest. 10. 2Pac, R U Still Down? (remember me)(Jive)
Yes, the beats may be a bit outdated but the lyrics transcend time.
Jeff Fuccillo's Top 10 Albums 1. Sun Ra, Singles (Evidence)
Fully astral collection of lost Saturn 7-inches. 2. Harry Pussy, Fuck Jim O'Rourke and All That Weak Shit(self-released)
Dismemberment never before done so skillfully. A destruction so thorough the band had to break up after its release. 3. Various Artists, American Primitive(Revenant)
Old "roots of everything" music. Spiritual. 4. William Parker and the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, Sunrise in the Tone World (AUM)
Dedicated to all the people who were told they "couldn't." It's for you, Brian Wilson. 5. Saffire, Untitled(Sound@1)
Free souls make free sounds. 6. Davis Redford Triad, The Mystical Power of the Number Eighty-Six (Holy Mountain)
Local sufi reads minds. 7. Tony Conrad, Four Violins (Table of the Elements)
A droning of the title. 8. Hash Jar Temp, Well Oiled(Drunken Fish)
Drugs are in. 9. Dead C., Tusk (Siltbreeze)
The most competent at incompetence. 10. Royal Trux, Sweet Sixteen (Virgin)
Sometimes bad is good, phat is cool, etc.
John Graham presents...10 Great Albums Unaffected by El Niño
1. Rollerball,Schizherue(Jalopy Grotto)
This lushly packaged 12-inch picture disk is simultaneously the shrewdest and the moodiest thing the Portland group has released. So much for all that "new wave" nonsense people used to spout about them; the only thing "wave" about Schizherue are the waves of joy that flow through me when I hear this. 2. Download,Charlie's Family(Metropolis)
This early recording from Skinny Puppy alums is also a soundtrack to cult director Jim Van Bebber's film about the Spahn Ranch spree killers. Forget those folk songs Manson sings in prison; these spastic electro-shrieks are probably what he really hears in his head. 3. Submissives, An Anvil Will Wear Out Many a Hammer(Honest Don's Badly Bruised Bottoms)
Dave "MDC" Dictor and Pig "Poison Idea" Champion unite to fight prudishness with this sadomasochistic trip into hardcore aural sex. Hot'n'heavy in every way, it's guaranteed to make even Howard Stern and Ruth Westheimer blush. 4. Daniel Menche,Screaming Caress (Side Effects)
Like sugar or cocaine, some things get better when properly refined. Here Menche has pared down his trademark towers of feedback and created something beautiful out of beastly experimental roars. 5. New Wet Kojak,Nasty International (Touch & Go)
Girls Against Boys members makin' sleazy art-rock that goes down easy. It's got sax, sex, drunken croons and funky tunes and it'll make you feel a bit dirty. Mmmmmm-mmmmm good. 6. Groovie Ghoulies,Re-Animation Festival (Lookout!)
Most bands on Lookout! Records resemble John Hughes' squeaky-clean "outsiders." The Ghoulies, on the other hand, are more like Tim Burton's brooding anti-heroes: gleefully morbid and gloriously silly in their lovesick punkishness. 7. Phylr,Contra la Puerta(Invisible)
Drum'n'bass with an urban face and more cinematic flair than half the soundtracks available. An electronic recording not to be overlooked. 8. Pineal Ventana, Breathe As You Might (Altered)
This Atlanta troupe bangs and clangs its way through an exhaustive set of purifying and percussive avant-rock. Purgatory never sounded sweatier. 9. Geraldine Fibbers,Butch(Virgin)
Though a bit less consistent than their dreamy debut, once Carla Bozulich bullies her way into your bleeding cowpoke heart, you'll never want her to leave. It's kinda like Midnight Cowboy, only in reverse and with a female lead. 10. 2 Foot Flame,Ultra Drowning (Matador)
Jean Smith of Mecca Normal takes her distinctive persona to an even scarier place, where guitars sing and shudder as she mutters poetic fragments about alternate realities. Uniquely tweaked. |
