I can edit it if you like. Definitely on your side of this disagreement.

This year proves in spades why this entire decade is a write-off.

Have one to add, though...and it's a monster...Titanics cover, hidden Hendrix cover on Track 69; solid originals...the band was to be found almost any night of the week at either Maxwell's or Lakeside Lounge at this time. This album is in a three record rotation as my favorite 'Tones rekkid:

Former member of Austin band Glass Eye, who frequently get credit for "discovering" Daniel Johnston, doing one of the first-ever collections solely dedicated to covering his tunes. It's hit-and-miss, but for fans of Johnston's songwriting, it's an interesting listen. Also, as a 7-song EP that clocks in at less than 30 min., it's very worthwhile. Not a ringing endorsement, I know, but I do think that it's something worth mentioning for those of you interested.
I'm listening today.

Jonathan Donahue was in the 'Lips for two albums which came out more or less concurrently with the first two Mercury Rev albums and share a general aesthetic. And I guess the other member you're referring to is Dave Fridmann, the Flaming Lips' longtime producer? Anyway, this album is from after Donahue left, and here Mercury Rev actually beat the Flaming Lips to the punch in going "indie adult contemporary" (sort of), de-emphasizing guitars and embracing a lot of then-uncool sounds (like non-free-jazz sax in rock songs). I like this album a lot and think it's actually aged a lot better than Deserter's Songs. It still has a touch of the weirdness and edge of the first two MR albums and hasn't gotten so close to Disney soundtrack territory like they did later. Plus that first track, "Empire State (Son House In Excelsis)", is an absolute monster.

A couple of other favorites of mine that I don't think have been mentioned yet:


U.S. Maple - Long Hair in Three Stages
U.S. Maple definitely isn't for everybody, but next to their last album, this is about as accessible as they ever got. It's their debut and also where they firmly established their sound, a refinement of their less distinctive-but-still-good, sorta Jesus Lizard wannabe days as Shorty. They really perfected their skewed take on things on the later album Talker, I think, but this is my second favorite of all of their albums and just a general favorite overall. Probably the U.S. Maple album that actually rocks the most.

Two of my favorite songs from it:







Stereolab - Refried Ectoplasm (Switched on Vol.2)

Probably my second-favorite Stereolab release next to Dots and Loops. Singles, rarities, etc. comp, excellent collection of songs, including some of their most well known - "Lo Boob Oscillator", "French Disko", and "John Cage Bubblegum" - and some cool, weirder stuff like the Nurse with Wounds collabs. I have this on awesome-looking mint-green, semi-transparent vinyl.

Haha. I looked it up last night, too. I just remember it being bigger that next year - probably because that was still an era where a band could have 5 singles and sell millions of records.

Same here-it's pretty great looking vinyl.

Easily my favorite Stereolab--I can remember my brother bringing this home from college on one of his breaks (this was pretty much my source of music as a freshmen in high school at this time) and playing the hell out of it. Not only was this my introduction to Stereolab, but also to Nurse With Wound--my 15 year old mind was blown-I remember thinking this was the coolest stuff I had ever heard.

I had this revalation while looking up albums from this year as well. I remember Green Day's "Dookie" being EVERYWHERE in '95 but it came out in 1994. Probably because the biggest single off of it was "When I Come Around" and wasn't released until '95 and I think there was even ANOTHER single after that.

Also, while researching that, I saw that "Dookie" has sold 25 MILLION records worldwide.

It's a good record.

I love Siamese Dream, but outside of a few tracks, I have a tough time listening to this album.

here you go

Never listened to this prior to the mention.
I like it so far.

A personal favorite of mine from this year:

Menthol :: s/t




Heavily distorted power-pop from the 90s’ Chicago scene -- Champaign, IL/U of I to be specific. The frontman was part of Hum prior to You'd Prefer An Astronaut.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/130li3

So with you on Electr-O-Pura and Gone Glimmering.

Thanks much.

Cool. One of my favorite bands ever.

A few more noise rock things from 1995 that I like a lot:


The Flying Luttenbachers - Destroy All Music
Noisy, abrasive instrumental jazz punk. Screeching sax, searing guitar, and wild drums. Good times. This was their last album with Ken Vandermark on sax, and it's my favorite of what I've heard of theirs.


Boredoms - Super Roots 5
Just one hour-long track. A sort of prelude to what they'd do later on Super Ae and Vision Creation Newsun. Pretty cool.


Uzeda - 4
Just a four-song, 10 minute EP by this Sicilian noise rock band, but given how little music they've put out overall, it's not an insignificant part of their catalog. It'd make a great introduction for anyone interested, and I could up it at any time. Steve Albini is a big fan and has produced all but their first album (which I've never heard).

Other things in this experimental/noise rock vein worth mentioning but not as good:
Gastr del Sol - The Harp Factory on Lake Street
Melt-Banana - Scratch or Stitch!
Unwound - The Future of What*

*Probably better than I remember, but I have it rated kinda low on RYM for some reason.

Continue my project to rip all my CDs, I came across this today, which I don't think was mentioned yet.


Emmylou Harris - Wrecking Ball

As an aside,
If you like US Maple you should really check out this current band from Minneapolis


STNNNG - Dignified Sissy (2005)
http://www.mediafire.com/?dmztanyzvgo

Massive Attack - Protection


Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo!


Blur - Universal



Atari Teenage Riot - Speed



Chemical Brothers - In Dust We Trust



Prodigy - Break & Enter



Tindersticks - Travelling Light



Verve - On Your Own



The VSS - I Cut My Teeth



Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Part II



GZA - Liquid Swords



Folk Implosion - Natural One

I have this as a 1994 album. Love it though. I heard they're playing Coachella this year....(Edit: Not with Butler).

some more



probably McLennan's best solo album

Merritt

Red House Painters-Ocean Beach

Tarnation-Gentle Creatures. AMG calls them a "country art band".

I think Fireboy is his best and also like Watershed a little more than Horsebreaker Star. All of his solo recordings are very good though so good call. Strangely though, as much as I like him solo, I've always found the Go Betweens a little boring.

Interesting you find the Go-Betweens a little boring. I find their albums much better than either's solo output.

Do you like Forster solo? I prefer him over McLennan but I know rparis is the opposite.

I don't think I've ever heard Forster solo. Rightly or wrongly, I somewhat blamed him for not liking the Go Betweens since I really do like McLennan solo. There's a fair chance that's wrong and I remember reading a review for a Forster album a couple of years ago that almost got me to bit the bullet and check him out but I didn't get around to it. Hard to find time/money for everything.

I'm a big McLennan fan - in the Go Betweens or solo. I agree with billyg about liking Fireboy and Watershed more than Horsebreaker Star. I also like In Your Bright Ray, but not as well as the other three.

Forster's solo output is actually pretty good but more spotty than McLennan imo.