1997

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[Albums 998 & 999 / 1001]

Of the ‘1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die,’ 24 are from the year 1997.

I’ve reviewed all but 2 of them (Roni Size & Reprazent – New Forms and Radiohead – OK Computer) so far

Which 1997 albums are the most essential to hear again?

Ranked by their essential-ness, here’s how I’d prioritize revisiting these 24 albums, enjoy!

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24. Roni Size & Reprazent – New Forms. At a running time of 139 minutes and 34 seconds, the probability of another full revisit… perhaps not a lock.

23. David Holmes – Let’s Get Killed. I was pleased to find the title track single at a thrift shop.

22. The Prodigy – Fat of the Land. Their 2nd of 2.

21. Finley Quaye – Maverick a Strike. A good return on investment for my 50 cent CD purchase!

20. Missy Elliott – Supa Dupa Fly. Her first of two, also a recent Artist of the Week.

19. Cornershop – When I Was Born for the 7th Time. The ’45’ hook from the Name That Tune challenge below (apparently we recorded this 6.5 years ago!) is as catchy as they come.

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18. Mariah Carey – Butterfly. An impressive multi-octave vocal range.

17. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Boatman’s Call. A Top 5 Backup Band name if there ever was one.

16. Primal Scream – Vanishing Point. Their 2nd of 2.

15. Daft Punk – Homework. I didn’t care for it at the time, but it’s grown on me over the years.

14. The Chemical Brothers – Dig Your Own Hole. Their 2nd of 2, Setting Sun (with Noel Gallagher), excellent track.

13. Bob Dylan – Time Out of Mind. One of his many cameos on the list. And much like how runners have ‘Age-Graded Times,’ I had a theory that awards voters may use similar calculations!

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12. Robert Wyatt – Shleep. His 2nd of 2.

11. Dandy Warhols – The Dandy Warhols Come Down. I recall being moderately disappointed upon my first listen, but mainly due to mismanaged expectations.

10. Sleater Kinney – Dig Me Out. I was pleased to find the compact disc at a good price.

9. The Verve – Urban Hymns. Their 2nd of 2.

8. Buena Vista Social Club – Buena Vista Social Club. I’d be happy to find myself back in da (Buena Vista Social) club again.

7. Spiritualized – Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space. Their 2nd of 2.

6. Robbie Williams – Life Thru a Lens. Although I can’t say I condone the through – thru abbreviation, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

5. Supergrass – In it for the Money. Perhaps the top album art of the year.

4. The Divine Comedy – A Short Album About Love. Not just a clever name, it is both concise and lovely.

3. Elliott Smith – Either/Or. I generally admire the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) recording approach & Rose Parade‘s lyric, “They say it’s a sight that’s quite worth seeing, it’s just that everyone’s interest is larger than mine,” is among the most relatable I’ve heard.

2. Blur – Blur. A polarizing album, to be sure. But then again, the true greats tend to be polarizing!

1. Radiohead – OK Computer. In the all-time Top 5 (and if not my favourite song, I’ve argued that Lucky is the finest song ever written, simply exemplary songwriting).

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Verbalize the Positive

1992-1997, what a 5-year window!