12 Golden Country Greats by Ween
Despite its title the album only features 10 tracks whilst the 12 represents the veteran musos
This is Ween’s fifth studio album and musically, was a radical change in direction. Employing a bunch of Nashville musicians to create a genuine Nashville-sounding country album was a surprise to many of their fans. Some of the musicians they asked turned them down however, due to the lyrical content of their songs. Ween retained their familiar juvenile comedic lyrics on some of the tracks as per their previous material, yet musically the tracks are very faithful to the intended Nashville sound. Part pisstake and part faithful homage, I really enjoyed it. Some of the lyrical content hasn’t aged well however.
Favourite Track: “Help Me Scrape The Mucus Off My Brain”
Ænima by Tool
Tool followed up their much-loved debut Undertow, with the masterpiece Ænima
The album was very successful for Tool, debuting at #2 on the US charts and eventually earning triple platinum sales. The title track would also win a Grammy for Best Metal Performance. I loved this album from the moment I first heard it and eagerly purchased 4 tickets so I could go see them live with a few friends, as they were coming to Canberra to play at the ANU Bar. Come the night of the concert I discovered my tickets had been stolen, so not only could we not go, I was out of pocket for 4 tickets. I eventually got to see them 22 years later. This remains another of my favourite albums of the 90s decade.
Favourite track: “Forty Six And 2”
Boys For Pele by Tori Amos
Boys For Pele was the third studio album by Tori Amos, released in January 1996
I have been following the career of Tori Amos since her debut album. I remember buying this on the day of release having already heard the single, “Caught A Light Sneeze”. In terms of its sound, it was more diverse and adventurous than some of her previous work and I loved it straight away. According to interviews she gave at the time, Amos conceived of the songs as representing stealing fire from the men in her life as well as a journey to finding her own fire as a woman.
Favourite track: “In The Springtime Of His Voodoo”
Booth And The Bad Angel by Booth And The Bad Angel
The only album released by the collaboration between Tim Booth & Angelo Badalamenti
I don’t know who came up with the idea for Tim Booth of James and Twin Peaks soundtrack composer Angelo Badalamenti to work together, but it was a stroke of genius. This much under-rated album still gets listened to on a semi-regular basis and I still enjoy it every time. It peaked at #35 on the UK charts but I cannot find any data on how it performed elsewhere (most likely because it didn’t). This is a hidden gem in my opinion and if you can find a copy on a digital stream or elsewhere, I highly recommend you give it a listen.
Favourite track: “Dance Of The Bad Angels”
The Masquerade Overture by Pendragon
The Gloucestershire band released their fifth album, the Masquerade Overture, in 1996
Musically, Pendragon are often-described as neo-progressive rock and were considered contemporaries of Marillion, often supporting them on their tours in the early 1980s. I heard this album through a friend around the time of its release so subsequently had to get hold of my own copy. It turned out to be a wise decision as I still enjoy the album now.
Favourite track: “Paintbox”
The Slabthrower 