The 25 greatest artists of the last 25 years: the top 10

And after the first batch of groups... the top ten!!

10. The Divine Comedy. The gentleman of indie and one specially beloved. An incredible songwriter, witty, clever and bright, and a unique talent for creating that tune that sticks in your head while hits your heart, something Mr. Hannon has been doing for 20 years now. And always with a smile.

9. Arcade Fire. From terrific hype to most beloved indie band to universal music stardom, the Canadians have been capable of achieving massive success without losing any of their idiosyncrasy. On the contrary, they arguably did with their richest and most interesting album, "The Suburbs".

8. Arctic Monkeys. They revolutionized music industry with their brilliant debut album, and consistently proved they weren't a hype, but one of the best bands of the past decade. The superb "Suck It and See" is the last evidence Alex Turner's band is fated for greatness.

7. Oasis. They ruled the world a few years in the mid-90s, but don't forget that behind all crap that surrounded brit-pop, "Definetely Maybe" and "What's the Story (Morning Glory)" are just masterful rock albums. And Liam's voice still captures something very few singers can. A generation sung through his throat.

6. Belle and Sebastian. They have lost some charm with their last records, but "Tigermilk" and the immaculate "If You're Feeling Sinister" are still central chapters of the "indiepop Bible". Their influence among other bands is so easy to trace. The world would be a much awful place without them.

5. Pulp/Jarvis Cocker. Pulp was, with the perspective of time, the best band of brit-pop. In fact, they were way more than that. They are a music treasure coming from Jarvis' unique, genuine mastermind.

4. PJ Harvey. Probably, the best solo artist of the last two decades, that keeps challenging herself after twenty years of amazing career, as the indispensable "Let England Shake" has proved.

3. The National. "Alligator", "Boxer" and "High Violet". Enough said. In my opinion, and without a doubt, the best band of the new century, millennium or last decade.

2. R.E.M.. Starting at 1986, "Murmur" doesn't count, but we have great albums like "Life's Rich Pageant", "Out of Time", "Up" and their final "Collapse Into Now". Plus, of course, THE ALBUM: "Automatic for the People". They will be forever missed.

1. U2. Two undisputed (and personal favourites) masterpieces, "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby", an excellent album like "Zooropa", and many many great songs from other records. Ambition and ideas translated into the best live show, "Zoo TV". A band that was capable of reinventing and challenging themselves. Still hoping they are able to do it again.

Bands/artists deserving a mention although didn't make the list: Phoenix, Lambchop, Stone Roses, Pixies, Pavement, Primal Scream, Pearl Jam, Damon Albarn, My Bloody Valentine... Hope you enjoyed!

"Suck It and See", the summery side of Arctic Monkeys

Suck It and See- Arctic Monkeys

Since 2006 the Monkeys have been faithful to what now seems like a prophecy, their first album title, "Whatever People Sat I Am, That's What I'm Not". Typecasting the Brits under one category of indie style is a lost battle, and every new record is a surprising new side of the band. This time, one that could be called "summery". A side that fits them very well.

The first songs we heard from the record seemed to play cluelessness with us, on a first approach. The stoner rock of "Don't Sit Down Cause I've Moved Your Chair" and the more playful, "vintage" sounding "Brick by Brick" were a bit dissapointing, recalling their previous album "Humbug" on a pretty derivative way. Together with the poor album artwork, have to say lowered the expectations on their new effort. But judging the Arctic Monkeys in advance has proven wrong again.

Because these two and "Libray Pictures", recalling early, stampede mode, Monkeys, are the exceptions on "Suck It and See", which is a warm and mellow, sometimes with a stripped down feeling, album. One could easily point out that it has a lot to do with Alex Turner's solo adventure on the "Submarine" soundtrack. As a matter of fact, in a full band version, it also includes the gorgeous “Piledriver Waltz” from that collaboration. But Turner and Co. go way further in here. With excellent results.

Is their poppier record without a doubt. But a refined and classy one, where instruments sound cohesive instead of edgier, the Monkeys trademark in the form of sharp riffs and jagged drumming during 5 years. The album opener “She’s Thunderstorms” might be the perfect example. There's a sense the song could stop any second before exploding into a frantic guitar assault, but they let the melody soar with grace, in the same vein of the wonderful "Black Treacle".

There's plenty more on the album. “Reckless Serenade” is pure pop perfection, a strong contender to be on the best-of the year lists. The "Hellcat Spangled Shalalala", and "Suck It and See" and "That's Where You're Wrong" (yes, a bit Stone Roses), are pop gems, disarmingly catchy as well. And "Love is a Laserquest", second ballad of the record, is lovely, reaffirming that one of the best improvements of the Monkeys is that Turner, always a great lyricist, has become a very good singer. The straightforward storyteller is now a meditative, ironic, romantic sometimes, crooner. He's definitely among the most interesting frontman of indie. And together with his band, seems they could retain that position for a long time.

Give it a try, they invite you in the album title, "Suck It and See", in their unique, straight and tongue-in-cheek way. I really encourage you to do so. Looking forward to see them live, in a few weeks at FIB Festival!

SCORE: 7,75/10

Discoverer 11: new indie findings

Round 11, here we go!

The Lollipops. Quality guitar driven indie-rock from Poland is what this young band offers us with their debut album "Hold!", just released. Sometimes recalling Ms. PJ Harvey, here you'll find garage rock, punk-pop ("Let's Go Baby") traces and some quiet, dream-pop passages (great "Girls Night Out"), always with the addictive and hazy voice of Kasia Staszko presiding the music. Below you can listen the whole record. Do it!
the Search Amazon.com for the lollipops holdlollipops HOLD!

The Very Most. Third time an EardrumsPop EP makes it on Discoverer series (Boca Chica and Baffin Island), but the reason is very simple: if you love indie-pop, you will love EardrumsPop. The Very Most (already mentioned on the Baffin Island post) are from Boise, Idaho, USA, and they are stunning craftsmanships of pop gems. They've been active since 2002, so there's plenty to discover. I strongly recommend you to start with the joyful "Alien Girl", standout track of this EP, and once you are converted, go for their third full-length, "A Year With The Very Most". You won't regret it.
The Very Most - ePop017 - digital single by EardrumsPop

The Ruling Class. Remember Madchester? The Stone Roses? Ok, let's admit it, "Umbrella Folds" seems like a less-danceable ripoff of "Waterfall"...but to heck with it. The music of this Swedish-British band, included on the "Tour de Force" Ep, released by the great Shelflife Records (another label to look closely) is so fun and exciting you shouldn't care that much about the revivalism thing. Listen to songs like "Marian Shrine" or "Sleeping Beauty" and you won't be able to do anything else than dancing and "tripping" (umm...be careful about that part).