Die Mensch-Maschine by Kraftwerk

 

 

The 1978 album Die Mensch-Maschine (English: The Man-Machine) is the seventh studio album by German electronic music band Kraftwerk. It was released one year after the album that is generally considered their best, but which I decided not to include in my list although I like it (Trans-Europe Express). I went for the German version of the 1978 album, which I slightly prefer over the English one. The theme of the album is future and urbanization, with the music moving more to dance rhythms. Their influence on the later synth pop bands of the eighties was tremendous. Although Die Roboter and Das Modell have rightly become famous in their English versions, my personal pick of the album would be Neonlicht.

 

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Fur and Gold by Bat for Lashes

 

 

Fur and Gold is the 2006 debut studio album by Folktronica singer Bat for Lashes (real name Natasha Khan), a Pakistani British singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. It is a melodious, moving, and at times experimental Art Pop gem. There are obvious influences (Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Siouxie), but there is also some foreshadowing of later artists like Lana del Rey and Agnes Obel. There is not a weak song on the album, but even better than the other songs for me are Horse And I, Tahiti, Sad Eyes, Prescilla, Seal Jubilee, and I Saw A Light.

 

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Snow Borne Sorrow by Nine Horses

 

Snow Borne Sorrow from 2005 is the only studio album by the art rock band Nine Horses, a cooperation between David Sylvian, his brother Steve Jansen (also ex-Japan), and electronics musician Burt Friedmann, with a number of guests, most notably Stina Nordenstam and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Although not marked as such, this very much sounds like a David Sylvian album, returning to his jazz-influenced melodious best after the somewhat disappointing highly experimental 2003 album Blemish. Some highlights are Darkest Birds, The Banality Of Evil, Atom And Cell, A History Of Holes, and The Librarian. 

 

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Si On Avait Besoin d'Une Cinquième Saison by Harmonium

 

 

Si On Avait Besoin d'Une Cinquième Saison (If We Needed a Fifth Season), also known as Les Cinq Saisons (The Five Seasons), is the second studio album by French-Canadian progressive rock band Harmonium, released in 1075. The album, with both folk and symphonic influences, has a seasonal concept; the first four songs each represent one of the traditional four seasons, while the epic final track Histoires Sans Paroles represents the imaginary fifth season. This album is one of the few prog masterpieces sung in French - or any language other than English for that matter.

 

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Daybreaker by Beth Orton

 

Daybreaker is the third studio album by English singer-songwriter Beth Orton, released in 2002. With this album, she continues the Folktronica style that marked her earlier efforts. There's nothing new here in that respect, perhaps with a slightly more sombre tone, but it is all very well done, another great set of songs, and her voice still is personal and beautiful. To paraphrase one critic: much of Daybreaker is jaw-droppingly beautiful and brutally poignant, and the record's subtleties blossom over repeated listens. My selection of outstanding songs would include Paris Train, Mount Washington, Carmella, God Song, and Thinking About Tomorrow.

 

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Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror by Harold Budd and Brian Eno

 

Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror is a cooperation between composer/pianist Harold Budd and English musician Brian Eno, numbered as the second installment of Eno's Ambient series. The album consists of Budd playing improvisational piano in soundscapes produced by Eno. The result is a beautiful album, hovering between ambient, new age, and contemporary classical music, but above all offering a fascinating evocative soundscape. 

 

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I/You by Brian Protheroe

 

 

 I/You is the third studio album of English musician and actor Brian Protheroe. He did not have much impact as a musician, neither on the charts (except for a small hit in the UK in 1974 with Pinball), nor with the critics. Personally I have loved this album since its release. The mostly self-penned music can be described as art pop, in a style vaguely resembling 10cc. His voice is very suited for the songs, which he delivers with panache and with good support from the studio musicians. Highlights are I/You, Every Roman knows, Evil Eye, Hotel, and Dancing On Black Ice. A neglected gem

 

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The Undivided Five by A Winged Victory for the Sullen

 

 

The Undivided Five is the third studio album by the American ambient neo-classical music duo A Winged Victory for the Sullen, released in 2019. The album was produced in eight different recording studios across Europe. I found their debut very good, and the second album OK. The third is a marked improvement over the first two, and got the 'essential' stamp of approval from me. No favourite tracks, as with many of these albums it has to be listened to from start to finish.

 

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Mark Hollis by Mark Hollis

 

 

Mark Hollis is the only studio album by English musician and singer-songwriter Mark Hollis, the former Talk Talk front man, released in 1998. Originally it was meant to be a Talk Talk album, by the name Mountains of the Moon, but in the end it was decided to release it as a solo album. It continues where the final Talk Talk album Laughing Stock left off, atmospheric ambient post-rock with a dash of contemporary classical music. It has been called "the most quiet and intimate record ever made". Not for everyone, but if you are susceptible to this kind of minimal music (like I am) it is an absolute masterpiece. My favourites from the album are Watershed, Inside Looking Out, Westward Bound, and A New Jerusalem.

 

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Red Skies over Paradise by Fischer-Z

 

 

Red Skies over Paradise from 1981 is the third studio album by British New Wave group Fischer-Z. The theme of many songs is the Cold War threatening to escalate to World War III - a real threat that was on many people's minds in those years (and unfortunately once again at the moment). The outstanding title track about a nuclear attack on London, and songs like Battalions of Strangers, Berlin, and Cruise Missiles, are some of the striking examples. Other songs worth mentioning are the hit single Marliese, a creepy but great stalking song, and Song And Dance Brigade. For me this album is the highlight of their career, and one of the best albums of the decade.

 

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Philharmonics by Agnes Obel

 

 

Philharmonics is the debut studio album by the Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel, released in 2010. For me this is one of the best debut albums of the decade - and it was surprisingly successful as well. Her piano-dominated sound is clearly influenced by classical music, especially Erik Satie. It is refined, pure and calm, yet never even remotely boring. As one critic wrote: "There's an elegant, slipping darkness that creeps in around the corners, like something is being hidden in plain sight." Among the many highlights are Riverside, Brother Sparrow, Just So, Beast, Philharmonics, and Close Watch.

 

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Uomo di pezza by Le Orme

 

 

Under this label I will be sharing some of my favourite pop/rock albums, as usual focusing on less well known pieces.

 

Uomo di pezza (translated Rag Doll Man) is the third studio album by the Italian progressive rock band Le Orme, released June 1972. It is their first that is widely considered a masterpiece of Italian prog. There are some influences from bands like Emerson Lake and Palmer, but Le Orme's Italian lyrics and often romantic approach to the songs provide sufficient individuality. One of many Italian prog bands of the time that deserves to be better known. The only gripes I have with this album is that it is so short (under 32 minutes), and that some songs deserved to be further developed and elongated in true prog style. Still, an excellent album. Recommended songs are La Porta Chiusa, Figure Di Cartone, Alienazione, and especially Aspettando L'Alba.

 

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