Group F

[PaulHaddock]

Radiohead- OK Computer (1997)

Nominated by: Cheese and Biscuits

This was the album where Radiohead wanted to move away from the guitar-orientated style of their previous album; they wanted to change from Britpop to a more alt-rock sound that would be more relevant in the years to come. The albums lyrics are written by Thom Yorke (genius) and are thought to be an insight into the early 21st century.

The album takes great inspiration from many outside sources such as the Beatles, Queen (!), Johnny Cash and the Beach Boys. 'Karma Police' takes its chord sequence from Sexy Sadie. 'No Surprises' was recorded in a single take; it was done faster than intended and then slowed down for Yorke to overdub. Finally, 'Paranoid Android' is a haunting anthem, made great by a brilliant solo and a pretty good video too.

Cheese mentioned a song to me but I can't remember what it was so I'm going with 'No Surprises' (so good).

 

[PaulHaddock]

Weezer- Blue Album (1994)

Nominated by: SF_

Weezer were an mid-90s alt-rock band that had great success with their debut album. Inspired by early grungers Nirvana and Pixies, mixed with some earlier love pop, Weezer could appeal to a wide range of music fans. Rivers Cuomo (wtf), lead singer, wrote most of the material.

The album had a couple of massive songs, 'Buddy Holly' being the biggest. A love song layered under distorted guitars, it provided the perfect soundtrack to a cool video, incorporating original Happy Days scenes with the band performing. 'Undone' is a heavy and hard-hitting song that was supposed to be serious but many people found funny.

Weezer mistakenly found themselves with a mass audience, which wasn't their intention. Didn't do them any harm though.

 

[PaulHaddock]

The Beatles- The White Album (1968)

Nominated by: Cheese and Biscuits, les.gtfc

If Sgt Pepper wasn't a huge sign of a change of direction for the Beatles, this album was a real slap in the face. Very much inspired by their 'trip' [] to India, many say this was the beginning of the end, with people talking of arguments over creative difference, stemming from the arrival of Yoko Ono. The album was initially disregarded but, like many albums, is now regarded as a classic.

Though this was one the less successful Beatles albums, it still contained many of their bigger hits. 'Back in the U.S.S.R' was a parody song of Chuck Berry's earlier hit 'Back in the USA'; it unsurprisingly did well in past-Russia. 'Blackbird', a song featuring just McCartney, has gone on to be one of the biggest acoustic songs of all time. 'Helier Skelter' (ma faverit) is a rather weird and chaotic song but is much heavier than most Beatles' songs.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Red Hot Chilli Peppers- Californication
(1999)

Nominated by: This Charming Mike, blade1889

The Chillis (ugh) most commercially successful album. Topics of the songs cover sex, drugs, politics etc etc. It's the first album since the reformation of the original band after John Frusciante left the band and developed a drug addiction. Most the content was written by Frusciante and Keidis, with Flea (?) and Smith (????) finishing the bass and drum parts.

The title tracks lyrics were inspired by a narrowed view of Hollywood. 'Around the World' is supposedly an intricately written song and required the band there for Frusciante's riff to sound right. The itself was completed quickly and similar to 'Californication', it wanted to express how fake the celebrity world is.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Two of mine going head-to-head. I suppose I could just vote for both.

 

[Stevencc]

Hey Jude isn't on the White album

 

[PaulHaddock]

Hey Jude isn't on the White album

Ffs Wiki. Had a feeling it wasn't. Now edited.

 

[les.gtfc]

I nominated The White Album too Paul and that's obviously my choice in this group. It also contains one of my favourite ever songs in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Ok Computer for me is one of the most overrated albums of all time. I have got it and listened to it several times but it just doesn't do it for me, although I do like No Surprises. Never really got into Weezer but the RHCP's album is pretty good and would take 2nd for me.

 

[PaulHaddock]

I nominated The White Album too Paul and that's obviously my choice in this group. It also contains one of my favourite ever songs in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Ok Computer for me is one of the most overrated albums of all time. I have got it and listened to it several times but it just doesn't do it for me, although I do like No Surprises. Never really got into Weezer but the RHCP's album is pretty good and would take 2nd for me.

So you did.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Thanks an anonymous voter...

Winner: Radiohead- OK Computer
Runner up: The Beatles- The White Album