Underworld - Barbara Barbara, We Face A Shining Future (2016)

The Underworld album I picked in my Top 25 was their greatest hits album. I thought this captured their best material better than any of their studio albums.

This album has just 7 tracks on it which isn't that unusual for Underworld. What is a bit more unusual is that none of them are over 10 minutes long and the whole album is just short of 45 minutes long.

In an era where people lack patience to listen to whole albums I can understand why they might have done this.

I went to see Underworld around the time of this album at The Roundhouse. Looking back at what I said about the gig is that their new material was more punky than we were used to from them and drew comparisons to LCD Soundsystem.

That may have described the tunes they played at the gig but it doesn't describe the whole album. It's still less techno orientated and a bit more experimental but very much in Underworlds usual style.

2006: The End? - July

One thing that did come to an end in 2006 was Top of the Pops. I watched the final episode which was more going through the archives than playing what was in the charts. I do recall I hadn't watched an episode for some time.

Once again with have lots of indie/garage rock records in there and once again I have no recollection of most of them. One I do remember is the yawnfest that is "Chasing Cars" by Snow Patrol. They seemed to be very popular at the time and I just didn't get it. All the indie records score the usual zero.

My best record pick is a guitar one though. It's "Tell Me Baby" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers which was the best thing they'd done in a long time. I also liked the sentiment of the video where they give a load of wannabe rock stars to play with them.

A close contender for best record was a sort of dance meets rock record in "We Are Your Friends" by Justice vs Simian, the former being an electronic duo and the latter being a rock band whose members included future electronic duo Simian Mobile Disco.

Future Swedish House Mafia members Axwell and Steve Angello had a hit under the name Supermode with "Tell Me Why" which was their take on "Smalltown Boy" by Bronski Beat and was an era when they were still making good music. Another point in the dance music world goes to Till West & DJ Delicious with "Same Man". Fatboy Slim gets half a point for "That Old Pair Of Jeans", I've always rated him more as a DJ than a producer.

Both rap records this month score something. We have full marks for "Kick Push" by Lupe Fiasco which stood out at the time as one of the better new rap records. There's half a point for "I Love My Bitch" by Busta Rhymes, it's alright but nowhere near as good as his earlier stuff.

R&B wise we have Chris Brown, Gnarls Barkley, Ne-Yo and Rihanna who were all modern rubbish in my mind. All get zero and the latter was a very strong contender for the worst record and on another month I'm sure it would have got that honour.

The worst record though is "Smile" by Lily Allen. Here we have someone breaking through via MySpace, the idea that someone makes music in their bedroom, puts in on MySpace and suddenly they're a superstar. Being the daughter of Keith Allen of course had nothing to do with it. Terrible record and it never stopped getting played at the time.

Here's a list of the records with the best on top, worst at the bottom and the good ones in green, OK ones in amber and rubbish ones in red (and in no particular order):

Score: 12%

Here's a look at the chart:

On a par with December 2005 and worse than any other month in 2005, this is still telling me 2006 is the end.

Top 30 in 1998 Reviewed: Week 19

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 26 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Wednesday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1998 with my verdict on each record:

30. Usher - Nice And Slow

The song title for this record is almost descriptive of the record. The "Slow" bit is at least, but not so much the "Nice". It was the follow up to Ushers chart topper and his final Top 40 hit of the 90s. Amongst its songwriters was Brian Casey of Jagged Edge.

Verdict - Rubbish

29. Freak Power - No Way (New)

What's a bit of an eye opener when doing these reviews was how much of a presence Fatboy Slim had in the Top 40 before he had any major hits. Freak Power was Norman Cooks acid jazz group in the early 90s who's big hit was "Turn On, Tune In, Cop Out". This was their only other Top 40 hit which sounds more like a Fatboy Slim record. The namechecking of DJs such as Carl Cox adds fuel to that. It's probably better than any actual Fatboy Slim hit though.

Verdict - Good

28. 187 Lockdown - Kung-Fu

The 2nd Top 40 hit for 187 Lockdown which was also their highest charting. It was the first speed garage record to make the Top 10 that wasn't a remix of a non-garage record. Once again it brings back memories of that summer.

Verdict - Good

27. Green Day - Redundant (New)

The final Top 40 hit of the 90s for Green Day and it honestly looked as if Green Day were finished by the time the year 2000 hit. Like their previous hit "Good Riddance" it's different to what you'd normally expect from Green Day but this time they pull it off in my opinion. I can really get into this one.

Verdict - Good

26. The Dandy Warhols - Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth

The 2nd Top 40 hit for The Dandy Warhols which was also their 2nd highest charting overall. It was also the penultimate Top 40 hit of the 90s and last one of the 90s to reach the Top 30. Lyrically this record stands out because of the title if anything, but musically it's a complete non-entity.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Tzant ft The Original ODC MC - Sounds Of Wickedness

This record tells me that summer is just around the corner. My mate had just bought his first car and was driving around a lot and it seemed more often that not he'd have this record blasting out. It also brings back memories of what a terrible driver he was. 

Verdict - Good

24. Ultra Nate - Found A Cure

It had been almost a year since Ultra Nate charted with "Free". That record was around for such a long time though that it didn't feel like it had been that long. It's not a record you really hear anymore and I have to say it hasn't aged well. Not bad though.

Verdict - OK

23. Sash! - La Primavera

The 4th Top 40 hit for Sash! and the first not to reach number 2. It sounds like they're trying to do "Chariots of Fire" eurodance style. Very cheesy and predictable, but they were onto a winning formula so why not.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Aretha Franklin - A Rose Is Still A Rose (New)

It had been 31 years since Aretha Franklin made her Top 40 debut and this marked her final Top 40 appearance to date. It was written by Lauryn Hill and is very much one for the 90s. I'm not so sure how well this works though, but it's not a bad record.

Verdict - OK

21. Perpetual Motion - Keep On Dancin' (Let's Go)

This record was a mark of a time when I was becoming much more receptive to house music. I remember hearing this one Friday morning with the weekend just hours away and it was giving me the feel good weekend vibes. 

Verdict - Good

20. Billie Myers - Kiss The Rain

I remember hearing this song and that it was by someone called Billie Myers, but then seeing it and discovering it was actually a woman singing it. I recall Chris Moyles acknowledging that fact by playing it on the radio and singing along by saying "I'm a bloke, I'm a bloke, I'm a bloke, I'm a bloke, no I'm not". I can't say I ever thought much to this.

Verdict - Rubbish

19. K-Ci And JoJo - All My Life

The biggest hit for K-Ci and JoJo. I was still purely listening to rave at the time but did find myself drawn towards this for some reason. I did eventually get into K-Ci And JoJo via the garage scene which then lead to me buying all their albums. The "Love Always" album is one of my all time favourites.

Verdict - Good

18. The Jungle Brothers - Jungle Brother (New)

The Jungle Brothers are a rap group who were around long before jungle music. It does however seem appropriate for them to have a drum & bass hit. No only because of their name, but also because they were crossing over with dance music back in the 80s.

Verdict - Good

17. Kula Shaker - Sound Of Drums

Another big mystery of the late 90s, how did this obscure Kula Shaker record make number 3? The logical explanation would be lead single from the album. It would become their final Top 10 hit. I actually quite like it, the Doors influence organs in the record make it sound quite good.

Verdict - Good

16. Busta Rhymes - Turn It Up/Fire It Up

The 7th Top 40 hit for Busta Rhymes which became his highest charting single to this point. It samples the Knight Rider theme which works really well. The verses are rapped quite calmly but then it gets more aggressive in the chorus. Absolutely love this record.

Verdict - Good

15. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On

The 2nd and final chart topper to date for Celine Dion which was take from "The Titanic" movie. I remember how big that film was so it was almost inevitable that this would get to number one. It's also a depressing film given that people die at the end so I guess it's appropriate to have a depressing song for it. Musically though its just another Celine Dion record.

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Catatonia - Road Rage

We're now reaching the time when I started opening myself up to music that wasn't rave. There was always non-rave music that I liked, but when my friend who taught me all I needed to know about rave in the beginning played this song on the jukebox in the pub it started to seem more acceptable. I also realised that I liked this record whilst listening to it in the pub.

Verdict - Good

13. The Bluetones - If... (New)

The wheels had fallen off the Top 40 career of The Bluetones with this failing to reach the Top 10 having achieved that with their previous 4 hits. The Top 40 hits would continue until 2003 though, but this was the last of the 90s to make the Top 30. I would say this would have worked better as a lead single than "Solomon Bites The Worm" but it's still not great.

Verdict - Rubbish

12. Leann Rimes - How Do I Live

The Top 40 debut for Leann Rimes. I once took part in a quiz where a question was who charted in 1997 with "How Do I Live" to which I confidently answered Leann Rimes. The answer was Trisha Yearwood who reached number 66 with it. Leann Rimes was in 1998 and is the better known version. Although not the first person younger than me to chart, I do recall a younger Leann Rimes charting making me start to think have I missed the boat already in my music career. 

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Queen Pen ft Eric Williams - All My Love (New)

Queen Pen was the female rapper on "No Diggity" by Blackstreet and here she is with her highest charting single as artist which features Eric Williams from Blackstreet. I heavily samples "Never Too Much" by Luther Vandross. It's produced by Teddy Riley who was having one of his off days. Also was written by Jay-Z. I'll say no more.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Massive Attack - Teardrop (New)

I've always considered Massive Attacks best known record to be "Unfinished Sympathy". However I have a friend who once told me this record was the only Massive Attack record he knew. Further to that it's their only Top 10. It is pretty iconic I have to say.

Verdict - Good

9. Garbage - Push It (New)

Here was another reminded that there was good music out there which wasn't rave. It had been nearly 2 years since Garbage had last been in the Top 40 and this was the lead single from their 2nd album. I love the way the chorus comes in on this record.

Verdict - Good

8. The Mavericks - Dance The Night Away

There was a pub near where I grew up that had live music at the weekend. When I say live music I mean a singer, ocassionally one with a guitar and a karaoke machine. They'd sing the classics, but this song immediately slotted into the sets and I recall one particular night I swear the singer did this song around 5 or 6 times. Needless to say I got sick of it very quickly.

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Steps - Last Thing On My Mind

In the early 90s Stock & Waterman tried transforming Bananarama into the new Abba with this being one of their records but it failed to reach the Top 40. Now Pete Waterman tried the same with Steps and was more successful in doing so. Each female was given a verse each whilst you wouldn't even know the males were on the record from listening to it. Unfortunately we'd get more of these over the next few years.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Savage Garden - Truly Madly Deeply

At the time I remember this being this opening song of Top of the Pops for a few weeks in a row. At least that's what it felt. There also seemed to be a lot of people on the stage so I assumed they were a band with many members, but it turned out there were only 2 of them in Savage Garden. Never before have I seen a song contradict a band name so much. I do like some of their music, but not the soppy ballads.

Verdict - Rubbish

5. Run DMC vs Jason Nevins - It's Like That

It had been 10 years since Run DMC had last been in the Top 40. This Jason Nevins remix of their 1983 record took them to the top of the charts and ended the Spice Girls run of number ones. It also made its way onto several dance compilations which validated me liking this record. 

Verdict - Good

4. Boyzone - All That I Need

The 11th Top 40 hit for Boyzone and their 3rd number one after scoring 3 number twos in a row. It was penned by the same songwriters who revived Donny Osmonds career in the 80s and who would pen the debut hit of Rihanna in years to come. I think that tells you all you need to know.

Verdict - Rubbish

3. The Tamperer ft Maya - Feel It

When I first heard this record with it's sample of "Can You Feel It" by The Jacksons it caught my attention because I like what it is sampling. Then I listened to the record the whole way through and realised that was the only redeeming feature, the rest was cheesy nonsense.

Verdict - Rubbish

2. Madonna - Ray Of Light (New)

This was the 23rd Top 40 hit of the 90s which meant Madonna had more Top 40 hits in the 90s than in the 80s. Mariah Carey would be the only other act to reach 23 Top 40 hits in the 90s. The total score I've given for all of the previous 22 Madonna hits of the 90s is a big fat zero. However she finally had a decent hit with this. The credit of course has to go to William Orbit who was the main man behind this record.

Verdict - Good

1. All Saints - Under The Bridge / Lady Marmalade (New)

After being pleasantly surprised by who much I liked the first two hits for All Saints I decided to buy their album. On it was 2 covers and these were released as a double a-side for their next single. Maybe having 3 decent singles in a row was a step too far, the cover of "Under The Bridge" is particularly poor given how good the original is.

Verdict - Rubbish / Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 15/30, or 50%. We've reached that magical number.

UK Number 40s: Lee Ann Womack - I Hope You Dance (2001)

 

Country music has always been one of those genres that appears to be loved in America but hated in the UK. In the late 90s we had some country pop singers such as Faith Hill and Shania Twain starting to chart in the UK.

Lee Ann Womack was another country pop singer and this was her only UK Top 40 hit. It was taken from the album of the same name. I have no recollection of this doing the rounds on the music channels like Faith Hill was at the time, so perhaps it went against the odds to actually make the Top 40.

A more successful version of this record came in 2004 when it was covered by Ronan Keating and made number 2.

Top 30 in 1994 Reviewed: Week 19

Here's my weekly look at the Top 30 from 30 years ago. The plan is for these posts to go out at 17:30 on a Sunday.

Here is the Top 40 in full.

Obviously some of the records will be the same as last week so therefore the review will be the same for these. I've indicated which ones are new so you can skip the others if you read last weeks post.

Once again my opinions are inevitably going to differ from other people, but I'm not trying to convince anyone something is good or rubbish, I'm simply giving my opinion.

So this is the top 30 from this week in 1994 with my verdict on each record:

30. Toni Braxton - Another Sad Love Song

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Toni Braxton and the 2nd to be written by Babyface who is joined by Daryl Simmons on songwriting duties. Despite the title, it's a lot more uplifting than it's predecessor "Breathe Again". Despite it being more uplifting though it's not as catchy. Once again it gets half marks.

Verdict - OK

29. Meat Loaf - Objects In The Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer Than They Are (New)

The only thing worse than an almost 8 minute long Meat Loaf song is an almost 8 minute Meat Loaf song that never really gets started. I've said before that I'm not a fan of how over the top is records are but at least they generally burst into life at various points. You expect this one to do the same, but it never does.

Verdict - Rubbish

28. Grace Jones - Slave To The Rhythm (New)

This was originally a Top 40 hit for Grace Jones back in 1985 which returned to the Top 40 in 1994 with a Love to Infinity remix. It's a pretty decent effort, it brings it into the 90s without ruining the original. At the same time though I'm not a big fan of the song, but it's not bad.

Verdict - OK

27. Des'ree - You Gotta Be

I had to look at the history books to check if this record had originally been released in 1992, but it hadn't. My memory is playing tricks on me again because I think of this as being a 1992 record. That said, I've always considered this to be a bit naff so maybe it is better suited to 1994.

Verdict - Rubbish

26. Wreckx-N-Effect ft Apache Indian - Wreckx Shop (New)

This was a remix of a track from the "Hard Or Smooth" album which "Rump Shaker" also appears on. It's the final Top 40 hit to date for Wreckx-N-Effect but Apache Indian would be back. I can't say I'm convinced by this remix if I'm honest, it's like it's trying to be 2 records at the same time and it's not really working.

Verdict - Rubbish

25. Frances Ruffelle - Lonely Symphony

Part of the reason the pop music world seems like a bit of a closed shop is the sheer quantity of pop singers who went to the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Now here we have Sylvia Youngs daughter in the Top 40. It was the Eurovision entry that year and like most Eurovision songs it's crap.

Verdict - Rubbish

24. Sonic Youth - Bull In The Heather (New)

The 3rd and final Top 40 hit to date for Sonic Youth. It features Kim Gordon on vocals this time. What I liked about Sonic Youth at the time was their music was more experimental and more interesting. This record is a prime example of that, it's weird but great.

Verdict - Good

23. Barbra Streisand - As If We Never Said Goodbye

An Andrew Lloyd Webber penned song from a musical that's sung by Barbra Streisand. Sounds like my idea of hell. I really cannot stand this sort of music and sitting through a musical full of this rubbish sounds like torture.

Verdict - Rubbish

22. Ace Of Base - The Sign

The 3rd Top 40 hit for Ace Of Base which many regard as their other hit. It didn't quite match the success of debut "All That She Wants" in the UK making number 2 but it did top the charts in America. Like "All That She Wants", "The Sign" was produced by Denniz Pop, the man who started the Swedish revolution in the songwriting world. A good bit of reggae pop.

Verdict - Good

21. Haddaway - Rock My Heart

The 4th Top 40 hit for Haddaway and the 4th time he made the Top 10, though he hasn't made the Top 10 since. I thing it's fair to say we go past the point of Haddaways career few people remember after this. In fact I would say this records placing in the Top 10 is a bit misleading as I'm not convinced many people remember this one. Its more of the usual rubbish.

Verdict - Rubbish

20. Cypress Hill - Lick A Shot (New)

This was the 4th and final Top 40 hit from the excellent "Black Sunday" album. It's fair to say that first first 3 singles follow a similar formula where B Real says a line in the chorus and Sen Dog says a similar line e.g. "Insane in the membrane" followed by "Insane in the brain". This one follows a different formula but is just as good.

Verdict - Good

19. T-Empo - Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (New)

This was the only Top 40 hit for T-Empo who were better known for their remixes. One thing I do struggle with is club music about going to the club. I'm not completely against it, but a lot of these records make me cringe and this is one of them.

Verdict - Rubbish

18. Motiv 8 - Rockin' For Myself (New)

The Top 40 debut for Motiv 8 aka Steve Rodway and the only one to make the Top 30. He would have greater chart success as composer of "Ooh Aah... Just A Little Bit" by Gina G a couple of years later. Here's proof I'm not completely anti-eurodance, it's a eurodance record I like.

Verdict - Good

17. Judy Cheeks - Reach (New)

The 2nd Top 40 hit for Judy Cheeks which was also her highest charting and perhaps the one she's most famous for. It's the sort of tune I'd enjoy hearing when out and about or a bit of background music, but it's nothing to get excited about.

Verdict - OK

16. Crystal Waters - 100% Pure Love

Crystal Waters had her big hit "Gypsy Woman (La Da Dee)" in 1991 which was then followed by "Makin' Happy" and a megamix. Then nothing until this comeback record. There does seem to be a trend for female house vocalists from 91/92 returning in 1994. It's the last time Crystal Waters will feature as her remaining hits either didn't reach the Top 30 or were in the 21st century. This ones alright but nothing special.

Verdict - OK

15. Take That - Everything Changes

I feel I knew this song long before it topped the charts. Probably because there was no avoiding Take That at the time and I probably heard someone playing it somewhere. Gary Barlow said their Ian Levine hit "I Found Heaven" was awful but I don't think this Gary Barlow penned record sounds too different and is equally as dreadful.

Verdict - Rubbish

14. Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Philadelphia

Bruce Springsteen is one of those legendary artists I've never really got what the hype was about. This record did little to convince me otherwise. It's his highest charting single to date and was taken from the film "Philadelphia". I just find it really dull.

Verdict - Rubbish

13. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge

This is one of those records I've continuously liked since I first heard it. At the time I wasn't devoted to any particular scene, then when it got re-released the Red Hot Chili Peppers were a cool band to like and the "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" album was one I carried on listening to once I got into rave initially. Then in the late 90s when the All Saints covered it both versions were played one after the other on the radio and I remember thinking this sounds so much better.  

Verdict - Good

12. The Pretenders - I'll Stand By You

I feel like I've known this song all my life but I clearly haven't as it didn't come out until 1994. I can't remember this actually being in the Top 40 but when I discovered it was a 1994 hit I was shocked it wasn't a lot earlier. It manages to be both boring and cringeworthy at the same time.

Verdict - Rubbish

11. Eternal - Just A Step From Heaven

I would call this a prime example of pop music disguising itself as R&B. It's written by the same people who wrote "Rewind" for Precious a few years later and one of the writers also wrote for S Club 7. The singings too over the top for me and I just find it irritating.

Verdict - Rubbish

10. Reel 2 Real ft The Mad Stuntman - I Like To Move It

I always thought this record was shit at the time. Then I heard it again a couple of years later and it sounded even worse as it was slower than I remembered. Then I discovered the man behind Reel 2 Real was Erick Morillo, a credible DJ and thought maybe this is credible music. Who was I trying to kid, it was cheesy commercial rubbish that was made to sell by the bucket loads. 

Verdict - Rubbish

9. Bitty McLean - Dedicated To The One I Love

I remember when this appeared on Top of the Pops I initially saw guitars on the stage before they introduced this record and was expecting a rock song. Despite that brief moment of disappointment I couldn't help but like this record. It was his 4th Top 40 hit and the final one to make the Top 10.

Verdict - Good

8. Manchester United Football Squad - Come On You Reds

Football songs are generally shit, especially ones by actual football teams. I don't think people really buy football songs for the actual music, but I'm surprised this got to number one because surely only Man Utd fans would have bought it. Maybe it shows just how many Man Utd fans there are. 

Verdict - Rubbish

7. Clubhouse ft Carl - Light My Fire

This record is most famous for being the one that Boyzone danced to on "The Late Late Show" before they were famous. This was before they were famous in the UK at least. I don't know whether it's a consequence of that, but this record has always irritated me.

Verdict - Rubbish

6. Erasure - Always

It had been around 2 years since Erasure topped the charts with the "Abba-Esque EP" which I was never a fan of. In the time since the only hit they'd had was a re-issue of "Who Needs Love Like That". Their first new single since was this and it was good to see them back on form. I love the way the chorus comes into this.

Verdict - Good

5. Stiltskin - Inside (New)

Another chart topper thanks to it's inclusion on the Levi's advert. This one was specifically written for the advert though by Pete Lawlor and then Stiltskin were formed off the back of it. Inevitably comparisons were drawn between it and Nirvana, particularly as Kurt Cobain had only died quite recently. In all honesty though I think it's better than anything Nirvana ever did.

Verdict - Good

4. Crash Test Dummies - Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm

I thought this was a really odd one when I first heard it. My first thought when this was introduced on Top of the Pops was that the singer looked like Neil from the Young Ones. Then he started singing in a loud deep voice, I thought what the fuck is this. However, I started to like it after a few listens. Of course a song sung by a Neil from the Young Ones lookalike with a funny voice and a chorus that is simply "mmm" repeated several times is hard to take seriously. If you listen to the rest of the lyrics though they're actually quite meaningful.

Verdict - Good

3. CJ Lewis - Sweets For My Sweet

This was originally by the Drifters and taken to the top of the charts by the Searchers in 1963. This CJ Lewis version is pretty cheesy, it is the sort of record you'd expect Andi Peters to like. At the same time though it's great fun to listen to and pure 90s nostalgia.

Verdict - Good

2. Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

This is the first Top 40 hit for Prince after he became a symbol. It's also his only chart topping single to date. Due to the high pitched singing I did think this was the Bee Gees when I first heard it but soon found out who it really was. I was a big critic of this record at the time but I always secretly liked it.

Verdict - Good

1. Tony Di Bart - The Real Thing

In the days before YouTube I would look at the list of number ones in my British Hit Singles book, mostly in the 90s. I knew pretty much all of them but I did think what the fuck is this record. I can't remember when I finally did put a song to the name, but it is one I've known all along. Pretty bland dance pop music that deserves to be long forgotten.

Verdict - Rubbish

If we give the records which were good 1 point each and those which were OK half a point, the final score is 13/30, or 43%. Edging closer to 50%.