A

B

• "The Buffalo Skinners" - I can't explain the title, which is why I have felt compelled to label this album "Big Dumb Guitars". Yes, it has lots of guitars which are big and well...dumb. An air-guitarists paradise, with enough straight intentions thrown in to keep it all in check.

Big Star

#1 Record/Radio City Feel / The Ballad Of El Goodo / In The Street / Thirteen / Don't Lie To Me / The India Song / When My Baby's Beside Me / My Life Is Right / Give Me Another Chance / Try Again / Watch The Sunrise O My Soul / Life Is White / Way Out West / What's Going Ahn / You Get What You Deserve / Mod Lang / Back Of A Car / Daisy Glaze / She's A Mover / September Gurls / Morpha Too / I'm In Love With A Girl I can't remember what led me to this obscure band, but I remember a particular sense of achievement when I finally located the CD release that contains their first two releases on the one disc. Many bands (eg. REM, The Replacements, Posies, Teenage Fanclub, You Am I) have cited them as an important influence and the word "genius" is often thrown about when discussing their albums. It's melodic pop/rock (the inventors of power pop?) with aching harmonies and ringing guitars, and yes, it is very good.

Jeff Buckley

• "Grace" - One of the most impressive debut albums of the 90's. However, due to his untimely death in '97 this will be the only album we will get from an amazing musician.

C

• "All This Useless Beauty" - I first heard the single "It's Time" on the radio one day in my car, and my first thought was "hey, Elvis is back!". I rushed out and bought the album and was mightily impressed.