Music Monday: Best All-round Albums

Hi guys, today I thought I'd share a few of the best all-round albums in my opinion, and by best all-round I mean the ones where you rarel skip songs, or don't skip at all! I'm not going to cover all of my favourite albums, just the ones that stand out to me the most. So, (*mario voice*) here we go!

1. Is This It?- The Strokes. This album is probably my favourite album of all time, and every song is just perfect. For me, the best albums are the ones where its incredibly hard to choose a favourite song from that particular album because there is not one bad song on it. And this is a definitive good album in that sense.

2. Origin of Symmetry- Muse. This album is just brilliant. Every song flows into one another perfectly. This is like my equivalent of The Strokes Is This It because I love every song and it's almost impossible to choose a favourite song. I would probably say that my favourite is "Citizen Erased", but as soon as I say that I immediately feel bad because I also love "New Born" and "Bliss" and "Plug In Baby" and "Hyper Music"... and I should stop or I'll end up naming every single song on the album. Side-note, recently I've been getting very into Muse's stuff, which is weird as I went through a phase of liking them as a kid but only knowing about 4 of their songs, then didn't like them for a while, and now they're my favourite band at the moment (emphasis on 'at the moment' as my all time favourite is still The Strokes).

3. Come of Age- The Vaccines. Not absolutely perfect as I'm not a huge fan of "Change of Heart pt 2", but its still pretty close to perfection. And also definitely an improvement on their first album, but I still absolutely love 'What Did You Expect'. I'm just wondering what The Vaccines will make in the future after hearing their EP.

4. Nevermind- Nirvana. Great album, I prefer it to In Utero, which a lot of people disagree with since they say Nevermind is commercialised and isn't the same as Bleach, but I just genuinely prefer Nevermind, because of songs like "Come As You Are", "In Bloom" and "Lithium" which I love listening to.

5. London Calling- The Clash. Now this was a hard one to decide where to put. It probably is at the same level as Nevermind in my head really, but for the sake of it being a 1-5 thing I just decided on a whim to put it here. Almost all the songs on this are some of my favourites, especially Death or Glory", "Clampdown" and loads of others. Out all of all their albums this is their most recognised, and my overall favourite (hence why it is on my list).






Its funny as my favourite songs from all these bands (or at least the ones I say are my favourites because I can't really choose actual favourites) are not on any of these albums, except for "Come As You Are", which is my favourite Nirvana song. But I guess that just shows that I pick overall favourites rather than albums with just a few stand out songs on them. Anyway if you haven't heard of some of these (you probably have but there's always going to be someone) then you should listen to them when you've got the time, I usually listen to new albums while I'm doing something else like my homework, so why not try something like if you don't have enough time?

Hope you enjoyed!

Yas xx

My Top 5 Bands

So I think it's best I let you in on my favourite bands. There are so many great bands I love including Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Palma Violets, Gorillaz, Muse, Bloc Party, Radiohead... I'll stop there or I'll go on for ever. So instead I've decided to show you my top 5 bands instead:

1. The Strokes

This indie/garage quintet from New York are my absolute favourite band in the entire world. Ever. Their debut album "Is This it" met with huge success worldwide, which some say they weren't able to top with later albums, but I disagree. Their latest album "Comedown Machine" has had pretty mixed reviews including fans turning against them due to the fact that they've moved away from garage-revival and sound very 80s New Wave, but personally I love it. It's also great that over the last few albums there's been more input from all of the band members, as frontman Julian Casablancas wrote the first couple albums basically single-handedly. The Strokes haven't lost their spark to me but have improved. 

Favourite Song: You Only Live Once

2.The Vaccines

The way The Vaccines came about is reflected in the pace of their songs in their first album: fast. And it didn't take long for them to become a favourite of mine after seeing them at Alexandra Palace in November last year. Their second album "Come of Age" is a lot better than their first (but I still love "What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?"), their sound is evolving from Ramones-y punk and they're coming into their own a bit more. Their dress sense is changing too, they've forgotten their hipster-y look like the one in the above picture and adopted a more rock 'n' roll double denim and longer hair. It's impossible for me to choose an absolute favourite song by them as I have so many, so instead I've just chosen the one my iPod says I've listened to the most. 

Favourite Song: Teenage Icon

3.The Clash

Dodgy haircuts and dress sense aside, The Clash are too cool. They're good to listen to in any situation as their songs are quite diverse and for every mood. I listen to them mainly on my journeys to school as they wake me up a bit, especially "Clash City Rockers", and from school too, but they're great to listen to/sing along (and play air guitar) to anywhere (just don't embarrass yourself haha). Helping to define punk rock in Britain during the late 70s, they're a mixture of everything ranging from reggae to rockabilly.

Favourite Song: (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais

4.Tame Impala

If you like psychedelic, colourful, dreamy and chilled out sounding music, check out Tame Impala. I'm not in love with all of their songs, but I love their sound in general. Great for picnics on summery days or walking back home in the sunshine. Sadly bassist Nick Allbrook recently left, but is still making music with his band Pond which shares two other band members with Tame Impala. Very excited to see Tame Impala play at Hammersmith Apollo in June! 

Favourite Song: Elephant

5. Oasis

When you think of music in 90s England, you think Oasis. The Gallagher brothers and co were one of the first bands that made me obsessed with music. I can always go back to their songs if I feel nostalgic or just need cheering up. And most people know the lyrics to Wonderwall even if that's the only Oasis song they know.

Favourite Song: The Importance of Being Idle

So there you have it, my top 5 bands. If you don't know any of them, go check 'em out! And if you do, then leave a comment saying your favourite songs by them :)

Yas xx