Album #68: Tigerlily by Natalie Merchant

1. 

Sound: Simple, small band

Mood: Grey

Important Songs: Carnival, Wonder, Jealousy

Song You Must Hear: San Andres Fault

Quote: “It's you I can't deny, It's you I can't defy, A depth so deep into my grief.”

Notes: This is Natalie Merchant’s first solo album after leaving 10,000 Maniacs, and it is brilliant.  There are just a few performers, a guitarist, a drummer.  But it is Natalie’s voice that just haunts this entire album.  Unforgettable. 

Album #74: Jars of Clay by Jars of Clay

1. 

Sound: Acoustic rock with mandolin

Mood: Depressive

Important Songs: Flood, Love Song for a Savior

Song You Must Hear: Liquid

Quotes: “Don't try to reach me, I'm already dead”

Notes: The most unified sound that Jars of Clay produced.  This is an amazing album.  Great to listen to in order to pull you out of depression.  Or keep you in it.  Whatever. 

Album #85: Metallica by Metallica (The Black Album)

1.       

Sound: Mainstream metal

Mood: Dark

Important Songs: The Unforgiven, Wherever I May Roam, Enter Sandman

One Song You Must Hear: Enter Sandman

Quote: “Broken is the promise, betrayal/The healing hand held back by the deepened nail.”

Notes: Metallica is always dark, but the music in this album has both more variety, but also a common sound throughout and the tone of rejection adds to its unity.

Album #88: Nevermind by Nirvana

1.       

Sound: Grunge with hooks

Mood: Angry/insane

Important Songs: Smells Like Teen Spirit; Come As You Are

One Song You Must Hear: Lithium

Quote: “I’d rather be dead than cool (I don’t know why)

Notes: Nirvana put out the most powerful rock of the 90’s. Yeah, they were influential, but the fact is, they knew how to put together some powerful songs.  Perhaps In Utero is the better album, but I can listen to Nevermind over and over.