Four albums I never get to write about

I listen to a lot of music, which is obvious to anyone who has ever read one of my articles. Sometimes, I have to stop myself from making a Beatles, David Bowie or The Cure reference. So, for this week’s article, I wanted to set some limits for myself. I wanted to write about four albums that I enjoy immensely, but never get the opportunity to really talk about what I like about them.  

Pulp have been one of my favorite bands since middle school (my music taste in my opinion solidified in middle school) and I thought it would be a perfect time to finally talk about my favorite album by them since they reunited in 2022. Their fourth album “His ‘n’ Hers” (1994) solidified their disco-esque sound that they would explore more in their Britpop classic 1995’s “Different Classes.”

Lead singer Jarvis Cocker was at his best songwriting on this album (he is such an underrated lyricist in my opinion) crafting songs that I have always described the relationship after the honeymoon phase. These are not your standard lovey-dovey songs. The album sounds like a throwback to the 1970s.

 One of my favorite tracks,“Razzmatazz,” has lyrics that are so easy to sing along to, but describe the demise of a relationship and the singer’s bitterness towards his ex that gets more apparent as the singing goes on. An example of this bitterness can be heard in the lyric,“And now no one’s gonna care if you don’t call when you said.” The songs “Do You Remember the First Time?” and “Happy Endings” have this wistful nostalgia where the singer longs for the better times of his life.

“Happy Endings,” especially, expresses this melancholy through the instrumental parts (it reminds of sad waltz music). Some of my favorite lyrics of the song are, “Oh hey, imagine it’s a film and you’re the star/And pretty soon we’re coming to the part/Where you realize that you should give your heart/Oh, give your heart to me.”

When I first heard Cocteau Twins’ “Heaven or Las Vegas” (1990) it felt like I was listening to something from another world. The Cocteau Twins music is often described as ethereal and that is a perfect way to describe this album. It is also just my go to fall album once the leaves start changing it can be found on my record player. 

Lead singer Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals, at times, becomes one with the guitars and keyboards, which can make it hard sometimes to decipher the words (a defining characteristic of many of Fraser’s lyrics is her usage of English, Gaelic and nonsense words). 

I have always enjoyed not knowing exactly what Fraser is singing about because it makes me give the song my own meaning. It also makes the listener focus on the myriad of emotions that Fraser is expressing through her voice. 

The songs that hold the most emotions for me are “Fifty-Fifty Clown” (the best song ever), “I Wear Your Ring” (the opening to this song is so serene) and “Frou-Frou Foxes in Midsummer Fires” (it starts off quiet, but at about the 1:48 mark the song just explodes with sound). 

If you are ever looking for a starting point into ‘80s synth-pop, New Order is the quintessential band of that era and their music to this day still sounds timeless. Everyone knows the hits “Blue Monday” (1983) and “True Faith” (1987).

 However, out of the group’s 10 albums the one I frequently come back to is their fourth album, 1986’s “Brotherhood.” To me the album is a culmination of their distinct sound that has been evolving since their first album under the New Order name “Movement” (1981). 

This album has two distinct sounds that have defined New Order’s career: the guitar driven post-punk sound of songs like the opener “Paradise,” “Weirdo” and “Broken Promise.” All three of the songs have the staple Peter Hook bassline. The other sound is the electronic leaning  that can be heard in “All Day Long” and “Angel Dust.” 

“Bizarre Love Triangle” was the big hit off this album and is often named one of their best songs. The track has continuously received critical acclaim for good reasons. “Bizarre Love Triangle” is one the New Order’s most ambitious tracks and they have many that can fit into that description. 

Lead singer Bernard Sumner’s imperfect vocals and the synth work done by keyboardist Gillian Gilbert and drummer Stephen Morris make this song perfect. The lyrical content of the song just hits me in the feels anytime I put it on deliberately or it comes up on shuffle. The chorus, “Every time I see you falling/I get down on my knees and pray/I’m waiting for that final moment/ You say the words that I can’t say” makes me stop and think at how poetic it is.

I am going to admit that this next album has become the newest addition of albums that are on constant replay. No Doubt is a band I have always been familiar with, but I decided to see if I would like more of their music. Their album “Return of Saturn” (2000) has been the album I keep coming back to. 

Gwen Stefani’s vocals and lyrics go between being playful and sardonic (“Ex-Girlfriend” “Bathwater” and “New”). A more introspective side can be heard on “Magic’s In the Makeup” and “Too Late.” The second track “Simple Kind of Life” has these wispy vocals that fits with the song’s exploration of independence, but also wanting to settle down and have a family. 

All of these albums I recommend giving a listen to and honestly give these bands whole discographies a listen to. There’s something for everybody here and enjoy!