Wednesday, December 3, 1997
1997 proved to be an especially interesting year in music, as
singles, rap music and catchy pop ruled while album sales,
electronica and alternative rock suffered a backlash. The Bruin’s
music writers have compiled their top-10 lists, recapping a zany
year that had listeners nostalgic for the ’80s and ’70s.1. U2 "Pop"
and Radiohead "OK Computer" (tie)
3. The Verve "Urban Hymns"
4. Fleetwood Mac "The Dance"
5. Oasis "Be Here Now"
6. Bob Dylan "Time Out of Mind"
7. Chemical Brothers "Dig Your Own Hole"
8. Ani Difranco "Living in Clip"
9. Wyclef Jean "The Carnival"
10. Spiritualized "Ladies and Gentlemen, We Are Floating in
Space"
In a year that has been marked by the catchy pop single, the
state of music seemed saved in 1997 by a plethora of stimulating
albums released by artists young and old. Bob Dylan surprised us
with his finest album since the ’70s, and Fleetwood Mac wowed both
old and new fans with one hell of a live performance in the
coming-to-terms comeback album, "The Dance." Folkie Ani Difranco
and rapper Wyclef Jean (of the Fugees) also released standout
albums. But the scene that stole the show in 1997 was the U.K.,
where memorable albums seemed to come out in droves. Spiritualized
and the Chemical Brothers gave the rave scene both something to fly
high and come down to with their releases. The Verve and Oasis
breathed life into rock-n-roll with their stunningly crafted
albums. Other notable British artists who released memorable albums
in 1997 were Blur, the Longpigs, the London Suede, Cornershop and
the Seahorses.
But the year’s best came from those daring to be different.
Radiohead went beyond their knockout 1995 album, "The Bends," with
"OK Computer," a thematic masterpiece that explores the dangers of
technology with haunting, dizzying music. And stadium heroes U2
soul-searched like they never have before in their technologically
advanced, rhythm-friendly "Pop." Both albums took music to
different places, and at the same time surveyed the human spirit’s
condition on this scary and complex planet. As we face the new
millennium, it’s refreshing that we have such fitting music like
Radiohead’s and U2’s to score our anticipations. Mike Prevatt
1. Oasis "Be Here Now"
2. Prodigy "Fat of the Land"
3. Chemical Brothers "Dig Your Own Hole"
4. Radiohead "O.K. Computer"
5. Fat Boy Slim "Better Living Through Chemistry"
6. Sarah McLachlan "Surfacing"
7. Third Eye Blind "Third Eye Blind"
8. Veruca Salt "Eight Arms to Hold You"
9. Speak "Speak"
10. Aqua "Aqua"
The 1997 year soon comes to a close but it didn’t leave with
much of a melodious bang. Few albums registered this year even on a
listenable level, but there were the occasional stand-outs from the
gimpy pack. Aqua replaced the Spice Girls for the most sinfully
likable fluff music this year. Third Eye Blind’s debut album proved
that catchy, happy-go-lucky songs can carry weight. Throwing some
attention to the local scene, Speak’s reggae/funk/noise jam formula
is as wicked as they come. For some reason the women’s movement
came in a little empty this year. Veruca Salt rocks better than any
guy band and the album is total guitar-and-drum classic with a
feminine touch. Sarah McLachlan finally gets the recognition she
deserves with the emotionally focused "Surfacing" (and the
visionary Lilith Fair Tour). Electronic music was suppose to take
over the world but came way short. Certain electro-discs like "Dig
Your Own Hole" and "Living Through Chemistry" validated the hype
with big beats and bombastic drum and bass. Prodigy delivered a
mind boggling barrage of rock-n-roll sensibility combined with
electro-melodies. Radiohead released probably their best album to
date. They have always known how to probe the inner workings of
depression and heartache but with "O.K. Computer," they do it with
rare ingenuity and musicianship.
But topping the whole thing off like a big red cherry, Oasis
hits number one with a return to basics. Sure, Oasis wasn’t the
trailblazer that music needed, but they don’t care and that is why
we love them. Living out the rock-star fantasy, the Gallaghers are
crass, obnoxiously confident, beer-drinking thugs. "Be Here Now"
return the band to their rock roots with extended guitar solos and
posturing. Certainly there are better musicians roaming the world,
but no one struts quite like Oasis. Trinh Bui