Top 20 Bands: 20 & 19

In typical LITC obsessive list-making fashion I’ve decided to compile a list of my Top 20 Bands of all time.  I must admit that this list is prone to change, whether it be in order or in composition (perhaps in the coming years more recent groups like Frightened Rabbit, Grizzly Bear and Deerhunter might make their way on or classics that have been in my rotation for most if not all of my life will sneak in like Starflyer 59, Nirvana, The Rolling Stones and The Smashing Pumpkins).  I’ll probably modify this list with my ever-changing taste and an ever-growing musical collection, but I will say that the bulk of this list has remained rather consistent over the last few years.  I’ve decided instead of one massive post to split it up into groups of two.  Perhaps you’ve not really given some of these groups a fair listen, or perhaps this will encourage you to give them another shot.  So without further ado, I give you 20 and 19.

20. Spiritualized

This group, borne from the ashes of Spacemen 3 in 1990-1, consists primarily of Jason Pierce (J. Spaceman) and his inability to stop creating good music.  From space rock to gospel, Spiritualized have been a mainstay of English music for two decades, while their commercial success has yet to match their commercial success.  Annette first turned me onto this band in 2006 (very late in the game) and I can’t get enough.  Their 2008 record Songs in A & E can found among my Top 50 Albums.  Might I also suggest 1997’s Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space, which was narrowly edged out of my Top 50 Albums in a move I’m not entirely confident in.

‘Broken Heart’ from Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space, live in 1998 on Later… with Jools Holland:

‘You Lie You Cheat’ from Songs in A & E, live on The Late Show with David Letterman, 2008:

+++++

19. Sebadoh/Lou Barlow

Lou Barlow is an amazing songwriter and over the last 20+ years he has certainly spread his influence through Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Sentridoh, The Folk Implosion and his recent solo career.  As mentioned before, Greg first turned me on to Lou Barlow.  Read more about him (and take a look at list of Greg and my ‘Top 30 Lou Barlow Songs‘) in this post.  His amazing record with Sebadoh III (1991) is featured among my Top 50 Albums.

‘Rebound’ from Sebadoh’s 1994 album Bakesale:

‘Too Much Freedom’ from Lou Barlow’s 2009 album Goodnight Unknown: