Hysteria: My Top Ten Albums OAT

Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! This post is very different from something I'd usually make, but an atrocious podcast episode of Hysteria will be released soon, where I list my top ten personal favorite albums of all time, along with some honorable mentions. I'd like to provide a mini blog post along with this podcast (whenever it's released) because I feel I wasn't thorough enough and didn't articulate myself as well as I could (this is common with me; I prefer writing to speaking on the spot). One of the disclaimers I mention in the episode is that this is not, by any means, a subjective list. A common theme you'll probably notice between all of these albums is their lyrical quality, which I heavily appreciate in music, as you hopefully know, I do lyrical analysis on Hysteria full-time! So, no real classics or anything like that, just stuff I really dig.

So, here are my top ten albums of all time, in order, with a brief comment following each. Hope you all enjoy, and have a great fall break.

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10. Picaresque (2005) by The Decemberists

[taken from the Decemberists' bandcamp]

This album is basically the origin of nerdy, wordy, historical jargon. It plays as almost an anthology of lyricist and vocalist Colin Meloy's collected works, featuring effortlessly dreamy instrumentals that blend folk and alternative, along with sea-monster-accordian-death-music. Best Track? The Engine Driver.

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9. Lana Del Ray AKA Lizzy Grant (2010) by Lana Del Rey

[taken via Wikipedia]

As I mentioned in the podcast, I'd genuinely like to see more people take the lyricism of Lana Del Rey more seriously! The issues she discusses, such as living in poverty, being taken advantage of as a young woman in the media industry, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, etc., are much more nuanced than the "sad girl" persona many portray her to be. This album is pure poetic freedom and perfectly captures the sweet ills of rural America. Vintage Americana is something I love very dearly, and you can expect more on the rest of this list. Best Track? Mermaid Motel.

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8. I Brought You My Bullets... (2002) by My Chemical Romance

[taken from Spotify]

I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love is the best My Chem album, and I will FIGHT YOU ON THAT! I've always thought they flourished more with an unproduced and unpolished sound, and this is truly their rawest form. The album is incredibly versatile; I can tell the tracks apart extremely well, but they all feel like they come from the same album (consider the difference between "Early Sunsets" and "Vampires"). Not to mention the absolutely paralyzing vocal work from Gerard Way, paired with Ray Toro's gnarly guitar riffs. A 10/10 concept album as well. Best Track? Our Lady of Sorrows.

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7. Halfaxa (2010) by Grimes

[taken from the pitchfork review]

As I mentioned in the previous album blurb, I have a particular fondness for unpolished things. I much prefer Grimes' Halfaxa to her next album, Visions (which features "Genesis," "Oblivion," "Nightmusic," etc.). A lot of the tracks on this record start a little bit strange, but work into an irresistible rhythm with unlikely synths and strings. It's surprising how well they can all sound together. Lyrically speaking, it's kind of underwhelming, but the instrumentals save it so hard! If you like dreampop/bedroom pop, this is where its origins lie. Best Song? Sagrad Прекрасный.

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6. There's Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) by Built to Spill

[taken from their Spotify page]

First mention of slacker rock in my top ten list! I am entrhalled with how easygoing Built to Spill is, specifically on this album. It feels so different from the rest of their catalogue, which works well! It feels much more laid back and low-stakes. Many of the lyrics are silly, but they explore various themes, including nostalgia, existentialism, and even the concept of conception. The instrumentation is on point as always, they've got very clean-toned guitars, mixed in with strings?! It sounds like it wouldn't work, but it totally does. If you're more into indie rock, this album is perfect. Best song? Distopian Dream Girl.

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5. Fontanelle (1992) by Babes in Toyland

[taken from Wikipedia]

My love for the all-female grunge band Babes in Toyland is well known among many, and for very good reason. Because they're damn good, that's why! They definitely come off as brash on a first listen, but I've come to be quite fond of their vulgar tone and babydoll-nursery-rhyme imagery. I could talk about how much I love this album right now, but I'm saving it for a future Hysteria post, because I think Babes are totally slept on, and would do so well if more people knew more about them. Best Song? Spun, but listen to Bruise Violet first.

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4. Pinkerton (Deluxe) (1996) by Weezer

[taken from Spotify]

Probably a little unexpected, but I do love Weezer. If I could, I would have put Songs From the Black Hole on here, but unfortunately, the world isn't ready for that conversation. Additionally, I believe this album is best served with all its B-side and deluxe tracks. Songs like "You Won't Get With Me Tonight" and "Tragic Girl" genuinely feel like they could be on the base album. I think everybody should give Weezer a chance; they are totally versatile and easy to listen to, making them perfect for driving, doing homework, and more. Best song? Falling For You.

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3. The Lonesome Crowded West (1997) by Modest Mouse

   
   

[taken from Wikipedia]

Down to the final three! And my third album happens to be The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse. I must admit, I only recently started listening to this album last year, so I haven't had a chance to immerse myself in it for very long. Regardless, I can confidently say that this record is a masterpiece. Every instrument audible is downright perfect, whether due to the clean tone or the grungier sound they achieve in some tracks. The instrumentation could win me over any day of the week (love the inclusion of a fiddle), but it's the lyricism and creativity in concepts that really drove me to obsess over this album. Specifically, the overarching theme of rural Americana is one of feeling both lonesome in the natural and physical sense, yet overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of capitalistic norms and once-sparse, now crowded towns. See what I did there? The album does it 1000x better! Much like in Picarqsque, I enjoy how this album can portray an anthology of different stories, lives, and situations, track by track. I'm sure you can all see how passionate I am about this album, so I encourage you to give it a listen. Best song? Bankrupt on Selling

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2. Pretty on the Inside (1991) by Hole

[taken from Wikipedia]

Another album that I will definitely write about in the future, in relation to Hysteria, is Hole's Pretty on the Inside: the younger, angrier, messier sister of Live Through This. It's an incredibly nasty, bloody mess of a record, and unfortunately, that type of thing calls my name. Each track is a cesspool of guitar, hard drugs, alcohol, sex, and death. It's incredibly morbid and overall burdening; Courtney Love certainly has a flair for the dramatic, and this album proves it a hundred times over. It's not needless despair, though; this album delves into a range of harsh themes very intimately, so you're not only witnessing Love's problems, but you also feel her anguish, insecurity, and vulnerability. Ultimately, the album is unapologetically and rightfully angry, which is why it has scored second place on my top ten list. Best song? Loaded.

Drumroll please...

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1. On Avery Island (1996) by Neutral Milk Hotel

[taken from Wikipedia]

Yes! I am indeed a certified Neutral Milker. This album, in particular, is so fascinating and has been on my rotation for a very long time. From its experimental and indie instrumentals to their bizarre lyrics, this album is an enjoyable time all around. It feels extremely personal (especially compared to ITAOTS, their second album), which makes it all the more effective. Knowing that "Baby For Pree" is written about a close friend's birth makes the song, and therefore the album, that much more admirable. Just how "April 8th" was written about the artist, Harvey Darger, makes it that much more fascinating. This album was a gateway for me into concept-heavy music, and I want to pay my respects for the love I've had for it all these years. Best song? Naomi.

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Well, there goes my more in-depth top ten albums OAT list. I hope you enjoyed this, perhaps in accompaniment to the podcast! Let me know what you thought, and I'd be happy to take any recommendations of music you think I'd like!

I'll be posting about 2-3 more episodes of Hysteria before I hibernate for the remainder of winter. In the meantime, have a great fall break.

Cranberry sauce is so yummy,

Mila