This week I’ll write about a handful of critically acclaimed and/or commercially successful 1996 albums I’ve managed not to hear over the past 30 years.
First up is Weezer’s Pinkerton, the Los Angeles band’s second album and one that has grown a tremendous cult following over the years. This album was a follow-up to the band’s 1994 self-titled smash hit and was seen at the time as a letdown.
Throwing back to the week of January 25, 1966, we find The Beatles hanging on to the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘We Can Work It Out,’ in its third week at #1. Nipping at their heels were The Beach Boys, whose ‘Barbara Ann’ jumped from #15 to #2 that week.
The Beatles fell from #1 the following week, but The Beach Boys weren’t able to capitalize and score their third #1 hit (that would happen later in the year). Instead, Petula Clark leapfrogged them with a song that will likely show up on a future Throwback Weekend.
Some familiar names topped the Billboard Hot 100 on the weekend of January 24, 1955: Dean Martin with ‘Memories Are Made of This,‘ The Platters with ‘The Great Pretender,’ and Tennessee Ernie Ford with ‘Sixteen Tons.’
At #4 that week, on its way to a 4-week stint at #1, was the novelty track ‘Rock and Roll Waltz’ by vocalist Kay Starr. The track, written by Shorty Allen and Roy Alfred, depicts the singer coming home to find her parents dancing (a waltz, naturally) to her rock and roll records.
Concluding a countdown of my favorite albums of 1996…
#1 – If You’re Feeling Sinister – Belle and Sebastian
Before I get to my best album of 1996, I want to mention Belle and Sebastian’s debut album, Tigermilk, which came out earlier the same year. That great release would easily have a spot in my top ten but I decided to leave room for other artists.
It’s remarkable that the Scottish septet recorded both that album and If You’re Feeling Sinister in the span of a few months. Talk about a burst of creative genius. I love those productive early years in a band’s history when classic songs just pour out.
Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1996…
#2 – The Road to Ensenada – Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett’s sixth album is the greatest work he ever released, and sadly the last great album in his catalog. In the 30 years since, he has released a half dozen albums mostly featuring covers of other artists’ work.
His first half dozen albums, on the other hand, were all fabulous, and The Road to Ensenada was the culmination of everything special about him. A little bit country, a little bit jazz, very funny but equally sad. A band that plays its heart out and one of the best voices in popular music.
Meet Me In Montauk 