Tag Archives: Decades

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Song of the Day #5,910: ‘Broken Drum’ – Beck

I can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that 2005 is nearly 20 years ago. That was the first thought I had when I started prepping for my latest installment of the Decades series, wherein I look back on my own favorite albums from a particular year as well as highly-regarded albums I missed at the time.

When I make it into the 2000s, as I will the next few weeks with 2005, I start to think in terms of recent releases. But 19 years ago isn’t all that recent. My life was so different when I listened to these albums for the first time, yet it seems like hardly any time has passed.

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Song of the Day #5,823: ‘You Were Meant For Me’ – Jewel

I’ve noted that 1995 was a big year for debut albums, so I’m closing out this edition of Decades with another notable first album. This one is interesting because it didn’t become a hit until two years after its release.

Jewel wrote most of the songs on Pieces of You as a teenager, busking her away across the country in search of a music career. She eventually drew the interest of record labels while playing in coffeehouses and signed a deal to record an album. Released when she was 21, the record failed to make a splash.

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Song of the Day #5,822: ‘Sick of Myself’ – Matthew Sweet

I’ve always felt like I have the potential to be a big Matthew Sweet fan. I don’t really know any of his music, but I’m aware enough of his sound to get that he lands in the same general ballpark as a lot my favorites.

Sweet is a power pop singer-songwriter who hails from Athens, Georgia, and once formed a band with R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe. He has the DNA of an alternative rocker raised on 50s and 60s pop.

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Song of the Day #5,821: ‘Dear Mama’ – Tupac Shakur

I’ve written before that I never feel whiter or older than when I listen to a rap album considered one of the all-time greats.

I gave it another shot with Tupac Shakur’s 1995 Me Against the World, but again I’m coming up empty. Despite critical raves calling this one of the best rap records of all time, I find it rather corny and repetitive.

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Song of the Day #5,820: ‘Country House’ – Blur

The early 90s were the heyday for Britpop, with Oasis and Blur leading the charge. I already covered Oasis’ classic What’s the Story (Morning Glory)? so now it’s time to highlight the album with which it competed for the Britpop title in 1995.

In August of ’95, Blur and Oasis went head-to-head, releasing singles on the same day. Today’s SOTD, ‘Country House,’ wound up outselling Oasis’ ‘Roll With It,’ and gave the band their first #1 hit in the UK. Oasis, of course, went on to win the larger battle, as their album became one of the best-selling records in the world.

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