TOP 10 LIST Joe Silva, Athens (Ga.)
(In no particular order)
1. David Byrne David Byrne (Sire) Dave's ability to sculpt a fine band and tastefully flavor his tunes with the right amount of drama and exotics is still fresh and intact. In the age of blank personas (Pearl Jam) and blatant rehash (metal everywhere...again), mastery like this ain't easy to come by.
2. The Future Sound of London Lifeforms (Astralwerks/Caroline) These guys are scary thinkers and that's part of the reason why they can move confidently from techno hits like "Papua New Guinea" to these less rigid soundscapes. Something to work with until you can afford the isolation tank.
3. Green Day Dookie (Reprise) Without accruing any real tangible debt to their forebearers (Pistols/Ramones/Germs), there probably isn't anyone out there with links quite as direct or hooks quite as sound. "I declare I don't care no more.." indeed.
4. MC900 Ft Jesus One Step Ahead of the Spider (American) Smooth as caramel cream and thoroughly racked with tension at the same time. A web of spoken word and dark vignettes that belay the fact that he once blew session horn for Bob Hope.
5. Soundtrack BackBeat (Virgin) If you can keep from being distracted by the Laura Palmer physique or the cringe-worthy Dave Pirner overdubs, the jazz that's underneath is pretty happening.
6. Elvis Costello Brutal Youth (Warner Bros.) It's not Trust or even Goodbye Cruel World , but for something with such an off kilter groove and naked, way out front vocals, there's little margin or error here. For all involved, a profound compromise to say the least...
7. The Smithereens A Date With The Smithereens (RCA) They haven't been this strong since Especially For You. Honest.
7. Portishead Dummy (Go! Discs/London) A smokey chanteuse slash cafe vibe, with authentic techno-hop rhythms. "Sour Times" gets sleeper of the year. The ones Blur should really look out for.
8. Material Issue Freak City Soundtrack (Mercury) They've honed their stuff beyond the pop that gave their birth, and still so few listen. Words from a total convert.
10. Beastie Boys Ill Communication (Capitol) Coupled with the release of their old stuff (_Some Old Bullshit), I can't finger anyone who remains truer to form, while simultaneously reworking their own boundaries.
Near misses: Wolfgang Press, Frente, REM, Cranberries, Page and Plant, Stone Temple Pilots, Liz Phair...
