Top 5 - Bill Holmes
1) Gigolo Aunts, Minor Chords And Major Themes (E Pluribus Unum). With its strong pop sensibilities and smart lyrics, Minor Chords And Major Themes is just as effective blasting from the speakers as it is accompanied by a rainy sunset and a broken heart. Stunningly cohesive, yet easily broken down to one hit single after another.
2) Bent Scepters, Hellevator Music (Ginger). The perfect name for these guys would be "The Garage Doors"...amazingly atmospheric melting pot of psychedelic, fuzz, garage and surf music played with intensity and passion. Any band that covers The Zombies on one record and Frank Zappa on the next is okay in my book!
3) Cherry Twister, At Home With Cherry Twister (Not Lame). Alternately soft and loud, filled with changing tempos, great vocals and ripping guitar solos...usually a strong melody outdone by the chorus, which is in turn leapfrogged by the hook and the bridge. A masterfully versatile pop record.
4) Wilco, Summerteeth (Reprise). Tweedy stripped down the band and reconstructed its direction, a move that alienated some diehard Uncle Tupelo purists but should thrill anyone with an open mind and a respect for the art of songwriting.
5) Walter Clevenger and the Dairy Kings, Love Songs To Myself (Permanent Press). With a witty and sometimes self-depreciating tone, Walter and the boys meld twang, pop and barroom rock into an energetic and accessible sound that deserves to be pumping out of radios everywhere.
