Here I Go Impossible Again

Left to Right – Andy Bell (Vocals) and Vince Clarke (Keyboards & Programming)

So as we continue on down this excursion through Album Ranking Lane, we take a left turn from the music we have so far covered and arrive in the wonderful synth enthused world that is Erasure. Formed in 1985 when Andy Bell responded to Vince Clarke’s advert in Melody Maker. Vince had previous been known for his work in Depeche Mode and Yazoo while for Andy Bell, this was his first big success in the music world. After an initial struggle to get their songs to chart, the boys soon hit the bigtime in 1986 with Sometimes and from then on they continued producing hits and continue to do to this day. The band are also known for their popularity in the LGBT community, as Andy Bell is a proud gay man and continues to do work for several charities in the community.

Erasure were one of the first bands I got into when I was younger and continue to be one of the most played artists in my collection. I’ve seen them several times live throughout the years, usually with one of my oldest friends and fellow music lover Gav and together we have recorded covers of some of the bands tracks to scratch that musical itch when we can’t get to a concert.

So as usual we shall be counting down the studio output from the boys, however as usual, there are a few exceptions to the rule and they are as follows: Union Street – an acoustic album of reworkings of previous recorded songs and Snow Globe, an album of Christmas recordings of some seasonal classics along with some newly penned numbers. No EP’s are being included here, so Crackers International and Abba-esque won’t be found on this trip. With that said, let’s start our countdown….

17. Loveboat

We begin our trip with 2000’s Loveboat. An album that brought more guitars than synths to the show and as such, didn’t get as much usual traction with the fanbase. Not horrific, but not a great place to start your Erasure listening journey. It is noted that at the time, Andy was going through a lot of issues relating to his health and his partner suffering a stroke. As such, the pain and feeling does resonate through the album as a whole. That being said, there are a few standout tracks here to enjoy

Favourite Tracks: Freedom, Alien, Here In My Heart

Least Favourite Track: Surreal

16. World Be Gone

We take a jump forward in time for our next entry, with the number sixteen slot being filled by 2017’s World Be Gone. Marking a more synth based sound than our previous entry, the band are more like their old selves here. Better received and more accessible, it’s certainly not a bad album, but for me, there’s not as many likeable songs to keep coming back to.

Favourite Tracks: Love You to the Sky, World Be Gone, Oh What A World

Least Favourite Track: Take Me Out Of Myself

15. Light At The End Of The World

We take another jump in time, this time a decade backwards from our last entry with 2007’s Light At The End Of The World. With upbeat synth work ahoy, this is a more rounded work than our earlier entries, but again suffers from a lack of consistency through the record. A strong start seems to tail off towards the end, leaving the feeling of what could have been.

Favourite Tracks: Sunday Girl, I Could Fall In Love With You, Storm In A Teacup

Least Favourite Track: Darlene

14. Other People’s Songs

We remain in the 2000’s with our next entrant, 2003’s Other People’s Songs. This is a covers album with all the songs chosen being ones that influenced Andy and Vince in their musical upbringing and careers. While not exactly an original idea, it’s a fun little work through some classic tunes from yesteryear with a few that stand out for re-listening. It would also mark the first time since 1994, that the band had a single in the UK top ten.

Favourite Tracks: Solsbury Hill, Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me), Video Killed The Radiostar

Least Favourite Track: Ebb Tide

13. Day-Glo (Based On A True Story)

Up next we find ourselves in the present, with our number 13 being 2022’s Day-Glo. This is a somewhat unique album, in that it takes the musical stems from the previous album, The Neon, and tweaks and rearranges them into new tracks. More of a leftfield outing than straightforward synth pop outing, this is one for the curios, but very much one worth listening to for the whole soundscape presented.

Favourite Tracks: Bop Beat, Now, Inside Out

Least Favourite Track: Harbour of My Heart

12. Cowboy

We take our first trip back into the 1990’s now with our number twelve, 1997’s Cowboy. The subsequent tour for this album was the first time that I saw Erasure live, at the good old Brighton Centre. It was also memorable for seeing Vince dressed up as a giant cactus whilst playing guitar! A very much pop orientated album here with several tracks that stand out and led to decent sales. Worth a revisit and picking some of their late 90’s work for reappraisal.

Favourite Tracks: In My Arms, Don’t Say Your Love Is Killing Me, Boy, Love Affair, Rain

Least Favourite Track: Treasure

11. The Violet Flame

We jump forward again, this time to 2014, with The Violet Flame. In a first, all the tracks were produced on synthesizers rather than guitar and piano as had been the usual song writing practice for the boys. With a distinctive upbeat electronic sound, in part to Richard X’s co-production, there’s plenty of pumping beats to open the album, but does suffer a similar vein of tailing off in quality before the end. Some good tunes to pick out though to get you up for a dance though.

Favourite Tracks: Dead of Night, Elevation, Reason, Sacred

Least Favourite Track: Be The One

10. Tomorrow’s World

As we crack the top 10, we are presented with 2011’s Tomorrow’s World. Bringing a vibrant and buzzy tone, in part due to Frankmusik who produced the album ,the boys are on form with catchy, upbeat numbers that you can put the headphones on and slip into a delightfully poppy world. Certainly a good way to start the 2010’s, it was great to see live on the subsequent tour, with several tracks making the playlist. Lots of hooky goodness here for you to enjoy.

Favourite Tracks: Be with You, Fill Us With Fire, A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot, When I Start To (Break It All Down), I Lose Myself

Least Favourite Track: What Will I Say When You’re Gone?

9. I Say I Say I Say

Our number nine entry brings back to 1994 with Erasure’s sixth album, I Say I Say I Say. On the back of their first ever UK number one single, in 1992’s Abba-esque EP, the boys continued their strong performance, with another album that topped the charts and delivered several notable singles that had plenty of air play. Some big tunes on here to enjoy and deserve repeat listening, for me as a whole, the album ebbs and flows into good and great tracks, a little more consistency and this would probably be much higher up the list.

Favourite Tracks: Always, I Love Saturday, Run To The Sun, Blues Away

Least Favourite Track: So The Story Goes

8. Wild!

Our first appearance of 80’s Erasure somewhat cleverly finds us with our number eight entry, 1989’s Wild! Following on the trails of a highly successful run of albums and singles, Wild! continues this with several classic Erasure tracks that remain firm fan favourites today and constantly in live setlists. Although not as well received upon release, it still sold in the bucket load and was certified double platinum. With what seems to have been a continuing factor, consistency throughout lets this one down a bit. Whilst packing several big hitters in the bands catalogue, some numbers let the team down a bit. But take the big ones and you’re in for an audible treat.

Favourite Tracks: Blue Savannah, Drama!, Star, You Surround Me, Piano Song

Least Favourite Track: Crown of Thorns

7. The Neon

Our magnificent number seven is 2020’s The Neon. In an attempt to recapture the old sound, Andy and Vince used older synths and a different approach to writing, recording more than the usual ten tracks they made for each album and letting the label choose the tracks for the release. A very solid record across the board that ticks a lot of boxes. Toured the following year given it’s release in the midst of the pandemic, it’s an album that I think will draw more playback over the coming years. Lots to enjoy here.

Favourite Tracks: Shot a Satellite, Hey Now (Think I Got a Feeling), Nerves Of Steel, Fallen Angel, Kid You’re Not Alone, Careful What I Try to Do

Least Favourite Track: New Horizons

6. The Circus

Our number six entry is the band’s 1987 sophomore album, The Circus. After the initial reaction to their debut album fell a bit flat given Vince’s reputation from his work in Depeche Mode and Yazoo, the boys looked to up their game and show the world what they really could do. What they created was considered an improvement and helped deliver them their first top 10 album along with their first singles to break the top 10 in the singles chart. Setting a tone for their future releases, vibrant tunes abound but also an emotional depth is clearly visible in the lyrics. It’s success spawned a further release titled The Two Ring Circus, which was composed of new remixes and rearrangements along with a bunch of live tracks. This is one circus that’s well worth the admission.

Favourite Tracks: Victim Of Love, Sometimes, It Doesn’t Have To Be, Hideaway, The Circus, Spiralling

Least Favourite Track: If I Could

5. Nightbird

As we draw closer to the end of our countdown, we find ourselves at number five, and 2005’s Nightbird. After the poorly received Loveboat and adventures in covers with Other People’s Songs, Erasure come back storming with an emotional record, given shortly before release Andy informed the world he was HIV positive, which certainly made a lot of people and critics view the music and lyrics in a more deeper way than perhaps they would’ve done. Though again receiving mixed reviews critically, fans bought into the album and sighted it as a return to form given the past few recordings. There are plenty of great tunes here to take away and delve deep into the music, at time of release, this was constant during some difficult times for me mentally.

Favourite Tracks: Here I Go Impossible Again, Breathe, All This Time Still Falling Out of Love, I Bet You’re Mad At Me, Don’t Say You Love Me

Least Favourite Track: No Doubt

4. Chorus

Our number four entry is the first album Erasure released in the 1990’s with 1991’s Chorus. Continuing a run of number one albums (Their third consecutively at the time of release), the boys continue their rich run of form with an album chock full of awesome tunes that hit you with upbeat melodies and fantastic vocal performances. With several successful singles coming off the album, it’s an album that continues to be at the forefront of their back catalogue. Deserving of multiple listens through from top to bottom.

Favourite Tracks: Love To Hate You, Breath Of Life, Chorus, Am I Right?, Siren Song, Home

Least Favourite Track: Perfect Stranger

3. Wonderland

In the bronze medal position, we find ourselves at the very beginning, with 1986’s Wonderland. As we touched on earlier with The Circus, Wonderland was not initially well received upon release, which in my opinion is a shame as to me, it’s a great introduction to the band, packed with the sort of tunes that would become the staple of the band’s output in the 1980’s. Though it didn’t chart well in the UK, it did fare much better in mainland Europe. As such, this success was used when the band re-released their first single with a new “Hamburg Mix” in 1992, which did significantly better in the charts (hitting number 10 than the previously effort of number 55 when released to promote the POP! compilation album). I still have this on cassette and more than likely had worn the tape out given the number of listen throughs throughout the years. So take a trip down the rabbit hole and lose yourself in some pop loveliness.

Favourite Tracks: Who Needs Love Like That, Cry So Easy, Heavenly Action, Oh L’Amour, My Heart…So Blue

Least Favourite Track: Say What

2. Erasure

In the runners up spot, we find ourselves back in the 1990’s with 1995’s self-titled album Erasure taking the silver. In what would be deemed a left turn from their previous efforts, this album moves away from the upbeat pop of their usual style and moves into more mid tempo and thoughtful, reflective songs that all were more than five minutes in length, again something that was out of the ordinary. But as a result, you have an album that draws you in and takes you on a musical adventure that keeps you invested throughout and leaves you yearning for more after it finishes. The lyrics and melodies are soulful and delivered with excellence by both Andy and Vince, as well as appearances from the London Community Gospel Choir. This is one that needs your attention and as such, you’ll find yourself well rewarded.

Favourite Tracks: Rock Me Gently, Stay With Me, Rescue Me, Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day), I Love You

Least Favourite Track: Grace

1. The Innocents

And here we are at the peak, the definitive, the very best of the bunch. At number one, we have 1988’s The Innocents, ultimately deemed the bands first major success in the UK with it topping the album charts for the first time in their career. Built on the ground work of their first two albums, the band reached the apex here and ultimately gave us their most well known song in A Little Respect, an anthem that still inspires mass singalongs to this day (and a rather fun cover by Wheatus!) It remains their biggest selling album to date and it’s not hard to see why. Packed with almighty pop bangers and songs of yearning, it’s an album that takes it’s hooks and buries them in your brain so you’re humming them still much later on down the line. Easily the most consistent album of their career, there is a lot to enjoy and take away here and replay to your hearts content.

Favourite Tracks: A Little Respect, Ship Of Fools, Chains Of Love, Heart Of Stone, Yahoo!, Imagination, Weight Of The World, Phantom Bride

Least Favourite Track: Sixty-Five Thousand

So here we are at the end of another jovial journey through the discography of the wonderful Erasure. I hope you’ve enjoyed this one as much as I had in writing it and getting to back through my entire catalogue again. I shall return again with some more rankings for your listening pleasure, so until then my friends…

Welcome To The Church Of Noise

Left to Right – Neil Cooper (Drums), Andy Cairns (Vocals & Guitar) and Michael McKeegan (Bass & Backing Vocals)

So my friends, our next travel down Album Ranking Lane, brings us to the music of Northern Irish band, Therapy?. Originally formed in 1989 by Andy Cairns and drummer Fyfe Ewing, they quickly built a reputation in the burgeoning alternative music scene. Michael McKeegan joined shortly afterwards and they proceeded in writing two EP’s which gained traction on the indie scene before their first major album release in 1992. Ewing quit the band in 1996 and was replaced by Graham Hopkins who served behind the kit until the end of 2001, until he left and replaced by current skin man Neil Cooper. The band is predominantly a three piece, however from 1996 through to 2004 they were technically a four piece, with Martin McCarrick on Cello. Known for loud guitars, feedback driven sound and a tendency towards the darker side of things in their lyrics, they are still knocking out great tunes with a new album expected for release early next year. Annoyingly, for a band that I love, to date I have yet to see them live. Of recent, every time they have played locally, I have been out of the country on work, so hopefully I will amend this in due course!

This list comprises of all the studio album releases, asides from the following releases, Caucasian Psychosis, a compilation of the bands first two EP releases and their most recent Greatest Hits 2020 release where they re-recorded some of their best hits at Abbey Road studios. So come join me for a dose of loud, musical therapy…

15. Babyteeth

We kick off our countdown where it all began with the band’s first album. Technically an EP, it’s treated as a short album and introduced the wider world to the aggressive metal the boys were bringing to the stage. As an introduction, you’re given a taste of what the guys can deliver, and over time would hone their style as they grew on recognition. Certainly one for the older fans given the heavier early years, but some tracks still carry their weight today.

Favourite Tracks: Meat Abstract, Dancin’ With Manson, Skyward

Least Favourite Track: Animal Bones

14. Suicide Pact – You First

Next up, we find ourselves with 1999’s Suicide Pact. Having dabbled with pop style writing in their previous release the year before, the band reverted back to a darker twisted sound for this album which is reflected in the melodies and lyrical writing. Although certainly not a bad album, with several tracks that stick out in quality for long time listeners, it’s one that you shouldn’t jump into, unless only live for the darker side of things!

Favourite Tracks: Six Mile Water, Jam Jar Jail, He’s Not That Kind Of Girl, Sister

Least Favourite Track: Big Cave In

13. Pleasure Death

At number thirteen, we have the band second release and second EP after Babyteeth (These were combined into the previously mentioned Caucasian Psychosis compilation), 1992’s Pleasure Death. With a similar sound to Babyteeth, the songs are heavy and feedback driven, this would their last release prior to the release of their first full studio album the same year. Several notably staples here from the band’s heavier tune days that have remained in setlist circulation to date, I’d recommend a similar approach to Babyteeth and approach after further investigation of their catalogue.

Favourite Tracks: Skinning Pit, Fantasy Bag, Potato Junkie

Least Favourite Track: D.L.C

12. Never Apologise Never Explain

In at twelve, we have the band’s 2004 release Never Apologise Never Explain. Again, this release is in the darker close sound of the early years after the previous years more melodic tunes. It’s an album that knows what it wants to deliver, but for me, is a little inconsistent across the length of it to warrant higher placing. You could jump in here to get a taste of the band’s style, it’s certainly better mixed than the earlier years EP material, but you’ll be searching for the better gems.

Favourite Tracks: Die Like a Mother Fucker, Polar Bear, So Called Life

Least Favourite Track: Save The Sermon

11. A Brief Crack Of Light

For our next entry, we encounter the band’s first release of the 2010’s, with 2012’s A Brief Crack Of Light, it’s title inspired by a line in Vladimir Nabokov’s memoir. An album that was more critically acclaimed upon release, the band keep some of their darker edge, but do allow some more melodic parts to creep through the tunes. Certainly more to pick up here than some of the earlier entries, with several tracks worthy of acclaim, this is an entry that will have you consistently tapping your foot too or banging your head, whatever suits your musical needs!

Favourite Tracks: Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing, Before You, with You, After You, Get Your Dead Hand Off My Shoulder, Why Turbulence

Least Favourite Track: The Buzzing

10. One Cure Fits All

As we enter the top ten, we find ourselves with 2006’s One Cure Fits All. Following up 2004’s Never Apologise Never Explain, the band present a mixture of tunes that split the fanbase with several songs being more upbeat and considerable of anthem status to others which offered a more isolated, desolate outlook. While still having that harder edge, there are several tracks here which you can enjoy and find yourself humming later on in the day, but still allowing yourself to reflect on the message they bring to the table.

Favourite Tracks: Sprung, Deluded Son, Dopamine, Seratonin, Adrenaline, Rain Hits Concrete, Walk Through Darkness

Least Favourite Track: Lose It All

9. Shameless

After cracking the top ten, we have number nine, 2001’s Shameless. This album would be the final album to feature Graham Hopkins on drums, after he quit in December of that year. The band’s sound would also revert to a more straight forward rock ‘n’ roll punk aesthetic after the previous albums (Suicide Pact – You First) darker tones. With punchy short tunes, backed with a solid fuzz, you can hear the punk influences and harder rock elements that inspired the band in their early days. Plenty to enjoy here and to glean for your own personal compilation.

Favourite Tracks: Gimme Back My Brain, Dance, This One’s For You, Wicked Man, Body Bag Girl

Least Favourite Track: I Am The Money

8. Nurse

Up next, we find ourselves at number eight, with the band’s first full album release, 1992’s Nurse. After the underground success of the Babyteeth and Pleasure Death, the band tightened their sound to reflect a more grungier tone, which was making waves in the music world at the time. Less driven by the faster, rawer tunes of the previous EPs, Nurse delivers more subjective and complex songs that leave a lasting mark in your head and your ears, given the more prominent back end in the mix. For me, the album kicks off well before slightly losing it’s way at the midpoint where the overall quality of songs drops, otherwise this would be higher in the countdown.

Favourite Tracks: Nausea, Teethgrinder, Disgracelands, Accelerator, Neck Freak

Least Favourite Track: Zipless

7. Crooked Timber

At number seven, we have the band’s last entry of the early 2000’s, 2009’s Crooked Timber. This can be considered another album where it changes tact from the previous album and provides its own musical styling. Taking a more rhythm over melody approach, the band present us with an album that may seem a little all over the place musically, but still packing a resonant message. You could argue that the all over the shop approach would hinder it, but in my opinion, it gives the album its own charm that brings you back for repeated listening. As with a rhythm based recording, your ears are drawn towards the drum and bass arrangements and they don’t let it down. One for the more acclimatised fans, but that’s not a notice to stay away!

Favourite Tracks: The Head That Tried To Strangle Itself, Crooked Timber, I Told You I Was Ill, Exiles, Somnambulist

Least Favourite Track: Magic Mountain

6. High Anxiety

At number six, we find ourselves with the first appearance of drummer Neil Cooper, 2003’s High Anxiety. Taking the more melodic elements of the preceding Shameless album, the band strived for a more catchy punk vibe here, with several tracks being a good show of this. Whilst still retaining an element of the darkness that the band could exude, they push forward with quick catchy numbers that will leave you bopping along until you release the album has in fact finished some time ago (overall it’s a quick 40 minute sprint). Lots to enjoy here and one that gets regular replay time in my collection.

Favourite Tracks: Watch You Go, If It Kills Me, Hey Satan – You Rock, Who Knows, Nobody Here But Us, My Voodoo Doll

Least Favourite Track: Last Blast

5. Cleave

We make our entry into the top five, and at said number five, we have the most recent release, 2018’s Cleave. This is an album that packed with catchy tunes, sing along choruses and good dose of heavy distorted guitars to boot. This release marked the bands highest charting UK album 1998 and was a welcome sign that the band could continue writing great hooks that keep the fans wanting more. This got lots of rotation in my music upon release with several tunes that I’ve used for variety of playlists when out and about. It’s an album I can easily come back too time and again.

Favourite Tracks: Wreck It Like Beckett, Callow, Success? Success Is Survival, Crutch, I Stand Alone, Kakistocracy

Least Favourite Track: Dumbdown

4. Disquiet

In at number four, we have 2015’s Disquiet. An album that was initially intended to be released in 2014, but was however, delayed for over a year due to the bands label at the time, Blast Records, closing down and having to sign a new deal, which they did with Amazing Record Co. Singles released to promote the album were big hitters and certainly offered a good glimpse of what to expect the album as a whole. Well received upon release, the band would continue an upward trend which encompassed this album and our previous entry, in providing great tunes that you can bang your head too. A lot to enjoy and repeatedly listen to here.

Favourite Tracks: Still Hurts, Tides, Vulgar Display Of Powder, Torment Sorrow Misery Strife, Deathstimate, Good News Is No News

Least Favourite Track: Words Fail Me

3. Semi-Detached

In the bronze medal podium position, we have 1998’s Semi-Detached. This was the first Therapy? album I purchased myself, after seeing it in a sale in a record store at the time, the actual stores name escapes me at this time. Following on from their prior recordings, this album has a more melodic tone with several catchy numbers, but still hitting the harder edges when the urge to scratch the punk itch is needed. It’s an album I can easily put on and still sing along to most tunes word for word, can’t say that for all the albums in my collection (given the number I own, I think that’s fair!). This album would be the last one of a batch that had a more poppier leaning than the following albums, sometimes seen as a sign of falling sales for the band. But don’t let that turn you nose up at it, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.

Favourite Tracks: Church Of Noise, Lonely, Cryin’ Only, Stay Happy, Safe, Straight Life, Heaven’s Gate, Don’t Expect Roses

Least Favourite Track: Tramline

2. Infernal Love

So we creep closer to end of our list and we find ourselves with our number two, 1995’s Infernal Love. Moving markedly away from their previous sound, the band here hit us with an album of big melodies and solid rock which continued their growing recognition in the music scene. Released soon after their previous release in 1994 as demand was such for another hit release, initially the album was received with a lukewarm response given the change in musical style, with the band hoping for a more somewhat cinematic approach. But with revisiting, the album is one that although initially seems like a different band, below the surface lies the dark spirit that permeates through their earlier recordings. Brooding tales of love and loss litter the soundscape, including a vocal and cello reworking of a Hüsker Dü track regarding the murder of a waitress, which has become a staple of live sets. If you want an album that will make you happy as much as it will sad, this is a solid choice.

Favourite Tracks: Diane, A Moment of Clarity, Bowels Of Love, Jude The Obscene, Loose, Misery, 30 Seconds, Stories

Least Favourite Track: Epilepsy

1. Troublegum

And so we find ourselves at number one, 1994’s Troublegum. What is considered the band’s major breakthrough given the acclaim it received, this was the first Therapy? album I ever owned. But hang on Dan, in your entry for Semi-Detached, you said that was the first one you bought. Well yes, that is correct, however, my acquisition of this album is a different and personal story.

In 1995, my uncle Ian passed away. Very much into his music, when it came to sorting out his possessions, I remember my mum giving me some of his cd’s to look through, amongst them was this one. Intrigued by the album cover, I put it in my little stereo and hit play. From the opening track, I was blown away with the raw energy that came out through the speakers. At this point, my music taste was more Classic Rock and Synth pop orientated, but this opened my ears and eyes to the heavier side of things. I would listen to it on repeat, most of the time on headphones given some of the lyrics which my folks wouldn’t have been too keen on me listening too in my younger years!

So although you could say there is some bias here, that’s far from the case. This album was well received upon release, provided the band with several big recognisable hits and would be their calling card for years to come. So go out of your way and get this in your playlist, it’s well worth the time and investment.

Favourite Tracks: Knives, Screamager, Hellbelly, Stop It You’re Killing Me, Nowhere, Die Laughing, Trigger Inside, Turn, Brainsaw

Least Favourite Track: Unrequited

And there you have it! Another little jaunt down the lane and hopefully some new punky, loud, enjoyable music for your listening pleasure. I hope you’re enjoying these little collections of my musical taste. There are more to come from a wide range of well known and to some, less well known bands/artists that are in my library so we’ll see what follows this up.

Until the next time my good friends.

On Leather Steeds Do The Four Horsemen Ride…

From left to right (Rob Trujillo (Bass & Backing Vocals), Lars Ulrich (Drums), James Hetfield (Vocals & Rhythm Guitar) and Kirk Hammett (Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals)

For our next trip down Album Ranking Lane, we encounter one of the “Big 4” of the 80’s Thrash Metal scene, Metallica. Originally formed in 1981 by Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield, the band would settle on a line-up in late 1983 with Kirk Hammett (who replaced Dave Mustaine, who would subsequently go to from another member of the Big 4, Megadeth) and Cliff Burton for the first album release, Kill’em All. This line-up would remain the same until Cliff’s tragic passing in 1986 in a tour bus accident in Sweden. He was replaced by Jason Newsted who remained with the band until 2001 when he left after a dispute with James and was replaced by Robert Trujillo, in what was the last member replacement to date. Known for their influence across the metal scene and being one of the most commercially successful heavy metal bands of all time, they continue to perform and write new music to this day. They were certainly an influence on my picking up a Bass guitar and writing music, and my first band was formed with two other fellow Metallica fans, and our sessions would often involve jamming out some of their tunes, and also playing some of their songs live in our own set.

Again as with my previous lists, I’ll be focusing on the studio album releases with two albums not included, Lulu, which was a collaboration with Lou Reed and Garage, Inc. which is a double album which includes new covers and other songs previously recorded as single b-sides. They’ve also released several live albums during their time including two collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra ( S&M and S&M 2).

So let’s jump in the fire and see where the list takes us…

10. St. Anger

All lists have to start somewhere, and some are relatively predictable. As is the case here with our list being propped up by the album considered by most to be the worst released by the band, 2003’s St. Anger. Recorded during a period of upheaval in the band, with Jason Newsted leaving as previously discussed and also James being entered into Rehab due to alcohol addiction, along with several internal issues (which were recorded and made into the documentary Some Kind Of Monster, well worth your viewing time), the overall record is very slip shod. With producer Bob Rock pulling double duty in the booth and in recording the Bass parts, the album has a rough and raw feel which was the intention. Along side this, there are no solos on the songs from Kirk and the “unique” drum sound, which resulted from Lars not putting snares on his snare drum (Make of it what you will, as a musician myself, it’s not for me). There are some tracks which certainly stick out as better than the rest, but certainly slim pickings.

Favourite Tracks: Frantic, St Anger, The Unnamed Feeling, All Within My Hands

Least Favourite Track: My World

9. Reload

At number nine, we find ourselves with 1997’s Reload. Recorded along side the previous years Load, with an original intent to release both as a double album, it was pushed back a year, to allow further writing on the songs. Continuing Metallica’s change of sound, with a stripping down of some of their earlier thrash elements and more grungy/bluesy tone, we find a mix of heavier down tuned songs and influences from across the musical scene. This would also be the last album to feature Jason Newsted on bass, with him receiving one writing credit in the process (He only had two other credits throughout his time in the band). Several of the tracks, that were also released as singles, would go on to feature in the set for S&M, and become set staples in the future. In a similar vein to St. Anger, there are good songs here, it’s just a case of sorting the wheat from the chaff.

Favourite Tracks: Fuel, The Memory Remains, Devil’s Dance, The Unforgiven II

Least Favourite Track: Attitude

8. Hardwired…to Self-Destruct

In at number eight, we have the last album released to date, 2016’s Hardwired (shortening for sake of typing!). Released eight years after their previous album, it marked the longest time between Metallica albums as well as being the first album released through their own label, Blackened Recordings. With the music being written primarily by James and Lars, given Kirk could not submit his ideas having lost his phone and all his riff ideas with it, the songs take us through angst, self destruction and tributes amongst others. While the band certainly sound strong here, I find it an album of two halves, kind of ironic given it was released as a double album. For me, the first half contains more of the good songs that I enjoy re-listening to, whereas the second side, though certainly not a weak disc, only had one or two that stick out to me to put on through choice.

Favourite Tracks: Moth Into Flame, Halo On Fire, Now That We’re Dead, Spit Out The Bone

Lease Favourite Track: Atlas, Rise!

7. Kill’em All

Following up from the latest album, we find ourselves being introduced to the earliest album, with Kill’em All, the debut album from 1983. Originally intended to be titled Metal Up You Ass (Not a particularly record shifting title!) we are introduced to messrs Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett and Burton. Being seen as crucial moment in the Thrash scene given the reception it received and influence it would impart on other bands, it’s an album with raw power and youthful exuberance, certainly in James’ voice, which has certainly got better with age. Though certainly not a classic, there were kinks that would be ironed out as the band developed and grew, you can certainly see the influences they took from the NWOBHM bands (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) like Iron Maiden, Diamond Head and Blitzkrieg for example. One thing that does leap out is the Bass work of Cliff Burton, and I’m not just saying this as a fellow player. He provides a smooth sound that grooves and drives, but with delicate intricacies which you wouldn’t expect from someone not playing lead guitar. There are several tunes here that would become staples for years to come and certainly show what was to come.

Favourite Tracks: Hit the Lights, The Four Horsemen, Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth), Seek & Destroy

Least Favourite Track: Metal Militia

Left to right – James Hetfield, Jason Newsted, Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich

6. Death Magnetic

Riding in at the top of the bottom half of the list, we have 2008’s Death Magnetic. After the release and reception of St. Anger, the boys needed to come back strong, and in taking five years to do so, they certainly made a good crack of it. With Rob Trujillo now a full member after the St. Anger, the band had its line-up which remains to date. With songs slowly gestating the band broke up the song writing with touring, with the Sick Of The Studio in 2007 being the first time I saw them live, at the home of football, Wembley Stadium. The album was the first to be produced without Bob Rock since 1991, with Producing God Rick Rubin taking over the control desk. With the songs feeling tighter and and certainly more in style of the earlier albums, what you get is a more focused album than its predecessor. Packing sharp attacking riffs and groove laden tunes, certainly in part to Rob’s fluid bass playing style, it’s a welcome return to form. With more good tunes than bad, you can certainly take your pick from a rich variety.

Favourite Tracks: The Day That Never Comes, All Nightmare Long, The Unforgiven III, My Apocalypse

Least Favourite Track: The Judas Kiss

5. Load

And as a welcome to the top half of the chart, we have what you could call the musical left turn of the band, in 1996’s Load. After the huge global and financial success of the Black Album and tours, Metallica decided to move away from their Thrash leanings and move into Hard Rock. It also marked a change in song writing, gone were the predominantly political and social themes and in came more personal lyrics, with subjects covering death of loved ones and depression. When asked about this album, the band would cite other bands around at the time as playing a part in this albums genesis, such as Alice In Chains, Primus, Kyuss, Pantera and Aerosmith. The overall feel is a slower, mid paced album that grooves along rather than pounds at your ears relentlessly. The change in sound, also marked a change in appearance of the band, which did draw criticism at the time. Gone was the long hair and black t-shirts and in was guy liner and other colours, often attributed to Anton Corbijn who shot the band for inlay pics. There are certainly some certified classics on this album, including one of my all time favourite Metallica tracks, so it well worth your time to investigate the change of tune.

Favourite Tracks: Bleeding Me, Outlaw Torn, King Nothing, Until It Sleeps, Hero Of The Day

Least Favourite Track: Cure

4. Metallica

In at number four, we have the bands most commercial sounding album, 1991’s Metallica, or The Black Album as it’s also known. With Bob Rock onboard to produce his first Metallica album (And nearly his last!) after the band were impressed with is work with Mötley Crüe, the process began to move away from their thrash beginnings and to a more commercial and accessible sound. Certainly as bigger turn away as Load would be, Metallica is certainly a lighter album, though still packing plenty of punch for the metalheads amongst us. Written during a period of personal upheaval for several of the band members, there is a lot of emotion and angst in the lyrics of several songs, but also care, as certainly pointed in what can be considered the band’s first proper power ballad. With heavy airplay and rotation on MTV, you couldn’t avoid it when it was released and several tunes are still in the set to date, you’ll know the songs by tune, even if you don’t know the names.

Favourite Tracks: Enter Sandman, The Unforgiven, Of Wolf And Man, Nothing Else Matters, Wherever I May Roam, Sad But True

Least Favourite Track: The Struggle Within

3. …And Justice For All

In bronze medal, we have the album that gave us the bands first music video, the first full album appearance of Jason Newsted and the eternal question of where the hell is the bass in the mix! Ladies and Gentlemen, I present 1988’s …And Justice For All. Change was afoot, given Cliff Burton’s death in 1986, and Jason being drafted in as his replacement, and the overall tone was more of a progressive sound, with songs written in segments and varying time signatures throughout songs. It’s certainly bleaker in tone than their previous albums, with longer songs and darker lyrical waxings, the band are certainly on fire with their playing ability. With the change of time signatures and tempos, it draws you in to pay attention as the songs progress and evolve in your ears. As touched on, the mix of the album is notable for the bass being practically inaudible, which annoyed Jason and the production at the time. The decision to reduce the level was attributed down to James and Lars, with varying reasons given over time (hazing of a new band member, Echoing of guitar parts, bad hearing from constant gigging). The band have said they won’t be re-issuing the album with bass raised given it’s a mark of it’s time. A shame really, as the lines are supposedly awesome. This is an album you don’t put on for a quick listen, it’s deep and complex and requires your time, so delve in and enjoy.

Favourite Tracks: Blackened, One, Dyers Eve, Harvester Of Sorrow, The Shortest Straw, …And Justice For All

Least Favourite Track: To Live Is To Die

2. Ride The Lightning

In second p[lace, we find the band’s second album, 1984’s Ride The Lightning. After the success of Kill’em All, the band got back to work for their next album. With Cliff introducing the band to more musical influences and styles of playing, the band added new elements to their sound such as acoustic guitars and complex harmonies. This is also notable in Cliff’s song input with him being credited on 6 of the eight tracks. With the tweak in sound, the band would start on a road that would lead them for some time. With it taking and improving from the initial work of their debut, the band give us classics, epics and instrumentals with also a nod to their influences, with also a hint of label invasion with pushing for something they could release for radio airplay. Lyrical work also improved greatly, with James growing into his role as singer and guitarist having initially been doubtful of his ability to perform both roles to a high standard. Many of the songs on this album have stuck with me for some time and will continue to do so for years to come, and certainly they have influenced me in my playing and song writing style, and stick this on and play loud!

Favourite Tracks: Ride The Lightning, For Whom The Bell Tolls, Creeping Death, Fade To Black, The Call Of Ktulu, Trapped Under Ice

Least Favourite Track: Escape

1. Master Of Puppets

And so at number one, we find ourselves with 1986’s Master Of Puppets. An album whose original release was met with universal acclaim, it’s further grown in popularity since the title tracks appearance in Stranger Things and introduced more people to the band. To those of us who had already heard and enjoyed this masterpiece, it’s nothing new. Here was a band that had found the pinnacle, after two albums developing their sound, layering rich complexity with riffs and hooks that sink deep into your ears. With Hetfield’s voice finding it’s true version and control and the band locked in tight together, we’re treated to eight tracks of metal mastery (sorry, bad pun!). Again, taking the elements that made Ride The Lightning successful and fine tuning them, they come straight out of the blocks and do not let off for 55 minutes. From superb guitar work, fantastic bass lines and great drumming, the band take your full force through the tracks. 1986 would be a superb year in the thrash metal scene with several other notable albums being released (Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying by Megadeth and Reign In Blood by Slayer) that helped the metal scene become more popular and not as maligned as people often saw and thought of it. Though with the ecstasy came the agony, and sadly this would be Cliff Burton’s last album with the band. During their album supporting tour in Sweden, their tour bus rolled off the road and ejecting him through a window killing him instantly. The music world lost one of it’s great bassists that day and I’ve often wondered how the band would’ve sounded post Puppets had he not died that young. But part of his legacy and the bands, will always live on in the instrumental on this album, Orion, which is one of my favourite pieces by the band. So grab this, put it on, play loud and enjoy!

Favourite Tracks: Battery, Master Of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Orion, Damage, Inc. Disposable Heroes, The Thing That Should Not Be

Least Favourite Track: Leper Messiah

Left to Right – Cliff Burton, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield

There you have it, another run down of another one of my favourites. Certainly shorter than the last two, but enjoyable none the less. So I hope you’ve maybe learnt something new, and maybe picked up some new tracks to grab from your music provider of choice and I’ll see you next time for another trip on Album Ranking Lane

The Numbers Of The Beast

Left to Right – Janick Gers (Guitars), Steve Harris (Bass, Keyboards & Backing Vocals), Bruce Dickinson (Vocals), Adrian Smith (Guitar & Backing Vocals), Dave Murray (Guitars) & Nicko McBrain (Drums)

Up the Irons! For my next adventures in discography, we turn to the Heavy Metal legends that are Iron Maiden. Formed by Steve Harris in London in the late 1970’s, Maiden have continued to play sell out shows and produce excellent music to this day. During their time they have had three lead singers, beginning with Paul Di’Anno, current lead singer Bruce Dickinson and Blaze Bayley. Maiden originally were a five piece band, until Bruce returned to the band in 1999 bringing back Adrian Smith who had left the band in 1990 and been replaced by Janick Gers. Maiden would hit great heights during the early years of their career up until the late 1980’s/early 1990’s when the heavy metal scene was being challenged by the rise of grunge band such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Maiden’s output in the 90’s was not of their past glories, and would only begin a resurgence when Bruce came back, replacing Blaze Bayley. To this day, the line-up hasn’t changed since the 2000 album Brave New World and they continue going strong. To date, I’ve seen Maiden three times through the years, and each time being a great show, and each different from the last.

So let me take you for a trip through the studio albums of the mighty Maiden…

17. Virtual XI

Our list begins with 1998’s Virtual XI, the last album to feature Blaze Bayley on vocals. Coming out during a low point for Maiden, with sales falling and being booked in smaller arenas compared to the larger arenas of the earlier years. Shortly following the release of the album and subsequent tour, Blaze was subsequently asked to leave the band given performances issues with his voice. There are a couple of good songs on here, but it’s certainly not one for a new fan to dive into.

Favourite Tracks: The Clansman, Futureal

Least Favourite Track: The Angel And The Gambler

16. No Prayer For The Dying

At number 16, we have what would be Bruce Dickinson’s penultimate album of his first spell as lead singer. This was also the first album to feature Janick Gers, who had replaced Adrian Smith on guitar after the latter had left the band due to disagreements with Steve Harris. With a sound more trying to replicate the earlier years with less synths than their earlier 80’s albums, Maiden tried to bring a rawer sound back for this release. Results are mixed, again with a couple of great tunes, including their only ever number 1 single, but it’s another case of sifting through to find them.

Favourite Tracks: Tail Gunner, No Prayer For The Dying, Bring Your Daughter…To The Slaughter

Least Favourite Track: Mother Russia

Next up, we have original singer Paul Di’Anno’s final album before being replaced by Bruce, we see Maiden still having the rough sounding edges of the debut album, but ultimately not having as many memorable numbers. A lot of the tunes were written during the years prior to the release of the album, primarily by Steve Harris himself so these could have been included on their debut album. Again, as with Virtual XI, there are some good tracks here, but it’s picking what you like.

Favourite Tracks: Wrathchild, Murders In The Rue Morgue, Killers

Least Favourite Track: Twilight Zone

14. Fear Of The Dark

Bruce’s final album of his first spell is our number 14. If you say to any metal fan, they will certainly know the name of this album, be it more for the incredible title track rather than the album as a whole. Following on from the previous album No Prayer For The Dying, Maiden continued with their return to a rawer sound, but results were again mixed. The album includes what you could call Maiden’s first (and possibly only ballad) and some heavier tracks and is certainly a step up from the previous but it still lacked the brilliance of the 80’s material. Bruce subsequently left to continue a growing solo career which would have stronger material than 90’s post Bruce era material from the band.

Favourite Tracks: Fear Of The Dark, Be Quick Or Be Dead, Wasting Love, Afraid To Shoot Strangers

Least Favourite Track: Weekend Warrior

13. The X Factor

No, not that god awful waste of television space, but the album that introduced the world to new vocalist, Blaze Bayley, who had left Wolfsbane to fill Old Air Raid Siren’s boots. With a difference in vocal range, the tunes on this album are of a darker ilk, with a lot of lyrics based around Steve Harris’ personal issues at the time. At this time, the band would start playing smaller venues with interest in their music dropping and suffering from lack of radio play (often a bane of metal bands) and the mixed reception to the album upon release. Certainly more dark and brooding than most Maiden albums, there are strong lyrical elements here that have lent themselves well to the live stage.

Favourite Tracks: Sign Of The Cross, Lord Of The Flies, Man On The Edge, The Edge Of Darkness

Least Favourite Track: The Aftermath

12. Dance Of Death

Lets get straight to the elephant in the room. The cover is astonishingly awful. There I said it, now lets move on to what lies beneath it! Dance Of Death is the second album released after the return of Bruce and Adrian and continues the strong return to glory that the band found themselves on. With songs covering a range of topics from Genetics to Historical Crusades, Maiden produced some truly excellent tracks. The album as a whole is let down not only by the cover, but a few songs that don’t quite cut it for me, but there is a lot of good here to enjoy.

Favourite Tracks: Rainmaker, Montsegur, Dance Of Death, Paschendale, Journeyman

Least Favourite Track: Face In The Sand

11. The Final Frontier

Maiden began the 2010’s with The Final Frontier, an album that some considered a sign that the band were considering calling it a day, but thankfully this was far from the truth. Containing a mix of upbeat fast rock and other more complex material which had become a growing staple in latter Maiden albums (an influence from Steve Harris’ love of 70’s prog bands) you’re taken on a journey from space to mystic lands and the results of nuclear fallout. One that may challenge first time listeners given the length of some tunes, but lots for you to catch onto.

Favourite Tracks: Satellite 15…The Final Frontier, The Man Who Would Be King, When The Wild Wind Blows, The Talisman

Least Favourite Track: Mother Of Mercy

10. The Number Of The Beast

The album that gave us the introduction of Bruce Dickinson and drove people to accuse the band of being devil worshippers and protest them at shows throughout the United States. It would also be the final album to feature original drummer Clive Burr who was fired after the end of the tour in support of the album. Packed with several fantastic tunes that would become staples of Maiden live shows, Beast is one of the first albums that I listened too upon discovering the band. The change in tone with Bruce on vocals is significant from the punkier vibe of Paul Di’Anno and would become one of the signatures of the band. A couple of filler tracks let it down slightly, but the impact this album had would grow as the years moved by.

Favourite Tracks: Hallowed Be Thy Name, The Number Of The Beast, Run To The Hills, 22 Acacia Avenue, The Prisoner

Least Favourite Track: Gangland

9. Iron Maiden

Oh hi Eddie, pleasure to meet you. At number nine, we have the debut album and the music worlds first proper introduction to Eddie and the boys. Bursting onto the scene with a fast and punchy sound that blew away some of the stale sounding rock of the time and a bristling energy, Maiden showed the world that they would be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. With the coming years the Maiden sound would change and evolve but the energy that this release brought, would not slow down for many years.

Favourite Tracks: Iron Maiden, Running Free, Phantom Of The Opera, Prowler

Least Favourite Track: Strange World

8. Senjutsu

Coming in next, we have Maiden’s latest offering to date, with 2021’s Senjutsu. Coming six years after their last album, Maiden took their time writing amidst touring and returned with their second double album, that drew heavily on their newer prog leanings with the last three tracks on the album each clocking in at over ten minutes each. While still featuring the guitar melodies and driving bass as usual, we get a vast canvas of topics with which the band band paint in very broad yet intricate strokes. It was a tough call trying to place this album, and certainly a narrow call between this and out next entry.

Favourite Tracks: Senjutsu, Stratego, Hell On Earth, The Parchment, The Writing On The Wall

Least Favourite Track: Lost In A Lost World

7. The Book Of Souls

As touched on in our previous entry, our next entry is one which is big enough to require the need for a double album and could easily be interchanged with Senjustu, The Book Of Souls continues Maiden’s turn towards to Progressive Rock/Metal. With a mix of shorter songs and some longer numbers, including the band’s longest ever song, which clocks in at just over 18 minutes, Souls draws you in with its tales of mysticism, Mayan history, fighter planes, and an airship disaster, with a hearty mix of crunching guitars, driving and at times jazzy freeform bass and even piano, it continued a strong run from Maiden that culminated in getting to the top of the album charts. Possibly more accessible than Senjutsu for those approaching Maiden for the first time in current years, you can certainly find lots to enjoy.

Favourite Tracks: If Eternity Should Fail, The Book Of Souls, Death Or Glory, Empire Of The Clouds

Least Favourite Track: The Man Of Sorrows

6. Powerslave

Approaching the end of the list, we find ourselves at number 6 and 1984’s Powerslave. An album that would produce at the time and for some years to come, Maidens longest song and first to clock past 10 minutes or more in The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, based on the poem of the same name by Samuel T Coleridge. Driving forward after the success of their tour in support of Piece Of Mind, the band hit the studio and delivered an album of greatness that would help them form their World Slavery Tour which ran from August 1984 to July 1985, their longest and hardest tour to date, but resulted in giving us Live After Death, one of the best Live albums released. Driving along with the trademark Harris gallop and twin harmonies of Smith and Murray, Powerslave lives long after release.

Favourite Tracks: Powerslave, Aces High, 2 Minutes To Midnight, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner

Least Favourite Track: Back In The Village

5. Brave New World

Rejoice! For he has returned, and he’s brought his guitar playing friend with him for the ride! At number 5, we find ourselves at the new beginning of Maiden, with the return of messrs Dickinson and Smith, making the band a six piece and forming the line-up which remains to this day. After the disappointment of Virtual XI and being without a lead singer, Bruce was invited back and Adrian too shortly afterwards. What followed is a sensational return to form with ten tracks that knock you out and bring you back for more all over again. Having more energy than they had shown in the previous years, the triple guitars and returning vocal range of Dickinson tell you that when you thought Maiden were gone, you were dead wrong and this is just the start of a new chapter.

Favourite Tracks: Blood Brothers, Dream Of Mirrors, Out Of The Silent Planet, The Thin Line Between Love And Hate, The Wickerman, The Ghost Of The Navigator

Least Favourite Track: The Fallen Angel

4. Piece Of Mind

At number four, we have 1983’s Piece Of Mind. The album that introduces Nicko McBrain to the band and what a way to enter with the opening drum salvo on Where Eagles Dare (not just an excellent war film). It’s also the first album in which Bruce was able to add his penmanship to the song catalogue, and delivers straight off the bat with Revelations. The first six tracks on the album knock you for the proverbial and after a small interlude, we finish off with a brilliant piece originally to be titled Dune after the novel of the same name by Frank Herbert, but were not allowed by his estate. Definitely an album you could jump straight into if you were new to the catalogue.

Favourite Tracks: The Trooper, Where Eagles Dare, Revelations, To Tame A Land, Flight Of Icarus

Least Favourite Track: Quest For Fire

3. A Matter Of Life Or Death

In third place, we find 2006’s A Matter Of Life And Death (also the name of a brilliant film with David Niven). Following on from Dance Of Death, the band here are embracing the slow turn to progressive rock/metal. Every track bar the opener is five minutes or more in length with war and religion being a strong point of reference in the lyrics. When the album was released, the band toured in support and played it in it’s entirety, which also was the first time I ever saw them live. It was certainly an experience, and though since they have rarely revisited tracks from the album for live shows (Though For The Greater Good Of God has been played on tour in the last couple of years) there is a lot of strong material here that takes you in and drives you on.

Favourite Tracks: The Longest Day, For The Greater Good Of God, The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg, The Legacy, These Colours Don’t Run, Lord Of Light

Least Favourite Track: Out Of The Shadows

2. Somewhere In Time

In the runners up spot, we find 1986’s Somewhere In Time. After the length and draining experience that was the World Slavery tour, the band took some time before getting to work on the next album. As such, during the down time, they began working with new sounds and as such, the band would delve into guitar synthesizers for the first time. Time and space are a constant theme through the lyrics, and is also a strong showing for the song writing of Adrian Smith, with him being responsible for three of the eight tracks, two of which would be released as singles in support of the album. Highly regarded as one of Maiden’s finest albums, not many of the tracks are still played live, though at time of writing, a new tour has just been announced which will be a combination of both Senjutsu and this album, so there’s still hope yet for the deeper cuts to be played live!

Favourite Tracks: Wasted Years, Alexander The Great, Stranger In A Stranger Land, The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner, Caught Somewhere In Time, Heaven Can Wait

Least Favourite Track: Sea Of Madness

1. Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son

And so, we find ourselves at the end of another list, and sitting proudly atop of the charts is 1988’s Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. After dabbling in synth sounds with our previous entry, the band took this further with full keyboards and incorporated it into this concept album, inspired by the novel Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card. Bruce returned to writing fold after exhaustion from the World slavery tour lead him to not providing any useable work for Somewhere In Time. A truly collaborative effort, with the majority of songs being co-written, instead of the usually solo workings of Steve Harris, although three of the tracks would be penned solely by him. Son is an album that ebbs and flows through out, opening and closing with the same acoustic refrain bookending a perfect album. Lyrically superb, you’re taken through the story track by track and you can bang your head or tap your feet at the same time, whatever you’re preference!

Favourite Tracks: Moonchild, Can I Play With Madness, The Evil That Men Do, Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son, Infinite Dreams, Only The Good Die Young, The Clairvoyant

Least Favourite Track: The Prophecy (Purely because I have to choose one!)

So I hope you enjoyed this second countdown trip through the works of another of my favourite bands. I shall return again with another list of musical enjoyment for you all and hopefully bring some more tunes to your ears that you may not have heard or considered listening too before.

Til then, Up The Irons!!!

I’m A Proud Anorak!

Well hello there you lovely people. It’s been some time since I scribbled down some randomness from the recesses of my mind, but as they say sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot. I’ve been listening to a lot of music recently, mainly as a good way to help with work and escape some of the odd issues that arise in life, and thought, why don’t I rank some albums by some of my favourite bands? And seeing as my most recent gig, and first in what seems like years now, I saw Marillion, so I thought I’d start with them and the vast catalogue they have.

(From Left to Right – Mark Kelly (Keyboards), Ian Mosley (Drums), Steve Hogarth (Vocals, Guitar & Keys), Steve Rothery (Guitars), Pete Trewavas (Bass & Backing Vocals)

So for those who aren’t up to speed or unaware of who these chaps are, here’s a quick history. Originally formed in 1979, they first appeared under the name Silmarillion, in reference to the book by J.R.R Tolkein, however shortened it to Marillion to avoid legal issues. Their breakthrough came in 1983 with their debut album, Script For A Jesters Tear and proceeded to have a run of ever more successful albums and international success, culminating in 1987’s Clutching At Straws, before issues with the then lead singer Fish, lead to him departing and being replaced by Steve Hogarth, in a line up which has not changed since. With diminishing support from their record label and often been labelled as uncool by music media, they forged their own path and are often credited with the starting the crowd funding scene in music by asking fans to help them cover touring costs and production costs and as such have been going their own way ever since. A band who it’s deemed uncool to like, and they don’t care! With a dedicated fanbase, they do give a lot back to them with regular gigs and weekend festivals.

I’ve been listening to their music for several decades now and have delved deep into the catalogue, so here is my countdown of their respective Studio albums. As a side note, I’m not including the following albums – Less Is More (An album of stripped down re-recording of previously released songs), B-Sides Themselves (A B-Sides Collection) and With Friends From The Orchestra (Again, a re-recording of previously released songs with Orchestral arrangements). Not that there’s anything wrong with these albums, I just wanted to focus solely on the main studio releases. With each entry, I’ll give a little back story and my thoughts with some favourite and least favourite tracks. Anyways, on with the show, and starting us off…

19. Happiness Is The Road, Volume 1: Essence

We have to start somewhere and in this case, it the first part of a double album released in 2008. Initially intended as a single album, a burst of creativity lead to a large amount of material being written and recorded and as such, the dual format was used. For me, there’s not that many stand out tracks that stay around long enough to want to re-listen but there are a couple of gems worth your time.

Favourite Tracks: Wrapped Up In Time, This Train Is My Life, Essence

Least Favourite Track: Woke Up

18. Happiness Is The Road, Volume 2: The Hard Shoulder

Coming up just ahead, is volume 2 of Happiness Is The Road. Again, while not the strongest album, it has a few more hooks and creativity to give the edge over volume 1. There’s a vast collection of influences across both volumes with the usual rock sound being augmented with pop, soul and dub influences. One for the connoisseurs, but a few more memorable tracks this time round.

Favourite Tracks: The Man From Planet Marzipan, Older Than Me, Whatever Is Wrong With You

Least Favourite Track: Thunder Fly

17. Radiation

Up next at 17, is 1998’s Radiation. At this point in time, the band had recently been dropped by EMI and signed a short deal with Castle Communications to release their next album. With a tweak in sound with different mix from previous records, it gets lost in back catalogue, though it was re-issued in 2013 with a new mix which improves the albums overall sound, though as with previous entries, you have to look for the gems.

Favourite Tracks: These Chains, Three Minute Boy, Under The Sun, Cathedral Wall, These Chains

Least Favourite Track: Costa Del Slough

16. Somewhere Else

Following on, we arrive at 2007’s Somewhere Else. Continuing a trend from their early 2000’s work, we find the band driving for a sound that would fit in with the times radio flavour, (though as usual, radio play was extremely limited if any) it proved a success at the time, being their first album since 1998 to break the UK album top 40 chart (24 highest position) and a single in the top 20. It’s more approachable for a first time listener, with some tunes that will stick around, particularly the title track.

Favourite Tracks: Somewhere Else, Thankyou Whoever You Are, No Such Thing, The Wound

Least Favourite Track: Most Toys

15. Holidays In Eden

In at 15, we take a little trip back in time to 1991 and an album that signalled a quick dalliance in radio friendly tunes to appease the record label. Moving away (albeit temporarily) from their Prog Rock leanings, the boys gave us an album which was under requirement to provide singles to promote the album, and with its more approachable sound, it did as required. It’s a good album to introduce new listeners too, but doesn’t give you the full scope of what the band are capable of.

Favourite Tracks: Waiting To Happen, No One Can, Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven), Splintering Heart

Least Favourite Track: The Rakes Progress

14. marillion.com

Up next, we arrive at marillion.com. The last album issued by Castle Communications before the band went fully independent, it was their first album to not break the top 40 and subsequently drop off the charts after one week. Titled as a nod to the band’s increased method of interaction with its fans, there’s more here than it’s reputation decrees. Mixed in part by Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree fame, there are some rich elements of both the prog origins and current pop they were driving, well worth revisiting again.

Favourite Tracks: Go!, House, Interior Lulu, Rich,

Least Favourite Track: Enlightened

13. Marbles

In the proverbial unlucky 13, we find 2004’s Marbles. An album not strictly a concept album, but linked throughout its track list by segues and call backs to previous lyrics and songs. Whilst still retaining some pop influences, including their first Top 10 single since 1987 in You’re Gone, there are some big Prog influences with several lengthy tracks, of which several are great highlights.

Favourite Tracks: Ocean Cloud, Neverland, The Invisible Man, You’re Gone, Don’t Hurt Yourself,

Least Favourite Track: The Damage

12. Afraid Of Sunlight

Next up, we have 1995’s Afraid Of Sunlight. Following on from the previous years release, Sunlight is a loose concept of fame and the damage that can be done. Bringing a lush soundscape across the album and having elements of The Beatles and Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, the tracks linger around long after listening. There’s a lot of good to pick from here for further listening.

Favourite Tracks: Gazpacho, Afraid Of Sunlight, King, Out Of This World, Beyond you, Cannibal Surf Babe

Least Favourite Track: Afraid Of Sunrise

11. Fugazi

At 11, we have our first album from the Fish era, the sophomore album Fugazi. This album would also mark the debut in the band of drummer Ian Mosley, who remains behind the skins to this day. Following up their debut album, the band eased some of the Prog leanings and moved towards a heavier rock sound. As was the norm during the Fish era, the lyrics are very complex and broach a variety of subjects and as such, the overall product is a little bit all over the place, but the musicianship and melodies are strong. This would continue the band’s push into the prominence of the UK music scene, hitting number 5 in the album charts.

Favourite Tracks: Fugazi, Assassing, Punch & Judy, Incubus

Least Favourite Track: She Chameleon

10. This Strange Engine

Beginning the top 10 of our list, we have 1997’s This Strange Engine. The first album released post being dropped by EMI in 1995, the band again retain the elegiac melodies and lyrical beauty that had become part of the Hogarth era. The title track is the longest song on the album, a tribute to Hogarth’s father and his desire to be close to his family. Though singles were released, neither charted well in the UK, continuing the show of decline in Marillion’s relevance in the current music scene at the time.

Favourite Tracks: Man Of A Thousand Faces, 80 Days, Estonia, This Strange Engine,

Least Favourite Track: Hope For The Future

9. Brave

Following on, we find ourselves still in the 90’s, with 1994’s Brave. A concept album based on a story Steve heard about a girl found alone on a bridge and the police appeal to find out who she was and her family given she was unwilling to communicate with people. With a strong lyrical tale throughout the album, we follow the tale along and what happens at the end. This could vary if you brought the vinyl version as it was released with a double groove, allowing for two different endings (Happy or Sad) to be heard. There’s a lot to like about this album and certainly worth listening all the way through, which is how they initially toured it upon release.

Favourite Tracks: The Great Escape, Alone In The Lap Of Luxury, Living With The Big Lie, Goodbye To All That, Made Again, Hard As Love

Lease Favourite Track: Bridge

8. Script For A Jester’s Tear

At 8, we have the band’s debut album, Script For a Jester’s Tear. Drawing heavily on the prog influences of Peter Gabriel era Genesis, we are introduced to Marillion in the pomp and glory. Certainly not a radio single friendly album, with each track clocking in at over five minutes each, we’re taken through a variety of stories as Fish weaves his lyrical magic and Steve Rothery’s lush guitar work. Well received upon release and helping to usher in a new wave of prog music in the eighties, Marillion came out swinging, not afraid to show their inspirations at a time when prog was frowned upon as past its time.

Favourite Tracks: He Knows You Know, Forgotten Sons, Garden Party, Script For a Jester’s Tear

Least Favourite Track: Chelsea Monday

7. Seasons End

In at the magnificent seven, we have the album which introduced us to the voice of Steve Hogarth, Seasons End. After a tumultuous split with Fish after him telling the band to choose between him or their manager at the time, citing burnout from touring and a growing tension with Steve Rothery. The search began for a replacement, with Hogarth landing the role after deciding between touring with The The or taking the lead singer role permanently. With a different voice and tone from Fish, the new songs moved away from the previously concept based albums of the Fish era, and became more individual identifiable, touching on again a variety of influences, several taking reference from political issues at the time (The Berlin Wall, IRA bombings, Climate Change) which would remain a running constant with the band to this day.

Favourite Tracks: Seasons End, Easter, After Me, Hooks In You, The Space…, The Uninvited Guest

Least Favourite Track: Holloway Girl

6. Anoraknophobia

One for the fans, or Anoraks as we’re sometimes known, 2001’s Anoraknophobia was the first album to be crowdfunded after the band appealed to their fanbase to help them produce and release it, after having no record deal at the time. As such, the response proved incredibly successful and has been the way forward for the band til this day. The backers were named in the album sleeve and all received a copy as part of the process. Moving away from the progressive rock, they drew on a multitude of musical influences such as house, jazz, blues and trip hop, with the released tracks drawing comparisons to U2, Massive Attack and Radiohead. For me, when I first heard it, it took a while to grow on me, but since it’s become a favourite with many memorable tracks

Favourite Tracks: When I Meet God, This Is The 21st Century, Quartz, Seperated Out, If My Heart Were A Ball It Would Roll Uphill

Least Favourite Track: The Fruit Of The Wild Rose

5. Sounds That Can’t Be Made

As we draw nearer to the end, we come across 2012’s Sounds That Can’t Be Made. After a little slump in 2008 with Happiness Is The Road, the band come storming back to form with this excellent release. Returning to the neo prog roots, the majority of the songs are all six minutes or longer, with three exceeding ten minutes that again touch on a variety of topics including political and their fanbase. Each song has it’s own identity that takes you along for the proverbial ride, regardless of length. An album that very much requires repeat listening, you’ll find yourself recalling melodies long after it’s stopped spinning.

Favourite Tracks: Gaza, Power, Sky Above The Rain, Montréal, Pour My Love

Lease Favourite Track: Invisible Ink

4. Misplaced Childhood

At four, we have the bands most commercially successful album, Misplaced Childhood, which topped the UK album charts and had their most successful and best known single, Kayleigh. A concept album about love, loss and misspent youth, all from the mind of Fish whilst under the influence of LSD. All the songs relate to moments in Fish’s youth and are somewhat autobiographical in nature, though Kayleigh was the not her real name! An incredibly accessible album, you’ll be humming refrains that seem so familiar, and if you haven’t heard Kayleigh or Lavender, then shame!

Favourite Tracks: Kayleigh, Lavender, Blind Curve, Heart Of Lothian, Bitter Suite

Least Favourite Track: Waterhole (Express Bongo)

3. Clutching At Straws

In the bronze medal position, we have 1987’s Clutching At Straws, the final album to feature Fish on vocals and lyrics. Again tracing a concept, we follow Torch, who laments on his life with his failings as a father, an alcoholic and an unsuccessful singer. A lot can be read into the songs and Fish’s state of mind at the time, with the tour that followed leading to his departure as touched on earlier in the list. Featuring several singles that would chart well, its a dark trip into the troubled mind and a masterpiece that sometimes get criminally overlooked.

Favourite Tracks: Sugar Mice, Incommunicado, White Russian, Warm Wet Circles, That Time of the Night (The Short Straw)

Least Favourite Track: Just For The Record

2. An Hour Before It’s Dark

In the runners up spot, we have the band’s most recent release, coming out in early 2022, it’s an album that began recording in 2020 before the pandemic set in and as a result, a change of direction and theme occurred, with the band giving us an album full of hope, drama, loss and high emotion, you can’t help but be swept up in it. Through seven songs (four of which broken into respective parts), we’re taken on a journey of consumerism, the perils of closeness to loved ones during the pandemic, African exploitation and in perhaps one of their finest pieces ever written, a tribute to the workers in the NHS for the work they did and continue to do for us all. I saw them perform the album as a whole recently and it was a genuinely moving experience.

Favourite Tracks: Be Hard On Yourself, Murder Machines, Sierra Leone, Care

Least Favourite Track: Only A Kiss

1 . F E A R (Fuck Everyone And Run)

And finally, we have our number one entry, 2016’s F E A R. Ultimately, it could have gone either way with An Hour Before It’s Dark or F E A R, but it just nicks it. Where as An Hour is very much a COVID inspired tale, F E A R is more of a tale of doom, anger, politics and social injustice. Every track ebbs and flows with grace and beauty, but also as such with tracks like The New Kings, a piece about the corruption that big money and power brings, the lyrics bristle with anger and venom and how if not controlled, the less well off suffer at the hands of those with great wealth. A sonically brilliant album that takes your breath away from start to finish, it’s well worth you’re time and investment for a band that cares about what it does and those who want to listen

Favourite Tracks: El Dorado, Living In F E A R, The Leavers, The New Kings, White Paper

Least Favourite Track: Tomorrow’s New Country (And this is only because I have to pick one!)

So I hope you enjoyed this little list and maybe take some new tunes away to enjoy in your own time and maybe even delve a bit deeper into the discography. Of course, these kind of things are always up for debate and no word is set in stone, this is just how I feel about the music I enjoy. I shall return with another list in due course for you to delve into and peruse at your leisure.

Until then, I’ll catch you down the road…

A Look Back Through The Year

Well, before we even knew, it’s coming upon the turn of the year and as we prepare to enter 2022, I thought it would be a bit of fun to look back on some of my favourite films of the year. Now these are films that I either saw in the cinema (when you could actually visit them) and those watched in the comfort of home sweet home. They may not be critically adored films (though some certainly are) but I was able to indulge in one of my favourite past times and escape into a movie. These are in no particular order, as this is not a ranking, purely an expression of adoration.

David Byrne’s American Utopia

Our first film is Spike Lee’s capture of David Byrne’s Broadway show, American Utopia. Originally released in the back end of 2020, I had read some great reviews of the show and when I finally got hold of a copy on Blu-ray, I wasn’t disappointed. Containing a mixture of songs from David’s solo work, collaborations and Talking Heads, we are taken on a musical journey through what it is to be human, and certainly in these challenging times, it offers a jolt of hope. Set on a sparse stage, and backed up with a wonderfully talented bunch of musicians and dancers, I found myself tapping along and singing along. If they bring the show back to the UK, I’ll be making sure to get myself a ticket to see it in person.

Candyman

Dare you his name five times in the mirror? Our next film is Nia DaCosta’s sequel to 1992’s horror classic, Candyman. Written along with Jordan Peele, we follow Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s artist Anthony McCoy, as he seeks inspiration in the history of Cabrini-Green where the events of the first movie took place, and learns about the legend of the Candyman. Containing some grizzly deaths and some very good jump scares, it certainly misses the pitfalls that some horror sequels tend to fall into, certainly when following a film of such renown. Taking the story and bringing it into the modern day certainly taps into current social affairs with it’s commentary on oppression of black neighbourhoods with white policemen. It is a film that doesn’t hang around, certainly towards the end, it does seem it’s going in fast forward given how quickly it ends, but that’s a minor niggle to an otherwise enjoyable horror.

The Mitchells vs The Machines

The next movie is the brilliantly hilarious The Mitchells vs The Machines. About a dysfunctional family who end up having to save the world from a robot uprising whilst taking a road trip to take daughter Katie to her new college. The core struggles of Katie, a film student and avid techo-nut and her technophobic father Rick, create the backbone from which more developments arise, to frequently funny effect. With a great voice cast, excellent set pieces and on the nail humour, it has me laughing heartedly all the way through. Certainly a film I would recommend to anyone who wants/needs a good laugh.

Nomadland

Moving forward with a less comedic entry, the next film that caught my eye was Nomadland, directed by Chloe Zhao and starring Francis McDormand. It adapts the 2017 book of the same name by Jessica Bruder, and follows McDormands Fern as she decides to live her life on the road after the loss of her job and death of husband. Along the way, she encounters more “Nomads” who live on the road rather than in a static home and learns how to survive on the road whilst coming to terms with her choice. Winning Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress, this is a film that draws you close and lets you feel as though you are taking the same journey as Fern. McDormand is excellent as always and plays Fern with a soft touch despite the emotional weight that she carries. Certainly worth a watch if you want something a little bit different from your normal viewing habits.

Free Guy

Veering back into silliness now, next up is the Ryan Reynolds comedy, Free Guy, which I saw at a secret screening at my local cinema. Those can be either a win or a loss and I’ve had my share of both, thankfully, this was a win, with Reynold’s Guy bringing his usual high energy to the role and bringing the laughs. Focusing on Guy, an NPC in the online game Free City, we see his development and how he breaks his coding to develop his own intelligence. Along for the ride is Jodie Comer as Millie, who’s a player looking for evidence of her original code in the game so she can prove it was her work that has been stolen by Free City’s creator Antwan (Taika Waititi in scene stealing mode). With plenty of famous cameos along the way and shout outs to pop culture, it’s a surprisingly fun film, will certainly be intrigued to see how the sequel pans out.

No Time To Die

Welcome back 007, oh how I’ve missed you! Finally arriving in cinemas after being delayed several times during the pandemic, Daniel Craig plays Bond for the fifth and final time of his tenure as the iconic spy, as he comes out of retirement to help old friend Felix Leiter track down a missing scientist. A lot has changed since Bond has been away and he has to adapt to there being a new 007 at MI6 and as the film unfolds, more revelations come to light which will forever change Bond’s future. For me, being a 007 nut, this was worth the wait, and brings the curtain down on Craig’s time in a fitting manner (no spoilers here). This is an action packed, emotionally charged Bond film and worthy of consideration for being up the list of best Bond films.

Pig

Sometimes a film comes along that sounds destined for the forgettable bin, but surprises you that you’re lost for words. Pig is one of those films. When I first heard about it, with Nicolas Cage playing a man who seeks the people who stole his pig, alarm bells were ringing a bit and thinking, oh it’s going to be a John Wick clone. But very surprisingly and rewardingly, it’s not. Pig is a film that slowly draws you in and whilst there is some violence, it’s not as you’d expect. Cage gives a superb performance in the lead role as a broken man who just wants the one thing that still has meaning in his life back. This is certainly a film that gives a lot more than it’s first impression.

The Green Knight

A more leftfield film now, with David Lowery’s stunning The Green Knight. Based upon Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Dev Patel portrays Gawain as he encounters the Green Knight and the test of courage that follows. This is a film whose focus on the character journey to discover his courage and acceptance of ones fate to come. It’s a visually striking piece, beautifully shot and lingers with you long after the credits have rolled. Well worth going out of your way to enjoy.

The Suicide Squad

When you want a film about a dysfunctional gang of heroes, who do you call to bring you something of note? James Gunn, that’s who. After the disappointment that 2016’s Suicide Squad brought, Mr Gunn came aboard to make a sequel that ranks amongst the best DC films to come out. With a slew of new characters from the deep ranks of the teams comic history and some returnees from the first film, we follow the squad as they are sent to Corto Maltese to eradicate evidence of American involvement in alien research of Starro The Conqueror. Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie, Sly Stallone, David Dastmalchian and Daniela Melchior make up the core of the cast and there are jokes aplenty and an upping of the gore level, Gunn delivers on the hopes that fans had for the first movie. If you enjoy his work with the Guardians of The Galaxy, then this is right up your alley.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Another film that was long overdue in getting into cinemas is Jason Reitman’s sequel to Ghostbusters II. After a long gestation in development hell, and the fallout of the 2016 Paul Feig reboot, fans of the original movies got a solid dose of nostalgia and potential for future adventures with the ‘Busters as we focus on Egon’s daughter and her two kids who inherit his house in the sleepy town of Summerville, but we find there’s more to Summerville than we think and why Egon moved there in the first place. Packed with fan service and nods to more, it’s a joyous film that left me smiling when I left the cinema. Funny yet also emotional, it pulls at the old heartstrings to good effect.

Dune

Finally, the sleeper has awakened! This was one film I had been waiting for since announcement, being a big fan of the books and thankfully, it was very much worth the wait. Denis Villeneuve directs an all-star ensemble in his adaptation of the first half of Frank Herbert’s seminal Sci-Fi epic. Visually stunning, we follow young Paul Atreides as he begins his journey to become the Kwisatz Haderach and rule the galaxy. Timothée Chalamet brings Paul to life imbuing him with boyish charm, whilst Rebecca Ferguson plays his mother, Lady Jessica superbly. There’s too much to note in all honesty, the only grievance would be that we have to wait two years for the second part! But if it’s anything like the first half, it’ll be well worth the wait.

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Finally and last but not least, we have the latest Tom Holland portrayal of your friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man, as he deals with events that unfolded at the end of the previous film, Far From Home. With his identity compromised and those he cares about suffering by association, he reaches out to Doctor Strange to find a way to help people forget who he is. But as you’d expect (already know) this doesn’t go to plan, and villains from multiple universes find their way to him. For me, this is easily the best of the Tom Holland films, with great story work, emotional heft and some fantastic fan service, what more could you want. I won’t go into spoilers, but Alfred Molina and Willem Dafoe are on scene stealing form here. So swing your way to the cinema to see it.

And with that we reach the end of this little list. I hope you enjoyed and maybe you’ll have seen some of these or will go and watch some of them, that’s your call. I’ll be back in the new year with some more random thoughts on my love of the cinematic world and what not!

Until then, take care of yourselves, stay safe and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year..

The Founder’s Collection – Zatoichi

Our final offering from the collection is Takeshi Kitano’s 2003 revival of the classic samurai series, Zatoichi. The character was previously brought to life on the big screen in 1962, with Shintaro Katsu playing the title role in what would become one of his most iconic roles, playing him in every movie in the series, a total of 26 movies.

On his travels Zatoichi (who is a blind swordsman) comes to the defence of townspeople caught up in a local yakuza gang war and are being forced to pay excessive amounts of protection money. Meanwhile, Zatoichi befriends a local farmer and her gambler nephew and eventually offers his assistance to two geisha siblings (one of whom is actually a man) who are seeking revenge for the murder of their parents. The siblings are the only survivors of a robbery and massacre that was carried out on their family estate a decade ago. They soon discover the people responsible for the murders are the same yakuza wreaking havoc on the small town.

After slicing his way through an army of henchmen with his sword, Zatoichi defeats the yakuza’s bodyguard, a powerful rōnin, in a duel. Zatoichi later wanders into town and confronts the yakuza bosses, killing the second-in-command and blinding the elderly yakuza boss (who had been masquerading as a bumbling waiter up till now) after surprising him by opening his eyes. What follows is something unusual and unexpected, so I’ll leave that to you to find out.

Takeshi Kitano not only directs, but plays Zatoichi, bringing his usual charm, violent action and humour to the role. It is a tribute to the originals, done with taste and not looking to change the legacy of one of Japanese films most iconic characters. Being it was made in more modern times (the last Zatoichi film being released in 1989 after a 16 year hiatus) the effects and fighting are done superbly and keep you entertained as he goes about his quest to bring justice to those suffering.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little delve into the bowels of the collection. What comes next, we shall see, maybe a different countdown of sorts or some other musings. Until then, keep giving your love to the world of cinema…

The Founder’s Collection – Young Frankenstein

In the penultimate cut from the collection, we find ourselves in the majesty of Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy genius that is Young Frankenstein. Taking the classic Frankenstein story and given it the classic Brooks twists and humour, we open to find Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, who is a lecturing physician at an American medical school and engaged to Elizabeth. He becomes enraged when anyone brings up the subject of his grandfather Victor Frankenstein, the infamous mad scientist, and insists that his surname is pronounced “Fronkensteen”.When a solicitor informs him that he has inherited his family’s estate in Transylvania after the death of his great-grandfather, he travels to Europe to inspect the property. At the Transylvania train station, he is met by a hunchbacked, bug-eyed servant named Igor, and a young assistant, Inga. Upon hearing that the professor pronounces his name “Fronkensteen”, Igor insists that his name is pronounced “Eyegor”, rather than the traditional “Eegor”.

Upon arrival at the estate, Frederick meets Frau Blücher, the intimidating housekeeper. After discovering the secret entrance to his grandfather’s laboratory and reading his private journals, Frederick decides to resume his grandfather’s experiments in re-animating the dead. He and Igor steal the corpse of a recently executed criminal, and Frederick sets to work experimenting on the corpse. Igor is sent to steal the brain of a deceased “scientist and saint”, Hans Delbrück; startled by his own reflection, he drops and ruins Delbrück’s brain. Taking a second brain labelled “Abnormal”, Igor returns with it, and Frederick transplants it into the corpse, thinking he has transplanted Delbrück’s brain. Soon, Frederick is ready to re-animate his creature, who is eventually brought to life by electrical charges with lightning. The creature takes its first steps, but is frightened by the sight of Igor lighting a match and he attacks Frederick and nearly strangles him before he is sedated. Meanwhile, unaware of the creature’s existence, the townspeople gather to discuss their unease at Frederick continuing his grandfather’s work. Inspector Kemp, a one-eyed police official with a prosthetic arm, with a thick German accent, proposes to visit the doctor, where he demands assurance that Frankenstein will not create another monster. On returning to the lab, Frederick discovers Blücher setting the creature free. She reveals the monster’s love of violin music and her own romantic relationship with Frederick’s grandfather. However, the creature is enraged by sparks from a thrown switch and escapes the castle.

While roaming the countryside, the monster has encounters with a young girl and a blind hermit, respectively. Frederick recaptures the monster and locks the two of them in a room, where he calms the monster’s homicidal tendencies with flattery and fully acknowledges his own heritage, shouting out, “My name is Frankenstein!” At a theatre full of illustrious guests, Frederick shows “The Creature”, dressed in top hat and tails, following simple commands. This includes Frederick and the monster performing “Puttin’ On the Ritz”. However, the routine ends suddenly when a stage light explodes, frightening the monster, who becomes enraged and charges into the audience, where he is captured and chained by police. Back in the laboratory, Inga attempts to comfort Frederick and they wind up sleeping together on the suspended reanimation table. The monster escapes when Frederick’s fiancée Elizabeth arrives unexpectedly for a visit, taking her captive as he flees. What will happen with the monster and can Frederick save his creation?

Mel Brooks is a master of creating comedic gems, that guarantee you laughs on a regular basis. With other classics in his repertoire, such as Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Spaceballs, you can’t help but enjoy his creations and this is no exception. Brooks regular, Gene Wilder puts in a great perform as Frederick, playing his eccentricities at all the right moments, be it his insistence on the pronunciation of his surname to the his dealing with Igor and Kemp. Peter Boyle plays the Monster and gives him a great hulking menace but also, great comedy chops, the Puttin’ On The Ritz routine is hilarious and he gives him a proper personality. Marty Feldman and his bug eyed Igor is a hoot, and when anyone asks you to Walk This Way, you’ll follow suit!

Shot in black and white to hark back to the classic monster films it emulates and pays homage too, with references to several of the Frankenstein films from the 1930’s, you can’t help but think you’re watching a piece from the same time period, rather than a film from the mid 1970’s. Like several of Brooks of films, the humour is quick, at times raunchy and of course the playing up of the Germans. You need to indulge yourself in a little bit of comedy from the pages of a horror icon.

The Founder’s Collection – The X-Files: Fight The Future

Trust no one, but the truth is out there! Our next cut from the selection is the big screen adaptation of the hit TV show, The X-Files. Taking place in the X-Files time line chronologically between season five and six, we follow FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in their ongoing quest for the truth. The film opens in 35,000 B.C. During the Ice Age, in an area what will become North Texas. Two cavemen hunters encounter a large extraterrestrial life form in a cave, which kills one and infects the other with a black oil-like substance. In 1998, in the same area, a boy falls into a hole and is also infected by a black substance which seeps from the ground and firefighters who enter the hole to rescue him do not come out of the hole either. A team of men wearing hazmat suits arrive and extract the bodies of the boy and the firefighters. Meanwhile, Mulder and Scully, are investigating a bomb threat against a federal building in Dallas and discover the bomb in a building across the street. As the building is evacuated, the Special Agent in Charge Darius Michaud remains to disarm the bomb. However, he simply waits for the bomb to detonate.

Mulder and Scully are later chewed out because, in addition to Michaud, four other people were in the building during the bombing. That evening Mulder is accosted by a paranoid doctor, Alvin Kurtzweil, who explains that the “victims” were already dead, and that the bombing was staged to cover up how they died. At the hospital morgue, Scully is able to examine one of the victims, finding evidence of an alien virus. Meanwhile, the Cigarette Smoking Man goes to Texas, where Dr. Ben Bronschweig shows him one of the lost firefighters, who has an alien organism residing inside his body. He orders him to administer a vaccine to it, but to burn the body if it fails. Later, the alien organism unexpectedly gestates and kills Bronschweig. Mulder and Scully travel to the crime scene, where they find the site has been hastily turned into a new playground and encounter the boys whose friend fell into the hole. Following their direction, the pair follow a train to a large cornfield surrounding two glowing domes. Inside the domes, grates in the floor open and swarms of bees fly out. The agents flee, chased by black helicopters, but manage to escape.

After returning to D.C., Scully attends a performance hearing, after which she is transferred. Mulder is devastated to lose his partner. The two are about to share a kiss when Scully is stung by a bee which had lodged itself under her shirt collar; she quickly falls unconscious while Mulder calls paramedics, but the driver of the ambulance shoots Mulder and whisks Scully away. Mulder, not severely injured, slips out of hospital with the help of The Lone Gunmen and FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner. He then meets a former enemy, the Well-Manicured Man, who gives him Scully’s location, along with a vaccine against the virus that has infected her. As Mulder leaves, the Well-Manicured Man kills himself in a car bomb, before his betrayal of The Syndicate is discovered. Will Mulder make it to Scully in time to save her and what will he find?

Now, I’m a big X-Files fan. I watched it from the beginning and have always enjoyed it, despite some of the dips in quality in the later seasons, but will always enjoy delving back into the files. When this was announced, I remember looking forward to seeing it at the cinema and came away enjoying it. Given we had to wait a while between seasons, It was great to have something to fill the gap, and also how it would follow on into season six and flesh out some more of the shows mythology. Duchovny and Anderson excel as usual in their roles, and Martin Landau puts in an entertaining turn as Doctor Kurtzweil, stoking the paranoia whilst trying to help Mulder find the truth.

The show would run for a further four seasons after this movie, ending at season nine in 2002 with it’s finale being a highly awaited event, which ultimately would be a bit of let down after all the build up. We would get another movie, X-Files: I Want to Believe in 2008, with Mulder and Scully reuniting to investigate a missing persons case. The series would return in 2016 for another two series, giving us X-Files fans another hit of spooky shenanigans. One thing I’m planning to do at some point is go back and do a complete marathon of episodes and movies, 218 episodes and 2 movies, might be an idea for another blog along the way…

The Founder’s Collection – Witness

Our next trip into the collection, takes us on a journey into Amish country with Peter Weir’s film from 1985, Witness. We start in 1984, an Amish community outside Lancaster, attends the funeral of Jacob Lapp, who leaves behind his young wife Rachel and eight-year-old son Samuel. Rachel and Samuel travel by train to visit Rachel’s sister, which takes them into Philadelphia. While at station waiting for a connecting train to Baltimore, Samuel goes into the toilet and witnesses the brutal murder of an undercover police officer, but manages to evade detection.

Detective John Book is assigned to the case, he and his partner Sergeant Elton Carter question Samuel. Although Samuel is can’t identify the perpetrator from mugshots or a line-up, he later sees a newspaper clipping of Philadelphia Police Officer James McFee and points him out to Book. Book investigates and finds out that McFee was previously responsible for a seizure of expensive chemicals used to make black-market amphetamines, but the evidence has now disappeared. Book surmises that McFee sold the chemicals, and that the murdered detective had been investigating the theft. Book tells his suspicions to Chief of Police Schaeffer, who advises Book to keep the case secret so they can work out how to proceed. Book is later ambushed and shot in a parking garage by McFee and left badly wounded. Since only Schaeffer knew of Book’s suspicions, he realizes Schaeffer is also corrupt and tipped off McFee.

Knowing that Samuel and Rachel are now in grave danger, Book orders Carter to remove all traces of the Lapps from his files, and he drives Samuel and Rachel back to their community, but the loss of blood from his wound causes him to pass out in front of their farm. Book insists that going to a hospital would allow the corrupt police officers to find him and put Samuel in danger. Rachel’s father-in-law Eli reluctantly agrees to shelter him despite his distrust of the outsider. Book slowly recovers and begins to develop feelings for Rachel, who starts to feel similarly about him. The Lapps’ neighbour Daniel Hochleitner had hoped to court her, and this becomes a cause of friction between them. During his recovery, Book dresses in Jacob Lapp’s clothing to avoid drawing attention to himself. His relationship with the community deepens as they learn he is a skilled carpenter and seems like a decent, hard-working man. After accepting an invitation to a barn raising for a newly married couple, Book gains Hochleitner’s respect.

Book goes into town with Eli to use a payphone, where he learns that Carter has been killed. He deduces that Schaeffer and McFee murdered Carter after discovering his role in the case to get closer to Book, with the aid of a third corrupt officer, Detective Sergeant Ferguson. While in town, Hochleitner is harassed by tourists. Book retaliates, breaking with the Amish tradition of nonviolence. The fight between the bullies and the strange “Amish” man is reported to the local police and they inform Schaeffer, who had previously contacted the sheriff in his efforts to locate Book, Rachel, and Samuel. How will Book save the day and stop the corrupt officers from silencing Samuel and Rachel?

Witness is a film that is both tender and tense, with the blossoming relationship between Harrison Ford’s Book and Kelly McGillis’ Rachel and the shootouts as the cops try to cover up their mistakes. Along with the tensions that Book’s presence in the community brings, sewing distrust of outsiders, despite his intentions to save them all. Harrison Ford gives one of his best performances here, playing the law abiding cop with gusto and how he is drawn into the community to save Rachel and Samuel and win the respect and trust of the elders. Again, it’s a well shot film with some beautiful imagery throughout.

I recall the first time I watched this was on late at night on TV, when I should have been getting some sleep but it drew me in and I wanted to see it through to the end and what would happen to everyone, it also introduced the Amish people to me, having not seen them in anything else I had watched at the time (this would soon change after watching Kingpin and also listening to Weird Al Yankovic’s Amish Paradise). It’s a film that is worth your time, and certainly compared to some thrillers you get these days, it certainly holds its own.