Album Releases by User Score
1.
Original Pirate Material
by The Streets
October 22, 2002
This is the debut album by the London garage (or in this case, bedroom) band, which consists solely of 21-year-old Mike Skinner. Whether or not this style of music (very English rapping over garage/house beats) will translate well overseas remains to be seen, but garage (and especially Skinner) is the current flavor of the month with the UK music press. |
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2.
Alice
by Tom Waits
May 7, 2002
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3.
Songs For The Deaf
by Queens of the Stone Age
August 27, 2002
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4.
Kill The Moonlight
by Spoon
August 20, 2002
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5.
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
by Wilco
April 23, 2002
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6.
Phrenology
by The Roots
November 26, 2002
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7.
The Creek Drank The Cradle
by Iron & Wine
September 24, 2002
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8.
Rings Around The World
by Super Furry Animals
March 19, 2002
This is the fifth album (and a return to English-lanugage songs) for the well-regarded Welsh indie band, now signed to a major label (Epic). It is the first album ever to be released simultaneously on DVD and CD (with the DVD containing a movie and a remix for each track on the album). Paul McCartney and John Cale have cameo appearances on the album. |
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9.
OST
by 24 Hour Party People
August 6, 2002
The soundtrack to the fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Manchester's Factory Records includes, somewhat obviously, a generous helping of New Order, Joy Division, and Happy Mondays songs (including the title track by the latter), as well as cuts from A Guy Called Gerald, Durutti Column, and the Buzzcocks. This is also the only album where you'll find the newest New Order single, "Here to Stay," a collaboration with the Chemical Brothers that failed to appear on either group's latest LP. |
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10.
Don't Give Up On Me
by Solomon Burke
July 23, 2002
The legendary 1960s soul singer, now a young 66 years old, is still going strong with this latest release, featuring brand-new songs penned by an impressive group of songwriters, including Elvis Costello, Brian Wilson, Tom Waits, Van Morrison, and Bob Dylan. No one will be giving up on him after this release. |
11.
Didn't It Rain
by Songs: Ohia
March 5, 2002
With the word "blue" appearing in four out of the seven song titles, you get a general idea of Jason Molina's mood as he recorded this sixth proper LP under the Songs:Ohia name. The entire album was recorded live in a Philadelphia studio with Molina backed by a new full band, including co-vocalists Jennie Benford and Jim Krewson. |
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12.
Source Tags & Codes
by ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead
February 26, 2002
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13.
One Beat
by Sleater-Kinney
August 20, 2002
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14.
The Last Broadcast
by Doves
June 4, 2002
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15.
Geogaddi
by Boards of Canada
February 19, 2002
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16.
No!
by They Might Be Giants
June 11, 2002
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17.
S.T.R.E.E.T. D.A.D.
by Out Hud
November 19, 2002
Founded in 1996 in San Francisco, this now New York-based instrumental outfit (which shares some members with the band !!!) has previously drawn a bit of acclaim for their vinyl-only releases. This six-track effort represents their first CD release, which showcases their dancier, dubbier, funkier brand of post-rock. |
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18.
Veni Vidi Vicious
by The Hives
April 30, 2002
One of the first Next Big Things of 2002, Sweden's The Hives follow last year's media darlings The Strokes and The White Stripes in bringing the rock back to alternative rock. The only catch is that the band has been around for over a decade, with this particular album actually dating back to 2000, when it gained a limited U.S. release on a tiny Epitaph imprint. However, the Swedes were able to benefit from the rush to capitalize on the neo-garage/punk-rock movement by scoring a major label deal in early 2002 and a rerelease of this, their second full-length. (They've got The Strokes beat on length, though, managing to release an even shorter album, at just 27 minutes.) |
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19.
Blood Money
by Tom Waits
May 7, 2002
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20.
Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
by The Flaming Lips
July 16, 2002
The Oklahoma band finally returns with a follow-up to perhaps their strongest effort to date, 1999's 'The Soft Bulletin.' Here, the Lips venture even more into electronic territory, working once again with producer Dave Fridmann (Mercury Rev). Yoshimi of Japanese band The Boredoms guests on vocals on one track and lends her name to part of the album's title (the "Yoshimi" part, not the "Pink Robots" part). |
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21.
The Beginning Stages Of...
by The Polyphonic Spree
June 4, 2002
It's a bit hard NOT to get noticed when your band consists of a couple dozen people dressed in white robes, but having one of the most memorable debut albums in recent years (think Mercury Rev + Spiritualized + Up With People) certainly doesn't hurt. This 10-song debut (which was originally intended as a demo) did in fact land the Austin, Texas band led by former Tripping Daisy member Tim DeLaughter a major label deal. |
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22.
We Love Life
by Pulp
August 20, 2002
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23.
Cobblestone Runway
by Ron Sexsmith
October 8, 2002
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24.
In Search Of... [Second Version]
by N.E.R.D
March 12, 2002
This is the debut album for in-demand hip-hop production duo The Neptunes, recording with Shay under the name N.E.R.D. (for "No One Ever Really Dies"). Note that there are two different versions of this album in circulation. The original version, featuring mainly electronic instrumentation, was intended for release in August 2001 but was shelved by the band (only to be released in the UK over the band's objection). This new version, released March 2002, was completely rerecorded, and features live instrumentation by Minneapolis funk band Spymob. |
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25.
Skyscraper National Park
by Hayden
March 12, 2002
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26.
()
by Sigur Rós
October 29, 2002
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27.
Blacklisted
by Neko Case
August 20, 2002
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28.
Cookie: The Anthropological Mix Tape
by Me'Shell Ndegéocello
June 4, 2002
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29.
The Rising
by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
July 30, 2002
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30.
Come Away With Me
by Norah Jones
February 26, 2002
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31.
OOOH! (Out Of Our Heads)
by Mekons
August 20, 2002
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32.
Point
by Cornelius
January 22, 2002
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33.
Folklore
by 16 Horsepower
August 6, 2002
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34.
Murray Street
by Sonic Youth
June 25, 2002
Now into their third decade of recording, Sonic Youth offer up a return to form that has more in common with their output of the 80s than with anything they have released in recent years. Multi-instrumentalist Jim O'Rourke, who worked with the band on their previous effort 'NYC Ghosts & Flowers,' is now a full-fledged member of the group. |
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35.
Asleep In The Back
by Elbow
January 22, 2002
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36.
Under Construction
by Missy Elliott
November 12, 2002
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37.
Lost Horizons
by Lemon Jelly
October 8, 2002
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38.
Turn On The Bright Lights
by Interpol
August 20, 2002
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39.
The Private Press
by DJ Shadow
June 4, 2002
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40.
The Lost Tapes
by Nas
September 24, 2002
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41.
Melody A.M.
by Röyksopp
October 15, 2002
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42.
God's Son
by Nas
December 17, 2002
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43.
I Phantom
by Mr. Lif
September 17, 2002
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44.
Something Wicked This Way Comes
by The Herbaliser
March 19, 2002
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45.
Under Cold Blue Stars
by Josh Rouse
February 19, 2002
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46.
Sharpen Your Teeth
by Ugly Casanova
May 21, 2002
Ugly Casanova is the alter ego of Modest Mouse singer/guitarist Isaac Brock, who makes his solo debut with this release. The 13 tracks were produced by Brian Deck (Tortoise, Sea and Cake), and the backing band includes Pall Jenkins (Black Heart Procession) and Tim Rutili (Red Red Meat), but it sounds a lot like a Modest Mouse release. |
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47.
The Execution of All Things
by Rilo Kiley
October 1, 2002
This is the second full-length album for the Los Angeles-based indie band, who are now labelmates of Omaha's Bright Eyes. Fans of the TV program "Boy Meets World" (all three of you) may recognize guitarist Blake Sennett, who played Joey on that show. (Singer Jenny Lewis has also guested on numerous sitcoms over the years.) |
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48.
A Rush Of Blood To The Head
by Coldplay
August 27, 2002
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49.
Yanqui U.X.O.
by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
November 4, 2002
Slightly (and confusingly) changing their name to Godspeed You! Black Emperor for this outing, the Canadian instrumental band recorded these 5 tracks (clocking in at 75 minutes) with Steve Albini as a follow-up to their extremely well-received 2000 effort 'Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven.' |
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50.
Electric Circus
by Common
December 10, 2002
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51.
Untouchables
by Korn
June 11, 2002
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52.
Twoism [EP]
by Boards of Canada
November 26, 2002
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53.
Sea Change
by Beck
September 24, 2002
Which Beck is it? The party-loving Beck of 'Odelay' and 'Midnite Vultures,' or the more serious, singer-songwriter Beck of 'Mutations.' On this latest release, it is the latter, as Beck reunites with Mutations' producer Nigel Godrich (Radiohead) for a set of darker, atmospheric, more acoustically-oriented tracks. |
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54.
Nextdoorland
by The Soft Boys
September 24, 2002
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55.
Live at Convocation Hall
by Hayden
September 17, 2002
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56.
Optometry
by DJ Spooky
July 9, 2002
This latest installment in Thirsty Ear's Blue Series of progressive/experimental jazz recordings is the work of turntablist DJ Spooky (Tha' Subliminal Kid), whose own mixing, bass, and kalimba are joined by jazz notables such as Matthew Shipp, Guillermo Barreto Brown, William Parker, and Medeski, Martin & Wood's Billy Martin. |
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57.
Italian Platinum
by Silkworm
June 4, 2002
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58.
About A Boy [Soundtrack]
by Badly Drawn Boy
April 23, 2002
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59.
Quality
by Talib Kweli
November 19, 2002
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60.
Is A Woman
by Lambchop
February 19, 2002
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61.
Walking With Thee
by Clinic
March 5, 2002
The distinctive Liverpool indie/garage band is back with a follow-up to their well-received 2000 debut 'Internal Wrangler' (which was just released last fall in the U.S.). The positive press generated by these two releases led to the band signing a major-label deal with Universal, which re-released 'Walking With Thee' on August 6, 2002. |
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62.
Night Works
by Layo & Bushwacka!
September 10, 2002
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63.
Read & Burn 01 [EP]
by Wire
June 25, 2002
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64.
Trey Anastasio
by Trey Anastasio
April 30, 2002
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65.
Jerusalem
by Steve Earle
September 24, 2002
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66.
Uninvisible
by Medeski, Martin & Wood
April 9, 2002
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67.
Lost in Revelry
by The Mendoza Line
February 19, 2002
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68.
Kittenz And Thee Glitz
by Felix Da Housecat
January 22, 2002
The veteran Chicago house producer offers up 16 tracks of modernized 80's electro (think Daft Punk or Ladytron), highlighted by "Silver Screen (Shower Scene)." The album picked up a great deal of acclaim in the UK when it was released in mid-2001, and finally secured U.S. distribution (through Emperor Norton) in early 2002. |
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69.
Busted Stuff
by Dave Matthews Band
July 16, 2002
Even the most casual DMB fan knows the story by now: Dave & Co. record a dark, challenging album with producer Steve Lillywhite, those "Lillywhite Sessions" are leaked onto the Internet where the tracks quickly become fan favorites, and the band chooses not to release them, instead heading back into the studio with producer Glen Ballard to record 'Everyday.' The new studio LP 'Busted Stuff' does not contain those original tracks from the 2000 sessions, but nine of those songs (plus two new tracks) are here, newly recorded. |
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70.
Handcream For A Generation
by Cornershop
April 23, 2002
This long-awaited fourth album from the London-based outfit headed by Tjinder Singh and Ben Ayres is an even more eclectic mix of styles than previous efforts. The 13 new tracks include the excellent (and excellently titled) lead single "Lessons Learned From Rocky I to Rocky III," and a reworking of "People Power (In The Disco Hour)" from Singh and Ayres' Clinton side project. |
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71.
On Top
by Rye Coalition
March 19, 2002
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72.
Three
by Archer Prewitt
June 4, 2002
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73.
Age Of The Sun
by The Sunshine Fix
January 22, 2002
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74.
Machine Says Yes
by FC/Kahuna
November 19, 2002
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75.
On
by Imperial Teen
April 9, 2002
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76.
Steal This Album
by System Of A Down
November 26, 2002
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77.
Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
by Bright Eyes
August 13, 2002
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78.
October Road
by James Taylor
August 13, 2002
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79.
Happyness
by The Aluminum Group
October 15, 2002
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80.
More Than A Woman
by Toni Braxton
November 19, 2002
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81.
Release
by Pet Shop Boys
April 23, 2002
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82.
Electric Sweat
by Mooney Suzuki
April 9, 2002
Although the 20-something New York City rockers have the names of two former Can vocalists in their moniker, their sound is more frequently compared to the MC5. 'Electric Sweat,' their second album, attracted a good deal of attention for the band from music publications in the U.S., drawing the now-mandatory Strokes comparisons. |
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83.
Have You Fed the Fish?
by Badly Drawn Boy
November 5, 2002
After wowing music critics and winning Britain's Mercury Music Prize for his 2000 debut album, 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast,' Damon Gough (who is the one and only member of Badly Drawn Boy) took a bit of time off, recording only the soundtrack for 'About A Boy' in the interim. He now returns with a proper follow-up, preceded by single "You Were Right." |
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84.
Creatures
by Elf Power
May 7, 2002
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85.
They Threw Us in a Trench and Stuck a Monument On Top
by Liars
August 20, 2002
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86.
Brainwashed
by George Harrison
November 19, 2002
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87.
Frantic
by Bryan Ferry
May 21, 2002
Fresh off the Roxy Music reunion tour, Bryan Ferry resumes his solo career with this 13-track effort, a mix of Ferry originals and covers (including two Dylan tracks). Ferry has actually been working on this album for parts of the last eight (!) years, and it includes contributions from former Roxy Music partner/nemesis Brian Eno, the Eurythmics' Dave Stewart, and Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood. |
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88.
Scarlet's Walk
by Tori Amos
October 29, 2002
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89.
God Loves Ugly
by Atmosphere
June 11, 2002
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90.
Trust
by Low
September 24, 2002
The Duluth, MN indie band, known for their slow, sparse sound and vocal harmonies of husband and wife guitarist Alan Sparhawk and drummer Mimi Parker, scored their biggest critical success yet with 2001's 'Things We Lost In The Fire.' This follow-up features 13 new songs (many of which have been debuted live on recent tours) mixed by Tschad Blake. |
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91.
Light & Magic
by Ladytron
September 17, 2002
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92.
Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Boss
by Snoop Dogg
November 26, 2002
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93.
Start Breaking My Heart
by Caribou
November 12, 2002
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94.
Free All Angels
by Ash
June 25, 2002
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95.
Ralph Stanley
by Ralph Stanley
June 11, 2002
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96.
Romantica
by Luna
April 23, 2002
Luna's sixth studio album is their first on new label Jetset, and also their first (aside from Luna Live!) to feature Brita Phillips on bass (replacing Justin Harwood, and leaving Dean Wareham as the sole founding member remaining). The all-star production team of Gene Holder and Dave Fridmann were behind the boards for these 12 new tracks. |
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97.
Loud Like Nature
by Add N to (X)
October 29, 2002
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98.
Power In Numbers
by Jurassic 5
October 8, 2002
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99.
Aldhils Arboretum
by Of Montreal
September 24, 2002
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100.
Torino
by Cinerama
July 2, 2002
Basically a continuation of The Wedding Present (but with a broader, more "cinematic" sound), Cinerama features David Gedge and Simon Cleave from that band as well as Gedge's wife, Sally Murrell. Torino, the group's third studio album, was produced by Dare Mason and longtime collaborator Steve Albini, and features the UK hit single "Health And Efficiency." |
Titles with fewer than 7 critic reviews are excluded.
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Fabiana Palladino - Fabiana Palladino
- Release Date: Apr 5, 2024
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Hovvdy - Hovvdy
- Release Date: Apr 26, 2024
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Who Will You Believe - The Pernice Brothers
- Release Date: Apr 5, 2024
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Light Verse - Iron & Wine
- Release Date: Apr 26, 2024
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Revelator - Phosphorescent
- Release Date: Apr 5, 2024
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Ramona - Grace Cummings
- Release Date: Apr 5, 2024
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Hyperdrama - Justice
- Release Date: Apr 26, 2024
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Forgiveness Is Yours - Fat White Family
- Release Date: Apr 26, 2024
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Ohio Players - The Black Keys
- Release Date: Apr 5, 2024
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One Deep River - Mark Knopfler
- Release Date: Apr 12, 2024