Pooge's Album Review #2: Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction

Pooge's Album Review #2: Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction

Why hello there once again fellow interwebs users from around the cosmos! Yes I know the festive season was a while ago, but I hope you all had a kick arse Christmas and New Years wherever you are reading this blog from. Over this time I had the ultimate desire to continue my critically acclaimed (status pending) User Selected Album Review series by writing my second album review as chosen by you, but when you are high on Nonna's lasagne and hangover inducing rum balls you just can't be bothered (if you are of a Southern European and a lightweight with the drink you can emphasise with me). 

The second album of my blog series that I will be reviewing will have all the Triple M radio station esque idolising bogans, stuck in a timewarp rockers and hair metal heads all making their chiropractors awash with wealth by headbanging with glee, while also giving the devils' horns hand signal to many law abiding civil members of their respective communities. Considered by critics and the long haired authority hating rockers as one of the most iconic rock albums of the 1980s by a ginger (yes, GINGER) led hard rock band, I now present my unbiased review of.......

Coincidentally, this is also the official symbol of the Pirate Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Swindling

Artist: Guns n Roses

Album: Appetite For Destruction

Genre: Heavy Metal/Hard Rock

Year of Release: 1987

Label:  Geffen Records

Ah good old late 1980s Los Angeles, that would have been a great place to grow up as a disenfranchised youth or young adult. Destitute hard rockers of this era were being smacked off their feet by hearing the music of many cheesy, money hungry hair metal and glam acts ad nauseaum, while conversely marketing their androgynous looks and tight jeans to the delight of many fluoro adorned 80s chicks. Glam acts like Poison, Motley Crue and Milli Vanilli (more like a SCAM act, hehehe) were delivering their tiresome lyrics and generic faux macho style of music to the resenting ears of many music purists' Walkmans (remember children, an iPad back then was considered to be a high tech sanitary pad for ladies, and Facebook was a form of corporal punishment in schools).

This will teach you for not liking my Bad Luck Brian memes

Prior to Nirvana blowing the doors open to an early 1990s grunge/alt rock revolution, there appeared to be some room for one band to at least minimise the damage that this insidious glam/faux metal genre was doing to everyone's ears. And that day of reckoning came on July 21st 1987, when Oral Sex (I mean Axl Rose), guitar hero Slash and company released this visceral and guitar laden game changer to the concept of heavy metal and hard rock.

The Gunners begin this all out 12 track crunchfest of the ages by kicking the commercial music radio door down with the ballsy and menacing LA Rock and Roll tribute 'Welcome To The Jungle'. This is arguably one of their hardest hitting tracks they ever recorded when they were a decent band, and in my opinion this is my favourite Guns n Roses track ever. The power chord explosion by Slash and Izzy 31 seconds into the song after the intro chiming really sets the tone for the majority of the album.

The second track 'It's So Easy' sounds a lot like a lost Nirvana B Side that Dave Grohl may have used in a pre Foo Fighters solo EP, and its proto-grunge style coupled with Slash's signature soloing really surprised me coming from a balls and all hard rock band like the 1987 Gunners. They may have thought at the time that Nirvana was an LA nightclub where you could snort all the coke you wanted if you were rich and famous.

Ah, so THIS is what a Grammy Award looks like when it's ground up.

The album continues on with the slightly above average homage to a cheap tasting Californian wine the band would consume with 'Night Train', as well as Rose's homage to his troublesome youth 'Out Ta Get Me', which thankfully were never released as singles as there are far better tracks on the album. Slash really is a master of his fret tapping craft, and his larger than life riffs and melodic guitar solos easily catapult the album as a whole to such lofty heights that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. While being accompanied by guitarist Izzy's interlocking rhythm section which is peppered through the album, it's no surprise that rock lovers drool upon hearing songs as raw and aggressive as these.

'Mr Brownstone' continues the melodic 'fuck you' to societal values and beliefs, and the track's themes of heroin use and excessive hedonism are interspersed with the themes of excess and backstage partying with naked groupies (among other rock related activities). Axl solidifies this growing tolerance to drugs with this insightful lyric, "I used to do a little, but a little I wouldn't do, so the little got more and more. I just keep trying to get a little better, said a little better than before".

"Now remember Axl, growing tolerant of drugs like heroin is baaad, mmkay?

Halfway through this invigorating LP we come to the anthemic 'Paradise City', arguably one of GnR's most popular tunes. Axl and co. invite the avid listener to take him down to Paradise City, where the grass is green and the girls are pretty with his falsetto rock vocals, and Slash impresses with his chugging lead riffs during the verses and shiny power chords during the chorus. The track then goes into double time about three quarters of the way in, and Slash chugs an even better solo (can this curly haired man do no wrong?)

Ummmmm.......I guess he can.........

It is terrific enduring tracks like PC that make the album grand, and to think that we are only halfway through this album is a testament to the overall production of Appetite thus far. Up next is a rock ballad dedicated to to a close friend of the band name Michelle named, you guessed it, 'My Michelle'.

Musical consistency seems to be the theme of the day with this album, and while some bands can bore the hell out of the listener with their lack of variety, for The Gunners this seems appropriate as they are simply out there to rock out and show their love to their fans. 'Think About You' continues such a way of thinking with its theme of rekindling love to the tune of blaring instruments.

It is here where we get to their signature song which has been played in more pubs then a 1950s pool table, and that song is 'Sweet Child O' Mine'. If you aspire to be a guitar hero without clicking coloured buttons on a controller, play the first few bars of Slash's intro at your next social gathering and you will get instant positive reactions, and hot women's clothing will simply fall off in response (this has not been scientifically proven as yet). Axl's vocals aren't as falsetto in this one, and this melodramatic ode to his 5000th ex girlfriend has stood the test of time pretty well, and its message of love lost made it into a fine single. The outstanding guitar solo after the bridge will make your face melt with its innovation and perfection. This is clearly one of the stand out tracks on the album, not that there is much of a difference in quality between most of the songs on this album.

'You're Crazy', 'Anything Goes' and the outstanding 'Rocket Queen' finish at the tail end of Appetite, and the dizzying late 1980s feast of excess, love lost, love gained, drug use and all night partying with pretty girls and green grass has sadly come to an end.

Did I do that?

Guns n Roses were able to put the testosterone back into rock and roll with this landmark album, and it was only going to be a few more years before Motley Crue and the like were sent to the Gone But Certainly Forgotten category of music when grunge and alternative rock took over the airwaves. The album's disregard to be taken seriously, as well as its messages of thanks to the envious heavy rock star lifestyle exemplified the carefree mentality of the group. Notably Slash's guitar playing has been acclaimed since the release of this album, and Appetite For Destruction demonstrated the LA group at their best. In my opinion this is a well crafted hard rock album with certain repeatability.

Standout Tracks: Welcome To The Jungle, Paradise City, Sweet Child O Mine, Rocket Queen


Recommended For: People who want to throw a booze driven 80s theme party, aspiring guitar players and lovers of classic rock radio stations

Final Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pooge's Album Review #1: Tool - Opiate EP (1992)

Pooge's Album Review #1: Tool - Opiate EP (1992)

Good day fellow web users, and welcome to my revamped, renovated, redone, redefined and restructured music blog series!!!!!!!!

YEEEEEEEAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

As you may or may not know, my name is Ivan AKA Pooge and I am a lover of all things music (except for the drunken syphillus infested groupies) living in the beautiful island nation of Australia (Straya). About 7 months ago I started a blog known as The Pooge's Word about articles relating to music. Notably, between March and April of this year I completed an epic 6 part series on my Top 150 Songs of the 2000s (the entire series can still be viewed in my Archive). The enormity of this series really took a toll on my creative ability, and for a long while I stopped the Word altogether.



Lately I have been thinking about doing a more regular (possibly weekly) blog series on something original, but still featuring music in some way. Two long nights ago, a incandescent non energy saving lightbulb struck me on the head, and after leaving the intensive care unit, I came up with a common industry idea with a strong social and interactive twist: album reviews for albums chosen by you, the readers!

What the hell is it with me and cats today?

I am a lover of all kinds of music, and for the series I do not mind reviewing any album that you choose. If it is rock, pop, reggae or metal, and if it was recorded in 1945 or 2005, I will review it as an impartial person. For some reviews I may not have enough knowledge on a particular album or band, but to satisfy my viewership I will give you a sound opinion.

 I have already had some album suggestions from friends on Facebook, and I had received a very interesting and diverse range of albums that need a non biased and in touch review from such a handsome and educated gentleman as myself. I am not going to bombard you with any review cliches, references to other like material or go on a diatribe about unnecessary facts about the album, I will give you an honest, open and realistic opinion on any album of your choice. And with that, as my comeback blog (hopefully more of an AC/DC Back In Black comeback than a Guns n Roses Chinese Democracy comeback), I now present to you all my first Album Review from a very popular musical group who have sold millions of albums over four decades, so enjoy:

Artist: Tool
Album: Opiate EP
Genre: Alternative Metal/Hard Rock
Year of Release: 1992
Label: Zoo Entertainment

(Ha! Most of you probably thought this was going to be a review about a Barry Manilow (dear god.....) album or something. Anyway, there'll be no trips to Copacabana this time around, so put away those oversized Hawaiian shirts and your hopes of being laid, with or without a wreath of flowers depending on your intentions).

This pioneering alternative metal band's first full length album Undertow was a little over a year away, but vocalist Maynard James Keenan and his band of merry metal/hard rock men set about creating this six track EP based on material written by the band members since their formation in 1990.

Crunching tuned down hard rock riffs, imbalanced time signatures and Keenan's pained and distant vocals all play a large part in the whole EP and as part of Tool's original sound. Themes of loneliness, isolation and anger resonate through the lyrics, and the accompanying rawness of the music reflects this meaning.

The opening track 'Sweat' fades in into a giant calamity of dynamics ranging from demonic drum patterns to domineering bass which would make up the heavy progressive sound that Tool would eventually use as a model to evolve musically for the remainder of their career. Keenan then tells the antagonist in 'Hush' ungracefully to go fuck themselves to a more pre-metalcore esque crunch, with the same generic themes which make up the EP. I found 'Sweat' to be a very good opening track, but 'Hush' has a bit to be desired.

'I know you well, you are part of me/I know you better than myself' lyrically opens the third track 'Part of Me'. It is much of a muchness with what Opiate had provided up until this point in the EP, but the rolling percussion and muted guitar riff gave this a bit more of an edge then the other tracks. The lyrics are nothing really to write home about, and I found this part of the writing process brought this thing down as a whole somewhat. Horses for courses I guess depending on your style.

'Cold and Ugly' and 'Jerk Off' are both average to slightly above average live tracks, with both also inhibiting hefty levels of angst towards the antagonist Keenan and co. are directing their vitriol towards, as well as a guy who looks like Bob Marley (you'll understand when you hear it). The sixth and final eponymous track 'Opiate' is a 5 and a half minute epic (the remaining three or so minutes is a hidden track) about Tool's loss of faith in organised religion and Keenan's struggle to find himself. This was the standout track for me in the whole EP, and I am sure many Tool fans would rate this one highly in their collection as some of their best work, which is a huge call considering how Tool bettered themselves with each subsequent release.

For diehard fans of the band and alternative metal in its entirety, and also for music purists with a strong ear for musical structure, Opiate is a satisfying prelude to what Tool would evolve into over next two or so decades. This EP's style is more hard rock then metal, but eventually they would become more progressive and less fierce in their style in later work.

For general music fans like myself, I found the EP reasonably well crafted for its time, however the lyrics and its themes felt very archaic and unoriginal, and I felt this aspect brought the album down considerably. Although to be fair, Tool only formed two years before this release so they would have improved in that department later on.

For fans of One Direction and other generic pop groups as well as other Top 40 lovers, they will be given confusing nightmares for many weeks to come after just hearing Track 1. Overall, Opiate gives us a fascinating insight into the origins of what would become a masterful progressive metal group, resulting in sensational tracks off their later albums including 'Stink Fist', 'Parabol' and 'Schism'. Opiate is an enjoyable EP to listen to musically, but lyrically I found it to be a work in progress with its tiresome themes and messages.

Standout Tracks: Sweat, Opiate

Recommended For: Those new to the alternative metal genre, secular Tool fans who want to listen to their earlier work, or really angry people who need to vent their rage away from laptops and kittens (here we go with the cats again).

Final Rating: 3 out of 5

My Top 150 Songs of the 90s - 150-101

Hello once again fellow interwebz users. I would like to start by wishing a happy and safe Easter to all of my Aussie and global readers. Don't be afraid to go nuts and consume heaps of chocolate over the long weekend break, I know I won't be *bites into a King Size Crunchie bar*.

After releasing my last blog series on my top 150 songs of the 2000s, I received nothing but positive feedback from friends and family, as well as various people from around the world. With such positivity and reinforcement, I have summoned the ambition to create a new blog series in the same vain as the last one. I really enjoyed writing my last series and I look forward to writing this one for you all as well.

This time around we will not travel back once again to the decade that brought us iPods, Twitter, Justin Bieber, Google Chrome, 30 Rock and slim fit jeans, rather we will be going back even further to the decade that laid claim to the invention of Discmans, MSN Messenger, Backstreet Boys, Netscape Navigator, Seinfeld and flannel shirts.

The 1990s was a decade of new beginnings in society. The Soviet Union fell, a sheep named Dolly was the first organism to be cloned, the extreme brutality of the Rwandan Genocide shocked the world, and a deeply adored member of the British Royal Family was tragically killed in a car accident, among many other notable events.

For music, the glory days of New Wave and hair metal music came to an end at the turn of the decade, and thanks to the mainstream success of bands like Soundgarden and Nirvana, alternative rock and the unruly genre of grunge became more popular and accessible to people worldwide. Alternative and indie rock continued to endure the entire decade from the mid 1980s, but after the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, the genre of grunge perished with him. Between 1994 and 1999, alternative rock, punk, indie and pop punk continued on its legacy.

Hip hop and rap reached unprecedented levels of innovation and creativity. Unknown artists such as Jay Z, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube all found solo success in this decade and at the turn of the century hip hop was more popular than rock music. Dance and electronica also followed a similar path to popularity and progression. Pop music mostly became popular to young teens thanks to groups like the Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys in the mid to late 90s despite its vacuous and generic veneer. Boy bands and girl groups experience a revival in the mid 90s thanks to the popularity of groups like the above.

In a similar fashion to my last series I will be counting down the best songs of this decade from 150 to 1 within four blogs, and by popular demand, a bonus blog of the Ten Worst Songs of the 1990s will be created before the fourth blog (Final 20) is released. And I would just like to reiterate that once again this is a personal list, not a reflection of musical history as a whole. So without further ado, I am happy to present to you, 150 to 101 of my countdown!!!!!!!!

150-101

150. Montell Jordan - This Is How We Do It (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiUuL5uTKc&ob=av2e: What would the 90s be without new jack/RnB swagger hits like this one by the one and only Montell Jordan? Montell croons out a floor bustin' monologue on how him and his players party the night away. Put this on during a party and watch the dancefloor fill up.

149. Soundgarden - Pretty Noose (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8nkHrv_4Mg&ob=av2e: After the unexpected success of albums Superunknown and Badmotorfinger, these Seattle rockers released their last album before splitting. The single Pretty Noose is a cruisy distorted crunchfest about something that goes great then sours miserably. And I'm not talking about an apple left in the sun for days on end. Soundgarden would reunite in 2007 to rapturous shouts of victory from fellow rock fans.

148. Lenny Kravitz - Are You Gonna Go My Way (1993)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLhpHjmxNw8: That unmistakable guitar riff at the start of this song will make anyone sit up and take notice. Sure the lyrics aren't the most original you heard, but it will quell your longing for listening to a decent rock and roll tune. The guitar solo is the stuff of legends.

147. Faithless - Insomnia (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuqEbRzy_t8&ob=av2e: This British electronica group electrifies the listener with a track about not being able to sleep continuously. Lines like, I toss and turn without cease, like a curse, open my eyes and rise like yeast/kept takin' sleepers, and now I keep pepped/, resonated with the British rave culture at the time.

146. Garbage - Only Happy When It Rains (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esEdC0c3YI4: Scottish American rockers Garbage introduced themselves to the world with this self deprecating, dark alt rock number. We can place the blame solely on them for envisaging the emo movement of the early to mid 2000s.

145. Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrwjiO1MCVs&ob=av2e: Sure this is a very goofy song, but it has quite a bit of charm. Not every tune has to be a Jane Says or Mountain Song. The band provide us with 3 minutes and 34 seconds of deliberately cheesy guitar licks and adolescent like vocals. What a joy to listen to.

144. Hole - Celebrity Skin (1998)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3dWBLoU--E&ob=av2e: The widow of Kurt Cobain and her band of musicians shocked the world with their acclaimed album Live Through This. Their follow up Celebrity Skin was also lauded, and the eponymous single is a sarcastic view on the glamour of Hollywood. Turn this up to 11 if you dare.

143. Underworld - Born Slippy .NUXX (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiMrrleH_hI: Yes, this is the opening song from the film Trainspotting. No one can escape the clutches of the pounding and relentless rhythm, as well as the droning vocals. Ravers still get hard at even the thought of this song blasting through the speakers.

142. Weezer - Buddy Holly (1994)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kemivUKb4f4&ob=av2e: This song may be more known for the iconic Happy Days music video, but the first commercially released single by these American power poppers is a melodic romantic love me do story loaded with 1950s pop culture references.Weezer became a very popular group after this song's release.

141. TLC - Waterfalls (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WEtxJ4-sh4&ob=av2e: What a better way to ignite a successful RnB career than with this inspirational message of hope. T-Boz, Chili and the deceased Left Eye make a plea for impressionable teenagers to live life on the straight and narrow, and not cascade into a 'waterfall' of poverty and crime. This is a fine RnB song which still rings true today.

140. Backstreet Boys - Larger Than Life (1999)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jkH7An7dKk: Everyone knows that boy bands and girl groups sucked ass during their peak in the mid 1990s and early 2000s. Everyone knows that these 'artists' had no musical talent, and they only had their cutesy looks that make them millions. But somehow this anthemic dance pop hit treads the line between generic manufactured pop and musical integrity quite successfully. For uneducated tweens born from the late 90s onward, these guys were the One Direction of 1990s pop.

139. Radiohead - Creep (1992)
\
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk&ob=av2n: Funny how a certain band can evolve so much that their earlier material sounds so dissimilar to their later releases. Before Radiohead transitioned into the grand alternative group they are today, they started out as a simpleton rock band from Oxfordshire, England. An anthem to stalkers worldwide, Creep is a special, so fuckin' special early 90s alt rock song.

138. Powderfinger - The Day You Come (1998)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SIXpRVOQ9E: Our first Australian song on our countdown! They say good things come from Brisbane (myself included), and Finger's standout political number is arguably the best song they ever created. The soaring harmonic chorus brings tingles all over with its splendour.

137. Leonardo's Bride - Even When I'm Sleeping (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ1ydd5OzWc: How this Sydney pop rock group never released another heartfelt ballad like this is beyond me. The beautiful female vocals, the supporting guitar. bass and drums, and the gorgeous lyrics still tug at our heartstrings today. This is one of the best Aussie one hit wonders ever.

136. Michael Jackson - Remember The Time (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc&ob=av2n: By this stage in his career, Jacko had the whole world at his feet. His second single off Dangerous was an entertaining New Jack Swing inspired dance tune about remembering when he was in love. As was his trademark, the Egyptian themed music video goes for 9 minutes, so pop that popcorn, fluff your pillows and enjoy the show.

135. Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings (1995)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0&ob=av2e: Anger, anger, ANGER!!!! ROAR!!!!! Long haired turn short haired turned bald haired Billy Corgan and co. convey a sense of calm in their simmering verses after declaring 'the world is a vampire' at the start of the song, but during the chorus they go all out, screaming 'despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage'. A powerful song about marginalisation and inequality off an equally powerful album.

134. Culture Beat - Mr. Vain (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4W_kWxWn-Zo: The ingredients for a successful Eurodance global smash hit are as follows: pounding female vocals, a catchy keyboard loop, thumping bass, and a camp male back up vocalist with two or three separate half verses to sing. Lump all of the ingredients together, mash them up, and release your tune to the waiting world.

133. Blink 182 - Dammit (Growing Up) (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT0g16_LQaQ&ob=av2e: This is adolescent adoring pop punk when it is done right. Pop punk became a popular subgenre of rock music in the late 90s when these Californians released this fun jamboree about breaking up with a girlfriend and realising the pains of teenagers going into adulthood.

132. Radiohead - No Surprises (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5CVsCnxyXg&ob=av2e: Before the release of this first single and the subsequent album OK Computer, something must have triggered the band to look beyond their overdriven grungy musical horizons and explore uncharted territory in the musical sense. No Surprises is an ambient ensemble gleeming with tight piano hooks and a trance inducing xylophone like percussion.

131. Enigma - Sadeness Part I (1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F9DxYhqmKw&ob=av2e: This track is perfect for the Easter holidays. The Latin and French text, the Gregorian chants, the pan flute crescending throughout parts of the song. The group themselves are an enigma. One Youtube viewer even says that it was the perfect song to listen to while colouring in his Lion King colour book as a child. Talk about life imitating art.

130. Nas Feat. Lauryn Hill - If I Ruled The World (Imagine That) (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlp-IIG9ApU&ob=av2e: A lot of us would have plenty of plans we would like enacted if we ruled the world. For hip hop artist Nas, and RnB sensation Lauryn Hill, they would do things like being free to smoke on the street without cops harassing them, abolishing parole, and promoting harmony amongst all races. Record producers stook up to take notice of Nas when this poppin' tune came out, and Lauryn Hill commenced her successful post-Fugees solo career.

129. Sheryl Crow - If It Makes You Happy (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyihQtBes1I&ob=av2e: Sure Mrs Lance Armstrong can churn out an amusing road trip hit like All I Wanna Do, but when she wants to she can belt out a guitar driven rock pop ballad with finesse. The 90s were the decade of roaring female singer-songwriters, and Ms Crow was certainly no exception with hits like this one.

128. MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This (1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo&ob=av2e: She's a superfreak, superfreak......wait a minute, this isn't Rick James' signature tune. Numerous cultural and pop references stemmed from this multi platinum selling pop-rap superhit spawned by the now bankrupt Hammer. Now stop and listen to the inevitable nostalgia which comes to mind when listening to this, Hammer Time!

127. D:Ream - Things Can Only Get Better (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIj-6fr2SlI: If this song were a pizza, it would be called a Guilty Pleasure Special With Extra Cheese. D:Ream were one hit wonders from the UK who found overnight success with this chart topping smash in the year that was 1993. Everyone has this song on their iPod, but they are just too afraid to admit it.

126. The Living End - Second Solution (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaXKiyKwaOU: We have a lot to thank Aussie radio station Triple J for over the decades. The Jays always know a good band when they see them, and this Melbourne trio are still going strong after two decades. Second Solution is a melodic singalong which laid the foundations for the End's trademark punkabilly (punk and rock and roll) that would see them gain enormous popularity in their motherland for a long while.

125. Notorious B.I.G Feat. Puff Daddy and Mase - Mo Money, Mo Problems (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUhRKVIjJtw&ob=av3e: After the big man was tragically shot dead, a posthumous album was released with studio recordings of raps laid down by the great man of hip hop. Puff and Mase deliver support with cruisy rhymes and bouncy hooks about living the high life, despite adversities faced when more money is made. Biggie's rap verse sounds so grand, it is hard to believe that he was high in the clouds at the time of this release. R.I.P Notorious.

124. Ace Of Base - All That She Wants (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjJwqDa1QVI: 'How could you have these watered down Swedish hacks in your influential countdown Pooge?'. Have you actually heard the lyrics in this song? There is nothing about seeing signs on here. This song is quite tragic when you hear what they are saying, and the sombre stuttering rhythm fits this song quite appropriately.

123. Green Day - Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc: For a short while in 1997, desperate and horny teens and adults were able to serenade their desired mates with a poorly strummed guitar recital of this four chord acoustic melody. That is until the women in question figured out what was going on. In all seriousness, this is a sickly sweet stripped down version of Green Day that you will never hear again.

122. Grinspoon - Champion (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLfUBVckNbU: Triple J Unearthed winners of 1996 Grinspoon must have listened to Rage Against The Machine prior to writing this. The lyrics are not politically motivated in the slightest, but Spoon express their rage on people trying to punch above their weight in many things in life. I will forgive you for jumping manically on your bed smashing your furniture while listening to this roaring track.

121. Ben Folds Five - Brick (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5EHAqhR1c&ob=av2e: Who needs sex education in schools when you have this unfortunate piano ballad about the pains of a boyfriend taking their pregnant partner to an abortion clinic? Folds' vocals are filled with a sense of aching for the entire thing. The song is truly beautiful.

120. Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin' Beats (1997)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTxOKsyZ0Lw&ob=av2e: This acclaimed British electronica group belts out a bassline which sounds like a cat on the prowl, accompanied by wailing guitars and synths in the chorus. The whole concept of the song is given a grungy and dirty sort of demeanour, not that this is a bad thing. This is perfect to listen to in the car on the way to a house party or nightclub.

119. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Scar Tissue (1999)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzJj5-lubeM&ob=av2n: Considered by many as one of the greatest comeback songs in music history, the Chilis obtained newfound solace in their more rock orientated style. With the commercial and critical failure of their previous album One Hot Minute, and with the return of guitarist John Frusciante, the mellow Scar Tissue can be seen as the most appropriate title that symbolises the after-effects of the previous pain endured by the band.

118. Jesus Jones - Right Here, Right Now (1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7z6dxQVhE8o&ob=av2e: There is nothing more that screams early 90s then having the name Jesus inserted in a band's name or material. This short lived band exclaimed in collective ecstasy of their gratefulness to be right here right now in the present. And shouldn't we all be grateful for that?You'll have this song on repeat for days after you first hear it.

117. Ben Lee - Cigarettes Will Kill You (1998)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJAorQM7sL8: How a weasly young man with curly hair quit a fledgling rock band to create this timeless Aussie classic is beyond me. We are all grateful that Ben Lee created this, and we are glad that this is 100% dinki di Aussie. No references to cigarettes have been heard on this song after numerous listens. This should be the Quit campaign's theme song.

116. Des'ree - You Gotta Be (1999)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO40TcKa_5U&ob=av2e: Listen to this gorgeous sunny track and watch  as your self esteem and confidence rise exponentially by 100000000% in the process. Is Des'ree a counsellor or motivational speaker when she is not making music? Because she would do a damn good job of it if she was.

115. Madonna - Secret (1994)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPHUZenprKc&ob=av2e: With the music world at her feet since the mid 80s, the undisputed Queen of Pop delved into the intimate and erotic during the early to mid 90s. This sultry track in particular stands out as well crafted pop, with sensual lyrics and mellow hooks to set the desired mood. If only Madge could entice us in the year 2012 in the same way she did on tracks like this in the 90s (sigh.....).

114. Yothu Yindi - Treaty (1991)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1Ci1ubPwbM&feature=fvst: In 1991 Indigenous musicians Gurrumul Yunupingu and Wenten Rubuntja penned what was to be a smooth guitar and Aboriginal instrument driven protest song about the treatment of the Indigenous people by the government. Musician Paul Kelly recommended speeding up the song's tempo and dynamics to appeal to the masses, and this astoundingly sublime Australian classic was born.

113. Ginuwine - Pony (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMKQP0K3a0&ob=av2e: Within a day of this revolutionary New Jack Swing/RnB song being released, hip hop producer Timbaland went from being an aspiring mogul to a respected producer. Things such as stop-start instrumentation, cartoon slide whistles, vocodered vocal samples and 'electronic belching' were all introduced for the first time on this track. Ginuwine waxes lyrical about how to be courteous to a lady (or something of that nature).

112. Bodeans - Closer To Free (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR4sdKrL9n4: On one hand some TV show theme songs can be atrocious (like The Rembrandt's I'll Be There For You from Friends), and songs like this are quite enjoyable and convey a carefree attitude. While Party of Five does not have a strong popularity anymore like Friends does, this song really came home with its cruisy sound.

111. L7 - Pretend We're Dead (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAdlZ2F-fs8: It is quite a relief that many women the world over decided to pick up an instrument and just rock out. This all female grunge band started this trend in the 90s, and their signature hit is full of the usual suspects of grunge: three chord tuned down guitar strumming, driving bass and accompanying drums.

110. Blur - Girls And Boys (1994)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDswiT87oo8&ob=av2e: The UK music markets set its sights on the growing Britpop genre, and this particular band fuelled its popularity. The supposed rivals of Oasis churn out a shallow ode to having fun while you're young, and its carefree style makes this a great track to have going through the speakers during summer.

109. En Vogue - My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It) (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xpugp6DIb3I: Oh yes, this funky RnB number feels quite liberating to listen to. En Vogue express their disinterest in falling in love with a man who won't treat them with the respect they deserve. And there's a flute in the song!!! It's scary how fresh this song sounds even 20 years after it was released.

108. Green Day - Basket Case (1994)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr5t3MoY&ob=av2e: Diehard Green Days fans rejoice, there is an Old Green Day tune on this list. Billie Joe and his ragtag bunch of punks belts out the struggle with anxiety in typical three chord pop punk fashion. Man Dookie was such a good album to listen to during childhood.

107. Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson - Scream (1995)

After receiving allegations of child molestation for the first time in the early 1990s, Micky J teamed up with his talented sister Janet to give a big fuck you to his detractors. Roaring guitars, angst filled lyrics and ferocious percussion bring the message to the fore, and the music video is one of the most expensive to ever be produced.

106. Bikini Kill - Rebel Girl (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZxxhxjgnC0: This hard hitting riot grrl number puts the 70s tune I Am Woman Hear Me Roar to considerate shame. The whole ambience is intesified with the radical feminist themes and crunching instruments.

105. Hole - Malibu (1998)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0CYB5V9e64&ob=av2e: This is arguably Hole's most famous song, and upon release in 1998, critics and fans were in raptures with its sunny ambience and carefree guitar work. However underneath the sweet exterior lays a sombre reflection of husband Cobain's treatment in a Malibu rehab centre prior to his death in 1994.

104. Snoop Doggy Dogg - What's My Name (1993)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC4_MD0VIFE: Izzle dizzel schizzle manizzle, Snoop said an introductory holla to y'all in the early 90s with this shiz bangin' tune. Snoop became a poppin' rapper throughout the next two decades, and he still brings his weed filled shiz to many artists in contemporary music.


103. The Lemonheads - It's A Shame About Ray (1992)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFYFj5q8_Qk&ob=av3e: While the rock world was engulfed in countless grunge and hard hitting alt rock songs, these normally hard punk rockers stripped down their heavy sound to bring out a soulful acoustic song which struck a chord with its smooth presence. This can be seen as an anti-grunge song in a sense. And yes, that is Johnny Depp in the video.

102. Foo Fighters - Big Me (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLdJQFTnZfA&ob=av2e: When Cobain died, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl was stuck in a rut not knowing what to do. He eventually decided to go ahead and start his alternative rock band. Big Me is a radical departure to the rest of the Fooeys eponymous debut album, but the song is more famous for the Mentos ad parody that is the music video. Not that this takes away from the beauty of this short quiet jamboree.

101. Seal - Crazy (1990)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fc67yQsPqQ&ob=av2e: You have to be crazy to not find this British soul artists' signature hit somewhat soothing to listen to. Is it the swelling keyboard mantra that does it for you, or maybe the bass heavy beats, or perhaps the endearing wah wah guitars? This melodic soul tune will be sure to make you wanna scream in ecstasy for being so grateful to discover it for the first time.

Well that's the first 50 songs out of the way, and next week I will present number 100 to 51 songs of the 90s. Happy Easter again y'all. See you next week.