Final album from West Country crew is a back-to-basics indie rock affair laced with humour and catchy riffs. Pop fact: Stephen Fry provides a monologue on the track “Glass Smash Jack”. Download: La Plage, Perfect Day, Skin, Bleeding Me Dry, Glass Smash Jack Tweet
Pretentious art opera with Eno at the controls. Lengthy improvisations, sprawling and erratic, this still has enough ideas and great songs to rank as one of his best. Download: Thru’ These Architects Eyes, No Control, Hallo Spaceboy, Outside, The Voyeur of Utter Destruction (as Beauty) Tweet
This opening salvo from Shirley Manson, Butch Vig and co. is a feast of great songs and spunky attitude. Subsequent albums lacked the bite, hooks and swagger of this fine debut. Download: Milk, Vow, Queer, Stupid Girl, Only Happy When it Rains, As Heaven is Wide Tweet
A collection of early EP’s showcasing the trios trademark excursions into live-edgy jazz groove. Download: Swank, One Legged Low Frequency Guy, Tweet
Brilliant debut from Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons which unlike later albums has the beats and the freshness. Download: Fuck Up Beats, Life Is Sweet, In Dust We Trust Tweet
Astonishing follow-up to “Bytes” which somehow progresses the landmark electronica further. A high watermark indeed. Download: all of it. Tweet
Where the experimental and accessible meet in perfect unity. Arguably their most satisfying work. Download: Dael, Clipper, Eutow Tweet
Seminal spliff-addled dub-soul fest which has soundtracked many a late night sojourn (or so we’re told – Ed). Download: Night’s Introlude, (Man) Tha Journey, Mission Venice Tweet
Thumping follow-up to “..Groovy Treat”. The samples had been dropped and in its place was a direct and focused set of songs which did not forgo melody.Download: We Have Come, Dark, Love Above, Mushroom-Shaped Tweet
After the best part of 15 years in the wilderness, Oakey & co unleash an absolute belter. Songs, electronics, witty social commentary and THAT baritone. The renaissance started here. Download: These Are The Days, Cruel Young Lover, Words, One Man In My Heart, House Full Of Nothing Buy: Octopus <br /> <img src=”http://www.assoc-amazon.co.uk/s/noscript?tag=jut2kcoukalbu-21″ alt=”” /><br /> Tweet
B-sides, remixes, rarities and demo’s compilation covering the EMI period 88-90 (albums “The Stars We Are” & “Enchanted”). For Almond fans, this is a must. Download Exotica Rose, Only The Moment (All The Time In The World Mix), Tears Run Rings (The La Magia Dance Mix) Tweet
Riveting collection of extended remixes from Dave Ball and Richard Norris which (no doubt unintentionally) became the quintessential Grid release. Download: Boom! (Freestyle Mix), Figure Of 8 (Tribal Trance Mix), Diablo (The Devil Rides Out Mix), Texas Cowboys (Ricochet Mix) Tweet
Fabulous European tinged electronic return from the Mael brothers. Hooks, wit and drama a plenty in one of 1995′s highlights. Utterly enchanting. Download: When do i get to song “My Way”, When i kiss you, Frankly Scarlett I don’t give a damn, Let’s go surfing Tweet
Erasure wave hello to ambient (courtesy of Thomas Fehlmann) and simultaneously say goodbye to commercial success. However “Erasure” is an album to warm your heart to on a long autumnal evening. Lovely. Download: Fingers and Thumbs, Rock Me Gently, I Love You, A Long Goodbye Tweet