ELECTRIC DREAM MACHINE

Silverchair - Diorama
A CD with so much emotional depth, you can't help but drown in it. Honest yet over the top, this cd feels like an open letter from Daniel Johns to the listener. He snarls on "One Way Mule", croons on "Across The Night" and stews in depression in the epic drama of "Tuna In The Brine". The orchestral and symphonic embellishments serve only to enhance. Definitely accesible enough for anyone to listen to without compromising artistic vision. I've been listening to this for about two months now. Thanks Rick!



Muse - Origin of Symmetry
Pure unadulterated (space) dementia. This album begins with the paranoia of New Born and ends with the cynical, apocalypticism of Megalomania, a song with a backbeat and horribly morbid organ that feels more like a funeral dirge for the planet Earth than the closing to a rock album. Honestly, the sheer brilliance of every track on here is astounding. The frantic piano, the distorted basslines, the pulsating drums, and of course the hypnotically disturbed guitar riffs. The whole album feels cold and robotic enough to disorient while it screams at you of its humanity. It's enough to overwhelm at times, but if you're willing to take the trip, you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite albums of all time.



Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites
Probably the most confusing but ultimately beautiful album on this list. The album begins in a confused mishmash of guitar and drum hits before the beat finally drops and from there on out, the album flows like a stream of conciousness piece created on the spot. With all the whimsy, fear, and chaos of our own dreams, the whole thing comes to a head with the trance-inducingly haunting "Special", with the most epic and destructively harmonious chorus I've ever heard. Johan sings mostly with a very high head voice and is positively angelic in his delivery. The band creates one recognizable, powerful sound perfectly. Not for everyone and it may take a few listens to "get" this record... but when you get it you'll thank the lucky stars you listened to it. Haven't stopped listening to this since June.
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My Top 10 Favorite Songwriters

1. Prince
2. Matt Bellamy (Muse)
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
4. James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
5. Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
6. Billy Joel
7. Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation)
8. Imogen Heap
9. David Bowie
10. Daniel Johns (Silverchair)