Copper Blue's one of those satisfying albums to such a degree I never moved on. Never heard FUEL. Might be better that way it sounds....

Isn't #10 funny? It's almost #1. It's the one that made the cut, the longshot, the stunner.

Oh man. Copper Blue is a great album and one of my favorites from the early 90s. Thanks for reminding me that that album needs to be at least in my top 20 albums or all time.

I was completely disappointed by the follow up, FUEL.

I wasn't wild about Down w/ Wilco, either, but the rarity "Lyrical Stance" kills. As for Loose Fur, as well as their follow-up Born Again in the USA, it's worthy, IMO. Standout: "Elegant Transaction." Not sure if you're familiar w/ Jim O'Rourke, but he mixed YHF & AGIB and was a member of Sonic Youth for a few years circa Murray Street & Sonic Nurse. I especially like his Drag City album Insignificance which also features Tweedy's crunchier SG sound.

hey, how is loose fur? Any standout tracks? I am wary of Tweedy side (associated) projects. I frantically tracked down Minus 5's Down With Wilco and it sucked.

My copy of Dead Letter Office is vinyl, so I'll pick up Chronic Town, definitely. I'm gonna get Green, too, based on a f10 review. After they left IRS I never bought (or stole) their music anymore b/c it was everywhere, especially once I arrived at college. But I realize I've missed out. I know Dead Letter Office is an odd personal favorite---I guess it was my timing. Great liner notes, too.

Next Tuesday Rhino is reissuing the 'Mats' Twin/Tone releases w/ tons of extras. Can't wait!

And 'Voice of Harold' is the best 'Stipe Can Sing Any Crap And I'll Love It' song. Real genius. Too bad his lyrics as of late have gotten so bad that we've noticed it...

Very solid list. Hootenanny is a great album; highly underrated. Do you have the CD, LP, or tape version of Dead Letter Office? Chronic Town is the best EP of all time and if you don't have it (it comes on the CD version) you need to get it.

It is a fascinating story. Small Faces as you know was Marriott, Lane, Jones, Winston and later McLagan. They only lasted for roughly 4 years (1965-69), but had a big impact. My favorites are their debut called Small Faces, their most popular Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake and an album released after their breakup called Autumn Stone. They went from mod pop to psychedelia with many stops in between.

Marriott left the band in '69 because he wanted to be a bigger star joining Peter Frampton in the ironically named Humble Pie. The other 3 guys joined Stewart/Beck in The Faces doing that dirty, sloppy raunch as you say. :)

I like the Small Faces best out of the 3 since I like the mod pop (I am a die-hard Who fan) and also the psychedelia as a fan of Floyd, Kinks et al. I also cannot stand Rod Stewart. :)

I've never heard any Small Faces. Do you like 'em better than the dirty, sloppy raunch of the Faces?

Village Green Preservation Society is my fav, but I agree they are very under-rated. The real test however is how influential a band is with musicians and The Kinks are constantly referenced by their peers which says alot. They just have a very "british" sound compared to The Who, Beatles, Stones etc.,are more subtle and less poppy.

Another awesome band that falls into that category are The Small Faces.

The Kinks are the most underrated band of all time, IMO. Things just didn't go their way compared to the Beatles, the Stones, the Beach Boys, etc. And this record is one I'll just keep flipping. It's also a great starting point. Muswell Hillbillies is a close second.

Lola vs. Powerman is a phenomenal album...great choice