SOVIETPANDA RECORDS OF THE YEAR

10. Matchbox 20
Yourself or Someone Like You

Every blogger has a guilty pleasure, and no doubt about it, this year everyone's guilty pleasure was none other than Matchbox 20. The talented young Rob Thomas and his brilliant lyrics inspired everyone. Hearing "Push" come on the radio after "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" was always a breath of fresh air.




9. Walt Mink
El Producto

This is maybe the best album ever and no one has ever heard of it! This will be a cult-classic by the end of the decade and I guarantee you that EVERYONE will have heard of Walt Mink by then.




8. Nirvana
From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah

It is now painfully obvious that Nirvana was the greatest rock band of our generation, maybe ever. This proves it. Now if Courtney Love would just release those rumored session tapes she supposedly has! That would make a killer new Nirvana album I bet.




7. Blues Explosion
Now I Got Worry

You know people keep saying that rock 'n' roll is dead. The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion definitely proves that rock is back and kicking in '96 and will never die (and come back) again.




6. Stereolab
Emperor Tomato Ketchup

Stereolab score points for their obscure references, 60s bands like The Velvet Undergrounds and German 70s "krautrock" bands like Kraftwork and the Can. Very original cool interesting sounding record.




5. Weezer
Pinkerton

Weezer's first album was pure genius and then on the second one they get real. Like, REALLY real. It's about Japanese lesbians having sex all the time and stuff. Weezer is maybe the best band on the planet and I predict they will put out more great, confessional records like this one in years to come.




4. Belle and Sebastian
If You're Feeling Sinister

This is really different music because it's not very loud or distorted like rock music is supposed to be. I call this "indie rock" for lack of a better term and no one has ever heard of it and I love it. You yuppies can have your Soundgardens, I want my indie rock!




3. Rage Against the Machine
Evil Empire

This album rawks harder than anything ever. Rap-rock is the best idea ever!




2. Beck
Odelay

When I first heard about a "white guy who could rap" I was, of course, extremely dubious. What, did like Dr. Dre go to Detroit or something and find some trailer trash whigger to rap about his mama? Thank god no. This is the most innovative piece of pop music to come out ever. Who cares if Beck ever makes another record this one is awesome (I doubt he will). "Where It's At" is my all-time jam and I will never get sick of it.




1. DJ Shadow
Endtroducing...

No wait THIS is the most innovative piece of pop music ever. Yes it's hip-hop... INSTRUMENTAL hip-hop. And it was all made entirely on records! No high-tech CD players for this guy. I hope this sparks a whole movement of instrumental hip-hop because that would be the most exciting movement ever.