Group B

[PaulHaddock]

The Clash- London Calling (1979)

Nominated by: blade1889

London Calling was The Clash's third album and arguably one of their most successful. The Clash were introduced at the height of the punk rock scene but were known to branch out more than the average punk band, reaching towards the blues and reggae genres.

London Calling drew its influence from your average worldly issues, particularly the bad ones. Voted by many to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time, the album is relevant to issues of those in Thatcher's England, though several songs from the album can be drawn from fictional characters like, such as Jimmy Jazz.

The title track is definitely one of their biggest songs:

The Clash were together from 1977 to 1986, with frontman Joe Strummer writing a fair chunk of their songs. He died in 2002.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Arctic Monkeys- Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2005)

Nominated by: StagsForLife, blade1889, TomPNE94, This Charming Mike, SF_

The Arctic Monkeys debut album is thought to be a modern 'rock' masterpiece. It remains the fastest selling debut album by a British band. Frontman Alex Turner is the chief writer. In recent times, the band have seen a change in style from indie rock to stoner rock, which hasn't been all that welcome from some loyal fans.

Their debut single 'I Bet that You Look Good on the Dancefloor' remains a modern British classic and perfectly portrays, along with other songs from the album, the working class British lifestyle. Many songs on the album are loved for their delicate articulation (big words here) of the sometimes chastised youth culture. Nothing showcases this better than that wonderful indie rock ballad 'A Certain Romance'.

This song is used to convey the attitude of the average British pubs and clubs and how it's all a bit rubbish.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Oasis- Definitely Maybe (1994)

Nominated by: This Charming Mike, TomPNE94, StagsForLife, les.gtfc

Another debut album, this time from the widely loved and hated indie powerhouse Oasis. With the songwriting nous of elder Gallagher and the swagger of young Gallagher, Oasis were one of the biggest British bands in the world until their split in 2009, after continued differences between the brothers.

Much like the aforementioned Monkeys, Oasis are regarded as the ones speaking for the working class and it's highs and lows. 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' is on bluesier and rougher side of Oasis, correlating to the song's message of using drugs to lessen the pain of life. 'Rock n Roll Star' speaks of the aspirations that many people have, a view that was shared by Jnr Gallagher during his schooldays, allegedly.

'Live Forever' is one of my favourite Oasis tracks purely because of the music. Lovely solo and outro and it's fairly decent live too.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Manic Street Preachers- Holy Bible (1994)

Nominated by : PaulHaddock

Think this was number one on my list. Back when the Manics were a punk band, released this album, which was to be the last before Richey Edwards disappearance. It's certainly one of the darkest albums I've listened to and it was probably a warning sign as to why he disappeared, seeing as he wrote most of the lyrics.

Most songs focus on a specific matter or anecdote, with sound clips common in the songs. Songs like '4st 7lb', about anorexia, and 'Archives of Pain', about the glorification of serial killers, are just two tracks that contribute to a generally disturbing album.

I'm using two tracks for this album because I just cannot chose my favourite; I'll go with Faster and Archives of Pain.

 

[les.gtfc]

Can't see past my nomination of Oasis really. I think that The Clash are quite overrated really and I'm not a fan of the Manics at all. The Arctic Monkey's album is excellent but not quite on the level of Oasis for me.

 

[Look Out There Are Llamas]

How the fuck did shit like Arctic Monkeys and Oasis get this far. Jesus fucking wept.

 

[Habbinalan]

Clash all day every day.

 

[Vanni]

While I firmly believe The Clash are one of the most overrated bands on the planet, they'll get my vote as I never liked Oasis bar a couple of songs at the most, the Arctic's debut is better but not good enough for me and, just like Les, I could never get into the Manics.

The Clash by default.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Winner: The Clash- London Calling
Runner up: Oasis- Definitely Maybe

 

[Krazy8]

Winner: The Clash- London Calling
Runner up: Oasis- Definitely Maybe

View attachment 4149

Sanity prevails

 

[PaulHaddock]

What an awful result.

Yes, I agree.