This is the final part of my breakdown of the different albums that I listened to during my commutes to school placement over the last few weeks.

Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes (Sub Pop, 2008)

One of the those albums that everyone says that you should listen to at least once, the debut album by the Seattle indie folk group was lauded as one of the albums of 2008. A collection of beautifully crafted songs, it will always be known as the album that gave us Winter White Hymnal.

The Beatles – The Beatles [White Album] (Apple, 1968)

Widely regarding as one of the best albums of the iconic pop band, I decided to give it a listen. An album that gave the world songs such as Here Comes the Sun and While My Guitar Gently Weeps, it demonstrated the willingness of the band to experiment with their sound and would be one of the most influential albums of all time.

The Ramones – Ramones (Sire Records, 1976)

The Ramones are considered to be one of those generation defining bands, yet despite this I would have to confess to having never actually properly listened to the band before this. And well… Er, this mightn’t be a popular opinion, but I really don’t get it. Every song just sounded the same to me, and while their legacy is secured within music history and the cracker of a song, Blitzkreig Bop, it wasn’t something that I will be revisiting anytime soon.

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (Capitol, 1966)

Another album on this list that has been cited as the inspiration for a seemingly endless list of artists and records, Pet Sounds remains a truly riveting listen through to today. Every song could have been a single and many of them did indeed go on to be so. Quite simply a masterpiece in music making.

Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours (Capitol, 1955)

Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guy and esteemed recording artist in his own right, has regularly said that this is his favourite album. A heartbreaking exploration into the many feelings that come with a failed relationship, it demonstrates the talents of Sinatra in the best possible way.

Mick Flannery – I Own You (Universal Music Ireland, 2016) 

Ever since the release of his debut LP, White Lies, back in 2008, the Cork man has been one of my favourite Irish musicians and every album has repeatedly demonstrated him to be one of the best singer/songwriters to ever come out of Ireland. This LP continues the theme of dark and moody songwriting that has marked Flannery’s career so far but there is a sense of adventure and experimentation to be found here that must be commended.

Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle (Virgin Records, 2013)

Put simply this is one of the greatest songwriters of the last twenty years making one of the greatest singer/songwriter albums of all time. Take a bow, Laura.

Kanye West – Graduation (Def Jam Recordings, 2007)

Forget all the nonsense that can sometimes surround him, when Kanye West was at his best there was nobody who could get near him…

Foy Vance – Live In London (Atlantic Records, 2017)

Another example of an excellent songwriter demonstrating that often all you need is a guitar or a piano to utterly captivate an audience.

You can listen to part 1 and part 2 at these links.

MK