The past 12 months have seen their share of both adventurous and tepid musical endeavors, and I’ve striven to point out some of the high points along the way. Naturally, I had my personal favorites, which, despite an ever-burgeoning pile of new discs awaiting review, I returned to listen to time and again. Here is a list that spotlights those faves of 1996:

1) Counting Crows — Recovering The Satellites (DGC):
When your first album is darn near perfect, coming up with a followup is a difficult feat indeed. But late in 1996, the Crows released a second disc as engaging as their first.

2) The Cure — Wild Mood Swings (Elektra):
For two decades The Cure have epitomized the gloomy goth rock scene. But this album concentrated on the band’s undeniably catchy, upbeat side.

3) Paula Cole — This Fire (Imago/Warner):
Working in the same soul fields as Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos, Cole’s sophomore release is melodic, moving, exciting and eclectic.

4) Cowboy Mouth — Are You With Me? (MCA):
Blending country, rock, warm harmonies and self-effacing humor, Cowboy Mouth’s debut was a celebration of pure, honest songcraft.

5) Hoodoo Gurus — Blue Cave (East West):
This Down Under act has been turning out consistently good alternative rock-pop records for a decade. Blue Cave has everything from songs about Miss Muffet (“Mind the Spider”) to songs about wanting to stay in bed all day. It’s a pure fun album of driving rock.

6) Mickey Hart — Mickey Hart’s Mystery Box (Rykodisc):
The rhythm man for The Grateful Dead proves with Mystery Box that he not only knows how to make a drum talk, but he can craft some pretty catchy, danceable rock tunes, with the help of a group of female singers.

7 Leah Andreone — Veiled (RCA):
With both punky rock overtones and singer-songwriter confessional moments, this was a quirky and provocative debut from the 23-year-old Californian.

8) Fastball — Make Your Mama Proud (Hollywood):
Working in the Green Day tradition of simple three-chord songs with manic guitars, Fastball threw a home run with this catchy-as-all-get-out CD. Unfortunately, rock radio was busy watching Madonna have her baby and missed the score.

9) No Doubt — Tragic Kingdom (Trauma):
Who would’ve guessed four years ago when this band released its debut — a loopy collection of ska-rock tunes — that they would reemerge to become the poster band for alternative pop. Tragic Kingdom perfectly marries often Madonna-esque sweet melodies to the alternative rock guitar, and throws in some south-of-the-border horns and Spanish guitar for good measure.

10) Cranberries — For The Faithful Departed (Island):
It took this one a while to take hold, but once it did...This is the deepest, most complex and best Cranberries effort yet.

11) The Cardigans — Life (Minty Fresh):
Nostalgic girl-pop.

12) Bel Canto — Magic Box (Lava/Atlantic):
Ethereal & danceable.

13) Angelique Kidjo — Fifa (Mango/Island):
African electro-pop.

14) Lush — Love Life (4AD/Reprise):
British “cheeky” alternative rock.

15) Gin Blossoms — Congratulations, I’m Sorry (A&M):
Jangly guitar singalongs.

16) Elysian Fields — Bleed Your Cedar (Radioactive):
Moody, ethereal, provocative, jazzy...

17) Tuscadero — The Pink Album (Elektra):
Bubblegum fun.

18) The Posies — Amazing Disgrace (DGC):
Beatlesque rock.

19) Aimee Mann — I’m With Stupid (DGC):
Sharp-witted pop.

20) Primitive Radio Gods — Rocket (Columbia):
Rock/dance with lyrical bite.

* * * Biggest Disappointments * * *

Sting, George Michael, Tori Amos, Journey and R.E.M. all returned with albums that just didn’t come near the inventive level of quality that all have demonstrated in the past.

—John Everson

Originally published in The Star Newspapers January 6, 1997
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