#194 - Skylarking, XTC

"Ironically, Skylarking had little to do with new wave and everything to do with the lush, post-psychedelic pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys. Combining the charming pastoral feel of Mummer with the classicist English pop of The Big Express, XTC expand their signature sound by enhancing their intelligently melodic pop with graceful, lyrical arrangements and sweeping, detailed instrumentation." (allmusic guide)

#193 - Whatever And Ever Amen, Ben Folds Five

"Their second album of cerebral pop (i.e. pop with no guitars) was a huge success based on the effective, solemn "Brick." A strong sense of hooks and a wry way with lyrics is what sets Ben Folds and company ahead of the pack. Even if you've already heard Joe Jackson, this is good stuff." (real music guide)

#192 - American Idiot, Green Day

"The East Bay punk-pop godfathers turn their sights toward the political. After spending a decade-plus being the voice of California youth ennui, the band sets its three-chord genius on big media, gay bashing, the propaganda of fear and "redneck agendas" -- all within three minutes. Turn it up." (real music guide)


#191 - Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman

"Arriving with little fanfare in the spring of 1988, Tracy Chapman's eponymous debut album became one of the key records of the Bush era, providing a touchstone for the entire PC movement while reviving the singer/songwriter tradition. And Tracy Chapman is firmly within the classic singer/songwriter tradition, sounding for all the world as if it was recorded in the early '70s -- that is, if all you paid attention to were the sonics, since Chapman's songs are clearly a result of the Reagan revolution." (allmusic guide)