#512 - The Nightfly, Donald Fagen

"The ex-Steely Dan perfectionist builds on a great concept, with an album that chronicles Fagen's teenage fantasies about adult life. The retro-futurism includes the globe hopping "I.G.Y.," the bomb-shelter romance of "New Frontier," and the Cuban intrigue of "The Goodbye Look." The existential jazz D.J. of the title tune almost serves as a guide to the album's narratives." (real music guide)


#511 - Electro-Shock Blues, Eels

"Singer/guitarist/songwriter E experienced many upheavals in his personal life between albums (the passing of several family members and close friends), and decided to work his way through life's tribulations via his music. The result is a spectacular epic work, easily on par with such classic albums cut from the same cloth -- Neil Young's Tonight's the Night, Lou Reed's Magic and Loss...One of the finest and fully realized records of 1998, a must-hear." (allmusic guide)

#510 - New York, Lou Reed

"Helped by his old VU drummer Mo Tucker, and an all-star working band that included Rob Wasserman, Mike Rathke and Fred Maher, Reed returned to the stripped-down guitar rock of The Blue Mask and earned critical raves and big league sales ("Dirty Blvd," its best track, hit No. 1 in the Modern Rock charts) in the process. The sound and feel of this one is just right." (real music guide)

#509 - Young Americans, David Bowie

"Bowie's interest in the Philadelphia soul sound of the 1970s merged with his Anglo-Saxon disgust for the cocaine-fueled high life he was then enjoying to create the blueprint for early '80s New Wave. Disco for those who hated themselves for dancing their lives away, this features the monster hit "Fame" and the brilliant title track." (real music guide)


#508 - I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, Sinead O'Connor

"The songs mostly address relationships with parents, children, and (especially) lovers, through which O'Connor weaves a stubborn refusal to be defined by anyone but herself. In fact, the album is almost too personal and cathartic to draw the listener in close, since O'Connor projects such turmoil and offers such specific detail. Her confrontational openness makes it easy to overlook O'Connor's musical versatility." (allmusic guide)