B
Badly Drawn Boy "About a Boy OST" (UK promo)
If this were a full album, I'd have no arguments with it. The full songs on here remind me why I liked BDB in the first place, even though I was a bit wary of this at the beginning. Too bad it's only a few full songs, and lots of short instrumental bits for the film... 
Badly Drawn Boy "Have You Fed The Fish?" (UK promo)
I like this album. The songs are good, and full of the stuff I've always loved about the Boy. But there's something lacking, and I can't quite figure out what...
Badly Drawn Boy "Hour of the Bewilderbeast" (UK Import)
After 2 hilarious sets at Glastonbury 2000, I went out that week and bought this. I love 'Pissing in the Wind', 'Another Pearl', and 'Everybody's Stalking'. 
Beck "In Store Sampler" (UK promo)
Another perk of being a deejay is getting samplers of songs you love, but never bothered to buy. This has nearly all of his singles, and, curiously, 'Mixed Bizness' twice.
Beck "Midnite Vultures"
Well, it worked. I liked the sampler so much I bought this album used when I saw it. I wonder how Beck can be such a soulbrother sexmachine and be so nerdy and white... Makes you wonder. Or it makes me wonder, anyway.
Beggars Banquet sampler (UK promo)
Highlights include Mojave 3, Bowery Electric, Saint Etienne, and Brassy. Lowlights include Artful Dodger and Six By Seven.
Bellatrix "Crash" (UK import)
An earlier single from before they were even on Fierce Panda! I daresay they did get better with age, though, as this live content proves...
Belle and Sebastian "3..6..9 Seconds of Light" (UK Import)
Absolutely wonderful. "A Century of Fakers" is incredibly beautiful and tender, and "Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie" rocks out and I'm forced to sing along. very, very, very good.
Belle and Sebastian "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" (UK promo)
I have such love for Belle & Sebastian, and they've produced such amazing heights of pop followed in equal numbers of medicore twee-by-numbers. It's rather hard to tell what you're going to get when you crack open a B&S release these days. "Dear Catastrophe Waitress" i's a step in the right direction - not exactly another "...Sinister", but by no means a "Storytelling" or "Fold Your Hands...". Let's just hope they continue the trajectory.
Belle and Sebastian "Dog on Wheels" (UK import)
Bought it for the title track, 'String Bean Jean', and complete-ness' sake.
Belle and Sebastian "Fold Your Hands Child You Walk Like a Peasant" (UK import)
I waited so long for this album. And it delivered. How many bands can do that, and still be a democracy?
Belle and Sebastian "I'm Waking Up to Us"
Their strongest single since "3..6..9"! The title track has bored its way into my brain, the Dixieland jazz of 'I Love My Car' is infectious, and 'Marx and Engels' is a class B&S track, reminding you why you loved them back in 97....
Belle and Sebastian "If You're Feeling Sinister"
One of the greatest cds ever made! catchy, catchy tunes, incredible melodies, the best lyrics, and my parents even love it!
Belle and Sebastian "Johnathan David"
Boy, if you thought Legal Man was faux 60s, wait til you hear JD! It took me a while to figure out if I liked the melody or not, but it really grew on me. Really odd melody, that one.
Belle and Sebastian "Lazy Line Painter Jane" (UK import)
I love Monica Queen's voice, as well as the b-side 'Photo Jenny'. And I got this used at a tiny shop in Bath!
Belle and Sebastian "Legal Man" (UK import)
Highlight was finally seeing B&S perform this on Top of the Pops, even if it DID mean we got one less song on this release...
Belle and Sebastian "Live at The Black Cat" (bootleg)
I traded for this gem of a cd-r. great sound, and it has two unreleased songs "Wrong Love" and "Lonliness of a Middle Distance Runner". and to think, I was SUPPOSED to see them in Philly not a week before this was recorded. >:| NR
Belle and Sebastian "Step Into My Office, Baby" (UK promo)
Am I getting older or are their b-sides getting weaker? I'm writing this only a few months after it crossed my desk, and I can't for the life of me remember what "Love On The March" and "Desperation Made A Fool Of Me" sound like...
Belle and Sebastian "The Boy with the Arab Strap"
Not *quite* as good as the first, but still derned excellent. I love the title track, The Simple Things, Dirty Dream Number Two ("you are stuck to the sheets"!).
Belle and Sebastian "This is Just a Modern Rock Song" (UK import)
Love the line "We're four boys in our corduoroys, we're not terrific but we're competent". ;) And Isobel's singing on 'The Gate'.
Belle and Sebastian "Tigermilk" (homemade)
Since they've still yet to release it and I'm going crazy without it, I fashioned a cd of it myself. great, great choons! She's Losing It, Expectations, We Rule the School, everything(!) is so wonderful.
Ben and Jason "Air Guitar" (UK import)
Great acoustic harmonies, and as an extra bonus, the cd has a library of fun emoticons that I never knew existed...
Best Album of the Next Century Ever 2 (UK import)
I got this is a cereal box. No joke. It has mediocre songs from good groups, like Space, Cable, Cuba, and Muse.
Beta Band
Not as good as the 3 EPs, but as a friend put it: "Half-decent Beta Band is still way better than most cds." And he's right.
Beta Band "3 EPs"
Experimental folk-electronic fusion has never been better! This is an incredible cd. They are the future.
Beta Band "Hot Shots II"
I love 'Squares', 'Human Being', and 'Broke', and I'm so glad that the Betas ended their experimentation from the first album and returned to the splendour of the 3 EPs. Now if only that BB/Radiohead concert wouldn't have been flooded out!
Beta Band "Human Being" (UK import)
I actually bought this by mistake in my euphoric HMV binge, thinking it had 'The House Song' live from Glastonbury 2000 (when it actually had 'The Hard One' live. d'oh!). Not all was lost, though, since 'Unknown' is a corker...
Beta Band "To You Alone / Sequinsizer" (UK import)
I missed my chance when this came around initially, but I really fell in love with 'To You Alone' from my housemate's copy. This should've been on their first album proper.
Better Than Ezra
Not half as bad as the ones on the radio! The ghost track after 13 PROVES that these guys can rock if they wanted to... Now only if they did....
Björk "Debut"
The final addition to my Björk binge and, while not as strong as the other two, still definitely contains some fantastic tracks, like 'Big Time Sensuality' and 'Venus as a Boy'.
Björk "Homogenic"
This one continues to amaze me. 'Joga' might possibly be the most perfect song ever, and I could listen to it on repeat. Then there's 'Alarm Call' and 'Unravel', ending calmly with 'All is Full of Love'. Niiiiiiice.
Björk "Live" (HM)
This is a compilation I made of all sorts of live songs, mostly from her MTV Unplugged performance and the Union Chapel concerts with the Brodsky Quartet. Lots of the songs were completely different from the album versions, and it made me want to see her live even more! HM
Björk "Post"
I had always liked some of her songs, but one day I woke up and I loved Björk and went out and bought two albums and listened to them nonstop. There's just so much range of style and emotion in such a small package!
Björk "Rare" (HM)
Since it's nearly impossible to collect all of her numerous singles and promo releases, I made this compilation to keep myself sane in the interim. Just really fun music. HM
Björk "Vespertine"
I had this album for 2-3 months before it grabbed me. After Homogenic, it was quite a change to have such a "grower" album. Very delicate, peaceful, and quiet. Perfect for evenings, which is what that wiley Bjork intended.
Black Box Recorder "England Made Me"
This is the mellowist, listen-in-a-dark-room music I've heard in a long time. She's so posh, but yet so fragile and deep. And Luke's music compliments perfectly.
Black Box Recorder "England Made Me" (UK promo)
This one-track promo has completely different artwork from the album, which was really why I grabbed it.
Black Box Recorder "The Facts of Life" cd1 (UK import)
This is such a U-Turn song from everything on the first album. Completely poppy, nearly 'Honey 2 the B'-esque! But completely Pulp-esque dirty at the same time.
Black Grape "In the Name of the Father" (UK import)
Black Grape aren't known for their b-sides. Frankly, it's amazing they could stand stright with the amount of drugs in their system.
Black Grape "It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah"
I haven't heard a party album this great since... well, never. I prerennially have my funk on when this goes in.
Blind Melon
Had it on tape since it came out in 91, but I just recently updated to cd. Out of my emtire collection, this one brings back the most memories. Death to 'No Rain' and those who know only of it.
Blind Melon "Nico"
Wow, what a surprise to get all the cd-extra stuff when you're not expecting it! =) About 40 interviews and concert clips, as well as four full videos, and snippets and lyrics, oh my! And the music is their best since the debut. Hoon's vocals are incredible on here...
Blue Skied N Clear
A double cd album of Slowdive covers. Not being much of a Slowdive fan, I was instead attracted to Mum's song. And the fact it was free.
Bluetones, The "4 Day Weekend" (UK Import, mail-order only)
Even though I'm not a fan of anime at all, the video on the cd-rom of this single is really great... and the Pretty Ballerina song is sooo pretty.
Bluetones, The "A Bluetones Companion" (Japanese Import, signed)
After hearing Josh's copy enough, I finally came upon this for $10 at an online record store. What a buy! Great music, and incredible vocals. I've had Bluetonic in my head for ages, it's just one of those songs you love the first time you hear it...
Bluetones, The "After Hours" EP (UK promo)
Found in in a pile at my office. It contains a very rare cd crsip copy of 'Ingimarrsson', only officialy released on the 7". weee!
Bluetones, The "After Hours" cd1 (UK Import)
The A-side is fantastic - one you can sing along to, dance around the room, and generally make your neighbours upset with. Such a breath of fresh air, and lines like "Lord only knows what kind of poison I'm drinking / I can't read the label" make it the perfect party accompaniment. The b-sides here are so-so, though. go for cd2 if you have the choice.
Bluetones, The "After Hours" cd2 (UK Import)
Perhaps the best single since 'Marblehead Johnson', when considering all tracks involved. Killer A-side, then a spot of post-rock (indeed!), then a truly beautiful cover of Barbra Streisand's 'Woman In Love', that just demands to be put on repeat.
Bluetones, The "Are You Blind?" (UK Promo, ltd ed 500 copies)
Took me nearly 6 months to hunt down this cd, but it's worth it for its mistakes, funnily enough. Omits '4 Day Weekend', says 'Marblehead Johnson' is from "Expecting to Fly", and has 'Zorrro' as the 3rd single from "Science and Nature"! That, and it makes me better than people who don't have it. ;)
Bluetones, The "Autophilia" cd1 (UK Import)
Completely a humor cd. The title track is about loving a car like a woman, and 'It's a Boy' is sung by Scott in a thick Cockney accent about Eds' son, Benjamin Anakin.
Bluetones, The "Autophilia" cd2 (UK Import)
'Soup du Jour' continues the humor with Eds singing in Franglish and completely taking the piss. 'Vostok of Love' is simply beautiful, and extremely catchy. And then there's the 'Autophilia' video: I was laughing so hard I was crying. This cd is a must-buy for the video alone.
Bluetones, The "Cut Some Rug" (UK Import)
The Devil Behind My Smile is great. I love how Mark just leaves out half the chorus near the end of the song. Kinda like when songs are censored on the radio, and you're left screaming the swear words. Only the missing bits are blue-tinged here...
Bluetones, The "Expecting to Fly"
Finally got a copy after hearing Slight Return, Bluetonic, and The Fountainhead. Love Mark Morriss's voice. ahhh.
Bluetones, The "Glastonbury 2000" (bootleg)
My first UK festival, and I actually survived! They performed early in the weekend, when I was still relatively well-nourished and clean. And it was in this state that I heard 'Theme From Minder'. wee!
Bluetones, The "If..." (UK Import)
The western/cowboy stuff is sooooo thick on this single. tee hee.
Bluetones, The "Interview" (UK Import bootleg)
A short (20 min), bad quality interview from pre-Expecting to Fly. But it *is* Bluetones, The, and it was only like $5. stellar. some bits are quite funny. NR
Bluetones, The "Interview" 10" vinyl (UK Import)
I bought it for $2 because it's so damn cool (blue and white marbled vinyl!), not even knowing that it was a) a collector's edition vinyl, or b) that it was an actual official release. And, as it turns out, it's the exact same interview that was bootlegged onto the cd above. who'd a thunk? NR
Bluetones, The "Keep the Homefires Burning" cd1 (UK Import)
The Matt Lucas track is just plain stupid, but 'My Favourite Son' makes up for it.
Bluetones, The "Keep the Homefires Burning" cd2 (UK Import)
'Be Caregul What You Dream' is as soft and tender as any ballad, and 'Please Stop Talking' is an infectious 50s Beach Boys romp. And this cd comes with the A-sides video, too!
Bluetones, The "Marblehead Johnson" (UK Import)
I waited so long to hear this song! and the video is so cool! and once again, another song titled "Simple Things" whoch I adore!
Bluetones, The "Mudslide EP" (UK Import, ltd ed)
It certainly has some interesting versions of well known songs. and then there's the nu-metal pisstake, "Fock Da Bran-hole", hahah. but the best is the video for the title track, where they "record" the song in the story of a boy band getting together. teehee.
Bluetones, The "Radio One Maida Vale Session Feb 2000" (bootleg)
I won tickets to this invitation-only gig at the Radio One studios, and it was probably the best concert of my life. To have a crystal-clear momemto of it is grand.
Bluetones, The "Return to the Last Chance Saloon" (UK Import)
Unpainted Arizona has got to be the greatest opening song ever. and then there's If, with an incredible "Nah, nah, nah" singalong. yummy. One listen and you're hooked. Just ask Becky Perry, who's expecting a hit of Bluetones directly into her veins any moment now...
Bluetones, The "Science & Nature" (UK Import, signed)
Bought this at 9am the morning it came out, after already hearing every single one of the tracks live. How can I pick out favourites when I play the album nonstop? Don't tell the others, but I think it might be 'Slack Jaw'...
Bluetones, The "Sleazy Bed Track" (UK Import)
I love the body parts collage. Definitely a standout track to begin with, the single just makes me a mad collector.
Bluetones, The "Slight Return" (UK Import)
It seems like every Bluetones single has at least one amazing b-side, and Don't Stand Me down is the standout on this. I love the tricky fade-out, then fade-in at the end of the song. =) And Nae Hair On't is a nice acoustic number....
Bluetones, The "Solomon Bites the Worm" (UK Import)
I Was a Teenage Jesus is a riot. Even *I* thought Bluetones, The had turned into sweet, christian boys until the end. ha!
Bluetones, The "The Singles" (UK Import, with ltd ed bonus disc)
It all seems a bit corporate. Ok, so a lot corporate. From interviews, I know it wasn't the band's fault or idea, but it ultimately means I spent £12 for 5 songs. Most of that went towards getting a real copy of 'Persuasion', one of their best tracks in years. But it all leaves a sour taste.
Blur "13"
Got it the day it came out. Tender grows on you, Coffee and TV is immediately incredible, and No Distance Left to Run eases you down. The boys have grown up. Maybe thw "woohoo"ing will finally stop now.
Blur "Modern Life Is Rubbish"
I love this album. For Tomorrow, Chemical World, Colin Zeal, everything. brilliant.
Blur "No Distance Left to Run" cd2 (UK import)
I bought this simply for the video. The b-sides are blase, but the video is very good, with the lads being filmed while they slept.
Blur "Parklife"
I acquired this from my brother quite luckily, actually. Good stuff, 'specially with Tracy Jacks, To The End, and Parklife...
Blur "The Observer samper" (UK promo)
This sampler cd came free with an issue of the British newspaper, The Observer. It has a smattering of songs across all of the albums.
Blur (Canadian Import)
Even though I hate the whole US/Song 2 craze, there are enough standout tracks to warrant my buying it (that, and a $5 pricetag). Beetlebum and Death of a Party are my favs.
Boo Radleys "C'mon Kids"
A more rock sound for the Boos, but Martin Carr pulls it off again. Ride the tiger, indeed.
Boo Radleys "Giant Steps"
Couldn't resist this used. and wow, such a great album. I swear every song's great on here... Sice has the voice of an angel.
Boo Radleys "Kingsize"
I love it when you buy a cd and already know all the songs. Adieu Clo clo is a favourite, as is Free Huey, Eurostar, The Future is Now...
Boo Radleys "Lazarus (And Other Songs From Giant Steps)" (promo)
I got this for a good price, and since it has all my favorites from Giant Steps (except Wish I Was Skinny), it was perfect. I will forever be in love with Lazarus.
BrainStorm "Among the Suns" (signed EU import)
Through my record company connections, I got some signed copies and a phone interview with Reynard, who is the sweetest guy. Love the songs, too, and they're just so honest and carefree. Definitely a summer album.
BrainStorm "Christmas Time (As I Like It)" (EU promo)
Such a shame -- I love this band, but this is an awful single. I don't know what happened...
BrainStorm "My Star" (signed EU import)
Once again, we had some extras from the radio station, so I ot this gem that they sang at Eurovision 2000. And since it comes with the instrumental, I can sing it at home kareoke-style!!
BrainStorm "Starp Divam Saulem + others"
I made this cd because I ordered their cd from Latvia and it took forever to arrive. So in my impatience, I made this so I could play their songs on the radio before I got my copy. HM
BrainStorm "Weekends are not my Happy Days" (EU import)
Probably my favorite off 'Among the Suns', I just love the chorus of "Hop hop lalalala". how can you argue with that?
Breeders "Title TK" (UK Import)
Who doesn't know 'Cannonball', really? I'd written them off after such a long absence, but this is such a darling little album, I can't fault them for taking so long on it. 'Huffer', 'Little Fury', and 'Off You' make me happy.
British Sea Power "Remember Me" (UK promo)
A crazy band live, I can't help but feel that they still haven't been captured fully on any of their releases. The intensity and mental breakdown of their live shows is lost, leaving the good-but-not-stellar songs behind. Now, if this were a live album...
British Sea Power "Spirit of St Louis" (UK promo)
Only two tracks, but it makes me feel good to support them. Good rock, without being all Hundred Reasons-y. *shudder*
British Sea Power "The Decline Of British Sea Power"
Watching a band release their debut album when you've followed them from the beginning is a bit like sending your child off to their first day of school (I presume). Aww, haven't British Sea Power done well??? I love them even more for their quirkiness, their refusal to follow any sorts of rules, and their wildfowl and Crimean War obsessions. To be honest, they really are better live than on record, but that just gives them something to strive for in their second, third, fourth, and fifth albums.
Britpop of Yore
A little something I put together of some of the older britpop artists. By that, I mean 80s and early 90s. yeah, I know I'm a young'in. HM
Broadcast "HaHa Sound" (UK import)
Broadcast's album "Ha Ha Sound" has more to do with my outward appearance than you'd initially think. Far from being a "fashion record" of any sort, I think it's one of the main contributors to my buying and wearing a huge amount of clean-lined, vintage A-line skirts, coupled with pristine white tops. Perhaps I should explain: When I listen to this album, I am instantly soothed and overwhelmed with a suave sensibility and the penchant to be sitting calm and collected in a corner sipping a Manhattan. In short, I am suddenly Jackie O, and my outward appearance has definitely made the shift towards the cool and crisp this summer in large part to my listening to "Ha Ha Sound". What's more astonishing is that this album accomplishes all this without sounding overwhelmingly retro - no garage rock, no overcooked blues, and no doo-wop (ok, so maybe a little swooning, but still...), yet at the same time becoming the most organic Warp product I've ever heard. "Colour Me In" makes me feet waltz on cue. "Before We Begin" has me swaying in time, smoothing my hair, and suddenly slowing my step to a rather sanguine pace. And in the summer heat, this accomplishes the obvious, because a cool head and slowed feet make it impossible to melt into the pavement, something we're all in danger of in this damned heat. Thank god Broadcast are here to make us stop and take notice of the flowers.
Broken Spindles "Broken Spindles" (UK import)
I didn't expect to like this, but it grabbed me by the throat on the first listen and introduced me to two of the best cds of 2002 - this, and The Faint's "Danse Macabre". On albums such as this, the lack of vocals is a feature, not a deterrant. 'Connection in Progress' makes me twitch with the urge to dance at 25,000 beats per second.
Brown, Ian "Dolphins Were Monkeys" cd2 (UK import)
I nearly gagged when I heard the album version, because this single version is soooo much better. And then there's 'Billie Jean', a cover of the Michael Jackson original. And it's good.
Buck 65 "Square" (Canadian import)
He's from the same school as Cex or Gold Chains, but this is the first time I've seen an album organised this way - many songs, but divided into 4 tracks with roughly the same theme. Very unique, not as instantly catchy as Gold Chains, but he does pique my interest with the line "We're not vampires dressed as rock stars".
Bush "Sixteen Stone"
I've loved it since March '95, stole it from others, discovered Glycerine before the radio, but just never bought it. I'm putting my money on Body and Monkey now.