Vocal

Instrumental

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits

In the heart of pop and rocks darkest hour, right in the middle of the 80s with its plastic pop, in shambles Waits with his ramshackle bucket of dirty diamonds and rusty pearls. Behold the mighty Rain Dogs.

Patashnik by Biosphere

Another album that treads the fine line between being music to fall asleep to and that which wedges itself into your cortex and tranfixes you, ultimately landing in the latter's corner. Simultaneously disturbing and beautiful.

The Boatman's Call by Nick Cave

Cave is a master at carving out shards of raw emotion and stabbing them right into the centre of your heart. This collection of soul-crushing yet bleakly gorgeous ballads will leave you drained.

The Requiem by Mozart

Nothing can evoke the mood of sombre reflection on life and death as effectively or elegantly as Mozart's final work of genius. Used in countless films as the ultimate indicator of the frailty and folly of human existence.

The Dark Side of The Moon by Pink Floyd

There's not much that can be said about this album that countless others haven't already said. Suffice it to say this is an essential album for anyone to whom music means more than just mild diversion.

Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven

This recording, conducted by a young Herbert von Karajan in 1963 is one of the most energetic performances of one of Beethoven's most famous and vibrant symphonies. Turn it up to 11 and exalt.

Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan

Dylan's first big push out of his folk pigeon hole, and possibly the first true folk-rock album this features some of his very best songs, including the inimitable Subterranean Homesick Blues.

Classics by Ratatat

Don't be surprised if this one passed you by - just be grateful we live in the age of YouTube and check out this classic of catchy loops and funky rhythms. Just don't expect to get any work done for the rest of the day.

Dusk by The The

The The's final album is not far off perfection. Ten songs wrenched from Matt Johnson's troubled heart gives us an album that will cleave your soul. Listen to this alone. In the dark. With a very strong drink.

Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield

Kick-starter for both Mike Oldfield and Richard Branson's careers and it remains his best work. Ushered in a new age of possibilities for what an album could be, and looking back, was about twenty years ahead of its time.

Right Down The Line by Gerry Rafferty

One of the most overlooked singer-songwriters of all time, Gerry Rafferty produced some of the most heartfelt and down to earth songs about the life, loves and regrets of a normal guy you're ever likely to hear.

Decksanddrums... by Propellerheads

Muscular hip-hop with catchy breaks, big beats, clever samples and spectacular production. Here's where you'll find the best James Bond theme and, perhaps not coincidentally, a great track featuring Shirley Bassey.

Victorialand by Cocteau Twins

A perfect harmony of lush production, otherworldly atmosphere, bizarre lyrics and angelic vocals from Liz Fraser, this is a timeless album that can't fail but to envelope you in its hypnotic web of ethereality.

Solo Piano by Philip Glass

Hypnotic music from the master of minimalism. Those familiar with the work of Philip Glass will recognise many of his familiar themes and motifs here, but as the title suggests, this is pure, stripped down and unadorned.