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What an album! The title of Natalie Imbruglia's breakthrough debut album "Left Of The Middle" is ironically correct, as time proved for this album to be one of the most hidden gems of the 90's. Knowing the entire record, the choice of making the lead single "Torn" (which is a cover, and not even Imbruglia's song) certainly seems odd. Perhaps it was her label's choice, as it is easily the most pop moment of the record, and it was felt this would help her "take off" more, and it looks like it was a success. Although, the 90's was full of big evolutions in musical experimentation, and while "Torn" is an enjoyable tune, it does not showcase Imbruglia's full potential that the rest of the album explores. The rest of the album's tone is noticeably, yet subtly, grungier and experimental, and this is when Imbruglia's personality and unique abilities shine through. The album sporadically jumps straight into tracks ranging from acoustic, post-grunge, trip-hop, pop-rock, electronica and techno-rock. Despite this mixed bag of genres, the album surprisingly still feels cohesive. This is probably thanks to Imbruglia's very strong, memorable and relatable songwriting, along with her beautifully sweet, light and airy vocals, and strong melodies, which gives the album a keen sensibility to be seen as an overall pop record. Standouts include "Big Mistake", the most aggressive cut here that is, simply described, Imbruglia's "You Oughta Know" moment. "Smoke", a beautiful personal piano ballad that later breaks into a strong, grunge meltdown in it's second half. After the sad "Smoke" comes the beautiful hope-inducing "Pigeons And Crumbs", the most experimental, drum and bass-lead song, and is probably the most chill cut, containing Imbruglia's sweetest vocals. "Don't You Think" and "Impressed" amazingly combine post-grunge and techno into one, which find Imbruglia in her most coolest, fierce sounds. Overall, these excellently produced songs basically make "Left Of The Middle" a mega rock/pop record that has taken every trendy moment of the 90's up to it's point, and excellently combined it into one mega genre-compilating project. This may be why the album has unfortunately garnered mixed opinions from critics and audiences alike because of it's genre-hopping feel, but despite that, there's no denying Natalie Imbruglia transitions between tracks seemlessly, and sells every song fiercely. One of the most interesting one-hit wonders of the late 90's.

RATING- 8 / 10
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Track Picks:

Big Mistake
Smoke
Pigeons And Crumbs
Don't You Think
Impressed
Diving In The Deep End (Australian Bonus Track / B-Side)
I've Been Watching You (Japan Bonus Track / B-Side)
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(ALBUM PICK)
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Meat Beat Manifesto's "technically" debut album "Armed Audio Warfare" is possibly the group's most brash and harsh piece of industrial experimentation. Unfortunately, only the first 5 songs here are the only likeable tracks. Although this is still more than half of the record (or almost half for the extended 11-track CD version), starting at "Kick That Man", the album barrels through so much endlessly indistinguishable, melody lacking static and noise, it's simply unbareable. Some of it, such as the pure static "Kneel & Buzz" and overwhelmingly sporadic "Give Your Body It's Freedom", is sadly so ear splitting, you can't even begin to enjoy the second half without skipping through. Perhaps this is a defect from it attempting to be "recovered" or "redone" from the original burnt material. Focusing in on the first 5 tracks though, as heavy as they are, they are polar opposite of the second half as the noise is lifted just enough to show off MBM's staple funky beats and sampling that is largely heard through their entire discography. Tracks worth mentioning, "Genocide" is later reworked into "Psyche Out" on their second album "99%", and "Mister President" is probably the best track here, containing the most head-bopping hip-hop-influenced beat drop. "Armed Audio Warfare"'s track picks are not to be missed, but as a whole the album is basically an unmastered glimpse of what their second, and better album, "99%", would be like.

RATING- 5 / 10
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Track Picks:

Genocide
Repulsion
Mister President
Reanimator
I Got The Fear
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