Looks like so far, Loveless is in the lead. Never heard that album...didn't even know My Bloody Valentine were Irish until a couple weeks ago.

Loveless is a fantastic album, never heard anything like it before and though many have tried, nothing has quite matched it since. The writers choice is very interesting in so far as there are many albums you would expect (Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, The Pogues) but there are some great lost albums there too (Blades, Whipping Boy, Stump). As a matter of fact, QsySue, given that you like Husker Du, I'd recommend The Whipping Boy, guitar driven, angsty and dark, although their 2 albums are very hard to get. I picked up Heartworm in Amsterdam last year (on CD) and the last time I saw "Whipping Boy" was in FreeBird Records here in Dublin and they were looking for 20 euro second hand for it.

I got Heartworm for $1.99 on amazon.com news and used last month. Interestingly, the same day I got A House's I Am The Greatest for $2.00, again from the States. When it comes to 90s Irish rock, everything must go! Anyone for the last of the Big Generator?

$1.99, that's a result. By the by, does anyone know what happened to the Whipping Boy? I remember them touring Europe circa 96-97 supporting various acts including Lou Reed. Then they went quiet and released the second album in about 2000, basically as a farewell.

I realise this thread is exposing me as possibly the cheapest guy in the world, but, on the basis of reading the top fives, I've just got a copy of Viva Dead Ponies on amazon for all of $0.69...the plan to rebuild the ol vinyl collection continues apace!

glad someone mentioned A House's 'I Am The Greatest'. a notable absence from the writer's poll i felt. also i always thought 'Rum Sodomy & The Lash' to be the best Pogues album so i was surprised to see everyone go for 'Grace of God'. nice to be reminded of Revillino though. i didn't think the album was great but 'Don't Lead Me Down' is such an amazing song. and Whipping Boy are definitely great. the lead singer once pulled my hair when he jumped into the crowd at a gig in Dublin.

When it comes to Rum versus Grace, I suppose it's whether you like yr fodder raw or smooth. It could be like comparing the Smiths's debut to the Queen is Dead. I love the songs on the original, but TQID sounds more polished. I always felt Rum dealt with the Irish-British thing, whereas Grace was more Irish-American in scope. Although it's probably just that Rum doesn't have Thousands Are Sailing on it.

There is very little to choose between "Rum, Sodomy.." & "Fall From.", both great albums. Personally, I think "Bottle of Smoke" gives "Fall From.." the edge. As for A House, I was quite surprised it didn't figure (yet) but I have listened to it recently and thought it had aged a bit. Loved it when it came out though - maybe I overkilled it back in the ninties.

Despite several listens to Loveless I can't see the charm. It's too vague for my liking. Whipping Boy are another story. There should be some details on their break up over at www.valentine69.com Paul Page, the guitarist, contributes to the Yahoo Group occasionally (you'll find a link on the site). Essentially after Heartworm failed to take off new managment came in at their record company. They weren't really about what Whipping Boy were and the band actually went to them (I think) and asked to end the contract. After that they kicked around Dublin for a while and as you said eventually released their third album around 2000. They had actually been split for a few years though, basically pissed off with each other and only managed to do it in order to thank fans.

Cheers for the info Earthhorse. The second album sounded like a band whose heart wasn't in it alright. On Loveless, it is a difficult one to get into but pretty much anyone I know who likes it took a lot of hard work listening before it kinda clicks for you.

Whipping Boy did actually release an album called Submarine on Liquid records before getting signed to Sony, so that last album was actually their third. There's some interesting stuff on the first album, though the band clearly haven't found their feet yet. There are MP3s on this site: http://www.gamerseurope.com/whippingboy/index.htm (Note: it's nigh on impossible to get the first album as Liquid records went under and as far as I know Paul Page is aware of these MP3s being up but if the mod wants to edit this, go ahead). I might give Loveless another listen sometime on the horizon. I do like some of the tracks on it, just don't love them, and if I force it I'll only alienate myself from the album. Some interesting picks in the list posted by the reviewers. I've heard a lot about Fatima Mansions and Rollerskate Skinny but also that their albums are impossible to get. I think the poll's gonna reflect the fact that a lot of people have only heard the U2 and Pogues albums.

Doh! For some reason I keep remembering Submarine as an EP rather than a full blown album (probably becase I only have it on vinyl and as such probably haven't listened to it in years). As for the vote, I'd expect U2 and the ogues to feature heavily. However, there is a lot of contemporary stuff which will be there or there abouts, Frames, BellX1, Mundy etc etc.

Tough to pick 5 ...... here goes. 1) U2 : Achtung Baby ... back from the brink. 2) Van Morrison : St.Dominic's Preview .... something a little different from Astral Weeks 3) Rory Gallagher : Irish tour '74 .... the most underrated guitar player ever in his favourite setting. 4) Something Happens : Stuck Together With God's Glue .... My college anthems. 5) The Blades : The Last Man In Europe .... I was shocked that music like this ever came out of Europe. Awesome.

What a great live pertformer Gallagher was, hugely undervalued in his time. Anyone else want to give us their top 5??

Good call on Dominic's Preview MarkO - glad someone mentioned that, cos I slipped my mind completely. More flawed, but as a result slightly more charming I think, than Astral Weeks.

Sure go on, Top 5 in no particular order.... The Frames - For The Birds. Quite an obvious one but it's a beautiful album Thin Lizzy - Live And Dangerous. A great rocking live album. The Tycho Brahe - Love Life. Bloody fabulous simple. Ronan Ó'Snódaigh - Tip Toe. Beautifully acoustic. David Kitt - Small Moments - this is it.

Here goes in no real order.... The Frames - Dance The Devil Whipping Boy - Heartworm MBV - Loveless Fatima Mansions - Viva Dead Ponies and finally.....ahem The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead. Well I think it qualifies as an Irish album! If not then Thin Lizzy Live and Dangerous instead...

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Microdisney - The Clock Comes Down the Stairs The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God The Blades - Last Man In Europe And, just for the sake of mentioning something from the last ten years: Jubilee Allstars - Lights of The City

Scandal that Twist by The Fat Lady Sings wasn't mentioned. Also just to be annoying - The divine comedy song Your Daddy's Car is on the first album liberation not the second. Liberation should also feature in the top 25 methinks.