Eighteen albums from 20 years ago that you should not have missed

April

Devendra Banhart - Rejoicing in the Hands

When he first appeared (this being his second album), Banhart was an acquired taste, with his quirky, Skip Spence style of songwriting and very unique vocals akin to Marc Bolan. Yet here, Banhart was able to channel the lo-fi sound of his debut into something quite unique and special, even though he still remains in shadows these days.

May

Animal Collective - Sung Tongs

From the band’s inception to these days, Animal Collective remains one of the more inventive musical conglomerates around (the band members having quite a few solo outings themselves).

Looking back at its now growing collection, this album stands out as one of Animal Collective’s best and most inventive, with a sound that is almost impossible to pin down and sounding only, well, like the Animal Collective.

June

A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder

Zumpano, A.C. Newman’s first band never made it big with its delicious vocal harmonies harking back to the best of the sixties, but he did strike it big with The New Pornographers. Going solo here, he presents himself here as one of the key reasons why New Pornographers became such a musical phenomenon.

July

The Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat

Prog rock was dead in the new century? Not if you asked Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger, the siblings that were behind The Fiery Furnaces, and this, their second album, is probably the duo’s crown achievement so far.

Yet, it wasn’t any old prog rock, relying on showcasing instrumental prowess, but the one that picked up strands from all the good stuff that went on before - from Captain Beefheart and Fran Zappa to best of krautrock.