My "chill out" selection:
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000070DZ/qid=1052738053/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Depeche Mode - Ultra</a> (1997)
A classic for me. Darker and more relaxed than their "current" stuff.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000AOSS/qid=1052738200/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Ozric Tentacles - Erpland</a> (1990)
Electronic stuff - a whole amalgam from a wide range of areas blended into a seamless set of tracks. Awesome.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000051JRP/qid=1052738232/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Orbital - In Sides</a> (1997)
This is THE best electronic album in the world, ever.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000006045/qid=1052738300/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Massive Attack - Mezzanine</a> (1998)
I hated their earlier stuff with a vengeance. Which is a shame because I ignored this for a couple of years and didn't realise how fantastic it was.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004RKIP/qid=1052738269/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1312482-8278250">New Order - Republic</a> (1993)
Slightly "poppier" than their classic Substance. There are a couple of weak tracks, but it's still not as bad as the reviewers thought/think.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000026E1Y/qid%3D1052738332/202-1312482-8278250">Jan Hammer - Escape From Television</a> (1990)
It's the electronic music from the Miami Vice TV series. Emotional, moving, electronic music is rare.. which is why this album rules.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000252DL/qid=1052738366/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1312482-8278250">Kent - Isola</a> (1998)
I bought this on a whim in 1998 and have never regretted it. Chilled out (pop) rock. (If you think you'd like a "poppier" Dredg, try this out).
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000024CKG/qid=1052738399/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_2/202-1312482-8278250">Senser - Stacked Up</a> (1995)
I don't know where to start with this one. Think electronic, (political) rap, metal, trippy, all rolled into one.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000E5FR/qid=1052738457/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1312482-8278250">James - Wah Wah</a> (1994)
While James were recording "Laid", Brian Eno was wandering around with a microphone.. and later assembled various fragments into a strange, trippy, assortment of songs.
Some of "my" "classic" albums that you may not have heard (of) - most of them mean something personal to me, too:
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004R7TP/qid=1052738497/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Kate Bush - Hounds of Love</a> (1985)
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, a classic rock album. It's everything a classic album should be - inventive, dark, light, soothing, uplifting...
Listening to it as an album is the way to go - individual tracks are ok, but it's the whole thing together that gels amazingly. The production is incredible - I can still find new things in it 18 years after it was released. I can't recommend this album strongly enough.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001FKY/qid=1052738624/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1312482-8278250">Def Leppard - Hysteria</a> (1987)
If you have to own one 80's Poodle-Rock album, this should be it, I reckon.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000026C1R/qid=1052738653/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_2_4/202-1312482-8278250">Whipping Boy - Heartworm</a> (1995)
A seriously talented Irish band playing their heart out. Fantastic lyrics.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000250CZ/qid=1052738712/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/202-1312482-8278250">Heather Nova - Siren</a> (1998)
I just love Heather Nova's songs, but this is my favourite album from her. It ranges from <a href="http://www.purelyrics.com/index.php?lyrics=pzrgfkxl">pop</a> to <a href="http://www.purelyrics.com/index.php?lyrics=prwqffmr">more spiritual stuff</a> (I can relate to such a lot of it), and her voice is gorgeous.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001DZ8/qid=1052738787/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">James - Laid</a> (1995)
James were one of my archetypal "student" bands. They're another band with thoughtful lyrics with a pop rock basis. (My favourite song of theirs is probably <a href="http://www.jamestheband.com/music/lyrics/displayTrack.cfm?track=37">Someone's got it in for me</a> or <a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/james/17901.htm">sometimes</a>)
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000AQVJ/qid=1052738886/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_3_1/202-1312482-8278250">Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream</a> (1993)
I'm going to bring this up in every "what music should I try" thread until you all like it.
It's awesome. From chilled out trippy rock to vicious guitar attacks, this album is superb. Try Hummer or Mayonnaise for quiet rockers, or Quiet or Geek U.S.A. if you're in a bad mood.
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000008LIX/ref=sr_aps_music_1_1/202-1312482-8278250">Therapy? - Troublegum</a> (1994)
Heavy, punky, metally, thrashy, rock from a band at their finest.
(fingers crossed).
