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Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 12, 2007 3:50:17 GMT -5
MJ may have done it first. But I'm the one who thought of plagiarizing the idea.
Like his list, this won't include many albums often considered "the greatest", and I will most certainly leave out your favorite band, just to rankle your cockles. Especially if that band is The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, Elton John, or anything that would fit the general category of "music for people with black fingernails". Also, Bob Dylan. But you knew that already.
In here you will find a wide assortment of styles, and a balance of eras. I'm probably going to list stuff you've never heard of, and also a few albums that will get me banished from the cool table.
There is no rhyme or reason to the list, although I tried to pick albums that function well as albums, and not just something from which I like a song or two.
So, without further ado...
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Post by Truck Farmer on Jul 12, 2007 3:51:24 GMT -5
Well?! Get on with it already!!!
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Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 12, 2007 4:27:23 GMT -5
1- "Dig" by Adam AgainMy favorite album of all time. It's some of the best songwriting ever. It's funky. It's noisy. It's deep. It's cohesive. It's obsessive. It's fun. It's got a Fender Rhodes. It's got a song about the Cuyahoga River catching fire. It's perfect. (Since it's long out of print, and I want you all to hear it, you can download it here for free. Shhhh.) 2- "Abbey Road" by the BeatlesIt doesn't have the "hits" of other albums, but it is the best pure album the boys made. Side 2 alone should put this into any top 10 list. But side 1 has some great, great songs. "Here Comes the Sun" and "Because" are two of my favorites and rarely get mentioned when "Abbey Road" is talked about. 3- "OK Computer" by RadioheadYou can read my rant about this album in the OK Computer thread. The best album of the last 15 years, and one that never gets old. It only gets better with every listen. Mind-blowing and complex, it changed the game. 4- "Grace" by Jeff BuckleyHaunting. Awe-inspiring. A one-in-a-million voice on a guy who could play a mean telecaster. Mix that with the most creative songwriting in a generation and a backup band that could just rip, and you have a flawless album. The songs are anything but formulaic, and can be off-putting to a casual listener. But taken as a whole, the album is a thing of beauty. 5- "Elvis Presley" by Elvis PresleyIt's been said that "before anyone did anything, Elvis did everything." While I think Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis may have something to say about that, Elvis was the king. And this album captures his early period at its best. 6- "Achtung Baby" by U2Most people would say "The Joshua Tree" is U2's best, and it's hard to argue. But I prefer this follow-up; which not only proved they could completely change musically and still stay on top, but also showed that their songwriting was even better than before. Plus, the album has a great flow and doesn't sound derivative of anything. True originality is a rare trick. 7- "It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" by Public EnemyOkay, I'm done trying to rank these. I'm going to put this one here just to mix it up. Chuck D is a genius. This album came out when I was an angry sophomore in high school and it beat the hell out of me. Pure and simple. I didn't agree with everything, but so what? It was intelligent, thought-provoking, and everything The Fresh Prince wasn't. Too bad that era of rap didn't last and misogynistic gansta crap took over. Even now, I like to play it loud in the car. Many, many more to come...
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Post by Shep on Jul 12, 2007 6:51:17 GMT -5
Some good stuff, Mr. A.
"OK Computer" would probably make my top 10. (Well, that or "The Bends.")
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Post by mightyjack on Jul 12, 2007 14:27:55 GMT -5
I don't know why, but the idea of Mr. A listening to Public Enemy always makes me laugh out loud.
That, and picturing "Mr Mellowepants" singing Boingo's "Little Girls" while driving with the windows down.
Now that's funny!
Good luck with the list.
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Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 12, 2007 18:09:53 GMT -5
Okay, here's seven more. Why seven? Because 10 is too expected and 5 is too few. Why these seven? No particular reason. 1- "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" by The BeatlesAs if anything more needs to be written about this one. Seriously, is there anything new to say about this album? I think not. I really like Paul's output on this one. "Lovely Rita", "Getting Better", "She's Leaving Home" are really nice songs. It also doesn't hurt to close with the best song ever written. 2- "Synchronicity" by The PoliceEven with "Mother", this is a top 10 album. If you took "Mother" out, it would be a top 3. It flows amazingly from start to finish. It covers pop perfection, anger, beauty, and creepiness in just a few songs. The best band in the world (at the time) at the top of their game, with their best material. It was a multi-million seller when it came out and it still holds up today. That's a classic album. 3- "Innervisions" by Stevie WonderWas there ever an artist as creative and fun as Stevie Wonder was in the '70s? From "Higher Ground" to "All in Love is Fair" to "Golden Lady", this album is just full of catchy, funky, memorable songs. It makes me happy to listen to it. 4- "Full Moon Fever" by Tom PettyThe older I get, the more I like Tom Petty. Maybe it's that I'm "maturing". Maybe it's that I'm learning that simple can be brilliant. Maybe it's just that he writes great, great songs. I think one of the reasons the Traveling Wilburys were a bit of a disappointment was that Petty & Jeff Lynne saved all the best songs for this album. 5- "Operation: Mindcrime" by QueensrychePoor Queensryche. Where can your career go after you make the ultimate concept album? Nowhere. Which is why they're still touring on this, and putting out crap like "Mindcrime II". Still, this is the apex of complex, creative metal, with great musicianship and powerful songs. 6- "Tres Hombres" by ZZ TopLaGrange. Jesus Just Left Chicago. LaGrange. Waitin' For the Bus. LaGrange. Awww yeah. Before they went commercial and made cheezy videos, ZZ Top was a phenomenal blues band from the bars of Texas. Perfect blues rock, this. 7- "The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion" by The Black CrowesI love the Crowes. Their sound is, to me, what pure rock & roll should be. Gritty. Swampy. Bluesy. With great riffs and a B-3. Any of their albums could make this list (and more certainly will), but this was their most cohesive album.
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Post by mystyfan on Jul 12, 2007 18:15:17 GMT -5
7- "The Southern Harmony and Blues Companion" by The Black CrowesI love the Crowes. Their sound is, to me, what pure rock & roll should be. Gritty. Swampy. Bluesy. With great riffs and a B-3. Any of their albums could make this list (and more certainly will), but this was their most cohesive album. I'd just like to add that The Black Crowes are one of a very bands of recent that I adore.
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Post by Mod City on Jul 12, 2007 18:17:04 GMT -5
5- "Operation: Mindcrime" by QueensrychePoor Queensryche. Where can your career go after you make the ultimate concept album? Nowhere. Which is why they're still touring on this, and putting out crap like "Mindcrime II". Still, this is the apex of complex, creative metal, with great musicianship and powerful songs. Good call. There is just something about this album that just works. It's nice to see it still gets respect in some circles. They never got close to capturing the feel of this album on any other release. Nice, well-rounded list, Mr. A.
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colemanfrancisfan
Moderator Emeritus
Open wide, Lady Liberty. Because CFF is coming to America! Today!
Hey, ladies, I have all my teeth
Posts: 11,300
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Post by colemanfrancisfan on Jul 12, 2007 18:21:01 GMT -5
Do you like anything from the 80's scene, Mr. A? Anything from the hair bands?
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Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 12, 2007 18:25:15 GMT -5
Do you like anything from the 80's scene, Mr. A? Anything from the hair bands? Oh, it's coming. Fear not. It's coming.
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colemanfrancisfan
Moderator Emeritus
Open wide, Lady Liberty. Because CFF is coming to America! Today!
Hey, ladies, I have all my teeth
Posts: 11,300
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Post by colemanfrancisfan on Jul 12, 2007 18:32:12 GMT -5
Can't wait!
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Post by Shep on Jul 12, 2007 21:22:28 GMT -5
7- "The Southern Harmony and Blues Companion" by The Black CrowesI love the Crowes. Their sound is, to me, what pure rock & roll should be. Gritty. Swampy. Bluesy. With great riffs and a B-3. Any of their albums could make this list (and more certainly will), but this was their most cohesive album. I'd just like to add that The Black Crowes are one of a very bands of recent that I adore. My wife and I saw the Crowes with Oasis on the "Tour of Brotherly Love" in Chicago (about 4 years ago?). One of my favorite concerts ever, although the Crowes' live sound quality was a little muddy.
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Post by Mr. Atari on Jul 13, 2007 0:21:48 GMT -5
Okay, how about round three? 1- "Rubber Soul" by the BeatlesI've always liked this one more than "Revolver". Sue me. 2- "There Is Nothing Left to Lose" by the Foo FightersAs time passes, I wonder just how much influence Dave Grohl had on the success of Nirvana. Cobain gets all the press (suicide will do that...), but Grohl has proven time and time again that he was just as talented (if not more so). But since he's not as tortured, I guess he's not as cool (see also McCartney and Lennon). Anyway, this is another rarity in that there's not a bad song on the disc. Each song flows nicely into the next, and there's hook after hook after hook. Each song could have been a hit single, although "Learn to Fly" was certainly the right choice. Since there's no filler, it's a tight album...and a great one. And while I'm taking unmitigated shots at Nirvana, I might as well put this one next: 3- "Ten" by Pearl JamI was 16 when this and "Nevermind" came out. I was the perfect age for the effects of the Seattle revolution. And let me tell you, it was awesome. My musician buddies and I enjoyed Nirvana, but Pearl Jam was THE band that year. When they played Saturday Night Live, it was an event. Because Pearl Jam has lost a step in recent years and Nirvana went out with a bang (sorry), history ranks them in the wrong order. "Ten" was the real revolutionary album that year. And it still holds up. And while I'm on the early '90s: 4- "Angel Dust" by Faith No MoreAn overlooked classic. After a great breakthrough album (coming soon), FNM followed it up with a masterpiece. The funk was still there, but now they added eccentricity, and it worked. Mike Patton, who came late to the "Real Thing" sessions, was finally able to contribute to the band's musical direction. It turned out that he was bizarre enough to push the envelope of creativity, but not so bizarre as to alienate the listener. These guys were a phenomenal band, and this was their "Sgt. Pepper". 5- "Freedom" by WhiteheartOkay, so they have a lame name. And a lot of their output was crappy Christian "rock". But this album was lightning in a bottle. It's no coincidence that after this album, the bassist and guitarist left to work with Eric Clapton, and the drummer became one of the most sought-after studio players in the business (Madonna, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, and many others). The musicianship is unparalleled on a pop album, and the production is stellar. This wasn't a band so much as a collection of studio geniuses showing off on some good songs. I can't even begin to express how much the playing on this album influenced me as a musician, especially the work of Tommy Sims (bass) and Chris McHugh (drums). That the lyrics were pivotal in my personal development is an added plus. 6- "Wish You Were Here" by Pink FloydMy favorite Floyd. Probably because Roger Waters was too focused on Syd to be pretentious and blathering. And also because David Gilmour never sounded better than on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". The middle three songs are short and sweet and help keep the usual Pink Floyd rambling in check, which makes for a tighter album. A classic. 7- "Play Deep" by The OutfieldThe '80s were a tough time for albums. So much of the music was one-hit wonders and made-for-MTV hits. Don't get me wrong, I loved that stuff (most of it), but it doesn't translate to classic album discussion very well. If you know The Outfield, it's probably from their one hit, "Your Love". But this debut is a lot more than that. They were a great power trio with a lot of Beatles influence and so much that I love about music: hooks, harmonies, perfect middle eights, and a sweet Fender guitar player. It's pretty polished and not very edgy, but man, I could listen to this album all day. These guys were way too good a band to be relegated to one-hit wonder status.
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Post by mightyjack on Jul 13, 2007 11:39:27 GMT -5
Full Moon Fever will be hitting my list soon. As will a Faith No More (But not the one you spoke of)
Though I disagree with you about Cobain and Grohl (and it has nothing to do with Kurts suicide or being cool), I'll have to give that Foo CD a listen, as well as the Faith No More you listed.
Giving me much to explore here, Mr. A - Thanks.
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Post by Phantom Engineer on Jul 13, 2007 22:45:10 GMT -5
I love the Crowes. Their sound is, to me, what pure rock & roll should be. Gritty. Swampy. Bluesy. With great riffs and a B-3. Any of their albums could make this list (and more certainly will), but this was their most cohesive album. The funny hting to me is that when I first heard ther Crows my thought was that they lifted their sound right from the Rolling Stones, specifically Exile On Main Street, and you don't like the Stones. It's a funny world.
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