The best albums, and please say WHY?

Discussion in 'Art & Culture' started by thinking, Nov 19, 2009.

  1. jpappl Valued Senior Member

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    I picked what I consider the best albums.

    All of the artists that I picked have many great albums but many of them have a lot of holes, IOW songs or many songs that are not considered their best by me. So the albums I chose not only have a lot of hits, but consistency of great songs throughout.
     
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  3. Tiassa Let us not launch the boat ... Valued Senior Member

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    Scorpions, Radiohead: Two names you never thought would go together

    A couple albums that aren't on the list so far:

    • The Scorpions, Lonesome Crow
    • Radiohead, O.K. Computer

    The first Scorpions Lp, Lonesome Crow (1972) is nothing like what the band would later become (in)famous for. Those who recall the Spinal Tap "Jazz Odyssey" farce should give this album a listen; while it is still obviously rock and roll, proto-metal, there is a heavy jazz influence in the songwriting that would disappear from their repertoire before the decade was out.

    Having worked in a video store and heard Chrissie Hynde play "Creep" a thousand times, I wasn't really paying attention to Radiohead at all when a friend of ours, amid a bender of Brian Wilson and The Stone Roses (?!) sat us down, started stuffing bowls, and said, "No, you have to listen to this." And we did. He played O.K. Computer in its entirety as we all got stoned together, at which point I realized I was completely missing something. Pablo Honey still doesn't strike me as anything special; I had no idea back in 1993 what was coming. I missed The Bends entirely, though in the years since I've come to realize that, had I heard it in its day, I would have been blown away. O.K. Computer was a revelation, about as innovative an album as I think I had ever heard. I had been discounting "Paranoid Android" in part because I wasn't understanding the range of British pop at the time. Between the cartoon video and—I might have this one misplaced—an Oasis video that involved what looked like a yellow submarine, I just wasn't big on the British sound.

    And then I heard "Paranoid Android" in context. O.K. Computer is one of the albums that "saved" rock music for me; I was splintering out into worldbeat, finding less and less in the pop market accessible to my musical emotion. It's a leading candidate for "Album of the Decade".
     
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  5. Idle Mind What the hell, man? Valued Senior Member

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    Protest the Hero -- Kezia.

    An interesting album lyrically -- a concept album with three distinct perspectives about a character on death row. The perspectives are from a priest, a guard (who is to be an executioner) and the prisoner to be executed. Interesting moral and social commentary. Musically it is quite complex (progressive metal with strong punk influences showing), and the fact that it was released when the band members were all 18 years old speaks to their abilities. They have been quoted as having written parts that were above their ability, and having to practice at length to be able to perform them.
     
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  7. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    I've always enjoyed Tangerine Draems album "Rubicon" for it takes me on a journey through space and time, playing with many emotins and feelings as you travel along with it. Sitting down and resting while enjoying this album is a really nice way to mellow out and dream away. Although it isn't a known album, it is a very good one to me. During every year I always find time to experiance it, to just disolve away into it and become a sailor on the cosmic sea. The first part sets me adrift and the second takes mespeeding along the fabric of time.

    Pt. 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3be8N6-sF3Q

    Pt. 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGCcuD9ySFA&feature=related
     
  8. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    Back in the late 70s-early 80s we saw TD every time they played in L.A. Always a wonderful show. Nothing quite like them.
     
  9. cosmictraveler Be kind to yourself always. Valued Senior Member

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    Unfortunately I never saw them live. You were fortunate to have done so. Did they ever make a video of any of their shows that you know of?
     
  10. Omega133 Aus der Dunkelheit Valued Senior Member

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    6,281
    Tenthousand Fists, Indestructible, The Sickness-Disturbed
    "David Draiman's vocals are unique. Alltogether the band is amazing"

    As my phrase(underneath my avatar) shows I am a big MetallicA fan("Seek and Destroy" off of Kill 'Em All)
     
  11. Lori_7 Go to church? I am the church! Registered Senior Member

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    10,515
    is that the album my dad had with the girl and the whipped cream on the cover? twangy sixties guitar instrumentals??
     
  12. Lori_7 Go to church? I am the church! Registered Senior Member

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    10,515
    disturbed is also one of my faves...and impeccable live. impeccable.
     
  13. Dirty Dan And knowing is half the battle Registered Senior Member

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    Fucking EH!!!
     
  14. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    24,690
    I think that would be ridiculous, just a bunch of guys working furiously behind a bank of synthesizers. They eventually added a Laserium show but that doesn't translate to video at all unless you've got a wall-size screen. They made quite a few live albums. They often play non-stop so you get one track per side; it gets pretty trancey.
    They've got a hundred albums so I don't know what they all look like, but that definitely does not describe their music. They virtually invented space music: all synthesizers, quirky sounds, long themes, slow dynamics. Often no actual beat. Naturally they did quite a few film soundtracks because their sound is perfect for that. Like all the pioneers of space music like Klaus Schulze (once a member of the band), Shadowfax, Kitaro and Mike Oldfield, they've descended into the realm of what I call "New Age ditties" in order to make a living.
     
  15. Cath Registered Member

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    42
    HELP (The Beatles)
    THE WHITE ALBUM (The Beatles)
    THE WALL (Pink Floyd)
    THE RESISTANCE (Muse)
     
  16. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    24,690
    Please review post #41 and tell us a little bit about WHY? E.g.:
    • Why "Help" instead of "Revolver"?
    • Why "The Wall" instead of "Dark Side"?
    • Why Muse instead of Dream Theater?
    Thanks,
    --F.R.
     
  17. Cath Registered Member

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    42
    Sorry, The Beatles HELP album because me and June used to sing along to it while me and her would tidy my house.

    THE WHITE ALBUM: Because it's so good, it's an album you can listen to and be happy.

    RESISTANCE: Because the music is brilliant, and Matt Bellamy has a brilliant voice.

    I haven't listened to REVOLVER because.....I have no excuse, I just haven't.
    THE WALL: Because it's amazing, and again June loved it and I grew to love it.
     
  18. Liebling Doesn't Need to be Spoonfed. Valued Senior Member

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    Kind of Blue by Miles Davis - The influence this album (given to me by my dad when I was 6 for my new suitcase LP player) had on my life is astounding. It was the first time I felt free to leave this world behind and live in the music itself. It influenced my choices in music forever going forward, and secured itself as one of my first loves in life. It's a roaring engine that has driven, produced and inspired so many people into the artistic world of music.

    London Calling by The Clash - Train in Vain is one of my favourite songs of all time, but this album is one that I can honestly say that I've listened to a couple of hundred times since I was about 13. It was an inspiration to think out of the box, and to challenge the status quo.

    Blue by Joni Mitchell - Joni is an eloquent poet and songtress that makes me feel like I am never alone in life. That other passionate people exist and they are flawed and beautiful in their fragments. She never ceases to amaze me even when I've heard some of these songs so many times.

    Year Zero by Nine Inch Nails - A concept album that I absolutely adore. I didn't at first, but then when the website got linked and I started to really listen, it clicked and it will always be a regular in my rotations. There is no song on this album I don't like, and it's a kick in the face to all those "normal and just" people out there.

    Horses by Patti Smith - I'd say that nothing else needs to be said about this album, but if you've never given it a listen, you really have missed out on a stellar talent and a punk poet of no equal. Such a fiercely passionate soul, delivered not with kid gloves but with a round by round heavyweight. Just awesome. Along with 'Rid of Me' by PJ Harvey, it's like an anthem for brilliant women.

    Giant Steps by John Coltrane - A masterpiece of Jazz. It stands with Miles Davis's Kind of Blue as one of those dance partners you could watch dance forever. To me, it was the holy grail of Jazz introduction, a heartbeat that can't be silenced. I love this album for so many reasons.

    Paul's Boutique by the Beastie Boys - Is my guilt little treasure that I hold as my happy place. It's beats and lyrics are a centrifical force of nature that just draws people to listen to it. Love love this album.

    (I'm nowhere near done, these are just off the top of my head)
     
  19. nietzschefan Thread Killer Valued Senior Member

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    The thread says "best" so I gotta go with Dark side of the Moon for quality and number of weeks charted. MY fav Floyd is Meddle.

    I really like "Aqualung", very ummm minstrelesque.

    I can put "Justice for All" in a CD player and drive across Canada and never pull it out. If I also had BadMotorFinger, I might only have to sleep every second day.

    Other favorites are too obscure for the general masses.
     
  20. Liebling Doesn't Need to be Spoonfed. Valued Senior Member

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    1,532
    If you haven't heard Rob's new album Cradlesong Fraggle, you really really should. It's powerful and sad in places, but it also moves. I love Rob Thomas for so many reasons. Antigone Rising suffers on albums, they are not quite the same recorded. The same could be said for bands like Carbon Leaf, Captain Tractor and My Morning Jacket. Their live shows are so much better, they just don't come across right on album. I saw Daughtry too, his show was way too short to enjoy. It's not that I don't enjoy newer music, but it's got to live awhile to see if I can tolerate it five years from now. To me, a best album has to have staying power.
     
  21. John99 Banned Banned

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    22,046
    I love VHII. Since it was the first record i ever heard i always have a soft spot for it. Not my favorite VH because that would be 'Fair Warning' which is the best guitar playing technique and composition.
     
  22. Omega133 Aus der Dunkelheit Valued Senior Member

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    6,281
    All The Right Reasons-Nickelback
    It's got Rockstar on it. And Nickelback just sounds great.

    Blood Sugar Sex Magic,and By The Way-Red Hot Chili Peppers
    The Chili's are like a different type of music. Fast, Energetic, and downright funny.

    We Couldn't Think of a Title, and Sandwich-Psychostick
    These guys are crazy and sound good at the same time. Kinda like a heavy metal version of the Chili's.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2009
  23. Fraggle Rocker Staff Member

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    24,690
    I have "Cradlesong." It's good but it's just not in the same class. I freely admit to being a sucker for a big production number and every production on "Something to Be" is over the top. Each one has something unique that was obviously thrown in after the main tracks were recorded. I don't remember which track, but one has a squeak that comes in on exactly the same beat in every bar at the same volume and pitch throughout the entire song, and provides an eerie sort of contrapuntal continuity.
    I was never aware of him, never noticed Matchbox 20. Until "Smooth," then he burst into my consciousness. Still love that song.

    I would have gone to the Cradlesong tour except it was in an arena and I couldn't find anyone to go with. I don't find the arena experience to be so much fun alone. The first time I saw him was at a more intimate place (around 2500) so that was okay. Being closer to the stage I don't mind not having someone to share it with. But when you're watching through fieldglasses it's not the same.
     

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