Off Topic - Greatest Albums of all Time

Mine...

Herbie Hancock - Headhunters
Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy
Pixies - Doolittle
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Funkadelic - Standing on the Verge of Getting It On
Iggy Pop & The Stooges - Raw Power
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland
Rolling Stones - Exile on Main Street
Kruder & Dorfmeister - DJ Kicks

Limiting this to 10 is trifling...but here's 10 excellent ones. Ask me tomorrow and it'll probably be completely different.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 19, 2007 1:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's a new day...

...and here's a new 10!

Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin IV
Marvin Gaye - What's Goin' On?
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Bad Brains - Eye Against Eye
Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto - Getz/Gilberto
Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
Minor Threat - Out of Step
David Bowie - Hunky Dory
The Beatles - Abbey Road

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 20, 2007 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

or 11...woops

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 20, 2007 11:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here are some good ones

In alphabetical order (one per act)

Bad Brains
The Beatles - Revolver
Big Star - Radio City
The Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady
The Byrds - Younger Than Yesterday
James Brown - Star Time (it's a four disc box set, which is normally a cop out, but he did mostly singles, so I can live with it)
The Clash - London Calling
Brian Eno - Another Green World
Fugazi
Funkadelic - Music For Your Mother (another compilation, but what are you going to do?)
Gang Of Four - Entertainment!
Al Green - Call Me
PJ Harvey - Rid of Me
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Axis: Bold As Love
Husker Du - New Day Rising
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy
The Jesus Lizard - Liar
Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
The Kinks - Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)
Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti
The Misfits - Walk Among Us
The Minutemen - Double Nickels On the Dime
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Pussy Galore - Dial M For Motherfucker
The Rolling Stones - Beggar's Banquet
The Ramones
Slint - Spiderland
Sly and the Family Stone - Stand!
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
The Stooges - Fun House
Television - Marquee Moon
The Velvet Underground and Nico
The Who - Meaty, Beaty, Big, and Bouncy
Wire - Pink Flag
Stevie Wonder - Innervisions

Looking it over, it's kind of a guy-centric list, but I am who I am.

In the 1980's WTMD used to be a really killer station under the call letters WCVT. A bunch of my friends worked there and they played the coolest music in the world. There is so much stuff on the list above that I would've never heard it weren't for WCVT. Around 1991 or so they changed the format to new age music, which was really disappointing. From what I understand, it's back to being a pretty good radio station again.

by yurizanow on Dec 19, 2007 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

a few faves...

the clash (st)
tribe called quest/the low end theory
public enemy/it takes a nation of millions
beatles/revolver
stones/let it bleed
bob dylan/bringing it all back home
johnny cash/live at folsom prison
byrds/sweetheart of the rodeo
creedence/willie and the poorboys
pavement/slanted and enchanted
ramones (st)

double nickels and axis are inspired calls, too, yuri.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 19, 2007 3:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

some of my favs

Radio City/#1 Record - Big Star (actually two LPs but they're on the same CD so I kind of think of them as one album). September Gurls is one of my favorite songs of all time. The chiming, psychedelic riff on the song is memorizing. I hate it that the 70's show stole a song from Radio City and then changed one of lyrics to make it more PC.

O - Damien Rice, Pink Moon - Nick Drake. I like that dark, moody folky stuff. It doesn't get any better than this.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Being There - Wilco. I dig YHT's electicism. Being There reminds me of a vintage Rolling Stones album.

Exile on Main Street - Rolling Stones - Since people are citing Beatles records but no Stones records yet, I'll pick Exile although I love Begger's Banquet and Let it Bleed as well. The first 15 seconds of this record is the bomb.

Let It Be - The Replacements - So drunk but so awesome.

Get Happy - Elvis Costello - Costello doing is best Motown/Stax imitiation.

Who's Next - The Who - Keith Moon is the shit.

Darkness of the Edge of Town - Bruce Springsteen -I really dig Nebraska as well. Best Springsteen lyrics. Great songs about marginalized people unsure about their future.

Girlfriend - Matthew Sweet and The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses - I listened to these albums endlessly in my teens.

Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan - So many great songs on this album. Shelter from the Storm is another one of my favorite songs of all time.

Alright, that's all for now.

by birdman on Dec 19, 2007 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

y'know...

i was just thinking the other day how much i enjoyed girlfriend and 100% fun and how it could be that i don't own them...

richard lloyd shreds!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 19, 2007 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

richard lloyd

I saw Matthew Sweet about 400 billion times in the 90s. But I believe Richard Lloyd only played with Matthew Sweet at my first show. At the old 9:30 club. I believe Lloyd Cole played too, can't quite remember, but you can't forget Richard Lloyd.

by birdman on Dec 19, 2007 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you catch the Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs...

...album of covers that came out recently?

Really good stuff....I particularly loved their version of "The Kids are alright".

On a side note, Ms. Hoffs has aged REALLLLLLLY well...

by Chanumas on Dec 19, 2007 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i did

I listened to it a few times but it didn't catch on for me. I might give another chance though.

by birdman on Dec 19, 2007 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Off the top of my head

And it's more of a "10 favorite" than a "10 greatest," though I'm trying to have some historical perspective despite my tender age and relative musical inexperience (ie, I don't care too much for "classic rock," so while many albums from some of those great classic acts might be truly great, I'm not interested.) Consider it a list for Generation Y or whatever they're calling us 20ish year olds.

Oh, and this is off the top of my head, in no particular order.

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A Changin'
Dylan again - Highway 61 Revisited
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
The Faint - Danse Macabre
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Incubus - Morning View
Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things
Bad Religion - Against the Grain/No Control (I only want one BR album on the list, but i like these equally)
The Kinks - Lola vs. Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One

Yeah, that's pretty solidly a list of albums that have consistently held my interest for many years now (the most recent ones being like three years old). This list is obviously skewed quite new, but hey, it's the music i know and love.

by pipkin on Dec 19, 2007 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

off the top of my head

This will probably be messed up. The sun has baked my brain.

Manic Street Preachers / Everything Must Go
Saint Etienne / Tiger Bay
Sonic Youth / Sister
Idlewild/ Warnings/Promises
Rainer Maria / Look Now Look Again
Notorious BIG / Ready To Die\
Fugazi / The Argument
Mos Def / Black on Both Sides
The Stone Roses
Bruce Springsteen / Darkness on the Edge of Town
Ted Leo / The Tyranny of Distance
The Clash
The Rolling Stones / Aftermath
The Fall / Our Nation's Saving Grace
The Smiths / The Queen is Dead
The Libertines / Up the Bracket
Bloc Party / Silent Alarm
JJ72
Ghostface / The Pretty Toney Show

I think that's it. The Beatles are the most overrated band of all time.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 19, 2007 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yes! Thank you! Someone else...

...finally says it. I get SHREDDED by my friends for even thinking that. I will take Zeppelin or the Stones ANY day over the Beatles. And if we're talking the origins of rock, I'll take people like Sam Cooke, Buddy Holly, Ike Turner (R.I.P.), Bill Haley, etc., over the Beatles. Insipid, overrated lyrics, in most case -some Beatles songs are truly great. Not as many as people think.

Also...has anybody put Credence out there yet? Or even Fogarty's solo stuff? He's freakin' amazing.

A few of my personal faves:

Decemberists - Picaresque
Iron&Wine - Our Endless Numbered Days
Ellis Paul - Speed of Trees, American Jukebox Fables, Stories...I really like this guy. Any of you into the songwriting of Springsteen, Guthrie, Prine, check him out.
Great Big Sea - The Hard and the Easy
Elvis Costello - My Aim is True (love the debut)
Abigail Washburn - Song of the Traveling Daughter
John Prine -every album ever
Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison
Neko Case - Furnace Room Lullaby
Blues Traveler - Save His Soul, Bastardos!

Other artists without album names; The Thorns, Spirit of the West, Woody Guthrie, Dick Gaughan, Tim O'Brien, Seldom Scene

by KenDixonFanClub on Dec 19, 2007 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah dude

I typically get shit on for saying that, but really, what do the Beatles have besides Revolver and Abbey Road? Nothing. And Revolver is their only album that is good from top to bottom.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 19, 2007 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Beatles

"what do the Beatles have besides Revolver and Abbey Road?"

I've always really liked Rubber Soul and Let it Be. Magical Mystery Tour is fluff. White Album is just too uneven. Several classics surrounded by crap. Anything pre-Rubber Soul is where my interest in the Beatles starts to really wane.

by birdman on Dec 19, 2007 11:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ummmm helloooooooo

"what do the Beatles have besides Revolver and Abbey Road?"

I know this always gets the "best album of all time" nod and that everybody's heard it 55 Million times at this point, but Sgt. Pepper's is obviously a great album. So great that people are sick of saying how great it is.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 20, 2007 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

though...

for sergeant pepper and abbey road i really feel like people ought to say "the beatles, george martin and geoff emmerich"...

i'm also a big rubber soul fan. i love reading about this great era in early pop music where dylan, the beatles and brian wilson were constantly trying to outdo each other.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly...

Sgt. Pepper always left me a little cold. I understand that it's a landmark album in terms of concept, production and (obviously) influence, but IMO it's not a particularly strong set of songs. "Fixing A Hole," "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite," "Lovely Rita," "Good Morning Good Morning" do not rank among the band's best songs, IMO. "A Day In The Life" is brilliant though.

But I think the Beatles early work tends to get short shrift among rock fans who often describe it as shallow pop music. Personally, I love the early stuff. Listen to Lennon's vocals on songs like "All I Gotta Do," "Money" or "Not A Second Time" -- these are some of the best vocals in rock history. And Paul brought a level of melodic sophistication that hadn't been heard in rock music to that point.

Beyond that, the films they did with Richard Lester, especially A Hard Days Night, are brilliant even setting aside the music. Frankly, the Beatles have so much going for them beyond Revolver and Abbey Road it's not even funny.

by rebop on Dec 20, 2007 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sgt. Peppers

"Sgt. Pepper always left me a little cold. I understand that it's a landmark album in terms of concept, production and (obviously) influence, but IMO it's not a particularly strong set of songs. "Fixing A Hole," "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite," "Lovely Rita," "Good Morning Good Morning" do not rank among the band's best songs, IMO. "A Day In The Life" is brilliant though."

Stole my words right out of my mouth. Love Sgt. Peppers and A Day in the Life, everything else is entirely too campy. But I completely understand why critics name it as the best album of all time.

by birdman on Dec 20, 2007 12:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah dude

Sgt. Peppers is not that good. There are a couple of good songs included, but really, I am sick of hearing how great of an album it is. Because it isn't. If it's someone's favorite album, then fine, but really, the Beatles have better moments.

George Harrison should have been allowed to take the reins more often. All Things Must Pass is an amazing album. Lennon was a pothead hippy and McCartney was (and still is) a silly nancy boy. He's basically a figure skater.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 7:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's not good.

It's great. It is an excellent all around album. Sure, it's campy and plays around with different styles, but so does every good Beatles album. People are just sick of hearing how great Sgt. Pepper's is, just like they're sick of hearing "Stairway to Heaven" on Classic Rock radio stations for the 5 trillionth time. But even though both are overplayed and overpublicized, they're both still great.

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 20, 2007 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Your opinion is wrong

If you play Sgt. Peppers backwards, it tells you how to find the gate to hell.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

is not

yours is.

and to save us some time, if you retort with an insult, my response will be: "I know you are, but what am I?"

Friend of the Working Man

by Jonnypops on Dec 20, 2007 8:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha.

Why would I respond with an insult? My name isn't GROVER.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 10:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

my ten favorites

i realize this is gonna peg me as a child of 80's rock...guilty as charged

The Police-Syncronicity: i could list all the Police albums
Van Halen I: happy fun-time rock and roll
Blue Oyster Cult-Agents of Fortune: you can hear the riff now
Genesis-Abacab: more pop than their early albums, but still biting, bitter lyrics
The Eagles-The Long Run: the best from these country rockers
The Beatles-Revolver: encompasses their entire catalog of styles
The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds: as close to opera as rock music gets
Kiss-Destroyer: REALLY listen to Detroit Rock City next time
Led Zeppelin-IV: When the Levee Breaks is a perfect song
U2-The Joshua Tree: melding sprituality and rock music

five bonus albums:
Back In Black-AC/DC: every cut kicks ass
Green River-CCR: summer jams out of the farm
Dookie-Green Day: modern adult punk rock
Purple-Stone Temple Pilots: the DeLeo brothers rock
London Calling-The Clash: what the rest want to be

One More for the Locals: Kix's debut album.

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Dec 19, 2007 6:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

In no particular order...

Rush - Moving Pictures
Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's...
Who - Live At Leeds (full version)
Rolling Stones - Beggar's Banquet
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Queen - A Night At the Opera
Led Zeppelin - Houses...
Ramones - All the Stuff and More
Kinks - Give the People...
Green Day - American Idiot

"You can't fix stupid. Stupid is forever." - Ron White

by Sluggo on Dec 19, 2007 6:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My favorites

It is hard to limit to just ten so I might go over

U2-Josuha Tree
REM-Document
Albert King- Thursday Night in San Fransico
BB King- Live at the Regal
Metallica- The Black Album
ACDC-Highway to Hell
The Beatles- Sgt. Pepper's
Steely Dan- Babylon Sister
Bruce Sprinsteen- Born to Run
Dr. Dre- The Chronic
Elton John-Tumbleweed Connection- before he went soft
Gorillaz- Demon Days
Ike & Tina Turner- The best of Ike and Tina Turner
Janes Addiction- their first album, self-titled
Lynard Skynard- Second Helping
Nelly-Nellyville
Robert Earl Keen- No. 2 Live Dinner
Ryan Adams- Rock N Roll
Sonic Youth- Goo
Van Halen-1984
Widespread Panic- Widespread Panic
Allman Brothers- Eat a Peach
Allman Brothers- Live at the Fillmore East
Albert King- Blues at Sunrise

25.GnR-Appetite for Destruction

Run DMC- Raising Hell
R.L. Burnside-Burnside on Burnside

by memphisoriole on Dec 19, 2007 7:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

Lynyrd Skynyrd, (pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd)
Wu-Tang Clan, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Nas, Illmatic
Marty Robbins, Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs
Johnny Cash, American Recordings
The Clash, London Calling
Rancid, Life Won't Wait
Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Willie Nelson, Shotgun Willie
My Morning Jacket, It Still Moves
Van Morrison, Moondance
Whiskeytown, Faithless Street
Elliott Smith, XO
Billy Bragg, Talking with the Taxman About Poetry
Bob Dylan, Blood on the Tracks
Merle Haggard, Same Train, a Different Time

and the king mother fucker of all live albums

Jerry Lee Lewis, Live at the Star Club, Hamburg

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 19, 2007 9:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

For Jerry Lee Lewis...

"What Made Milwaukee Famous....Has Made a Loser Out Of Me"

"In my 15 years of baseball, I've never seen anything that no one had any idea of anything that was there." - Drayton McLane, Astros owner.

by duck on Dec 20, 2007 6:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re

w/o duplicating some great albums I'll list a few of my favorites...

Black Crowes - Shake Your Money Maker
Bruce Robison - Wrapped
Bush - Sixteen Stone
Gary Stewart - The Essential
GnR - Appetite for Destruction
James McMurtry - Live in Aught-Three
Snoop Dogg - Doggy Style
Soundgarden
SRV - The Sky is Crying
Steppenwolf - Gold
Stone Temple Pilots - Purple
The Band - The Band
Waylon Jennings - Waylon Live
Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger

A couple favorites that I saw listed:
REK - No. 2 Live
Van Morrison - Moondance

"Hating the Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income taxes." -Mike Royko

by BPinOK on Dec 19, 2007 9:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow!

Some good picks around here.

Some of my favorites (not including Classical music) include:

The Beach Boys - Love You
Big Star - #1 Record
Bill Evans Trio - Waltz for Debby
Bob Dylan - Nashville Skyline
Brian Eno - Another Green World
Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska
Cardinal - Cardinal
Duke Ellington - And His Mother Called Him Bill
Elvis Costello - King of America
Fairport Convention - Liege And Lief
The Feelies - The Good Earth
Frank Sinatra - In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Game Theory - The Big Shot Chronicles
Gram Parsons - Grievous Angel
The Jayhawks - Tomorrow The Green Grass
Johnny Cash - American Recordings
Jonathan Richman - Rockin' & Romance
June Christy - Something Cool
The Louvin Brothers - Tragic Songs of Life
Love - Forever Changes
Meat Puppets - Up On the Sun
Nat King Cole - After Midnight
Neil Young - Zuma
New Order - Power, Corruption & Lies
Nick Drake - Pink Moon
Parliament - The Mothership Connection
Percy "Thrills" Thrillington - Thrillington
Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Ramones - Rocket to Russia
Redd Kross - Third Eye
The Replacements - Let It Be
Richard & Linda Thompson - Shoot Out the Lights
Robyn Hitchcock - I Often Dream Of Trains
The Rolling Stones - Their Satanic Majesties Request
Sly & The Family Stone - Fresh
The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight
Television - Marquee Moon
The Undertones - Positive Touch
Unrest - Perfect Teeth
Velvet Crush - Teenage Symphonies To God
The Velvet Underground - s/t
The Who - Sell Out
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Yo La Tengo - Fakebook
Young Marble Giants - Colossal Youth
The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle

(I'm not good at narrowing things down)

by rebop on Dec 19, 2007 10:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Favorite Christmas Albums

v/a - Hipsters' Holiday
Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift For You
v/a - Hillbilly Holiday
v/a - The American Song-Poem Christmas: Daddy, Is Santa Really Six Foot Four?
v/a - Soul Christmas
Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas
Elvis Presley - Elvis' Christmas Album
Frank Sinatra - A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra
June Christy - This Time Of Year
The Three Suns - A Ding Dong Dandy Christmas!
Vince Guaraldi - A Charlie Brown Christmas

My favorite Christmas song is probably a tie between Clarance Carter's "Back Door Santa" and Commander Cody's "Daddy's Drinking Up Our Christmas."

BTW, I have a Christmas mix up on my blog that includes some pretty cool, but out-of-print Christmas music.

by rebop on Dec 19, 2007 10:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

your mix is very cool...

thanks!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Joltin Joe Orsulak

Man, us white dudes on the internet have pretty similar taste, I guess (apologies for any presumption about people's identities, but, well...the lists kind of speak for themselves). I'm afraid I won't add much diversity in any department, but here are a handful that I don't think have been mentioned yet.

Van Morrison--Astral Weeks (for me this just kicks the ass of anything else he's done)

Flamin' Groovies--Groovies' Greatest Grooves (a greatest hits album might be kind of lame as a pick, but this fecker rocks from start to finish).

M. Ward--Transfiguration of Vincent

Graham Parsons--G.P./Grievous Angel (particularly relevant for Streets of Baltimore) [Oh, now I see that rebop already hit that one.]

Michael Hurley--Long Journey

Yo La Tengo--I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One

I'll also second the nominations of Girlfriend, Underwater Moonlight, Odyssey & Oracle, and Get Happy.

I will not enter the great Beatles/Stones debate except to say that I love both without feeling the need to put down the other, and that (from my subjective perspective) Zeppelin and the Who, despite some enjoyable work, do not even belong in the conversation.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 19, 2007 11:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

holy smokes...

i just started listening to m. ward recently and am a bit obsessed w/ the transfiguration of vincent.

dude can kind of pick, huh?

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 9:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Live

I saw him live at the Birchmere a while ago and it was really amazing -- he can definitely play.

It also kind of rocked more than I expected -- a lot of the sort of fuzzy, distorted stuff that is the in background of the mix on the albums was much more out front live.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 20, 2007 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gram...

"Streets Of Baltimore" is great. I highly recommend the recent Complete Reprise Recordings box which includes GP, Grievous Angel, plus a disc full of demos and outtakes.

First of all, the remastered sound quality of the two proper albums is miles better than on the old "twofer" CD. And the disc of alternate takes is fantastic with some beautiful loose and casual vocal interplay between Gram and Emmilou. The less polished setting makes it even more clear what a special chemistry they had. (And yes, there is a nice alternate take of "Streets of Baltimore.") Finally, the packaging with mini-LP sleeve replicas is really nice.

by rebop on Dec 20, 2007 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting

I didn't know about the box set. I've got the Rhino Sacred Hearts & Fallen Angels compilation, which has some great stuff & a few alternate takes. I'll have to look into that.

(And yes, Gram, not Graham... for some reason I have a hard time getting that into my head, or at least from my head into my fingers.)

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 20, 2007 1:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

gram

also interesting considering his, uhh, tendencies.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Heh

Sadly, that might actually work as a mnemonic device.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 20, 2007 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh...

I wasn't trying to correct you...I didn't even notice the mistake. The box set is awesome, but obviously it's for the hardcore fan. I thought the demos/alternates were of much higher quality than is usually the case, and in some cases actually superior to the album versions.

by rebop on Dec 20, 2007 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Parsons

His solo work is overrated, I think. Good, but he had already done better with The Byrds (Sweetheart of the Rodeo is fabulous) and the Flying Burrito Bros.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i think...

overall his stuff is kind of uneven. there's some burritos stuff that's a little too syruppy for me...besides, w/o the burritos/gp there's probably no eagles, so i can't wholeheartedly endorse.

if i'm not mistaken, gp didn't actually play on the version fo sweetheart that was released b/c of contractual issues w/ his old label. is there a full a gp version i haven't heard?

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 2:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

It got resolved and he did the vocals on "Hickory Wind" and "You're Still on My Mind," but McGuinn cut his vocals on three(?) other tracks and did them himself. They did a re-packaging a few years back that had the songs with Parsons' original vocals.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Right...

McGuinn didn't want it to turn into a Gram album, so he re-did three of his lead vocals. The legal issues with Lee Hazelwood had already been resolved.

by rebop on Dec 20, 2007 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I will not be limited to a mere 10!

At the moment and off the top of my head...

Miles Davis - Kind of Blue
Isaac Stern - Brahms Violin Sonatas
Hendrix - Are You Experienced?
Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
Stones - Let it Bleed
Beatles - Do I have to choose just one?
Pearl Jam - Vitalogy
Springsteen - The Rising
Takacs Quartet - Complete Bartok String Quartets
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Radiohead - OK Computer
James Brown - Funk Power
Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die
Karajan/Berlin Phil - Beethoven 9
U2 - I'm just gonna pussy out and say Best of 1980-1990

And since it's the holidays:
Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Dec 19, 2007 11:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Mine

Master of Puppets, Metallica. No debate needed.
Reign in Blood, Slayer
Peace Sells, Megadeth
Dirt, Alice in Chains
Vulgar Display of Power, Pantera
Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin
Use Your Illusions II, Guns N' Roses
Ride the Lightning, Metallica
Back in Black, AC/DC
Powerslave, Iron Maiden

You expected any different?

"In my 15 years of baseball, I've never seen anything that no one had any idea of anything that was there." - Drayton McLane, Astros owner.

by duck on Dec 20, 2007 6:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

RE

For really no particular reason I love Alice in Chains.

"Hating the Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income taxes." -Mike Royko

by BPinOK on Dec 20, 2007 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Best album of the 90s

Seriously. Name anything you want from 1990-1999, I'll put Alice in Chains' "Dirt" against it.

"In my 15 years of baseball, I've never seen anything that no one had any idea of anything that was there." - Drayton McLane, Astros owner.

by duck on Dec 20, 2007 1:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

Outside of some Willie Nelson very early in my life, Dirt was my first favorite album. I still love it.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Iron Maiden Albums

i prefer Number of the Beast. Run to the Hills i sjust an awesome, awesome song.

i saw Maiden three times at the old Cap Centre and once at the Civic Center.

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Dec 20, 2007 10:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you could beat my ass with your cd collection

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I was an angry teen....

for no more discernable reason that I was short with a stupid last name. But that'll do when your 13 and looking for a reason to be mad at the world...

My 7-year-old loves trying to play Raining Blood on Guitar Hero III. Should I be worried, Dr. Phil?

"In my 15 years of baseball, I've never seen anything that no one had any idea of anything that was there." - Drayton McLane, Astros owner.

by duck on Dec 21, 2007 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

10 favorites...

Like pipken said, favorites not best. I'm in no position to make that sort of determination. But here are some of my all time favorites, off the top of my head. I guess most of them are from my teenage/college years:

(no particular order)
Exile in Guyville - Liz Phair
Little Plastic Castle - Ani DiFranco
August and Everything After - Counting Crows
II - Boyz II Men
Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales (although I love 100% of Jack Johnson, including the Curious George Soundtrack)
Ben Harper - Diamonds on the Inside (also 100% Ben Harper...he and those Innocent Criminals are just great)
Rites of Passage - Indigo Girls
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill
Late Registration - Kanye West
Rock Spectacle - Barenaked Ladies

That's just off the top of my head. If I looked through my music collection I could probably give you a better list. I also enjoy that game where you put your mp3 player of choice on random and list the first ten songs that come up. Although I invariably end up with like 7 Neil Diamond songs or something that makes me look like a freak.

by Stacey on Dec 20, 2007 8:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't get Exile in Guyville

I'm a dude.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a dude too

And I LOVE Exile in Guyville. Does this mean I have to surrender my package?

by birdman on Dec 20, 2007 3:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nah

I like Beyonce, who am I to throw stones? Or take them away.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Liz Phair

was extremely important to me in my formative teenage years. I can't even imagine what music young girls are listening to these days to help teach them how to be a woman. Miley Cyrus or some shit I guess.

by Stacey on Dec 20, 2007 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what amazes me...

billy ray cyrus has found a new, contemporay way of looking like a complete idiot. i mean, is he for real? i saw a picture of him w/ his daughter and he looks like that FAKE singer garth brooks invented a few years back.

just terrible.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 3:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I think girls that care enough just go back to that album and others like it still. That or, uh, Pink?

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no problems with Pink

That's a good call, actually. I mean, she's no Liz or Ani, but she gets the job done.

by Stacey on Dec 20, 2007 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd think it'd be someone like Rilo Kiley

or maybe Feist. My cousin is a junior in high school and LOVES both Rilo Kiley and Feist

by Chanumas on Dec 20, 2007 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Liz Phair

I remember reading a Rolling Stone article on her when 2nd album came out. It's a riot. She comes off as a very normal and cool (surprise, surprise given that it's a RS article. My favorite line from Almost Famous was when the lead singer told the RS writer that he could make up whatever he wanted, just make them look cool, something an unnamed band actually told Cameron Crowe when he wrote for RS). I knew someone who was deeply emerged in the indie rock scene in Chicago in the 90s. He said that Phair had a reputation for stealing other people's boyfriends. In any case, the lyrics on Guyville are quite good. Smart and edgy.

by birdman on Dec 20, 2007 3:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I love her first two albums

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Taking a hint from jonnypops....

...it's a new day, so time for a new top ten:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
The Smiths - The Queen is Dead
Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Pulp - Different Class
New Order - Substance
Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
Pavement - Slanted & Enchanted
NWA - Straight Outta Compton
Radiohead - Kid A

by Chanumas on Dec 20, 2007 11:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's interesting

How many people like different records by the same acts.

by yurizanow on Dec 20, 2007 2:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

more, for kicks

Kanye West, Graduation
People slagged this album, at least compared to his first two, but I think it's his best. It's one of those rare albums that I really just love to sit down and listen to.

Dean Martin, Dino: The Essential Dean Martin
Sam Cooke, Portrait of a Legend
Not really albums, but y'know.

Social Distortion, Sex, Love and Rock n' Roll
One of my favorite bands, but also a band I've sort of grown past, which makes me a little sad, actually. I kind of hope this is their last album, because it took Mike Ness 25 years to come up with a batch of songs this good, and he's starting to look a little ridiculous in the eyeliner.

Ghostface Killah, The Pretty Toney Album
Maybe this is Ghost's best album? This or Supreme Clientele or Ironman.

Jerry Lee Lewis, She Still Comes Around (to Love What's Left of Me)
Jerry Lee was a manic talent and also had a fantastic voice. And he's still good. This was his best studio album. The more years removed we get, the more I think people are coming around to what I always thought: Jerry Lee is a better country performer than a rock performer (outside of Star Club), and it's not even close.

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
The world's best non-Clash Clash album. Then he put out that horrible turd of a follow-up this year.

Dropkick Murphys, Blackout
Everyone's least favorite Murphys album. By far my favorite.

HEY WHITE DUDES THAT LIKE M. WARD AND STUFF -- Go listen to Pickering Pick. It's free, and he's really great. (He's also a part of my friend's free record label.)

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

why white dudes?%%

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

Generalizing is fun. I also assume most of us wear glasses.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 20, 2007 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and...

i still think hearts of oak is ted leo's best by a country mile.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 2:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I am a HUGE Ted Leo fan

I even went as far as to start a fan site a few years ago (www.timorousme.org), but it took me a really long time to warm up to the new album.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Dec 20, 2007 7:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I can't get into it at all, and I have tried enough times that if it was going to happen, it would have. I really love Ted Leo and still look forward to his future work, but that album stunk the jernt up in a major way.

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 21, 2007 4:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re:

Kanye West, Graduation
People slagged this album, at least compared to his first two, but I think it's his best. It's one of those rare albums that I really just love to sit down and listen to.

INTERESTING. I find its greatest strength to be no dumbass skits and, of course, that it's, like, good. But the middle (Barry Bonds, Drunk and Hot Girls (ugh), Flashing Lights) are all pretty dull, like that crap song with Nas on Late Registration. Stronger I also don't care for, except the OJ line. OJ is hilarious! The more I think, this album is a real mixed bag!

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists, Shake the Sheets
The world's best non-Clash Clash album. Then he put out that horrible turd of a follow-up this year.

I don't get it. Except from Bomb Repeat Bomb, which is Lame Repeat Lame (ahaha (although the chorus is good)) and a couple of tunes in the middle, this is pretty freakin solid. Sons of Cain, Toro and the Toreador, Who Do You Love? Those are good tunes.

The best new album of the past couple years was Springsteen's Seeger Sessions, which is just endlessly great. Modern Times was good but not great. The new White Stripes is very good. We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is also great. The great Levon Helm of the Band put out an awesome album called DIRT FARMER which is wicked cool.

And you know what album is great all the way through, every single time is Moondance.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Dec 21, 2007 11:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

levon helm...

dirt farmer is FANTASTIC! there's also a good mavis staples record that came out this year, on a brief last waltz tie in.

shake the sheets is not the record from this year w/ bomb repeat bomb. it's the one from a couple years ago.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 21, 2007 11:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know

I was referring to Scott's thoughts on LWTL. Oops.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Dec 21, 2007 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ah...

gotcha.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 21, 2007 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Graduation

I really like all of those songs. Lil Wayne is awesome when he's on a song with someone who has good beats, and I even grew to really love "Drunk and Hot Girls," which it seems like almost everybody does not. LA LA LA LA LA THAT'S HOW THE FUCK YOU SOUND

Thanks for the time that you've given me...

by SC on Dec 22, 2007 8:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh...

Red Hot Chili Peppers - blood sugar sex magic

"Hating the Yankees is as American as apple pie, unwed mothers, and cheating on your income taxes." -Mike Royko

by BPinOK on Dec 20, 2007 3:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

other faves...

Sweet Baby James-James Taylor
British Steel/Screaming For Vengeance-Judas Priest
Time and Tide-Basia
Off The Wall-Michael Jackson
Rumours-Fleetwood Mac
Nebraska-Bruce Springsteen
Crowded House-Crowded House
Paranoid-Black Sabbath

FUCK MASCOT MILLAR and HORSESHIT HUFF

by Dave at Bottomfeeder Baseball on Dec 20, 2007 5:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good topic

Here are mine as of this moment, it would probably be different if you asked me tomorrow. Very hard to pick just 10!

Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers
Stooges - Funhouse
John Coltrane - Meditations
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Biggie - Ready to Die
Mobb Deep - The Infamous
ODB - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Radiohead - Kid A
Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary

by GeronimoGil on Dec 20, 2007 9:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ooooooo...

nice call on the BDP!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Dec 20, 2007 9:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Me like:

The Kinks - Arthur
The Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace with God
Wire - Pink Flag
The Clash - Sandinista!
Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop
Ween - The Pod
The Beatles - The Beatles
Charles Mingus - Black Saint and the Sinner Lady
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Dr. Dre - 2001

by Stanicek on Dec 20, 2007 9:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

no order

zep - 4
hendrix - are you experienced?
springsteen - nebraska
pink floyd - the wall
pearl jam - no code
nirvana - bleach
elliott smith - either/or
weakerthans - left and leaving (seriously, this album is fawking awesome)
radiohead - kid a
rem - chronic town
sleater kinney - hot rock
the long winters - putting the days to bed

okay, that's more then 10, but these are some i like. And seriously, if you like depressing music, check out the weakerthans!

Librarians are hiding something

by dfa on Dec 20, 2007 10:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs