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By ucblockhead (Wed May 21, 2008 at 12:54:34 PM EST) (all tags)
In which I list the ten best albums of all time.

Well, perhaps not. But these are the albums I never tire of.


Secret Treaties - Blue Oyster Cult: This is BOC from back when they were scaring the hippies with a protopunk attitude and occult lyrics, before they started trying to fill stadiums with tedious ballads.

Ace of Spades - Motörhead: The best of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, Motörhead was always an attitude, part punk, part metal. No other album epitomizes this more than "Ace of Spades". It's not deep. It's not musical. It's merely awesome.

David Gilmour - David Gilmour: His least well known solo album and also his best. It's a bit like Gilmour's Pink Floyd songs, only mellower. Perfect music to ingest a certain drug to.

Rust in Peace - Megadeath: When you are done being stoned, this is the best speed metal album ever made. The only flaw is that the original mix is too quiet. This is the point of time between win the drugs kept Mustaine from reaching his full potential and the ego kept Mustaine from reaching his full potential.

Life's Rich Pageant - REM: REM seems to bounce between dull albums and incredible albums. This is the first, and best, of the incredible albums.

Joshua Tree - U2: It is a bit embarrassing to pick this as it was so overplayed and so massively influential. Still, it was pretty fucking awesome. Its success also drove U2 into self parody.

Lateralus - Tool: Essentially the opposite of Ace of Spades. Musically rich, lyrically complex progressive metal.

Killers - Iron Maiden: Another NWOBHM entry. Iron Maiden was decent enough when they got their own high-pitched metal front man. Before that, though, they had more of a trash attitude. This, the second of those two earlier albums is also the best.

Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog: This is a tribute album to the dead singer of "Mother Love Bone", a great glam band that you should check out. It was a sort of pro-super group, featuring Most of Pearl Jam (before they were Pearl Jam) and half of Soundgarden. The result is better than either.

There is no tenth, because I can either come up with fifteen possibilities or none. I'm sure I'll remember something right after I post.

Update [2008-5-21 19:27:18 by ucblockhead]: Spacejack's comment reminded me what number ten was:

By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers: I know I should like the older albums better, but this one strikes me as just perfect.

< Who picked May 21st? | delayed weekend diary >
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The best | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)
Fie by Driusan (2.00 / 0) #1 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:10:18 PM EST
Any list of 10 best albums of all time that doesn't include Pinkerton clearly isn't a list worth having.

--
Vive le Montréal libre.
Well, I did only use 9 spots. by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #2 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:17:59 PM EST
I will check it out.
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
Perhaps.. by Driusan (2.00 / 0) #3 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:27:29 PM EST
You should check out Kid A too.

--
Vive le Montréal libre.
[ Parent ]
That almost made the list. (nt) by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #4 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:33:39 PM EST

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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
I have decided.. by Driusan (2.00 / 0) #11 Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:29:28 PM EST
To just compile my own list of top 10 albums instead of nitpicking yours. It has zero albums in common with yours. I'm excluding anything released after 2005 because it hasn't been long enough to determine how it'll age, and I'm excluding anything before 1980 because while I acknowledge that Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan or the Beatles had albums that were better than Depeche Mode or Nails, I'm young enough that I mostly know them through singles and compilations and not albums.

Weezer - Pinkerton (1996)
Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)
The Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness (1995)
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
Depeche Mode - Black Celebration (1986)
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes (1992)
Tool - Aenima (1996)
The Cure - Japanese Whispers* (1983)
Joy Division - Closer (1980)

In conclusion, I like my music emo-er, gothier or grungier than you.

* We'll pretend it's an album and not a compilation.. because it should be.

--
Vive le Montréal libre.

[ Parent ]
Relative agreement by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #12 Wed May 21, 2008 at 04:07:08 PM EST
Six of those albums are in my top 100.
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
Almost :P by Ranieri (2.00 / 0) #27 Sat May 24, 2008 at 03:14:56 AM EST
I really prefer the downward spiral to pretty hatemachine, but I do think you have a point choosing Aenima over Lateralus.


[ Parent ]
I'm going hungry by clover kicker (4.00 / 1) #5 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:34:10 PM EST
I could argue your choice of Iron Maiden albums, but wtf, you can't go too far wrong with Maiden.

Good list. by blixco (2.00 / 0) #6 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:49:23 PM EST
We agree on a few of them, and the ones we don't agree on will be our undoing.

Sunrise.

The park.

Rapiers.

You know the drill.
---------------------------------
"You bring the weasel, I'll bring the whiskey." - kellnerin

Linkies by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #7 Wed May 21, 2008 at 01:50:15 PM EST
I don't know any of those, sadly.
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
It was actually a challenge to a duel. by blixco (4.00 / 1) #8 Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:01:28 PM EST
as a list of fictional bands, but my comedic timing is way, way off today.
---------------------------------
"You bring the weasel, I'll bring the whiskey." - kellnerin
[ Parent ]
Provided. by ni (4.00 / 1) #14 Wed May 21, 2008 at 05:57:14 PM EST
Sunrise, In The Park, Rapiers and You Know The Drill. Blixco was totally cheating with the last one, which isn't a full album. 


"These days it seems like sometimes dreams of Italian hyper-gonadism are all a man's got to keep him going." -- CRwM
[ Parent ]
no. 10: by spacejack (2.00 / 0) #9 Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:20:54 PM EST
Chili Peppers - Mothers Milk.

Oh fuck by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #10 Wed May 21, 2008 at 02:24:55 PM EST
I just remembered #10!
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
I totally thought you'd miss Iron Maiden by dark nowhere (4.00 / 1) #13 Wed May 21, 2008 at 05:16:52 PM EST
And I was totally ready to call you on it.

See you, space cowboy.
Ha! by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #15 Wed May 21, 2008 at 06:45:23 PM EST
I'd never miss them! I still remember taking my sweaty $20 bill earned from my paper route to buy "Piece of Mind".
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
my list by aphrael (2.00 / 0) #16 Wed May 21, 2008 at 07:43:50 PM EST
My list changes from time to time. Here's what I would say now, bearing in mind that i'm excluding (a) bootlegs and (b) semi-official mix releases (eg, Do Androids Dream of Electric Beats and the like).

  1. Joshua Tree (U2)

  2. Endtroducing (DJ Shadow)

  3. Psyence Fiction (U.N.K.L.E.)

  4. Automatic For the People (REM)

  5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Soundtrack

  6. Graceland (Paul Simon)

  7. Everyone Deserves Music (Spearhead)

  8. Little Earthquakes (Tori Amos)

  9. Pale (Toad the Wet Sprocket)

  10. Indigo Girls (Indigo Girls)


If television is a babysitter, the internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.
R.E.M. by aphrael (2.00 / 0) #18 Wed May 21, 2008 at 09:55:04 PM EST
I can't stand anything they released after automatic for the people.

I've seen them live twice in that time and they sucked both times.

If television is a babysitter, the internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.

[ Parent ]
REM by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #21 Thu May 22, 2008 at 06:38:56 AM EST
The latest album is better. If you want, I can let you have a listen.
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman
[ Parent ]
Where're the Beatles? by wiredog (2.00 / 0) #19 Thu May 22, 2008 at 02:54:31 AM EST
a bit like Gilmour's Pink Floyd songs, only mellower.
Which describes Pink Floyd after Waters split. Floyd without Waters was too mellow, Waters without Floyd was too edgy. "Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking" was a good album. "Radio Kaos" was not.

Rubber Soul by the Beatles was one of several great albums by the Beatles. I can't think of any band that was more influential. Maybe Pink Floyd was as influential.

Earth First!
(We can strip mine the rest later.)

The beatles by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #20 Thu May 22, 2008 at 06:38:10 AM EST
They are ok, but not my favorites. My list wasn't about influence.

On his first solo album, Gilmour had more of an edge than non-Waters Floyd, which I don't really consider Pink Floyd.
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman

[ Parent ]
I'm in by Bob Abooey (2.00 / 0) #22 Thu May 22, 2008 at 07:00:50 AM EST
In no particular order and sans links:

The Clash - London Calling: Their first "mainstream" effort was pure reggae influenced punk heaven. If this double disc doesn't give you an erection then you don't have a penis.

Led Zepplin II: Derivative, sure, but nobody did blues rock better than this.

Neil Young - Live Rust: Great mix of songs ranging from mellow acoustic to loud driving rock. Could be the best live album evar.

Van Halen (self titled debut): Sophomoric lyrics with revolutionary guitar playing, that's what classic rock is all about. Eddie was to the 80's what Hendrix was to the 60's.

Dire Straits (self titled debut): Nuff said.

The Cars (self titled debut): Great stuff. Still great stuff even though it's like 50 years old.

Elvis Costello - My Aim is True: Back when he was a force to be reckoned with.

Blah blah blah - I'm sure there's more that are deserving but those are the ones off the top of my head.

Warmest regards,
--Your best pal Bob

How's my blogging: Call me at 209.867.5309 to complain.

self-parody by aphrael (2.00 / 0) #23 Thu May 22, 2008 at 07:17:19 AM EST
maybe. Certainly 'zooropa' and 'achtung baby' were missing something (although 'one' remains one of my favorite songs, ever).

That said, U2 still does a fantastic live show, and i'd pay their exorbitant inflated prices again.
If television is a babysitter, the internet is a drunk librarian who won't shut up.

(Comment Deleted) by yicky yacky (2.00 / 0) #24 Thu May 22, 2008 at 01:13:26 PM EST

This comment has been deleted by yicky yacky



[ Parent ]
Too Much Cock Rock by codemonkey uk (2.00 / 0) #25 Fri May 23, 2008 at 06:01:16 AM EST
That is a way to narrow selection for a best albums of all time.

And where the hell is Thriller?  Think what you like of the freak of pop these days, that album was magnificent.  Not top 10 album list is complete without it. 

I have a feeling, from that list, that your weighting your favourite track on each album to strongly, and not considering the influence of the weaker tracks. 

The best metal/rock singles shine like glittering diamonds, hard, pure, and beautiful, but a bucket of diamonds doesn't isn't an elegant piece of jewellery.

--- Thad ---
Almost as Smart As you.

Thriller!?!? by ucblockhead (2.00 / 0) #26 Fri May 23, 2008 at 08:34:29 AM EST
Thriller would go on the list of "Ten Albums that make me want to destroy the stereo". I absolutely hated that album and everything it stood for.

Anyway, I make no claims to "best albums of all time". These are my "ten favorite albums". Think what you want...I could put those ten on the stereo on repeat and be perfectly happy for years.

Also, I dispute the accusation of "favorite track". In my mind, these are the albums without weak tracks. (Or perhaps just one.) One reason I didn't pick Led Zep IV was because side two is weak. For instance, "Secret Treaties" has no weak songs. Neither does "Ace of Spades".
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[ucblockhead is] useless and subhuman

[ Parent ]
The best | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

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