Greatest Albums Of All Time

[Will]

Re: RE: Greatest Albums Of All Time

All of Green Day's 'good' stuff is **** though....

I kind of want to say 'Welcome to Redemption: Population You...'

However, after giving it some thought, there's a lot worse in this world than Green Day [and indeed Eminem]; it's just that there's also quite considerably better, which is pretty much what this topic's for... Similarly, while I had a grudging respect for the attempts they made with American Idiot to actually have some kind of storyline and decent length songs, ultimately, it's just ends up over-simplistic, and it grates. Similarly, I'd always thought the average Green Day fan was fairly unenamoured with their later offerings by comparison to their 'cooler', 'edgier' earlier material.

Neal - it's not so much the tunelessness that's irksome as his total inability to pronounce the word 'dreams' and yet repeated attempts to do so. Sometimes, iPods deserve to be left on kerbs; but it could be worse, at least nobody's reminded me The Corrs exist

 

[bmac]

click here to listen to the whole album

click here to listen to the whole album

 

[ATTACKHAMMER]

Pink Floyd - The Wall
Pink Floyd - The Darkside Of The Moon
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Pink Floyd - Animals
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son
Metallica - Black Album
Megadeth - Rust In Peace
Pearl Jam - Ten

 

[madhjsp]

Since this has more or less morphed into a "personal favorite albums" topic (and let's be honest, how could it not have?), here are my top 5, in no particular order:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon - Whoever said earlier that this album is better than The Wall because The Wall has too much filler is 100% correct. This is without a doubt Pink Floyd's best album.

Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind - I could listen to this album over and over again. It contains several of 3EB's biggest hits but I think its best songs are some of the less heralded ones, like "The Background" and "Motorcycle Drive By."

Van Halen - 1984 - My favorite album by my favorite band. Really solid top to bottom. Each song carries a sense of purpose & stands alone stylistically and thematically from the rest of the tracks, which I will admit cannot really be said of any other VH album. Everybody who has heard Van Halen knows "Jump" or "Panama," but almost nobody knows "Girl Gone Bad," which might be my very favorite VH song.

Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II - A lot of people I know are all about Led Zeppelin IV since it has "Stairway," but IMO half of that album is filler and actually kind of boring (I'm looking at you, "Misty Mountain Hop"). LZ II, on the other hand, is stacked with great songs that showcase the full range of Zep's creative abilities, from softer gems like "Thank You" or "What Is and What Should Never Be" to gritty blues jams like "The Lemon Song" and "Bring It On Home" to straight up classic hard rockers like "Whole Lotta Love" and "Heartbreaker." If I was going to play one album for someone who had never listened to Led Zeppelin before and wanted to know what all the hype was about, it would be this one, no question.

Muse - Black Holes & Revelations - Fantastic album.. Muse's finest and most sophisticated to date.

A couple others that I really love, because a top 5 just isn't enough:
Rage Against the Machine - The Battle of Los Angeles
Wilco - A Ghost is Born
The Naked and Famous - Passive Me, Aggressive You
Steely Dan - Aja
Chromeo - Business Casual
deadmau5 - 4x4=12
Futurecop! - It's Forever, Kids
Young the Giant - Young the Giant

 

[Lain]

Serious answer:

(And a few more Genesis ones, but that's my favourite)

And there's a few Rush albums worth a mention - most of their albums are masterworks in and of themselves, but for the sake of brevity (lol!), I'll go for:

That'll do me. xD

 

[furie]

I agree it's become a "personal view on greatest albums", but that's fine due to the fact otherwise you'd just list the generally recognised list of greatest albums ever (I'm sure Wikipedia has it ).

However personal it may be though, there has to be two lists in my opinion. One of your own personal best and another of albums you recognise as being great.

A good example is Sergeant Pepper. There isn't anything on that album that hasn't been bettered by artists since it was released. However, if the album had never been released, then there's a good chance that an entire swathe of music would never have been produced.

I heard once that the inspiration for a lot of the experimental sounds with the Beatles came from Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. So without Pet Sounds (which I love as an album) we'd not have had such an influential album as Sergeant Pepper.

This is where it gets tough, because without say, Buddy Holly, the Beach Boys may never have made the songs they did, etc, etc, etc.

Even so, the fact remains Sergeant Pepper is one of the greatest albums ever because of the reach it had.

So for "Greatest due to the way they changed the world of music" that I own and enjoy listening to:
1. Sergeant Pepper - Beatles
2. Pet Sounds - Beach Boys
3. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
4. Led Zeppelin IV
5. The Velvet Underground & Nico

All of those made ripples through the music timelines.

Personally, I don't agree :lol:

1. Dark Side of the Moon (okay, I agree here, it's the one album I will forever be able to listen to).
2. Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos (Boys for Pele is excellent Gavin, but I still prefer her first album).
3. Black Celebration - Depeche Mode (it's a difficult choice though and if it wasn't a cheat (as it's a live album of Black Celebration and a few more, I'd have gone for 101).
4. The Downward Spiral - Nine Inch Nails (solid rock/industrial and so much experimentation).
5. I've got an opening here. I'll have to go through my music library and pick something :lol:

Lain, your list (minus the utterly pants and awful Iron Maiden) is excellent, but it's stuff that isn't easy for everyone to listen to, it's very much "musicians music". And Dream Theatre lose points for being incredible musicians with the mindset of a 12 year old angst ridden boy

 

[nadroJ]

I agree with Fleetwood Mac - Rumours though, what an amazing album!

One of my favourite albums is Wish by The Cure, but also in my personal favourites and could always listen to no matter when or where is Homesick by A Day to Remember and Enema of the State by Blink 182. Oh, and Take To The Skies by Enter Shikari, for nostalgia value although I rarely listen to that any more.

 

[furie]

I always preferred The head on the Door, but I'm not a massive Cure fan...

 

[Lain]

Lain, your list (minus the utterly pants and awful Iron Maiden) is excellent, but it's stuff that isn't easy for everyone to listen to, it's very much "musicians music". And Dream Theatre lose points for being incredible musicians with the mindset of a 12 year old angst ridden boy

I'll agree that Maiden have had a few moments of crapularity, but Seventh Son is sublime throughout.


Better than anything Zeppelin have ever done anyway.

 

[furie]

I completely agree... if you're 14. When you grow up, you can see it for what it is, cheesy, childish bollocks. It's all "look how hard I am with my slightly long hair and listening to music with zombies and skeletons on it that is all about worshipping the devil. I'm so hard!!!" [/written in the back of your art pad which is riddled with drawings of Eddie and you just hope that none of the big boys or your mum reads it or you'll be in trouble]

So is a fair amount of Led Zep to be fair, but they were pushing boundaries and it's no worse than the kind of stuff Rush or King Crimson did anyway and certainly not as bad as Yes got at times.

 

[Ethan]

Some will hate me for this, but my favourite albums are...

- Common Dreads by Enter Shikari
- Bangarang by Skrillex
- Vices and Virtues by Panic at the Disco
- Torches by Foster the People
- Immersion by Pendulum

 

[kimahri]

That'll do me. xD

Never heard anything by Yes but, Roger Dean <3<3<3

Other than the REZ and Journey Soundtracks I don't really have a favorite "album" in defined sense. I guess the Richard D Jame album by Aphex Twin since it's in my Set?

Oh yeah, Nickleback, since they are sucn an influential band and provide deep thought provoking lyrics that challenge society. And they managed to make instant Ramen Noodles sing.

 

[Will]

I completely agree... if you're 14. When you grow up, you can see it for what it is, cheesy, childish bollocks. It's all "look how hard I am with my slightly long hair and listening to music with zombies and skeletons on it that is all about worshipping the devil. I'm so hard!!!" [/written in the back of your art pad which is riddled with drawings of Eddie and you just hope that none of the big boys or your mum reads it or you'll be in trouble]

...but Maiden have never made any bones about the fact that it's nothing to do with worshipping the Devil, nor is Eddie any more than a decorative mascot - particularly on the last few albums (we'll ignore the title track on Dance of Death), it's extremely rare that anything like that gets a lyrical look-in. What you're objecting to there is the image and... some of the less desirable fans, which don't have actually have a great deal to do with the music; for example, it's like belittling Pink Floyd for using inflatable pigs or... teacherhammer...things.

It's probably also worth remembering that today's Maiden fans grew up a generation later and probably realised quite quickly that (for whatever reason) far from appealing to 'hard' 'edgy' people, it actually attracts misfits. I know for a fact that my taste in music makes me a loud, shouty person (if anything, I was angrier before I found it as an outlet!), but I've never been under any illusion of it being anywhere near cool

I generally have a lot of respect for your musical viewpoints because you're older and wiser than me and have thus seen and heard a lot more, but this time I'm going to have to call you wrong; the slight on Dream Theater also suggests someone who's judging them purely on Train of Thought, which hasn't had a mention in this topic and with good reason...

 

[furie]

666, the number of the beast is nothing to do with portraying an image of devil worshipping? Hmmmm...

Can you enlighten me to some of the great lyrical wisdoms please?

Dream Theatre are very "teen" in their lyrics. The music is generally fantastic, but I cringe through a lot of their stuff (from Awake right through). They're just so similar to Maiden in that the music just isn't mature at all. It's all designed for teenage boys. It's meant to sound "clever", but is in fact not clever and just pretending to sound it. The difference is that DT are very, very talented musically where as Maiden are very simple "guitar rock". They're not the worst by a long stretch and better than some of the tosh I listen to, but "greatest album" levels? Nah...

Just so it doesn't feel I'm being unjust, it's not just IM and DT who irk me in this way. Led Zeppelin do too. I find a lot of Led Zeppelin IV really poor lyrically and embarrassing to listen to. It's attitude and influence that needed to be left in the early 70's and as influential as I believe the album is, and is superb musically, it's dreadful too because it's "wrong". Too much "The Hobbit" and "To rock without a roll" - gash!

 

[Will]

666, the number of the beast is nothing to do with portraying an image of devil worshipping? Hmmmm...

Oh furie, do you know nothing?

The Number of the Beast was inspired by one of Steve Harris' many nightmares, apparently combined with The Omen II (Yes, I just googled that...) - on this occasion, I'll admit I can see your a point - but that is just one of 15 albums, and, whilst I'm still going to attest that Hallowed Be Thy Name is the epitome of heavy metal, that still doesn't make the album quite as good as it's sometimes cracked up to be, in my book.

I'm going to leave it to Lain to explain exactly why DT is musical genius; calling it 'music that's designed to sound clever, but isn't' makes me think of the likes of DragonForce, and that's not a comparison I appreciate As for the lyrical themes, the more bleak ones are going to be prevalent in a hell of a lot of rock/metal, since it's stuff that's very easy for listeners and lyricists alike to identify with until they're older than they'd care to admit. (I'm not including Never Enough, Far From Heaven, or Build Me Up, Break Me Down in that; those are unforgivable) There's very little of that on SFaM anyway - there's no space to be introspective, since the entire album's taken up by the story

 

[furie]

I meant that DT try to sound clever lyrically. Musically they're very clever, but it is "music for musicians" and those who like that kind of thing. It's more than simple chorus/repeat melodies This isn't a bad thing...

And I picked three tracks off 7th Son (as I'm picking on it from Lain's list )for some inspiring, none devil worshipping/witchcrafty like lyrics:
"Kill him now and save the young ones
Be the mother of a birth strangled babe
Be the devils own, Lucifer's my name "

"Oh and then he fixed me with a freezing glance
And the hell fires raged in his eyes
He said do you want to know the truth son
- I'll tell you the truth
Your soul's gonna burn in the lake of fire "

"Then they watch the progress he makes
The good and the evil wich path will he take
Both of them trying to manipulate
The use of his powers before it's too late "

"Circle of fire my baptism of joy at an end it seems
The seventh lamb slain, the book of life opens before me"

I started getting more, but I just can't take it any more*. The lyrics are abysmal :lol:



*Probably one of Bruce Dickinson's greatest lines

 

[Will]

*Probably one of Bruce Dickinson's greatest lines

Oh, he's done much worse than that; 'Woah-oh, The Magician is my name, and magic is my game' instantly springs to mind... Yeah, the 80s and 90s lyrics were... occasionally hilarious for all the wrong reasons (Alexander the Great, anyone?) and they're probably the worst offenders in the 'if in doubt, repeat the chorus' department, which is why, whilst I'd much rather see Maiden live, Dream Theater are better in general.

You know what - whilst it's not made me make Maiden any less, nor will I dispute that their gigs have by far the best atmosphere of any I've been encountered, I am starting to see your point - to be put in this topic, an album probably should have the full package. Happily, the three I posted did

Now, can we go back to picking on the Pendulum and Enter **** fans? They bring nothing to the party!

[That's also reminded me that on Saturday, a young assistant in HMV apologised to me when I pointed out that he'd accidentally misplaced A Day to Remember in the metal rack ]

 

[furie]

You know what - whilst it's not made me make Maiden any less, nor will I dispute that their gigs have by far the best atmosphere of any I've been encountered, I am starting to see your point - to be put in this topic, an album probably should have the full package. Happily, the three I posted did

That's essentially what I'm getting at

Everyone will have something musically that turns their ears on or off. If the music sounds good to you but the lyrics are awful, you forgive and just enjoy it. I don't know enough musical theory to put up an argument for Maiden (or against them) in terms of how advanced the music is, but it sounds like very simple power cords and repeating patterns. Heavy Metal Stock, Aitken and Waterman essentially. Again, if you like it (I like Aerosmith, what do I know ) then fine - but that doesn't mean you should be championing it as one of the greatest albums ever

Now, can we go back to picking on the Pendulum and Enter **** fans? They bring nothing to the party!

Yes please

Some will hate me for this, but my favourite albums are...
- Common Dreads by Enter Shikari
- Bangarang by Skrillex
- Vices and Virtues by Panic at the Disco
- Torches by Foster the People
- Immersion by Pendulum

However... Again, you can't really say "that's crap" to people just because you don't like it (Maiden are fair game because they're crap ).

The issue with (I only know Skrillex, Panic and Pendulum for these) bands who are "making a new type of music (or making it popular) is that you never know how long they will be a hit for, and how influential they'll be in a few year's time.

Pendulum are a very pop heavy group though and it's all great anthems and everything so it'll be remembered I think. It may not appeal, but it's big and popular and isn't dreadful pre-packed-pop.

Will SKrillex be remembered in 20 years as the fore-fathers of modern "Wooby-doob-step" (or whatever it is called in 2032)? Or will the genre be seen as a blip on the musical landscape, kind of like prog-rock People experimenting with sounds and music to produce something new and different?

We don't know, but I suspect that we will in not so long if the genre dies out or becomes something so common place we don't even notice it anymore.

Personally, I'm not putting anything in that I haven't seen stand the test of time yet. I was thinking of putting either Elephant by The White Stripes in my number 5 slot, or Jack White's Blunderbuss. Both are stupendous albums and I think Jack White will be lauded in 20/30 year's time as Eric Clapton is as one of the greatest guitarists/musicians ever. He's not been around long enough yet though, so it may all go horribly wrong, or people may realise he's just Robert Johnson with drums...

So my number 5 slot remains... Very tempted to put in (Who's afraid of?)The Art of Noise, or Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasure Dome as two of the most oddly standout things to come from the 80's (and The Art of Noise were certainly massively influential)...

 

[Kebab]

I meant that DT try to sound clever lyrically. Musically they're very clever, but it is "music for musicians" and those who like that kind of thing. It's more than simple chorus/repeat melodies This isn't a bad thing...

While I love DT, this is the most correct thing I've read about them. The music doesn't quite connect with me emotionally as say, Radiohead would do (Wait For Sleep and Disappear are mere exceptions), it's just a group of talented musicians showing off... And then theres James LaBrie. But after listening to ADTOE, I think they've overkilled thereselves, 11 minute songs don't feel quite as epic as they used to be, just more of a chore to listen all the way through, probably why I rarely pick up a DT album and listen to it (trust me I've got the whole discography, I used to listen to these to death).

I prefer Progressive bands like Porcupine Tree and Coheed and Cambria, while they have their fair share of fancy ****, they really emotionally connect, the songs don't drag quite as much and you don't get those jarring, irritating moments like on A Rite Of Passage. Through all of this however I'm still a DT fan at heart, they did after all, play the most amazing show I've ever seen. Album-wise, I doubt they'll ever beat Scenes, that was the epitome of DT.

Keeping to the topic, here are two of the greatest modern Progressive albums (of the above mentioned bands) you should check out:

In Keeping Secrets Of Silent Earth:3 by Coheed and Cambria
For fans of bands like Rush and The Mars Volta
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGCefIB8nY[/youtube]

In Absentia by Porcupine Tree
For fans of bands like Pink Floyd and Dream Theater
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa1tPCQrQAM[/youtube]

 

[nadroJ]

Skrillex makes me sad because From First to Last actually weren't bad (I was never a HUGE fan but had some of their stuff) and now.....dubstep? I just don't get it at all. You can't dance to it, you can't sing along with it, you can't SHOUT along with it, it doesn't appear to have any political message (at least from what I've heard) so.....what do you DO with it?

I just find it incredibly irksome to listen to, there appears to be no pattern. I mean, I'm not talking like where's the verse-chorus-verse-chorus set up, because I like some prog metal stuff so don't mind stepping outside the box in terms of formality but listening to dubstep is akin, for me anyway, to when everybody is clapping a beat and there's one person who is slightly off, really REALLY aggravating.

My favourite albums are ones that remind me of good times and that make me happy when I listen to it and sing (badly) along with it. I'm aware that a LOT of the music I listen to isn't technically brilliant or whatever, most of my favourite bands are punk/pop punk kind of stuff and that is really basic musically. I just don't like it when things get too complicated.

Saying that, another of my favourite albums is Fortress by Protest the Hero, and that's anything but basic, so I don't really know what I'm going on about. I likes what I likes I guess?