Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 1. The Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (44 Viewers)

[MAC_32]

No worries, starting you off with a 20 minute super Prog song was a bit of a gamble.

If I had to name my favorite band I'd respond Tool. I don't think a 20 min prog jam was a gamble, it was just a matter of if the sound worked for me or not. I forget exactly when it crossed my mind, but 'I wonder what I woulda thought of this half baked age 19' was a fleeting thought that crossed my mind.

 

[Yo Mama]

No worries, starting you off with a 20 minute super Prog song was a bit of a gamble.

If I had to name my favorite band I'd respond Tool. I don't think a 20 min prog jam was a gamble, it was just a matter of if the sound worked for me or not. I forget exactly when it crossed my mind, but 'I wonder what I woulda thought of this half baked age 19' was a fleeting thought that crossed my mind.

Haha, that’s basically when (and how) I heard this for the first time.

 

[Yo Mama]

Next up on the @MAC_32 playlist was SOUND & FURY by Sturgill Simpson.

For some reason I had it in my head that he gave me something by Sufjan Stevens, so I was confused when I pulled up Sturgill on the Spotifys and didn’t see 500 albums with state names listed. I figured maybe Sufjan was being ironic with the all caps album title and picture of a hot rod driving away from (into?) a nuclear explosion. It finally dawned on me this was the country-ish (outlaw the wikis told me) guy.

Aside from that initial dumbness on my part, this album wasn’t what I expected and was brand new to me. This was way more blues rock than country adjacent and had lots of songs I really liked.

The kickoff with Ronin leading seamlessly into Remember to Breathe was really cool and let me know I was going to like this a lot more than I expected. The other songs I liked the most were Best Clockmaker on Mars and All Said and Done, the latter which totally sucked me in about half way through.

Good stuff Mac!

 

[MAC_32]

Next up on the @MAC_32 playlist was SOUND & FURY by Sturgill Simpson.

For some reason I had it in my head that he gave me something by Sufjan Stevens, so I was confused when I pulled up Sturgill on the Spotifys and didn’t see 500 albums with state names listed. I figured maybe Sufjan was being ironic with the all caps album title and picture of a hot rod driving away from (into?) a nuclear explosion. It finally dawned on me this was the country-ish (outlaw the wikis told me) guy.

Aside from that initial dumbness on my part, this album wasn’t what I expected and was brand new to me. This was way more blues rock than country adjacent and had lots of songs I really liked.

The kickoff with Ronin leading seamlessly into Remember to Breathe was really cool and let me know I was going to like this a lot more than I expected. The other songs I liked the most were Best Clockmaker on Mars and All Said and Done, the latter which totally sucked me in about half way through.

Good stuff Mac!

when that synth kicks in on All Said and Done

I intentionally didn't say anything about this album in advance because I think it's best consumed the first time going in expecting an alt-country album then taking an immediate turn into left field.

Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording) - Lin Manuel Miranda

I said I watched the version on Disney + and enjoyed it very much, but the experience was even better walking the boardwalk with headphones on. I was able to concentrate on the lyrics a lot more clearly.

What an amazing concept and execution. It’s like a mini-history lesson with some great hooks and lyrics.

The cabinet meetings as rap battles was genius but there’s so much more than just hip hop music - which it seemed like it was billed as. The King’s songs are hysterical and musically pleasing.

It’s truly a masterpiece and will get spun by me again.

"You'll be back....."

 

[Psychopav]

I'm back to report in on my first (second and third) listenings to @Don Quixote's pick Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks

I'm familiar with the Kinks mostly through their hits "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night". I listened to a lot of oldies back when oldies meant mid-sixties and earlier with some late sixties folk thrown in for good measure. I don't even think I've listened to "Lola" all the way through once and although "Yoda" is one of my favorite Weird All songs somehow I don't think that quite counts.

Musically, this album is thoroughly enjoyable, immensely satisfying from beginning to end. I've listened to it two times now and am part way through my third listen. At first it reminded me of the Stones but once they got into the meat of the album, it changes gears. I remember thinking "I wonder if this is what Lennon meant by 'music hall' music" and sure enough Wikipedia tells me that it is indeed. This entire album would be quite at home in a bar on a Friday after getting paid. Which is a very good thing. Musically, it strikes me as very similar to Irish tavern music, but without the, well, Irish. Very satisfying, as I said.

The lyrics are very working-class as well, and the songs don't take themselves too seriously while dealing with serious subjects. The bit of humor injected can be taken as caustic at times but the music serves as a nice counterpoint to the sober lyrics. I might even say a little too much in that while I love the music I do have trouble finding the care-free spirit that saves Irish music from becoming depressing. Is there optimism in these lyrics? If so, I can't suss it out. But there is certainly optimism in the music itself, and that may ultimately be it's redeeming quality. I'm also not quite sure if they are idealizing America or making it the butt of the joke that there were working class Brits who saw America as an escape when in fact it was really no different than what was happening to the Muswell hillbillies of the time.

Case in point, "Oklahoma USA" is a lovely (loverly?) tune. Beautiful harmonies, classically arranged and tasteful use of the accordion. It seems at face value to be a song about a dreamer dreaming of a better life. But what are we supposed to make of the lyrics?

All life we work but work is a bore
If life's for livin', what's livin' for?
She lives in a house that's near decay
Built for the industrial revolution

But in her dreams she is far away
In Oklahoma, U.S.A
With Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae

While she buys her papers at the corner shop
She's walking on the surrey with the fringe on top

Cause in her dreams she is far away
In Oklahoma, U.S.A

She walks to work but she's still in a daze
She's Rita Hayworth or Doris Day
And Errol Flynn's gonna take her away
To Oklahoma, U. S. A

All life we work but work is a bore
If life's for livin', then what's livin' for?



I have to assume there's sarcasm here being presented as sincerity, and if so that must be the point. No one who has actually been to Oklahoma thinks it's the glamorous land which the dreamer conjures in her mind. Does the singer know that? Does the dreamer who is the subject of the song?

Or take the title song and album closer: the music is an upbeat country rock number, with a very pleasant rhythm and harmonies. But the song itself is about the forcible displacement of the working class London laborers to Muswell Hill, a suburban community. Is this a song of making the best of a bad situation? Or yearning for being somewhere else? From Wikipedia: "Dave Davies commented on the song, "There's that love and fondness for Americana and for country music because I had quite a big family, and all the great films like South Pacific and Oklahoma! – all these influences from the States – were embedded in our culture when growing up. It was kind of like a London version of The Beverly Hillbillies in a humorous way.""

Here are some lyrics:

They'll move me up to Muswell Hill tomorrow
Photographs and souvenirs are all I've got
They're gonna try and make me change my way of living
But they'll never make me something that I'm not

'Cause I'm a Muswell Hillbilly boy
But my heart lies in old West Virginia
Never seen New Orleans, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Still I dream of the Black Hills that I ain't never seen

I still haven't made up my mind if this is sincere yearning or sarcasm. Either way, I will be coming back to this album again and again, thanks for sharing it - I had no idea.

 

[Ilov80s]

...the songs don't take themselves too seriously while dealing with serious subjects. The bit of humor injected can be taken as caustic at times but the music serves as a nice counterpoint to the sober lyrics. I might even say a little too much in that while I love the music I do have trouble finding the care-free spirit that saves Irish music from becoming depressing. Is there optimism in these lyrics? If so, I can't suss it out. But there is certainly optimism in the music itself, and that may ultimately be it's redeeming quality.

This description is pretty good for The Kinks music in general. Kind of has a Coen Brothers thing to it. Very literary and well read, even when they are being serious they are being funny and it's hard to tell whether they love their characters or hold them all in contempt.

 

[UncleZen]

@Yo Mama I felt like I was in a live show with the way Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime opened. The instrumental Anarchy X builds as the band takes the stage, kicking into the opening riff for Revolution Calling then Geoff Tate enters stage left

For a price I'd do about anything except pull the trigger

What a start **heart** Nothing stood out for a while thereafter, pleasant background music again, but the intro to Suite Sister Mary got my attention. Unfortunately, I had a call starting in 3 minutes, so realizing it was a 10 minute epic, I had to pause and restart afterwards. Glad I did. Love LOVE LOOOOOOOVE!!! While I didn't know what to expect, anticipating great things ahead, that thing got cranked up to 11 long before the riff 3 mins in kicked in **heartsmash**

This album really took off from there - what a side 2. So many hearts. This isn't the first time I've said to myself I need to listen to more Queensryche, but hopefully this time I actually do. They're way more than Silent Lucidity and Jet City Woman. I give Operation Mindcrime an 8 with potential to grow on repeat listens.

Awesome - glad you liked it!

Operation Mindcrime was the pinnacle of QR for me. Their 2nd album, Rage for Order was ok but there were a few skips on that one. The follow up Empire was pretty good too but not as good as Mindcrime. Everything after that never held my interest.

 

[Don Quixote]

I'm back to report in on my first (second and third) listenings to @Don Quixote's pick Muswell Hillbillies by The Kinks

I'm familiar with the Kinks mostly through their hits "You Really Got Me" and "All Day and All of the Night". I listened to a lot of oldies back when oldies meant mid-sixties and earlier with some late sixties folk thrown in for good measure. I don't even think I've listened to "Lola" all the way through once and although "Yoda" is one of my favorite Weird All songs somehow I don't think that quite counts.

Musically, this album is thoroughly enjoyable, immensely satisfying from beginning to end. I've listened to it two times now and am part way through my third listen. At first it reminded me of the Stones but once they got into the meat of the album, it changes gears. I remember thinking "I wonder if this is what Lennon meant by 'music hall' music" and sure enough Wikipedia tells me that it is indeed. This entire album would be quite at home in a bar on a Friday after getting paid. Which is a very good thing. Musically, it strikes me as very similar to Irish tavern music, but without the, well, Irish. Very satisfying, as I said.

The lyrics are very working-class as well, and the songs don't take themselves too seriously while dealing with serious subjects. The bit of humor injected can be taken as caustic at times but the music serves as a nice counterpoint to the sober lyrics. I might even say a little too much in that while I love the music I do have trouble finding the care-free spirit that saves Irish music from becoming depressing. Is there optimism in these lyrics? If so, I can't suss it out. But there is certainly optimism in the music itself, and that may ultimately be it's redeeming quality. I'm also not quite sure if they are idealizing America or making it the butt of the joke that there were working class Brits who saw America as an escape when in fact it was really no different than what was happening to the Muswell hillbillies of the time.

Case in point, "Oklahoma USA" is a lovely (loverly?) tune. Beautiful harmonies, classically arranged and tasteful use of the accordion. It seems at face value to be a song about a dreamer dreaming of a better life. But what are we supposed to make of the lyrics?

All life we work but work is a bore
If life's for livin', what's livin' for?
She lives in a house that's near decay
Built for the industrial revolution

But in her dreams she is far away
In Oklahoma, U.S.A
With Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae

While she buys her papers at the corner shop
She's walking on the surrey with the fringe on top

Cause in her dreams she is far away
In Oklahoma, U.S.A

She walks to work but she's still in a daze
She's Rita Hayworth or Doris Day
And Errol Flynn's gonna take her away
To Oklahoma, U. S. A

All life we work but work is a bore
If life's for livin', then what's livin' for?



I have to assume there's sarcasm here being presented as sincerity, and if so that must be the point. No one who has actually been to Oklahoma thinks it's the glamorous land which the dreamer conjures in her mind. Does the singer know that? Does the dreamer who is the subject of the song?

Or take the title song and album closer: the music is an upbeat country rock number, with a very pleasant rhythm and harmonies. But the song itself is about the forcible displacement of the working class London laborers to Muswell Hill, a suburban community. Is this a song of making the best of a bad situation? Or yearning for being somewhere else? From Wikipedia: "Dave Davies commented on the song, "There's that love and fondness for Americana and for country music because I had quite a big family, and all the great films like South Pacific and Oklahoma! – all these influences from the States – were embedded in our culture when growing up. It was kind of like a London version of The Beverly Hillbillies in a humorous way.""

Here are some lyrics:

They'll move me up to Muswell Hill tomorrow
Photographs and souvenirs are all I've got
They're gonna try and make me change my way of living
But they'll never make me something that I'm not

'Cause I'm a Muswell Hillbilly boy
But my heart lies in old West Virginia
Never seen New Orleans, Oklahoma, Tennessee
Still I dream of the Black Hills that I ain't never seen

I still haven't made up my mind if this is sincere yearning or sarcasm. Either way, I will be coming back to this album again and again, thanks for sharing it - I had no idea.

Glad you loved Muswell. As you seemed to have some of the singer-songwriters on your list, such as a lot of Paul Simon, I think might enjoy some of the wordplay in The Kinks songs. If you end up exploring more of The Kinks stuff, Village Green Preservation Society was actually my highest Kinks album on my list, but I don’t think has the wit of Muswell Hillbillies.

I was out of town this weekend and getting back into yours. I gave Eric Clapton’s “Me and Mr. Johnson” a listen. I love the Robert Johnson originals and debated including the album of his collected songs, but it was on my last out (not sure how well it fit as an “album” either). I’m not as anti-cover as someone like Karma Police, but I think my enjoyment of the originals hindered my ability to enjoy Clapton’s album as much. E.g., for something like “Love in Vain” — I love the original with its somber mood and the sparseness of just Johnson’s vocals and his guitar. It feels a bit off to me with the lively piano and electric guitar added to it. I thought The Rolling Stones got the somber mood better in their cover of it. It’s not a bad album, but mostly just left me wanting to listen to Robert Johnson (which I did thereafter, so I thank for that).

 

[Ilov80s]

@Ilov80s

Looking at your list, I figure these are the albums on mine that you are most likely to enjoy but that you haven't already heard in their entirety.

Bermuda Triangle - Bermuda Triangle (psychedelic rock, Roger pretty much invented electric autoharp)
Blue Moves - Elton John (I like his hits, but I really like his deep tracks. That's why I like this album.)
Simple Dreams - Lina Rondstadt (pretty sure you know who this is)
Carry The Fire - Delta Rae (Folk band for you, sir!)
The Works - Queen (I have no idea if you've actually ever listened to this one.)

Feel free to ask for a re-pick if something else on my list appeals. Wierd Al goes with just about anything.

Firing up Delta Rae now. Unfortunately, Bermuda Triangle doesn't appear to be on Spotify. I will have to try Youtube.

 

[Don Quixote]

3. Take 6 - Take 6 (don't confuse with another Take 6 band. This is the group's eponymous album published in 1988)

To make sure I don’t confuse, is this the gospel band? Or is the gospel band the wrong one?

 

[Ilov80s]

@Ilov80s

Looking at your list, I figure these are the albums on mine that you are most likely to enjoy but that you haven't already heard in their entirety.

Bermuda Triangle - Bermuda Triangle (psychedelic rock, Roger pretty much invented electric autoharp)
Blue Moves - Elton John (I like his hits, but I really like his deep tracks. That's why I like this album.)
Simple Dreams - Lina Rondstadt (pretty sure you know who this is)
Carry The Fire - Delta Rae (Folk band for you, sir!)
The Works - Queen (I have no idea if you've actually ever listened to this one.)

Feel free to ask for a re-pick if something else on my list appeals. Wierd Al goes with just about anything.

Firing up Delta Rae now. Unfortunately, Bermuda Triangle doesn't appear to be on Spotify. I will have to try Youtube.

I did a little looking and saw Delta Rae describes themselves as the most funded band in Kickstarter history. That is cool, they must have a real solid grassroots following. Good harmonies with multiple vocalists which is always nice. I liked the stretch of Country House-Surrouned-Dance in the Graveyards the most.

 

[Psychopav]

3. Take 6 - Take 6 (don't confuse with another Take 6 band. This is the group's eponymous album published in 1988)

To make sure I don’t confuse, is this the gospel band? Or is the gospel band the wrong one?

Yes, that's the one. Although I think you'll find the music is the reason I included them here, not the message. I'm not trying to evangelize you!

 

[MAC_32]

I've got tomorrow ear marked for Spoon in the office

@Yo Mama I'm going to fence ride this one...but for good reason. While I never stopped what I was doing on the first spin, as I thought about it during the last track...that was good. So I listened to it again, and had a similar experience, only this time when I thought about it during the last track...that was REAL good.

I think this may be one of those albums that requires a few listens, lacks any standout, but ultimately the whole thing gets libraried. Let's call Spoon's Hot Thoughts an Incomplete with potential to grow to a top 150 album in my catalog.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Just listened to Dark Side of the Moon for the first time in years today and......I just don't see it. It's certainly quite good, but not really my thing, I guess. I prefer Wish You Were Here and the The Wall by a lot. Is it just more psychedelic than the other two? Maybe that's what I don't prefer?

 

[DocHolliday]

Just listened to Dark Side of the Moon for the first time in years today and......I just don't see it. It's certainly quite good, but not really my thing, I guess. I prefer Wish You Were Here and the The Wall by a lot. Is it just more psychedelic than the other two? Maybe that's what I don't prefer?

Everyone has their own taste in music. The Wall is my favorite PF album and it’s not close. Wish You Were Here and Dark Side are great but I am a rock guy and the Wall has some great rock songs.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Just listened to Dark Side of the Moon for the first time in years today and......I just don't see it. It's certainly quite good, but not really my thing, I guess. I prefer Wish You Were Here and the The Wall by a lot. Is it just more psychedelic than the other two? Maybe that's what I don't prefer?

Everyone has their own taste in music. The Wall is my favorite PF album and it’s not close. Wish You Were Here and Dark Side are great but I am a rock guy and the Wall has some great rock songs.

How do you feel about Animals?

 

[Ilov80s]

@Mrs. Rannous

I don't think I ever listened to a Queen album. Always been more of a hits guy when it comes to Queen. I liked it a lot. No skips on the album, rocked all the way through but still had a very slick 80s sound to it. I had a bit of a drive and it was a perfect rocker to make the drive fly by. Queen won't ever be one of "my bands" but I probably will seek out another album or 2 to give a spin.

 

[rockaction]

@Mrs. Rannous

I don't think I ever listened to a Queen album. Always been more of a hits guy when it comes to Queen. I liked it a lot. No skips on the album, rocked all the way through but still had a very slick 80s sound to it. I had a bit of a drive and it was a perfect rocker to make the drive fly by. Queen won't ever be one of "my bands" but I probably will seek out another album or 2 to give a spin.

I’m the same way with them. We’re between those generations, I think. The one after the Boomers and Z, who love their Queen.

 

[Juxtatarot]

I'm not going to commit to the 5 album thing, but I would love people to recommend their picks for any artists I have not posted in this thread.

I am going to recommend the new album by Racing Mount Pleasant. A beautiful Baroque Indie album. Although it isn’t like Lord Huron, I can see crossover inLord Huron fans liking it. I’d also recommend it to @Ilov80s and not just because they are from Ann Arbor.

Racing Mount Pleasant

Racing Mount Pleasant · Racing Mount Pleasant · Song · 2025

open.spotify.com

 

[Psychopav]

Checking in with my reactions to @Don Quixote 's #4 listen picked out for me, A Tabua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben.

Unfortunately, unlike the other Brazilian album he picked out, I just wasn't able to connect with this one at all. I wasn't a big fan of the singer's voice, and maybe that has something to do with it. The vocals are front and center in this and aren't necessarily all that well blended with the music. I wonder if I'd feel differently if this album were in English, and I was able to understand the ideas that were being expressed. As it is, the music came across to me as pretty consistent throughout. Not that it wasn't good guitar work, it was, but there was not as much variety here nor as much complexity or layers to the arrangements.

I guess I'd have to say that this one is just a swing and a miss for me. I do see that it's widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of all time, so clearly to each his own!

 

[Mt. Man]

Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm

You know, it could have been appropriate for me to have purposely waited ‘til Tuesday to listen to an album from Aimee Mann. Sort of a happy accident then, though Real Life also meant that I didn’t type this up until today.

Anyway, I know a little from Mann (music-wise), though this one falls into my personal “dead zone” of listening to (new) music. That said, I can be a sucker for a concept album, which may have influenced the decision from @KarmaPolice. Especially since one often needs to listen to a concept album a few times to pick up some of the subtleties.

Mind you, I’m (re)listening to the album while writing this, so that gives you insight to my willingness to do just that. Though Aimee gets the starring role, I also need to shout out the musical bits. On most of the songs I (mentally) noted the guitars, drums, or just the general rhythmic as much as Mann’s singing. Early Favorites are “Going Through The Motions”, “She Really Wants You” and “Little Bombs”. Also a small shout-out to “I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas”, which I wasn’t sure would be my thing from the title, but proved to be sneakily catchy.

--
One more to go!

 

[KarmaPolice]

Aimee Mann - The Forgotten Arm

You know, it could have been appropriate for me to have purposely waited ‘til Tuesday to listen to an album from Aimee Mann. Sort of a happy accident then, though Real Life also meant that I didn’t type this up until today.

Anyway, I know a little from Mann (music-wise), though this one falls into my personal “dead zone” of listening to (new) music. That said, I can be a sucker for a concept album, which may have influenced the decision from @KarmaPolice. Especially since one often needs to listen to a concept album a few times to pick up some of the subtleties.

Mind you, I’m (re)listening to the album while writing this, so that gives you insight to my willingness to do just that. Though Aimee gets the starring role, I also need to shout out the musical bits. On most of the songs I (mentally) noted the guitars, drums, or just the general rhythmic as much as Mann’s singing. Early Favorites are “Going Through The Motions”, “She Really Wants You” and “Little Bombs”. Also a small shout-out to “I Was Thinking I Could Clean Up For Christmas”, which I wasn’t sure would be my thing from the title, but proved to be sneakily catchy.

--
One more to go!

Glad you liked this one too. It was one of the handful of albums of hers that I hadn't listened to before digging in and it turned into one of my favorites overall. I dig that you seem to be liking the album assignments for the most part and like that you often shout out songs that might not have been top songs for me or at least not what grabbed me on first listens.

You had to save that one for last, huh?

 

[Don Quixote]

Checking in with my reactions to @Don Quixote 's #4 listen picked out for me, A Tabua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben.

Unfortunately, unlike the other Brazilian album he picked out, I just wasn't able to connect with this one at all. I wasn't a big fan of the singer's voice, and maybe that has something to do with it. The vocals are front and center in this and aren't necessarily all that well blended with the music. I wonder if I'd feel differently if this album were in English, and I was able to understand the ideas that were being expressed. As it is, the music came across to me as pretty consistent throughout. Not that it wasn't good guitar work, it was, but there was not as much variety here nor as much complexity or layers to the arrangements.

I guess I'd have to say that this one is just a swing and a miss for me. I do see that it's widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of all time, so clearly to each his own!

Sorry to hear that one was a swing and miss.

I was trying to think of what to say about “Take 6,” but I suppose will relay similar thoughts. I’m not huge on gospel, but don’t mind some of it — I like Aretha Franklin’s, for example, and Nina Simone had a church background. Take 6’s acapella style just did not really work for me. I like a good groove and tend toward music with a strong bass/beat that gets my toe tapping or head nodding. I don’t mind the Brazil stuff because I view, outside of a few exceptions, Iyrics mostly as some white noise vehicle to help carry the beat. Take 6 a bit of the opposite with heavy on the vocals and little beat to get me enjoying a groove (definitely a “me” problem).

 

[Psychopav]

Checking in with my reactions to @Don Quixote 's #4 listen picked out for me, A Tabua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben.

Unfortunately, unlike the other Brazilian album he picked out, I just wasn't able to connect with this one at all. I wasn't a big fan of the singer's voice, and maybe that has something to do with it. The vocals are front and center in this and aren't necessarily all that well blended with the music. I wonder if I'd feel differently if this album were in English, and I was able to understand the ideas that were being expressed. As it is, the music came across to me as pretty consistent throughout. Not that it wasn't good guitar work, it was, but there was not as much variety here nor as much complexity or layers to the arrangements.

I guess I'd have to say that this one is just a swing and a miss for me. I do see that it's widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of all time, so clearly to each his own!

Sorry to hear that one was a swing and miss.

I was trying to think of what to say about “Take 6,” but I suppose will relay similar thoughts. I’m not huge on gospel, but don’t mind some of it — I like Aretha Franklin’s, for example, and Nina Simone had a church background. Take 6’s acapella style just did not really work for me. I like a good groove and tend toward music with a strong bass/beat that gets my toe tapping or head nodding. I don’t mind the Brazil stuff because I view, outside of a few exceptions, Iyrics mostly as some white noise vehicle to help carry the beat. Take 6 a bit of the opposite with heavy on the vocals and little beat to get me enjoying a groove (definitely a “me” problem).

Got it. I know they're not for everybody but because you had a few jazz albums on your list I thought you might like them. Their lyrics may be gospel but the style is acapella jazz, which is pretty unique. I'm not generally a jazz fan actually so they can definitely be hit or miss.

We'll see how you like the rest of my list...not a ton of toe tapping in your future I'm afraid.

 

[SayChowda]

I listen to @SayChowda ’s list every so often for the heck of it so hey bro what can we exchange? LOL.

I had Punk In Drublic on there at one point. There were others. I did quotas and critical respect, which was stupid in retrospect. This was so much prog I might as well have forgone consensus. Like @Lord Lucan says, punk annihilated prog for me. That is a real thing that happened.

Definitely pick an album or two for me to check out. I think you know my tastes by now. I also can't do the 5 albums for the masses.

Damn. I’ll keep them up your alley of hip hop and punk.

How about Summertime ‘06 by Vince Staples and The Damned’s Damned Damned Damned? If you’ve heard either let me know.

How about you? What have you got? I’ve heard a bunch but not all.

That’s if you want to. I don’t want to commit you to anything time or wherewithal won’t allow for.

I've give both a listen. Never heard of Vince Staples before. I have a co-worker (in the UK) who is always telling me to listen to the Damned, but just never made it there.

I'll give you one album. Same rule, you don't like it - stop. No punishment needed. Check out Jersey's Best Dancers by Lifetime. Chose something that wasn't the typical Epitaph or Fat Wreck band.

Have stopped and listened but never sat with it. Looking forward to it. Summertime ‘06 has dead spots that I didn’t really remember. I wasn’t totally sober when it was huge. Big Fish Theory might be better by him, but you can always pull the plug.

The Damned is about the best I can do. It’s still good and I just listened to it. I hope you enjoy it!

Finally had a minute to post. I made it through the first 5-6 songs from the Damned album before another work meeting. Heard the first track, realized I knew it. I was pretty into it. Then I got to the next 4-5 tracks and I didn't mesh with them as well. I might be offbase here, but those tracks were a little too 70s rock for me versus punk. Again, maybe my interpretation is wrong.

I still need to listen to the other album.

 

[rockaction]

I listen to @SayChowda ’s list every so often for the heck of it so hey bro what can we exchange? LOL.

I had Punk In Drublic on there at one point. There were others. I did quotas and critical respect, which was stupid in retrospect. This was so much prog I might as well have forgone consensus. Like @Lord Lucan says, punk annihilated prog for me. That is a real thing that happened.

Definitely pick an album or two for me to check out. I think you know my tastes by now. I also can't do the 5 albums for the masses.

Damn. I’ll keep them up your alley of hip hop and punk.

How about Summertime ‘06 by Vince Staples and The Damned’s Damned Damned Damned? If you’ve heard either let me know.

How about you? What have you got? I’ve heard a bunch but not all.

That’s if you want to. I don’t want to commit you to anything time or wherewithal won’t allow for.

I've give both a listen. Never heard of Vince Staples before. I have a co-worker (in the UK) who is always telling me to listen to the Damned, but just never made it there.

I'll give you one album. Same rule, you don't like it - stop. No punishment needed. Check out Jersey's Best Dancers by Lifetime. Chose something that wasn't the typical Epitaph or Fat Wreck band.

Have stopped and listened but never sat with it. Looking forward to it. Summertime ‘06 has dead spots that I didn’t really remember. I wasn’t totally sober when it was huge. Big Fish Theory might be better by him, but you can always pull the plug.

The Damned is about the best I can do. It’s still good and I just listened to it. I hope you enjoy it!

Finally had a minute to post. I made it through the first 5-6 songs from the Damned album before another work meeting. Heard the first track, realized I knew it. I was pretty into it. Then I got to the next 4-5 tracks and I didn't mesh with them as well. I might be offbase here, but those tracks were a little too 70s rock for me versus punk. Again, maybe my interpretation is wrong.

I still need to listen to the other album.

Thanks for listening to the record. I can see where you might think that. I hear it as a very British punk seventies guitar sound, but to hear it and distinguish it as the main characteristic of the band’s sound means you did hear the element that separated them from the others—Brian James’s guitar playing.

James would quit the band after their second record and the band would continue but never sound the same. He would form Lords of the New Church and continue his music career. He is, in retrospect, one of the best, if not the best, axemen in punk rock lore. The riffs on “New Rose” and “Neat Neat Neat” are among the best in rock. Quite an accomplishment for him!

 

[Mt. Man]

You had to save that one for last, huh?

Well, you know, I wanted to respect the letter of the deal and cover the albums on your Top 70 first. Possibly 'torturing' you with the anticipation is just a bonus.
Seriously though, I'll might tackle it tonight but more likely tomorrow.

 

[Psychopav]

Checking in with my reactions to @Don Quixote 's #4 listen picked out for me, A Tabua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben.

Unfortunately, unlike the other Brazilian album he picked out, I just wasn't able to connect with this one at all. I wasn't a big fan of the singer's voice, and maybe that has something to do with it. The vocals are front and center in this and aren't necessarily all that well blended with the music. I wonder if I'd feel differently if this album were in English, and I was able to understand the ideas that were being expressed. As it is, the music came across to me as pretty consistent throughout. Not that it wasn't good guitar work, it was, but there was not as much variety here nor as much complexity or layers to the arrangements.

I guess I'd have to say that this one is just a swing and a miss for me. I do see that it's widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of all time, so clearly to each his own!

Sorry to hear that one was a swing and miss.

I was trying to think of what to say about “Take 6,” but I suppose will relay similar thoughts. I’m not huge on gospel, but don’t mind some of it — I like Aretha Franklin’s, for example, and Nina Simone had a church background. Take 6’s acapella style just did not really work for me. I like a good groove and tend toward music with a strong bass/beat that gets my toe tapping or head nodding. I don’t mind the Brazil stuff because I view, outside of a few exceptions, Iyrics mostly as some white noise vehicle to help carry the beat. Take 6 a bit of the opposite with heavy on the vocals and little beat to get me enjoying a groove (definitely a “me” problem).

Tell you what, if you want to sub in Paul Simon's Graceland album for one of these last 2, have at it. There's more rhythm there I'd say.

 

[Don Quixote]

Checking in with my reactions to @Don Quixote 's #4 listen picked out for me, A Tabua de Esmeralda - Jorge Ben.

Unfortunately, unlike the other Brazilian album he picked out, I just wasn't able to connect with this one at all. I wasn't a big fan of the singer's voice, and maybe that has something to do with it. The vocals are front and center in this and aren't necessarily all that well blended with the music. I wonder if I'd feel differently if this album were in English, and I was able to understand the ideas that were being expressed. As it is, the music came across to me as pretty consistent throughout. Not that it wasn't good guitar work, it was, but there was not as much variety here nor as much complexity or layers to the arrangements.

I guess I'd have to say that this one is just a swing and a miss for me. I do see that it's widely considered one of the best Brazilian albums of all time, so clearly to each his own!

Sorry to hear that one was a swing and miss.

I was trying to think of what to say about “Take 6,” but I suppose will relay similar thoughts. I’m not huge on gospel, but don’t mind some of it — I like Aretha Franklin’s, for example, and Nina Simone had a church background. Take 6’s acapella style just did not really work for me. I like a good groove and tend toward music with a strong bass/beat that gets my toe tapping or head nodding. I don’t mind the Brazil stuff because I view, outside of a few exceptions, Iyrics mostly as some white noise vehicle to help carry the beat. Take 6 a bit of the opposite with heavy on the vocals and little beat to get me enjoying a groove (definitely a “me” problem).

Tell you what, if you want to sub in Paul Simon's Graceland album for one of these last 2, have at it. There's more rhythm there I'd say.

I think I will do that. I know that one is African influenced, and African music is my other international favorite.

 

[DocHolliday]

Just listened to Dark Side of the Moon for the first time in years today and......I just don't see it. It's certainly quite good, but not really my thing, I guess. I prefer Wish You Were Here and the The Wall by a lot. Is it just more psychedelic than the other two? Maybe that's what I don't prefer?

Everyone has their own taste in music. The Wall is my favorite PF album and it’s not close. Wish You Were Here and Dark Side are great but I am a rock guy and the Wall has some great rock songs.

How do you feel about Animals?

My least favorite of those four albums. I probably listen to it once a year as background music. I have never connected to it like the other 3.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

@Dan Lambskin Tonight I listened to Primus' Antipop.

I know a few of their songs from "modern rock" radio in the '90s and I saw them open for U2 on the Zoo TV tour, but I have not listened to them beyond that. I did own the Oysterhead album Les Claypool did with Trey Anastasio and Stewart Copeland, and saw a live show of theirs.

The album confirms my initial impressions that Primus are weird for the sake of weird and their songs are busy for the sake of being busy. Neither are qualities I seek out -- and yes, I am a Ween fan, but I only became one after friends turned me on to how good a live band they are. And they matured on record over time.

The '90s had a lot of albums that were too long -- bands couldn't resist the urge to fill up as much of the CD as possible -- and this is one of them. In fact, if they had stopped after "Dirty Drowning Man," I would have liked this much better, as I didn't really care for any of the subsequent tracks.

That being said, Claypool's performance on bass is undeniable, and the first nine tracks are both interesting and tuneful. I particularly enjoyed "Eclectic Electric" because it's so different from their typical sound. Other favorites included "Electric Uncle Sam," "The Antipop" and "Greet the Sacred Cow."

 

[Dan Lambskin]

@Dan Lambskin Tonight I listened to Primus' Antipop.

I know a few of their songs from "modern rock" radio in the '90s and I saw them open for U2 on the Zoo TV tour, but I have not listened to them beyond that. I did own the Oysterhead album Les Claypool did with Trey Anastasio and Stewart Copeland, and saw a live show of theirs.

The album confirms my initial impressions that Primus are weird for the sake of weird and their songs are busy for the sake of being busy. Neither are qualities I seek out -- and yes, I am a Ween fan, but I only became one after friends turned me on to how good a live band they are. And they matured on record over time.

The '90s had a lot of albums that were too long -- bands couldn't resist the urge to fill up as much of the CD as possible -- and this is one of them. In fact, if they had stopped after "Dirty Drowning Man," I would have liked this much better, as I didn't really care for any of the subsequent tracks.

That being said, Claypool's performance on bass is undeniable, and the first nine tracks are both interesting and tuneful. I particularly enjoyed "Eclectic Electric" because it's so different from their typical sound. Other favorites included "Electric Uncle Sam," "The Antipop" and "Greet the Sacred Cow."

It’s definitely a polarizing album with their fans. Iirc they took a hiatus after that one and that’s when Les did the Oysterhead thing. You can definitely see more of that jam influence in their later work and live shows now

Eclectic Electric is one of my favorites as well

Also really like Lacquer Head and The Final Voyage of the Liquid Sky

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips

I am vaguely familiar with the Flaming Lips, having heard She Don't Use Jelly and The Yeah, Yeah, Yeah song. Also, a good friend of mine named his cat Yoshimi, so I've heard of this album, but I'd never listened to it. I didn't write my review until the third full listen to the album.

Fight Test - 1/2 - I loved the opening number. Crowd sounds play us in and it really gives the feeling of an intergalactic live concert. I was pretty excited for the rest of the album if they were all going to be like this. A strange comparison, but somewhere in there I have a very distinct melodic comparison to Cat Stevens' "Father & Son"
One More Robot - 1/2 - Not quite as strong as the opener, but still a good song. Keeps the thematic concept throughline going.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1 - - We are back to the vibe Fight Test established and the one I honestly prefer. Not as upbeat as Fight Test, but the singer is using his full voice instead of mostly whispery head voice. Fun storytelling.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2 - - I understand why this was separated into two songs. They are very much two distinct songs. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Pt. 1, but I still liked it and still gave it 4 stars. The song really makes you feel the actual clash/battle between Yoshimi and the Robots, which I enjoyed. Allows the listener to really imagine the battle. Probably even more amazing with a gummy. Grows on you more each listen. I'm not a jam band guy, but the battle undertones gave me a context to enjoy the 'story' being told through the instrumentation.
In the Morning of the Magicians - 1/2 - I kinda get it, the morning after the battle, everything is slower and retrospective, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first four songs on the album
Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell - 1/2 - Was hoping the pace would pick back up, but it leaned into the mellow. I enjoyed the instrumentation, but the lyrics were a little repetitive.
Are You a Hypnotist - - I understand the concept, but unlike Pt. 2, it wasn't enough to carry my dislike for the instrumental jam.
It's Summertime - 1/2 - Still hoping for the pace to pick up, but it leaned into the mellow
Do You Realize - - Here's the uptick in energy I was waiting for. I enjoyed this song. It has a real Death Cab For Cutie/Theme Song from Shrinking vibe that I enjoyed.
All We Have is Now - - My least favorite on the album. Super repetitive.
Approaching Pavonis Mons By Balloon - 3/4 - A solid, if not spectacular, button to finish off the album. Not as strong as Pt. 2, but stronger than Are You a Hypnotist

Overall, I really enjoyed this album even though I felt like the entirety of the album didn't live up to the promise of the first four songs, which I really, really enjoyed.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips

I am vaguely familiar with the Flaming Lips, having heard She Don't Use Jelly and The Yeah, Yeah, Yeah song. Also, a good friend of mine named his cat Yoshimi, so I've heard of this album, but I'd never listened to it. I didn't write my review until the third full listen to the album.

Fight Test - 1/2 - I loved the opening number. Crowd sounds play us in and it really gives the feeling of an intergalactic live concert. I was pretty excited for the rest of the album if they were all going to be like this. A strange comparison, but somewhere in there I have a very distinct melodic comparison to Cat Stevens' "Father & Son"
One More Robot - 1/2 - Not quite as strong as the opener, but still a good song. Keeps the thematic concept throughline going.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1 - - We are back to the vibe Fight Test established and the one I honestly prefer. Not as upbeat as Fight Test, but the singer is using his full voice instead of mostly whispery head voice. Fun storytelling.
Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 2 - - I understand why this was separated into two songs. They are very much two distinct songs. I didn't enjoy this one as much as Pt. 1, but I still liked it and still gave it 4 stars. The song really makes you feel the actual clash/battle between Yoshimi and the Robots, which I enjoyed. Allows the listener to really imagine the battle. Probably even more amazing with a gummy. Grows on you more each listen. I'm not a jam band guy, but the battle undertones gave me a context to enjoy the 'story' being told through the instrumentation.
In the Morning of the Magicians - 1/2 - I kinda get it, the morning after the battle, everything is slower and retrospective, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first four songs on the album
Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell - 1/2 - Was hoping the pace would pick back up, but it leaned into the mellow. I enjoyed the instrumentation, but the lyrics were a little repetitive.
Are You a Hypnotist - - I understand the concept, but unlike Pt. 2, it wasn't enough to carry my dislike for the instrumental jam.
It's Summertime - 1/2 - Still hoping for the pace to pick up, but it leaned into the mellow
Do You Realize - - Here's the uptick in energy I was waiting for. I enjoyed this song. It has a real Death Cab For Cutie/Theme Song from Shrinking vibe that I enjoyed.
All We Have is Now - - My least favorite on the album. Super repetitive.
Approaching Pavonis Mons By Balloon - 3/4 - A solid, if not spectacular, button to finish off the album. Not as strong as Pt. 2, but stronger than Are You a Hypnotist

Overall, I really enjoyed this album even though I felt like the entirety of the album didn't live up to the promise of the first four songs, which I really, really enjoyed.

I assumed “Do You Realize?” was the band’s most famous song but, after researching it just now, it seems I am wrong about that.

 

[Mt. Man]

Opeth - Heritage

I can see why @KarmaPolice might consider this album as a possible in-road for Opeth, or at least some of their music. Or at minimum, why he thought it might vibe with me. Though Opeth has a minor “death metal” reputation, this album is more ethereal. Many of the songs have a quieter, subdued feel through at least part of them. Those also tend to have a section where things pick up, probably not surprisingly.

This feels like an album where the aim was to have the vocals be another instrument. There are songs like “The Lines in My Hand’ where the vocals take more of a center stage. But also several songs where the singing is more subdued. Not to mention that both the opener (the title track) & closer (“Marrow of the Earth”) are instrumentals.

It’s a bit more difficult to talk about songs I really liked, since progressive so easily lends itself to having multiple movements/sections. So from the 5 songs that are over 6 minutes, each had at least a portion that were very much enjoyable. My favorites were “The Devil’s Orchard” and the forementioned “The Lines in My Hand”, but many call for a second listen. Perhaps particularly fitting into that was “Famine”, which started a bit odd before the piano kicked in, and a build-up began, but had several strong parts. Overall I’m slightly intrigued by this style, and plan on a revisit.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Opeth - Heritage

I can see why @KarmaPolice might consider this album as a possible in-road for Opeth, or at least some of their music. Or at minimum, why he thought it might vibe with me. Though Opeth has a minor “death metal” reputation, this album is more ethereal. Many of the songs have a quieter, subdued feel through at least part of them. Those also tend to have a section where things pick up, probably not surprisingly.

This feels like an album where the aim was to have the vocals be another instrument. There are songs like “The Lines in My Hand’ where the vocals take more of a center stage. But also several songs where the singing is more subdued. Not to mention that both the opener (the title track) & closer (“Marrow of the Earth”) are instrumentals.

It’s a bit more difficult to talk about songs I really liked, since progressive so easily lends itself to having multiple movements/sections. So from the 5 songs that are over 6 minutes, each had at least a portion that were very much enjoyable. My favorites were “The Devil’s Orchard” and the forementioned “The Lines in My Hand”, but many call for a second listen. Perhaps particularly fitting into that was “Famine”, which started a bit odd before the piano kicked in, and a build-up began, but had several strong parts. Overall I’m slightly intrigued by this style, and plan on a revisit.

I will admit that it's one that I mostly skipped over and just came back in in the last few years as I fully dug into them. After Watershed (the 3rd album on my list) Mikael felt they had done all he wanted to do with the "death metal type music" at least at that time. The story is that as he started writing for the next album, he took a demo to Martin the bassist and was told that he hoped that wasn't it - it was basically more Watershed type stuff still clinging to that success. The Lines In my Hand was the song he came back with and the first one written for the album, and that is where they went and embraced their prog roots. Slither is the Dio tribute, Famine is the song he wanted Ian Anderson to play on, but never got a reply, and The Devil's Orchard is the song they made the new drummer play to make sure he could handle the more proggy songs they play live. Thanks for listening to the albums - hope you got one you really dug and want to listen to again!

 

[shuke]

Actually, @shuke I think I have one. I just recommended them to Marco as well - The Sea and Cake I have been listening to them a bit this year and I am pretty sure I like all 11 of their albums, but a couple I just listened to 1x each and need to relisten to them. I was just thinking tonight that I shouldn't all my MAD31 shots, because I this would make a perfect artist for Rd5. 2 albums that stood out to me were Nassau and Car Alarm. I will link a song each from those albums.

Earth Star

The Sea and Cake · Nassau · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

New Schools

The Sea and Cake · Car Alarm · Song · 2008

open.spotify.com

This one is thanks to @Pip's Invitation, so he might have other opinions. The reason I listened to them was because I heard a couple of their songs when I was going back through Genrepalooza4 stations. When I just searched for mentions of them to see if I missed it in a thread, I noticed that the mentions of them were from Pip as he took the songs for GP4. Thanks again, for leading me to great music, pip. (even if it is 3 years later...)

Currently listening to Nassau. Dude this is gooooood.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Actually, @shuke I think I have one. I just recommended them to Marco as well - The Sea and Cake I have been listening to them a bit this year and I am pretty sure I like all 11 of their albums, but a couple I just listened to 1x each and need to relisten to them. I was just thinking tonight that I shouldn't all my MAD31 shots, because I this would make a perfect artist for Rd5. 2 albums that stood out to me were Nassau and Car Alarm. I will link a song each from those albums.

Earth Star

The Sea and Cake · Nassau · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

New Schools

The Sea and Cake · Car Alarm · Song · 2008

open.spotify.com

This one is thanks to @Pip's Invitation, so he might have other opinions. The reason I listened to them was because I heard a couple of their songs when I was going back through Genrepalooza4 stations. When I just searched for mentions of them to see if I missed it in a thread, I noticed that the mentions of them were from Pip as he took the songs for GP4. Thanks again, for leading me to great music, pip. (even if it is 3 years later...)

Currently listening to Nassau. Dude this is gooooood.

I know, right??? Thanks goes to Pip again. Have you listened to other albums, or just this one so far?

I have been deep diving since that first post suggesting them and going through the albums in order. I have been stuck on The Biz for a few days, which is the other album they released in '95 with Nassau. Also so good. They are still hard to describe, but I get vibes of Modest Mouse and Pavement, but with a lean towards jam bands as well. I pictured Phish, but I also have 0 clue about that subgenre.

ETA: My favorite at the moment seems to be:

Station in the Valley

The Sea and Cake · The Biz · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Actually, @shuke I think I have one. I just recommended them to Marco as well - The Sea and Cake I have been listening to them a bit this year and I am pretty sure I like all 11 of their albums, but a couple I just listened to 1x each and need to relisten to them. I was just thinking tonight that I shouldn't all my MAD31 shots, because I this would make a perfect artist for Rd5. 2 albums that stood out to me were Nassau and Car Alarm. I will link a song each from those albums.

Earth Star

The Sea and Cake · Nassau · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

New Schools

The Sea and Cake · Car Alarm · Song · 2008

open.spotify.com

This one is thanks to @Pip's Invitation, so he might have other opinions. The reason I listened to them was because I heard a couple of their songs when I was going back through Genrepalooza4 stations. When I just searched for mentions of them to see if I missed it in a thread, I noticed that the mentions of them were from Pip as he took the songs for GP4. Thanks again, for leading me to great music, pip. (even if it is 3 years later...)

Currently listening to Nassau. Dude this is gooooood.

I know, right??? Thanks goes to Pip again. Have you listened to other albums, or just this one so far?

I have been deep diving since that first post suggesting them and going through the albums in order. I have been stuck on The Biz for a few days, which is the other album they released in '95 with Nassau. Also so good. They are still hard to describe, but I get vibes of Modest Mouse and Pavement, but with a lean towards jam bands as well. I pictured Phish, but I also have 0 clue about that subgenre.

ETA: My favorite at the moment seems to be:

Station in the Valley

The Sea and Cake · The Biz · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

They are classified as “post-rock” so they get compared to other bands that get classified that way such as Tortoise (with whom they share a drummer) and Mogwai.

 

[shuke]

Actually, @shuke I think I have one. I just recommended them to Marco as well - The Sea and Cake I have been listening to them a bit this year and I am pretty sure I like all 11 of their albums, but a couple I just listened to 1x each and need to relisten to them. I was just thinking tonight that I shouldn't all my MAD31 shots, because I this would make a perfect artist for Rd5. 2 albums that stood out to me were Nassau and Car Alarm. I will link a song each from those albums.

Earth Star

The Sea and Cake · Nassau · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

New Schools

The Sea and Cake · Car Alarm · Song · 2008

open.spotify.com

This one is thanks to @Pip's Invitation, so he might have other opinions. The reason I listened to them was because I heard a couple of their songs when I was going back through Genrepalooza4 stations. When I just searched for mentions of them to see if I missed it in a thread, I noticed that the mentions of them were from Pip as he took the songs for GP4. Thanks again, for leading me to great music, pip. (even if it is 3 years later...)

Currently listening to Nassau. Dude this is gooooood.

I know, right??? Thanks goes to Pip again. Have you listened to other albums, or just this one so far?

I have been deep diving since that first post suggesting them and going through the albums in order. I have been stuck on The Biz for a few days, which is the other album they released in '95 with Nassau. Also so good. They are still hard to describe, but I get vibes of Modest Mouse and Pavement, but with a lean towards jam bands as well. I pictured Phish, but I also have 0 clue about that subgenre.

ETA: My favorite at the moment seems to be:

Station in the Valley

The Sea and Cake · The Biz · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

Have only listened to Nassau so far. Definitely a Modest Mouse vibe, with a splash of Doves. I don't get any jamband feel though.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Actually, @shuke I think I have one. I just recommended them to Marco as well - The Sea and Cake I have been listening to them a bit this year and I am pretty sure I like all 11 of their albums, but a couple I just listened to 1x each and need to relisten to them. I was just thinking tonight that I shouldn't all my MAD31 shots, because I this would make a perfect artist for Rd5. 2 albums that stood out to me were Nassau and Car Alarm. I will link a song each from those albums.

Earth Star

The Sea and Cake · Nassau · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

New Schools

The Sea and Cake · Car Alarm · Song · 2008

open.spotify.com

This one is thanks to @Pip's Invitation, so he might have other opinions. The reason I listened to them was because I heard a couple of their songs when I was going back through Genrepalooza4 stations. When I just searched for mentions of them to see if I missed it in a thread, I noticed that the mentions of them were from Pip as he took the songs for GP4. Thanks again, for leading me to great music, pip. (even if it is 3 years later...)

Currently listening to Nassau. Dude this is gooooood.

I know, right??? Thanks goes to Pip again. Have you listened to other albums, or just this one so far?

I have been deep diving since that first post suggesting them and going through the albums in order. I have been stuck on The Biz for a few days, which is the other album they released in '95 with Nassau. Also so good. They are still hard to describe, but I get vibes of Modest Mouse and Pavement, but with a lean towards jam bands as well. I pictured Phish, but I also have 0 clue about that subgenre.

ETA: My favorite at the moment seems to be:

Station in the Valley

The Sea and Cake · The Biz · Song · 1995

open.spotify.com

Have only listened to Nassau so far. Definitely a Modest Mouse vibe, with a splash of Doves. I don't get any jamband feel though.

Sometimes the solos have a jam band feel to me, or when they bring in other instruments. I will try to think of the song that made me think that. If you like Nassau, the debut and The Biz I believe will hit with you as well.