Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 108. Astral Weeks – Van Morrison (199 Viewers)

[The Dreaded Marco]

108 (tie). Astral Weeks – Van Morrison (207 points)

@Ilov80s #1
@Mister CIA #2
@Atomic Punk #26
@rockaction #48

Astral Weeks is the second studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was recorded at Century Sound Studios in New York during September and October 1968, and released in November of the same year by Warner Bros. Records.

The album's music blends folk, blues, jazz, and classical styles, signalling a radical departure from the sound of Morrison's previous pop hits, such as "Brown Eyed Girl" (1967). The lyrics and cover art portray the symbolism equating earthly love and Heaven that would often feature in the singer's subsequent records. His lyrics have been described as impressionistic, hypnotic, and modernist, while the record has been categorized as a song cycle or concept album.

Whatcha picking, @Ilov80s ? Has an artist ever been this deep inside his own head?

Title track and Sweet Thing are my chalky favorites. Cypress Avenue and Ballerina are amazing too.

Sweet Thing was my initial thought as well so let’s go with that. As the great Lester Bangs said, Astral Weeks is a “mystical document”. That Bangs review may be the best album review/ piece of rock criticism ever written.

What Astral Weeks deals in are not facts but truths. Astral Weeks, insofar as it can be pinned down, is a record about people stunned by life, completely overwhelmed, stalled in their skins, their ages and selves, paralyzed by the enormity of what in one moment of vision they can comprehend. It is a precious and terrible gift, born of a terrible truth, because what they see is both infinitely beautiful and terminally horrifying: the unlimited human ability to create or destroy, according to whim.

This album finally hit me in 2002 (maybe '03?) when I was floating on a houseboat on Lake Powell at 1 a.m. I couldn't sleep despite drinking a fair amount of gin over the evening. My wife, daughters and in-laws were all out. I hit play on this album on my iPod. I was transfixed for the next 47 minutes.

I'd heard the album many times before but this was the first time I truly listened to it and it was a great experience. And, yes, I'd only been drinking gin & tonics--no other substances.

I'm completely chagrined that I left it off my list.

FWIW, I would've gone with Madame George for the playlist, but you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Catching up after throwing Mrs. Punk a 60th birthday party …

• Surprised at the amount of Yes love and will have to give these a new listen
• Not surprised by the Radiohead love but have tried multiple times to like these albums but find them very so-so
• Struggled choosing Pyromania and another earlier Def Leppard album that I love and didn’t want to include both, when there are some bands that I love that didn’t have a single album entry … but man, what a killer album this is!
• Listening to Jeff Buckley as I type this and digging it. I don’t think it would sniff my top 70 but I could see adding it to my album collection
• If I was choosing this list based on which albums get the most play in the Punk household, Astral Weeks would be top 3. Love everything about this album, especially that the birthday girl has an equal affinity for it

I plan on checking out a few more albums today that I’m not too familiar with.

 

[Dennis Castro]

121 (tie). Kid A – Radiohead (194 points)

@Juxtatarot #3
@Scoresman #10
@titusbarmable #29
@shuke #48

Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 2 October 2000 by Parlophone. It was recorded with their producer, Nigel Godrich, in Paris, Copenhagen, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Departing from their earlier sound, Radiohead incorporated influences from electronic music, krautrock, jazz and 20th-century classical music, with a wider range of instruments and effects. The singer, Thom Yorke, wrote impersonal and abstract lyrics, cutting up phrases and assembling them at random.

I spent most of my 90's music listening focused on things I already knew. Then I saw Radiohead perform on SNL in 2000 and they played The National Anthem and Idioteque. I was mesmerized. I immediately picked up Kid A, and then shortly after all their previous albums. They became, and remain, one of my favorite bands ever.

This is the band I alluded to earlier that I was shocked at how low I ranked their albums. I only ranked 3, and this was the lowest, but this album played a huge role in me searching out and finding new music.

I’m sort of the same way. I knew next to nothing about Radiohead until I attended a Letterman taping, and they were the musical guest. Being mostly into classic rock, I’d never heard a sound like their’s before. Still really haven’t. I’m not a mega-fan, but I like them well enough and have tons of respect for how they helped makeover the 1990s alternative music scene.

Found the clip. I was about 20 feet away in the second or third row.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Dr. Octopus]

121 (tie). Kid A – Radiohead (194 points)

@Juxtatarot #3
@Scoresman #10
@titusbarmable #29
@shuke #48

Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released on 2 October 2000 by Parlophone. It was recorded with their producer, Nigel Godrich, in Paris, Copenhagen, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Departing from their earlier sound, Radiohead incorporated influences from electronic music, krautrock, jazz and 20th-century classical music, with a wider range of instruments and effects. The singer, Thom Yorke, wrote impersonal and abstract lyrics, cutting up phrases and assembling them at random.

I spent most of my 90's music listening focused on things I already knew. Then I saw Radiohead perform on SNL in 2000 and they played The National Anthem and Idioteque. I was mesmerized. I immediately picked up Kid A, and then shortly after all their previous albums. They became, and remain, one of my favorite bands ever.

This is the band I alluded to earlier that I was shocked at how low I ranked their albums. I only ranked 3, and this was the lowest, but this album played a huge role in me searching out and finding new music.

I’m sort of the same way. I knew next to nothing about Radiohead until I attended a Letterman taping, and they were the musical guest. Being mostly into classic rock, I’d never heard a sound like their’s before. Still really haven’t. I’m not a mega-fan, but I like them well enough and have tons of respect for how they helped makeover the 1990s alternative music scene.

Found the clip. I was about 20 feet away in the second or third row.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Dammit the musical guest when I saw a Letterman taping was Bryan Adams singing the Robinhood song.

 

[zamboni]

First time I heard/saw Radiohead was on MTV’s Spring Break in 1993:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

youtu.be

Thought they were pretty cool but took me a long time to appreciate them. Not a fan like many here, but can’t deny their influence and talent.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Gotta be some common ground there

On a random shuffle of my annual playlists, I'd hear 5 of those artists.

Likewise - there's a substantial amount of "Who the heck is that?" as well. But that's why we're doing this, right? Find things we've otherwise missed.

I mean, where else am I going to find my next "Mongolian throat singing metal band"? (And yes, I listen to one of those. No spotlighting, though.)

band name that is a homophone of a super popular classic British band?

With traditional Mongolian instruments, such as the morin khuur.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morin_khuur

 

[ConstruxBoy]

Catching up after throwing Mrs. Punk a 60th birthday party …

• Surprised at the amount of Yes love and will have to give these a new listen
• Not surprised by the Radiohead love but have tried multiple times to like these albums but find them very so-so
• Struggled choosing Pyromania and another earlier Def Leppard album that I love and didn’t want to include both, when there are some bands that I love that didn’t have a single album entry … but man, what a killer album this is!
• Listening to Jeff Buckley as I type this and digging it. I don’t think it would sniff my top 70 but I could see adding it to my album collection
• If I was choosing this list based on which albums get the most play in the Punk household, Astral Weeks would be top 3. Love everything about this album, especially that the birthday girl has an equal affinity for it

I plan on checking out a few more albums today that I’m not too familiar with.

He's awesome. In my top 5 artists, which is tough with only one real release.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

106 (tie). Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (208 points)

@Idiot Boxer #9
@Snoopy #21
@Mookie Gizzy #31
@Rand al Thor #48
@Long Ball Larry #56
@Scoresman #59
@Nick Vermeil #65


Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

113 (tie). The Yes Album – Yes (203 points)

@Mt. Man #17
@Yo Mama #18
@Mookie Gizzy #45
@shuke #47
@BrutalPenguin #48
@Ghost Rider #48

The Yes Album is the third studio album by English progressive rock band Yes, released in the UK on 19 February 1971 and in the US on 19 March 1971 by Atlantic Records. It was the band's first album to feature guitarist Steve Howe, who replaced Peter Banks in 1970, as well as their last to feature keyboardist Tony Kaye until 1983's 90125.

The other of their big three albums. I rank it ever so slightly lower than the other two because it doesn’t have Rick Wakeman, but it’s still a fantastic record and it has my #1 song from them, Yours Is No Disgrace.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

106 (tie). Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (208 points)

@Idiot Boxer #9
@Snoopy #21
@Mookie Gizzy #31
@Rand al Thor #48
@Long Ball Larry #56
@Scoresman #59
@Nick Vermeil #65


Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

This one was floating around my top 70.

 

[jwb]

I thought I had Astral Weeks on my list, but indeed I did not. I do have another Van Morrison on there, very high. Astral Weeks is widely regarded as his best, and I wouldn't argue it's not, but I just have a personal preference for the other.

Me too. Probably the same one.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

108 (tie). Astral Weeks – Van Morrison (207 points)

@Ilov80s #1
@Mister CIA #2
@Atomic Punk #26
@rockaction #48

Astral Weeks is the second studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was recorded at Century Sound Studios in New York during September and October 1968, and released in November of the same year by Warner Bros. Records.

The album's music blends folk, blues, jazz, and classical styles, signalling a radical departure from the sound of Morrison's previous pop hits, such as "Brown Eyed Girl" (1967). The lyrics and cover art portray the symbolism equating earthly love and Heaven that would often feature in the singer's subsequent records. His lyrics have been described as impressionistic, hypnotic, and modernist, while the record has been categorized as a song cycle or concept album.

I've heard this entire album was done in one take. The entire album from start to end. If that's true, it's amazing.

He recorded it with jazz guys, so that would track.

 

[KarmaPolice]

106 (tie). Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (208 points)

@Idiot Boxer #9
@Snoopy #21
@Mookie Gizzy #31
@Rand al Thor #48
@Long Ball Larry #56
@Scoresman #59
@Nick Vermeil #65


Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

This one was floating around my top 70.

Same. I had it in the next wave of 30-40. I've been very slowly digging through all the Chad Smith projects and had forgotten how much I like the back 1/2 of this album. Naked in the Rain and The Greeting Song have always been a couple favorites from this one.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

My highest-ranked Stones albums are from their “peak” years, but Some Girls is excellent as well.

I am not a huge Beasties aficionado but I like their Ill Communication sound the best and the note that it was influenced by On the Corner makes perfect sense. It was cool to see them do their thing with live instruments at Lollapalooza ‘94.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

106 (tie). Blood Sugar Sex Magik – Red Hot Chili Peppers (208 points)

@Idiot Boxer #9
@Snoopy #21
@Mookie Gizzy #31
@Rand al Thor #48
@Long Ball Larry #56
@Scoresman #59
@Nick Vermeil #65


Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros. Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.

This one was floating around my top 70.

Same

 

[turnjose7]

As one of a few posters whose #2 album didn't make the cut, I guess I'll say something about it. Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970 is my second favorite live recording ever. It was recorded just about 8 months before my favorite live recording. It's a little hard to discuss without saying too much about that other recording which will surely come later, but in this one you can just start to hear the Allman Brothers reaching their peak powers. Duane and Dickey, as always, play off each other magically, but this is also one of the earliest recordings in which you can appreciate what a force Butch, Jaimoe, and Berry are. The highlight of the album is an incredible "Mountain Jam" in which the band is joined by Johnny Winter for a high energy performance.

Re-reading these posts about highest ranked albums that missed the cut and the discussion about how no one has heard of most of the bands @Dan Lambskin listens to, it got me thinking. I believe everyone's #1 ended up making the countdown, right? It looks like for four of us our #2 missed the cut and #3 did for a handful of others. But I'm pretty sure my #2, #3, and #4 will all be left off. My #5 will definitely appear, but after this is over I'd be interested to hear if anyone else had so much of the top of their list that was that non-chalky. I'm guessing not. Kind of a bummer not to get the chance to talk about some of my favorite albums.

 

[turnjose7]

Went with a different Van Morrison album, but Astral Weeks is incredible and could have easily gone with that. I'll still contend Van the Man is underrated in the pantheon of rock legends.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

As one of a few posters whose #2 album didn't make the cut, I guess I'll say something about it. Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970 is my second favorite live recording ever. It was recorded just about 8 months before my favorite live recording. It's a little hard to discuss without saying too much about that other recording which will surely come later, but in this one you can just start to hear the Allman Brothers reaching their peak powers. Duane and Dickey, as always, play off each other magically, but this is also one of the earliest recordings in which you can appreciate what a force Butch, Jaimoe, and Berry are. The highlight of the album is an incredible "Mountain Jam" in which the band is joined by Johnny Winter for a high energy performance.

Re-reading these posts about highest ranked albums that missed the cut and the discussion about how no one has heard of most of the bands @Dan Lambskin listens to, it got me thinking. I believe everyone's #1 ended up making the countdown, right? It looks like for four of us our #2 missed the cut and #3 did for a handful of others. But I'm pretty sure my #2, #3, and #4 will all be left off. My #5 will definitely appear, but after this is over I'd be interested to hear if anyone else had so much of the top of their list that was that non-chalky. I'm guessing not. Kind of a bummer not to get the chance to talk about some of my favorite albums.

I’ll post everyone’s full list at the end.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

or I’ll do some more slow releases from people’s lists when I have time.

 

[shuke]

I will forever stand by I'll Wait as being one of their best songs ever

Best, IMO.

 

[shuke]

Gonna guess on the ones one you don’t know

Glass animals - indie rock but I thought they’re fairly popular so maybe you know them

Earshot - late 90s alt rock / metal vocalist sounds a lot like Maynard. Headstrong was on Queen of the damned soundtrack and got a lot of radio play you’d probably recognize it if you listened to any alternative radio in that timeframe

The Upsetters - its Lee “scratch “ Perry’s reggae band

Infectious grooves - funk metal side project of some of the guys from suicidal tendencies

Julia Jackson - typical chick singer she opened for head and the heart and we liked her

Immortal Technique- politically charged rapper - dance with the devil is probably one of the darkest songs lyrically if anyone wants to give that a try

Robert earl keen - alt country singer / songwriter I guess…still no idea how I came across him probably a Billy strings connection

Will check some of these out. Familiar with Keen. As for Julia, do you mean Julia Jacklin? I like her.

 

[shuke]

108 (tie). Astral Weeks – Van Morrison (207 points)

@Ilov80s #1
@Mister CIA #2
@Atomic Punk #26
@rockaction #48

Astral Weeks is the second studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was recorded at Century Sound Studios in New York during September and October 1968, and released in November of the same year by Warner Bros. Records.

The album's music blends folk, blues, jazz, and classical styles, signalling a radical departure from the sound of Morrison's previous pop hits, such as "Brown Eyed Girl" (1967). The lyrics and cover art portray the symbolism equating earthly love and Heaven that would often feature in the singer's subsequent records. His lyrics have been described as impressionistic, hypnotic, and modernist, while the record has been categorized as a song cycle or concept album.

One of my last 10 out. Love it, just haven't listened to it as much as the others on my list.

 

[shuke]

then a 69 point submission came in.

Nice.

 

[shuke]

Found the clip. I was about 20 feet away in the second or third row.

That is awesome.