Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 68. Automatic for the People – R.E.M. (227 Viewers)

[KarmaPolice]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

This is the second time, I did not know the album or artist - but this one looks interesting to me.

That surprises me.

 

[KarmaPolice]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

This is the second time, I did not know the album or artist - but this one looks interesting to me.

I've also never heard of this.

The @rockaction @shuke pairing is interesting.

I had the thought yesterday of wondering who my "album buddies" would be for the ones that made the countdown.

I was definitely not surprised to have Shuke as partner for my Traffic album.

I am counting on big points from Shuke for a couple of my top 10.

 

[zamboni]

298 (tie). August and Everything After – Counting Crows (92 points)

@Barry2 #39
@kupcho1 1 #40
@Dwayne_Castro #59
@simey #60
@Dennis Castro #65

August and Everything After is the debut studio album by American rock band Counting Crows, released September 14, 1993, on DGC Records. The album was produced by T Bone Burnett and featured the founding members of the band: Steve Bowman (drums), David Bryson (guitar), Adam Duritz (vocals), Charlie Gillingham (keyboards), and Matt Malley (bass). Among the several session musicians used for the album was multi-instrumentalist David Immerglück, who later joined the band as a full-time member in 1999, as well as Burnett, who also provided additional guitar work.

This one just missed the cut for me. Listened to it a ton when I first purchased it, but I don't know that I have the urge to revisit it, so it got bumped

Exact same for me.

Since its top ranking is 39, and several others commented it was a late cut, this all checks. Not an all timer to anyone's ears, but a strong effort in many. I didn't give it more than a fleeting thought, but it's because my counting crowd catalog is a sprinkle from multiple albums.

I had this ranked as it was one of the few albums that broke through for me in the 90s. Grad school at the time and it was everywhere (except the library).
I'm not top dog on this one, and I'm not looking to make this a greatest hits playlist (we've already accomplished this with the inclusion of several greatest hits albums ... I kid, I kid) but it's hard to go wrong with Mr. Jones. That's my nomination anyway @Barry2

I was leaning Omaha but Mr.Jones will do. Omaha was the song I always picked on the CD jukebox at a local lounge. Draft beer and endless baskets of complimentary nachos. I miss the 90s.

A different “Omaha” song made me realize there is another album I overlooked.

Peyton Manning's Songs From Under Center?

I almost added “not The Peyton Manning Experience” when I wrote it.

 

[Psychopav]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

Uh oh. My "Live at the Apollo was not James Brown, it was B.B. King.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

I listened to this on my after dinner walk - it was perfect music for a sunny day at beach.

I probably wouldn’t have the patience to listen to the entire album at home but will keep it downloaded for future boardwalk strolls.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

"August and Everything After" is another album I overlooked. Not sure if it would have quite made my 70, but at the very least should have been in consideration. To me it's a great example of a 90s album that hangs well as a whole. Great flow.

As for "Help!", when I did my first Beatles song countdown, someone crunched the numbers (maybe @falguy since he loves stats?) and determined this was my third favorite Beatles album. I ended up putting it 4th on my list for this purpose (yes, I had five of their albums on here in total, including four in my top 15), but it actually could be my top in terms of having zero songs that I actually dislike, whereas the other three above it each have at least one song I don't care for. I could happily choose any of the tracks for the playlist, but could someone please put "I've Just Seen a Face" on there?

We should each play the lottery tonight. In numerous countdowns over the years here, I've said I thought "Ticket To Ride" is the band's best. But, I was gonna suggest "I've Just Seen A Face" for submission here if I were low (Binky: high) bidder.

 

[KarmaPolice]

303 (tie). Fear of Music – Talking Heads (91 points)

@KarmaPolice #16
@Dr. Octopus #49
@New Binky the Doormat #57

Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released on August 3, 1979, by Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City during April and May 1979 and was produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned the singles "Life During Wartime", "I Zimbra", and "Cities".

I do have the FFA to thank for my love of Talking Heads. I got into them more as we did a few song drafts waaay back in the day. It got me listening to their albums consistently during the past decade, and Fear of Music has become my favorite of theirs and obviously a favorite all-time album. Life During Wartime is probably my favorite song of theirs overall (especially the Stop Making Sense version), but it is top to bottom gems in there. I see somebody added Cities which is a great tune, so just keep that in there. Mind and Heaven are other favorites, and even while listening today tracks like Air were hitting. That one gives me big Oingo Boingo vibes, and is one I don't see mentioned much. Drugs is a trippy album closer. Great album.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

Uh oh. My "Live at the Apollo was not James Brown, it was B.B. King.

The spreadsheet was supposed to rank same named albums by then going to the artist next to rank. Obviously this was a glitch.

Let’s just keep this one on out of respect to James Brown and BB King - sadly I believe it would be either’s only appearance.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

303 (tie). Fear of Music – Talking Heads (91 points)

@KarmaPolice #16
@Dr. Octopus #49
@New Binky the Doormat #57

Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released on August 3, 1979, by Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City during April and May 1979 and was produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned the singles "Life During Wartime", "I Zimbra", and "Cities".

I do have the FFA to thank for my love of Talking Heads. I got into them more as we did a few song drafts waaay back in the day. It got me listening to their albums consistently during the past decade, and Fear of Music has become my favorite of theirs and obviously a favorite all-time album. Life During Wartime is probably my favorite song of theirs overall (especially the Stop Making Sense version), but it is top to bottom gems in there. I see somebody added Cities which is a great tune, so just keep that in there. Mind and Heaven are other favorites, and even while listening today tracks like Air were hitting. That one gives me big Oingo Boingo vibes, and is one I don't see mentioned much. Drugs is a trippy album closer. Great album.

I accidentally entered a song on playlist not thinking (you were highest ranker). Feel free to change it.

 

[Tau837]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

Break the Cycle is the third studio album by American rock band Staind, released through Flip Records and Elektra Entertainment on May 8, 2001. It is Staind's most successful album to date and was the album that broke them into the mainstream. It was a huge international success for the band, as it spent three weeks at number-one position in the U.S. album charts and many weeks in the top-10 album charts of the Billboard 200, the UK and New Zealand. It sold at least 4 million copies in 2001. The album was certified 5× platinum by the RIAA for sales of over five million units in the U.S on September 8, 2003

This is my first miss. I definitely should have had this in.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

This is the second time, I did not know the album or artist - but this one looks interesting to me.

I’ve heard of the band but know nothing about their work, including the names of their albums.

I had the song Memorial on my 4th of July playlist but I think it’s because i thought the song was named Explosions in the Sky not the band

 

[Mister CIA]

I could happily choose any of the tracks for the playlist, but could someone please put "I've Just Seen a Face" on there?

 

[Psychopav]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

Uh oh. My "Live at the Apollo was not James Brown, it was B.B. King.

The spreadsheet was supposed to rank same named albums by then going to the artist next to rank. Obviously this was a glitch.

Let’s just keep this one on out of respect to James Brown and BB King - sadly I believe it would be either’s only appearance.

That's fine by me. I'll pick a song off the BB album for the playlist and @Ilov80s can pick a James Brown song off his.

ETA: Night Life is my choice. Listen to the blues, people, listen to what they're saying!

 

[Ghost Rider]

303 (tie). Fear of Music – Talking Heads (91 points)

@KarmaPolice #16
@Dr. Octopus #49
@New Binky the Doormat #57

Fear of Music is the third studio album by the American new wave band Talking Heads, released on August 3, 1979, by Sire Records. It was recorded at locations in New York City during April and May 1979 and was produced by Brian Eno and Talking Heads. The album reached number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 33 on the UK Albums Chart. It spawned the singles "Life During Wartime", "I Zimbra", and "Cities".

I do have the FFA to thank for my love of Talking Heads. I got into them more as we did a few song drafts waaay back in the day. It got me listening to their albums consistently during the past decade, and Fear of Music has become my favorite of theirs and obviously a favorite all-time album. Life During Wartime is probably my favorite song of theirs overall (especially the Stop Making Sense version), but it is top to bottom gems in there. I see somebody added Cities which is a great tune, so just keep that in there. Mind and Heaven are other favorites, and even while listening today tracks like Air were hitting. That one gives me big Oingo Boingo vibes, and is one I don't see mentioned much. Drugs is a trippy album closer. Great album.

I ranked the Talking Heads album after this one, but Fear of Music is great as well. That definitely would have made my list had we done another 70 and gone to 140 albums.

 

[Ilov80s]

294 (tie). Help – The Beatles (93 points)

@krista4 #12
@Uruk-Hai #37

Help! is the fifth studio album by the English rock band the Beatles and the soundtrack to their film of the same name. It was released on 6 August 1965 by Parlophone. Seven of the fourteen songs, including the singles "Help!" and "Ticket to Ride", appeared in the film and take up the first side of the vinyl album. The second side includes "Yesterday", the most-covered song ever written. The album was met with favorable critical reviews and topped the Australian, German, British and American charts.

I mean, c'mon. Just one side of this album would be a career for most artists.

I limited myself to 1 per artist but Help! was my number 2 for this band. It was the first Beatles full album I bought.

 

[MAC_32]

294 (tie). The Downward Spiral – Nine Inch Nails (93 points)


@Juxtatarot #37
@Scoresman #40
@KarmaPolice #56
@BrutalPenguin #58

The Downward Spiral is the second studio album by the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails, released on March 8, 1994, by Nothing Records in the United States and Island Records in Europe. It is a concept album detailing the self-destruction of a man from the beginning of his misanthropic "downward spiral" to his suicidal breaking point. The album was a commercial success and established Nine Inch Nails as a reputable force in the 1990s music scene, with its sound being widely imitated, and the band receiving media attention and multiple honors.

Glad this made the list, it was #71 on mine, the final cut. March of the Pigs may be the best song in this genre I've ever heard, love it when the extend it live.

 

[Ilov80s]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

I somehow totally missed this post. Possibly the best live album ever made as it captures the pure electricity of the James Brown show in 1963. This probably isn't the James Brown you know. We are going way back to the album that made him a star. He is young, still very sweaty, but young and hungry. What this album has that few other do is the energy from an Apollo crowd which makes it a time machine to a place that no longer exists.

 

[Ilov80s]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

Uh oh. My "Live at the Apollo was not James Brown, it was B.B. King.

Oh well it's nice that they both at least made it!

 

[Dennis Castro]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

I somehow totally missed this post. Possibly the best live album ever made as it captures the pure electricity of the James Brown show in 1963. This probably isn't the James Brown you know. We are going way back to the album that made him a star. He is young, still very sweaty, but young and hungry. What this album has that few other do is the energy from an Apollo crowd which makes it a time machine to a place that no longer exists.

I’ve performed on stage at the Apollo before. True story.

When I took the tour a couple of years ago, the guide, who had worked there since he was a kid running errands in the 1960s, said that anyone who wanted to could get up on stage and sing whatever song they like in front of the group. So I got up there and belted out a pretty solid rendition of Minnie the Moocher. Got a good response from the crowd of about eight people.

 

[Atomic Punk]

Man I so wish life wasn’t getting in the way of me contributing more to this discussion, but unfortunately it is. I was hoping to add commentary to every album as I did with the tv show list … oh well. My Coles Notes …

• James Briwn and BB are worthy entrants
• Glad to see so many Canadian bands/artists represented already
• @Dennis Castro did such a fine write up on the Tragically Hip, I cannot offer anything more but to say, give them a try. Truly an outstanding band and iconic in Canada.
• I had never heard of Rodriguez until watching Searching for Sugarman. Bought two albums and have been playing this one more than any other in my collection ever since. Dylanesque but even more of a “I don’t give a crap” about anything vibe. Weaves a story into every song.
• Virtually every Counting Crows song on this album is on my karaoke list
• Offspring is a total banger and very deserving … big miss on my part as it is in my collection but somehow got cut
• Def Leppard has another entry from me. This album is third best imo but still incredible. Seen them multiple times and will do so again next week in Ottawa unless my plans get derailed.

Thanks again for the awesomeness this is brining me!

 

[Atomic Punk]

I cannot recall who was making the playlist for me to @ them, so if someone can pass along my choices …

• Tragically Hip - have to with Blow at High Dough, but recommend New Orleans is Sinking and 38 Years Old as well
• Rodriquez - Sugar Man has been covered and the more famous song, but I’m going with I Wonder, as it always takes me away into my deep thought (ETA, Crucify Your Mind and This Is Not a Song, It’s an Outburst are also fantastic).

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

@BrutalPenguin we are going with For You for our song right?

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

on the other hand, only the BPs are cool enough to like staind

 

[Pip's Invitation]

"August and Everything After" is another album I overlooked. Not sure if it would have quite made my 70, but at the very least should have been in consideration. To me it's a great example of a 90s album that hangs well as a whole. Great flow.

As for "Help!", when I did my first Beatles song countdown, someone crunched the numbers (maybe @falguy since he loves stats?) and determined this was my third favorite Beatles album. I ended up putting it 4th on my list for this purpose (yes, I had five of their albums on here in total, including four in my top 15), but it actually could be my top in terms of having zero songs that I actually dislike, whereas the other three above it each have at least one song I don't care for. I could happily choose any of the tracks for the playlist, but could someone please put "I've Just Seen a Face" on there?

*Only* five Beatles albums?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

How many of those sales were to women? How many women are here?

Black-Eyed Peas sold a squillion albums. How many do you think are going to be on this list?

This group is hardly representative of the overall record-buying public. Not a difficult concept to grasp.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

This group is hardly representative of the overall record-buying public. Not a difficult concept to grasp.

ok but I didn't argue that it was. Although several posters said that Jagged Litte Pill was an oversight for them. It probably would be higher on this list if given a redo.

 

[rockaction]

Great point. It's one of the most accessible instrumental jazz albums period. So much so I didn't even really mention the time signature concept because that makes it sound like it is going to be avant-garde or a challenging listen. It's anything but that. Just pure cool jazz.

Thanks, brother! Yeah, it's exactly as you describe. Incredibly pure, cool jazz and just a wonderful album. It's not hard bop or anything, but it's got an edge because of the time signature stuff going on. Really recommend it to people who don't like jazz but who also do like jazz (I honestly am one of those people who don't know enough about music to really get jazz, so I'll leave it at that).

 

[rockaction]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place is a post-rock album by the band Explosions in the Sky. It is pop/rock music composition without any lyrics. This is the band that gained slight fame when they were chosen to essentially score the Friday Night Lights movie and television show, a score that is culled at times from this particular album. The dramatic, cinematic music fit wonderfully with the guys from Permian and their journey through the fateful season that Buzz Bissinger chronicled in his book on the subject. It is a near-perfect happenstance that the band was from Midland, TX, and tried, in their own words, to recreate some of the landscape elements of Western and Central Texas through soundscapes of their own.

This is both assertive and melancholic music that comes along with a plea, to be addressed in a moment: it is spacious music with very interesting lead drumming that substitutes for whatever vocals one might be expecting and its plea is this—even though the work has a slightly estranged and melancholic feel there are flickers of defiance running through it against the notion that our existence is atomized, accidental, and means nothing. Contrary to that is that life is worth celebrating; and there are, then, fireworks for sure on a song or two if you give them a chance to go to completion. They celebrate life as we know it; often tough, unrelenting, and yet in the end it's full of hope and is rewarding if you're looking at it in ways that emphasize the beautiful and possible.

And I'm thrilled to share this with shuke (an almost tie!).

From a personal experience (and if anybody is curious) perspective, I spent many a morning driving to my job at J. Crew to open for a retail store one winter (I know, I know—I assure you I do not look like a typical sales representative for preppy clothes, and it was a new store that they had culled from temps at first), and I would listen to this album on the way in and see the sun reflecting off of the January snow. If I pulled into the parking lot before the album was over, I would sit and listen and watch my co-workers walking and I'd smile and nod at them. I often had the windows down with a cigarette going, and I realized one day that this music was now often playing in the parking lot, so I got to thinking, "What if they were interested in the beautiful music in this beautiful setting and asked me about it?" But they never really did because they had lives and concerns of their own. And yet I think, strangely, that they might have missed a moment for some beautiful music and maybe a decent conversation to enter their lives.

So no skin off my nose. Everybody is on their own trip (unreliable second-person narrator: "And why is that guy blasting music in the parking lot like he wants us to notice or something?" Heh, I get it. Wasn't trying for that, actually - Ed.) so I should say no skin off my nose other than the frostbite from the windows being down for the fresh air away from the monoxide. Damn, bro, what were you thinking with those cancer sticks?

But yeah, a fantastic album created from the thoughts of the blistering heat of summer football practice in Midland, TX, and winding up with at least one listener enduring the freeze of a Northern Connecticut winter post-Christmas attempt at a Wonderland retail setting.

I just listened to the whole album typing this. Try it. It's gorgeous and packs a punch at times.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I had the thought yesterday of wondering who my "album buddies" would be for the ones that made the countdown.

I'd have to match somebody to make this work - so far, that's only happened on Def Leppard, with a whole lotta "Who?" and "Nope!" happening on all the other listings.

*sniff*

 

[Val Rannous]

I had the thought yesterday of wondering who my "album buddies" would be for the ones that made the countdown.

I'd have to match somebody to make this work - so far, that's only happened on Def Leppard, with a whole lotta "Who?" and "Nope!" happening on all the other listings.

*sniff*

Geez. "Other than you, love of my life. "

And I know we don't 100% match. Ain't no Neil Diamond on MY list...

 

[Uruk-Hai]

"August and Everything After" is another album I overlooked. Not sure if it would have quite made my 70, but at the very least should have been in consideration. To me it's a great example of a 90s album that hangs well as a whole. Great flow.

As for "Help!", when I did my first Beatles song countdown, someone crunched the numbers (maybe @falguy since he loves stats?) and determined this was my third favorite Beatles album. I ended up putting it 4th on my list for this purpose (yes, I had five of their albums on here in total, including four in my top 15), but it actually could be my top in terms of having zero songs that I actually dislike, whereas the other three above it each have at least one song I don't care for. I could happily choose any of the tracks for the playlist, but could someone please put "I've Just Seen a Face" on there?

*Only* five Beatles albums?

I have four

By the way, WXPN is doing all 1985 songs starting at 6 a.m. ET this morning.

 

[turnjose7]

298 (tie). Live at the Apollo – James Brown and the Fabulous Flames (92 points)

@Ilov80s #7
@Psychopav #43

Live at the Apollo is the first live album by James Brown and the Famous Flames, recorded at the Apollo Theater in Harlem in October 1962 and released in May 1963 by King Records. Capturing Brown's popular stage show for the first time on record, the album was a major commercial and critical success and cemented his status as a leading R&B star.

Uh oh. My "Live at the Apollo was not James Brown, it was B.B. King.

The spreadsheet was supposed to rank same named albums by then going to the artist next to rank. Obviously this was a glitch.

Let’s just keep this one on out of respect to James Brown and BB King - sadly I believe it would be either’s only appearance.

Good plan. Both the Brown and King Apollo albums are great and were on my consideration list.

 

[zamboni]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

It's all good - everything in music is all subjective. I was just pointing out how the statistics may work out here if there is an outlier ranking towards the top. And there's nothing wrong with that - it's actually a good thing in that in may put some albums - like this one - more on my radar than it otherwise may have.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

I’d rather our list look like this than some typical cookie cutter list - I’m not really a Nu Metal fan but if people like it here, Im glad to see the genre get some love here.

There will be plenty of “classics” to come as well - but new discoveries is what these threads are really mostly about.

I know you’re not really a music guy (don’t mean that as an insult) - just basing that off of you only submitting 22 albums - but I’m glad you joined anyway.

Also I think you took a little insult at zamboni’s post - and I don’t think he meant it that way at all. In fact he said he would check that album out.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help

I have a feeling the Beatles will get their revenge in the end.

 

[zamboni]

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help

I have a feeling the Beatles will get their revenge in the end.

No question. Only you and kupcho know the results, but my guess is that their rankings may be more diffuse than typical if many folks like myself voted for only one album (or a few albums) per artist.

 

[KarmaPolice]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

How many of those sales were to women? How many women are here?

Black-Eyed Peas sold a squillion albums. How many do you think are going to be on this list?

This group is hardly representative of the overall record-buying public. Not a difficult concept to grasp.

Good point on the demographics.

Also, we bring up age as well, and this crew might lean a little older than the typical person buying Alanis in the 90s. On top of that like in my case buying <> listening. I had 100s of CDs, JLP being one, that I owned but never really listened to. I did listen to Jagged Little Pill a few months ago and it's a damn good album. I had forgotten a couple like You Learn and Head Over Feet, but IMO there are a couple duds and I could die happy never hearing Ironic again.

I think in general during these we focus too much on box office, awards, and sales during these ranking countdowns. I don't care what the masses think, I want to know what the cool people of the FFA like, and why they like it.

 

[zamboni]

I don't care what the masses think, I want to know what the cool people of the FFA like, and why they like it.

That's fair, but both can be true at the same time. There are plenty of crappy albums that sell a gazillion copies, but in many cases, they sell very well because they're excellent albums. Not giving away any spoilers here, but I have Thriller and Rumours ranked prominently on my list because they're that good. I also really like Jagged, but just missed.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I don't care what the masses think, I want to know what the cool people of the FFA like, and why they like it.

That's fair, but both can be true at the same time. There are plenty of crappy albums that sell a gazillion copies, but in many cases, they sell very well because they're excellent albums. Not giving away any spoilers here, but I have Thriller and Rumours ranked prominently on my list because they're that good. I also really like Jagged, but just missed.

Oh, for sure. I'm definitely not some hipster thinking anything with big sales or got popular is crap. We can also list a ton of albums that sold a lot, but were very hit-heavy and not great top to bottom albums. That is something i was thinking but didn't get that point across.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

294 (tie). Break the Cycle – Staind (93 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #3
@BrutalPenguin #46

The power of large (or small) numbers here. That #3 ranking gives it a huge boost to put it ahead of Help and other classic albums. Admittedly I haven't heard this album, so I am intrigued.

I'm sure these statistical outliers will be much more streamlined once we get much higher in the countdown.

I mean, the way this is done isn't the most accurate or scientific way of doing this, IMHO. It's not a shot at Doc Oct or anyone that enjoys this way or me saying that I have a better way just that I think that, as @zamboni fairly points out, its only this high because I ****ed everything up by not listening to a ton of albums as a kid and even now I still just mostly listen to some songs I like. It did sell 5 million albums so I assume someone other than us (Penguin and I) like it, they just might not be on this site. Commercial success and quality don't share a direct correlation but I think there is some truth in it. Did you guys know that Jagged Little Pill is the 13th best selling album of all time and it didn't even crack the top 300 on this list? I am blown away by both stats. Staind is apparently not very popular but I think Break the Cycle is a very good album and barely cracking the top 300 doesn't seem like some insane absurdity. Beyond the big hits like Outside, Fade, and It's Been Awhile you get a beautiful song like Epiphany or one like Suffer, He's not Chris Cornell, but I like Aaron Lewis as a vocalist as well. I'm not a music critic or anything but for me, as I'm sure with a lot of albums for you guys, this is an album that I can listen to and enjoy. Maybe it doesn't have the same artistic value as X band. **** all the haters. I will give you that its not the 3rd best album of all time though.

How many of those sales were to women? How many women are here?

Black-Eyed Peas sold a squillion albums. How many do you think are going to be on this list?

This group is hardly representative of the overall record-buying public. Not a difficult concept to grasp.

Elephunk was pretty solid. I had the original when the hit song was still called Let’s Get Retarded

Completely spaced on it until I was listening to Boom Boom Pow the other day (also on my 4th of July playlist)

Not sure it would have made the cut but I played the hell out of it back in 2003 or whatever it came out

 

[rockaction]

2003

eta* exactly right!

I was saying 2008 or so. "We so two thousand and eight/you so two thousand and late."

SNL found that lyric so irresistible they did a sketch about it (no lie)

eta2* wrong song, wrong album anyway. LOL.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

2003

eta* exactly right!

I was saying 2008 or so. "We so two thousand and eight/you so two thousand and late."

SNL found that lyric so irresistible they did a sketch about it (no lie)

eta2* wrong song, wrong album anyway. LOL.

Yeah my bad I knew boom boom
Pow was from a later album I just didn’t make it clear

 

[rockaction]

2003

eta* exactly right!

I was saying 2008 or so. "We so two thousand and eight/you so two thousand and late."

SNL found that lyric so irresistible they did a sketch about it (no lie)

eta2* wrong song, wrong album anyway. LOL.

Yeah my bad I knew boom boom
Pow was from a later album I just didn’t make it clear

Heh. Naw, man, I thought I messed up again. Like twice. I was going for the world record. I guess you did mention "Boom Boom Pow," so that might have been what threw me.

That SNL skit was pretty funny, IMO. The lyric was a bit Fergiediculous.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

290 (tie). The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem (94 points)

@BLOCKED PUNT #20
@titusbramble #41
@Nick Vermeil #58

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Production on the album was handled by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man, F.B.T., Eminem, and The 45 King. The album spawned three hit singles: "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am" and "Stan", and features guest appearances from Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Dina Rae, Bizarre, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Paul Rosenberg and D12.

 

[zamboni]

Yeah my bad I knew boom boom
Pow was from a later album I just didn’t make it clear

I have this vision of Glenn Miller reading this from beyond and saying "WTF".

 

[Dr. Octopus]

290 (tie). Meddle – Pink Floyd (94 points)

@shuke #26
@jwb #43
@Dwayne_Castro #60
@Mister CIA #61

Meddle is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released by Harvest Records on 5 November 1971 in the United Kingdom. The album was produced between the band's touring commitments, from January to August 1971 at a series of locations around London, including EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) and Morgan Studios.
With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album's direction, the band devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album's signature track "Echoes". Although the band's later albums would be unified by a central theme chosen by Roger Waters, and thematically consistent lyrics written entirely by Waters, Meddle was a group effort with Waters contributing primarily to the lyrics and the bass. It is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the 1960s and the Waters-led era of the 1970s.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Staind and Eminem will make for an interesting mix this morning.

 

[MAC_32]

290 (tie). The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem (94 points)

@BLOCKED PUNT #20
@titusbramble #41
@Nick Vermeil #58

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Production on the album was handled by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man, F.B.T., Eminem, and The 45 King. The album spawned three hit singles: "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am" and "Stan", and features guest appearances from Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Dina Rae, Bizarre, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Paul Rosenberg and D12.

Happily surprised this made the cut. It was on my original list, but I quickly realized why it wouldn't make the final list - waaaay too many skips. The highs are VERY high and I'd put Stan up there among the greatest rap songs ever made though.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

290 (tie). Meddle – Pink Floyd (94 points)

@shuke #26
@jwb #43
@Dwayne_Castro #60
@Mister CIA #61

Meddle is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released by Harvest Records on 5 November 1971 in the United Kingdom. The album was produced between the band's touring commitments, from January to August 1971 at a series of locations around London, including EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) and Morgan Studios.
With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album's direction, the band devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album's signature track "Echoes". Although the band's later albums would be unified by a central theme chosen by Roger Waters, and thematically consistent lyrics written entirely by Waters, Meddle was a group effort with Waters contributing primarily to the lyrics and the bass. It is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the 1960s and the Waters-led era of the 1970s.

I like echoes but the rest of the album is just ok for me and I had several other Floyd albums on the list

I do like San Tropez too