Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 195. A Love Supreme – John Coltrane (81 Viewers)

[Pip's Invitation]

224 (tie). Abraxas – Santana (118 points)

@Atomic Punk #29
@Snoopy @48
@Chaos34 #48
@Pip's Invitation #50
@Mister CIA #62

Abraxas is the second studio album by American Latin rock band Santana. It was released on September 23, 1970, by Columbia Records and became the band's first album to top the Billboard 200 in the United States. In 2020, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album number 334 on its list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time"

There was nothing like Santana's blend of rock, jazz, blues and Latin music when their first album came out in 1969. The follow-up Abraxas had the same mix but was even better. The instrumental interplay between the band members was impeccable, but what sets Abraxas apart is the universally strong quality of the songs, both the originals and the covers. I picked Oye Como Va in the covers countdown and Incident at Neshabur -- one of the best instrumentals of the rock era, for my money -- in the rest-of-the-world geographic countdown (this lineup had people from Mexico, Nicaragua and the US).

These early Santana albums inspired bands with equally thrilling and diverse material, from War to Mandrill to Carlos Santana's brother Jorge's band, Malo.

 

[pacman_fl]

I haven't been able to keep up this week, but I look forward to sampling some of the albums less familiar to me. I appreciate the running countdown on page one and have some personal notes on recent entries:

Tres Hombres - I can't state enough how much this album means to me and Texas blues rock.

I've Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You - from the magical Fame studios in Muscle Shoals where magic happened, including this masterpiece.

Everything All The Time - Band of Horses is such a great band and I'm glad they found a place here. I'd have to really drill down on my personal list but I can see this.

Blizzard of Ozz - Randy Rhodes. Man

Black Sabbath - Iconic.....whether you dig it or not, iconic, and it's not necessarily all my cup of tea.

 

[Dwayne_Castro]

217 (tie). From the Cradle – Eric Clapton (121 points)

@Psychopav #6
@Dwayne_Castro #15

From the Cradle is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 12 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records. A blues cover album and Clapton's follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged, it is his only UK number-one album to date.

Although he had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton's first attempt at an all-blues album. He would subsequently record Riding with the King with B. B. King; a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson; and a collaboration with J. J. Cale, The Road to Escondido.

I’m also a fan of Riding With the King. I could have ranked that one easily, but it slipped through the cracks on me.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

222 (tie). Station to Station – David Bowie (119 points)

@Eephus #8
@Mookie Gizzy #15

Station to Station is the tenth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 23 January 1976 through RCA Records. Regarded as one of his most significant works, the album was the vehicle for Bowie's performance persona the Thin White Duke. Co-produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin, Station to Station was mainly recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California, in late 1975, after Bowie completed shooting the film The Man Who Fell to Earth; the cover art featured a still from the film. During the sessions, Bowie was suffering from various drug addictions, most prominently cocaine, and later said that he recalled almost nothing of the production.

If I had chosen a Bowie album, it would have been this one. Come to think of it, it does sound like a cocaine album. "Golden Years" definitely has that Studio 54 vibe about it.

 

[timschochet]

I’m still in Europe so apologies for the delay in this response. I completely miffed on ZZ Top. Both their first album and Tres Hombres should have been on my list. So so good. As good as blues rock gets and that’s my favorite genre.

As for This Years Model my vote would be for “This Year’s Girl”.

 

[Eephus]

222 (tie). Station to Station – David Bowie (119 points)

@Eephus #8
@Mookie Gizzy #15

Station to Station is the tenth studio album by the English musician David Bowie, released on 23 January 1976 through RCA Records. Regarded as one of his most significant works, the album was the vehicle for Bowie's performance persona the Thin White Duke. Co-produced by Bowie and Harry Maslin, Station to Station was mainly recorded at Cherokee Studios in Los Angeles, California, in late 1975, after Bowie completed shooting the film The Man Who Fell to Earth; the cover art featured a still from the film. During the sessions, Bowie was suffering from various drug addictions, most prominently cocaine, and later said that he recalled almost nothing of the production.

I didn't really come around on this album in a big way until the last few years; I am a big fan now, though!

Two Bowie albums made my list and this wasn't one of them, but had I been able to go 3 or 4 deep, it would have made it. Word on a Wing and Stay are both absolutely incredible.

I’m afraid to see how much @kupcho1 and @Dr. Octopus had to deal with on the one Bowie album I have on my list. Hoping I did it correctly but I’m sure I probably messed it up.

My one album per artist restriction was especially tough for artists like Bowie who released wildly disparate records. Station to Station seems more personally "Bowie" than his earlier stuff with the Spiders and more consistent front to back than the trilogy of albums that followed. I could have gone with a half dozen others without much of a dropoff.

Station to Station is the first album with his great rhythm section of George Murray, Dennis Davis and Carlos Alomar and features some of Bowie's finest crooning.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

220 (tie). Lost Souls – Doves (120 points)

@titusbramble #13
@Dreaded Marco #35
@landrys hat #45

Lost Souls is the debut studio album by British indie rock band Doves, released by Heavenly Recordings on 3 April 2000. The album was recorded over a period of several years, following the dissolution of Doves' original musical incarnation as house music act Sub Sub. Lost Souls was a moderate chart success in the UK; the album peaked at number 16, while the three singles taken from the album charted in the Top 40.

I didn't discover Doves until in the last few years when people on this board spotlighted them. I got to delve into a lot of their material when they were featured in one of the MAD countdowns and have listened to them somewhat regularly ever since. This album has my two favorites from them, "Catch the Sun" and "Rise."

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Catch the Sun from Lost Souls please

Added.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

217 (tie). From the Cradle – Eric Clapton (121 points)

@Psychopav #6
@Dwayne_Castro #15

From the Cradle is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 12 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records. A blues cover album and Clapton's follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged, it is his only UK number-one album to date.

Although he had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton's first attempt at an all-blues album. He would subsequently record Riding with the King with B. B. King; a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson; and a collaboration with J. J. Cale, The Road to Escondido.

I find some of Clapton's solo work sleepy, but he absolutely snarls on this album.

 

[Eephus]

If I get to pick a Station to Station song for the unlistenable playlist, please roll one d6 to select one of the six tracks.

 

[jwb]

222 (tie). The Concert in Central Park – Simon and Garfunkel (119 points)

@Psychopav #8
@simey #41
@jwb 26 #45

The Concert in Central Park is the first live album by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released on February 16, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded on September 19, 1981, at a free benefit concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park, New York City, where the pair performed in front of 500,000 people. A film of the event was shown on TV and released on video. Proceeds went toward the redevelopment and maintenance of the park, which had deteriorated due to lack of municipal funding. The concert and album marked the start of a three-year reunion of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

It would be hard for me to overstate the impact this album had on me. I am a child of the 70s and 80s, and Simon & Garfunkel did this reunion concert when I was only 10 years old. My mom was an S&G fan and had all 5 of their albums. She was a big fan of this concert tape as well and listened to it a lot in the years after it came out.

As for me, I was more than happy to make fun of the duo. It was too easy really - the name "Garfunkel", Art's hair, the artsy album covers, folkiness of the music, and just the allure of being a contrarian (aka snotnosed brat). But then about 5 years after this concert, Paul came out with a solo album that was a pretty big hit. It got my attention, and caused me to listen to S&G in earnest with fresh ears. I played this tape over and over over the next few years and developed a deep, deep appreciation for Paul Simon and both his solo and especially the Simon and Garfunkel catalogues. I've seen Paul Simon live 4 or 5 times since then, including taking my mom to see the Old Friends tour which was a great experience in itself that I'll probably write more about later. One thing about Paul Simon is that he was always rearranging, tweaking, adding to and taking away from the album versions of his songs, and as a result his concerts have always had a freshness and liveliness that goes beyond the typical rehashing of greatest hits that you normally get out of a performer who's been doing it for as long as he has.

As far as a song from this album, I'm definitely open to whatever @simey and @jwb have to say. My initial thought was to pick from among "Homeward Bound", "America", and "American Tune". If I have to pick one, I'd go with the first - both because the arrangement and harmonies are better than the album version imo and also because it's one of the only tracks where you can hear Simon addressing the crowd after the song ends, thanking the police department, the fire department, the parks commissioner, the mayor, and "the guys who are selling loose joints".

Homeward bound would be my choice too - especially this version. It just really hits.

Nice writeup.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I love those first few albums, along with some of their later stuff.

 

[Ilov80s]

I’m still in Europe so apologies for the delay in this response. I completely miffed on ZZ Top. Both their first album and Tres Hombres should have been on my list. So so good. As good as blues rock gets and that’s my favorite genre.

As for This Years Model my vote would be for “This Year’s Girl”.

Done

 

[Mister CIA]

229 (tie). Tre Hombres – ZZ Top (116 points)

Jeb #11
@Mister CIA #21
@Val Rannous #65


Tres Hombres (Spanish for "three men") is the third studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released on July 26, 1973, by London Records. It was the band's first collaboration with engineer Terry Manning. The album was ZZ Top's commercial breakthrough in the United States, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1974. Lead single "La Grange" reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first of many of the band's albums to incorporate the use of Spanish terminology in its branding.

I have a feeling this would have made my theoretical top 70. I have often said ZZ Top walked so SRV could run. I understand the hyperbole, but the groundswell of Texas blues rock originated here (in my mind). I find my way back to this album often and then weave my way back to Stevie with the same thread.

Don't forget about Lightnin' Hopkins. ...assuming I'm not dropping a spoiler here.

Sky Hop

- 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

 

[Psychopav]

As far as a song from this album, I'm definitely open to whatever @simey and @jwb have to say. My initial thought was to pick from among "Homeward Bound", "America", and "American Tune". If I have to pick one, I'd go with the first - both because the arrangement and harmonies are better than the album version imo and also because it's one of the only tracks where you can hear Simon addressing the crowd after the song ends, thanking the police department, the fire department, the parks commissioner, the mayor, and "the guys who are selling loose joints".

"Homeward Bound" is my favorite song by them, so it's fine by me to choose that one. I also like "The Boxer" version with the added verse.

Now the years are rolling by me
They are rocking evenly
And I am older than I once was
And younger than I'll be
That's not unusual
No, it isn't strange
After changes upon changes
We are more or less the same
After changes we are more or less the same

222 (tie). The Concert in Central Park – Simon and Garfunkel (119 points)

@Psychopav #8
@simey #41
@jwb 26 #45

The Concert in Central Park is the first live album by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released on February 16, 1982, by Warner Bros. Records. It was recorded on September 19, 1981, at a free benefit concert on the Great Lawn in Central Park, New York City, where the pair performed in front of 500,000 people. A film of the event was shown on TV and released on video. Proceeds went toward the redevelopment and maintenance of the park, which had deteriorated due to lack of municipal funding. The concert and album marked the start of a three-year reunion of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel.

It would be hard for me to overstate the impact this album had on me. I am a child of the 70s and 80s, and Simon & Garfunkel did this reunion concert when I was only 10 years old. My mom was an S&G fan and had all 5 of their albums. She was a big fan of this concert tape as well and listened to it a lot in the years after it came out.

As for me, I was more than happy to make fun of the duo. It was too easy really - the name "Garfunkel", Art's hair, the artsy album covers, folkiness of the music, and just the allure of being a contrarian (aka snotnosed brat). But then about 5 years after this concert, Paul came out with a solo album that was a pretty big hit. It got my attention, and caused me to listen to S&G in earnest with fresh ears. I played this tape over and over over the next few years and developed a deep, deep appreciation for Paul Simon and both his solo and especially the Simon and Garfunkel catalogues. I've seen Paul Simon live 4 or 5 times since then, including taking my mom to see the Old Friends tour which was a great experience in itself that I'll probably write more about later. One thing about Paul Simon is that he was always rearranging, tweaking, adding to and taking away from the album versions of his songs, and as a result his concerts have always had a freshness and liveliness that goes beyond the typical rehashing of greatest hits that you normally get out of a performer who's been doing it for as long as he has.

As far as a song from this album, I'm definitely open to whatever @simey and @jwb have to say. My initial thought was to pick from among "Homeward Bound", "America", and "American Tune". If I have to pick one, I'd go with the first - both because the arrangement and harmonies are better than the album version imo and also because it's one of the only tracks where you can hear Simon addressing the crowd after the song ends, thanking the police department, the fire department, the parks commissioner, the mayor, and "the guys who are selling loose joints".

Homeward bound would be my choice too - especially this version. It just really hits.

Nice writeup.

So let it be written, so let it be done. Homeward Bound Live it is!

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If I get to pick a Station to Station song for the unlistenable playlist, please roll one d6 to select one of the six tracks.

I rolled a 2, so track 2, Golden Years, has been added.

 

[pacman_fl]

229 (tie). Tre Hombres – ZZ Top (116 points)

Jeb #11
@Mister CIA #21
@Val Rannous #65


Tres Hombres (Spanish for "three men") is the third studio album by the American rock band ZZ Top, released on July 26, 1973, by London Records. It was the band's first collaboration with engineer Terry Manning. The album was ZZ Top's commercial breakthrough in the United States, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1974. Lead single "La Grange" reached number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first of many of the band's albums to incorporate the use of Spanish terminology in its branding.

I have a feeling this would have made my theoretical top 70. I have often said ZZ Top walked so SRV could run. I understand the hyperbole, but the groundswell of Texas blues rock originated here (in my mind). I find my way back to this album often and then weave my way back to Stevie with the same thread.

Don't forget about Lightnin' Hopkins. ...assuming I'm not dropping a spoiler here.

Sky Hop

- 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

Indeed so.

 

[Eephus]

If I get to pick a Station to Station song for the unlistenable playlist, please roll one d6 to select one of the six tracks.

I rolled a 2, so track 2, Golden Years, has been added.

Dice playing it safe

 

[SayChowda]

227 (tie). Check Your Head – Beastie Boys (117 points)

@SayChowda #6
@Yo Mama #19

Check Your Head is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on April 21, 1992, by Grand Royal and Capitol Records. Three years elapsed between the releases of the band's previous studio album Paul's Boutique (1989) and Check Your Head, which was recorded at the G-Son Studios in Atwater Village in 1991 under the guidance of producer Mario Caldato Jr., the group's third producer in as many albums. Less sample-heavy than their previous records, the album features instrumental contributions from all three members: Adam Horovitz on guitar, Adam Yauch on bass guitar, and Mike Diamond on drums.

As rockaction mentioned earlier, the IP laws threw hip-hop into a pretty seismic shift at the time. I was curious and a bit concerned how Beastie Boys was going to adjust at the time since they were so sample heavy in their 80s albums.

Check Your Head is definitely one of those “remember where you were” albums when I first listened to it. It was such a new, refreshing sound that perfectly blended their hip-hop bonafides with their punk roots, with the band members providing the instrumental backing throughout the album.

Check Your Head as an album was an incredible mix of a rock album (with songs flowing seamlessly together, hard rocking jams and instrumental interludes) and a hip-hop album (with skits and massive hits).

Here were the songs from this album on my MAD countdown:
3- So What’cha Want
6- Pass the Mic
8- Jimmy James
11- Stand Together
15- Finger Lickin’ Good
27- Gratitude
(With Professor Booty and Groove Holmes near misses)

Incredible album.

You and @rockaction both explained this album well.

I had the album release flyer (either Tower Records or Strawberries) hanging up in my room for years.

For a song, @Yo Mama are in agreement. Can someone please add So What'cha want to the play list?

 

[Psychopav]

217 (tie). From the Cradle – Eric Clapton (121 points)

@Psychopav #6
@Dwayne_Castro #15

From the Cradle is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 12 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records. A blues cover album and Clapton's follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged, it is his only UK number-one album to date.

Although he had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton's first attempt at an all-blues album. He would subsequently record Riding with the King with B. B. King; a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson; and a collaboration with J. J. Cale, The Road to Escondido.

Wow I got a two fer today, eh?

So this album came out right about the time I realized that I kind of really like the blues. Not only is it a great album from start to finish (my least favorite track happens to be the one hit from the album, "Motherless Child"), it is a great survey of blues standards from across years and artists. Without this album, I wouldn't have gotten into BB King or Muddy Waters, or even SRV (although there are no SRV covers here, the album opens with a song SRV famously covered with Albert King).

Although I disagree with @Pip's Invitation in that I find Clapton's solo work to be melodic and inspirational, I agree that he really rips on this album.

For the playlist, I'll suggest one of these (in order of preference):

Five Long Years
Groaning the Blues
Sinner's Prayer

@Dwayne_Castro - thoughts?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

If I get to pick a Station to Station song for the unlistenable playlist, please roll one d6 to select one of the six tracks.

I rolled a 2, so track 2, Golden Years, has been added.

Dice playing it safe

I was rooting for 5 myself.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

227 (tie). Check Your Head – Beastie Boys (117 points)

@SayChowda #6
@Yo Mama #19

Check Your Head is the third studio album by the American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released on April 21, 1992, by Grand Royal and Capitol Records. Three years elapsed between the releases of the band's previous studio album Paul's Boutique (1989) and Check Your Head, which was recorded at the G-Son Studios in Atwater Village in 1991 under the guidance of producer Mario Caldato Jr., the group's third producer in as many albums. Less sample-heavy than their previous records, the album features instrumental contributions from all three members: Adam Horovitz on guitar, Adam Yauch on bass guitar, and Mike Diamond on drums.

As rockaction mentioned earlier, the IP laws threw hip-hop into a pretty seismic shift at the time. I was curious and a bit concerned how Beastie Boys was going to adjust at the time since they were so sample heavy in their 80s albums.

Check Your Head is definitely one of those “remember where you were” albums when I first listened to it. It was such a new, refreshing sound that perfectly blended their hip-hop bonafides with their punk roots, with the band members providing the instrumental backing throughout the album.

Check Your Head as an album was an incredible mix of a rock album (with songs flowing seamlessly together, hard rocking jams and instrumental interludes) and a hip-hop album (with skits and massive hits).

Here were the songs from this album on my MAD countdown:
3- So What’cha Want
6- Pass the Mic
8- Jimmy James
11- Stand Together
15- Finger Lickin’ Good
27- Gratitude
(With Professor Booty and Groove Holmes near misses)

Incredible album.

You and @rockaction both explained this album well.

I had the album release flyer (either Tower Records or Strawberries) hanging up in my room for years.

For a song, @Yo Mama are in agreement. Can someone please add So What'cha want to the play list?

Added.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

224 (tie). Abraxas – Santana (118 points)

@Atomic Punk #29
@Snoopy @48
@Chaos34 #48
@Pip's Invitation #50
@Mister CIA #62

Abraxas is the second studio album by American Latin rock band Santana. It was released on September 23, 1970, by Columbia Records and became the band's first album to top the Billboard 200 in the United States. In 2020, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the album number 334 on its list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time"

@Atomic Punk It's your call for a track to go on the playlist. There are no wrong answers as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Dwayne_Castro]

217 (tie). From the Cradle – Eric Clapton (121 points)

@Psychopav #6
@Dwayne_Castro #15

From the Cradle is the twelfth solo studio album by Eric Clapton, released on 12 September 1994 by Warner Bros. Records. A blues cover album and Clapton's follow-up to his successful 1992 live album, Unplugged, it is his only UK number-one album to date.

Although he had long been associated with the blues, From the Cradle was Clapton's first attempt at an all-blues album. He would subsequently record Riding with the King with B. B. King; a tribute to Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson; and a collaboration with J. J. Cale, The Road to Escondido.

Wow I got a two fer today, eh?

So this album came out right about the time I realized that I kind of really like the blues. Not only is it a great album from start to finish (my least favorite track happens to be the one hit from the album, "Motherless Child"), it is a great survey of blues standards from across years and artists. Without this album, I wouldn't have gotten into BB King or Muddy Waters, or even SRV (although there are no SRV covers here, the album opens with a song SRV famously covered with Albert King).

Although I disagree with @Pip's Invitation in that I find Clapton's solo work to be melodic and inspirational, I agree that he really rips on this album.

For the playlist, I'll suggest one of these (in order of preference):

Five Long Years
Groaning the Blues
Sinner's Prayer

@Dwayne_Castro - thoughts?

I agree with you. This album solidified my enjoyment of blues. I think Clapton did great justice to all of these songs and artists. I’ll also agree with “Five Long Years” for the playlist. I think that has some of Clapton’s best guitar work.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I love those first few albums, along with some of their later stuff.

I like these guys, somehow they ended up in my library not really sure how I came across them

Never put on a full album but usually when they pop up I find myself asking “hey who’s that”

 

[Juxtatarot]

It’s kind of interesting to compare album lengths over the years. Always a variety but in the CD era, albums got longer and it was common to have at least 50 minutes up to filling up the CD (70?). Otherwise, you didn’t think you got your money’s worth.

Today, we often see under 40 minutes for newer bands. No reason for filler when people aren’t generally buying.

 

[MAC_32]

It’s kind of interesting to compare album lengths over the years. Always a variety but in the CD area, albums got longer and it was common to have at least 50 minutes up to filling up the CD (70?). Otherwise, you didn’t think you got your money’s worth.

Today, we often see under 40 minutes for newer bands. No reason for filler when people aren’t generally buying.

CD max was 80 minutes. I was taken aback when I saw Linkin Park's new album barely topped a half hour.

 

[KarmaPolice]

220 (tie). Ghosts of the Great Highway – Sun Kil Moon (120 points)

@KarmaPolice #14
@shuke #19
@Eephus #60

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos (former drummer for Red House Painters), Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

Oooh, @shuke didn't let me down. Here was one of the two I had in mind that I thought Shuke would have up there with me. I know gb @Eephus is also a fan, but I suspected he had many others he was looking at as well, and didn't know if Ghosts would make his list. The other Shuke is on the hook for giving big points to is from a band who's new album releases in about 29 hours...

My in for this album was the Vanilla Sky soundtrack. The version of Have You Forgotten that was on that album was outstanding and that was what got me into a couple Red House Painters albums. Ghosts of the Great Highway came later, as I wasn't a big enough fan to know that the band changed and think I stumbled on the follow up to this and got me to this one. I talk about this one enough it might be a surprised it's outside my top 10, but I couldn't justify it any higher. Carry Me Ohio was my first in for this album, and that would be a great entry for others who haven't heard this album, but Gentle Moon is a favorite as well. Either of you have a lean?

 

[Eephus]

Oooh, @shuke didn't let me down. Here was one of the two I had in mind that I thought Shuke would have up there with me. I know gb @Eephus is also a fan, but I suspected he had many others he was looking at as well, and didn't know if Ghosts would make his list.

Sun Kil Moon was one of only two Bay Area homies to make my list. Kozelek wasn't born here but neither was I.

Kozelek has seemingly made dozens of albums since but none of them are as well constructed out as Ghosts. I thought about ranking a Red House Painters album instead but that would be too arcane for a popularity contest.

 

[Ilov80s]

220 (tie). Ghosts of the Great Highway – Sun Kil Moon (120 points)

@KarmaPolice #14
@shuke #19
@Eephus #60

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos (former drummer for Red House Painters), Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

Carry Me Ohio is such a beautiful haunting song

 

[rockaction]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I went back and forth between this and Pink Flag as my high Wire selection. This album was a little more refined but even more experimental. Some songs eschew typical verse-chorus-verse structures like the one I might select, although I'd like to get Barry's agreement on a track if he feels strongly about one. If I had my druthers then I'd go with one of the three that end Side One and begin Side Two: "Heartbeat," the closing track from Side One without that traditional structure mentioned before but still a potential pop song; "Misery," with its more post-rock crescendo feel; or "Outdoor Miner," a beautiful track which would be the popular track today. But when somebody else rates the album so highly then one would like his or her input.

@Barry2, what say you?

As another critical aside, this album is more than the sum of its parts. The transition, for instance, from the moodier and more pleasing nature of those three songs to "I Am The Fly," the lead single that many people found off-putting and jarring, makes much more sense in the album context than the song "I Am The Fly" does as lead single from this wonderful album. Many people have the wrong idea about this album's aspirations towards beauty because of its sequencing to its lead single (eta*sequencing and its lead single). They find it abrasive and too challenging. But that is completely not the case with this one. I'd say a listen to this album deserves to be a background listen at first and then can graduate to a foreground listen once one is aware of its sublime ethereality. Plenty hard-edged and distorted enough but often wonderfully pretty (I edited that because Robert Smith just popped in my head) in spots that make some of the more challenging bits of music all worth it.

 

[kupcho1]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I've never heard of this one in my life, but it's right up my alley. I'm enjoying it immensely.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

220 (tie). Ghosts of the Great Highway – Sun Kil Moon (120 points)

@KarmaPolice #14
@shuke #19
@Eephus #60

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos (former drummer for Red House Painters), Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

Carry Me Ohio is such a beautiful haunting song

He’s a major, unlikable dude but Kozelek writes some great songs—- like that one.

 

[Eephus]

220 (tie). Ghosts of the Great Highway – Sun Kil Moon (120 points)

@KarmaPolice #14
@shuke #19
@Eephus #60

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos (former drummer for Red House Painters), Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

Carry Me Ohio is such a beautiful haunting song

He’s a major, unlikable dude but Kozelek writes some great songs—- like that one.

He was never that big to have such an ego but nevertheless...

 

[shuke]

Close to the Edge became the band's greatest commercial success at the time of release

This is very surprising to me.

 

[Mt. Man]

Always though the bonus track Disgustipated being track 69 was a nice Easter egg (especially as a teenager), tempted to go with that one for the playlist but not sure what version is on Spotify because the album track “ends at 6:45. Sounds of crickets chirping can be heard for 7 minutes and 5 seconds, then at 13:50 a hidden message plays while the crickets continue until the end”

Sober was their first hit and I think Swamp Song and Intolerance are both great (all the songs are good and no interludes like some of their other albums) but I’ll go with Prison Sex for the setlist.

The Spotify version is the elongated/combined version, clocking in at 15 minutes and 47 seconds. So it was probably wise to look elsewhere.

 

[Barry2]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I went back and forth between this and Pink Flag as my high Wire selection. This album was a little more refined but even more experimental. Some songs eschew typical verse-chorus-verse structures like the one I might select, although I'd like to get Barry's agreement on a track if he feels strongly about one. If I had my druthers then I'd go with one of the three that end Side One and begin Side Two: "Heartbeat," the closing track from Side One without that traditional structure mentioned before but still a potential pop song; "Misery," with its more post-rock crescendo feel; or "Outdoor Miner," a beautiful track which would be the popular track today. But when somebody else rates the album so highly then one would like his or her input.

@Barry2, what say you?

As another critical aside, this album is more than the sum of its parts. The transition, for instance, from the moodier and more pleasing nature of those three songs to "I Am The Fly," the lead single that many people found off-putting and jarring, makes much more sense in the album context than the song "I Am The Fly" does as lead single from this wonderful album. Many people have the wrong idea about this album's aspirations towards beauty because of its sequencing to its lead single. They find it abrasive and too challenging. But that is completely not the case with this one. I'd say a listen to this one deserves to be a background listen at first and then can graduate to a foreground listen once one is aware of its sublime ethereality. Just wonderful in spots that make it all worth it, IMO.

There doesn't seem to be a bad choice or a great one either, as you said "more than the sum of the parts". If it's an introduction to Wire I'd go Mercy, Too Late, or Men 2nd. An intro to Chairs than Outdoor Miner, Fly, or maybe Another the Letter.

 

[shuke]

220 (tie). Ghosts of the Great Highway – Sun Kil Moon (120 points)

@KarmaPolice #14
@shuke #19
@Eephus #60

Ghosts of the Great Highway is the debut studio album by San Francisco quartet Sun Kil Moon, led by Red House Painters' founder Mark Kozelek, who composed all of the lyrics and music on this album. The other members are Anthony Koutsos (former drummer for Red House Painters), Geoff Stanfield, and Tim Mooney.

Oooh, @shuke didn't let me down. Here was one of the two I had in mind that I thought Shuke would have up there with me. I know gb @Eephus is also a fan, but I suspected he had many others he was looking at as well, and didn't know if Ghosts would make his list. The other Shuke is on the hook for giving big points to is from a band who's new album releases in about 29 hours...

My in for this album was the Vanilla Sky soundtrack. The version of Have You Forgotten that was on that album was outstanding and that was what got me into a couple Red House Painters albums. Ghosts of the Great Highway came later, as I wasn't a big enough fan to know that the band changed and think I stumbled on the follow up to this and got me to this one. I talk about this one enough it might be a surprised it's outside my top 10, but I couldn't justify it any higher. Carry Me Ohio was my first in for this album, and that would be a great entry for others who haven't heard this album, but Gentle Moon is a favorite as well. Either of you have a lean?

It's your pick for the playlist, you earned it. I will note that Carry Me Ohio was #30 on the shukelist countdown.

So happy to see this make the list. There is something about Kozelek's voice that just does it for me. I discovered them when I was still using Pandora years ago and this came up on my Wilco station.

 

[shuke]

I thought about ranking a Red House Painters album instead but that would be too arcane for a popularity contest.

Well damn, that doesn't give me much hope for my pick making the list.

 

[Rand al Thor]

I was surprised to see my name off the list for Undertow and the Concert in Central Park. I thought for sure those were included, but I guess they were both late scratches. Both would've been in my top 100 for sure, and I really don't know what I put on my list instead of the Simon and Garfunkel album. That was a big miss on my part.

 

[rockaction]

217 (tie). Chairs Missing – Wire (121 points)

@rockaction #7
@Barry2 #14

Chairs Missing is the second studio album by the English rock band Wire. It was released on 8 September 1978 through Harvest Records. It uses more developed song structures than the minimalist punk rock of the group's first album. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim.

The album peaked at number 48 in the UK Albums Chart. The single "Outdoor Miner" was a minor hit, peaking at number 51 in the UK singles chart.

I went back and forth between this and Pink Flag as my high Wire selection. This album was a little more refined but even more experimental. Some songs eschew typical verse-chorus-verse structures like the one I might select, although I'd like to get Barry's agreement on a track if he feels strongly about one. If I had my druthers then I'd go with one of the three that end Side One and begin Side Two: "Heartbeat," the closing track from Side One without that traditional structure mentioned before but still a potential pop song; "Misery," with its more post-rock crescendo feel; or "Outdoor Miner," a beautiful track which would be the popular track today. But when somebody else rates the album so highly then one would like his or her input.

@Barry2, what say you?

As another critical aside, this album is more than the sum of its parts. The transition, for instance, from the moodier and more pleasing nature of those three songs to "I Am The Fly," the lead single that many people found off-putting and jarring, makes much more sense in the album context than the song "I Am The Fly" does as lead single from this wonderful album. Many people have the wrong idea about this album's aspirations towards beauty because of its sequencing to its lead single. They find it abrasive and too challenging. But that is completely not the case with this one. I'd say a listen to this one deserves to be a background listen at first and then can graduate to a foreground listen once one is aware of its sublime ethereality. Just wonderful in spots that make it all worth it, IMO.

There doesn't seem to be a bad choice or a great one either, as you said "more than the sum of the parts". If it's an introduction to Wire I'd go Mercy, Too Late, or Men 2nd. An intro to Chairs than Outdoor Miner, Fly, or maybe Another the Letter.

Thanks, man.

I think that's an excellent way to look at it. It's a really insightful thought process, and I'm not blowing smoke here. I just listened again to those songs (except "Mercy") and thought about it a bit. I think due to this being the album countdown that "Outdoor Miner" is probably the best intro to both band and album, but that might be my prejudice. I always thought "I Am The Fly" is sui generis and I think now that "Another The Letter" is more suited for154, which is the third album of what many consider Wire's origin trilogy.

If one asked me, I would say that if you wanted to introduce somebody to Wire to get that person into the band then "Mannequin" off of Pink Flag is the song that I would pick.

Mannequin - 2006 Remastered Version

Wire · Pink Flag (2006 Remastered Version) · Song · 1977

open.spotify.com

But if "Outdoor Miner" sounds okay I'd go with that. God, "Too Late," is really appropriate also. You can probably tell by my emphasis of the four that I like the Pink Flag/Chairs Missing era of the band more than I do the Chairs Missing transition to the154 era, which I really need to give another chance and listen. I like their later stuff, so I'm not sure why154 didn't hit at first.

On a Wire note (for anyone interested), I recently got their Not About To Die studio demos LP, which has some really good songs, including "Love Ain't Polite," "Stepping Off Too Quick (Not About To Die)," and "Options R," which is a more famous demo of theirs. I want to (sic) that "quick" in the title, but they're Brits and probably know more about proper grammar than I do. Heh. Poetic license, too, and probably most importantly!

TL;DR Go with "Outdoor Miner" if there's no objection.

 

[rockaction]

Argh, that first post I wrote should read that the album's "sequencing and its lead single" give the listener a mistaken impression about how beautiful it can be. The sequencing is the order of the songs on the album itself. The "to" kind of ruins the sentence (I had gone back and edited my thought and it ruined the context and content) because it can lead one to think that "sequencing" is synonymous with or the antecedent to "lead single” when they are two different and separate things.

But the main point I was trying to make is that there are parts of the first and third songs that are almost abrasive (or maybe just a bit staccato and challenging), and "I Am The Fly" (the lead single) is also a touch abrasive, whereas the rest of the album has a minimalist beauty and flow to it. It's wonderful.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

It’s kind of interesting to compare album lengths over the years. Always a variety but in the CD area, albums got longer and it was common to have at least 50 minutes up to filling up the CD (70?). Otherwise, you didn’t think you got your money’s worth.

Today, we often see under 40 minutes for newer bands. No reason for filler when people aren’t generally buying.

CD max was 80 minutes. I was taken aback when I saw Linkin Park's new album barely topped a half hour.

I’ve got one high up that’s nearly at the max.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Please to the people who keep throwing out acronyms I don’t understand. I don’t know all of these bands and albums, but I really do want to learn without having to look stuff up. Please Just spell it out.

Most of the bands and albums are mentioned in full somewhere. OH, on the other hand, is Mr Krista. He's Oliver Humanzee.

Oh well. I tried.

Could you give examples of what you’re seeing that’s hard to follow? I’m not sure but would try to avoid this if I can!

Stuff like DC and DL are big fans of TFF, especially SFTBGC, AFAIK.

It would just be helpful to me, that’s all. Not worried about it.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Please to the people who keep throwing out acronyms I don’t understand. I don’t know all of these bands and albums, but I really do want to learn without having to look stuff up. Please Just spell it out.

Zee Zee Top.

Noted. Thanks for making feel stupid and letting me know I’m out of my depth here.

 

[Val Rannous]

Noted. Thanks for making feel stupid and letting me know I’m out of my depth here.

Nah, we're just having fun with each other. If you just pm @shuke about it, I'm sure he can give you some helpful pointers.

 

[rockaction]

I’m still in Europe so apologies for the delay in this response. I completely miffed on ZZ Top. Both their first album and Tres Hombres should have been on my list. So so good. As good as blues rock gets and that’s my favorite genre.

As for This Years Model my vote would be for “This Year’s Girl”.

Done

Wait, it was never discussed! Heh. No need. What's done is done and thank you. I love that song and it probably is the perfect one for that album. Enough power, enough pop, and probably the best lyrics (or the one everyone quotes) on that particular album.

You want her broken with her mouth wide open 'cause she's this year girl

 

[rockaction]

Oops. Can one of the administrators add Daft Punk's "Too Long" off of the album Discovery and also remove one of the Elvis Costello This Year's Model songs. There's two of them, which is not a bad thing, but he's now fully committing the sin of overrepresentation. There are "(I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea" and "This Year's Girl" on there. Doc picked one and tim picked one, and I don't want get in the middle of that bar fight (I kid). I was going to say to pick whichever, but I should be clear so that they both don't disappear. I'm more fond of "This Year's Girl" so as high ranker I say just leave that one and take "Chelsea" off. Thank you to whoever does it.

Peace.

PS "Chelsea" is the even number 100 on the playlist.

PPS And while you're at it, if someone could please add "Outdoor Miner" by Wire off of Chairs Missing. Many thank yous in advance.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Please to the people who keep throwing out acronyms I don’t understand. I don’t know all of these bands and albums, but I really do want to learn without having to look stuff up. Please Just spell it out.

Zee Zee Top.

Noted. Thanks for making feel stupid and letting me know I’m out of my depth here.

Looking stuff up is fun. It's a rabbit hole but not in the doom scrolling way.

Besides, some groups have acronyms as names. TLC, for one.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

AFAIK

“As far as I know” - stumped as much as you on the rest.