Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 185. Odelay – Beck (169 Viewers)

[krista4]

381(Tie). Hejira – Joni Mitchell (70 points)

@Eephus #1

Hejira is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1976 on Asylum Records. Its material was written during a period of frequent travel in late 1975 and early 1976, and reflects Mitchell's experiences on the road during that time. It is characterized by lyrically dense, sprawling songs and musical backing by several jazz-oriented instrumentalists, most prominently fretless bass player Jaco Pastorius, guitarist Larry Carlton, and drummer John Guerin.

Wow, surprised this didn’t make more than one list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Tomorrow when I list the other Top ranked albums not to make the list - I won't do write ups and leave it up to the person who chose the record to talk it up.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I'll blame the last few entries for moving my #1 off the countdown.

I will write a bit after work.

@Dr. Octopus - we doing a song for the playlist on these, or just countdown proper?

If you want to throw a playlist together (one song from each album) that would be great. I don't think which song from each album matters too much. The people that chose the album can offer a suggestion.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

381(Tie). One From The Vault – Grateful Dead (70 points)

@shuke #1

One from the Vault is a live album by the Grateful Dead, recorded on August 13, 1975, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, for a small audience of radio programmers. Three weeks later, the concert was broadcast nationwide on FM radio through Metromedia, after which the radio show was widely traded by fans on cassettes, and sold in bootleg LP versions under various titles including Make Believe Ballroom, becoming the most widely circulated Grateful Dead bootleg.

I listen to a LOT of live Grateful Dead, but didn't include any of their live albums on my list - The Eyes of the World on here is probably the best one I've heard.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

381(Tie). A Wizard A True Star – Todd Rundgren (70 points)

@NewBinky - #1

A Wizard, a True Star is the fourth studio album by American musician Todd Rundgren.

The album was produced, engineered, and largely performed by Rundgren alone. He envisioned it as a hallucinogenic-inspired "flight plan" with all the tracks segueing seamlessly into each other, starting with a "chaotic" mood and ending with a medley of his favorite soul songs.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I have no doubt (not spotlighting) that my top album made the cut.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I have no doubt (not spotlighting) that my top album made the cut.

You won't be seeing your #1 for a loooooonnnngggg time.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I have no doubt (not spotlighting) that my top album made the cut.

You won't be seeing your #1 for a loooooonnnngggg time.

I would hope not.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

381(Tie). A Wizard A True Star – Todd Rundgren (70 points)

@NewBinky - #1

A Wizard, a True Star is the fourth studio album by American musician Todd Rundgren.

The album was produced, engineered, and largely performed by Rundgren alone. He envisioned it as a hallucinogenic-inspired "flight plan" with all the tracks segueing seamlessly into each other, starting with a "chaotic" mood and ending with a medley of his favorite soul songs.

The soul medley doesn’t end the album, it’s about halfway through side 2. And features David Sanborn on sax.

AWATS is a stunning record from a production perspective. Nothing else sounded like it in 1973.

 

[timschochet]

Hejira for me is average but “Coyote” is so good. Maybe a top 5 Mitchell song of all time. And the live performance from a certain famous concert movie is sublime.

 

[Mookie Gizzy]

381(Tie). One From The Vault – Grateful Dead (70 points)

@shuke #1

One from the Vault is a live album by the Grateful Dead, recorded on August 13, 1975, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, for a small audience of radio programmers. Three weeks later, the concert was broadcast nationwide on FM radio through Metromedia, after which the radio show was widely traded by fans on cassettes, and sold in bootleg LP versions under various titles including Make Believe Ballroom, becoming the most widely circulated Grateful Dead bootleg.

I absolutely love this album, but I wasn’t sure about live Dead albums being eligible, so I didn’t bother ranking it. I probably could have found a spot in my top 50 for it

 

[zamboni]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

381(Tie). Hejira – Joni Mitchell (70 points)

@Eephus #1

Hejira is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1976 on Asylum Records. Its material was written during a period of frequent travel in late 1975 and early 1976, and reflects Mitchell's experiences on the road during that time. It is characterized by lyrically dense, sprawling songs and musical backing by several jazz-oriented instrumentalists, most prominently fretless bass player Jaco Pastorius, guitarist Larry Carlton, and drummer John Guerin.

Wow, surprised this didn’t make more than one list.

It was one of several Joni albums that crossed my mind when I was putting my list together, but it didn’t make the cut. One of the best examples of mixing jazz with more songwriter-ly stuff.

 

[zamboni]

381(Tie). Hejira – Joni Mitchell (70 points)

@Eephus #1

Hejira is the eighth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1976 on Asylum Records. Its material was written during a period of frequent travel in late 1975 and early 1976, and reflects Mitchell's experiences on the road during that time. It is characterized by lyrically dense, sprawling songs and musical backing by several jazz-oriented instrumentalists, most prominently fretless bass player Jaco Pastorius, guitarist Larry Carlton, and drummer John Guerin.

Wow, surprised this didn’t make more than one list.

It was one of several Joni albums that crossed my mind when I was putting my list together, but it didn’t make the cut. One of the best examples of mixing jazz with more songwriter-ly stuff.

Jaco's bass work on the title track in particular is sublime.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

381(Tie). One From The Vault – Grateful Dead (70 points)

@shuke #1

One from the Vault is a live album by the Grateful Dead, recorded on August 13, 1975, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, for a small audience of radio programmers. Three weeks later, the concert was broadcast nationwide on FM radio through Metromedia, after which the radio show was widely traded by fans on cassettes, and sold in bootleg LP versions under various titles including Make Believe Ballroom, becoming the most widely circulated Grateful Dead bootleg.

I absolutely love this album, but I wasn’t sure about live Dead albums being eligible, so I didn’t bother ranking it. I probably could have found a spot in my top 50 for it

One From the Vault is an official album.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

It was released in 2024, so probably not.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

Trying to get into these guys will have to check this one out

 

[Ghost Rider]

While I have to be in the right mood for their growls (and I tend to be less and less in the mood for them over time), I am an Opeth fan. That said, I thought The Last Will and Testament was a miss, and I gave it quite a few tries. It felt like the fans were gonna love it no matter what simply because it was their first album since 2008 to have growls.

 

[Ghost Rider]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

No. Try anything from their Still Life through Watershed run. That was their peak.

 

[Ilov80s]

381(Tie). Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go’s (70 points)

@rockaction #1

Beauty and the Beat is the debut album from California new wave band the Go-Go's. Released July 14, 1981 on the I.R.S. Records label, the album reached number one on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart in March 1982, bolstered by its two big Hot 100 hit singles: "Our Lips Are Sealed" (no. 20) and "We Got the Beat" (no. 2), released in 1980, but in a different version.

This was one of my last albums out and now I feel bad because I could have gotten it a little bump.

 

[shuke]

381(Tie). One From The Vault – Grateful Dead (70 points)

@shuke #1

One from the Vault is a live album by the Grateful Dead, recorded on August 13, 1975, at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, California, for a small audience of radio programmers. Three weeks later, the concert was broadcast nationwide on FM radio through Metromedia, after which the radio show was widely traded by fans on cassettes, and sold in bootleg LP versions under various titles including Make Believe Ballroom, becoming the most widely circulated Grateful Dead bootleg.

Even though live music is my religion, I didn't include many live albums, because most of what I listen to isn't officially released.

But I had to include this, as this is my most listened-to album of all time. While bootleg versions of this show were apparently widely available (I didn't get into tape trading until I got to college), this release came out the spring of 1991, right before I graduated from high school. I couldn't get enough of it, and it was the official soundtrack of the road trips to Dead shows that summer.

Not only does it contain one of my favorite versions of my favorite song, Bill Graham's introduction segueing into Help on the Way gives me goosebumps. If you would me a favor, just listen to the first 60-90 seconds of this.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

381(Tie). Beauty and the Beat - The Go-Go’s (70 points)

@rockaction #1

Beauty and the Beat is the debut album from California new wave band the Go-Go's. Released July 14, 1981 on the I.R.S. Records label, the album reached number one on Billboard's Top LPs & Tape chart in March 1982, bolstered by its two big Hot 100 hit singles: "Our Lips Are Sealed" (no. 20) and "We Got the Beat" (no. 2), released in 1980, but in a different version.

This was one of my last albums out and now I feel bad because I could have gotten it a little bump.

As I said before, I completed my list in about 15 minutes and there are going to be more than one instance where I missed one. This one's close, but looking at my list, I don't think I'd have it replace any of my lowest rated. So just outside.

 

[Scoresman]

381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)

@Scoresman #1

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.

Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.

Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.

 

[KarmaPolice]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

Yes/no.

Their growls will turn many off, and they have albums without those vocals. For those who are up for that or already metal fans, it's as good as album as any.

I will post more tonight, and pick a song for the playlist.

 

[KarmaPolice]

While I have to be in the right mood for their growls (and I tend to be less and less in the mood for them over time), I am an Opeth fan. That said, I thought The Last Will and Testament was a miss, and I gave it quite a few tries. It felt like the fans were gonna love it no matter what simply because it was their first album since 2008 to have growls.

To me it is much more than that. I love them despite the growls. First time i heard a song of their's, I hated it.

For starters. I love the new drummer.

 

[zamboni]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

Yes/no.

Their growls will turn many off, and they have albums without those vocals. For those who are up for that or already metal fans, it's as good as album as any.

I will post more tonight, and pick a song for the playlist.

Swedes and growling just don't seem to go together. But admittedly that probably comes from watching so many Bjorn Borg matches back in the day.

 

[Ghost Rider]

381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)

@Scoresman #1

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.

Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.

Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.

I don't listen to Sigur Ros, or post rock in general, that much anymore, but when I did, that was one of my go-to records. Seeing Olsen Olsen performed live the one time I saw them was stunning.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)

@Scoresman #1

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.

Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.

Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.

I love this album too. It definitely would be in my next 70.

 

[KarmaPolice]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

No. Try anything from their Still Life through Watershed run. That was their peak.

Again, i say it depends on what people like. I think many in here lean 70s rock/prog, so i could see Heritage hitting with people where a Still Life or Blackwater Park will miss.

 

[Ghost Rider]

While I have to be in the right mood for their growls (and I tend to be less and less in the mood for them over time), I am an Opeth fan. That said, I thought The Last Will and Testament was a miss, and I gave it quite a few tries. It felt like the fans were gonna love it no matter what simply because it was their first album since 2008 to have growls.

To me it is much more than that. I love them despite the growls. First time i heard a song of their's, I hated it.

For starters. I love the new drummer.

I am gonna give it a few fresh spins this fall (Opeth is very much a fall and winter band for me), so maybe it will grow on me.

 

[Ghost Rider]

381(Tie). The Last Will and Testament - Opeth (70 points)

@KarmaPolice #1

The Last Will and Testament is the fourteenth studio album by Swedish progressive metal band Opeth.

The album is a concept album set in the post-World War I era, unfolding the story of a wealthy, conservative patriarch (whose wife is infertile) whose last will and testament reveals shocking family secrets.

@KarmaPolice has talked about Opeth a lot in these threads. Been meaning to check them out - is this the best album to start with?

No. Try anything from their Still Life through Watershed run. That was their peak.

Again, i say it depends on what people like. I think many in here lean 70s rock/prog, so i could see Heritage hitting with people where a Still Life or Blackwater Park will miss.

For the non-growling albums, I'd go with Damnation (I think that is a top 3 Opeth album in general) or Pale Communion. Heritage is good, but seems a bit scattershot in too many places, like they had a lot of good ideas, but they didn't always come together.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Tomorrow I'll post everyone else's top ranked album that did not make the cut off.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Tomorrow I'll post everyone else's top ranked album that did not make the cut off.

I'm guessing mine was either my 66 pointer or my 64 pointer.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

381(Tie). A Wizard A True Star – Todd Rundgren (70 points)

@NewBinky - #1

A Wizard, a True Star is the fourth studio album by American musician Todd Rundgren.

The album was produced, engineered, and largely performed by Rundgren alone. He envisioned it as a hallucinogenic-inspired "flight plan" with all the tracks segueing seamlessly into each other, starting with a "chaotic" mood and ending with a medley of his favorite soul songs.

The soul medley doesn’t end the album, it’s about halfway through side 2. And features David Sanborn on sax.

AWATS is a stunning record from a production perspective. Nothing else sounded like it in 1973.

I blame Wikipedia.

 

[titusbramble]

I'm going to guess mine was one used in previous MAD countdowns, just not sure which one

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Tomorrow I'll post everyone else's top ranked album that did not make the cut off.

I'm guessing mine was either my 66 pointer or my 64 pointer.

I think mine is my #12. I guess we'll see.

I seem to have 34 unique albums. I can only find 16 that I don't think anyone else would choose. I wonder what the others are.

 

[Scoresman]

I bet I only need to go down to my #6 album for my highest not making the list because it's another Sigur Ros album.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

To be clear, my 66 pointer and 64 pointer are my 6th and 8th rated albums, respectively.

I think the 6th rated (66 pointer) is popular enough if anyone...went there, while I think the 8th rated (64 pointer) is likely obscure enough to not have been listed.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

My guess for my top ranked album that missed is my 6 or 12, both by the same artist.

 

[Psychopav]

My guess for top ranked album that didn't make the cut is #3.

So hip.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

While I have to be in the right mood for their growls (and I tend to be less and less in the mood for them over time), I am an Opeth fan. That said, I thought The Last Will and Testament was a miss, and I gave it quite a few tries. It felt like the fans were gonna love it no matter what simply because it was their first album since 2008 to have growls.

To me it is much more than that. I love them despite the growls. First time i heard a song of their's, I hated it.

For starters. I love the new drummer.

I am gonna give it a few fresh spins this fall (Opeth is very much a fall and winter band for me), so maybe it will grow on me.

Of the old growl material, I always thought their "fall" song was one of their best. I once even put it on a Halloween playlist.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I think my 59-pointer (#12) is my top-ranked album no one else listed, but if it’s not, then it’s something much lower (Binky: higher) on my list.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I bet I only need to go down to my #6 album for my highest not making the list because it's another Sigur Ros album.

Your #1 was the highest ranked album that didn’t make the countdown.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Is the higher unique album number essentially each poster's "hipster rating"

If I had submitted a list, I would have been the biggest hipster here lol
A sentence I never thought i would have heard

381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)

@Scoresman #1

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.

Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.

Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.

This album got so much love in desert island disc threads, music drafts etc. Surprised it ended up on only one list

 

[KarmaPolice]

I bet I only need to go down to my #6 album for my highest not making the list because it's another Sigur Ros album.

I glanced at my list and had similar thoughts. only 1/2 mine had a 2nd vote, so it's safe to cross off the other Opeth and odd metal albums along with stuff like my current MAD artist. I will try to come up with an official guess before the countdown starts.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Is the higher unique album number essentially each poster's "hipster rating"

If I had submitted a list, I would have been the biggest hipster here lol
A sentence I never thought i would have heard

381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)

@Scoresman #1

Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.

Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.

Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.

This album got so much love in desert island disc threads, music drafts etc. Surprised it ended up on only one list

My thought when the bolded will come up in the thread is that 70 is not a lot of albums.

 

[Yo Mama]

I’m guessing that either my #12 or #14 is my top unique album (maybe #10, but I have faith in you all).

 

[KarmaPolice]

I'll blame the last few entries for moving my #1 off the countdown.

I will write a bit after work.

@Dr. Octopus - we doing a song for the playlist on these, or just countdown proper?

If you want to throw a playlist together (one song from each album) that would be great. I don't think which song from each album matters too much. The people that chose the album can offer a suggestion.

I am open to this or I am open to the people picking the albums choosing the song somehow. I still plan to listen to all the albums taken if I haven't heard them a bunch before. I could shtick it up and put my favorites as I go, or we go with whoever gave the album the highest ranking chooses the song.

@Dr. Octopus - or input from the masses how we want the playlist to go?

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

ok, I've gone through my list and have guesses for the 9 that made it and the 13 that didn't including the top ranked that didn't make it

 

[ConstruxBoy]

My guess for top ranked album that didn't make the cut is #3.

So hip.

Guessing my 12th, 59 pointer.