Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 180. Rust Never Sleeps – Neil Young and Crazy Horse (160 Viewers)

[zamboni]

409. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad (Uruk Hai ranked #5)

I'm shocked - absolutely shocked.

I knew it wouldn't make it, but I had to represent. I'm shocked my #4 apparently made it through.

Grand Funk was basically a bar band that hit the lottery. At one point in the early '70s, they were selling an album every 3 seconds without having hit singles. Critics hated them. The bass player was the only good musician in the band. Sales started to slow, though, so the record company brought Todd Rundgren in to produce and tone them up some. The result was this album. The title track hit #1 on the pop charts (an almost unthinkable accomplishment for this group a year before). It's their best LP, though there's another I like just as much.

Track Listing:

"We're an American Band"	Don Brewer	Brewer
"Stop Lookin' Back"	Brewer, Mark Farner	Brewer
"Creepin'"	Farner	Farner
"Black Licorice"	Brewer, Farner	Brewer

Side one

​

"The Railroad"	Farner	Farner
"Ain't Got Nobody"	Brewer, Farner	Farner
"Walk Like a Man"	Brewer, Farner	Brewer
"Loneliest Rider"	Farner	Farner

Side two

[th width="2em"]
No.

[/th]​

I always think of this scene whenever we discuss them. You and Homer would get along swimmingly.

 

[kupcho1]

This should be enough for the album to actually make the top 352 list, yes?

Top 352?

It's top 350, isn't it?

 

[krista4]

This should be enough for the album to actually make the top 352 list, yes?

Top 352?

It's top 350, isn't it?

Ties. And apparently it's top 353 now.

 

[zamboni]

This should be enough for the album to actually make the top 352 list, yes?

Top 352?

It's top 350, isn't it?

reaction

 

[SayChowda]

428. Do or Die – Dropkick Murphys (Say Chowda ranked #7)

The first full-length album from the Dropkicks, and by far my favorite. The had bigger albums later on, especially Warrior's Code which featured the hit Shipping up to Boston.

Do or Die is more "punk" to me than their later albums, still with the Irish influence.

 

[SayChowda]

Dropkick Murphys (Say Chowda

This checks out

#truth

 

[ConstruxBoy]

@KarmaPolice Can you please add Shadowboxer from Tidal? Thank you sir.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

607. Strange Times – The Chameleons (Dreaded Marco ranked #18)

I was fairly certain this was going to be my highest ranked album to not crack the top 353. And, given the band's history, it's appropriate that it didn't.

Whenever I listen to one of their albums, this one being their best, I'm amazed that they didn't ever really hit it big. They should've been one of the huge, goth/post-punk, 80's bands in the same vein as the Smiths and the Cure----but they just didn't ever reach that point.

Unfortunately, this is the only one of their albums that is not on Spotify. But the song I want to place on the playlist is there in it's album form on a goth compilation album.
@KarmaPolice, please add Swamp Thing to the playlist. It appears on an album called Gothic & Darkwave. Thanks!

Here is a good review of Strange Times:

I feel bad for The Chameleons. I really do. Not because they clearly suffered from mental illness and had a very grim perspective on life as made evident by the lyrics of practically all their songs. And not because their band manager faced a sudden death so debilitating to their hearts that they disbanded almost immediately. Not even because they were forced to label their name as The Chameleons (UK) on anything and everything in the states because some progressive rock/folk band already took the name and did absolutely nothing with it. No, I feel bad for The Chameleons because their ratio of fans to good music is so low that I practically forced myself to write this review despite my massive writers block and general disinterest in writing things lately. But alas it has been said by a handful of different blogs across the internet that The Chameleons, a seemingly random post-punk 80's band, “are the best band that you've never heard of”. And while that's a pretty bold claim to make, that sentence can stand true on the merit of literally any of their albums. It just so happens that I find Strange Times to be their best work.

At the point in their career where they began to craft Strange Times, The Chameleons were finding enough success to keep them going but were somehow just out of reach of making it to a level of equal recognition amongst similar bands of their time. Which is odd, considering their sound fit in well with so many of the huge UK rock groups that dominated the 80s scene, while also not being derivative of any of it. They had the killer wall-of-sound production, that glossy yet punchy guitar tone, and the angsty psuedo-punk British accents that for some reason resonate within all of us. But The Chameleons managed to keep themselves separated by actually having a sense of awareness to their music. That's not to say bands like U2 had no idea what their sound was, The Chameleons just seemed to write music as an extension of their own expression; it seemed easy for them to write good songs. That's what made each of their albums so fascinating. Each one represented clear directions the band decided to take their music without abandoning groundwork laid by their work previous. And come time to write Strange Times, I think the band had long realized that no matter how perfect of a post-punk album they wrote, it wouldn't take off. They were just cursed or something, who knows why it was the case. This is the mindset that got them to create their most unique and arguably progressive album in their entire catalog. Strange Times is the pinnacle of the band's writing and musicianship, and gave a lasting testament to who they really were and what they were capable of. And damn are they capable.

The Chameleons manage to command an atmosphere throughout the entirety of the album that is nothing but visceral. The musicianship is the key factor in their ability to evoke these feelings, and despite the fact that they are clearly competent in their respective duties, they spare us the indulgence with a grasp on minimalism. In doing so they effectively make an album that is as easy to swallow as it is to sit back and say “dammmn, these guys are nailing it”. They use tried-and-true formula as an outline while pouring their undeniable talent into every verse, bridge, and chorus so that each second on the album fits together in its rightful place. Yet surrounding it all is an atmosphere and production so glossy and pristine, that it feels as though the analog tape they recorded the music on was dunked into a vat of ethreal pinkness (this is my attempt at metaphorical imagery, roll with it). It breathes life into every song, even ones like “Tears” which are so basic they begin to feel naked when boiled down to its base structure. Yet “Tears” is such a powerful and fully realized ballad that the guitar melody hits harder than it should, the rhythmic pounding of the skins encompasses your ears, and the blunt lyrics of missing a childhood friend cut the stomach in an anthemic way.

Speaking of lyrics, principle lyricist Mark Burgess wasn't half bad at writing them. He uses a pretty basic vocabulary, but manages to weave together and deliver his lines in ways that don't feel forced or clichéd. In fact, it works to their advantage that they remain upfront and non-cryptic, avoiding the pretentiousness that many rock bands succumb to. It gives a down to earth quality to the rest of the album, which as mentioned before is soaked in a dream-like sentiment. This provides a touch of both surrealism and humanity; two very apposing ideas that when juxtapose so fluidly, offers something very unique. Over a sliding and droning guitar lead he yells:

[td]Picking up the pieces
Half alive in a nine 'til five
Vacant eyes, is it any wonder?
[/td]

Perhaps the best quality of Strange Times its ability to bring together its dark, somber mood with a sense of tranquility and comfort. It never feels like a storm is around you, just that the aftermath of a huge one lingers all around. It essentially romanticizes its own melancholy. Songs like the titanic “Soul in Isolation” have Burgess yelling out depressing and frantic cries for help over an incredibly rhythmic drum beat and bass line. Yet the guitar lead and echoing effect on the vocals make it seem like everything's okay, that he'll be fine. Its almost soft and enjoyable. In doing so, it brings out grim similarities to the feeling of substance abuse; a situation where the abuser is rendered immobile by the beauty and of comfort of the drug while knowing the destruction it brings upon them. The band covers topics of substance abuse both early on in the album and in songs of the past, possibly hinting at personal struggles the bandmates faced themselves.

The Chameleons succeeded in creating their peak work with Strange Times, and it almost seems fitting that this is their last effort before their eventually break-up. It marked the end of the journey they had taken the band with their previous two full lengths, at least until reforming years later with the acceptance that this was a path best left in the past. Its only deserving that this album is adored by the fans that it had managed to reach, because it truly is something worth appreciating. The effort the band put into their work is undeniable. Strange Times has become one of my personal favorite records, and I find comfort in knowing it is great enough to continue to create fans out of anyone who stumble upon it. At no matter how slow of a rate.

 

[kupcho1]

Ties. And apparently it's top 353 now.

No, it isn't the top 353. Yes, there are 353 albums in the countdown, but as you point out, ties are involved.
A five-way tie for #349 doesn't make this a top 353, if anything, it's a top 349.

 

[Scoresman]

We should have arbitrary tie breakers to avoid confusion. Something like album length or highest on the charts, or the total length of hair of each band member.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Login - Spotify

open.spotify.com

 

[KarmaPolice]

That is the link that it gave me to invite collaborators.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

This should be enough for the album to actually make the top 352 list, yes?

Top 352?

It's top 350, isn't it?

Due to a 5 way tie at the cutoff line it will really be 353.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Login - Spotify

open.spotify.com

I see a few songs I didn't add on there, so I am guessing the link works if @Dr. Octopus wants to add it to the OP along with the playlist link.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Login - Spotify

open.spotify.com

I see a few songs I didn't add on there, so I am guessing the link works if @Dr. Octopus wants to add it to the OP along with the playlist link.

I haven’t added anything

 

[Yo Mama]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Worked for me.
Search for the song you want added.
Drag and drop into the playlist

 

[Idiot Boxer]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

Controversy #5

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Login - Spotify

open.spotify.com

I see a few songs I didn't add on there, so I am guessing the link works if @Dr. Octopus wants to add it to the OP along with the playlist link.

I haven’t added anything

Now I added my song. Link worked.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

(Actually none of these are controversy. Appreciate Dr. Ock for the work. Errors will happen.)

 

[Dr. Octopus]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

Controversy #5

I warned people about trying to get the names of their albums and artists correct and how things like “the” can **** up the compilation. You can’t believe how many errors I and @kupcho1 caught.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

476. Live at the Old Quarter – Townes Van Zandt (krista4 ranked #10)

Damn! @simey let me down.

693. Still Bill – Bill Withers (pip’s invitation ranked #23)

Another that would have been on OH's list.

I did not have Still Bill on my “I’m probably the only voter” list because I thought it might be on yours!

This does mean my #12 got at least one more vote, which pleasantly surprises me, because it’s an album I evangelize about all the time but a lot of folks don’t know about.

 

[KarmaPolice]

428. De Stijil – The White Stripes (Dan Lambskin ranked #7)

Nobody else likes The White Stripes or just overlooking their best album?

I stared at them and this album for a bit, but in the end I took them off because I couldn't remember the last time I listened to any of their albums.

 

[Scoresman]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

Controversy #5

I warned people about trying to get the names of their albums and artists correct and how things like “the” can **** up the compilation. You can’t believe how many errors I and @kupcho1 caught.

Yeah this is by far the most legwork for whoever runs these things. I wish there was a way to just have everyone select their entries from a dropdown list.

 

[Yo Mama]

381. The Sky is Crying – Stevie Ray Vaughn (Psychopav ranked #2)

396. The Hurting – Tears for Fears (Randal Thor ranked #5)

428. Dreamboat Annie - Heart (Mrs. R ranked #7)

543. The Royal Scam – Steely Dan (Zamboni ranked #14)

These were all in my top 100, but missed top 70.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

428. De Stijil – The White Stripes (Dan Lambskin ranked #7)

Nobody else likes The White Stripes or just overlooking their best album?

I stared at them and this album for a bit, but in the end I took them off because I couldn't remember the last time I listened to any of their albums.

Same for me.

But this is the album I would've chosen if I had listed one of theirs.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

447. Curtis – Curtis Mayfield (Don Quixote ranked #8)

I am surprised that I am the only vote for Curtis, but maybe another of Curtis Mayfield’s albums will show up on this list. The Middle-Aged Dummies here probably could have figured that he’d show up high for me (here’s my MAD playlist of my 31 favorite Mayfield songs, ordered 31-1).

Curtis was his first solo album after he left The Impressions. After all of his message songs with The Impressions, this album represented more of his anger about the failures of the civil rights movement, and moved away from some of the soul/R&B sounds of The Impressions to more of a funk sound. Lots of great songs on this album.

I had “(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go” (Spotify) #1 in my MAD playlist, and it is still my favorite with the grittier lyrics.

But @KarmaPolice , for the playlist here, I’ll go a bit more uplifting with the chalkier pick of “Move on Up” (Spotify).

This is one of what I’m sure will be many records where my first reaction is “dammit, I should have considered this.”

 

[kupcho1]

Worked for me.
Search for the song you want added.
Drag and drop into the playlist

It's not working for me.
@KarmaPolice , I can't look ahead so "unblock" me and let me add songs.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

 

[kupcho1]

You can’t believe how many errors I and @kupcho1 caught.

I'm tempted to post some of the more ridiculous examples, but I don't want to spotlight.
Remind me after this is all over to dig up the PM. There are some beauts. Literally.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

I can already imagine one I may have been involved in not based on album name, but artist name.

 

[landrys hat]

Please add Oh Yeah from Tago Mago. Thanks.

- YouTube

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

www.youtube.com

 

[Dr. Octopus]

347 (tie). Mott – Mott The Hoople (76 points)

@Mister CIA #23
@New Binky the Doormat #43


Mott is the sixth studio album by British rock band Mott the Hoople. It peaked at No. 7 in the UK Albums Chart.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 366 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and 370 in a 2012 revised list

 

[Dr. Octopus]

347 (tie). Bad Brains – Bad Brains (76 points)

@SayChowda #28
@ConstruxBoy #38

Bad Brains (also known as The Yellow Tape or Attitude: The ROIR Sessions) is the first studio album by American rock band Bad Brains. Recorded in 1981 and released on the cassette-only label ROIR on February 5, 1982, many fans refer to it as "The Yellow Tape" because of its yellow packaging.

 

[Yo Mama]

528. Purple – Stone Temple Pilots (Yo Mama ranked #14) (also received 1 point from ConstruxBoy)

This was my guess for my top ranked song to miss the 350, so I got that going for me.

This ranks so high for me because it was one of those transformative albums for me where it still evokes a specific place and time in my life. It’s got amazing hits, but also has great depth. It also passes the test where I hear one song on the radio and expect to hear the next from the album immediately after.

I did Stone Temple Pilots in MAD round 4, and this album was very well represented. My favorite from the band. Here were my rankings of the Purple songs:

2 - Vasoline
4 - Big Empty
6 - Interstate Love Song
9 - Dancing Days (bonus track)
15 - Pretty Penny
18 - Still Remains
21 - Unglued
25 - Lounge Fly

Near misses:
Meat Plow
Silvergun Superman
Army Ants

Time to listen to this on my walk!



Since it’s not as well known as the other big songs, let’s go with Dancing Days for the playlist.

Dancing Days - 2019 Remaster

Stone Temple Pilots · Purple (Super Deluxe Edition) [2019 Remaster] · Song · 2019

open.spotify.com

 

[krista4]

Ties. And apparently it's top 353 now.

No, it isn't the top 353. Yes, there are 353 albums in the countdown, but as you point out, ties are involved.
A five-way tie for #349 doesn't make this a top 353, if anything, it's a top 349.

It's really not worth niggling about, but because the next highest-ranked album would be #354, I'd call these the top 353.

 

[krista4]

528. Purple – Stone Temple Pilots (Yo Mama ranked #14) (also received 1 point from ConstruxBoy)

This was my guess for my top ranked song to miss the 350, so I got that going for me.

This ranks so high for me because it was one of those transformative albums for me where it still evokes a specific place and time in my life. It’s got amazing hits, but also has great depth. It also passes the test where I hear one song on the radio and expect to hear the next from the album immediately after.

I did Stone Temple Pilots in MAD round 4, and this album was very well represented. My favorite from the band. Here were my rankings of the Purple songs:

2 - Vasoline
4 - Big Empty
6 - Interstate Love Song
9 - Dancing Days (bonus track)
15 - Pretty Penny
18 - Still Remains
21 - Unglued
25 - Lounge Fly

Near misses:
Meat Plow
Silvergun Superman
Army Ants

Time to listen to this on my walk!



Since it’s not as well known as the other big songs, let’s go with Dancing Days for the playlist.

Dancing Days - 2019 Remaster

Stone Temple Pilots · Purple (Super Deluxe Edition) [2019 Remaster] · Song · 2019

open.spotify.com

Wow, that album really is stacked! Surprised it didn't hit anyone else's list outside of that one-pointer.

 

[krista4]

I originally didn't have Houston Texas added to the title, but then added it so it wouldn't screw anything up. That ended up screwing it up. I left off 1971 at the end of my Live at Massey Hall title. I'm consistently inconsistent.

I did the opposite - wasn't sure if it should be there, so removed it not to screw things up.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I'm shocked my #4 apparently made it through.

It actually did not, My bad, it sits at 397.

Controversy #4!

So far they've been minor at least but I'm sure a big one is coming at some point.

No worries on my end. As I said, I was stunned to see that it may have made it above the cut. There are only one or two other drafters in this thread who may have even considered it, so I wasn't expecting much.

@Pip's Invitation and I just saw that band last Sunday.

 

[landrys hat]

This does mean my #12 got at least one more vote, which pleasantly surprises me, because it’s an album I evangelize about all the time but a lot of folks don’t know about.

Is it from 1996? If so, it may be on my list.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

Nice.

There's Nothing Wrong With Love by Built to Spill was my 15-pointer.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

I was surprised Low End Theory didn’t make it so happy that changed. Sad that There’s Nothing Wrong with Love didn’t make it. Do I get to pick a song? If so I would put Car on the list.

 

[zamboni]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

Controversy #5

I warned people about trying to get the names of their albums and artists correct and how things like “the” can **** up the compilation. You can’t believe how many errors I and @kupcho1 caught.

If anyone screwed up The The, it should be a lifetime ban.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

Nice.

There's Nothing Wrong With Love by Built to Spill was my 15-pointer.

Yes it actually made the Top 350 with both of you taking it - I just looked at his sheet wrong. The album I wanted to list was right below it on Nick's list.

Let's try this one more time @Nick Vermeil 's highest ranked album not to qualify is:

476. Evil Friends - Portugal, The Man

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

I was surprised Low End Theory didn’t make it so happy that changed. Sad that There’s Nothing Wrong with Love didn’t make it. Do I get to pick a song? If so I would put Car on the list.

I love, love this album. I wish I'd ranked it a little higher to get it into the top 353.

Car, Stab or Distopian Dream Girl would've been my choice for song as well.

ETA just saw Doc's post. Glad it made the top 353!

 

[Nick Vermeil]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

Nice.

There's Nothing Wrong With Love by Built to Spill was my 15-pointer.

Yes it actually made the Top 350 with both of you taking it - I just looked at sheet wrong.

And it is “The” Low End Theory. My bad!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)

I had The Low End Theory ranked #16 (55 points).

This has been corrected. Someone else, in addition to you, had also selected it with "The" so it was already in the Top 350, but now it's even higher.

@Nick Vermeil's highest ranked album not to make the playlist:

476. There's Nothing Wrong With Love - Built to Spill

I was surprised Low End Theory didn’t make it so happy that changed. Sad that There’s Nothing Wrong with Love didn’t make it. Do I get to pick a song? If so I would put Car on the list.

keep reading

 

[Pip's Invitation]

This does mean my #12 got at least one more vote, which pleasantly surprises me, because it’s an album I evangelize about all the time but a lot of folks don’t know about.

Is it from 1996? If so, it may be on my list.

It is!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

It's at the point now I'm afraid to list anymore albums

 

[Idiot Boxer]

It's at the point now I'm afraid to list anymore albums

Seriously. Don't worry about it. It's gonna happen. Probably less as the albums get less obscure.