Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 34. Thriller – Michael Jackson (186 Viewers)

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Granted that other artists have more to come, but do the Beastie Boys (at least temporarily) hold the lead for the most albums in the countdown? It looks like they have had four show up so far. (And I’m just going by artist name for this question — I expect Clapton, Dylan, Neil Young, or a Beatle may have shown up most overall between the different acts.)

Hasn't Tool had all 5 drafted?

I see four for Tool too when I search on first page of the thread.

They've had all 5. I was partially responsible for 4 of them, Undertow had enough pull from others to get it in too.

Huh. I still only see four on the first page. Maybe one got skipped when Dr. O was putting the list on page one.

Let’s face it, Dr. O is a disaster.

It would be funny if he misspelled Tool after all the mistakes on submissions he had to deal with.

a tool cover band named toll?

 

[KarmaPolice]

we could still pair off but the question is if there are enough albums that people besides me have not heard

I'd be surprised if there were people who have heard all 70 of someone's albums, but it is possible.

 

[Mt. Man]

we could still pair off but the question is if there are enough albums that people besides me have not heard

Out of 350 (or even 70)? More than enough!
Speaking from personal experience, I've heard at least a song or two from almost all of these albums. But listened to in their entirety? Not even close. I imagine it's similar for most people.

 

[krista4]

Lukewarm take: Green Day is not a punk band. I will spend zero time defending this take, and also I should defer to rockaction on this anyway.

I do like Green Day just fine, but as a rock band, not a punk band. I guess at the beginning I would have considered them punk? But not for long, and they gravitated more into pop as time went by. Again, I have no evidence or desire to back this up.

I'm laughing because your post is funny and not because I disagree with what you've said. That said, I do disagree with what you said. I just . . . they're in the rockaction Punk Hundred so they have to be a punk band!

No, it's their connection to Gilman St. and the East Bay and their connection to Larry Livermore and Lookout! and Mike Dirnt played with Screeching Weasel and Tre Cool was in the Lookouts and . . . they've got tons of punk credibility. They sabotaged it, but you can't change your spots if you're a leopard from birth.

Green Day isn't a punk band the way the White Stripes aren't a garage rock band. Things start out one way and sometimes end up much bigger than anyone could have imagined .

That's a great way to put it.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Granted that other artists have more to come, but do the Beastie Boys (at least temporarily) hold the lead for the most albums in the countdown? It looks like they have had four show up so far. (And I’m just going by artist name for this question — I expect Clapton, Dylan, Neil Young, or a Beatle may have shown up most overall between the different acts.)

Neil has four so far: Harvest, Rust Never Sleeps, After the Gold Rush and Everybody Knows This is Nowhere. Plus one as a member of a band (CSNY's Deja Vu). Two others have shown up in the "random pairs" posts.

There are two other of his albums that I could conceive of appearing in the top 50 (I voted for one of them), Whether they will show up, I dunno. I think they would have had a better shot if OH had submitted a ballot.

 

[krista4]

We're listening to the Jesus and Mary Chain tonight, and OH says it's like if the Velvet Underground met the Beach Boys. Just an incredible sound.

 

[rockaction]

Now that I listen closer with a nitpicking critical ear, both Ad Rock and Mike D have a bit of a higher pictched delivery, correct? It's MCA that has a bit of a deeper voice?

You're totally right but Ad Rock is, like, so over-the-top that he's over the moon

You are right that it's Ad Rock that is the more frequent offender, but where I was going is I think because it's 2 in that range after a long bout of listening it wears on me slightly. Still LOVE many of the songs, but in the end I think they are more of a playlist group for me vs an album group.

That said, some of my favorite new to me songs were the few off Hot Sauce that were featured in the MAD31 countdown. I've watched the video for Make Some Noise so many times.

Oh, I get your point now. Yeah, they've got two nasally guys. I have trouble with it also—there are times that I'm just about to turn it off and I've just turned it on— but their production and music is so damn good. And Ad Rock is a very, very good emcee. Mike Diamond and MCA aren't really. Ad does some massively heavy lifting and always did. Plus, I was reading and watching something about them and somebody noted how absolutely awesome their timing and pacing of their sing/rapping was on the first album. And "Rhymin' & Stealin'" is a song that you actually have to be incredibly talented to carry that tune and they do somehow. MCA fits that track. He fits that album. He did not fit once they left the '80s but he was their spiritual leader and friend so what are they gonna do? It's not even a question what to do. He's just not a great emcee by that point.

Has there ever been a hip hop experiment where other rappers laid down vocals over that Paul's Boutique production?

I don't think so. Record labels and copyright law would really prevent that. The contract the Beasties had with Capitol would almost certainly prevent that. I can look up who owns the Beastie Boys' masters and publishing rights. They probably have some sort of split, I'd imagine, although the Beasties were one of the first to have a vanity label (Grand Royal). There are often clauses in contracts that prevent guest appearances and stuff like that.

What is strange is that those Dust Brothers beats were so “layered” (that’s how they are referred to) that the Bros. didn’t think they could be rapped over and were going to strip the layers away but the Beasties wanted them as-is. And there you have Paul’s Boutique, which sounded strange and was such a flop that the President of Capitol Records’s boss fired him and did so because they were a “laughingstock” for the two-album, $3M deal they’d signed the Beasties to.

PS there were apparently a lot of down-low or low-key hip-hop artists who wouldn’t admit it (the Beasties were jokes at the time in that world), but were really jealous/mad bro about the Beasties’ album, especially that they got those beats. The low-key cats had a strange admiration for the Beasties for finding and then using them like they did. That was in a few histories of the record I read today. "Paul’s Boutique gave the Beastie Boys the critical acclaim they desperately desired. Rolling Stone manoeuvred a U-turn and brazenly called it, “the Pet Sounds / The Dark Side of the Moon of hip hop.” But more importantly, it also earned the group respect with their peers and idols. Miles Davis claimed he never got tired of listening to it, and Public Enemy’s Chuck D even said, ‘The dirty secret among the Black hip hop community at the time of the release was that Paul’s Boutique had the best beats.”- Classic Album Sundays

 

[krista4]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1

Well there we go. Pip was shocked I didn't have a Beatles-related album at #1, but there's no record in the world that is as consistent top to bottom as this one. I'm honored to see that my musical buddy Uruk had it at #1, too.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1
@Eephus #6
@Atomic Punk #8
@landrys hat #14
@Pip's Invitation #14
@Yo Mama #40
@timschochet #65

Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as completing his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer system developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music.

This is an unbelievably strong, innovative and tuneful record. It was the Thriller of its day. The "big" songs from it are universally regarded as among the best of the era, but I am also partial to lesser-known tracks such as Too High and Golden Lady.

And now we have the answer to "what the heck topped Krista's list if it wasn't the Beatles?"

 

[rockaction]

Three ties for first today! Holy cow!

I wonder what the probability of doubling up the first-place vote three times is?

Seems like a probabilistic reach. Maybe a relevant piece of evidence if one were to argue for a canon, no?

 

[krista4]

Do we get two selections for two #1 votes? I think that's the rule now. I will take "Living for the City," of course.

 

[krista4]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1
@Eephus #6
@Atomic Punk #8
@landrys hat #14
@Pip's Invitation #14
@Yo Mama #40
@timschochet #65

Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as completing his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer system developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music.

This is an unbelievably strong, innovative and tuneful record. It was the Thriller of its day. The "big" songs from it are universally regarded as among the best of the era, but I am also partial to lesser-known tracks such as Too High and Golden Lady.

And now we have the answer to "what the heck topped Krista's list if it wasn't the Beatles?"

Golden Lady might even be my second favorite on the whole album.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Call me the anti-music nerd's music nerd, but I have never understood, and never will understand, the need to classify music. Green Day is Green Day. Good sounds evolve over time. And I think most of there's are awesome and never tire listening to them.

Agreed. I am guilty of it at times, but I feel like many get too hung up on genres and whatnot. If it's good, who cares what genre it is?

Right. Is Going to California metal? Why is Eleanor Rigby rock and roll? Because the Beatles did it!

 

[Dennis Castro]

Clapton I don't know. I think Green Day is bigger now than he could have dreamed of being. That's just my opinion and he was definitely before my time.

Type "Clapton is" into Google and see what the autocomplete says.

Tried that. Got racist.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Those of us that like to organize our record bins need things in boxes.

Have you not heard of the alphabet? That's how our recordings are organized.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1
@Eephus #6
@Atomic Punk #8
@landrys hat #14
@Pip's Invitation #14
@Yo Mama #40
@timschochet #65

Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as completing his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer system developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music.

This is an unbelievably strong, innovative and tuneful record. It was the Thriller of its day. The "big" songs from it are universally regarded as among the best of the era, but I am also partial to lesser-known tracks such as Too High and Golden Lady.

And now we have the answer to "what the heck topped Krista's list if it wasn't the Beatles?"

I'm pretty sure I've drafted every song from this album at least once here over the years.

 

[zamboni]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1
@Eephus #6
@Atomic Punk #8
@landrys hat #14
@Pip's Invitation #14
@Yo Mama #40
@timschochet #65

Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as completing his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer system developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music.

This is an unbelievably strong, innovative and tuneful record. It was the Thriller of its day. The "big" songs from it are universally regarded as among the best of the era, but I am also partial to lesser-known tracks such as Too High and Golden Lady.

And now we have the answer to "what the heck topped Krista's list if it wasn't the Beatles?"

I'm pretty sure I've drafted every song from this album at least once here over the years.

I went with the "other" Stevie one, and as great as it is in its own right, not sure why I didn't go with Innervisions instead. Must have buckled under pressure getting my list in at the 11th hour.

 

[Zeppelin]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

Let's goooooo!

2112: Overture / The Temples Of Syrinx / Discovery / Presentation / Oracle / Soliloquy / Grand Finale - Medley

Rush · 2112 · Song · 1976

open.spotify.com

This would be top 5 for me if I ranked.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

43. Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (419 points)

@Uruk-Hai #1
@krista4 #1
@Eephus #6
@Atomic Punk #8
@landrys hat #14
@Pip's Invitation #14
@Yo Mama #40
@timschochet #65

Innervisions is the sixteenth studio album by American singer, songwriter, and musician Stevie Wonder, released on August 3, 1973, by Tamla, a subsidiary of Motown Records. A landmark recording of Wonder's "classic period", the album has been regarded as completing his transition from the "Little Stevie Wonder" known for romantic ballads into a more musically mature, conscious, and grown-up artist. On the album, Wonder continued to experiment with the revolutionary T.O.N.T.O. (The Original New Timbral Orchestra) synthesizer system developed by Malcolm Cecil and Robert Margouleff, and Innervisions became hugely influential on the future sound of commercial soul and black music.

This is an unbelievably strong, innovative and tuneful record. It was the Thriller of its day. The "big" songs from it are universally regarded as among the best of the era, but I am also partial to lesser-known tracks such as Too High and Golden Lady.

And now we have the answer to "what the heck topped Krista's list if it wasn't the Beatles?"

I'm pretty sure I've drafted every song from this album at least once here over the years.

I went with the "other" Stevie one, and as great as it is in its own right, not sure why I didn't go with Innervisions instead. Must have buckled under pressure getting my list in at the 11th hour.

I've got 4 of his left, but I'm sure 3 won't make it. The 4th, I'm sure, is the same you're thinking of. I think we may still have a chance, zam!!

 

[Juxtatarot]

This is a true, start-to-finish album for me in which each song is perfect and leads into the other. When I listen to it, I hear the beginning notes of the next song play in my head as the current song is fading out.

This statement intrigued me, so I listened to Disintegration start to finish today. Then I listened to Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me start to finish. It confirmed what I initially thought, that for me KM KM KM is easily the best Cure album and is their best "start to finish every song is great" album. Sorry to potentially spotlight here...

Obviously I disagree but Kiss Me x 3 is my 4th favorite the Cure album and so it’s pretty damn great. Just a few too many misses for me to rank it as a top 70 album for me.

My 2nd favorite made my top 70 but did not likely make the cut. I’d be surprised if we see another the Cure album but I hope I’m wrong.

I think there is about a 0% chance we see more Cure. Is Pornography your #2?

 

[rockaction]

Call me the anti-music nerd's music nerd, but I have never understood, and never will understand, the need to classify music. Green Day is Green Day. Good sounds evolve over time. And I think most of there's are awesome and never tire listening to them.

Agreed. I am guilty of it at times, but I feel like many get too hung up on genres and whatnot. If it's good, who cares what genre it is?

Right. Is Going to California metal? Why is Eleanor Rigby rock and roll? Because the Beatles did it!

I edited my “genre labels” post into book form. I think it’s useful to think about. But this post is right. If genres are for taxonomic and informational purposes, then they fail the test of being useful for their purported reason for being at times. These are some good examples. I actually like “Going To California,” but it reminds me of a summer day in tenth grade on the beach and is barely hard rock. “Eleanor Rigby” is nowhere near rock n’ roll. There’s neither rock nor roll.

eta* I’m realizing I linked Doc Oc to the wrong spreadsheet. Oof. That’s why Some Girls went missing. There was one other omission. I had Lust For Life by Iggy Pop firmly and undeniably in there at #65 and its absence is disappointing. The damn links wouldn’t send via PM. It does not matter, but I wanted to talk about it at the end. Shoot. Those were, I think, the only two things wrong with it.

 

[zamboni]

Call me the anti-music nerd's music nerd, but I have never understood, and never will understand, the need to classify music. Green Day is Green Day. Good sounds evolve over time. And I think most of there's are awesome and never tire listening to them.

Agreed. I am guilty of it at times, but I feel like many get too hung up on genres and whatnot. If it's good, who cares what genre it is?

Right. Is Going to California metal? Why is Eleanor Rigby rock and roll? Because the Beatles did it!

I edited my “genre labels” post into book form. I think it’s useful to think about. But this post is right. If genres are for taxonomic and informational purposes, then they fail the test of being useful for their purported reason for being at times. These are some good examples. I actually like “Going To California,” but it reminds me of a summer day in tenth grade on the beach and is barely hard rock. “Eleanor Rigby” is nowhere near rock n’ roll. There’s neither rock nor roll.

Totally had Reverend Lovejoy's voice in my head when I read that (1:07 mark in the clip below):

- 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]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

 

[rockaction]

Call me the anti-music nerd's music nerd, but I have never understood, and never will understand, the need to classify music. Green Day is Green Day. Good sounds evolve over time. And I think most of there's are awesome and never tire listening to them.

Agreed. I am guilty of it at times, but I feel like many get too hung up on genres and whatnot. If it's good, who cares what genre it is?

Right. Is Going to California metal? Why is Eleanor Rigby rock and roll? Because the Beatles did it!

I edited my “genre labels” post into book form. I think it’s useful to think about. But this post is right. If genres are for taxonomic and informational purposes, then they fail the test of being useful for their purported reason for being at times. These are some good examples. I actually like “Going To California,” but it reminds me of a summer day in tenth grade on the beach and is barely hard rock. “Eleanor Rigby” is nowhere near rock n’ roll. There’s neither rock nor roll.

Totally had Reverend Lovejoy's voice in my head when I read that (1:07 mark in the clip below):

- 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

Not clicking.

Reverend Lovejoy? Oh ****, you wanna be my editor, zam? Could use one these days.

“The Miracle Of Shame”

That sign might have been my favorite Simpsons ‘deep thought in an offhanded way’ during its entire run. Brilliant.

Since zam and Doc are here, I’ll bust out my other favorite Simpsons moment. Two-second cut to Marge and Bart in NY on public transportation with a sign behind them and a guy in a green football uniform on it, asking: Can you play quarterback? Call 1-888-4NY-JETS

Lololololololololololol then

shoot, i missed zam

 

[rockaction]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

Playlist?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

Playlist?

Yes, we’ve been keeping a playlist of one song from each album - I’m not sure many people here will last out a 21 minute Rush song.

 

[rockaction]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

Playlist?

Yes, we’ve been keeping a playlist of one song from each album - I’m not sure many people here will last out a 21 minute Rush song.

That’s the joke.

Bad joke on my end. Sometimes I forget how literal you have to be when you’re organizing and herding 25+ people. We really are that clueless at times.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Although I had listened to the Violent Femmes debut album easily over 100 times, I had never listened to any other album of theirs. I assumed they were a one album wonder.

Perhaps inspired by RA Gretchen, I decided to try their second album, Hallowed Ground. I’ve listened to it several times in recent days and love it! The third album didn’t connect with me on the first listen but I’ll give it another listen eventually.

For those of you who are fans, what are your favorite albums?

 

[rockaction]

Although I had listened to the Violent Femmes debut album easily over 100 times, I had never listened to any other album of theirs. I assumed they were a one album wonder.

Perhaps inspired by RA Gretchen, I decided to try their second album, Hallowed Ground. I’ve listened to it several times in recent days and love it! The third album didn’t connect with me on the first listen but I’ll give it another listen eventually.

For those of you who are fans, what are your favorite albums?

“Country Death Song” and “American Music” are, in my opinion, great songs. I don’t use that too lightly, though to me there are a lot of great songs, so maybe I’m easy. “Country Death Song” is off of their 2nd, Hallowed Ground, and “American Music” their 5th, Why Do Birds Sing?

"American Music" is kinda an acoustic anthem that celebrates what we do best without cloying sentiment or irony. It’s one of the only patriotic (mon dieu!) songs that we have as a country that isn’t Sousa, bad country, or unpalatable.

They’re both also on Add It Up (1981-1993), which is a comp of sorts (I had it but forget)

I need a date to the prom
Would you like to come along?
Nobody will go to the prom with me, baby

 

[AAABatteries]

Granted that other artists have more to come, but do the Beastie Boys (at least temporarily) hold the lead for the most albums in the countdown? It looks like they have had four show up so far. (And I’m just going by artist name for this question — I expect Clapton, Dylan, Neil Young, or a Beatle may have shown up most overall between the different acts.)

Hasn't Tool had all 5 drafted?

I see four for Tool too when I search on first page of the thread.

They've had all 5. I was partially responsible for 4 of them, Undertow had enough pull from others to get it in too.

Huh. I still only see four on the first page. Maybe one got skipped when Dr. O was putting the list on page one.

Let’s face it, Dr. O is a disaster.

 

[zamboni]

Since zam and Doc are here, I’ll bust out my other favorite Simpsons moment. Two-second cut to Marge and Bart in NY on public transportation with a sign behind them and a guy in a green football uniform on it, asking: Can you play quarterback? Call 1-888-4NY-JETS

lol - totally missed that one. I kind of stopped watching the Simpsons after the first 7 or 8 seasons, but try to go back now and then. Brilliant satire to this day.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

42. Vs. – Pearl Jam (420 points)

@MAC_32 #1
@KarmaPolice #6
@Yo Mama #17
@Tau837 #21
@Barry2 #22
@landrys hat #31
@Dan Lambskin #35
@ConstruxBoy #36
@Scoresman #50


Vs. (pronounced versus) is the second studio album by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released exclusively on vinyl on October 11th (UK) and 12th (US), 1993, through Epic Records, with wide releases on CD and cassette the following week. After a relentless touring schedule in support of their 1991 debut album Ten, Pearl Jam headed into the studio in early 1993 facing the challenge of following up the commercial success of its debut. The resulting album, Vs., featured a rawer and more aggressive sound compared with the band's previous release. It was the band's first collaboration with producer Brendan O'Brien and its first album with drummer Dave Abbruzzese.

 

[kupcho1]

We should have done a mystery draft buddy that was assigned at the beginning who we have to listen to a couple albums of theirs we never had before. Could make for good hijinks.

Put me down for Rage Against the Machine
I'm not sure highjinks ensued, but I listened to the whole thing.

 

[FarFromHome]

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Grunge bands in the early 90s was a rite of passage. Pearl Jams first handful of albums were just golden. Vs was just a great listen. Eddie singing freely with his natural talent on Rearviewmirror just nailed it. Pearl Jam and Metallica followed the same path of interest for me. Love the older. Don't even bother with the last 10 albums.

 

[rockaction]

I'm starting to see why I was second-most w/r/t deviation from the group. This happened in the sheep game with Hagmania. My answers ran so far afield that I was standard deviations away and in dead last, or when I did well, second or third from last. LOL.

I thought I picked a lot of chalk, too. This is again another reminder that I can throw that song on by The Kinks and just nod sinisterly.

I'm Not Like Everybody Else (Mono Mix)

The Kinks · The Kink Kontroversy (Deluxe Edition) · Song · 1965

open.spotify.com

 

[Pip's Invitation]

42. Vs. – Pearl Jam (420 points)

@MAC_32 #1
@KarmaPolice #6
@Yo Mama #17
@Tau837 #21
@Barry2 #22
@landrys hat #31
@Dan Lambskin #35
@ConstruxBoy #36
@Scoresman #50


Vs. (pronounced versus) is the second studio album by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released exclusively on vinyl on October 11th (UK) and 12th (US), 1993, through Epic Records, with wide releases on CD and cassette the following week. After a relentless touring schedule in support of their 1991 debut album Ten, Pearl Jam headed into the studio in early 1993 facing the challenge of following up the commercial success of its debut. The resulting album, Vs., featured a rawer and more aggressive sound compared with the band's previous release. It was the band's first collaboration with producer Brendan O'Brien and its first album with drummer Dave Abbruzzese.

My second-favorite PJ album but I only put one on my list. The tracklist is so strong that “Rearviewmirror,” which is revered by the fanbase, may not even rank in the top half of songs from this album for me.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Pearl Jam is a band I would probably like if I liked their singer at all, but Eddie Vedder's voice has been like nails on a chalkboard to me since the first time I heard it and that has never changed. And, yes, that is my problem and no one else's.

 

[zamboni]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

Playlist?

Yes, we’ve been keeping a playlist of one song from each album - I’m not sure many people here will last out a 21 (pronounced "twenty-one") minute Rush song.

Fixed for clarity.

 

[Val Rannous]

47. 2112 – Rush (398 points)

@Val Rannous #1
@Atomic Punk #1
@zamboni #10
@Yo Mama #11
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #11
@New Binky the Doormat #17
@Mt. Man #55
@jwb #64



2112 (pronounced "twenty-one twelve") is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in March 1976 by Mercury Records. It reached No. 5 in Canada and became the band's commercial breakthrough in America, peaking at No. 61.

The band was in financial hardship due to the disappointing sales of 1975's Caress of Steel, which also got an unfavorable critical reception and a decline in attendance at its shows. Mercury, their international label, considered dropping them but granted one more album following negotiations with manager Ray Danniels. Rush were pressured to deliver more commercial material but decided to continue developing its progressive rock direction they had explored on Caress of Steel and made the 20-minute futuristic science-fiction title track occupy side one of 2112 with a collection of shorter songs on side two that display their hard rock roots.

Love love love this album, and the middle finger shot at their record label. "So, you want more commercial stuff for radio? Well, listen to this!!!"

Well, I'll wait for @Atomic Punk to chime in since we're tied at #1, but my vote for the playlist song is probably obvious. Hey, it makes the playlist 20 minutes longer all by itself, but it's 20 minutes of GREATNESS!!!!

100% agree @Val Rannous! There is no doubt 2112 will be the choice now that it is unanimous.

I have a feeling there will be a lot of skips on the playlist.

Playlist?

Yes, we’ve been keeping a playlist of one song from each album - I’m not sure many people here will last out a 21 minute Rush song.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be my favorite Pearl Jam album.

I was a slight latecomer to PJ, mostly due to Jeremy being played on a loop and for some weird reason not liking Evenflow at the time. Being the weirdo that I am, what sold me on them weren't the hits, but the back 1/2 of Ten and the run of Porch-Garden-Deep-Release, so that was why I was at the midnight release for VS. As the write-up from doc stated, I also like the sound of the album better. Ten sounds a bit muted and faded, and right from Go, Vs. grabs me and doesn't let go. The guitars stand out more to me here and absolutely rip on the opening track. IMO this album captures their range of emotion (from Elderly Woman to Daughter to the raw Blood) and their talent and power as musicians with the way the album sounds. To me this is easily their best and most consistent album, just a tour de force. I got a record player from my family for Christmas and got 3 albums - Last Will And Testament and Vs. were two of them.

My 2nd favorite album of theirs won't show up in the top 40 - No Code. Ten sounds faded to me, Vitalogy has too much weirdness that I skip over, and the rest of their albums are a little inconsistent for me to rank. However, much of that is irrelevant, because what I really love about this band is how accessible they have always been for their fans and that they release the live shows. I probably had 20-30 of those shows on disc (I didn't have to bootleg them!!), and that is how I listen to this band more often than not. There are a ton of them on Spotify as well in their "compilations" - I highly suggest doing that if you haven't. Since we started the MAD31 stuff, I have been verrry slowly working on my PJ playlist. It is taking forever because my idea is to make a live playlist, so I am first painfully figuring out my top 40 or so songs, then finding live versions I like of all of those, then attempting to make it into a Setlist I'd want to hear. One of these days...

 

[KarmaPolice]

I grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Grunge bands in the early 90s was a rite of passage. Pearl Jams first handful of albums were just golden. Vs was just a great listen. Eddie singing freely with his natural talent on Rearviewmirror just nailed it. Pearl Jam and Metallica followed the same path of interest for me. Love the older. Don't even bother with the last 10 albums.

I can get on board with the sentiment, but IMO the bolded goes a little far. I posted above they are inconsistent, but I still really dig all of No Code, Yield, Binaural, Riot Act, and Pearl Jam and can put all those on and listen to them without wanting to skip anything. For me it's Backspacer where they fall off a little more, but also to be fair I also stop fully listening to them around then, which was part of my reason for wanting to deep dive and do my playlist. As far as what I listen to most and like from them, my PJ albums would be something like:

Vs
No Code

Yield
Binaural
Pearl Jam
Ten
Riot Act

Vitalogy
Backspacer
The Rest (but again, I need to really give these last 3 a harder honest listen - maybe after we get through this countdown I will get back to it).

I don't talk about them much, but if Spotify blocked all but 10 artists' output on Spotify, PJ would be one of the 10 I'd want in there. These last two posts of mine reinforce I need to listen to them more...

 

[KarmaPolice]

To this day I still have the Pittsburgh Penguins Starter coat that I got for a replacement of the coat that got shredded as I went through the window, and I got a bunch of other swag too. No injuries, so I was a very happy and stylin' young man in '93.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I really like Indifference off of Vs.

Elderly Woman is great too

 

[KarmaPolice]

42. Vs. – Pearl Jam (420 points)

@MAC_32 #1
@KarmaPolice #6
@Yo Mama #17
@Tau837 #21
@Barry2 #22
@landrys hat #31
@Dan Lambskin #35
@ConstruxBoy #36
@Scoresman #50


Vs. (pronounced versus) is the second studio album by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released exclusively on vinyl on October 11th (UK) and 12th (US), 1993, through Epic Records, with wide releases on CD and cassette the following week. After a relentless touring schedule in support of their 1991 debut album Ten, Pearl Jam headed into the studio in early 1993 facing the challenge of following up the commercial success of its debut. The resulting album, Vs., featured a rawer and more aggressive sound compared with the band's previous release. It was the band's first collaboration with producer Brendan O'Brien and its first album with drummer Dave Abbruzzese.

My second-favorite PJ album but I only put one on my list. The tracklist is so strong that “Rearviewmirror,” which is revered by the fanbase, may not even rank in the top half of songs from this album for me.

Yep. I was a little grumpy I wasn't high ranker on this one, but as I listen this morning it would be painful to narrow it down to one for the playlist. Too much pressure. I THINK Go, Elderly Woman, Leash, Indifference are favorites, but that would change if you ask me tomorrow. I also like the groove and weirdness that is Rats.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

To this day I still have the Pittsburgh Penguins Starter coat that I got for a replacement of the coat that got shredded as I went through the window, and I got a bunch of other swag too. No injuries, so I was a very happy and stylin' young man in '93.

I was also at a midnight sale for Vs. but didn't go through a window,

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be my favorite Pearl Jam album.

I was a slight latecomer to PJ, mostly due to Jeremy being played on a loop and for some weird reason not liking Evenflow at the time. Being the weirdo that I am, what sold me on them weren't the hits, but the back 1/2 of Ten and the run of Porch-Garden-Deep-Release, so that was why I was at the midnight release for VS. As the write-up from doc stated, I also like the sound of the album better. Ten sounds a bit muted and faded, and right from Go, Vs. grabs me and doesn't let go. The guitars stand out more to me here and absolutely rip on the opening track. IMO this album captures their range of emotion (from Elderly Woman to Daughter to the raw Blood) and their talent and power as musicians with the way the album sounds. To me this is easily their best and most consistent album, just a tour de force. I got a record player from my family for Christmas and got 3 albums - Last Will And Testament and Vs. were two of them.

My 2nd favorite album of theirs won't show up in the top 40 - No Code. Ten sounds faded to me, Vitalogy has too much weirdness that I skip over, and the rest of their albums are a little inconsistent for me to rank. However, much of that is irrelevant, because what I really love about this band is how accessible they have always been for their fans and that they release the live shows. I probably had 20-30 of those shows on disc (I didn't have to bootleg them!!), and that is how I listen to this band more often than not. There are a ton of them on Spotify as well in their "compilations" - I highly suggest doing that if you haven't. Since we started the MAD31 stuff, I have been verrry slowly working on my PJ playlist. It is taking forever because my idea is to make a live playlist, so I am first painfully figuring out my top 40 or so songs, then finding live versions I like of all of those, then attempting to make it into a Setlist I'd want to hear. One of these days...

Vs. is third of the four Pearl Jam albums on my list. But I probably have a different opinion on album order than a lot of Pearl Jam fans.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

41. Hotel California – The Eagles (428 points)


@Idiot Boxer #8
@BroncoFreak_2K3
@Dwayne_Castro #10
@kupcho1 #17
@jwb #17
@Nick Vermeil #28
@Chaos34 #31
@Snoopy #43

Hotel California is the fifth studio album by American rock band Eagles, released on December 8, 1976, by Asylum Records. Recorded by the band and produced by Bill Szymczyk at the Criteria and Record Plant studios between March and October 1976, it was the band's first album with guitarist Joe Walsh, who had replaced founding member Bernie Leadon, and the last to feature founding bassist Randy Meisner. The album cover features a photograph of the Beverly Hills Hotel, taken by David Alexander.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be my favorite Pearl Jam album.

I was a slight latecomer to PJ, mostly due to Jeremy being played on a loop and for some weird reason not liking Evenflow at the time. Being the weirdo that I am, what sold me on them weren't the hits, but the back 1/2 of Ten and the run of Porch-Garden-Deep-Release, so that was why I was at the midnight release for VS. As the write-up from doc stated, I also like the sound of the album better. Ten sounds a bit muted and faded, and right from Go, Vs. grabs me and doesn't let go. The guitars stand out more to me here and absolutely rip on the opening track. IMO this album captures their range of emotion (from Elderly Woman to Daughter to the raw Blood) and their talent and power as musicians with the way the album sounds. To me this is easily their best and most consistent album, just a tour de force. I got a record player from my family for Christmas and got 3 albums - Last Will And Testament and Vs. were two of them.

My 2nd favorite album of theirs won't show up in the top 40 - No Code. Ten sounds faded to me, Vitalogy has too much weirdness that I skip over, and the rest of their albums are a little inconsistent for me to rank. However, much of that is irrelevant, because what I really love about this band is how accessible they have always been for their fans and that they release the live shows. I probably had 20-30 of those shows on disc (I didn't have to bootleg them!!), and that is how I listen to this band more often than not. There are a ton of them on Spotify as well in their "compilations" - I highly suggest doing that if you haven't. Since we started the MAD31 stuff, I have been verrry slowly working on my PJ playlist. It is taking forever because my idea is to make a live playlist, so I am first painfully figuring out my top 40 or so songs, then finding live versions I like of all of those, then attempting to make it into a Setlist I'd want to hear. One of these days...

Vs. is third of the four Pearl Jam albums on my list. But I probably have a different opinion on album order than a lot of Pearl Jam fans.

I showed mine, what is your ranking?

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be my favorite Pearl Jam album.

I was a slight latecomer to PJ, mostly due to Jeremy being played on a loop and for some weird reason not liking Evenflow at the time. Being the weirdo that I am, what sold me on them weren't the hits, but the back 1/2 of Ten and the run of Porch-Garden-Deep-Release, so that was why I was at the midnight release for VS. As the write-up from doc stated, I also like the sound of the album better. Ten sounds a bit muted and faded, and right from Go, Vs. grabs me and doesn't let go. The guitars stand out more to me here and absolutely rip on the opening track. IMO this album captures their range of emotion (from Elderly Woman to Daughter to the raw Blood) and their talent and power as musicians with the way the album sounds. To me this is easily their best and most consistent album, just a tour de force. I got a record player from my family for Christmas and got 3 albums - Last Will And Testament and Vs. were two of them.

My 2nd favorite album of theirs won't show up in the top 40 - No Code. Ten sounds faded to me, Vitalogy has too much weirdness that I skip over, and the rest of their albums are a little inconsistent for me to rank. However, much of that is irrelevant, because what I really love about this band is how accessible they have always been for their fans and that they release the live shows. I probably had 20-30 of those shows on disc (I didn't have to bootleg them!!), and that is how I listen to this band more often than not. There are a ton of them on Spotify as well in their "compilations" - I highly suggest doing that if you haven't. Since we started the MAD31 stuff, I have been verrry slowly working on my PJ playlist. It is taking forever because my idea is to make a live playlist, so I am first painfully figuring out my top 40 or so songs, then finding live versions I like of all of those, then attempting to make it into a Setlist I'd want to hear. One of these days...

Vs. is third of the four Pearl Jam albums on my list. But I probably have a different opinion on album order than a lot of Pearl Jam fans.

I showed mine, what is your ranking?

Are we playing Doctor?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be my favorite Pearl Jam album.

I've read this three times and have no idea what you're saying.

He’s saying he got pushed through a window at the Exclusive Company as it broke for the midnight release, of course Vs is going to be his favorite Pearl Jam album.