Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 34. Thriller – Michael Jackson (184 Viewers)

[Grace Under Pressure]

Tough call on Vs. for best song. Going with "Dissident".

The other considerations were Daughter, Rearviewmirror, and Elderly Woman.

Great album.

 

[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?

Are we playing Doctor?

No, we are playing RA.

 

[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'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.

Correct. It was one of the bigger turnouts for a Midnight release. I was close to the door, but by the big front window of the store. When they opened the doors, there was a big push of people and the glass gave and I and a couple others went through. Nothing serious, but the coat I was thankfully wearing got sliced the long way from shoulder past my elbow. Like a dumb teen I was, I didn't give two craps, but my dad was mad, called them and demanded at least a replacement coat. I got to pick and went with that badass Penguins coat I had been wanting!

 

[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?

No, we are playing RA.

I'd go:

Ten
Pearl Jam
Vs.

Vitology
No Code
Backspacer

Yield
Binaural
Riot Act
The rest (agree with you that I should give them all another listen. Generally didn't love them)

I just love the Ten era of their music. In fact, 4 of my top 10 songs of theirs are B-sides or Soundtrack cuts from that era (Yellow Ledbetter, Footsteps, State of Love and Trust, Breath)

 

[landrys hat]

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...

My top 5 would be similar to yours.

Vs
No Code
Ten
Vitalogy
Yield

I saw PJ on the Vs tour in St Louis. Still one of my favorite shows all-time.

 

[zamboni]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

 

[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...

My top 5 would be similar to yours.

Vs
No Code
Ten
Vitalogy
Yield

I saw PJ on the Vs tour in St Louis. Still one of my favorite shows all-time.

I've still haven't seen them live, unfortunately. Every time I looked in the last decade or so tickets were way too expensive for my tastes, so I never pulled the trigger.

 

[KarmaPolice]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

This one is going to be my next "porch" listen. I know I've listened at some point, but it's been a long time since I've tried and honest dedicated listen.

 

[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.

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

Doing it wrong, gb. You could have been rockin' sweet gear like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7iJ2cYW

I do wish I would have hung on to some of the many t-shirts I got from the midnight releases. I just wore them too much and they got gross. Ministry and Pumpkins were my two favorites.

 

[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.

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...

Last ten albums was just number. My last Pearl Jam album I really gave a good listen to was a Riot Act. I loved No Code. Even Binaural was solid for me. Riot Act started to fade. Then they kinda went a little folksy. Eddie started to change his approach a bit. Went from this raw screaming to controlled opera vocally. All my opinions of course. Once again hard core Pearl Jam guy. Only music shirt I actually still own is a Pearl Jam one.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

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.

Why Do Birds Sing? is pretty good. "American Music" was a minor hit from it.

 

[rockaction]

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?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

 

[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,

Doing it wrong, gb. You could have been rockin' sweet gear like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7iJ2cYW

I do wish I would have hung on to some of the many t-shirts I got from the midnight releases. I just wore them too much and they got gross. Ministry and Pumpkins were my two favorites.

LOL, I was at Penn State for that release so I'm not sure I would want to take sides in the Pitt vs Philly war.

 

[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,

Doing it wrong, gb. You could have been rockin' sweet gear like this:

https://imgur.com/a/7iJ2cYW

I do wish I would have hung on to some of the many t-shirts I got from the midnight releases. I just wore them too much and they got gross. Ministry and Pumpkins were my two favorites.

Also, still wish I had my Citizen **** t-shirt that I sported in college. It looks like they are still selling it, lol.

 

[rockaction]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

This one is going to be my next "porch" listen. I know I've listened at some point, but it's been a long time since I've tried and honest dedicated listen.

I don’t care for the easy country of the band, but this is a fine album as far as I’m concerned and in no way am I disposed to like them. It pulls my cool card but I forfeited it long ago

“Pretty Maids All In.A Row” is a song Dylan singled out as excellent. A bunch of us got the DJ to play it as one of the last songs at our last dance in 8th grade, which the DJ found weird. But yeah. It’s a fine record.

 

[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?

Are we playing Doctor?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

Songs for the playlist?

I looked and I am currently stalled at 36 songs as I went through the first set of albums, haven't gotten through all the albums, haven't even started on the b-sides and soundtrack songs, and stupidly limited myself to a max of 5 songs for an album, which as we see with Vs probably isn't an honest assessment of my feelings on songs. THEN I need to start listening to shows and seeing if there are versions I even prefer of all those songs, THEN I was going to try to arrange them on the playlist to flow like an actual show. There is a reason this is taking forever.

 

[Ghost Rider]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

It's a good album, but nothing more than that, IMO. I had a conversation with a friend about this album a few weeks ago, where my stance was more or less, "the Eagles albums are all pretty inconsistent, but since they are such a big band, many have to say that have at least one great album, so they just give it to Hotel California by default," and I stand by that. The title track is obviously a monster classic, and I love The Last Resort, but everything else ranges from okay to just pretty good. But that's just me.

 

[MAC_32]

I'll write more later, but those that haven't listened to new Pearl Jam in some time, I strongly recommend giving their newest effort Dark Matter a spin. It's their hardest record since the 90's.

 

[rockaction]

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?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

Songs for the playlist?

I looked and I am currently stalled at 36 songs as I went through the first set of albums, haven't gotten through all the albums, haven't even started on the b-sides and soundtrack songs, and stupidly limited myself to a max of 5 songs for an album, which as we see with Vs probably isn't an honest assessment of my feelings on songs. THEN I need to start listening to shows and seeing if there are versions I even prefer of all those songs, THEN I was going to try to arrange them on the playlist to flow like an actual show. There is a reason this is taking forever.

I am a self-conscious idiot. Pardon my solipsism and self-centeredness. I have been taking some heat for (not here and never here) long posts and verbosity and your post was pretty long and some people (and I sign things “RA”) refer to me as “RA” and there you go! I thought you were poking fun, which was funny. But is now embarrassing as all get-out. I was not making fun of you editing your list in the least. Ignore me and carry on, KP.

 

[ConstruxBoy]

I'll write more later, but those that haven't listened to new Pearl Jam in some time, I strongly recommend giving their newest effort Dark Matter a spin. It's their hardest record since the 90's.

I will say that it did hit me better than the other two most recent ones.

 

[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?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

Songs for the playlist?

I looked and I am currently stalled at 36 songs as I went through the first set of albums, haven't gotten through all the albums, haven't even started on the b-sides and soundtrack songs, and stupidly limited myself to a max of 5 songs for an album, which as we see with Vs probably isn't an honest assessment of my feelings on songs. THEN I need to start listening to shows and seeing if there are versions I even prefer of all those songs, THEN I was going to try to arrange them on the playlist to flow like an actual show. There is a reason this is taking forever.

I'd vote for Go, Rearview or Small Town, depending on what mood you want to add to the playlist.

 

[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?

Are we playing Doctor?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

Songs for the playlist?

I looked and I am currently stalled at 36 songs as I went through the first set of albums, haven't gotten through all the albums, haven't even started on the b-sides and soundtrack songs, and stupidly limited myself to a max of 5 songs for an album, which as we see with Vs probably isn't an honest assessment of my feelings on songs. THEN I need to start listening to shows and seeing if there are versions I even prefer of all those songs, THEN I was going to try to arrange them on the playlist to flow like an actual show. There is a reason this is taking forever.

I am a self-conscious idiot. Pardon my solipsism and self-centeredness. I have been taking some heat for (not here and never here) long posts and verbosity and your post was pretty long and some people (and I sign things “RA”) refer to me as “RA” and there you go! I thought you were poking fun, which was funny. But is now embarrassing as all get-out. I was not making fun of you editing your list in the least. Ignore me and carry on, KP.

Got, it that makes more sense and I understand the confusion. No, that was yet another nod to the famous Krista post.

 

[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?

Are we playing Doctor?

No, we are playing RA.

you haven’t edited it enough
it needs at least forty or fifty of them

maybe even more than that

Songs for the playlist?

I looked and I am currently stalled at 36 songs as I went through the first set of albums, haven't gotten through all the albums, haven't even started on the b-sides and soundtrack songs, and stupidly limited myself to a max of 5 songs for an album, which as we see with Vs probably isn't an honest assessment of my feelings on songs. THEN I need to start listening to shows and seeing if there are versions I even prefer of all those songs, THEN I was going to try to arrange them on the playlist to flow like an actual show. There is a reason this is taking forever.

I'd vote for Go, Rearview or Small Town, depending on what mood you want to add to the playlist.

MAC gets the pick for this countdown's playlist since he had it at #1.

I am referring to my obsessiveness and 50 playlists and deep dives I have going at a time that clutter up my Spotify account. I am currently working on PJ, Thin Lizzy, Steppenwolf, Little Feat, City and Colour, Aimee Mann, Deftones, Baroness, a possible mystery MAD31 Round 7 artist, and about 20 others I can't even think of right now.

 

[MAC_32]

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...

I'm not sure if I can expand on this, it all hits on why this is my favorite album of all time. It's not just the ranges that do it for me, but nailing all of them.

The first 6 minutes are just a shot of pure adrenaline - Go then Animal. Daughter following offers a great opportunity to reset, breathe, and sing along. Glorified G is a tongue in cheek jab at the soon-to-be-canned Dave Abbruzzese, who allegedly showed up to recordings excited about a firearm he just purchased (Eddie was unimpressed). The next 5 songs (let's call it phase 2) represent my favorite stretch of the album. The power of Dissident, to the emotional WMA, to the most intense song in the Pearl Jam catalog Blood, to the greatest grunge song ever made Rear View Mirror, and the groove / weirdness (well put) of Rats ties a perfect bow on phase 2 of the album. Elderly Woman does to the final phase of the album what Daughter did to the first one then just when you don't think you can take any more after Leash, they one upped the outstanding closer of their debut (Release) with Indifference. And that's no slight on Release, it's just that special and a track that must be experienced live.

Speaking of which, I noted you haven't seen them in concert before. While the show will be different now without Matt Cameron (boy am I happy I saw them one more time in September), rumor has it he was the reason for the short shows the last 2 years, so perhaps we'll see a return to their 3 hour epics once he's replaced. And I'll be there, cause this is the greatest band live I have ever seen, and it's not close.

 

[MAC_32]

MAC gets the pick for this countdown's playlist since he had it at #1.

Nothing against Daughter and Elderly Woman, they're master pieces and break up the album very well, it's just what makes this record stand out is its rawness and aggressiveness, and the play list add must fit. Based on the posts so far, it sounds like it's either Go or Rear View Mirror. Like I said above, the latter is the greatest song of the grunge era, but suspecting most have already heard it and some may be unfamiliar with Go, I can be swayed. I could also be talked into Animal, Dissident, or Blood - although the latter may too inaccessible for most. And while I think Indifference is the best song on the record, it's just so much better live vs studio so I won't consider it here.

I'll make a decision once we hear from more of the others.

 

[simey]

44. Tapestry – Carole King (416 points)

@simey #2
@Snoopy #2
@Idiot Boxer #3
@zamboni #13
@timschochet #13
@jwb #30
@Ilov80s #32
@Atomic Punk #46
@Mt. Man #70

Tie? So Far Away

We can go with that. It's a great song, and one that Carole wrote by herself. She solely wrote 7 songs on Tapestry, and co-wrote three with her ex-husband and writing partner Gerry Goffin, and two with Toni Stern. After her divorce from Goffin, she moved to Laurel Canyon for a bit, and that is when she wrote songs for and recorded Tapestry.

Like several have noted, I first heard this album from my mom playing it. She bought it when it came out in '71, and played it all the time. I loved it, and mom could play piano by ear, and she would attempt to play along with the songs. A year has not gone by since '71 where I haven't listened to this album. My favorite song on it is probably "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." The Shirelles covered it in '61, and they became the first black girl group to have a #1 hit, and it was with this song. Their version is great, and sounds very early 60s. Carole did her own version of her song for Tapestry, and hers is much slower than the Shirelles. I love the vulnerability conveyed in the song, where it really sounds like she is unsure of her question, and I love the gentle piano in it, which has it's own vulnerability to it. James Taylor (also on guitar) and Joni Mitchell back her up on vocals. Those two called themselves The Mitchell/Taylor Boy and Girl Choir. Both versions of the song are great (my favorite being Carole's), which I think is a testament to how great the song itself is. Anyway, the album is filled with wonderful tunes all the way through, and it was an easy choice for me to give it a top spot as an all-time favorite.

 

[simey]

46. Kind Of Blue – Miles Davis (400 points)

@Chaos34 #1
@simey #9
@ConstruxBoy #10
@Nick Vermeil #13
@Ilove80s #19
@turnjose7 #26
@krista4 #39
Jeb #51

For time constraints on a non jazz playlist Blue in Green works best.

I think "Blue in Green" is a great choice. It's beautiful.

 

[simey]

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.

I have a JAMC album on my list, but I don't think it is gonna make the cut.

 

[zamboni]

44. Tapestry – Carole King (416 points)

@simey #2
@Snoopy #2
@Idiot Boxer #3
@zamboni #13
@timschochet #13
@jwb #30
@Ilov80s #32
@Atomic Punk #46
@Mt. Man #70

Tie? So Far Away

We can go with that. It's a great song, and one that Carole wrote by herself. She solely wrote 7 songs on Tapestry, and co-wrote three with her ex-husband and writing partner Gerry Goffin, and two with Toni Stern. After her divorce from Goffin, she moved to Laurel Canyon for a bit, and that is when she wrote songs for and recorded Tapestry.

Like several have noted, I first heard this album from my mom playing it. She bought it when it came out in '71, and played it all the time. I loved it, and mom could play piano by ear, and she would attempt to play along with the songs. A year has not gone by since '71 where I haven't listened to this album. My favorite song on it is probably "Will You Love Me Tomorrow." The Shirelles covered it in '61, and they became the first black girl group to have a #1 hit, and it was with this song. Their version is great, and sounds very early 60s. Carole did her own version of her song for Tapestry, and hers is much slower than the Shirelles. I love the vulnerability conveyed in the song, where it really sounds like she is unsure of her question, and I love the gentle piano in it, which has it's own vulnerability to it. James Taylor (also on guitar) and Joni Mitchell back her up on vocals. Those two called themselves The Mitchell/Taylor Boy and Girl Choir. Both versions of the song are great (my favorite being Carole's), which I think is a testament to how great the song itself is. Anyway, the album is filled with wonderful tunes all the way through, and it was an easy choice for me to give it a top spot as an all-time favorite.

"So Far Away" is the right choice IMO. As you say, her "remake" of "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" is also outstanding. I gained an even greater appreciation of the song when I saw the Broadway show Beautiful.

 

[simey]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

It's a good album, but nothing more than that, IMO. I had a conversation with a friend about this album a few weeks ago, where my stance was more or less, "the Eagles albums are all pretty inconsistent, but since they are such a big band, many have to say that have at least one great album, so they just give it to Hotel California by default," and I stand by that. The title track is obviously a monster classic, and I love The Last Resort, but everything else ranges from okay to just pretty good. But that's just me.

No offense, but what you are standing by sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. Anyway, I think Hotel California is consistent all the way through, and I like how several of the band members contribute songs to the album, and they are all good. My favorite is probably "Try and Love Again" that Randy sings, and I don't think there is a bad song in the bunch. I also think they have more than one consistent album.

 

[jwb]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

It's a good album, but nothing more than that, IMO. I had a conversation with a friend about this album a few weeks ago, where my stance was more or less, "the Eagles albums are all pretty inconsistent, but since they are such a big band, many have to say that have at least one great album, so they just give it to Hotel California by default," and I stand by that. The title track is obviously a monster classic, and I love The Last Resort, but everything else ranges from okay to just pretty good. But that's just me.

I would agree most of their albums are a little inconsistent - some excellent songs surrounded by fairly "meh" stuff. Bernie Leadon never wanted to go in the radio hits/rock direction, which I feel held most of the albums back as a whole. That more or less made the Eagles a superb greatest hits band (and both of their greatest hits albums have sold massively).

That said, I don't quite agree this one is only considered great because the massive band needs a great one. Of all the Eagles albums, to me this one is the best from top to bottom. And having that monster all-time hit, plus the 1a of Fast Lane, and The Last Resort / Pretty Maids as the never-hits-but-the-cool-kids-like-them, I think it deserves its place in the top 50.

 

[krista4]

I don't really mind the Eagles. There, I said it. I don't play any of their stuff on purpose, but I don't mind if it comes on.

I think OH was in the broadcast booth when Eddie Vedder sang Take Me Out to the Ball Game at Wrigley (he's probably done it more than once). I don't remember why OH was there and will have to ask him. I've kind of lost track of Pearl Jam in their later years (and didn't put them on my list), but I fiercely loved their first few records, and I also like Eddie a lot as a human.

 

[landrys hat]

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.

I have a JAMC album on my list, but I don't think it is gonna make the cut.

They have 4 really good ones. I think they just missed my list cause i couldn't pick a favorite.

 

[Yo Mama]

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 favorite Pearl Jam album by far (although I also ranked another). So much raw emotion in this one that I completely connected with.

Elderly Woman (superhero shout out), Indifference, and Rearviewmirror are all top 5 PJ songs for me, and there is so much more to love throughout the album.

 

[Ilov80s]

I guess the short answer is it's not for me. All by Myself was not what I expected. I still like Basketcase the best and I felt like Burnout sounded like it. Alot of the songs sound pretty similarish to me but I think that's just rather common for some/most bands. Liked the solo/outro on Chump and I think that's my second favorite song. Did appreciate the shortness of the songs.

It's a punk album not rock in case we were still debating that.

I appreciate that, you have an album you want me to listen to right now?

have you done Audioslave yet? If so I got a x-mas album you can listen to but it didn't make the countdown :/

I have definitely listened to Audioslave before because of how much I loved RATM but I don't know what albums.

Throwing Copper Live 70
Morning View Incubus 69
Break the Cycle Staind 68
Audioslave Audioslave 67
We are not Alone Breaking Benjamin 65
Slippery When Wet Bon Jovi 64
Toxicity System of a Down 63
Fear of the Dark Iron Maiden 62
Hybrid Theory Linkin Park 59
The Black Album Metalica 58
Tragic Kingdom No Doubt 56
Jagged Little Pill Alanis Morissette 55
Life Dope 54
The Marshall Mathers LP Eminem 51

these are all the albums of mine that have been revealed, just pick one.

I am very familiar with many of them, I will choose Life by Dope because I have no idea what that even is. Firing up now.

 

[Ghost Rider]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

It's a good album, but nothing more than that, IMO. I had a conversation with a friend about this album a few weeks ago, where my stance was more or less, "the Eagles albums are all pretty inconsistent, but since they are such a big band, many have to say that have at least one great album, so they just give it to Hotel California by default," and I stand by that. The title track is obviously a monster classic, and I love The Last Resort, but everything else ranges from okay to just pretty good. But that's just me.

No offense, but what you are standing by sounds like a bunch of baloney to me. Anyway, I think Hotel California is consistent all the way through, and I like how several of the band members contribute songs to the album, and they are all good. My favorite is probably "Try and Love Again" that Randy sings, and I don't think there is a bad song in the bunch. I also think they have more than one consistent album.

Not trying to be a contrarian, honest, but the bolded is exactly what the friends said to me in response a few weeks ago, and with all due respect, I feel like it's grasping for straws when "there isn't a bad song in the bunch" is one of the best things one can say about a supposed great or classic album. We can agree to disagree on this one, and again, I do like the album and agree that it is their best; I just don't think it's a great album.

 

[Ilov80s]

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 #

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.

All apologies to Eephus and The Dude but this album is iconic and especially impressive considering their previous album was a greatest hits collection which usually means a band is winding down, not about to release their signature album.

 

[Ilov80s]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

This one is going to be my next "porch" listen. I know I've listened at some point, but it's been a long time since I've tried and honest dedicated listen.

When listening pay extra attention to one of the tracks called Hotel something or another That one is especially good.

 

[Dwayne_Castro]

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.

I figured that The Eagles could be a polarizing subject in this discussion. The group gained popularity at the same time rock music was licking its collective wounds after the deaths of several of its most noteworthy stars.

With that said, The Eagles were the most successful artist to come from this easier, more melodic sound. All members sang lead on at least one song, and all members sang harmony. In addition, the members rotated instruments in order to showcase a particular member on lead vocals. For example, Don Henley, a drummer by trade, came out from behind the kit to sing lead on many songs.

The tight sound and versatility of the musicians are what separate The Eagles from many other artists, and what also makes their music difficult for cover bands to play. If I could offer a song suggestion for the playlist, I’d go with “New Kid in Town”, but two of you outranked me, if barely.

 

[zamboni]

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.

I know it's popular to bash the Iggles, but this is very fine album. Wasn't too far out of my top 70.

This one is going to be my next "porch" listen. I know I've listened at some point, but it's been a long time since I've tried and honest dedicated listen.

When listening pay extra attention to one of the tracks called Hotel something or another That one is especially good.

My favorite song off the album is "Wasted Time" - Henley sings his butt off here - but I don't really have a say for the selection on this album.

 

[Ilov80s]

I'll write more later, but those that haven't listened to new Pearl Jam in some time, I strongly recommend giving their newest effort Dark Matter a spin. It's their hardest record since the 90's.

I will say that it did hit me better than the other two most recent ones.

I second that. Waiting for Stevie rocks hard.

Waiting For Stevie

Pearl Jam · Dark Matter · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

 

[MAC_32]

I'll write more later, but those that haven't listened to new Pearl Jam in some time, I strongly recommend giving their newest effort Dark Matter a spin. It's their hardest record since the 90's.

I will say that it did hit me better than the other two most recent ones.

I second that. Waiting for Stevie rocks hard.

Waiting For Stevie

Pearl Jam · Dark Matter · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

While the lyrics have nothing to do with it, I chuckle that its title is based on Eddie waiting for Stevie Wonder all day to show up to the recording studio to play with him.

 

[Ilov80s]

I'll write more later, but those that haven't listened to new Pearl Jam in some time, I strongly recommend giving their newest effort Dark Matter a spin. It's their hardest record since the 90's.

I will say that it did hit me better than the other two most recent ones.

I second that. Waiting for Stevie rocks hard.

Waiting For Stevie

Pearl Jam · Dark Matter · Song · 2024

open.spotify.com

While the lyrics have nothing to do with it, I chuckle that its title is based on Eddie waiting for Stevie Wonder all day to show up to the recording studio to play with him.

That is funny. I actually never locked in on the lyrics and the title of the song seemed odd. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

42. Vs. – Pearl Jam (420 points)

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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.

Go
Animal
Daughter
Blood
Leash
Indifference

That is how Rearviewmirror doesn't make the top half of the album for me.

 

[simey]

I feel like it's grasping for straws when "there isn't a bad song in the bunch" is one of the best things one can say about a supposed great or classic album.

Grasping at straws? I'll sum up the album in four words for ya, "All killer, no filler."

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The great Eagles album is their first one.

 

[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...

I'm not sure if I can expand on this, it all hits on why this is my favorite album of all time. It's not just the ranges that do it for me, but nailing all of them.

The first 6 minutes are just a shot of pure adrenaline - Go then Animal. Daughter following offers a great opportunity to reset, breathe, and sing along. Glorified G is a tongue in cheek jab at the soon-to-be-canned Dave Abbruzzese, who allegedly showed up to recordings excited about a firearm he just purchased (Eddie was unimpressed). The next 5 songs (let's call it phase 2) represent my favorite stretch of the album. The power of Dissident, to the emotional WMA, to the most intense song in the Pearl Jam catalog Blood, to the greatest grunge song ever made Rear View Mirror, and the groove / weirdness (well put) of Rats ties a perfect bow on phase 2 of the album. Elderly Woman does to the final phase of the album what Daughter did to the first one then just when you don't think you can take any more after Leash, they one upped the outstanding closer of their debut (Release) with Indifference. And that's no slight on Release, it's just that special and a track that must be experienced live.

Speaking of which, I noted you haven't seen them in concert before. While the show will be different now without Matt Cameron (boy am I happy I saw them one more time in September), rumor has it he was the reason for the short shows the last 2 years, so perhaps we'll see a return to their 3 hour epics once he's replaced. And I'll be there, cause this is the greatest band live I have ever seen, and it's not close.

Is he sick? Matt's Drumeo videos was one of the many that I watched last week, and he was looking gaunt.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

40. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan (435 points)

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Highway 61 Revisited is the sixth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on August 30, 1965, by Columbia Records. Dylan continued the musical approach of his previous album Bringing It All Back Home (1965), using rock musicians as his backing band on every track of the album in a further departure from his primarily acoustic folk sound, except for the closing track, the 11-minute ballad "Desolation Row". Critics have focused on the innovative way Dylan combined driving, blues-based music with the subtlety of poetry to create songs that captured the political and cultural climate of contemporary America. Author Michael Gray argued that, in an important sense, the 1960s "started" with this album.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

40. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan (435 points)

@timschochet #3
@Mister CIA 63 #8
@Don Quixote #9
@landrys hat #10
@rockaction $15
@Snoopy #18
@simey #24
@turnjose #45


Highway 61 Revisited is the sixth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on August 30, 1965, by Columbia Records. Dylan continued the musical approach of his previous album Bringing It All Back Home (1965), using rock musicians as his backing band on every track of the album in a further departure from his primarily acoustic folk sound, except for the closing track, the 11-minute ballad "Desolation Row". Critics have focused on the innovative way Dylan combined driving, blues-based music with the subtlety of poetry to create songs that captured the political and cultural climate of contemporary America. Author Michael Gray argued that, in an important sense, the 1960s "started" with this album.

One of the rankers identified this album as "Like a Rolling Stone" which I figured was really Highway 61 and confirmed with the submitter.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

39. Are You Experienced – Jimi Hendrix Experience (437 points)

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Are You Experienced is the debut studio album by the Jimi Hendrix Experience, released in May 1967. The album was an immediate critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time. It features Jimi Hendrix's innovative approach to songwriting and electric guitar playing, which soon established a new direction in psychedelic and rock music as a whole.