Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 68. Automatic for the People – R.E.M. (223 Viewers)

[Don Quixote]

I think it was also my first introduction to this album from its use in an HP commercial way back when.

I totally remember this ad and was surprised they'd use a reasonably deep cut off of this particular album, which I had purchased on a whim from the Borders down on the corner of 18th & something in D.C. I used to go there during work, and that was sort of my place to get decent stuff and jam on back there to listen and read some more (which is what I got paid to do). In a non-sequitur incoming, I also purchased Zombie Heaven there (the Zombies' CD box set) because it got a great review in the City Paper or local arts paper, I had loved every track I had heard by them, and the cover was so bespoke that it demanded a purchase with tight money. But it was oh-so worth it!

And I'm surprised fellow countdown members Green Day never got sued for "Warning," which really appropriates a similar bass line to "Animal Farm"—the song you mentioned in your post (I didn't quote that part, darn it, and can't correct it). The Kinks are probably just cool, phenomenal cats and decided not to litigate that little lift, I think. (Green Day borrows often and the title track of the album we were just discussing lifted or sounded uniquely similar to the guitar riff in Dillinger Four's "O.K.F.M.D.O.A.," a lift that was settled out of the court system but involved monetary compensation, which I'm also imagining Green Day didn't mind because D4 are not rich and Green Day, by all accounts, gives back heavily to the punk scene from which they came).

Man, that Borders brings back some memories. Know exactly the one. Used to go there a lot during my GW days, as that was the closest one. Sad when they closed that one down. Think I bought more books than music from there, but had the Tower Records on campus for music back then.

 

[rockaction]

I think it was also my first introduction to this album from its use in an HP commercial way back when.

I totally remember this ad and was surprised they'd use a reasonably deep cut off of this particular album, which I had purchased on a whim from the Borders down on the corner of 18th & something in D.C. I used to go there during work, and that was sort of my place to get decent stuff and jam on back there to listen and read some more (which is what I got paid to do). In a non-sequitur incoming, I also purchased Zombie Heaven there (the Zombies' CD box set) because it got a great review in the City Paper or local arts paper, I had loved every track I had heard by them, and the cover was so bespoke that it demanded a purchase with tight money. But it was oh-so worth it!

And I'm surprised fellow countdown members Green Day never got sued for "Warning," which really appropriates a similar bass line to "Animal Farm"—the song you mentioned in your post (I didn't quote that part, darn it, and can't correct it). The Kinks are probably just cool, phenomenal cats and decided not to litigate that little lift, I think. (Green Day borrows often and the title track of the album we were just discussing lifted or sounded uniquely similar to the guitar riff in Dillinger Four's "O.K.F.M.D.O.A.," a lift that was settled out of the court system but involved monetary compensation, which I'm also imagining Green Day didn't mind because D4 are not rich and Green Day, by all accounts, gives back heavily to the punk scene from which they came).

Man, that Borders brings back some memories. Know exactly the one. Used to go there a lot during my GW days, as that was the closest one. Sad when they closed that one down. Think I bought more books than music from there, but had the Tower Records on campus for music back then.

You said it. Like you, I also bought a lot of books there that were very formative. That’s the store where I bought my Tom Wolfe books that I read so ardently, absorbing the staccato, exciting style he wrote with. Also would hit the political philosophy section and buy books I’d never understand, so most of them just sat there unread in my apartment. I had all sorts of great intentions and expectations for Plato’s Republic with the Allan Bloom translation, but the poor thing wound up stained with bong water and marijuana resin. I finally understood The Allegory of the Cave a few weeks ago. Neat!

I remember your Tower Records and shopped there a few times. I bought The La’s debut album there, which was one of my favorites of that time period and wasn’t that easy to find anymore. I think I went there specifically looking for it after hitting that mini Taco Bell by GW. I did not know you had “GW days.” Very cool, internationally steeped school.

 

[Mister CIA]

My list contains a not yet selected Velvet Underground album, unless I missed it. I wonder what else remains for the band.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Jessica too

I think it was also my first introduction to this album from its use in an HP commercial way back when.

I totally remember this ad and was surprised they'd use a reasonably deep cut off of this particular album, which I had purchased on a whim from the Borders down on the corner of 18th & something in D.C. I used to go there during work, and that was sort of my place to get decent stuff and jam on back there to listen and read some more (which is what I got paid to do). In a non-sequitur incoming, I also purchased Zombie Heaven there (the Zombies' CD box set) because it got a great review in the City Paper or local arts paper, I had loved every track I had heard by them, and the cover was so bespoke that it demanded a purchase with tight money. But it was oh-so worth it!

And I'm surprised fellow countdown members Green Day never got sued for "Warning," which really appropriates a similar bass line to "Animal Farm"—the song you mentioned in your post (I didn't quote that part, darn it, and can't correct it). The Kinks are probably just cool, phenomenal cats and decided not to litigate that little lift, I think. (Green Day borrows often and the title track of the American Idiot album we were just discussing lifted or sounded uniquely similar to the guitar riff in Dillinger Four's "O.K.F.M.D.O.A.," a lift that was settled out of the court system but involved monetary compensation, which I'm also imagining Green Day didn't mind because D4 are not rich and Green Day, by all accounts, gives back heavily to the punk scene from which they came).

This ad?

- YouTube

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

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I think at the time, I just assumed it was something by the Beatles. The Kinks are kind of a poor man’s Beatles, so i guess I was close.

 

[rockaction]

Jessica too

I think it was also my first introduction to this album from its use in an HP commercial way back when.

I totally remember this ad and was surprised they'd use a reasonably deep cut off of this particular album, which I had purchased on a whim from the Borders down on the corner of 18th & something in D.C. I used to go there during work, and that was sort of my place to get decent stuff and jam on back there to listen and read some more (which is what I got paid to do). In a non-sequitur incoming, I also purchased Zombie Heaven there (the Zombies' CD box set) because it got a great review in the City Paper or local arts paper, I had loved every track I had heard by them, and the cover was so bespoke that it demanded a purchase with tight money. But it was oh-so worth it!

And I'm surprised fellow countdown members Green Day never got sued for "Warning," which really appropriates a similar bass line to "Animal Farm"—the song you mentioned in your post (I didn't quote that part, darn it, and can't correct it). The Kinks are probably just cool, phenomenal cats and decided not to litigate that little lift, I think. (Green Day borrows often and the title track of the American Idiot album we were just discussing lifted or sounded uniquely similar to the guitar riff in Dillinger Four's "O.K.F.M.D.O.A.," a lift that was settled out of the court system but involved monetary compensation, which I'm also imagining Green Day didn't mind because D4 are not rich and Green Day, by all accounts, gives back heavily to the punk scene from which they came).

This ad?

- 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

I think at the time, I just assumed it was something by the Beatles. The Kinks are kind of a poor man’s Beatles, so i guess I was close.

Yes indeed. I think there were more. The Kinks were probably happy to see the royalties.

As far as a poor man’s Beatles (krista4 probably can see me smiling but hear me grinding my teeth from California), The Kinks, in my opinion, told such evocative, interesting, and moving stories in their songs that they are a poor man’s nothing. Their narratives are probably (actually) the *richest* in rock history, from the everlasting and properly named “Lola,” “David Watts,” and “Victoria” to the unforgettable yet unnamed characters introduced in songs like “Death of a Clown,” “Dedicated Follower of Fashion,” and “Come Dancing."

They created such memorable scenes with such subtly layered commentary that even I—who gives two squats about rock lyrics—remember the characters, the stories, the critiques, and the homages well enough to gently but firmly disagree with you.

And their earlier hits like “You Really Got Me” brought a distinctively fuzzed-out, distorted sound to rock n’ roll that pushed music forward in an important way. The Kinks were musical and lyrical pioneers, and few have been as original or influential—they deserve their place in pop culture lore. No doubt.

eta* But I think you’re correct in the sentiment that I think you were getting at: The Beatles really are something else—inimitable and second-to-none. I just want The Kinks to get their due.

 

[turnjose7]

As Dr. O's brilliantly crafted commentary notes, this is the fourth

No one reads what I write.

I was joking, if that wasn't clear.

 

[rockaction]

@rockaction

500. Fun House – The Stooges

585. Damned Damned Damned – The Damned

The reader might be able to tell I ranked each of these pretty highly. Fun House was #12 and Damned Damned Damned was #16.

Fun House (1970) - The Stooges

The Stooges were never a big commercial success. They weren't even a blip on the national radar. They were from Ann Arbor, MI, and were overshadowed in their own city by Detroit transplants the MC5—who themselves didn't overshadow a whole lot where national fame and fortune were concerned. After releasing their first album to a critical and commercial yawn, The Stooges were somewhat of an afterthought to their label, Elektra Records, who had signed them for two albums. Elektra hadn't totally forgotten about The Stooges even after the band's tepid beginning, so the label fortuitously booked the group studio time in Los Angeles for their second album with producer Don Gallucci, the former keyboardist for The Kingsmen ("Louie Louie") at the helm.

Upon hearing The Stooges play live, Gallucci realized the futility of capturing their essence with a standard studio setup and recording, so he presciently changed the entire physical nature of the studio with some adjustments to allow the Stooges to record like they were playing a live performance. He stripped the space of its soundproofing, and he removed the isolating baffles from the amplifiers so that the sound of the instruments bled into one another like it was a live performance. He had vocalist Iggy Pop sing into a handheld microphone so that the singer could move around the studio and sing while the rest of the band played along together as a group, which was unlike a standard, pieced-together song from recorded tapes of isolated instrumental and vocal performances done at different times in different locations.

The result of these decisions was that it enabled The Stooges to reproduce the spontaneous nature of Iggy Pop's primal vocals and the band's extraordinarily tight hard-rock edge. The new album, entitled Fun House, garnered a few more critical accolades than its eponymous predecessor, but even those who wrote positively about the band still doubted The Stooges' commercial viability because of their heaviness and their often repetitive, bludgeoning songs. There was another problem. By the time Fun House was released, the band's hard living and drug problems had caught up with them, and the band ceased paying full attention to the music side of things while the label ceased paying full attention to the band. This led to a lead single with an overdubbed piano track that didn't capture the band's spirit and was released with scant promotion to little fanfare. The album subsequently flopped and The Stooges, who were now mired in internal conflict, disbanded before the end of the year.

They would reform with a new lineup and a new name, Iggy and the Stooges, and they would write and record a new album under the tutelage of David Bowie in 1973. It was called Raw Power, and it also failed commercially. Iggy Pop would go off with Bowie to Berlin, Germany, in the mid-'70s and cut two solo records even as his drug use continued. But the new solo albums were judged by a culture that had now shifted in its musical tastes. People began to appreciate heavier and faster music, and the shift towards liking these types of sonics caused an explosive new genre called punk rock to ascend. A reevaluation of albums that came before had also begun. This included the albums by The Stooges, especially Fun House, which was full of a thunderous and constant bass groove, ripping guitar work, and a unique bombastic flair that included Iggy Pop's blues-influenced vocals to go along with lots of discordant, free jazz saxophone work on the second side of the record.

The Stooges began to be revered by the new punks, the old hard rockers, and the leftover psychedelia aficionados, and their recorded output helped turn The Stooges into a venerated and deeply praised act in the span of twenty-five or so years from their original run. The testimonials for the group and the albums are now de rigueur, effusive, and nearly endless. Fun House in particular has been called the "greatest rock n' roll record ever made" by Melody Maker; "raw and immediate" and "incredibly good today on [its] own terms" by Pitchfork; "a proto-punk landmark" by Spin; and Robert Christgau has said, "language wasn't designed for the job" of conveying its "energy and power." It has grown so much in stature that Rolling Stone ranked Fun House as one of the top one hundred albums of all-time in 2020.

Musicians heap praise upon it. Jack White, the rock n' roll luminary extraordinaire from Detroit, The Stooges' home state, called the record "the greatest rock n' roll record ever made . . . I don't think it will be topped." He is not alone. There is a steady stream of musicians who share the same sentiment and cover various songs, including "1970" (otherwise known as "I Feel Alright"), which was a punk rock staple after the English punk group The Damned covered it in 1977. The Stooges might have failed to capture a large audience the first time around, but their output has redounded and they are now considered to have had one of the most successful three-album runs in rock n' roll lore. Here's two from their traveling and bizarro-land Fun House:

https://open.spotify.com/track/77cNhikwSwGJdls6slQy7k?si=bedcef51b8af4da5 (1970)

https://open.spotify.com/track/0L7F1blNNYj3AjIu4gCjhP?si=05358406242b42cd (Down On The Street)

Damned Damned Damned - The Damned (1977)

The Damned were the first of the British punk bands to release a single, doing so in 1976 with "New Rose" b/w "Help!" It was an incendiary 7" on Stiff Records that began with a twist—an intro from an old American girl group, The Shangri-Las. "Is she really going out with him?" asks Dave Vanian, and in two minutes, Vanian (singer), Captain Sensible (bass), Brian James (guitar), and Rat Scabies (drums) commence to blister through a song at warp speed, led by a riff that captivated punk fans and announced The Damned's arrival. The next single, "Neat Neat Neat," was released in 1977 with an even more memorable riff, and it was even faster than "New Rose." "Neat Neat Neat" was the first single off of the UK's first punk album, Damned Damned Damned, a twelve-song ball of fire that captured the band's intensity and furious pace. The album peaked at #34, and the band toured with the Sex Pistols, a tour they got kicked off of. Undaunted, they subsequently toured America, where they played a legendary show at CBGB's before heading westward, where it is claimed that the aggressive pace of their songs was so influential that it started the hardcore punk movement.

Damned Damned Damned is full of short bursts of similarly fast and energetic songs. Brian James was likened by one critic to Pete Townshend for his creativity and his "powerhouse" guitar work that showed a pop sensibility within its frenetic pace. Highlights of the record, aside from the singles, are "I Fall," "Stab Yor Back," and "Born To Kill," which are dark in spirit with their minor keys and minor scale power chords yet retain their pop sensibility throughout. They close the album with the aforementioned "I Feel Alright" by The Stooges and, much like The Stooges' Fun House, Damned Damned Damned resonates today. Here are two quick ones while they're here: one is a single, the other a deep cut.

https://open.spotify.com/track/2sxotbU3HeepWLOZukkIqC?si=9c78c282bc6947d1 (Born To Kill)

https://open.spotify.com/track/6cxU2pWVkqoBfuBsKGma62?si=82fa022ad7314094 (Neat Neat Neat)

 

[krista4]

@rockaction

500. Fun House – The Stooges

585. Damned Damned Damned – The Damned

The reader might be able to tell I ranked each of these pretty highly. Fun House was #12 and Damned Damned Damned was #16.

Fun House (1970) - The Stooges

Damned Damned Damned - The Damned (1977)

Great picks. Fun House would have had a top 10, maybe even a top five, vote if OH had submitted a list.

 

[rockaction]

@rockaction

500. Fun House – The Stooges

585. Damned Damned Damned – The Damned

The reader might be able to tell I ranked each of these pretty highly. Fun House was #12 and Damned Damned Damned was #16.

Fun House (1970) - The Stooges

Damned Damned Damned - The Damned (1977)

Great picks. Fun House would have had a top 10, maybe even a top five, vote if OH had submitted a list.

Thank you! Would have loved to have seen what he thought (and thinks) of the record. It's thumping. I particularly like its groove even with its excellent guitar work. I had a friend notice the same thing years ago. It makes you shake.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

People I left off yesterday, because I'm dumb (just ask @Chaos34)

@Atomic Punk
1,104. Natty Dread - Bob Marley and the Wailers
1,243. Lets Take it to the Stage - Funkadelic

@Val Rannous
1,218. Pictures at an Exhibition - Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
1,352. Green Onions - Booker T. and the M.G.'s

@zamboni
1,151. Argus - Wishbone Ash
1,410. Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus - Spirit

 

[Dr. Octopus]

84. The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths (268 points)

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band the Smiths, released on 16 June 1986 by Rough Trade Records. Following the release of their second album Meat Is Murder, the Smiths retreated to Greater Manchester to begin work on new material, with Johnny Marr and Morrissey writing extensively at Marr's home in Bowdon as the band sought to escape the pressures of London and their label Rough Trade. The album was produced by Morrissey and Marr, with engineering by Stephen Street; its music blends indie rock and post-punk. Recording for the album took place between July 1985 and December of that year, with sessions held at RAK Studios in London, Jacobs Studios in Farnham and Drone Studios in Manchester.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Not being able to work gave me even more time to power through albums. This thread gave some great listening over the last few days as I got to: Wildflowers, Otis Sings Soul (my daughter liked this too - we listened during dinner), Deja Vu, Every Picture Tells a Story, So, Some Girls, Kinks, and Astral Weeks. Only one in the pile I didn't click with, so that is a great hit rate. I have Loaded and Eat A Peach on deck for the next wave of listening plus whatever pops up that interests me. Great stuff, all!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

 

[krista4]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

I said exactly the same thing to myself when I saw the post.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

 

[zamboni]

@zamboni
1,151. Argus - Wishbone Ash
1,410. Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus - Spirit

For all the prog rock fans here (and there are several), I highly recommend giving Argus a listen if you haven't before. Definitely falls under the radar of the early/mid '70s prog rock and Wishbone Ash is a phenomenally talented band that helped pioneer the twin guitar attack.

Lots of folks know about Spirit here and had to give them some love with my list. Another talented band that didn't get enough due back in the day.

 

[Ilov80s]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

My dad took me to see them when Throwing Copper was in it's peak run. I was blown away by how good of a singer Ed Kowalczyk was. I enjoyed the band and the album a lot but Live was very uncool among my friends. They were seen like Candlebox as a band for girls. Stupid opinion, both those albums were awesome and I know everyone of them were secretly rocking out everytime Far Behind or I Alone came on 89X.

 

[Ilov80s]

84. The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths (268 points)

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band the Smiths, released on 16 June 1986 by Rough Trade Records. Following the release of their second album Meat Is Murder, the Smiths retreated to Greater Manchester to begin work on new material, with Johnny Marr and Morrissey writing extensively at Marr's home in Bowdon as the band sought to escape the pressures of London and their label Rough Trade. The album was produced by Morrissey and Marr, with engineering by Stephen Street; its music blends indie rock and post-punk. Recording for the album took place between July 1985 and December of that year, with sessions held at RAK Studios in London, Jacobs Studios in Farnham and Drone Studios in Manchester.

Love to see The Smiths making an appearance so high. Not the album I chose so I guess I will wait and see if my pick charts.

 

[zamboni]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

And had deep philosophical debates about The Smiths versus The Cure.

 

[Dwayne_Castro]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

I thought the same about this. I respect its ranking, but I didn’t really consider it. And yes, I did go to college, but I was out before this was released.

 

[kupcho1]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

This is the one I was referring to earlier.

I'm not sure which of you it was, but someone was channeling bullies tossing young Sheldon around.
At least I thought that's what you meant by Throwing Cooper

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Not being able to work gave me even more time to power through albums. This thread gave some great listening over the last few days as I got to: Wildflowers, Otis Sings Soul (my daughter liked this too - we listened during dinner), Deja Vu, Every Picture Tells a Story, So, Some Girls, Kinks, and Astral Weeks. Only one in the pile I didn't click with, so that is a great hit rate. I have Loaded and Eat A Peach on deck for the next wave of listening plus whatever pops up that interests me. Great stuff, all!

How about some reviews?

 

[kupcho1]

And had deep philosophical debates about The Smiths versus The Cure.

Actually, the most contentious was R.E.M. vs Depeche Mode w/r/t which band would have the longer relevance/staying power.
I was team R.E.M. and thought this was a slam dunk, but Depeche Mode has put out some good material recently. I think it's been almost 15 years since R.E.M. had new material.

 

[MAC_32]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

I agree, they're just okay. This album wasn't though. It's special. The hits are great but I still come back to The Dam At Otter Creek, Iris, TBD, Stage, Pillar of Davidson, and especially White Discussion with regularity. No arguments if BP goes Selling The Drama or Lightning Crashes, but if all he needs is a nudge towards the closer I'll give it to him. What a banger

 

[Juxtatarot]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

I agree, they're just okay. This album wasn't though. It's special. The hits are great but I still come back to The Dam At Otter Creek, Iris, TBD, Stage, Pillar of Davidson, and especially White Discussion with regularity. No arguments if BP goes Selling The Drama or Lightning Crashes, but if all he needs is a nudge towards the closer I'll give it to him. What a banger

Any song besides Waitress or **** Towne is fine by me. I would probably have ranked this one higher if it weren't for those two songs.

I was a big fan of their debut album, Mental Jewelry, when I was in college. I predicted to my roommate that they would someday be as big as R.E.M. I recall gloating when Throwing Copper exploded. Too bad they weren't able to build on that.

 

[Juxtatarot]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

I said exactly the same thing to myself when I saw the post.

Could someone explain this joke to me?

 

[krista4]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

I said exactly the same thing to myself when I saw the post.

Could someone explain this joke to me?

There was someone around here, a very prolific poster with a challenging personality, who insisted in a music thread that only East Coast elites who went to college liked the Smiths, so it's been a running joke in music threads since then. Someone with a better notebook than mine could probably fill in more details.

 

[Scoresman]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

I agree, they're just okay. This album wasn't though. It's special. The hits are great but I still come back to The Dam At Otter Creek, Iris, TBD, Stage, Pillar of Davidson, and especially White Discussion with regularity. No arguments if BP goes Selling The Drama or Lightning Crashes, but if all he needs is a nudge towards the closer I'll give it to him. What a banger

My thoughts exactly. This album is great for all the songs that were not hits.

The Dam at Otter Creek and White, Discussion are my favorites and get my vote too.

 

[Ghost Rider]

84. The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths (268 points)

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band the Smiths, released on 16 June 1986 by Rough Trade Records. Following the release of their second album Meat Is Murder, the Smiths retreated to Greater Manchester to begin work on new material, with Johnny Marr and Morrissey writing extensively at Marr's home in Bowdon as the band sought to escape the pressures of London and their label Rough Trade. The album was produced by Morrissey and Marr, with engineering by Stephen Street; its music blends indie rock and post-punk. Recording for the album took place between July 1985 and December of that year, with sessions held at RAK Studios in London, Jacobs Studios in Farnham and Drone Studios in Manchester.

Despite being a big 80s guy, I have still never heard this album. I need to change that one of these days.

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

I didn't like this band at all back in the 90s (most mainstream rock in the 90s was a miss for me, as I was not a fan of grunge or most alt rock from that decade in real time), but I was talked into giving this album a spin a few years ago, and ended up liking it a lot. I didn't rank it, but I am now a pretty big fan of this record.

 

[BrutalPenguin]

86. Metallica – Metallica (266 points)


@BrutalPenguin #3
@BLOCKED_PUNT #13
@Scoresman #20
@Long Ball Larry #33
@MAC_32 #47
@Tau837 #54
@SayChowda #61

Metallica (commonly known as The Black Album) is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released on August 12, 1991, by Elektra Records. Recording sessions took place at One on One Recording Studios in Los Angeles over an eight-month span that frequently found Metallica at odds with their new producer Bob Rock. The album marked a change in the band's music from the thrash metal style of their previous four albums to a slower, heavier, and more refined sound.

I remember when this came out all my metalhead friends hated it and thought Metallica had "sold out" but I always liked this album.

This album is a special one for me in that when my family went on a euro trip in 92, and I forgot all my cassettes on the plane ride over, this was the one left in my Walkman and all I listened to for the two week trip.

I vote for Unforgiven for the playlist.

The Unforgiven or The God That Failed? Every song is great.

Let's go with The Unforgiven

 

[Juxtatarot]

@kupcho1 #7
@Dreaded Marco #15
@Juxtatarot #22
@Rand al Thor #35
@titusbramble #43
@Eephus #53
@zamboni #62
@Chaos34 #63

These people obviously went to college.

I said exactly the same thing to myself when I saw the post.

Could someone explain this joke to me?

There was someone around here, a very prolific poster with a challenging personality, who insisted in a music thread that only East Coast elites who went to college liked the Smiths, so it's been a running joke in music threads since then. Someone with a better notebook than mine could probably fill in more details.

OK, thanks. Actually, I believe that was from the This Is Their Best Song (or something like that) draft which I participated it. I remember the discussion now.

It's kind of funny. I don't think I had heard of The Smiths in high school in suburban Chicago. My freshman year in college, someone gave me a tape with a Smiths album on one side and a Cure compilation album on the other. I've always felt that that tape profoundly altered my musical tastes goings forward.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

82. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (286 points)

@Mister CIA #16
@shuke #21
@timschochet #24
@Tau837 #24
@simey #40
@Dwayne_Castro #50
@turnjose7 #53
@MAC_32 #62
@ConstruxBoy #63

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BroncoFreak_2K3 #53
@Dan Lambskin #57
@jwb #60
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

I'm bummed I left this one off, especially in the light of Ozzy's death.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

My rating is wrong, I had it 57 assume it’s just a typo since you have me far down the list

Anyway this was one of the albums kn my parents old vinyl collection so I played it a ton as a kid, especially Side 1

 

[Ilov80s]

83. Throwing Copper – Live (270 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #1
@MAC_32 #14
@Scoresman #32
@New Binky the Doormat #36
@Mt. Man #38
@Rand al Thor #49
@Juxtatarot #57

Throwing Copper is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Live, released on April 26, 1994, on former MCA Records subsidiary Radioactive Records. It was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads and was recorded at Pachyderm Recording Studio. Throwing Copper has generally been regarded as Live's best album, having sold over 8 million copies and certified 8× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Good album maybe would have cracked my top 100. My buddies absolutely love Live, they’re just ok for me though

I agree, they're just okay. This album wasn't though. It's special. The hits are great but I still come back to The Dam At Otter Creek, Iris, TBD, Stage, Pillar of Davidson, and especially White Discussion with regularity. No arguments if BP goes Selling The Drama or Lightning Crashes, but if all he needs is a nudge towards the closer I'll give it to him. What a banger

My thoughts exactly. This album is great for all the songs that were not hits.

The Dam at Otter Creek and White, Discussion are my favorites and get my vote too.

The Dam at Otter Creek rules. That’s the song I would play for people who told me Live was chick rock.

 

[Zeppelin]

82. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (286 points)

@Mister CIA #16
@shuke #21
@timschochet #24
@Tau837 #24
@simey #40
@Dwayne_Castro #50
@turnjose #53
@MAC_32 #62
@ConstruxBoy #63

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

Only 82nd? Oh hell ****ing no.

 

[Zeppelin]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

What a great album that stands the rest of time.

 

[Zeppelin]

82. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (286 points)

@Mister CIA #16
@shuke #21
@timschochet #24
@Tau837 #24
@simey #40
@Dwayne_Castro #50
@turnjose #53
@MAC_32 #62
@ConstruxBoy #63

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

I can't think of many debut albums that were better than this one.

 

[timschochet]

Led Zeppelin

One vote for “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”

 

[ConstruxBoy]

82. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (286 points)

@Mister CIA #16
@shuke #21
@timschochet #24
@Tau837 #24
@simey #40
@Dwayne_Castro #50
@turnjose #53
@MAC_32 #62
@ConstruxBoy #63

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

I can't think of many debut albums that were better than this one.

Hendrix, IMO

 

[Zeppelin]

I recall in the late 70s, I called a radio station in Detroit to request a Black Sabbath song during lunch and they refused to play it. They literally said they didn't play Black Sabbath in the daytime.

 

[Ghost Rider]

I only had room on on my list for one LZ album, and it wasn't the debut (it was their 5th), but that album definitely rules.

Paranoid was easy to put on my list. It has Sabbath's three most iconic songs (War Pigs, title track and Iron Man) and what I feel are their two best songs (Hand of Doom and Fairies Wear Boots). Planet Caravan is awesome as well.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

My rating is wrong, I had it 57 assume it’s just a typo since you have me far down the list

Anyway this was one of the albums kn my parents old vinyl collection so I played it a ton as a kid, especially Side 1

Those were your points I missed converting to ranking.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

82. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin (286 points)

@Mister CIA #16
@shuke #21
@timschochet #24
@Tau837 #24
@simey #40
@Dwayne_Castro #50
@turnjose #53
@MAC_32 #62
@ConstruxBoy #63

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The band comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist-keyboardist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound and drawing from influences including blues and folk music, Led Zeppelin are cited as a progenitor of hard rock and heavy metal. They significantly influenced the music industry, particularly in the development of album-oriented rock and stadium rock.

Only 82nd? Oh hell ****ing no.

Zeppelin has a LOT of albums coming up. One of them has to be lower.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

79 (tie). Yankee Hotel Foxtrot – Wilco (300 points)

@Dreaded Marco #2
@landrys hat #18
@krista4 #27
@Pip's Invitation #26
@Dr. Octopus #39
@shuke #41
@simey #44

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Wilco, released on April 23, 2002, through Nonesuch Records. Recording sessions for the album began in late 2000. These sessions, which were documented for the film I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, were marred by conflicts including a switch in drummers and disagreements among the band members and engineers about songs. Despite this, the album would be mostly completed in early 2001. The album showcased a more atmospheric and experimental sound than the band's previous work, and has been described as art rock and indie rock by music critics. It was the band's first album with drummer Glenn Kotche, and last with multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jay Bennett.

 

[zamboni]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

My rating is wrong, I had it 57 assume it’s just a typo since you have me far down the list

Album title/title track checks out.

 

[rockaction]

81. Paranoid – Black Sabbath (299 points)

@Mt. Man #1
@Yo Mama #20
@zamboni #30
@Val Rannous #35
@SayChowda #47
@Uruk-Hai #50
@BRONCO #53
@Dan Lambskin 14
@jwb #11
@Atomic Punk #57
@rockaction #67
@Ghost Rider #69

Paranoid is the second studio album by the English heavy metal band Black Sabbath. It was released on 18 September 1970 in the United Kingdom (by Vertigo Records) and on 7 January 1971 in the United States (by Warner Bros. Records). The album contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only top 20 hit, reaching number four on the UK Singles Chart. The title track reached No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs chart during the brief time between Ozzy Osbourne's final live show (Back to the Beginning on 5 July 2025) and his death on 22 July 2025.

Wow, that's a lot of people voting. Twelve has got to be the most so far. I think this album holds up very, very well in 2025, making it about fifty-five years since its release. "Jack the Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots" is about as heavily progressive as I get, and it is easily my favorite song on the album these days. I'm not lobbying for the single; it's just that I love the swing in it and Ozzy's voice. The drumming and rhythm section stand out. The riffs are catchy. It's propulsive and almost jazzy in a very good way.

The album has some really memorable tracks. I always talk about the time I walked into a bar on 18th and Connecticut in D.C. totally stoned and I watched a totally stoned guitarist just absolutely shred to "War Pigs." It might have been the best amateur cover I've ever seen and the guy was beyond great. I stood there with my jaw agape and at a loss for an adequate description. I was afraid I would forget what it sounded like. I did forget and that's a shame. Anyway, it was the heaviest of heavy, and I dug it.

On a related note, Ghost Rider has the heaviest of heavy metal numbers in his ranking order there. Cue Beavis laughing; I'm over and out.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Wow, that's a lot of people voting. Twelve has got to be the most so far.

Yes - 9 was the previous high