Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 85. ...And Justice for All – Metallica (166 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. I bought a lot of books there also that were very formative. That’s the store where I bought my Tom Wolfe books that I read so ardently and absorbed the staccato and 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. Plato’s Republic with the Allan Bloom translation had all sorts of great intentions on my end, but 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).

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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?

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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 often 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 properly named “Lola,” “David Watts,” and “Victoria” to the unnamed characters that “Death of a Clown,” “Dedicated Follower of Fashion” and “Come Dancing” introduced to the record-buying public in the UK and America.

They created such memorable characters and subtly top-shelf commentary that even I, who gives two squats about rock lyrics, can remember the characters, their stories, and the critiques/homages about them off of the top of my head enough to gently but firmly disagree with you without deferring to any authority or checking any reference material.

And “You Really Got Me” brought that fuzzed-out, distorted sound to rock n’ roll and advanced it in a significantly important way. Few have pioneered as much as musicians or writers, and they deserve their place in pop culture lore. No doubt.

eta* But I think you’re correct in the sentiment 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.