Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 68. Automatic for the People – R.E.M. (204 Viewers)

[shuke]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

 

[zamboni]

Yeah sometimes I’ll have an album I figure will be unique and then you get a random match out of the blue.

Never figured Debbie Gibson would make this list, but we are an eclectic bunch here.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I think we’ll start the Countdown at 350 with all the new entries coming in.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I believe most took it that way - I mean some people really like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I’m interested to see my highest that did not make it will be.

I think it will be my #12 selection.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

I have about 5 albums I figured would be “unique” but all got another vote at some point.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I believe most took it that way - I mean some people really like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

That seems like a shot to me.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I believe most took it that way - I mean some people really like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

That seems like a shot to me.

I don’t get why? You’re not one of those people.

 

[shuke]

I realize I put off submitting a list until the last minute. But now that I have, not sure I want to wait to see the results.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I believe most took it that way - I mean some people really like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

That seems like a shot to me.

I don’t get why? You’re not one of those people.

That was what I meant. The near absence of 60's albums might be a clue.

 

[Ilov80s]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I would think they would. I had many that I don't listen to much anymore because I overdid it when I was younger and am tired of the album. I also have some albums I love but because of something about it, I don't go back to it repeatedly even though I am astonished by how good it is. Like a Schindler's List or Taxi Driver.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Yeah sometimes I’ll have an album I figure will be unique and then you get a random match out of the blue.

Never figured Debbie Gibson would make this list, but we are an eclectic bunch here.

Her bass player lived across the Street from me growing up. His sister was my baby sitter - he's "Kirk" and in one of her videos he gets a guitar for his birthday.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

I realize I put off submitting a list until the last minute. But now that I have, not sure I want to wait to see the results.

Start a scorched-earth politics thread and you won't have to worry about it

 

[MAC_32]

Only 25? I'm surprised. I took a guess on what they are, the last handful...dozen or so were a challenge. I figured more of them would be unique Good taste in music, fellas!

 

[Idiot Boxer]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

I believe most took it that way - I mean some people really like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

I have zero Zepplin and Pink Floyd was in my 1-10 point range. I tried to stay very true to my own tastes.

And I don't dislike Zepplin.

 

[MAC_32]

With so many people having 15 or less unique albums has me concerned this is going to resemble typical "greatest albums" lists too much.

The Top 50 will have a few surprised but also a lot of chalk. After that it’s a lot more wide open and not necessarily what you would expect. The “matches” don’t necessarily have to be chalk albums. I had a few random odd ones matched.

I just hope people listed albums they actually listen(ed) to.

While they likely won't score, I'm glad I prioritized as I did once beyond #62. My final 8 are on some level of frequent spinning whereas the final cuts were all chalk - with too many skips to warrant ranking.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

I listened to some of the albums on my list to make sure I really liked them as much as I remembered. (I did.) It was fun.

 

[shuke]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

 

[zamboni]

Bob Marley - Legend

This was definitely on my radar but left off due to the greatest hits stipulation.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Bob Marley - Legend

This was definitely on my radar but left off due to the greatest hits stipulation.

Me three.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I would have had several - maybe 5 or 6?

 

[Psychopav]

Bob Marley - Legend

This was definitely on my radar but left off due to the greatest hits stipulation.

Me three.

Me four.

 

[Dennis Castro]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I probably would’ve had more than a few, but with so many artists having multiple best of / greatest hits releases, that really would have muddied the water.

ETA: Muddy Waters seems to have had 25 (!) compilation albums.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Greatest Hits albums are not really albums, they are compilations.

 

[Don Quixote]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I probably would’ve had more than a few, but with so many artists having multiple best of / greatest hits releases, that really would have muddied the water.

ETA: Muddy Waters seems to have had 25 (!) compilation albums.

I included a Muddy Waters compilation album in my list. It was an early compilation of his singles, and thought different from greatest hits. As far I as know, that was permitted.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I probably would’ve had more than a few, but with so many artists having multiple best of / greatest hits releases, that really would have muddied the water.

ETA: Muddy Waters seems to have had 25 (!) compilation albums.

I included a Muddy Waters compilation album in my list. It was an early compilation of his singles, and thought different from greatest hits. As far I as know, that was permitted.

I have a similar record on my list.

 

[krista4]

@Idiot Boxer - Squeeze Singles is a greatest hits album. You can replace it if you like.

I was tempted to include it, but realized it didn't qualify.

+1 Definitely would have included it if eligible.

 

[krista4]

Oh, this is an interesting group:

NewBinky	33
Ilove80s	32
Uruk	32
krista	31
higgins	30

I feel good about being in such company!

 

[krista4]

35/70 unique seems about right. I included a chunk of my niche-y Brazil/African stuff that I expected to be alone on. But I think pretty mainstream outside that. I’m interested to see my highest that did not make it will be. It is either going to be one of those Brazil/Africa albums, or something that I’m going to wonder how the heck that it did not make the 300.

I just realized I forgot all of Africa.

 

[MAC_32]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I wouldn't have, they're not albums.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

35/70 unique seems about right. I included a chunk of my niche-y Brazil/African stuff that I expected to be alone on. But I think pretty mainstream outside that. I’m interested to see my highest that did not make it will be. It is either going to be one of those Brazil/Africa albums, or something that I’m going to wonder how the heck that it did not make the 300.

I just realized I forgot all of Africa.

You didn't even bless the rains?

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

 

[krista4]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1977-86 is probably, along with the Squeeze one, my most-listened-to compilation.

 

[zamboni]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1977-86 is probably, along with the Squeeze one, my most-listened to compilation.

Neil Young's Decade for me, although I managed to put another Neil album in.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1977-86 is probably, along with the Squeeze one, my most-listened to compilation.

Good call on Elvis Costello. Another Greatest Hits artist who isn't represented individually

For other compilations that are great.

Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead with Lyle Lovett's version of Friend of the Devil
and
School House Rock Rocks! with Blind Melon's Three is the Magic Number

And neither the Dead or Blind Melon made my list.

 

[krista4]

Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead with Lyle Lovett's version of Friend of the Devil

Would this not be eligible? I included a tribute album on mine, because the versions of the songs were new (performed by new artists). Hope that was OK.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead with Lyle Lovett's version of Friend of the Devil

Would this not be eligible? I included a tribute album on mine, because the versions of the songs were new (performed by new artists). Hope that was OK.

I assumed no, but I don't make the rules.

 

[Psychopav]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

For me I'd have

Marley
Cat Stevens
Kenny Rogers
Elvis
Beatles
Air Supply (yes, Air Supply!)
Zeppelin
Cream

Ah well. Take the L, losers!!

ETA: I forgot the Monkees and John Denver. Also LOSERS!

 

[titusbramble]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I would have put Bowie 69-74 in for sure

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

For me I'd have

Marley
Cat Stevens
Kenny Rogers
Elvis
Beatles
Air Supply (yes, Air Supply!)
Zeppelin
Cream

Ah well. Take the L, losers!!

Air Supply was good.
Little River Band Greatest Hits also got a lot of play

 

[Dr. Octopus]

updated

Participant	Unique albums
SayChowda	54
Psychopav	49
Eephus	40
titusbramble	39
turnjose7	39
rockaction	36
Mrs.R	35
GhostRider	35
Don Quixote	35
Dan L	35
Barry2	34
KarmaPolice	34
shuke	33
Rand al Thor	33
NewBinky	33
Ilove80s	32
Uruk	32
krista	30
higgins	29
Mookie	28
simey	27
landrys hat	27
BrutalPenguin	27
kupcho1	25
ValR	25
MAC32	24
ConstruxBoy	23
Justatarot	23
Jeb	22
Scoresman	22
Idiot Boxer	20
DreadedMarco	19
Dennis Castro	19
timschochet	15
Nick V	14
Doc Oct	14
Pip	13
Tau837	13
Zamboni	13
jwb	13
Yo Mama	13
BroncoFreak	12
DwayneC	11
BlockedPunt	9
Snoopy	6

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead with Lyle Lovett's version of Friend of the Devil

Would this not be eligible? I included a tribute album on mine, because the versions of the songs were new (performed by new artists). Hope that was OK.

It would be allowed.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Deadicated: A Tribute to the Grateful Dead with Lyle Lovett's version of Friend of the Devil
and
School House Rock Rocks! with Blind Melon's Three is the Magic Number

These would be allowed - they are original (cover) songs.

 

[Don Quixote]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

Think I’d have had some of those Chess Records’ 50th anniversary “His Best” collections, for Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley. And Elvis #1s. Would have swapped in Muddy Waters’ Anthology in place of the one that I included too.

ETA: Also just thought of Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

By expanding to 350 the "unique" #1 albums will make the countdown - unless we get a real last minute influx of lists (I'm not expecting that).

 

[Ilov80s]

Squeeze Singles
Bob Marley Legend
James Taylor's Greatest Hits

probably some others. But these three artists went unrecognized on my list without the greatest hits option.

The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions 1977-86 is probably, along with the Squeeze one, my most-listened-to compilation.

Awww crap I totally blanked on Costello

 

[zamboni]

Ah well. Take the L, losers!!

The Motels

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Curious if anyone would have listed greatest hits if they were allowed. Not just based on how good the compilation of songs is, but how much you listened to it.

A few I would have considered:
Bob Marley - Legend
Sly and Family Stone Greatest Hits
The Best of Leonard Cohen (2009 release)

I also listened to these a crap ton when I was younger, but haven't for years so not sure I would have included them:
Beatles 67-70
Rolling Stones - Hot Rocks
Aerosmith Greatest Hits

I have a Deep Purple greatest hits and a John Williams Greatest hits.

In a way, I wish this was best songs instead of best album. My list would look much better to you guys lol

 

[titusbramble]

By expanding to 350 the "unique" #1 albums will make the countdown - unless we get a real last minute influx of lists (I'm not expecting that).

When I was starting a similar (now aborted) thing, I just said I would do the bottom end cutoff to be the exact points that would get a unique #1 pick in, rather than specify a number. If that meant it would be a top 343 countdown then those of us among us that are recognising "wait, that's seven cubed" could create all sorts of bizarre nonsense conspiracy theories

 

[zamboni]

I have a Deep Purple greatest hits

I didn't even know they had a greatest hits album. So many albums of theirs to choose from - I picked one to keep with my one per artist approach.