Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 68. Automatic for the People – R.E.M. (201 Viewers)

[krista4]

Random Double-Ups That Didn’t Make the Countdown


426. On the Beach – Neil Young [@Pip's Invitation and @jwb]

I had this at #51.

On the Beach is one of Neil's most idiosyncratic albums and has fierce devotees in the Neil fanbase. This in part stemmed from it being out of print in the '80s and '90s. While not a concept album, many of its songs touch on apocalyptic themes. "Revolution Blues" imagines a dystopian future where society is terrorized by a Manson Family-style group. "For the Turnstiles" and the title track both envision futures where much of humanity has been wiped out. None of the accessibility and Joy of Harvest or Neil's work with CSNY are here, though side 2, recorded under the influence of "honeyslides" (weed mixed with honey), has an eccentric charm about it. While the sound of the album is quite disparate from track to track, the commonality is the songs' quality and their ability to make you think.

The downer vibe is likely the reason why Neil rarely performs songs from this album live. He basically ditched them from the live rotation after 1974.

Here is where On the Beach's songs ranked in my Neil countdown:

13. Revolution Blues
18. On the Beach
24. Ambulance Blues
29. Walk On
91. Motion Pictures (for Carrie)
143. See the Sky About to Rain
183. For the Turnstiles

Vampire Blues, largely considered to be the album's throwaway track (but which fits in well with the theme of destruction and ruin), was the only OTB song not to make my top 204.

Before OH decided he was dreading doing a list, I took notes of the favorites he listed off the cuff, and this was one of them (along with two other Neils).

 

[krista4]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

 

[krista4]

At some point I’ll also list the lowest (Binky probably thinks we already did this) ranked

 

[MAC_32]

290 (tie). The Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem (94 points)

@BLOCKED PUNT #20
@titusbramble #41
@Nick Vermeil #58

The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000, by Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Production on the album was handled by Dr. Dre, Mel-Man, F.B.T., Eminem, and The 45 King. The album spawned three hit singles: "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am" and "Stan", and features guest appearances from Dido, RBX, Sticky Fingaz, Dina Rae, Bizarre, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Nate Dogg, Paul Rosenberg and D12.

287 (tie). Morning View – Incubus (95 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #2
@Tau837 #45


Morning View is the fourth studio album by American rock band Incubus, released October 22, 2001, through Epic Records. A companion DVD, The Morning View Sessions, was released on May 29, 2002. Continuing the move away from nu metal, the album ranges widely from soft to hard rock sounds in the style of alternative rock. Morning View was the last Incubus album to feature bassist Alex Katunich who left in 2003.
With the album producing the popular singles "Wish You Were Here" and "Nice to Know You", Morning View generally achieved critical praise and went double-platinum, making it the band's highest selling album. A rerecorded version of the album, titled Morning View XXIII, was released on May 10, 2024.

279 (tie). Tragic Kingdom – No Doubt (98 points)

@BLOCKED_PUNT #15
@Val Rannous #29

Tragic Kingdom is the third studio album by American rock band No Doubt, released on October 10, 1995, by Trauma Records and Interscope Records. It was the final album to feature original keyboardist Eric Stefani, who left the band in 1994. The album was produced by Matthew Wilder and recorded in 11 studios in the Greater Los Angeles area between March 1993 and October 1995. Between 1995 and 1998, the album spawned seven singles, including "Just a Girl", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart; and "Don't Speak", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay and reached the top five of many international charts.

I'm really raking em' in today huh? Sadly, this means that I won't have alot of high stuff. I also don't smoke.

For me, I can just sit down and relax with Morning View. From bangers like Nice to Know You to tranquil slow jams like Aqueous Transmission this album just feels complete to me. I'm even the only one that likes Under My Umbrella. True story but I wasn't a big fan of Incubus until I saw them live at the Beale Street music festival and I have loved them ever since.

@Tau837 What do you think about 11 am for our song submission or something else?

@titusbramble @Nick Vermeil Stan is great and all and I'm ok if thats our submission but I feel like there is more anger and rawness in The Way I Am. thoughts?

@Val Rannous we just going with the chalk and putting up Don't Speak? I also really like Tragic Kingdom

I love 11 am.

This is your game, you ranked it, but re-listening to this tonight and Just A Phase stands out just so...so much higher than the rest.

- 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

They were at their musical peak during those^^^ Morning View Sessions.

 

[MAC_32]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

LOOOOOOVE The Blower's Daughter

 

[krista4]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

LOOOOOOVE The Blower's Daughter

Yeah, I'd call that and Delicate my 1a and 1b in either order. I just mentioned Delicate because it's not as known. All of his songs have such incredible power to them.

 

[shuke]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

I didn't think this had any chance of appearing. @rockaction

If like emotion-stirring crescendos, give this a shot. I believe their stuff is often used in TV and film, so you may have heard them and not realized.

This album is perfect for me to listen to with earbuds as I drift off to sleep.

I propose Your Hand In Mine for the playlist.

 

[Ilov80s]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

I didn't think this had any chance of appearing. @rockaction

If like emotion-stirring crescendos, give this a shot. I believe their stuff is often used in TV and film, so you may have heard them and not realized.

This album is perfect for me to listen to with earbuds as I drift off to sleep.

I propose Your Hand In Mine for the playlist.

Ok. I am gonna give this one a shot. I know nothing about it except the two people who ranked it, how they ranked and the comments here. I will report back soon.

 

[MAC_32]

Queued up the remastered Morning View that Incubus released recently. Not second guessing leaving it off, but this album is better than I remember. I hadn't listened to anything outside the handful of hearts in a long, long time. There is not an auto-skip on it and even the couple of forgettable tracks glued the album together well. 11 am and Under My Umbrella are gonna get more run outta me going forward. Thanks, fellas

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok right off the bat I see some unusual stuff. The songs are long. It's like a jazz album, 5 songs but still 45 minutes.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Any Norwegian Jazz fans? I didn’t rank any but there’s a good band in that genre

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok right off the bat I see some unusual stuff. The songs are long. It's like a jazz album, 5 songs but still 45 minutes.

Explosions in the Sky called The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

Ok so I see my first thought was spot on. It's rock taking on the form of a jazz album. Sparkly and crashy. Melodic but distorted. As the title says it is explosive and cold. Even when it becomes exciting, there is something empty in it. Interesting choice.

 

[Juxtatarot]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

LOOOOOOVE The Blower's Daughter

Yeah, I'd call that and Delicate my 1a and 1b in either order. I just mentioned Delicate because it's not as known. All of his songs have such incredible power to them.

Delicate is a fine choice. I agree.

 

[shuke]

290 (tie). Meddle – Pink Floyd (94 points)

@shuke #26
@jwb #43
@Dwayne_Castro #60
@Mister CIA #61

Meddle is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Pink Floyd, released by Harvest Records on 5 November 1971 in the United Kingdom. The album was produced between the band's touring commitments, from January to August 1971 at a series of locations around London, including EMI Studios (now Abbey Road Studios) and Morgan Studios.
With no material to work with and no clear idea of the album's direction, the band devised a series of novel experiments which eventually inspired the album's signature track "Echoes". Although the band's later albums would be unified by a central theme chosen by Roger Waters, and thematically consistent lyrics written entirely by Waters, Meddle was a group effort with Waters contributing primarily to the lyrics and the bass. It is considered a transitional album between the Syd Barrett-influenced group of the 1960s and the Waters-led era of the 1970s.

I'm shocked I ranked this this high, but I threw my list together when I was under the influence, and outside of the top 20, I didn't belabor too much about the order. With that said, I'm glad that catapulted it enough to make the cut.

For the playlist, I'll save everyone the 24 minute Echoes and go with Fearless.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Random Double-Ups That Didn’t Make the Countdown


426. On the Beach – Neil Young [@Pip's Invitation and @jwb]

I had this at #51.

On the Beach is one of Neil's most idiosyncratic albums and has fierce devotees in the Neil fanbase. This in part stemmed from it being out of print in the '80s and '90s. While not a concept album, many of its songs touch on apocalyptic themes. "Revolution Blues" imagines a dystopian future where society is terrorized by a Manson Family-style group. "For the Turnstiles" and the title track both envision futures where much of humanity has been wiped out. None of the accessibility and Joy of Harvest or Neil's work with CSNY are here, though side 2, recorded under the influence of "honeyslides" (weed mixed with honey), has an eccentric charm about it. While the sound of the album is quite disparate from track to track, the commonality is the songs' quality and their ability to make you think.

The downer vibe is likely the reason why Neil rarely performs songs from this album live. He basically ditched them from the live rotation after 1974.

Here is where On the Beach's songs ranked in my Neil countdown:

13. Revolution Blues
18. On the Beach
24. Ambulance Blues
29. Walk On
91. Motion Pictures (for Carrie)
143. See the Sky About to Rain
183. For the Turnstiles

Vampire Blues, largely considered to be the album's throwaway track (but which fits in well with the theme of destruction and ruin), was the only OTB song not to make my top 204.

Before OH decided he was dreading doing a list, I took notes of the favorites he listed off the cuff, and this was one of them (along with two other Neils).

Did he go for the full Ditch Trilogy with Time Fades Away and Tonight’s the Night?

 

[Ilov80s]

Ok right off the bat I see some unusual stuff. The songs are long. It's like a jazz album, 5 songs but still 45 minutes.

Explosions in the Sky called The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

Ok so I see my first thought was spot on. It's rock taking on the form of a jazz album. Sparkly and crashy. Melodic but distorted. As the title says it is explosive and cold. Even when it becomes exciting, there is something empty in it. Interesting choice.

What song did you guys go with? I kind of like how joyous Memorial is. I am only 5 mins in but so far this might be my favorite.

ETA: This last song, Your Hand In Mine, is awesome too. I might want to add this actually.

 

[rockaction]

290 (tie). The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place – Explosions In The Sky (94 points)


@shuke #23
@rockaction #25

The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place is the third studio album by American post-rock band Explosions in the Sky, released on November 4, 2003, through Temporary Residence Limited. Explosions in the Sky is composed of Mike Smith and Munaf Rayani on guitars, Michael James on bass, and Christopher Hrasky on drums, with the album being produced by John Congleton. The album consists of five tracks that span a total runtime of 45 minutes.

I didn't think this had any chance of appearing. @rockaction

If like emotion-stirring crescendos, give this a shot. I believe their stuff is often used in TV and film, so you may have heard them and not realized.

This album is perfect for me to listen to with earbuds as I drift off to sleep.

I propose Your Hand In Mine for the playlist.

Straight up, shuke. I was thrilled this made it. Was definitely a soundtrack of my younger days (when I thought I was old).

"Your Hand In Mine" is a great choice. Love it. It's the Friday Night Lights song that I was talking about from this particular album. Awesome track.

 

[rockaction]

Memorial

I deferred to my man shuke, but over at Steve Hoffman forums, there's some weird dude named Anaan Ng who says this:

Name a perfect art rock/prog song(s) up to 10 minutes in length

Genesis - Firth of Fifth [MEDIA] Or pretty much any track on this album. Their prog era masterpiece.

forums.stevehoffman.tv

 

[shuke]

Memorial

I deferred to my man shuke, but over at Steve Hoffman forums, there's some weird dude named Anaan Ng who says this:

Name a perfect art rock/prog song(s) up to 10 minutes in length

Genesis - Firth of Fifth [MEDIA] Or pretty much any track on this album. Their prog era masterpiece.

forums.stevehoffman.tv

LOL at your avatar.

 

[Rand al Thor]

283 (tie). The Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden (97 points)

@jwb #11
@Rand al Thor #33

The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 22 March 1982 in the US by Harvest and Capitol Records, and on 29 March 1982 in the UK by EMI Records. The album was their first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their last with drummer Clive Burr.
The Number of the Beast was met with critical and commercial success, and became the band's first album to top the UK Albums Chart and reach the top 40 of the US Billboard 200. The album produced the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast", the former of which became the band's first top-ten UK single. The album was also controversial, particularly in the United States, due to the religious references in its artwork and the title track's lyrics. Since the release of The Number of the Beast, "The Beast" has become a nickname for Iron Maiden, appearing in the titles of compilations and live albums including Best of the Beast and Visions of the Beast.

I think I had Powerslave as my 33rd pick, not this one. I only mention this so that Powerslave will get the additional points if anyone else voted for it. I actually had three Maiden albums ranked, but Number of the Beast was not one of them. Thanks, and sorry that my responses are always going to be a little delayed, I can't get on to check out the updates until late at night.

 

[shuke]

I'm shocked I ranked this this high,

I went back and looked at my list to make sure this was right. While looking, I cannot believe the blunder I made on one particular band. Three albums, ranked 25, 31, 48. Those should be higher, with at that first one should have been in the top 10 or near it.

 

[rockaction]

Memorial

I deferred to my man shuke, but over at Steve Hoffman forums, there's some weird dude named Anaan Ng who says this:

Name a perfect art rock/prog song(s) up to 10 minutes in length

Genesis - Firth of Fifth [MEDIA] Or pretty much any track on this album. Their prog era masterpiece.

forums.stevehoffman.tv

LOL at your avatar.

It's a work in progress. If I could use the editing tools of the Mac, the text that asks, "Is this the test forum now?" would be at the top center of the oval. But alas, I am incompetent and weak-willed when it comes to this stuff. LOL.

Gary's Gutters had me rolling and this did also. It's a show of gratitude for how you've been here over the years. Thanks, man. I'll leave it at that.

 

[krista4]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

LOOOOOOVE The Blower's Daughter

Yeah, I'd call that and Delicate my 1a and 1b in either order. I just mentioned Delicate because it's not as known. All of his songs have such incredible power to them.

Delicate is a fine choice. I agree.

Could someone please add this? Thx.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

Maybe it's just me being lazy but it's aggravating that I can't listen to songs on spotfly without making an account. I've heard it before but I do like that Feel Good Inc. not sure if that's the song you picked.

Maybe Doc Oct should relink that spotfly song list in the op or make a manual list of the songs we've picked

 

[Rand al Thor]

287 (tie). Love at First Sting – The Scorpions (95 points)

@Mt. Man #20
@higgins #40
@zamboni #64
@Rand al Thor #65

Love at First Sting is the ninth studio album by German rock band Scorpions. It was released in February 1984 by Harvest and EMI Records in Europe and Mercury Records in the US. The album contains "Rock You Like a Hurricane", "Still Loving You", and "Big City Nights", three of the band's most famous songs.
It became the group's most successful album in the US, where it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1984, and went double-platinum by the end of the year, reaching triple-platinum status in 1995

This was one of my last cuts, maybe the last one. This is a great album IMO. 9 songs, and at least 7 of them are great. Listening to it now.

I went to this concert back in 1984, and when I double-checked to make sure I wasn’t misremembering the year, I realized it actually happened exactly 41 years ago today—July 10. What are the chances? And to make it even cooler, a little known band called Bon Jovi was the opening act.

 

[The Dreaded Marco]

279 (tie). O – Damien Rice (98 points)

@Juxtatarot #14
@krista4 #30

O is the debut studio album by Irish musician Damien Rice, originally released on 1 February 2002, in Ireland and in the United Kingdom. The album is dedicated to Rice's friend Mic Christopher, a musician who died of a head injury shortly before the album's release at the end of 2001.

Damien Rice was previously a member of the band Juniper, and upon its disbandment due to changes in creative direction, he took a sabbatical in rural Italy before returning to Ireland. He would meet with his second cousin, composer David Arnold who was impressed upon hearing Rice's songs and sent Rice's demo to music publishers to no success. Frustrated, Arnold worked with Rice to set up recording equipment for a home studio to make the album independently. He describes receiving a $500 loan from his father that would be forgiven on completion of the album. The recording process included opera singers, Gregorian chants, and a heavy influence from Lisa Hannigan, at the time Rice's personal and professional partner

I thought there was no way that a Damien Rice album would make the countdown (and I had a second of his slotted in at my #70), let alone that I wouldn't be the high ranker. WTG @Juxtatarot !

(My pick for song would be "Delicate," but there are a million great ways for you to go here.)

LOOOOOOVE The Blower's Daughter

Yeah, I'd call that and Delicate my 1a and 1b in either order. I just mentioned Delicate because it's not as known. All of his songs have such incredible power to them.

Delicate is a fine choice. I agree.

Could someone please add this? Thx.

Added.

 

[shuke]

848. Duke – Genesis [@kupcho1 and @Mt. Man]

There must be some misunderstanding.

Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress. In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your *******. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist. This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.

Like you, I thought the Peter Gabriel stuff was too far out there for me and I have never really gone back and tried to get into it now. But unlike you, I REALLY disliked almost everything on Invisible Sun. I thought Abacab (love the horns on No Reply at All) and the 1983 release Genesis were great albums.

Guys, this is a bit. It's a quote from the movie American Pyscho.

 

[shuke]

Here's the full version from the novel.

I’ve been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that I didn’t really understand any of their work, though on their last album of the 1970s, the concept-laden And Then There Were Three (a reference to band member Peter Gabriel, who left the group to start a lame solo career), I did enjoy the lovely “Follow You, Follow Me.” Otherwise all the albums before Duke seemed too artsy, too intelleotual. It was Duke (Atlantic; 1980), where Phil Collins’ presence became more apparent, and the music got more modern, the drum machine became more prevalent and the lyrics started getting less mystical and more specific (maybe because of Peter Gabriel’s departure), and complex, ambiguous studies of loss became, instead, smashing first-rate pop songs that I gratefully embraced. The songs themselves seemed arranged more around Collins’ drumming than Mike Rutherford’s bass lines or Tony Banks’ keyboard riffs. A classic example of this is “Misunderstanding,” which not only was the group’s first big hit of the eighties but also seemed to set the tone for the rest of theiralbums as the decade progressed. The other standout on Duke is “Turn It On Again,” which is about the negative effects of television. On the other hand, “Heathaze” is a song I just don’t understand, while “Please Don’t Ask” is a touching love song written to a separated wife who regains custody of the couple’s child. Has the negative aspect of divorce ever been rendered in more intimate terms by a rock ‘n’ roll group? I don’t think so. “Duke Travels” and “Dukes End” might mean something but since the lyrics aren’t printed it’s hard to tell what Collins is singing about, though there is complex, gorgeous piano work by Tony Banks on the latter track. The only bummer about Duke is “Alone Tonight,” which is way too reminiscent of “Tonight Tonight Tonight” from the group’s later masterpiece Invisible Touch and the only example, really, of where Collins has plagiarized himself.

Abacab (Atlantic; 1981) was released almost immediately after Duke and it benefits from a new producer, Hugh Padgham, who gives the band a more eighties sound and though the songs seem fairly generic, there are still great bits throughout: the extended jam in the middle of the title track and the horns by some group called Earth, Wind and Fire on “No Reply at All” are just two examples. Again the songs reflect dark emotions and are about people who feel lost or who are in conflict, but the production and sound are gleaming and upbeat (even if the titles aren’t: “No Reply at All,” “Keep It Dark,” “Who Dunnit?” “Like It or Not”). Mike Rutherford’s bass is obscured somewhat in the mix but otherwise the band sounds tight and is once again propelled by Collins’ truly amazing drumming. Even at its most despairing (like the song “Dodo,” about extinction), Abacab musically is poppy and lighthearted.

My favorite track is “Man on the Corner,” which is the only song credited solely to Collins, a moving ballad with a pretty synthesized melody plus a riveting drum machine in the background. Though it could easily come off any of Phil’s solo albums, because the themes of loneliness, paranoia and alienation are overly familiar to Genesis it evokes the band’s hopeful humanism. “Man on the Corner” profoundly equates a relationship with a solitary figure (a bum, perhaps a poor homeless person?), “that lonely man on the corner” who just stands around. “Who Dunnit?” profoundly expresses the theme of confusion against a funky groove, and what makes this song so exciting is that it ends with its narrator never finding anything out at all.

Hugh Padgham produced next an even less conceptual effort, simply called Genesis (Atlantic; 1983), and though it’s a fine album a lot of it now seems too derivative for my tastes. ‘That’s All” sounds like “Misunderstanding,” “Taking It All Too Hard” reminds me of “Throwing It All Away.” It also seems less jazzy than its predecessors and more of an eighties pop album, more rock ‘n’ roll. Padgham does a brilliant job of producing, but the material is weaker than usual and you can sense the strain. It opens with the autobiographical “Mama,” that’s both strange and touching, though I couldn’t tell if the singer was talking about his actual mother or to a girl he likes to call “Mama.” ‘That’s All” is a lover’s lament about being ignored and beaten down by an unreceptive partner; despite the despairing tone it’s got a bright sing-along melody that makes the song less depressing than it probably needed to be. “That’s All” is the best tune on the album, but Phil’s voice is strongest on “House by the Sea,” whose lyrics are, however, too streamof-consciousness to make much sense. It might be about growing up and accepting adulthood but it’s unclear; at any rate, its second instrumental part puts the song more in focus for me and Mike Banks gets to show off his virtuosic guitar skills while Tom Rutherford washes the tracks over with dreamy synthesizers, and when Phil repeats the song’s third verse at the end it can give you chills.

“Illegal Alien” is the most explicitly political song the group has yet recorded and their funniest. The subject is supposed to be sad—a ******* trying to get across the border into the United States—but the details are highly comical: the bottle of tequila the Mexican holds, the new pair of shoes he’s wearing (probably stolen); and it all seems totally accurate. Phil sings it in a brash, whiny pseudo-Mexican voice that makes it even funnier, and the rhyme of “fun ” with “illegal alien ” is inspired. “Just a Job to Do” is the album’s funkiest song, with a killer bass line by Banks, and though it seems to be about a detective chasing a criminal, I think it could also be about a jealous lover tracking someone down. “Silver Rainbow” is the album’s most lyrical song. The words are intense, complex and gorgeous. The album ends on a positive, upbeat note with “It’s Gonna Get Better.” Even if the lyrics seem a tiny bit generic to some, Phil’s voice is so confident (heavily influenced by Peter Gabriel, who never made an album this polished and heartfelt himself) that he makes us believe in glorious possibilities.

Invisible Touch (Atlantic; 1986) is the group’s undisputed masterpiece. It’s an epic meditation on intangibility, at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. It has a resonance that keeps coming back at the listener, and the music is so beautiful that it’s almost impossible to shake off because every song makes some connection about the unknown or the spaces between people (“Invisible Touch”), questioning authoritative control whether by domineering lovers or by government (“Land of Confusion”) or by meaningless repetition (“Tonight Tonight Tonight’. All in all it ranks with the finest rock ‘n’ roll achievements of the decade and the mastermind behind this album, along of course with the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford, is Hugh Padgham, who has never found as clear and crisp and modern a sound as this. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.

In terms of lyrical craftsmanship and sheer songwriting skills this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Take the lyrics to “Land of Confusion,” in which a singer addresses the problem of abusive political authority. This is laid down with a groove funkier and blacker than anything Prince or Michael Jackson—or any other black artist of recent years, for that matter—has come up with. Yet as danceable as the album is, it also has a stripped-down urgency that not even the overrated Bruce Springsteen can equal. As an observer of love’s failings Collins beats out the Boss again and again, reaching new heights of emotional honesty on “In Too Deep”; yet it also showcases Collins’ clowny, prankish, unpredictable side. It’s the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment. “Anything She Does” (which echoes the J. Geils Band’s “Centerfold” but is more spirited and energetic) starts off side two and after that the album reaches its peak with “Domino,” a two-part song. Part one, “In the Heat of the Night,” is full of sharp, finely drawn images of despair and it’s paired with “The Last Domino,” which fights it with an expression of hope. This song is extremely uplifting. The lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I’ve heard in rock.

Phil Collins’ solo efforts seem to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying in a narrower way, especially No Jacket Required and songs like “In the Air Tonight” and “Against All Odds” (though that song was overshadowed by the masterful movie from which it came) and “Take Me Home” and “Sussudio” (great, great song; a personal favorite) and his remake of “You Can’t Hurry Love,” which I’m not alone in thinking is better than the Supremes’ original. But I also think that Phil Collins works better within the confines of the group than as a solo artist—and I stress the word artist. In fact it applies to all three of the guys, because Genesis is still the best, most exciting band to come out of England in the 1980s.

 

[Rand al Thor]

Random Double-Ups That Didn’t Make the Countdown

1,441. Angel Dust – Faith No More {@KarmaPolice and @Rand al Thor]

An album I keep coming back to, but I couldn't take it over the other 90s I have above it. I still felt strongly enough about it to give it a top 70 ranking with 3pts. Everything's Ruined and Kindergarten are my favorites from the album.

I originally was going to go with "The Real Thing" but I ultimately chose this one for reasons I can't defend right now. Maybe because this was one of my last concerts I went to where I was still young and the band was in its prime. Helmut was the opening act.

 

[rockaction]

Maybe it's just me being lazy but it's aggravating that I can't listen to songs on spotfly without making an account. I've heard it before but I do like that Feel Good Inc. not sure if that's the song you picked.

Maybe Doc Oct should relink that spotfly song list in the op or make a manual list of the songs we've picked

You sort of ran into the buzzsaw where a bunch of music nerds sort of unofficially (!) decided that we'd get Spotify accounts to hear each other's music a while ago and that only deepened during the pandemic. Not everyone has Spotify. I can tell you that "Feel Good Inc." is on the album but that nobody has suggested an add that I can recall. If they have, it hasn't been placed yet on the list. But I, my dude, will do this for you.

Gorillaz ft. De La Soul - "Feel Good Inc."

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

 

[MAC_32]

It's a quote from the movie American Pyscho.

The subject of movies you won't let your teenage kids came up the other day. While I didn't agree to much, and didn't bring this one up, it crossed my mind. Not because of the content, but rather because I was happy I didn't watch it until I was 19. I wouldn't have appreciated it nearly as much had I watched it in middle school.

 

[Mister CIA]

730. Tim – The Replacements [Jeb and @Mr. CIA]

I can feel some missing FBGs with this. A lot of everyone's favorite bands exist because of these guys.

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

 

[Rand al Thor]

730. Tim – The Replacements [Jeb and @Mr. CIA]

I can feel some missing FBGs with this. A lot of everyone's favorite bands exist because of these guys.

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

I had "Pleased to Meet Me" in the top 100 somewhere. I wonder if that will be ranked higher than Tim?

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Any Norwegian Jazz fans? I didn’t rank any but there’s a good band in that genre

I will have several Norwegian bands in my unlisted top 70, but not Jazz

 

[Eephus]

Any Norwegian Jazz fans? I didn’t rank any but there’s a good band in that genre

I will have several Norwegian bands in my unlisted top 70, but not Jazz

I'm a big Jan Garbarek fan but only ranked rock/pop/R&B stuff.

Apologies if I spotlighted Garbarek before he dominates the top ten.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

other than those guys, I know of 2

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

290 (tie). Shake Your Money Maker – Black Crowes (94 points)

@Mrs. Rannous #26
@ConstruxBoy #46
@turnjose7 #51
@MAC_32 #67

Shake Your Money Maker (also stylized as The Black Crowes Present: $hake Your Money Maker) is the debut studio album by American rock band the Black Crowes, released on February 13, 1990, on Def American Recordings. It is the only album by the band to feature guitarist Jeff Cease. The album is named after a classic blues song written by Elmore James. The Black Crowes have played the song live many times over the years, but it is not included on this album.
Shake Your Money Maker peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and two of its singles, "Hard to Handle" and "She Talks to Angels", reached No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard" and "Seeing Things" were also charting singles in the United States. Shake Your Money Maker is the Black Crowes' best selling album, having sold more than 5 million copies.

Seems to be my pick, so I'll go with Stare It Cold.

Stare It Cold

The Black Crowes · Shake Your Money Maker · Song · 1990

open.spotify.com

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Tomorrow we start with another album from a band who had another album revealed today in the Countdown.

At the rate you are going, this doesn't narrow it down.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Maybe it's just me being lazy but it's aggravating that I can't listen to songs on spotfly without making an account. I've heard it before but I do like that Feel Good Inc. not sure if that's the song you picked.

Maybe Doc Oct should relink that spotfly song list in the op or make a manual list of the songs we've picked

You can make an account for free.

I’ll link the playlist in the first post.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Tomorrow we start with another album from a band who had another album revealed today in the Countdown.

At the rate you are going, this doesn't narrow it down.

There were 10 new albums (in the countdown) yesterday- so it narrows it down to 10 artists.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I'm not getting the comments about the pace. I love these countdowns and discussions, but we don't want these to stretch out to 3 months either, do we?

 

[KarmaPolice]

Oddly from the last couple days the only albums left that I've never listened to are Rodriguez and Sonny Rollins. After I saw the cover I realized I had the Barenaked Ladies album and listened to that live album more than the others, but I still might listen to that one and Explosions in the Sky as well. Maybe Hysteria or Love at First Sting for some 80s awesomeness as well.

 

[krista4]

I'm not getting the comments about the pace. I love these countdowns and discussions, but we don't want these to stretch out to 3 months either, do we?

Earlier this week the complaint was that the pace was too slow.

It seems perfect to me, but there’s no way to please everyone.

 

[kupcho1]

I'm shocked I ranked this this high,

I went back and looked at my list to make sure this was right. While looking, I cannot believe the blunder I made on one particular band. Three albums, ranked 25, 31, 48. Those should be higher, with at that first one should have been in the top 10 or near it.

I agree, you whiffed on that artist.

Friends don't let friends rank high.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

283 (tie). The Number of the Beast – Iron Maiden (97 points)

@jwb #11
@Rand al Thor #33

The Number of the Beast is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 22 March 1982 in the US by Harvest and Capitol Records, and on 29 March 1982 in the UK by EMI Records. The album was their first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their last with drummer Clive Burr.
The Number of the Beast was met with critical and commercial success, and became the band's first album to top the UK Albums Chart and reach the top 40 of the US Billboard 200. The album produced the singles "Run to the Hills" and "The Number of the Beast", the former of which became the band's first top-ten UK single. The album was also controversial, particularly in the United States, due to the religious references in its artwork and the title track's lyrics. Since the release of The Number of the Beast, "The Beast" has become a nickname for Iron Maiden, appearing in the titles of compilations and live albums including Best of the Beast and Visions of the Beast.

I think I had Powerslave as my 33rd pick, not this one. I only mention this so that Powerslave will get the additional points if anyone else voted for it. I actually had three Maiden albums ranked, but Number of the Beast was not one of them. Thanks, and sorry that my responses are always going to be a little delayed, I can't get on to check out the updates until late at night.

yes, sorry that should be Jeb with the 33 ranking on Beast. I have you down for Powerslave (as you'll see soon).

 

[kupcho1]

Tomorrow we start with another album from a band who had another album revealed today in the Countdown.

At the rate you are going, this doesn't narrow it down.

SLOW DOWN HOT ROD!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

but there’s no way to please everyone.

This is the truest statement ever made on this Board.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Ok right off the bat I see some unusual stuff. The songs are long. It's like a jazz album, 5 songs but still 45 minutes.

Explosions in the Sky called The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

Ok so I see my first thought was spot on. It's rock taking on the form of a jazz album. Sparkly and crashy. Melodic but distorted. As the title says it is explosive and cold. Even when it becomes exciting, there is something empty in it. Interesting choice.

This was my best surprise so far in my listens.

 

[rockaction]

Ok right off the bat I see some unusual stuff. The songs are long. It's like a jazz album, 5 songs but still 45 minutes.

Explosions in the Sky called The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place

Ok so I see my first thought was spot on. It's rock taking on the form of a jazz album. Sparkly and crashy. Melodic but distorted. As the title says it is explosive and cold. Even when it becomes exciting, there is something empty in it. Interesting choice.

This was my best surprise so far in my listens.

Thanks for taking the time to listen. That’s awfully cool and an interesting endeavor you both undertook with that album.

I once saw them play three shows at the Bowery in the East Village of New York City back in early 2005 (or late ‘04). They destroyed every night (their second album,Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die,Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever is a complete rager and they lit into it live). At one point you could hear me yelling right before the crescendo in “Memorial” on the sound board recording from one of the shows (it was an earnest moment of release and joy) they were capturing and posting on their old web site for everyone to listen to.

Anyway, it always was heavy stuff and I’m glad you both sat with it for a bit.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

279 (tie). Powerslave – Iron Maiden (98 points)

@jwb #11
@Rand al Thor #33

Powerslave is the fifth studio album by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released on 3 September 1984 through EMI Records in Europe and its sister label Capitol Records in North America. It was re-released by Sanctuary and Columbia Records in the United States in 2002.

The songs "2 Minutes to Midnight" and "Aces High" were released as singles. Its cover artwork is notable for its Ancient Egypt theme. That theme, taken from the title track, was carried over to the album's supporting tour, the World Slavery Tour. This began in Warsaw, Poland, on 9 August 1984; it is widely regarded as being the band's longest and most arduous tour to date, and led to the live album Live After Death.