Val Rannous
Footballguy
I'm not sure 70 albums of didgeridoo and bullroarer artists qualify as "hip".
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Consensus Top 350 Albums of All-Time: 170. The Soft Bulletin – The Flaming Lips (111 Viewers)
- Thread starter Dr. Octopus
- Start date
Val Rannous
Footballguy
Pretty sure my #8 is my top unique - so much so I'll prep a writeup for tomorrow. Question is, for those of us guessing what the rest of our uniques are, how are we gonna find out the answers? Wait until after this ends and everybody posts full lists?
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
OPETH - THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (2024)
My #1/70pts
Maybe it's a bit much taking an album that is less than a year old as my top point getter, but my list was "desert island" style, and my gut reaction was this is my favorite album by my favorite band today, so why wouldn't it be #1? I describe Opeth as a Swedish death metal band that was overtaken by guy stuck in the 70s. Their 70s prog roots comes out more and more as you progress through their albums as well. As I said in another post today, I honestly really disliked Opeth when I heard them, mostly because of the vocals. I wrote them off from one song as a typical death metal band that was just about speed and growls. I am not sure what made me go back, but once I started listening to a full album (and the non-edited version of the song I initially didn't like), I also heard the beauty and musicianship in their songs. I've been a fan for about 20years, but they officially took over my top listening spot in the last 5-6 years and have been my top Spotify listen each of those.
As far as this album, I had the complete opposite reaction to it as @Ghost Rider did last year. My reaction to the album is I haven't been that jacked about a new album since college. There was a production delay, so I had been listening to the singles S1 and S3 (I don't know how to do the fancy paragraph symbol) and thought those were great. We saw them live the day the album was supposed to come out, and those two songs sounded great live as well. The day it came out I had my alarm set to make sure I was awake and listened to it as it released on Spotify and have been hooked. I have easily listened to this one 100+ times now. It was the first album I got for the record player for Christmas as well.
To my ears, this is a mash up off all the things they do well. Yes, it gets back to the heavy/growls, but more importantly to me it combines that with some great prog music that has been infused in their music over the last 5-6 albums. Add to that I seem to have a sweet spot for favorite songs in general, and it's that 6-8 min zone that I seem to love. Songs that get a little proggy and extend the music and solos a bit, but still contained a bit before it drifts to 15min+ wankery. I have also become aware of how much I like keyboards in my prog metal. Add to THAT the fact that this is a concept album, and that is also very much my zone. This album the reading of will as doc posted. Only the last song has a proper title, all others are Paragraphs 1-7. Now add their new drummer, which I thought brought in fantastic breath of fresh air. The cherry on top which people like @jwb will appreciate is the production on this album is lights out. It sounds amazing in the headphones. They were going for a claustrophobic feel to the album and they pulled it off. Outstanding work with the various vocals as they seem to walk around you and even get up to your shoulder at time. Love the atmosphere on this album.
This is a countdown about albums and this is an ALBUM in every sense of the word. It should be heard in order as the songs flow together and the story unfolds.
Since I will only get one Opeth tune on the playlist I will throw on their second single, Paragraph 3. It is the lone heavy song with all clean lyrics, so I thought this would be the best intro for any uninitiated. It's also the shortest song on the album, features a great solo from Fredrick, and starts a run on the album (S3-S6) that might be my favorite 4 song stretch in all of their music. S6 is my personal favorite of the album.
My #1/70pts
Maybe it's a bit much taking an album that is less than a year old as my top point getter, but my list was "desert island" style, and my gut reaction was this is my favorite album by my favorite band today, so why wouldn't it be #1? I describe Opeth as a Swedish death metal band that was overtaken by guy stuck in the 70s. Their 70s prog roots comes out more and more as you progress through their albums as well. As I said in another post today, I honestly really disliked Opeth when I heard them, mostly because of the vocals. I wrote them off from one song as a typical death metal band that was just about speed and growls. I am not sure what made me go back, but once I started listening to a full album (and the non-edited version of the song I initially didn't like), I also heard the beauty and musicianship in their songs. I've been a fan for about 20years, but they officially took over my top listening spot in the last 5-6 years and have been my top Spotify listen each of those.
As far as this album, I had the complete opposite reaction to it as @Ghost Rider did last year. My reaction to the album is I haven't been that jacked about a new album since college. There was a production delay, so I had been listening to the singles S1 and S3 (I don't know how to do the fancy paragraph symbol) and thought those were great. We saw them live the day the album was supposed to come out, and those two songs sounded great live as well. The day it came out I had my alarm set to make sure I was awake and listened to it as it released on Spotify and have been hooked. I have easily listened to this one 100+ times now. It was the first album I got for the record player for Christmas as well.
To my ears, this is a mash up off all the things they do well. Yes, it gets back to the heavy/growls, but more importantly to me it combines that with some great prog music that has been infused in their music over the last 5-6 albums. Add to that I seem to have a sweet spot for favorite songs in general, and it's that 6-8 min zone that I seem to love. Songs that get a little proggy and extend the music and solos a bit, but still contained a bit before it drifts to 15min+ wankery. I have also become aware of how much I like keyboards in my prog metal. Add to THAT the fact that this is a concept album, and that is also very much my zone. This album the reading of will as doc posted. Only the last song has a proper title, all others are Paragraphs 1-7. Now add their new drummer, which I thought brought in fantastic breath of fresh air. The cherry on top which people like @jwb will appreciate is the production on this album is lights out. It sounds amazing in the headphones. They were going for a claustrophobic feel to the album and they pulled it off. Outstanding work with the various vocals as they seem to walk around you and even get up to your shoulder at time. Love the atmosphere on this album.
This is a countdown about albums and this is an ALBUM in every sense of the word. It should be heard in order as the songs flow together and the story unfolds.
Since I will only get one Opeth tune on the playlist I will throw on their second single, Paragraph 3. It is the lone heavy song with all clean lyrics, so I thought this would be the best intro for any uninitiated. It's also the shortest song on the album, features a great solo from Fredrick, and starts a run on the album (S3-S6) that might be my favorite 4 song stretch in all of their music. S6 is my personal favorite of the album.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Link to the countdown playlist:
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
The playlist is not my thing so whatever works for everyone is fine. I’d stick to one song per album though for obvious reasons.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
If it’s public people can add songs from their albums.Link to the countdown playlist:
rockaction
Footballguy
I'd stick with one also. I'd recommend "How Much More" or "This Town" by The Go-Go's, who I'm surprised didn't get any votes for top seventy anywhere else. I know ilov80s said something to the effect that he might have, but I'm still a little surprised. In fact, I deleted a comment earlier about my number one not getting any other votes because I was a bit sure it would.
Oh well. No stunner. Mild surprise. Especially with Zegras11 lurking around the joint.
Oh well. No stunner. Mild surprise. Especially with Zegras11 lurking around the joint.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
I've heard of this band but never listened to them before. I listened to said song on youtube since I had to make an account for the other thing. I think it's an ok song.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
I'd like to apologize to anyone brave enough to listen to BP's teenage cd collection.
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
I'd imagine that a large majority of the countdown is much more rock oriented but that's just my perception [of what you guys might like music wise] and maybe I'm projecting a little. Anyways, I listened to This Town. It's pretty catchy like a lot of pop is and something I could see as background music while I work.
rockaction
Footballguy
Cool that you listened. It is surely not heavy or hard rock, but it's guitar driven, which is more than most pop is these days. Heavy pop? Guitar pop? Hmmm . . . not sure what to call it. Oh yeah! New Wave!
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
Never have I ever listened to any Grateful Dead. Really liked the plucky guitar on both tracks but I think I liked Help is on the Way better. It's not a hard listen or anything so I could see why people like them but not really my thing.
zamboni
Footballguy
Just listened to the tune - good stuff. The solo sounds bit Marty Friedman/Megadeth-like, which is a very good thing.OPETH - THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (2024)
Since I will only get one Opeth tune on the playlist I will throw on their second single, Paragraph 3. It is the lone heavy song with all clean lyrics, so I thought this would be the best intro for any uninitiated. It's also the shortest song on the album, features a great solo from Fredrick, and starts a run on the album (S3-S6) that might be my favorite 4 song stretch in all of their music. S6 is my personal favorite of the album.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Ah, good call. I can hear the similarities, especially around the 3:20 mark. Thanks for giving the tune a listen.Just listened to the tune - good stuff. The solo sounds bit Marty Friedman/Megadeth-like, which is a very good thing.OPETH - THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT (2024)
Since I will only get one Opeth tune on the playlist I will throw on their second single, Paragraph 3. It is the lone heavy song with all clean lyrics, so I thought this would be the best intro for any uninitiated. It's also the shortest song on the album, features a great solo from Fredrick, and starts a run on the album (S3-S6) that might be my favorite 4 song stretch in all of their music. S6 is my personal favorite of the album.
KarmaPolice
Footballguy
Alright, I have my morning homework with Go-Gos, Joni, Todd, and The Dead. Wish me luck!!
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
I’m listening to this album now. I’ve heard of Sigur Ros but never listened to them before. It seems to be up one of my alleys. First listens are generally hard for me but I suspect I would enjoy this more and more with repeat listens. I’m glad you ranked it where you did so it could get a write up here!381(Tie). Ágætis byrjun – Sigur Rós (70 Points)
@Scoresman #1
Ágætis byrjun (Icelandic: [ˈaːucaitɪs ˈpɪrjʏn], A good beginning) is the second studio album by Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós, released on 12 June 1999. The album was recorded between the summer of 1998 and the spring of 1999 with producer Ken Thomas. Ágætis byrjun represented a substantial departure from the band's previous album Von, with that album's extended ambient soundscapes replaced by Jónsi Birgisson's cello-bowed guitar work and orchestration, using a double string octet amongst other chamber elements.
Ágætis byrjun was a commercial and critical breakthrough for the band.
Not surprised this was unique. I had a very difficult time picking my number one and any of my top 5 can be number one at any given time. I just adore this album so much. Every song on it.
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Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
357. Panic Prevention – Jamie T (kupcho1 ranked #2) (also received 5 points from Nick V)
381. Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970 – Allman Brothers Band (turnjose7 ranked #2)
381. The Sky is Crying – Stevie Ray Vaughn (Psychopav ranked #2)
381. Funcrusher Plus - Company Flow (Long Ball Larry ranked #2)
387. Red Headed Stranger – Willie Nelson (Mr. CIA ranked #3)
387. Flood – They May Be Giants (Dennis Castro ranked #6) (also received 3 points from Juxtatarot)
387. The Similitude of a Dream - Neal Morse Band (Ghost Rider ranked #3)
396. The Dirty South – Drive-By Truckers (Dr. Octopus ranked #19) (also received 15 points from landry’s hat)
396. Paul McCartney in Red Square – Paul McCartney (higgins ranked #4)
396. The Hurting – Tears for Fears (Randal Thor ranked #5)
409. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad (Uruk Hai ranked #5)
428. De Stijil – The White Stripes (Dan Lambskin ranked #7)
420. I Robot – The Alan Parsons Project (BroncoFreak ranked #6)
420. We Are Not Alone – Breaking Benjamin (Blocked Punt ranked #6)
428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)
428. Dreamboat Annie - Heart (Mrs. R ranked #7)
428. The Ghosts That Haunt Me – Crash Test Dummies (Barry2 ranked #7)
428. Live At Massey Hall – Neil Young (simey ranked #7)
428. Indian Summer – Carbon Leaf (Idiot Boxer ranked #7)
428. Hellfire – Black Midi (Juxtatarot ranked #7)
428. Do or Die – Dropkick Murphys (Say Chowda ranked #7)
446. A New World Record – Electric Light Orchestra (jwb ranked #8)
446. Amadeus (Soundtrack) - Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (Chaos34 ranked #8)
446. The Great Fantasy Adventure Album - Erich Kunzel & the Cincinnati Pops (Val R ranked #8)
447. Curtis – Curtis Mayfield (Don Quixote ranked #8)
463. Ace of Spades – Motorhead (Jeb ranked #9)
476. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk (Ilove80s ranked #10)
477. Experience – The Prodigy (titusbramble ranked #10)
491. Paul Simon – Paul Simon (Atomic Punk ranked #11)
506. Strange Little Girls – Tori Amos (Brutal Penguin ranked #12)
508. Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne (timschochet ranked #12)
508. Caravanserai – Santana (MookieGizzy ranked #12)
526. Mermaid Avenue - Billy Bragg and Wilco (krista ranked #13)
527. Just One Night – Eric Clapton (Tau837 ranked #13)
527. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton (Dwayne Castro ranked #17) (also received 4 points from Psychopav)
528. Purple – Stone Temple Pilots (Yo Mama ranked #14) (also received 1 point from ConstruxBoy)
529. Tidal – Fiona Apple (ConstruxBoy ranked #13)
543. The Royal Scam – Steely Dan (Zamboni ranked #14)
543. Holy Diver – Dio (Mt. Man ranked #18)
607. Born – Kenny Chesney (Mac32 ranked #18)
607. Strange Times – The Chameleons (Dreaded Marco ranked #18)
659. Tago Mago – Can (landry’s hat ranked #21)
693. Still Bill – Bill Withers (pip’s invitation ranked #23)
760. Whipped Cream and Other Delights – Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass (Snoopy ranked #26)
381. Live at the Atlanta International Pop Festival: July 3 & 5, 1970 – Allman Brothers Band (turnjose7 ranked #2)
381. The Sky is Crying – Stevie Ray Vaughn (Psychopav ranked #2)
381. Funcrusher Plus - Company Flow (Long Ball Larry ranked #2)
387. Red Headed Stranger – Willie Nelson (Mr. CIA ranked #3)
387. Flood – They May Be Giants (Dennis Castro ranked #6) (also received 3 points from Juxtatarot)
387. The Similitude of a Dream - Neal Morse Band (Ghost Rider ranked #3)
396. The Dirty South – Drive-By Truckers (Dr. Octopus ranked #19) (also received 15 points from landry’s hat)
396. Paul McCartney in Red Square – Paul McCartney (higgins ranked #4)
396. The Hurting – Tears for Fears (Randal Thor ranked #5)
409. We’re An American Band – Grand Funk Railroad (Uruk Hai ranked #5)
428. De Stijil – The White Stripes (Dan Lambskin ranked #7)
420. I Robot – The Alan Parsons Project (BroncoFreak ranked #6)
420. We Are Not Alone – Breaking Benjamin (Blocked Punt ranked #6)
428. Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest (Nick V ranked #7)
428. Dreamboat Annie - Heart (Mrs. R ranked #7)
428. The Ghosts That Haunt Me – Crash Test Dummies (Barry2 ranked #7)
428. Live At Massey Hall – Neil Young (simey ranked #7)
428. Indian Summer – Carbon Leaf (Idiot Boxer ranked #7)
428. Hellfire – Black Midi (Juxtatarot ranked #7)
428. Do or Die – Dropkick Murphys (Say Chowda ranked #7)
446. A New World Record – Electric Light Orchestra (jwb ranked #8)
446. Amadeus (Soundtrack) - Mozart, Sir Neville Marriner, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields (Chaos34 ranked #8)
446. The Great Fantasy Adventure Album - Erich Kunzel & the Cincinnati Pops (Val R ranked #8)
447. Curtis – Curtis Mayfield (Don Quixote ranked #8)
463. Ace of Spades – Motorhead (Jeb ranked #9)
476. Random Access Memories - Daft Punk (Ilove80s ranked #10)
477. Experience – The Prodigy (titusbramble ranked #10)
491. Paul Simon – Paul Simon (Atomic Punk ranked #11)
506. Strange Little Girls – Tori Amos (Brutal Penguin ranked #12)
508. Jackson Browne – Jackson Browne (timschochet ranked #12)
508. Caravanserai – Santana (MookieGizzy ranked #12)
526. Mermaid Avenue - Billy Bragg and Wilco (krista ranked #13)
527. Just One Night – Eric Clapton (Tau837 ranked #13)
527. Frampton Comes Alive! – Peter Frampton (Dwayne Castro ranked #17) (also received 4 points from Psychopav)
528. Purple – Stone Temple Pilots (Yo Mama ranked #14) (also received 1 point from ConstruxBoy)
529. Tidal – Fiona Apple (ConstruxBoy ranked #13)
543. The Royal Scam – Steely Dan (Zamboni ranked #14)
543. Holy Diver – Dio (Mt. Man ranked #18)
607. Born – Kenny Chesney (Mac32 ranked #18)
607. Strange Times – The Chameleons (Dreaded Marco ranked #18)
659. Tago Mago – Can (landry’s hat ranked #21)
693. Still Bill – Bill Withers (pip’s invitation ranked #23)
760. Whipped Cream and Other Delights – Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass (Snoopy ranked #26)
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zamboni
Footballguy
I'm shocked - absolutely shocked.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Schedule:
Today: Top ranked non charting albums (am); first five albums in the Top 350 (really 353) (pm)
Tomorrow: Next five albums in the Top 350
Weekend: No listings
Tomorrow: Next five albums in the Top 350 (am)
Today: Top ranked non charting albums (am); first five albums in the Top 350 (really 353) (pm)
Tomorrow: Next five albums in the Top 350
Weekend: No listings
Tomorrow: Next five albums in the Top 350 (am)
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Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
This is the one I had most confidence in being unlisted (I said 8, but had my numbering off)
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
These are surprising one vote getters.
zamboni
Footballguy
This one just missed for me, but very easily could have made my top 70.
And this was #70 for me.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
For the playlist I'd recommend one of: Life Less Ordinary, What About Everything? or One Prairie Outpost
zamboni
Footballguy
Frampton Comes Alive is another one that I'm surprised got only one vote.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
All in consideration, but just left out
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
3 albums represented by artists for whom I chose a different album
zamboni
Footballguy
Atomic Punk
Footballguy
Not surprised with this, as there were easily 150 albums in contention for my top 70. Some absolute bangers on that list!
simey
Footballguy
I ranked Live at the Old Quarter #10, too. I love both live albums.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
And right back at you that I thought you might have ranked RAM by Daft Punk. Perhaps you have an earlier album of theirs.
BrutalPenguin
Footballguy
A great collection of covers done from Tori's female perspective. "I Don't Like Mondays" and "Enjoy the Silence" stand out to me.
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Two!
krista4
Footballguy
Damn, this one would have received another very high (no pun intended) placement if OH had submitted a list. Top 10, maybe top 5 for him.
kupcho1
Footballguy
I "outrank" @Nick Vermeil on this one, so I'll select:
I love the lyrics, but especially the spoke word
Good heavens, you boys!
Blue blooded murder of the English tongue
Bluh!
krista4
Footballguy
Oh! Apparently simey did NOT let me down!
This should be enough for the album to actually make the top 352 list, yes? @Dr. Octopus
zamboni
Footballguy
Steely Dan is pretty polarizing around here - some love them and some hate them. I'm obviously in the former camp and this album is the one that has always resonated with me most.
For a song selection, going with the opening track "Kid Charlemagne" with killer guitar work by the legendary Larry Carlton.
Kid Charlemagne - 2025 Remaster
Steely Dan · The Royal Scam (2025 Remaster) · Song · 1976
open.spotify.com
Psychopav
Help us, Joebi-Wan Brynobi, you're our only ho
Well it didn't take long for me to be surprised. With so many unique albums on my list I guess I shouldn't be.
For anyone who hasn't heard it, SRV's version of Little Wing is a phenomenal track.
Idiot Boxer
Footballguy
One of my three artist/different album qualifiers.Steely Dan is pretty polarizing around here - some love them and some hate them. I'm obviously in the former camp and this album is the one that has always resonated with me most.
For a song selection, going with the opening track "Kid Charlemagne" with killer guitar work by the legendary Larry Carlton.
Kid Charlemagne - 2025 Remaster
Steely Dan · The Royal Scam (2025 Remaster) · Song · 1976
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
It got two votes but still didn't make the cut
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
I see the issue, you listed as Live at the Old Quarter, Houston Texas and krista left out "Houston Texas".
I will correct and list a new album for krista. This may throw some numbers given out already off but since they didn't make the top 350 that shouldn't really matter.
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zamboni
Footballguy
Maybe I'm dense, but having problems adding songs from my desktop or phone app.If it’s public people can add songs from their albums.Link to the countdown playlist:
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
@KarmaPolice did not make it public.Maybe I'm dense, but having problems adding songs from my desktop or phone app.If it’s public people can add songs from their albums.Link to the countdown playlist:
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MAC_32
Footballguy
I forget exactly when Dreamboat Annie got trimmed off my list, but I recall why it got axed. Heart is one of those bands in which I love 5-10 songs and like a handful more, but everything else that's entered my orbit is an auto-skip. In a top album list this tight, that's not going to make the cut. I couldn't tell you which songs on here are auto-skips just looking at the track listing, but...they're there. The highs are REAL high though.
Don Quixote
Footballguy
I don’t think it is set for others to add songs to it.Maybe I'm dense, but having problems adding songs from my desktop or phone app.If it’s public people can add songs from their albums.Link to the countdown playlist:
zamboni
Footballguy
Got it - @KarmaPolice can you add Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan then. Thanks@KarmaPolice did not male it public.Maybe I'm dense, but having problems adding songs from my desktop or phone app.If it’s public people can add songs from their albums.Link to the countdown playlist:
MAC_32
Footballguy
On the totally opposite side of the spectrum from Heart, we have SRV. I can't tell you the last time I reached for the skip button when one of his tracks comes on. I also can't tell you the last time I intentionally sought more than a couple of them out (Little Wing's a banger). That reality striking was when this album met its maker.
Dr. Octopus
Footballguy
Yes, and now it's 353 albums,