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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: Outcrier on June 01, 2014, 08:29:16 PM
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Hello guys, looks like it's my turn!
Since the time i signed up for this, my music tastes changed a lot so my top 50 will consist of a mix of current and past favorites, starting with:
The Beatles - A Hard Day's Night (1964)
(https://www.letitbeatles.com/img/albums/album03_HardDaysNight.jpg)
Genre: Pop rock
Great early pop rock. It's fun, upbeat, the lyrics are silly as hell but you can't help but to sing along because the hooks are so damn catchy (their catchiest album maybe?) and there is more great songs than fillers this time around. The Beatles are definitely getting better, gentlemen :P
Favorite songs: I'm Happy Just to Dance With You, If I Fell, A Hard Day's Night, I Should Have Known Better, Any Time at All, And I Love Her
Annihilator - Alice In Hell (1989)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nf4xffYIySY/R8zZVKdeuqI/AAAAAAAAAIg/5JxNEsjNCng/s320/2034355-885039675.jpg)
Genre: Technical Thrash Metal
Back in the day, thrash metal was mostly what i used to listen. After i got bored of the most famous thrash bands like Megadeth, i started to look for something else and then i found Annihilator and this album, which turned into a favorite instantly (mostly because of the awesome guitar playing by Jeff Waters).
Favorite songs: Word Salad, Ligeia, Schizos (Are Never Alone) Parts I & II, Alison Hell
Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8b/Appetitefordestruction.jpg)
Genre: Hard Rock
Before listening to Appetite, i was very skeptical about it. Turns out it surprised me with gems like Nightrain and Rocket Queen hidden between the hits but, truthfully speaking, the whole album is consistent and enjoyable from beginning to end.
Favorite songs: Nightrain, Paradise City, Rocket Queen, Think About You, It's So Easy, You're Crazy
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A nice diverse start....................with you on Annihilator and GnR but The Beatles really haven't played any significant part in my life at all . To be fair I've never gone much deeper than their best known songs but I've never felt the urge to dig deeper. Perhaps I should.
Are we ranking this or is it just a "no particular order" list?
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Holy fuck yes. That Annihilator album is the tits. I think I might prefer Never, Neverland and Set the World on Fire by the slimmest of margins, but really, all of Annihilator's first three albums are some of the best thrash metal that I know.
Not too big on the other two, though - even though I respect how influential The Beatles were to basically every type of music in existance, I have never really gotten into them aside from the odd song here or there. Some with GNR, though I actually like Use Your Illusion a fair bit, but that's about the only album of theirs that I find myself wanting to listen to.
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Are we ranking this or is it just a "no particular order" list?
Nope, no ranking :-\
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Are we ranking this or is it just a "no particular order" list?
Nope, no ranking :-\
Why?
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there's absolutely nothing wrong with liking early Beatles. thoroughly enjoyable. especially brave for someone who's a trash metal fan, but that's great! showing your softer side.
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Looking forward to this list.
I'm no Beatles fan - its just not my thing.
Annihilator- I've tried, especially with this album and its ok I guess, but I don't like it like many others (who generally are pretty close to me taste wise) do.
G'n'R - Loved this album then came to hate it (overexposure and Axl being a huge tool) and now I like it again (lack of familiarity after years of avoiding it and not reading about Axl the tool). It was huge back in the day. By the time it hit here in the UK I'd had the album several months and was getting burnt out on it, then it was everywhere.
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Are we ranking this or is it just a "no particular order" list?
Nope, no ranking :-\
While I have no problem with this (it's your list/thread - do whatever you want), there is really no way to include an unranked list in my database where I track these. You may not care at all about that which is fine. Just an FYI.
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Beatles are not my thing.
Had the Annihilator on cassette back in the day. Have never gone back to get it on CD, though.
And Appetite is all kinds of awesome!
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Are we ranking this or is it just a "no particular order" list?
Nope, no ranking :-\
Why?
Well, what happened is that, months ago (when i signed up for this), i had 50 favorite albums. Now, i don't (i'm listening much more to songs than entire albums these days) so i can't rank them. That's why my list consists of a mix of current and past favorites. It's not a list of albums that i love RIGHT now... some of them i do, some of them i used to.
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Now, the list starts to get interesting :)
Madlib - Beat Konducta Vol 3-4: Beat Konducta in India (2007)
(https://rollingout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/beats_madlib.jpg)
Genre: Instrumental Hip Hop
Simple concept: Instrumental beats using samples of Bollywood music... only Madlib can make shit like this and get away with it.
Favorite songs: Piano Garden, Movie Finale, Indian Hump, Smoke Circle, Get It Right, The Rumble, Dark Alley Incidental Music, More Rice, Club Scene, Enter...Hot Curry
Exodus - Bonded By Blood (1985)
(https://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/loudwire.com/files/2013/05/Front1-300x300.jpg)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Agressive, fast and raw, this is the real deal. Two things make this my favorite thrash metal release: Paul Baloff with is maniac vocals and Gary Holt delivering the best collection of riffs i've ever heard.
Favorite songs: Deliver Us to Evil, And Then There Were None, No Love, Strike of the Beast, Bonded by Blood
The National - Boxer (2007)
(https://www.soundstagedirect.com/media/national_boxer_cover.jpg)
Genre: Indie Rock/Post-Punk Revival
The National finally perfects their sound in one of the finest releases of the last decade. Boxer it's one of these albums that rewards repeated listenings. To exemplify, at first, i only greatly enjoyed the first tracks (Fake Empire and Mistaken for Strangers), then, the entire first half and finally, the whole thing so, it was definitely a grower. The highlights are Matt Berninger's deep vocals (which i always loved) and the fantastic drumming.
Favorite songs: Mistaken for Strangers, Fake Empire, Slow Show, Squalor Victoria, Guest Room, Brainy
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I love that album from The National. Top 50 material for me, too. I haven't been able to get into their other stuff yet, but that one always pleases. :heart
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I tried the Exodus when it came out. Just couldnt stand the vocals.
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That's the thing about Baloff vocals on the debut, you like it or not. I've never had a problem with them but i understand why many think the other way.
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Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31PXXZPCA8L.jpg)
Genre: French House
The complete opposite of most mainstream electronic/dance. Easy listen, very catchy (the good kind of it), memorable songs (a couple of anthems in the 1st half)... Also, it's so damn uplifting that it can make even the saddest feelings go away.
Favorite songs: Face to Face, Voyager, Veridis Quo, Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger, One More Time, Aerodynamic
The Cure - Disintegration (1989)
(https://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/images/0/0e/Disintegration.jpg)
Genre: Gothic Rock/Post-Punk
The Cure was one of the first bands that i became obsessed with, thanks to my father and this masterpiece. Disintegration combines the "best of both worlds", the atmospheric and gothic mood of the first albums and the pop sensibility of their last ones, creating something truly transcendental.
Favorite songs: Lovesong, Lullaby, Prayers for Rain, Fascination Street, Pictures of You, Disintegration
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing..... (1996)
(https://aristofonia.opsblog.org/files/2010/04/endtroducing3iu.jpg)
Genre: Instrumental Hip Hop/Trip Hop
Endtroducing is one of the most innovatives albums ever made for various reasons...it was the first one to be recorded using only samples for example.
Plagiarism and lazy copy/paste loops you say? No, Shadow builds a world of it's own here, creating entirely new complex and cohesive songs using a wide range of sources that goes from well know artists/bands like Bjork and Metallica to some pretty obscure stuff.
Personally, i also hold Endtroducing in high regard not only for it's music but because it totally changed the way i see it (or hear it :)), making me appreciate Hip/Trip Hop, beatmaking and igniting my love for sampling.
Favorite songs: Building Steam With a Grain of Salt, Changeling, What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4), Midnight in a Perfect World, Organ Donor
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So far GNR is the only one I have on your list.
I've heard a few songs from Annnihilator and Exodus, not bad, but wouldn't get into them.
I think the Beatles are the most overrated band of all time.
Don't have a clue with any other band on the list so far
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So far GNR is the only one I have on your list.
I've heard a few songs from Annnihilator and Exodus, not bad, but wouldn't get into them.
I think the Beatles are the most overrated band of all time.
Don't have a clue with any other band on the list so far
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So far GNR is the only one I have on your list.
Don't have a clue with any other band on the list so far
Other than The Beatlea, I echo this comment.
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Both Disintegration and Endtroducing are amazing, though I would change the order. Still, kudos for Disintegration - one of the most depressing albums I know, and all the better for it.
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Don't have a clue with any other band on the list so far
Expand your horizons guys :metal
Both Disintegration and Endtroducing are amazing, though I would change the order. Still, kudos for Disintegration - one of the most depressing albums I know, and all the better for it.
It is in alphabetical order but i can say my top 10 after i finish the whole thing i guess.
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Starts off very diverse, I'll be following. Still haven't gotten into The National though. I tried High Violet but it didn't work out for me.
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Props for Disintegration! One of the best albums ever made. :hefdaddy
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Daft Punk is a great pick, there are a lot of enjoyable tracks on that album. It's not as good as the DJ-based albums that are/will be on my top 50 list though :P
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Don't have a clue with any other band on the list so far
Expand your horizons guys :metal
I haven't heard of half the genres let alone the albums ;D :blush
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Endtroducing is definitely one of my favourite albums ever. Just amazing.
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Props for Disintegration! One of the best albums ever made. :hefdaddy
Agreed. No doubt that it would make my top 50 as well!
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Disintegration is amazing :tup The other two are great as well.
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Disintegration is amazing :tup
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Mad props for the diverse taste here :tup Late in following, but there's some great albums on here so far.
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I just recently got Endtroducing and loved it.
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Thanks for the feedback guys, i'm gonna post the next batch later :tup
EDIT: Cool to see Disintegration getting some love here!
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Oh yeah Disintegration is amazing too. It was on my last top 50 iirc. :)
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EDIT: Modify and quote owning me
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Embarassing, i know
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Back to rock/metal:
Protest the Hero - Fortress (2008)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f6/Protest_the_Hero_-_Fortress.jpg)
Genre: Melodic Metalcore/Progressive Metal/Epic Corny Metal
Protest The Hero is the only band i've ever liked of these technical metalcore bands. It all started with that Sequoia Throne videoclip. After doing some research on my new discovery, i chose Fortress as the entry point to their music instead of the debut Kezia because i've heard it was more proggy plus i was already familiar with Sequoia anyway. From the get go, PTH frantic pace and complex yet catchy sound leaved a good impression, thrash and progressive metal being mostly what i was listening to back in the day. Being a guitarist, i was amazed by Luke and Tim guitar playing (a lot of awesome fast leads and complex tappings...going through live shows without mistakes must be hell). Rody Walker's vocals was the only point that i've had mixed feelings about but, as time passed, i began to appreciate them too.
Favorite songs: Limb From Limb, Goddess Bound, Sequoia Throne, Palms Read, The Dissentience
The Stooges - Fun House (1970)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9hKp1B54jY/T3k3VRVhq1I/AAAAAAAAAGY/35bvHF9w2Ls/s1600/fun-house.jpg)
Genre: Garage Rock/Proto-Punk/Iggy Pop doing sh*t
The quintessential rock n' roll jam. The blueprint for Punk. Years ahead of his time (compare it to the music released during 69/70 and you will see). Dirty, dangerous, raw, fun, Iggy Pop feeling alright. Yeah, a mix of all things people love about pure rock n' roll. Yet, despite all the praise, the music here is very simple so, how it manages to be so great? The answer is: Fun House emanates energy. Just play this record at the loudest volume in your player and if you feel nothing, i have some bad news for you nah, it means you just don't like it. :P
Favorite songs: T.V. Eye, Down on the Street, Loose, Dirt
Opeth - Ghost Reveries (2005)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/20/Opeth-ghost-reveries.jpg)
Genre: Progressive Death Metal
After writing some of the best modern metal in the form of classics like Still Life, Blackwater Park, Mikael Akerfeldt could have not cared anymore, even go full auto-pilot if he wanted but, forget that, let's try new things instead. Damnation arrive, showing the softer side of Opeth. Maybe they should stick with it. I mean, what's the point of making heavy music if they will never reach the same level of their old stuff?
Bottom line, Ghost Reveries is released in 2005 and Opeth manages to do the impossible, delivering another instant metal classic :rollin
The main reason i praise Reveries is because i hear a strong struggle to make something really interesting both for the band and for the genre. I'm talking about the new additions to their sound like the use of keyboards and a more experimental and proggy approach in songwriting. Some examples of that are Akerfeld odd guitar work during the acoustic passage of The Baying of the Hounds or the end sections of both Beneath the Mire and Harlequin Forest.
Favorite songs: The Baying of the Hounds, Reverie/Harlequin Forest, Ghost of Perdition, Beneath the Mire
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GR = Best Opeth album.
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Ghost Reveries is my second favorite Opeth album at the moment, just behind BW. :tup
I've heard great things about that PTH album. Have to give it a listen soon.
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Great update. :tup Fortress is definitely one of my favorite prog metal albums. The energy of that band/album is just unparalleled.
I remember listening to that Stooges album one time and digging it. I'd say it's one of the most intense albums from that period. Easy to see why it influenced so many punk bands.
GR :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy Best Opeth album imho.
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GR = Best Opeth album.
GR :hefdaddy :hefdaddy :hefdaddy Best Opeth album imho.
My favorite by Opeth and the introduction to their music (along Heritage i guess). I don't know if that influenced me never getting into BP and SL.
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Nas - Illmatic (1994)
(https://ballislife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/nas_illmatic_pv.jpg)
Genre: Hip Hop
Hip Hop reputation is one of the biggest injustices in music. It takes a lot of sh*t because, generally, people only knows the poorest examples of it (unlike other styles).
Now, listen carefully to what i will say: Hip Hop is good as Rock/Metal/Jazz/You name it. Like all these genres, it has a great amount of quality music, one of them being this album.
For those who don't have clue, see Illmatic as one of the Hip Hop equivalents to Abbey Road/OK Computer/Dark Side of the Moon, an iconic release for music in general that mix Nas poetic lyrics about his own experiences living in the city as a teenager plus some of the greatest producers ever (DJ Premier, Large Professor,Pete Rock and Q-Tip) bringing their A game, sampling jazz, unknown stuff like "Thief of Bagdad" movie score for "Represent" and more.
Despite all the accolades, i don't think Illmatic is the best place to start if you wanna get into Hip Hop because it will not change your view of it that much (i will talk about this later, when best suited stuff for initiation shows up here). Still, if you wanna try, go for Life's a Bitch, Hard to Tell or State of Mind.
Favorite songs: It Ain't Hard to Tell, Life's a Bitch, Represent, N.Y. State of Mind, The World Is Yours
Dream Theater - Images and Words (1992)
(https://www.metalkingdom.net/album/cover/d67/165_dream_theater_images_and_words.jpg)
Genre: Progressive Metal/Really obscure :)
Not much to say about, just one thing: In a genre like this, it's a very difficult task to craft acessible/memorable songs and that is the reason Images stands out, Dream Theater just wanting to write some good music and showing that they are more than a couple of virtuosos.
Favorite songs: Learning to Live, Take the Time, Under a Glass Moon, Metropolis Pt. 1, Pull Me Under
Radiohead - In Rainbows (2007)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2e/In_Rainbows_Official_Cover.jpg)
Genre: Alternative Rock/Beautiful Music/Radiohead/ :heart/ :hefdaddy
If this was a ranking, i would have a lot of doubt about were to place some albums. The exception is this, my number 1. In Rainbows is Radiohead at their most beautiful, emotional, laid back and easy listen. Basically, they go back to alternative rock as the main core but still utilizing elements of electronic music, creating rich soundscapes that, combined with the surprising personal lyrics, brings an unheard warmth to their sound.
Most songs here follow a mix of conventional songwriting coupled with the post-rock formula of calm at the beggining, beautiful/epic climax at the end (without the slow build ups). In my opinion, Reckoner is the highest point of the album and one of the greatest songs ever, 5 minutes of pure magic (THAT outro).
Wrapping it up, for 99% of all bands this late in their career, In Rainbows would be that album that is good but nowhere near the level of the oldies or a downright dissapointment. The problem is, this is no ordinary band. They still manages to release material great as the iconic OK Computer and Kid A. F*cking Radiohead.
Favorite songs: Reckoner, All I Need, Jigsaw Falling Into Place, 15 Step, Nude, Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
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common to see that Images and Words album in top 50 lists; shows how amazing it is
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I've recently been getting into more hip hop and Illmatic is definitely on my list. I&W needs no introduction. :hefdaddy
Not the biggest fan of Radiohead.
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common to see that Images and Words album in top 50 lists; shows how amazing it is
of the 50 lists I've compiled, I&W appears in 62% of them. The next highest album is SFAM at 42%, then 6DOIT at 40%.
The highest percentage of a non-DT album is Blackwater Park at 38%.
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common to see that Images and Words album in top 50 lists; shows how amazing it is
of the 50 lists I've compiled, I&W appears in 62% of them. The next highest album is SFAM at 42%, then 6DOIT at 40%.
The highest percentage of a non-DT album is Blackwater Park at 38%.
love the stats!! your're the man Hath
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common to see that Images and Words album in top 50 lists; shows how amazing it is
of the 50 lists I've compiled, I&W appears in 62% of them. The next highest album is SFAM at 42%, then 6DOIT at 40%.
The highest percentage of a non-DT album is Blackwater Park at 38%.
I'm kinda surprised it's not a Maiden, Floyd, or Rush album. Maybe because those three have more albums than Opeth for people to debate which is the best? Or perhaps because BP is clearly the most superior Opeth album.
Not to derail this, but Hath... which acts have the most # of albums mentioned?
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In Rainbows is my favorite Radiohead album and definitely in my top 10 albums of all time. It was a great first listen and it ever keeps growing. The absolute highlight of their career, because it merges their older altrock/melodic sensibilities with the revolutionary work of their electronic era.
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In Rainbows is really great! :hefdaddy
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your impassioned plea about Hip Hop is enough to make me want to give it more of a chance. but you said not to start here. where would you recommend starting then?
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Rapper's Delight
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your impassioned plea about Hip Hop is enough to make me want to give it more of a chance. but you said not to start here. where would you recommend starting then?
First: No rapping. Start with something instrumental or downtempo stuff so you can "get" the beauty of beatmaking and sampling.
Personally, i recommend these:
DJ Shadow - Endtroducing...
J Dilla - Donuts
Boards of Canada - Any old album
Portishead - Any album
Blockhead - Music by Cavelight
Nujabes - Methaporical Music or Modal Soul
Second: If you happens to dig it, rap time. Try some abstract/experimental hip hop.
Madvillain - Madvillainy (Madlib, MF DOOM and this album are the main reasons i turned into a hip hop head)
MF DOOM - Operation Doomsday, Take Me To Your Leader, Vaudeville Villain and MM Food.
Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030
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Rapper's Delight
:clap:
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common to see that Images and Words album in top 50 lists; shows how amazing it is
of the 50 lists I've compiled, I&W appears in 62% of them. The next highest album is SFAM at 42%, then 6DOIT at 40%.
The highest percentage of a non-DT album is Blackwater Park at 38%.
I'm kinda surprised it's not a Maiden, Floyd, or Rush album. Maybe because those three have more albums than Opeth for people to debate which is the best? Or perhaps because BP is clearly the most superior Opeth album.
Not to derail this, but Hath... which acts have the most # of albums mentioned?
ok, finally able to look at this . . . I assume you are talking about unique albums. Here are the artists that have 10 or more unique albums in top 50 lists.
Devin Townsend et al - 15 unique albums mentioned
Dream Theater - 12
Rush - 12
Iron Maiden - 11
Opeth - 10
Porcupine Tree/Steven Wilson etc - 10
Pink Floyd has 7 unique albums mentioned. After I&W, SFAM, 6DOIT, and Blackwater Park, Wish You Were Here comes in 5th appearing on 36% of lists.
Rush's highest percentage album is Moving Pictures at 18%.
To get to the first Maiden album, you have to go down to 16% (Somewhere in Time and Powerslave).
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Caravan - In the Land of Grey and Pink (1971)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ef/LandOfGrayAndPink.jpg)
Genre: Canterbury Scene/Progressive Rock
Essential progressive rock. Just listen to Nine Feet Underground (20 minute epic jam) and you will see why In the Land of Grey and Pink is revered within the prog circles.
Favorite songs: Nine Feet Underground, Winter Wine, In the Land of Grey and Pink
Protest the Hero - Kezia (2006)
(https://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20090811135329/lyricwiki/images/7/7a/Protest_the_Hero_-_Kezia.jpg)
Genre: Melodic Metalcore/Progressive Metal/Epic Corny Metal
After enjoying Fortress a lot, the next step was to try Kezia, their conceptual debut, as well. This time around, the balance leans much more towards melodic metalcore than progressive metal and the band sounds a lot like these typical mainstream emo bands (which was the reason Kezia took a while for me to appreciate it).
The difference is, they pick that and mash together with their technical playing and frantic pace, creating some really awesome and fun songs.
To this day, Kezia his viewed as their strongest effort, a view that i share (mostly due to it being PTH at their most cheesy, epic and emotional :P).
Favorite songs: She Who Mars the Skin of Gods, Turn Soonest to the Sea, The Divine Suicide of Kezia, Blindfolds Aside, Heretics & Killers
Sigur Rós - Kveikur (2013)
(https://www.spin.com/sites/all/files/styles/style300_300/public/130620-sigur-ros.jpg)
Genre: Post-Rock/Sigur Rock ;)
Already knowing about Sigur Rós (various songs included), i decided to give their new album a chance after seeing how good it has being received. Kveikur didn't disappoint. The first thing i noticed was the dark atmosphere during Brennistein, very different than anything they ever done before. There is also a lot of industrial influence during the album, including some great pounding drums. Yet, it not reflects 100% the sound of Kveikur though, you can find plenty of the old
hopeful Sigur Rós in tracks like Isjaki or Stormur.
Favorite songs: Hrafntinna, Brennisteinn, Kveikur, Bláþráður
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In the Land of Grey and Pink is a classic. I love how the first side of the album is more catchy and pop-orientated, while the second side consists of one of the greatest progressive rock epics.
I like Kveikur, but I kind of miss the keyboards in Sigur Ros's sound. Still a good album though.
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Very interesting and awesome picks. :tup
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I haven't listened to In the Land of Grey and Pink in so long. Amazing album.
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Classic level over 9000:
Genius/GZA - Liquid Swords (1995)
(https://waxmuseumrecords.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/GZA-LiquidSwords.jpg)
Genre: Hardcore Hip Hop/Dope album cover :hat
Liquid Swords is a stone cold classic released by GZA, a member of Wu-Tang Clan. Most of them appears here as well so, it's pretty similar to 36 Chambers (their debut): some fantastic MCs rapping over lo-fi gritty beats produced by RZA (not to be confused with GZA) and lots of old kung-fu movies samples. I slightly prefer this over 36 Chambers due to RZA outdoing himself with the production work and GZA, being at the peak of his lyricism, having much more mic time.
Favorite songs: Cold World, Duel of the Iron Mic, 4th Chamber, Shadowboxin', Living in the World Today, B.I.B.L.E.
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)
(https://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/mbv_lovless-300x300.jpg)
Genre: Shoegaze (yeah)/Dream Pop
In recent years, i "discovered" a lot of music genres, Shoegaze being one of them. It instantly ignited my curiosity ("What this type of music sounds like?"), which lead me to My Bloody Valentine and their transcendental 2nd album.
I imagine that Loveless should be a grower for most people (his iconic status + it's the first shoegaze album anyone listen to) but, personally, i already understood why it's so adored during my first listen. All the songs here, while having simple structures, have tons and tons of layers that brilliantly heightens them, reaching a colossal dream-like noisy sound (perfectly fitting for Bilinda Butcher's angelic vocals) that is definitely hard to explain in words.
The problem is, if you stripped down Loveless of all it's tricks, it would continue to be very good anyway (Sometimes and Soon being great examples).
Favorite songs: Sometimes, Soon, Only Shallow, Come In Alone, I Only Said
Madvillain - Madvillainy (2004)
(https://theartlife.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/madvillain.jpg)
Genre: Abstract Hip Hop
During 2003, two underground hip hop legends joined forces. Madlib + MF DOOM, the supervillain = Madvillain.
After months of work and hype escalating astounding levels, these guys honor they status and release something truly legendary.
Madvillainy, in a nutshell, is abstract hip hop heaven. Superbly produced by Madlib, it features some of his best samples of music (look out for how he cut "Airport Love Theme" for the making of "Curls") and cartoons/movies/tv series which, in response, perfectly complements MF DOOM odd rapping style, spitting complex, often comical lyrics about his villainous deeds (comic book stuff) and random nonsenses that only he manages to make interesting. I was already acquainted with a lot of instrumental beats and other things but this album alone turned me into a full blown hip hop head.
Madvillainy belongs in the highest pantheon of hip hop (and music in general) together with the likes of 36 Chambers, Illmatic, Liquid Swords and, from all of them, it's my personal recommendation for anyone here who wants to be enlightened.
Favorite songs: Money Folder, Curls, All Caps, Supervillain Theme, Figaro, Fancy Clown, Rhinestone Cowboy, Raid, Meat Grinder, Shadows of Tomorrow
Finally (and getting this off my chest), i just have to praise artists like Madlib and MF DOOM. Both are pretty down-to-earth guys just wanting to make some good music and not giving a f*ck to appearances (DOOM even hangs out with his metal mask :lol) or how unfriendly commercial they are. Brings me a lot of joy that people like this still exists.
(https://passionweiss.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Madvillain+Madlib++Doom.jpg)
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Great update! :tup
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Both Loveless and Madvillian are completely addicting. Kveikur is definitely not my favorite Sigur Ros album but it's great. :tup
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The Beatles - Magical Mistery Tour (1967)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/85/TheBeatlesMagicalMysteryTouralbumcover.jpg)
Genre: Psychedelic Pop/Pop Rock/Beatles on drugs
My favorite Beatles record, MMT (mono mix preferably) is the fab four at their most psychedelic. They push what Pop music can be even further here, efficiently combining some already excellent songs with obscure, even progressive elements. The stretch from You Mother Should Know to Penny Lane is incredible if you pay attention to the time this was released. Strawberry Fields Forever take the cake though, one of the greatest songs i've ever heard. Written by John Lennon, two takes was recorded for it, each one with different keys and tempos. Martin and Emerick (producer and sound engineer) joined them by compensating the differences in key by increasing the speed of the slow take and vice-versa, something that today shouldn't be hard to do with computers but, keep in mind it was f*cking 1967 :o (Later Beatles music, in general, utilizes a lot of really interesting innovative studio tricks).
Favorite songs: Strawberry Fields Forever, The Fool on the Hill, Your Mother Should Know, Penny Lane, I Am the Walrus
Dream Theater - Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From a Memory (1999)
(https://www.metalkingdom.net/album/cover/d63/161_dream_theater_metropolis_pt_2_scenes_from_a_memory.jpg)
Genre: Dream Theater kicking ass/Progressive Metal
Finally, we reach my old number 1º. Scenes From a Memory is Dream Theater at their most ambitious. Everyone is firing on all cylinders here, not only in playing but writing as well.
Scenes contains some of the best collection of guitar/vocals melodies and instrumental passages i've ever heard from them, some examples being Fatal Tragedy badass outro, Beyond This Life Zappaesque jam, Home guitar solo and the entire Dance of Eternity.
PS.: I've have a confession to make though. First time i listened to SFAM, i slept during Beyond This Life :rollin
Favorite songs: Fatal Tragedy, Home, Beyond This Life, The Dance of Eternity, Finally Free, Strange Déjà Vu
Camel - Mirage (1974)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/89/Camel-Mirage.jpg)
Genre: Progressive Rock/Symphonic Prog
After Progressive Metal, i was willing to try classic Progressive Rock. In the beginning, i didn't enjoyed bands like Genesis or Yes and thought "maybe this genre isn't for me" (much more slow paced than my favorites at the time, Thrash and Prog Metal). Eventually, i decided do try a band i didn't know by name, Camel, and this 70's masterpiece, one where everything clicked and my appreciation for old prog started. Mirage is all about emotional/strong melodies, unpretentiousness and laid back (mostly at least) prog music. The main highlights are Latimer and Bardens (guitarist and keyboardist). They both play very tastefully. In fact, they hardly overplay their instruments, giving the album a nice feeling of cohesion and flow, as the songs are perfectly crafted.
Favorite songs: Lady Fantasy, Nimrodel/The Procession/The White Rider, Freefall
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Magical Mystery Tour is one a top 3 Beatles album for me.
Mirage is fantastic. Totally agree with you on Latimer and Bardens not overplaying. Their tastefulness is one of the reasons why I love Camel so much.
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Camel is one of the few progressive rock bands that I like, and Mirage is the best (of those that I have heard). Scenes is, of course, awesome.
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Love some Camel but I'm ashamed to say I've never heard this one.
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Blockhead - Music by Cavelight (2004)
(https://www.trip-hop.net/images/jacquettes/big/820.jpg)
Genre: Instrumental Hip Hop/Trip Hop
I would describe Music by Cavelight as a sort of sequel to "Endtroducing", not in quality but style, mostly due to Blockhead beatmaking being similar to DJ Shadow.
That said, you can expect to see a lot of attention to the details and clever use of samples that doesn't feel forced.
Even the music itself is similar too. Insomniac Olympics, per example, always reminded of "Building Steam from a Grain of Salt" due to the use of that piano sample.
Favorite songs: Insomniac Olympics, Carnivores Unite, Sunday Seance, Road Rage Breakdown, Jet Son, You've Got Maelstrom
Boards of Canada - Music Has the Right to Children (1998)
(https://matilda.simsim.ge:8080/ZoneN/26/mp3/BoC_1998-Music%20has%20the/.poster_sh.jpg)
Genre: Ambient Techno/Downtempo/IDM/ :chill Music
Boards of Canada debuts in great style with an relaxing electronic classic. Boards of Canada music always seems to evoke many kinds of feelings for different persons. Particularly, i think some songs here have a nostalgic child-like feel (Bocuma, Open The Light,) and others are more dark and tense (Smokes Quantity, Turquoise Hexagon Sun), which i've read somewhere that probably symbolizes loss of innocence as you grow up.
Despite being an electronic record, MHTRTC feels very natural, more than most music played with real instruments that i know. Also, it's impressive how Boards of Canada creates sounds from keyboards and samples that don't sound dated even 10 years after the release. In the contrary, they sound fresh and timeless (it's all my opinion though). To anyone interested, i recommend the more acessible tracks like Roygbiv or Aquarius.
Favorite songs: Roygbiv, Rue the Whirl, Aquarius, Turquoise Hexagon Sun, Pete Standing Alone, Bocuma
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f0/My_Beautiful_Dark_Twisted_Fantasy.jpg)
Genre: Hip Hop/Overrated Crap?
We reach the most acclaimed album of the 2010's (and one of the most acclaimed from ever). MBDTF sounds a lot like the most popular stuff playing in the radio plus it's mainstream hip hop, which makes a lot of people instantly thinking it sucks and overlook the differences between this and generic. For starters, the songs here are memorable (not in a bad way), epic and massive (not in a cheesy way).
Full package of great obscure samples for beats, famous ones from the likes of Black Sabbath and King Crimson used in nice ways to complement only and memorable hooks and choruses in near all tracks.
Yet, many people will also overlook the songs quality due to Kanye West rap delivery, the "full of himself douchebag" type, associating it with Lil Wayne and others (Unlike all popular modern rappers, Kanye can be full of himself because he makes great music, i give him that :tup). On the case, i definitely prefer the producer Kanye over the MC Kanye but there are lots of guests like Jay-Z and Bon Iver.
MBDTF also made me enjoy things i never would imagine i would enjoy, like a track with Rihanna on it or Nicki Minaj rap verse on Monster, one of the highlights of the album for me. Yeah, you read it right. Shows that there are various mainstream artists that can be good if they wanted instead of dumbing down their music. Finally, another :tup to Kanye West for making the impossible, possible, poppy hip hop full of world famous guests that it's the total opposite to what it should be on paper, amazing.
Favorite songs: Monster, Power, All of the Lights, So Appalled, Runaway, Dark Fantasy
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Yeah I hate Nicki Minaj but her verse on Monster is pretty awesome. And BoC! :hefdaddy
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Arcade Fire - Neon Bible (2007)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ea/Arcade_Fire_-_Neon_Bible.jpg)
Genre: Indie Rock
While most Arcade Fire fans worship Funeral, i never was a fan of it (even when Tunnels and Rebellion is two of their best songs) and always prefered The Suburbs and this one. Neon Bible has a darker vibe than Funeral, noticeably from the get go. Still, the hopeful anthemic climaxes Arcade Fire got know for are still there in songs like No Cars Go, which is the most similar of them to anything on Funeral. Also, the band experiment more with their arrangements and, mainly, in use of instruments, like the keyboardish intro to Black Wave and the use of organ in both Intervention and My Body Is a Cage (the way they implement various types of instruments is one of their characteristics i appreciate the most).
Favorite songs: Black Wave/Bad Vibrations, No Cars Go, Ocean of Noise, Intervention, My Body Is a Cage
Annihilator - Never, Neverland (1990)
(https://www.soundstagedirect.com/media/annihilator_never_neverland.jpg)
Genre: Technical Thrash Metal
Annihilator comes back with Never, Neverland, which i don't think it's good as Alice in Hell but a solid followup nonetheless. This time, their sound is more catchy oriented, even groovy in songs like Road to Ruin. It's a bit less agressive and heavier than the debut as well and a new singer, Coburn Pharr, is present, his voice fitting perfectly for this new approach in Annihilator's cleaner thrash sound. While disliking neither, i definitely prefer his voice over Rampage, he having more charisma and a wider range being the reasons.
Favorite songs: Road to Ruin, The Fun Palace, Never, Neverland, Stonewall, Sixes and Sevens
MF DOOM - Operation Doomsday (1999)
(https://www.soundstagedirect.com/media/mf_doom_operation_doomsday.jpg)
Genre: Abstract Hip Hop
Supervillain MF DOOM finally unleashes his first strike, droping this abstract classic that is the musical equivalent to a comic book (if that makes sense).
For non hip hop fans, albums like Operation Doosmday seems pretty weird due to the really light mood, quirky beats and cartoony skits. DOOM, while a MC, produces too and creates that light mood through his samples. The sampling is very creative here, not the way he uses them but from where he gets them, ranging from old jazz fusion and soul to cartoons (There is even a song here called Hey! that he samples the intro to Scooby Doo 72 :biggrin:).
All this weird awesomeness is the reason i recommend these abstract albums so people can hear that there is more than meets the eye when it comes to what they think hip hop is.
Favorite songs: Red & Gold, Rhymes Like Dimes, Dead Bent, Who You Think I Am?, Go With the Flow, Hey!, Gas Drawls
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In contrast, while I like Neon Bible a lot, there's no way it comes ahead of Funeral for me. Funeral is, on the whole, much more emotional and has much greater highs (though I'll say that the lows might be lower than those on NB, though not by much). I think with NB, I just feel that a lot of the songs start to feel a little same-y while Funeral manages more wonderful diversity. Still a great album, however.
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Sorry for the delay, i was a bit occupied during the last couple days.
Megadeth - Peace Sells... But Who's Buying? (1986)
(https://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljkk34epGW1qa2twpo1_1302661600_cover.jpg)
Genre: Thrash Metal
This is where Dave Mustaine finally distances him and Megadeth from being just another thrash metal band, showing the middle finger to everyone that thought he was finished after been kicked out of Metallica. Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?, while raw and agressive, brings diversity to the mix instead of being full speed thrash till the end. Most songs here don't follow a simple straight route, they turn around and twist, examples being the kickass opener Wake Up Dead or the epic Good Mourning / Black Friday.
So, in general, a vast improvement in the lyrics and songwriting department is heard and not only because of the man... this time around, Megadeth is Megadeth, not Dave Mustaine and some guys.
While worlds away of being the best musician in terms of playing or singing, Mustaine always had two things playing at his favor: undeniable talent in writing metal riffs/songs and being surrounded by talented musicians. In this case, Chris Poland and Gar Samuelson fits the band perfectly. Poland has a very recognizable way of playing guitar, very melodic and jazzy, which gives some songs here a apocalyptic/evil vibe. Samuelson is a drummer with jazz influences as well. Their contribution to the complexity of the songs here is very important, i even say Peace Sells wouldn't be what it is without these guys working together with Mustaine.
Favorite songs: Good Mourning/Black Friday, My Last Words, Wake Up Dead, Devils Island
The Cure - Pornography (1982)
(https://www.herbmusic.net/album/cover/2012/11/6/13068_the_cure_pornography.jpg)
Genre: Gothic Rock/Post-Punk/Suicide music
I imagine that, for people not into The Cure, listening to any of their earlier albums is a shock as they sound the extreme opposite of the uplifting songs that got them famous worldwide later in their career. After their debut, their mental state was gone from depressive to wanting to die but with a little light in the end of the tunnel due to drugs, alcohol, mental stress and a lot of stuff. Finally, Robert Smith, instead of suicide, choose to channel all he was feeling into making an album. In Pornography, all his despair and lack of hope comes to life in form of music, in a way that any sad person can get depressed or suicidal listening to it due to the bleak atmosphere and Smith's agony all over his lyrics and voice. Other elements are the minimal approach to the compositions and the huge 80's drums, which surprisingly fits well here.
The irony is that, how a band falling apart manages to reach a peak high as Pornography? I mean, the more these guys wants to die, the greater the music gets...
Favorite songs: The Figurehead, A Strange Day, The Hanging Garden, Cold
The Who - Quadrophenia (1973)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/8/8a/Quadrophenia_(album).jpg)
Genre: Hard Rock/Opera Rock
While making some classics like Sell Out and Tommy, Who's Next was the album where The Who finally transcended into something more. And this "something more", before losing time, would take the time to create another masterpiece, this rock opera, one who tells the story of Jimmy, a young man facing the challenges of the adolescent life, going through struggles like rejection, drugs, alcohol and more. The twist is, he has Quadrophenia, a mental disorder where the individual has four different personalities, symbolized by four recorrent themes throughout the album.
Musically, see it this way: if Who's Next is their Images and Words, Quadrophenia is their Scenes from a Memory. Everyone is firing in all cylinders here: Roger Daltrey unleashed his voice in Who's Next, Pete Townshend is rocking as always (still at his songwriting peak) and Entwistle and Moon are some of the finest rock musicians in their respective instruments so, basically, Quadrophenia is where the best Who tells their best story.
Favorite songs: Doctor Jimmy, 5:15, The Real Me, The Punk and the Godfather, The Dirty Jobs, Love Reign O'er Me, Bell Boy
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Awesome update! Peace Sells is a thrash classic, and rightly so. I find it a shame that no-one ever mentions My Last Words, which is one my favourite Megadeth songs ever. Pornography is great, though, personally, in terms of depressive The Cure, I prefer Disintegration, but not by a whole lot. And Quadrophenia is great front to back, with Love Reign O'er Me being one of the best album closers in the history of ever.
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And Quadrophenia is great front to back, with Love Reign O'er Me being one of the best album closers in the history of ever.
I agree with this, but I've always found the rest of the album hard to get into, which is a shame, because Who's Next was so high on my top 50 list. The Real Me shows their song writing is in top form, but I don't think the rest of the songs are nearly as good as Who's Next, imo.
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I find it a shame that no-one ever mentions My Last Words, which is one my favourite Megadeth songs ever.
Their best closer imo, constantly epic from the menacing intro to the awesome ending solo.
Pornography is great, though, personally, in terms of depressive The Cure, I prefer Disintegration, but not by a whole lot.
I prefer Disintegration as well.
I agree with this, but I've always found the rest of the album hard to get into, which is a shame, because Who's Next was so high on my top 50 list. The Real Me shows their song writing is in top form, but I don't think the rest of the songs are nearly as good as Who's Next, imo.
Different from Sell Out and Who's Next, Quadrophenia was a grower for me. First times i listened to it, only thing i could remember was The Real Me and the four themes, the rest of the album leaving me :| (i couldn't even decide if i was liking what i was hearing or not). Eventually, after some insistence, it clicked :metal
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Metal, electronic and rock at their finest:
Megadeth - Rust in Peace (1990)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/dc/Megadeth-RustInPeace.jpg)
Genre: Thrash Metal/F*ck Metallica :metal
If Peace Sells was Dave Mustaine at the height of his rage, Rust in Peace is him just chilling out, throwing his best songs ever (Holy Wars, Hangar 18 and Tornado of Souls being metal hymns) in your faces like it was easy to equal/surpass Peace Sells or make something with the same level of reception in the metal community as any early Black Sabbath, Metallica (Ride/Master) and Reign in Blood.
Remember what i've said about Mustaine being surrounded by great players? With Marty Friedman and Nick Menza this time around, they make Megadeth sound more technical than ever. Marty Friedman is just an awesome metal guitarist, with a unique style of playing that is instantly recognizable. There's a nice contrast between him and Mustaine different ways of playing guitar during the solo trade-offs, Friedman being very technical due to being classical trained. The guitar solos here are some of the best in all metal, especially Tornado of Souls solo and Hangar 18 trade-offs.
Do yourself a favor and seek the original RIP instead of the remaster due to the dynamic range and original recorded vocals (as Mustaine re-recorded them for some songs).
Favorite songs: Holy Wars... The Punishment Due, Tornado of Souls, Poison Was the Cure, Five Magics
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works 85-92 (1992)
(https://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/selected-ambient-works-85-92.jpg)
Genre: IDM/Ambient Techno/ :chill music
Selected Ambient Works 85-92 features a collection of songs written by a young Richard D. James AKA Aphex Twin during 1985-1992 (o rly?), which is an amazing feat as the guy was only at the age of 14-20+ and already creating a iconic work for the genre. SAW 85-92 contains some of the best music electronic has to offer, very beat-driven but incorporating ambient minimalism as well, making for a pretty chill and relaxing experience. Contrary to the latter albums, where Aphex Twin started to experiment more and make some complex stuff, the songs here are pretty acessible, simple ("less is more" case) and effective, in a way that most of them are memorable from the get to.
Favorite songs: Ptolemy, Green Calx, Ageispolis, Heliosphan, Pulsewidth, Xtal
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/50/Sgt._Pepper's_Lonely_Hearts_Club_Band.jpg)
Genre: Psychedelic Pop/Pop Rock
One of the most important albums ever, introducing stuff like concept albums in popular music, diverse influences from music all over the world (avant-agarde, classical music and circus per example ) and studio as an instrument more than ever. Putting all the status aside, Sgt. Pepper's is great even today. It's not everyday you have a collection of great songs like With a Little Help From My Friends, LSD, A Day in the Life and others. My favorite is the beautiful string arranged She's Leaving Home though (MONO version, much better than the slower Stereo one... that said, the whole album is better MONO imo).
Ah, i just realized they released Magical Mistery Tour (my fav from them) in the same year... F*cking Beatles.
Favorite songs: She's Leaving Home, With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, A Day in the Life, Getting Better
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Aphex Twin's ambient albums rule. Especially volume 1.
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Aphex Twin and Sgt Pepper! :tup
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Hey Lolzeez, i ripped of that "custom genres" thing you do :biggrin:
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Two great Megadeth albums and Sgt. Peppers. :tup
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Magical Mystery Tour is also my favorite from them, and I also love me some Sgt. Peppers!
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Akira Yamaoka - Silent Hill 2: Original Soundtrack (2001)/Silent Hill 3: Original Soundtrack (2003)
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LTjhW4B0Z-4/TWNUY_RVqsI/AAAAAAAAA1s/-Shg3rxL4Ws/s1600/Silent+Hill+2+Original+Soundtrack.jpg)(https://spelmusik.net/arkiv/bilder/sh3_ost.jpg)
Genre: Alternative Rock/Dark Ambient/Industrial/Trip Hop/Yeah
If you pick some acclaimed videogame OSTs, they are quality music but generally, it's not a thing you wanna listen outside of it or in the place of artists/bands during the day. Silent Hill soundtracks are different. This is not highly acclaimed only in the videogame realm but as general music as well.
Akira Yamaoka surely can write songs from all types of genres with mastery. I mean, when not doing his alternative rock numbers (tastefully played by the way), Mr. Yamaoka sort of channels the likes of Boards of Canada/Nine Inch Nails/Portishead and throw some Dark Ambient stuff in it too.
While Silent Hill 2 OST is the most acclaimed of the two, i prefer Silent Hill 3 over it due to being less drony-ambient stuff like the first half of SH2 OST.
There's the nice addition of vocalist Mary Elizabeth McGlynn, who does monologues and sings some alternative rock/trip hop songs which, at first, sounded a bit cheesy but turned out fine imo. Also, i think this works better as an full album experience because the way the tracks are ordered plus how they sound (more akin to a regular album instead of a video game OST).
Favorite songs: A Stray Child, Terror in the Depths of the Fog, The Reverse Will, Theme of Laura, Breeze in Monochrome Night, Love Psalm, True, Please Love Me... Once More, You're Not Here, Sickness Unto Foolish Death
Dream Theater - Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence (2002)
(https://www.herbmusic.net/album/cover/2011/05/1193_dream_theater_six_degrees_of_inner_turbulence.jpg)
Genre: Progressive Metal
The best thing Dream Theater could have done after SFAM. Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence is the close DT got at doing their own "OK Computer - Kid A" move (radical changes in sound). They experiment like never before here, he hear things like rapping, scratching, rock, snippets of noisy and ambient stuff and their take at a symphonic prog epic, a 40 minutes monster which is one of their career highlights imo. Great prog metal.
Favorite songs: The Glass Prison, About to Crash Reprise, The Great Debate, Solitary Shell, Blind Faith, About To Crash
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Awesome! The Silent Hill soundtracks are great, and SDOIT is my favourite DT album. Great choices! :tup
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Short and quick:
Khan - Space Shanty (1972)
(https://o.scdn.co/300/e0319540e512aadaa7f1577382c3a390a084c263)
Genre: Canterbury Scene/Progressive Rock
Khan was a supergroup consisting mainly of Dave Stewart and Steve Hillage, some of the biggest names of the Canterbury Scene. Space Shanty is the only album they ever released and, certainly, a classic of the genre. Basically, the music played here is Canterbury with Psych/Space Rock influences. Some nice compositions, not just stuff throw randomly (as this is a side project). Pretty good stuff.
Favorite songs: Space Shanty, Mixed Up Man of the Mountains, Driving to Amsterdam
Metal Fingers (AKA MF DOOM) - Special Herbs: The Box Set Vol. 0–9 (2006)
(https://o.scdn.co/300/ec1c8bf93a8fc255967916eb0a2f0779c4e761e0)
Genre: Abstract Hip Hop/Instrumental Hip Hop
The Special Herbs releases by MF DOOM consist of used/unused hip hop instrumentals produced by him. In this case, the box set contains all the volumes so, i'm kind of cheating. Anyway, to describe this compilation, i will quote a review i read some time ago: "Probably the greatest collection of music in the world".
Some of the best intrumentals i've heard from this genre, a gold mine filled with mindblowing samples. The world would be a better place if people knew about this stuff.
Favorite songs (random order this time): Sumac Berries, Shallots, Charnsuka, Eucalyptus, Agrimony, Arabic Gum, Bergamot Wild, Styrax Gum, Four Thieves Vinegar, Spikenard, Pennyroyal, Valerian Root, High John, Bergamont, Orris Root Powder
Exodus - Tempo of the Damned (2004)
(https://o.scdn.co/300/5f3a6b0f889d6041d02e768ec559fd0d8b7e464b)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Impressive comeback by Exodus, a band that was more than ten years without releasing great albums/any album at all. An instant trash metal classic, Tempo of the Damned sees the band returning to their top form (long gone after Fabulous Disaster), which means great riff after great riff, simple as that.
Favorite songs: War Is My Shepherd, Forward March, Scar Spangled Banner, Impaler, Tempo of the Damned
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Just listening to that Exodus album. I was never a thrash fan back in the day but don't mind some now, if I'm in the mood. I hhave heard them before but maybe sampled the wrong tracks as I'm really impressed by this. Nice :metal
Just moving on to the rerecorded Bonded By Blood and enjoying that too.
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I swear Khan has received more love on this board than they ever had before.
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Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase (2005)
(https://sobermallow.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/boards-of-canada-the-campfire-headphase.jpg?w=300)
Genre: Ambient Techno/Downtempo/IDM/ :chill
Same Boards of Canada as always but not so great as Music Has the Right imo. The way i view it, the problem with The Campfire Headphase is that the strongest songs are all in the 1st half, leaving the rest of the album a bit weak in comparison (still, a great listen). A notably difference from Campfire to their other works is the use of acoustic guitars, which i was skeptical beforehand but it turned out fine.
Favorite songs: Dayvan Cowboy, Hey Saturday Sun, Satellite Anthem Icarus, Peacock Tail, Chromakey Dreamcoat, Tears From the Compound Eye, '84 Pontiac Dream
Radiohead - The King of Limbs: Live From the Basement (2011)
(https://rymimg.com/lk/f/l/1f6ee5768f616c2c674c11863331326b/4132839.jpg)
Genre: Radiohead
Radiohead...In the past, even though i already knew some of their songs like Karma Police and Paranoid Android, i was oblivious to the later experimental/electronic stuff. After hearing all the talk and praises about them in music forums, i did some searching on YouTube and found this live performance, which i greatly enjoyed (i remember that "Staircase" totally blowed me away at the time). It was the start of an obsession.
In the present day, while very acquainted with their main discography, TKOL: Live From the Basement remains a favorite and, to people who didn't enjoy the studio TKOL, i recommend this.
Maybe it change your view due to the differences and additions of the piano/rock Daily Mail and the bass/synth driven Staircase, which are considered two of the best songs of these sessions (and yeah, the bastards did leave them off the studio release).
Favorite songs: Staircase, Lotus Flower, Little by Little, Codex, Bloom
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010)
(https://musichord.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/arcade-fire-the-suburbs.jpg)
Genre: Indie Rock
This is the album that, in my opinion, propelled Arcade Fire more than ever into being the best modern rock band, given their consistency. While other bands live in the shadow of the "viewed as a masterpiece" debut, Arcade Fire continued to release strong material and this is no exception. While i agree The Suburbs isn't epic as their first two albums, it still display their songwriting capabilities with songs like The Suburbs (love how the song progresses, especially the additions of other instruments such as violins throughout) or Sprawl II (the electronic vibe hinting at what they would do later in Reflektor). I always liked the flow of it too, more than Neon Bible, even enjoying the (admitelly) little fillers.
Ah, for once, a good album won a Grammy ;)
Favorite songs: Suburban War, The Suburbs, Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains), Modern Man, Month of May, We Used to Wait, Ready to Start
The Smiths - The Very Best of The Smiths (2001)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/ed/SmithsVeryBest.jpg)
Genre: Jangle Pop/Marr and Morrissey owning/WTF album covers :facepalm:
Most of the best Smiths songs, all reunited in a compilation, what's not to like? Only the cover i guess :)
Favorite songs: There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, William It Was Really Nothing, Bigmouth Strikes Again, How Soon Is Now?, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, This Charming Man, The Boy With the Thorn in His Side, What Difference Does It Make?
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There Is A Light That Never Goes Out :heart
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There Is A Light That Never Goes Out :heart
Beautiful song :tup
The Smiths are alright in my book. Lots of great songs/singles.
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We reach the end. I would like to thank everyone who commented, it was nice sharing music with the forum :-*
The Who - The Who Sell Out (1967)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51gGz5KaI8L._SY300_.jpg)
Genre: Psychedelic Pop/Psychedelic Rock
Sell Out, while being a classic, often gets overlooked due to been overshadowed by the later albums. It is a conceptual work where the music is broadcasted by a pirate radio station. There is commercial interludes between the tracks, like the funny Heinz Baked Beans commercial which displays one of the reasons i like Sell Out so much, the humour and the sillyness of it, both in skits and lyrics. I Can See for Miles, one of the highlights here, leaves the sillyness behind though, one of the most heavy songs at the time, which inspired Beatles to do Helter Skelter.
Another element that makes this a unique listen in their catalog is the psychedelic element. The Who almost sounds like a different band here compared to the band who did Tommy afterwards.
Favorite songs: Silas Stingy, Sunrise, Odorono, I Can See for Miles, Tattoo, Armenia City in the Sky
Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest (2013)
(https://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/articles/Boards-of-Canada-Tomorrows-Harvest.jpg?1369235272)
Genre: Ambient Techno/Downtempo/IDM
It was during 2012-2013 that i discovered Boards of Canada and got acquainted with their music so, when they released this last year after a long time without releasing nothing, it was a really awesome surprise. What was cool is that, while nowadays i'm more skeptical before listening to new albums, i went to this feeling that i would love it and it totally happened. The post apocalyptic vibe, the atmosphere, even the interludes that i never was too fond of through their catalog, everything clicked for me instantly.
Another great album from these guys.
Favorite songs: Nothing is Real, Cold Earth, New Seeds, Come to Dust, Reach for the Dead, Split Your Infinities, White Cyclosa, Sundown
|The National - Trouble Will Find Me (2013)
(https://www.motherjones.com/files/The_National_Trouble_Will_Find_Me-300_0.jpg)
Genre: Indie Rock
When i made my top 2013 albums list here in DTF, Trouble Will Find Me wasn't there, mostly because i was new to The National sound and expected them to be a band similar to Interpol (my favorite song was the upbeat Mistaken For Strangers, where The National sounds like Interpol). That changed after i understood their sound.
Although i don't think any song in Trouble Will Find Me reaches the level of Fake Empire/Mistaken For Strangers from Boxer or Bloodbuzz Ohio/Conversation 16 from High Violet, it still is a consistent collection of good songs by the band nonetheless. Particularly, the stretch from I Should Live in Salt to This is the Last Time is amazing, maybe the best in their career.
Favorite songs: This Is the Last Time, Don't Swallow the Cap, I Should Live in Salt, Heavenfaced, Fireproof, Pink Rabbits
The Who - Who's Next (1971)
(https://thenoisingmachine.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/61fltuzu8ll-_sl500_aa300_.jpg)
Genre: Hard Rock/Roger Daltrey unleashed :metal
In my journey through The Who discography, i was starting to turn into a fan after listening to Sell Out and Tommy (i was going in chronological order).
Who's Next was the next and final step in cementing them as one of my favorite rock bands. While already knowing some of the songs here (the iconics Baba, Fooled and Behind Blue Eyes), i was positively surprised by Bargain and the awesome Song is Over-Going Mobile stretch. Definitely, one of the greatest rock albums ever.
Favorite songs: Behind Blue Eyes, Bargain, Going Mobile, Getting in Tune, Song Is Over (yeah, no Baba or Fooled Again)
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Great album to tap off your list with Who's Next!!! I love that album as well
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Ah, i near forgot it, my top 10:
1 - Radiohead - In Rainbows
2 - Akira Yamaoka - Silent Hill 3
3 - Madvillain - Madvillainy
4 - The Cure - Disintegration
5 - Boards of Canada - Tomorrow's Harvest
6 - Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
7 - Daft Punk - Discovery
8 - Radiohead - The King of Limbs Live
9 - My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
10 - The Smiths - The Very Best of the Smiths