Ah yes, another idea shamelessly stolen from Kev! While he finishes the original I will start the blatant rip-off.
A few guidelines before we begin. I am not including any artists with two or fewer studio albums. Although there are a few who might otherwise make my top 50 they simply can not have enough material to be judged against bands I have 10+ albums by. As is it is very difficult to rank bands with 3 albums against those with 6.
When naming favorite albums and favorite songs I won't stick to any particular number, for albums I'll generally name the ones I consider amazing albums, keeping into consideration how many albums the band has. For example if a band has 5 albums I'm going to do my best not to name 4 of them.
I will also name them from most essential to least essential.
I will, on a few occasions, lump several bands together under one primary composer, this is my call and you just have to live with it.
On with the fun...
50. King CrimsonThis is one of those special bands that when I'm in the mood they are absolutely terrific. From the well known debut to their newest every King Crimson record I own demands my attention in some way. The coolest thing is, no matter how wacky a Crimson record gets, no matter how out there it seems, at the end of a focused listen it all seems to make sense. Funnily enough Crimson makes breaking the rules the a rule, and I can't see someone at least giving them credit for being inventive and interesting.
Favorite Albums: The Power to Believe, Discipline
Favorite Songs: In the Court of the Crimson King, 21st Century Schizoid Man, Thela Hun Ginjeet
49. GenesisI know some of you here will not be happy seeing these guys so low, but simply speaking I don't find their golden years to come close to contemporaries like Yes and Rush. Still, there is a lot of classic material, and one has to appreciate the very theatrical aspects of the band, they were, in the beginning at least, truly art for art's sake. However, musically I'd say they were very good, but falling short of true greatness, and a band held high more due to nostalgia than a large amount of fantastic output. And then there is of course the Collins led Genesis, which does have some redeeming qualities, and is certainly catchy, but not overall as good as the older stuff.
Favorite Albums: Selling England By the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Favorite Songs: The Cinema Show, The Return of the Giant Hogweed, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
48. Spock's BeardThis is a band that would almost definitely be higher if their albums could be obtained at a decent price, but seeing as I can never find their stuff cheap, I only own 5 albums. Now here comes the shocker. Although I really like the Morse-era stuff I own, I love the D'Virgilio era a tad more. I just love the loose rocking song-writing that the band fully developed after Morse's departure. Still I'd suggest either era to anyone, with a preference suited to their tastes.
Favorite Albums: Octane, V
Favorite Songs: Crack the Big Sky, All On a Sunday, At the End of the Day, Wind at My Back, Surfing Down the Avalanche, Climbing Up That Hill