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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: jingle.boy on November 11, 2011, 05:47:16 AM
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For starters, here's a little on my musical background so you have a bit of a sense of what you're in for. I was born in late '71, and neither of my parents were all that in to music, so I just kinda wandered musically, never really finding anything that I could get truly connected to (I listened mainly to pop music). Then, at 14 years old, my older brother played Black Dog (and the rest of Zeppelin IV) for me. I found my musical calling. From 85-95, Rock was my musical passion - predominantly Classic Rock, but I also branched out to 80's Hard Rock, and Glam Rock. I was working a night job on weekends in 1988/89, and full-time from 90-92 that allowed me to listen to copious hours of music – all from the Classic/Hard/Glam rock genre.
I didn’t do much in the way of musical discovery between ‘92 and ‘96 (I was in University), but was exposed deeper into the catalogue’s of rock icons like Floyd, Rush, Maiden, Halen, AC/DC, Kiss, Boston, Triumph, Styx, Queen and the like. Late in '96, I found Dream Theater, and expanded my horizons to everything Progressive. Still to this day, that's pretty much my core musical tastes. There are some other genre's that I occasionally listen to, but what you're going to find on this list will invariably fall into those 3 genres - Classic Rock, Glam Rock, Progressive Rock. I'm not much a fan of scream or growl vocals, but there are some cases where it fits in a particular song. Oh... I'm a sucker for Concept albums, whether a full storyline and character driven concept, or simply an album with a consistent and common theme (10 of my top 50 fall into one or the other)
Before I get started, let me just put the disclaimer out there that a lot of what I'm about to state in my "review" of these is OPINION, not fact (although I will throw in the odd factoid). I'm not going to include "in my opinion" on every write up, so let's not get into the whole debate about right vs wrong, subjective vs objective yada yada. These are largely my thoughts and opinions only (maybe others too).
Lastly, I’ll link some of my “Fav Songs”… if you don’t know the album and feel like checking out one tune, have a click on the one I link.
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Awesome jingle.boy, I'm excited to read your Top 50, I'll be following :tup
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Yes. Me too. I'd like to see our parallels in taste.
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The "Necronomicon" in the title makes me a happy man. Will be following.
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Yup following indeed.
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Klaatu.... Barada..... Necktie?
Will be following.
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First up, my honorable mentions. If I were to do my actual top/favorite 50 albums, these seven likely would've made the cut. However, something from these bands will show up later in the list, so I decided to forgo them from the Top 50 in favor of a handful of albums that wouldn't normally seem up my alley, but are great discs that I love none-the-less (and to throw in a little diversity).
57) Tesla, Psychotic Supper (1991) - Edison's Medicine, Song & Emotion, What you Give
Couple of home-runs on this disc, but it's got a couple of duds too.
56) Whitesnake, Whitesnake (1987) - Crying in the Rain, Still of the Night, Children of the Night
Prototypical late 80s glam album. Not a bad track on it. Probably most well known for the video with Tawny Kitaen - man she was hot in the day :drool:
55) Van Halen, 5150 (1986) – Get Up, Dreams, Good Enough
Despite the departure of Diamond Dave, Sammy stepped in and they put out a stellar album signalling they were here to stay.
54) Skid Row, Slave to the Grind (1991) - Wasted Time, In A Darkened Room, Slave to the Grind
Although still considered a Glam band, this was one metal album :metal
53) Pink Floyd, A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987) - Sorrow, On The Turning Way, Dogs of War
Even without Waters, and a almost 5 year absence, Pink Floyd still put out a solid progressive/psychedelic experience
52) Led Zeppelin, Physical Graffiti (1975) - In My Time of Dying, Ten Years Gone, Kashmir, Custard Pie
What's better than 1 Zeppelin disc? Two of course! Although in this day and age, it would probably fit on to a single disc.
51) Frost*, Experiments in Mass Appeal (2008) - Dear Dead Days, Toys, Welcome to Nowhere
Thankfully, this wasn't the end of Frost* - an amazing blend of old and new school melodic prog.
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And, so we begin.
50) No Doubt, Tragic Kingdom (1995)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515X2DA0BAL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
What a terrific blend of pop, rock, punk, even a few jazz elements packed into these 13 tracks. This was No Doubt’s 3rd album, universally considered a huge improvement over the first 2. It brought tremendous mainstream attention to Gwen Stefani, who evolved to be a pop superstar – still to this day. As I mentioned, it’s not up my usual genre of music, but it’s just fun to listen to. Not only did it have a handful of radio hits, but every song has a certain 'je ne sais quoi'. The band wasn’t afraid to step outside the box, blending different styles even within songs (there’s even a cool disco feel at times – You Can Do It sounds like it could be the Wonder Woman theme). The sounds aren't very diverse, but it all just works well together. Commercially, it was a lasting success, making Rolling Stone's Top 500 of all time, reaching the top 3 in almost every country it was released in, #22 on Billboard's albums of the 90s. Most songs on this disc give the same kind of feel as Oracles on the Delphi Express from The Dear Hunter (Act II). So, if you like that track, you're sure to enjoy this album.
Fav Songs - Excuse Me Mr. (https://grooveshark.com/#/s/Excuse+Me+Mister/1Xg28N?src=5), Sunday Morning, Sixteen
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49) Spirit of the West, Save This House (1990)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Y6003XGHL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Now, here’s a good Celtic band from down east (what we Canadian’s call the maritime provinces). In the mid 90’s, I (and most Canadian’s) couldn’t go to a bar in my university home town on the weekend without hearing Home for a Rest - a song all about the mother of all drinking binges. This was their debut album with 14 tracks, none breaking the 5 minute barrier except for the calming ballad Last to Know. This album is a mix of folk, celtic, pop, and rock music - mostly acoustic, plethora of percussion instruments, flute (or flute like) instrumentation and more accordion than necessary (I can just hear Christopher Walken shouting “more accordion”). Bottom line is that it’s just plain happy music - the kind of music you just want to spend with a handful of friends around the table, drinking pitcher after pitcher of beer, telling wild and sordid tales, and maybe even getting up to dance a little jig with the hottest chick in the place - even better if she's a total stranger. It just gives you that kind of vibe.
Fav Songs - Putting up with the Jonses, Home for a Rest (https://grooveshark.com/#/s/Home+For+A+Rest/3UQTsU?src=5), Roadside Attraction
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w00t for A Momentary Lapse Of Reason I think it's a very solid album
I wasn't expecting No Doubt but that is a great cd, haven't listen to it in years.
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I love all the honorable mentions! Good stuff there. And Tragic Kingdom was pretty cool :)
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Wow, our tastes aren't much alike, but awesome first pick. Tragic Kingdom is a phenomenal 90s pop/rock album, and most of the stuff on it still holds up really nicely fifteen years later. I don't think I could pick favourites without naming about half the album.
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Love the energy of the No Doubt album. I've never heard of Spirit of the West and I will remedy that.
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Following! No Doubt's early stuff is pretty great
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Still a few more "oddities" ...
48) Prince and the Revolution, Purple Rain (1984)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51b3QdD6q%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Michael Jackson may have been the King of Pop, but in 1984, Prince was appropriately named as he would absolutely have been the next in line to the throne… almost an edgier version of MJ, or maybe more like a cult-esque Rock/Pop superstar. He'd had a couple of other previous hits, but Purple Rain was the total package. It ranks pretty high in a ton of "all-time" charts (Time, Rolling Stone, VH1, and others). Certified 13 times platinum with 2 Grammy's in 1985, it's a bona fide heavy-weight in the pop-rock genre. What you’ll hear is a blending of genre's beyond just pop-rock... there's R&B, dance, psycadellic, and some of the guitar licks approach a more (dare I say) metal sound. Prince's extravagance comes out through his guitar playing. His licks and solo's just ooze with flamboyance and arrogance.
Fav Songs - Let's Go Crazy (https://grooveshark.com/s/Lets+Go+Crazy/vqbrd?src=5), Purple Rain, Baby I'm a Star
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47) Slade, Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply (1984)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516D6DQ00ML._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Slade's biggest commercial success in North America with the radio hits Run Runaway and one of the best power ballads of the 80s, My Oh My. Who (in North America) knew they'd been around since the late 60s and had 12 albums already in their discography? Other than the 2 radio hits, and the 3-part closing song (Ready to Explode), nothing clocks in over four minutes. Every song packs a punch though, and this is a really good (and quick… as in short) pick-me-up disc. Something to pop in when you don't have a lot of time, and need your mood brightened just a little bit.
Fav Songs - My Oh My, Slam the Hammer Down (https://grooveshark.com/s/Slam+The+Hammer+Down/3FW6jp?src=5), Ready to Explode
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46) Sass Jordan, Racine (1992)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517541KE0SL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Definitely on the softer side of the rock genre, with a very blues vibe and a full complement of rock instrumentation ... gruff bass riffs, piano keeping the rhythm, guitar licks that almost sound like the instrument is crying. With a very bluesy voice, reminiscent of Janis Joplin (but the song-writing is nothing like Joplin's), and despite the plethora of catchy tunes, this album (and Jordan’s career in general) was not as well known outside of Canada as she should have been. This was her second album, following the very poppy Tell Somebody (but if you’ve ever heard that album or songs from it, don’t let it influence you… this one is nothing like it). Jordan followed up this album with a much edgier and harder disc (Rats), and it was a coin toss as to which one I wanted to include here. Ultimately, I chose this one because it contains one of my favorite ballads of all time - I Want to Believe
Fav Songs - I Want to Believe (https://grooveshark.com/s/I+Want+To+Believe/2Kx4Sk?src=5), Time Flies, You Don't Have to Remind Me.
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I've only heard Purple Rain I'll have to check out the other two.
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Purple Rain introduced me to Prince and his guitar playing. I never know he was a killer guitarist. Plus he wrote some catchy tunes.
Never was a big Slade fan.
Man I forgot about Sass Jordan. It's been a long time since I heard her music.
Since your Canadian I'm hoping to see a Lawrence Gowan album on this list .
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King, have you heard Prince's song "Bambi"?
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Purple Rain introduced me to Prince and his guitar playing. I never know he was a killer guitarist. Plus he wrote some catchy tunes.
Never was a big Slade fan.
Man I forgot about Sass Jordan. It's been a long time since I heard her music.
Since your Canadian I'm hoping to see a Lawrence Gowan album on this list .
Honestly, I don't know anything else from Slade. This is a cool album though.
Great Dirty World JUST missed the cut. Man, that record got a lot of spins for me. Strange Animal is a gem as well.
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Prince is genius. Great musician (guitar/piano) and song writer.
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King, have you heard Prince's song "Bambi"?
I did when I went back in his catalog. You always have a perception of someone and then they blow away that perception.
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I completely agree
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Since your Canadian I'm hoping to see a Lawrence Gowan album on this list .
Had to go and listen to Great Dirty World and Strange Animal today. Love how this is my top 50, but I'm getting prompted to go and (re) explore. No sarcasm there King, I'm being 100% sincere. Thanks for making me thing of Larry (which is the moniker he went under originally).
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45) Shania Twain, Come On Over (1997)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61OrWxtR29L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
No one ever in the history of music was able to bridge two genre's the way Shania Twain did with this album. Several artists may have had marginal success at combining Country with another genre (usually pop), but bringing Country and Rock together was first done with Come On Over (probably directing that title to both Rock and Country fans). The enormous list of kudos for this disc include being one of only 11 albums to have sold over 40 million copies worldwide puts this album in some limited company (with Dark Side of the Moon, Rumours and Back in Black); the best selling country album EVER, the best selling studio album by a female EVER, biggest selling album of the 90s PERIOD. 16 tracks, 12 released as singles, all reaching the top 5 on the charts. You couldn't turn on a music TV station in 1998 for more than 20 minutes without seeing a Shania video (and gentlemen, you wanted to see that video)... the list can go on and on. Bottom line is that this disc has some really good music for just about anyone - dance tunes, toe-tapping rock, hip-swinging country... all sometimes in the same song. Add the emotional ballads, and this is a beauty of a disc. Plus, it helps that From This Moment On is my wedding song.
Fav Songs - From This Moment On, Honey I'm Home, Man! I Feel Like a Woman (https://grooveshark.com/s/Man+I+Feel+Like+A+Woman+/4ek82m?src=5), Rock This Country
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All righty then... now that those are done with, now on to the albums that aren't so unexpected.
44) Bruce Springsteen, Born to Run (1975)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/9b/c7/019c53a09da0acfe54346110.L._AA300_.jpg)
For any fan of "classic" rock, this has to be a staple in your collection. Eight tracks and none of them disappoint. Masterfully written, performed meticulously, Bruce Springsteen was a perfectionist - taking 14 months to record this one. His 5 album stretch starting with Born to Run (up to Born in the USA) was something to behold. The E Street band presents the perfect pairing to match the music and lyrics that Springsteen pens. Piano dominates the core melodies, as the music was originally composed on piano, not guitar, something pretty uncommon in the mid-70s. This was the breakthrough album for the Boss, both a critical and commercial success. What this album intends is to take listeners through a cycle of emotions, each side of the album starts with an uplifting song (Thunder Road and Born to Run) and concludes with songs with a more somber mood (Backstreets and Jungleland… which was epic before "epic" was used to describe music) – and it succeeds. You'll never get away with an All-Time Top Rock Songs countdown on your local radio station without hearing one or both of Born to Run and Thunder Road.
Fav Songs - Jungleland (https://grooveshark.com/s/Jungleland/3oHic0?src=5), Thunder Road, She's the One
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:metal
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43) Extreme, Extreme II:Pornograffitti (1990)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GVW5Z5T9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Lost in the mix of such popularized axe-men like Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Slash, and Rik Emmett, Nuno Bettencourt was quite possibly the most under-rated guitar player of the late 80s/early 90s. Man could that guy create some jaw-dropping licks and memorable solos. This album showcases Nuno's immense talent. If ever you wanted to know how well he can shred, just listen to the first 100 seconds of He-Man Woman Hater. The first glam rock entry on my Top 50 is probably the one that is I would classify to be the least like glam now that I've matured and can come to truly appreciate the musicianship that Extreme demonstrated in 1990. While their radio hits More Than Words and Hole Hearted helped them commercially, they really didn't do the rest of the album any justice as those two songs were like no others on the album. Extreme combined a lot of elements in this - rap, metal, funk, folk, power-ballad (obligatory in that era) that gives the listener a diverse experience from track-to-track. Gary Cherone gives a smooth and flawless vocal performance, demonstrating his stylistic range, and I’ll reiterate again that Nuno on the guitar was :omg:
Fav Songs - He-Man Woman Hater (https://grooveshark.com/s/He+Man+Woman+Hater/tiBDz?src=5), Hole Hearted, It ('s a Monster)
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I've heard none of those albums except a few songs from that Bruce Springsteen album, I have to check this music out.
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Extreme are such a great band, but I definitely prefer looking at Shania Twain to listening to her :tup
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I liked me some Shania in the 90's, but it's certainly been a while since I've listened to any of her stuff.
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Springsteen :hefdaddy
It's in my Top 10 of all time.
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Never was a Shania fan but I've never been too keen on Country Music. I do like certain songs but not full albums.
Amazing Bruce album and I never could get enough of Extreme. The begining guitar part for He Man, Woman Hater is unreal.
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I figured your signature was also your take on country music king :lol
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Yup! :lol
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Well, it's probably the only "country" album that I like. I use "" because it's got a good rock vibe too.
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Prince is sort of strange; brilliant, but strange. However, Purple Rain was a masterpiece. I love "Let's Go Crazy"
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Interesting selection of albums so far, following.
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Well, it's probably the only "country" album that I like. I use "" because it's got a good rock vibe too.
I guess there's not going to be any Wilf Carter in your count down then?
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Well, it's probably the only "country" album that I like. I use "" because it's got a good rock vibe too.
I guess there's not going to be any Wilf Carter in your count down then?
Not unless that's a nom de plume for John Paul Jones.
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Well, it's probably the only "country" album that I like. I use "" because it's got a good rock vibe too.
I guess there's not going to be any Wilf Carter in your count down then?
Not unless that's a nom de plume for John Paul Jones.
Na. lol. That's a old time Canadian country singer popular on the radio shows up there. My Mother-in-law, who was from Calgary, was his nanny in New Jersey when she married my Father-in-law. So I've heard all about Wilf Carter. :laugh:
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42) Iron Maiden, Dance of Death (2003)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61tNk9h19kL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
One of my many 'rules' to life is to spend time with music I love, and not waste time with music I don't like. So, after the steaming turd that was No Prayer for the Dying, I lost interest in Maiden (plus, I was in University from 92-96, and my aforementioned lack of discovering/keeping up with new music). I was supposed to see the Somewhere Back in Time tour (didn't get a chance to ... don't get me started), so I decided I would re-visit some of their catalogue that I skipped - yes, I know they weren’t playing any of it, but I wanted to check it out. Started with Blaze's stuff, and I thought 'oh, nothing changed'. Luckily I got to Brave New World and DOD. Just like the sense that ADTOE has brought DT back on track, so too did I get the same sense with Maiden, having Bruce back at the helm. Catchy guitar licks, repetitive choruses, slow build to a galloping and glorious finish... all the things that I love about Maiden from the 80s. I could've just as easily put BNW here, but Paschendale on its own makes this the better album. The main riff on the title track is also a standout. 11 solid tracks and I never skip any of them. What’s also neat about this one is that it features Maiden's first ever acoustic track in the Journeyman, a track all about being a musician and appreciating what you have. For my money, Maiden and Dickenson just fit like a glove. During their absence, they sucked without each other, and in the first decade of 2000, they reclaimed their old magic.
Fav Songs - Paschendale (https://grooveshark.com/s/Paschendale/3KGnn5?src=5), Dance of Death, New Frontier
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41) Guns N Roses, Appetite for Destruction (1987)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WjtFzY1fL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Wow, what a debut album. GnR were like nothing else on the market in '87, and Appetite eventually overtook Boston's self-titled debut as the highest grossing debut album ever. It wasn't the typical glam writing that bands put out in the mid-late 80s of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, but a truly dark side of that subject matter – like the Lord Vader of glam. With an F-U attitude that came out in their music style, the album's opening track, and opening riff sets the stage for what's to come. Songs are all about chaos, hard core rebellion, drug use, and the overall debauchery (love that word) of the LA underground music scene in the mid/late 80s. Axl was never better than he was on this album, providing an unmistakable stamp on the GnR sound. The term “glam-metal” is so overused and scoffed at by true metal fans (Def Leppard, White Lion, Cinderella, Poison and the like were not anything “metal”). However, this truly is the only album that I could say fits the bill of "glam-metal" It is its own genre - that's how good it is. It's the complete package, right from track 1 to track 12. What GnR was able to do was to musically blended the hard-core Heavy Metal musings of Pantera, Slayer, Megadeth and (old school 80s) Metallica, with the more popular glam/hair (some would call it 'fake') metal of Poison, Warrant and Europe. No one else did it as well as they did.
Fav Songs - Paradise City, Anything Goes, Nightrain (https://grooveshark.com/s/Nightrain/1ODvSr?src=5)
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40) Ayreon, Into the Electric Castle (1998)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61kwpjrj5-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Arjen Lucassen writes the coolest and most creative of concepts. Personally, I think he's a musical genius. This 100+ minute double disc tells a sci-fi story of eight different characters from different era's in time suddenly transported into another dimension and subject to experiments conducted by an alien race. In recording the album, Arjen went 'old-school' (relative to his previous 2 works) using less digitization/samples, and more true sounds direct from the instruments - including some vintage 70s synthesizers for the keyboard sounds, which tend to remind the listener of those fantastic 70s keyboard sounds produced by the likes of ELO, ELP, Yes, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, etc... Using a plethora of instrumentation including mandolin, violins, flute, sitar, and Minimoog, the instrumentation, orchestration, and arrangement is all beyond compare. With vocalists ranging from Damian Wilson (damn I love his voice), Robert Westerholt (Within Temptation), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gathering) and Fish, Arjen finds some of the most talented, yet (mostly) unheralded singers, and mashes them together with a result that is pure auditory bliss.
Fav Songs - Across the Rainbow Bridge (https://winamq.com/?id=11637011_82572620&t=0), The Two Gates, Isis and Osiris
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Appetite is classic and pretty much great from beginning to end.
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All good picks! Even though DoD is one of my least fave Maiden albums, its about half filler IMO... it gets raped badly by both Blaze albums for me.
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Those are 3 solid albums. Appetite was my first introduction to swear words. That album came out when I was 8 or 9, and before parental warning stickers and whatnot, but only one of my friends got the album because after they got it the word got around to the other neighborhood parents, so we all duped it from him (we were way ahead of Napster :lol), and we also made a swear song that just strung all the swearing swearing together with lots of repeats. Good times.
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That is my favorite Ayreon record. Great choice there and also with the Guns and Roses. It's a classic.
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Nice picks! DoD is hardly my favorite and I haven't heard Ayreon, but I'm glad to see some GnR.
Appetite would likely make my own top 50. Pretty much a perfect album. :)
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39) Van Halen, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61grLRvQGFL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Even with Sammy Hagar at the vocal helm (maybe even more so), Van Halen stayed true to their roots by just making really good rock music. Unlike some other 70s/80s acts, they stayed off the Glam Rock bandwagon, just writing and making down to earth hard rock music. FUCK - as it was supposed to be called - proved to deliver some of the most well known and popular Hagar-era tracks. The ensuing tour produced the Right Here, Right Now double live disc. It took me a while to warm up to this one (I really wasn't a fan of Poundcake - and still am not to this day), but the rest of the disc more than makes up for my disappointment with the opening track. Halen returned to the fundamentals of hard rock abandoning the synthesizer sounds they'd had in the previous few albums, piano is the only keyboard element in Right Now - and frankly, one of the best keyboard melodies in Rock (as good as Don't Stop Believing). Eddie's little guitar fills are as good as anything from the early 80's that made him famous. It’s the best Hagar-era Van Halen album without a doubt.
Fav Songs - Right Now, Runaround (https://grooveshark.com/s/Runaround/Zmm4?src=5), Pleasure Dome
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38) Rhapsody, Dawn of Victory (2000)
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Cue the cheese metal. Yes, it's cheesy, and yes, I love it. I stumbled on to Rhapsody (before they were Rhapsody of Fire) in 2001 and instantly loved it. This is one of the first non UK/North American bands that I got into. I'd never really been exposed to any European music east of the UK before the early part of this millennium, and am now amazed by my ignorance (I've got LOTS of European bands in my catalog today). Luca Turilli can put together some really raw and heavy riffs to get you into the head-banging mood. Dawn of Victory is the third in a 5-album story line called the Emerald Sword Saga, and almost a concept album, contributing to the overall story. I didn't really expand my exploration with Rhapsody chronologically, which is probably the reason this stands as my favorite disc of theirs, and not their first or second release. If you've never listened to Rhapsody, picture Tolkein-meets-Malmsteen. For those that think Malmsteen's concepts are fanciful, you ain't heard nothing. Right from the first 30 head banging seconds of the title track, the listener is thrust into a mythical world where a fantastical war meshes with symphonic heavy metal. Luca Turilli proves his skills on the axe, shredding solo after solo, and riff after riff just like Yngvie did in the 80s. When you allow your mind to be transported into this fantasy world, the lyrics are just badass.
"From distant red skies the thunders are calling his name, the name of the master of pain"
"Face me evil bastard, smell the hate of angels / glory pride and bloodshed
Cowards and beholders, rapers of my wisdom / mix of dust and bones"
And, they've got some killer artwork too.
Fav Songs - Dawn of Victory, Dargor Shadowlord of the Black Mountain, Holy Thunderforce (https://grooveshark.com/s/Holy+Thunderforce/1Z8Nlv?src=5)
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Yes! Hagar's era needs a lot more appreciation. Pleasure Dome is fantastic. :tup
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37) Def Leppard, Hysteria (1987)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51cPJx1XemL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Now it’s really time to crack open a can of glam. And I'm completely unashamed of that. This was Def Leppard's most successful album (by a long shot) - 12 tracks, 6 of them were immensely successful radio hits (the only blemish is Love Bites - man, does that song bite). It was a stunning return from a band that had just broken through in 1983 with Pyromania , given Rick Allen's accident that cost him his left arm. It really is incredible that they were able to re-capture (indeed surpass) the success from Pyromania given the 4 year gap. Nowadays, four years between albums is not so unusual, but in a time when bands were releasing albums annually (or every two years at most), a four year gap was an eternity in the 80s. At just under 64 minutes, it was (at the time) the longest album ever released. Remember, in 1987, CD's were just becoming prevalent. Bands had to get their albums on vinyl or cassette for distribution, which meant you couldn't put much more than 60 minutes into an album.
Fav Songs - Women, Animal (https://grooveshark.com/s/Animal/2KLIkH?src=5), Run Riot
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Yay Rhapsody! I agree, if you get into the storyline the lyrics can be awesome! Amazing band and nice pick :)
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I remember how big that Van Halen album was when I was in middle school.
I'm a pretty big Rhapsody fan, and Dawn of Victory was my first album too. That said, I wouldn't put Dawn in my personal top 5 Rhapsody/Rhapsody of Fire albums, I personally think they have gotten better over time, even though I subscribe to the theory that people tend to overrate the album that gets them into a band (I know I've seen it in myself, I'm not knocking you). Their next three albums are their high point IMO, but they haven't dissapointed with their last albums. Maybe I should go back and revisit those first 3 as they have fallen out of my rotation completely because I usually listen to either their new one or the three that come after Dawn.
Too bad Luca left the band after the last album. It will be interesting to see if they can continue without him.
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even though I subscribe to the theory that people tend to overrate the album that gets them into a band (I know I've seen it in myself, I'm not knocking you).
No 'knock' taken. There's one more band/album coming later that falls into this theory as well. I just caught up with them again a couple of months ago (lost touch after the Dark Secret EP), and the Dark Secret Saga. Enjoying it so far.
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I was always a fan more of 5150 and Balance. I felt the F.U.C.K. has 5 great, top tier songs and the others were a big drop off.
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Very good VanHagar album (I really like it and LOVE 5150). Hysteria is another all-time classic.
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36) Star One, Victims of the Modern Age (2010)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bpPyZ2c7L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
If you really want to know about this album, check out Nick's review (https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=17549.0) - one of only a couple 10/10 reviews I've seen from him, and his 2010 Album of the year. Just as with Star One's previous release, Arjen followed the theme of writing songs linked by a similar movie theme, this time around post-apocalyptic/dystopian story lines. Arjen's interpretation of these movies is absolutely flawless. Listening to Digital Rain takes you right back to the Matrix; when I hear Floor and Russell in Cassandra Complex, I can't help but picture Madeleine Stowe and Bruce Willis in 12 Monkeys. Arjen perfectly recreates the moods of the movies, either taking the listener right back to the first time they saw them, or inspiring one to go back and watch them again (or for the first time). The three track run of Human See, Human Do/24 Hours/Cassandra Complex is as good as any three songs ever in prog metal... up there with Take The Time/Surrounded/Metropolis, or Tom Sawyer/Red Barchetta/YYZ. This ranks only in the 30s, as I established my ranking a few months back. This has gotten such regular rotation in my listening habits, it's easily top 20, and I suspect over time will be a top 10 album.
Fav Songs – the aforementioned 3 plus Digital Rain (https://grooveshark.com/s/Digital+Rain/3XoxPb?src=5), As the Crow Dies
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35) Posion, Native Tongue (1993)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BuO8USN3L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Glam, no. Solid rock, yes. Every album after Look What the Cat Dragged In gradually got less and less ‘glammy’, and this completed their transition. Unfortunately, in 1993, they’d been cast aside in favour of the grunge movement in music. Unable to shake the perception that they were more sizzle than steak, this marked the start of their decline in popularity, and was their last original release until their quasi resurgence around 2000. Perhaps it was the fresh blood from new guitarist Richie Kotzen (who eventually replaced Paul Gilbert in Mr. Big for a period of time), perhaps it was just the evolution of the band, but this disc provides more of a blues-rock feel, delivers quality tracks from top to bottom with riffs, solos, and arrangements far more complex than anything on their previous albums. Add to that lyrics that are a tad more serious and relevant than talking dirty/wanting action/blue balls, this disc represents a higher level of musical maturity for the band. This album may not be appreciated by many (including the band themselves), but in looking back, it came to me at a time when my own musical tastes were changing towards more complex musicianship (and ultimately to bands like DT). It was one of the albums that started my transition beyond glam for me – with more to come on that.
Fav Songs – Theatre of the Soul, Strike Up the Band (https://grooveshark.com/s/Strike+Up+The+Band/2FjFTQ?src=5), Native Tongue/The Scream
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34) Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue (1989)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/fe/17/5751d250fca022de22388010.L._AA300_.jpg)
<hmmm… just noticed I had two “Tongue” titled albums in a row>
Following up from their self titled and most (commercially) successful album, Slip of the Tongue added Steve Vai due to a wrist injury to Adrian Vandenberg. As much as I liked 80s Whitesnake, every album (in the 80s and since) could really be released under the name ‘David Coverdale and some dudes playing the music’ - there have been as many lineup changes here as in Saturday Night Live (almost). None-the-less, this album features yet another step in Steve Vai breaking out as a superstar guitar player/legend, and getting more mainstream attention. That alone is the reason I love this album. Frankly, this album is more Steve Vai with Coverdale’s vocals than anything. Vai absolutely steals the show with his riffs, solos and filler runs all over the place. He dominates the listener’s attention. The song titles and lyrics are classic glam-metal cheese, but the music more than compensates.
Fav Songs – Sailing Ships (https://grooveshark.com/s/Sailing+Ships/44pW9Q?src=5), Cheap An’ Nasty, Kittens Got Claws
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34) Whitesnake, Slip of the Tongue (1989)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/fe/17/5751d250fca022de22388010.L._AA300_.jpg)
<hmmm… just noticed I had two “Tongue” titled albums in a row>
Following up from their self titled and most (commercially) successful album, Slip of the Tongue added Steve Vai due to a wrist injury to Adrian Vandenberg. As much as I liked 80s Whitesnake, every album (in the 80s and since) could really be released under the name ‘David Coverdale and some dudes playing the music’ - there have been as many lineup changes here as in Saturday Night Live (almost). None-the-less, this album features yet another step in Steve Vai breaking out as a superstar guitar player/legend, and getting more mainstream attention. That alone is the reason I love this album. Frankly, this album is more Steve Vai with Coverdale’s vocals than anything. Vai absolutely steals the show with his riffs, solos and filler runs all over the place. He dominates the listener’s attention. The song titles and lyrics are classic glam-metal cheese, but the music more than compensates.
Fav Songs – Sailing Ships (https://grooveshark.com/s/Sailing+Ships/44pW9Q?src=5), Cheap An’ Nasty, Kittens Got Claws
Another nice album from that era. "Sailing Ships" is awesome! :) and I always loved "Judgement Day" but I'm a sucker for a building song like that.
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I admit that Star One isn't really my type of music, but that album has some really cool, fun songs on it. And anything involving Dan Swano is going to be naturally enhanced in quality. It's science.
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33) Dream Theater, Metropolis Pt II: Scenes From A Memory (1999)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Xu%2B1hAGdL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
The first entry from DT on my top 50. Some will rag on me for having this so low, but haters are gonna hate (God that’s a dumb-ass phrase... I can’t believe I just used it). I better not have to say much about this album that you don’t already know (it’s already been on 6 Top 50 lists). I love JR’s influence on the writing and sounds on this album, even though it was his first full-time DT experience. Top to bottom, this disc covers it all from Dream Theater – great instrumentals, terrific ballads, head-banging riffs (WOMP WOMP), complex arrangements, instrumental wanking, insane unisons … this disc gives the listener everything. When the Gospel Choir hits from the live version, it never fails to give me goose bumps. My only complaint (and complaint is too strong a word) with this album is that James’ vocal abilities weren’t up there with the rest of the band, or up to his own usual standards. I fully realize this is a function of his accident, and this is still a good performance from him – it would be much higher on my list if the accident had never happened, and his voice was more like how good he was on I&W, or even as good as he is today.
Fav Songs – Fatal Tragedy, Strange Déjà vu, Home
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32) Tesla, The Great Radio Controversy (1989)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61cDkCEnhRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
While Psychotic Supper has some absolutely standout tracks, it also has a few duds. The Great Radio Controversy on the other hand is - to steal the boxing analogy - pound-for-pound one of the best “glam” rock albums of the late 80s. There just isn’t a bad track among the 13 of them. They were one of the few 80s glam bands to feature two guitarists playing solo’s and riffs off of each other. Tesla delivered a gem of a hard-rock record with a very distinctive (dual) guitar sound, each song containing two different sounding solo’s, or dueling guitar’s trading the spotlight in the solo section. They were launched into the spotlight with Love Song, arguably one of the most recognizable power ballads of the 80s. I remember that track dominating rock countdown’s of the day, and the video airwaves.
Fav Songs – Flight to Nowhere (https://grooveshark.com/s/Flight+To+Nowhere/31S8ip?src=5), Yesterdaze Gone, Paradise
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31) Dream Theater, Train of Thought (2003)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516NJNzsUYL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Just as some may be surprised by the fact I have SFAM so low, I’m sure there are those (perhaps the same ones) that will dispute having ToT so high. Don’t care. Three things that I genuinely love about ToT is 1) All the instrumental wankery that proliferates the disc (I actually like the wackiness of the instrumental sections along with JP’s shredding solo’s), 2) that it is an absolute riff factory, containing some of my favorite DT riffs ever – heavy ones like 6:30 in TDS and 10:00 from ITNOG; slightly more toned down ones such as 0:30 from ITNOG, 2:15 from SoC and 8:05 from ES coming out of the instrumental section, and 3) It marks the biggest step in JLB’s return to form. While there was gradual improvement between FII-SFAM-SDOIT, his quality in vocal output from the studio started improving by much greater margins with TOT and subsequently Octavarium. Lyrically, I think JP did a great job on the three tracks he wrote. As I Am has some ingenious lyrics (I’ve been trying to justify you/in the end I will just defy you; swimming against the current/I wish I weren’t/so fucked) and Endless Sacrifice hits a bit of a personal note for me. This was the first album where JR’s skills and sounds took it up a notch to be the perfect metal complement to JP’s guitars. As JR said in an interview once, there were times upon the first spins of this that it was difficult to tell keyboards and guitar licks apart.
Fav Songs – In The Name of God (that duel/unison :omg:), Endless Sacrifice, This Dying Soul
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While I'm not one of those who puts SFaM in their DT top 4, I like it more than ToT.
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Love both of those DT albums, both top-half of their discography for me
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While I'm not one of those who puts SFaM in their DT top 4, I like it more than ToT.
Nice way of saying you dislike ToT, it's a phrase I could have used :lol
On topic; interesting choices so far. I'm not too familiar with Star One, what's a good place to start?
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While I'm not one of those who puts SFaM in their DT top 4, I like it more than ToT.
Nice way of saying you dislike ToT, it's a phrase I could have used :lol
On topic; interesting choices so far. I'm not too familiar with Star One, what's a good place to start?
Yeah, I didn't notice the 'backhanded' compliment that was. Like saying 'you don't sweat much for a fat guy'.
WRT Star One, there's only two studio albums, so either of them. I'd start chronologically, but either way, you can't go wrong.
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Great picks! Two great DT albums.
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While I'm not one of those who puts SFaM in their DT top 4, I like it more than ToT.
Nice way of saying you dislike ToT, it's a phrase I could have used :lol
On topic; interesting choices so far. I'm not too familiar with Star One, what's a good place to start?
The only DT album I don't actively "like" is SC. I'm a fanboy, I just put SFAM 5th and ToT 10th.
I like Space Metal more too, but that's mostly because it has Master of Darkness.
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30) Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast (1982)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c2/d6/7088c060ada0c4f2ffa2a110.L._AA300_.jpg)
I’ve read articles that suggest about 10% of American’s got their first job at McDonald’s. Well, I’d be willing to bet at least 10% of my generation got their first taste of metal through The Number of the Beast. This has to be considered one of the best classic Metal album of all time. No matter what you think about this album (and damn, there better be nobody reading this who has never heard it), it revolutionized metal, and I’ll bet stands as a significant influence of virtually every metal-style band in existence since 1982. Despite the protests and backlash coming from social conservative PTA types (or perhaps because of it) that Iron Maiden and the musical themes were ‘satanic’, the album was a commercial success, elevating Maiden to be THE metal band of the decade. This album set the successful musical formula that Iron Maiden still employs … slow buildups, galloping bass runs, back and forth guitar riffs and solos, repetitive chorus’s, and Bruce. ‘nuff said.
Fav Songs – <the big 3>, Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Avenue
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29) Rush, Hemispheres (1978)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51F0xfSMZWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Stuck right in the middle of what is the best five album run by any band, at any time ever (and done in a 5 year period), Hemispheres delivers four tracks of four very different styles – an absolute EPIC gem, a catchy rockin tune, a pure progressive yet accessible track, and a technical/jaw-dropping instrumental. This has to be Rush’s most technically complex writing, and what Hemispheres lacks in quantity MORE than makes up for in quality. Four tracks, all could be the standout track from the album of pretty much any other artist, or any album from 1978. La Villa Strangiato is indeed an “exercise in self indulgence”. How three individuals can create the kinds of sounds that come out of Hemispheres is truly mind=blown. It took me a while to really appreciate both Cygnus X-1 songs, but the longer “Book II” is an absolute masterpiece. Going where only 2112 had gone before, the title track from this disc is yet another epic multi-movement piece that takes more than a couple of attempts for the listener to fully comprehend and appreciate the magic that Rush has provided. Geddy’s vocals were at his peak in the late 70s; Neal was an absolute beast on the skins; and Alex was at his creative best.
FFav Songs … well, all four of them (https://grooveshark.com/album/+and+quot+Hemispheres+and+quot+By+Noxos/4233499).
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28) Nightwish, Once (2004)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61QNX54X5ML._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
In 2005 or so, I was often listening to some online music services, just to hear some different sounds/styles, and mix things up a little. So this track comes on with a symphony beating away, and a choir chanting; drums come in to complement it, and I’m thinking ‘hhhmmmm, interesting’. Then the guitars hit, this mild growling voice starts out, and then this angel of an operatic voice takes over. Holy schneiky! I was instantly gripped. The track was Planet Hell, and introduced me to symphonic metal. Nothing I’d ever heard before was anything like it. It was almost like the first time I heard Led Zeppelin, and Dream Theater… it was so different (and awesome) from anything I had in my catalogue, or anything I’d ever heard. Tarja’s vocals are just mesmerizing at times – you can get lost in her voice. Compelled to listen to the disc, I found such diversity of sounds – ballads, head-banging, some in-between, Finnish lyrics, a Native American prayer/chant – yet always with the theme of the symphony/orchestra, and Tarja’s powerful vocals. For you Europeans, you know how huge Nightwish was in 2004 … this album entered the charts at #1 in 4 countries, selling 80,000 copies in Germany in week 1 of its release.
Fav Songs – Ghost Love Score, Creek Mary’s Blood, Planet Hell (https://grooveshark.com/s/Planet+Hell/82oKw?src=5)
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I remember hearing Number Of The Beast at a neighbors house and I had to have it.
My Rush Hemispheres album got worn out from me playing it so much.
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30) Iron Maiden, The Number of the Beast (1982)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c2/d6/7088c060ada0c4f2ffa2a110.L._AA300_.jpg)
I’ve read articles that suggest about 10% of American’s got their first job at McDonald’s. Well, I’d be willing to bet at least 10% of my generation got their first taste of metal through The Number of the Beast. This has to be considered one of the best classic Metal album of all time. No matter what you think about this album (and damn, there better be nobody reading this who has never heard it), it revolutionized metal, and I’ll bet stands as a significant influence of virtually every metal-style band in existence since 1982. Despite the protests and backlash coming from social conservative PTA types (or perhaps because of it) that Iron Maiden and the musical themes were ‘satanic’, the album was a commercial success, elevating Maiden to be THE metal band of the decade. This album set the successful musical formula that Iron Maiden still employs … slow buildups, galloping bass runs, back and forth guitar riffs and solos, repetitive chorus’s, and Bruce. ‘nuff said.
Fav Songs – <the big 3>, Children of the Damned, 22 Acacia Avenue
Sorry to disappoint but.... I've never heard it. I've heard "Run to the Hills" and maybe a couple Iron Maiden songs on Pandora radio. but that's it. The album art and the type of people that wore the maiden T shirts in my youth in southern Arkansas turned me off of them before I ever heard them.
So. What exactly are the lyrics about? Are they satanic?
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It's not satanic, its about a dream, but the guy doesn't like what he sees. There is even the line "This can't go on, I must inform the law"
Maiden isn't remotely Satanic.
3 excellent choices JB
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It's not satanic, its about a dream, but the guy doesn't like what he sees. There is even the line "This can't go on, I must inform the law"
Maiden isn't remotely Satanic.
3 excellent choices JB
Ok. Maybe I'll fire it up on Napster and give it a try.
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Because of the artwork and title, it got slammed by conservative movements as satanic. The title track does talk about 666 being the number of the beast, but that's as close to satan as you get. Nothing else broaches the subject.
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This list of albums is amazing!
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3 great albums. :)
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All amazing picks!
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Highly disappointed with the two Iron Maiden picks so far. I wouldn't have either album in my top 7 or 8 for Maiden. Nice to see Into the Electric Castle get some love, fantastic album. Star One is of course amazing, Hemispheres would be higher for me but it's nice to see it anyway, and FUCK is a fantastic Van Halen album and probably their best and certainly is nice to see it on here. I would prefer to see Mechanical Resonance on this list, but it's nice to see Tesla in general.
And finally, hell fucking yes on Train of Thought being on here, fantastic album.
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Highly disappointed with the two Iron Maiden picks so far.
Me neither, both would be 11th or lower for me :p
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Highly disappointed with the two Iron Maiden picks so far.
Me neither, both would be 11th or lower for me :p
Well, I won't hold that against either of you. ;)
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Highly disappointed with the two Iron Maiden picks so far.
Me neither, both would be 11th or lower for me :p
Well, I won't hold that against either of you. ;)
While NotB isn't my favourite Maiden either, 11th or lower?? What?
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27) Bon Jovi, Slippery When Wet (1986)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519CVJT2Y5L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
This album could very well be considered the launch of glam rock’s second coming in the 80s, as it wasn’t really until the mid-80s that glam rock really took off in terms of mainstream appreciation and success. It turned Bon Jovi from just another 80s rock band to massive superstars that have influence (still to this day) in the industry. With some writing influence/assistance from Desmond Child, Bon Jovi created an album with just the right blend hard rock umph, catchy riffs, simple and fun lyrical themes (for 1986) and overall musicianship that radio, MTV and the general public could latch on to. The very opening chord on track 1 sets the mood for a solid rock listening experience that the rest of the album more than sufficiently delivers upon.
Fav Songs – Wanted Dead or Alive (https://grooveshark.com/s/Wanted+Dead+Or+Alive/1jhfMy?src=5), Wild in the Streets, Raise Your Hands
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26) Coverdale/Page, Coverdale/Page (1993)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E4RTBXHNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
During the 80s, Robert Plant did his best to distance himself from his Led Zeppelin legacy, despite pressure from the music industry, and his band-mates to re-form. So, for some unknown reason, David Coverdale was seen as the next best thing to team with Page musically. With both being signed to Geffen, and after Coverdale “disbanded” Whitesnake, the timing was just right. The resulting one-time album was a mild commercial success. For me, it came at a time when I was still a fan of the glam rock genre, but (as mentioned) was starting to transition my tastes. Zeppelin was (and still is) my favorite band, so this collaboration (and the resulting output) hit a home run for me. Page is dynamite… gritty riffs flow throughout the album, along with his unmistakable blues sound and feel. Coverdale’s vocals on a few of the tracks are as good as anything he ever did with Deep Purple or Whitesnake. Some of the tracks invariably slide into the realm of glam, but by and large, the album is what one would expect from the union of the guitar king of the 70s, and one of the better vocalists of the 80s. It moulds elements of metal, blues, and rock with a Zeppelin-esque influence that probably would’ve received much more attention had it been released in the prior decade when the market was craving that sound.
Fav Songs – Whisper a Prayer For the Dying, Absolution Blues, Feeling Hot (https://grooveshark.com/s/Feeling+Hot/4fA4LL?src=5)
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25) Circus Maximus, The First Chapter (2005)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DZFQS301L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Some would say Dream Theater rip-offs. Kris would say lazy-unfocused-pricks-that-make-fans-wait-five-years-for-another-great-album. I like to think of them as what would result if DT and Symphony X had a love child together. However you want to classify them, this quintet from Norway put out an absolutely stunning debut prog-metal album, blending rock, metal, symphonic, prog and pop into 8 fantastic tracks. Lyrically, themes representing a journey to salvation dominate throughout – highlighted by their interpretation of Gladiator in Glory of the Empire. Vocally, Michael Eriksen shines the way James did on I&W. Melodies range from slow/soft/acoustic, to pure head-banging/raunchy/double bass pounding riffs. Keyboard support, blistering unisons, sporadic time and key changes makes this a fully rounded progressive experience. Musically, one could hardly say this album was ground-breaking, or filled with any sense of ingenuity. None-the-less, the content in and of itself more than compensates for the slight lack of originality within the prog-metal genre.
Fav Songs – Glory of the Empire, Biosfear, Alive (https://grooveshark.com/s/Alive/rU1Jl?src=5)
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Dream Theater rip-offs or not, i really like Circus Maximus. Really great, entertaining music. You'd probably like Andromeda too (if you don't already.)
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Man, do you remember how damn big Slippery When Wet was?!! It was smash hit after smash hit. Great care free rocking 80's album.
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Dream Theater rip-offs or not, i really like Circus Maximus. Really great, entertaining music. You'd probably like Andromeda too (if you don't already.)
I don't have anything by them. Where should I start?
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Dream Theater rip-offs or not, i really like Circus Maximus. Really great, entertaining music. You'd probably like Andromeda too (if you don't already.)
I don't have anything by them. Where should I start?
I don't have all their material, but the album The Immunity Zone is pretty great. Here's a cool live song too, not sure from which album though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTlaxL8rh4s
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26) Coverdale/Page, Coverdale/Page (1993)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E4RTBXHNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
During the 80s, Robert Plant did his best to distance himself from his Led Zeppelin legacy, despite pressure from the music industry, and his band-mates to re-form. So, for some unknown reason, David Coverdale was seen as the next best thing to team with Page musically. With both being signed to Geffen, and after Coverdale “disbanded” Whitesnake, the timing was just right. The resulting one-time album was a mild commercial success. For me, it came at a time when I was still a fan of the glam rock genre, but (as mentioned) was starting to transition my tastes. Zeppelin was (and still is) my favorite band, so this collaboration (and the resulting output) hit a home run for me. Page is dynamite… gritty riffs flow throughout the album, along with his unmistakable blues sound and feel. Coverdale’s vocals on a few of the tracks are as good as anything he ever did with Deep Purple or Whitesnake. Some of the tracks invariably slide into the realm of glam, but by and large, the album is what one would expect from the union of the guitar king of the 70s, and one of the better vocalists of the 80s. It moulds elements of metal, blues, and rock with a Zeppelin-esque influence that probably would’ve received much more attention had it been released in the prior decade when the market was craving that sound.
Fav Songs – Whisper a Prayer For the Dying, Absolution Blues, Feeling Hot (https://grooveshark.com/s/Feeling+Hot/4fA4LL?src=5)
Quality selection! Loved that album when it came out but haven't listened to it in a little bit.
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24) Queensryche, Empire (1990)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41a6AIzyNcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Coming off their commercial breakthrough of Operation:Mindcrime, Queensryche somewhat fell under the influence of an industry that wanted them to produce something more amicable to the general public. Where DT failed miserably (at the time) with FII, Queensryche succeeded in blending prog and commercially accessible rock. Lyrically, the band didn’t get much better than this disc, Geoff was still at the top of his vocal game, Rockenfield keeps a powerful, yet crisp and clean tempo, and DeGarmo’s ability to write and play beautiful melodies, licks and solos still stands the test of time (and is what Queensryche of today is so desperately missing). Shifting gears from their first two releases, there isn’t anything experimental, or overtly ‘heavy’ about this disc, but just enough diversity in sounds, along with coarse guitar riffs (Another Rainy Night, Empire, Resistance, One and Only) to keep the prog and metal listener engaged. Other tracks transition magically from a slow ballad feel, to an upbeat rock tempo. While I and many feel it was the start of a slow decline for the band, it still represents a sound and style when they were at the top of their game.
Fav Songs – Anybody Listening? (https://grooveshark.com/s/Anybody+Listening+/2A8Bs3?src=5), Empire, Best I Can
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23) Freedom Call, The Crystal Empire (2001)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/04/fc/ba0e9833e7a0d29f4c7b1110.L._AA300_.jpg)
If you like (need) your metal harsh, coarse, angry and “evil”, you’ll absolutely detest this (both the album and band). I once read this album likened to “Carebears prancing through fields of pansies with rainbows shooting out their asses.” Just a tad harsh, but gives quite a humorous visual. I really can’t remember how I stumbled on to Freedom Call (a German power metal band), but I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t call them all that original or diversified musically, and maybe this is my favorite album of their bunch just because it was the first one I ever grabbed of theirs (as Mason called out earlier with my love for Dawn of Victory). This was the last album to feature Sascha Gerstner who went on to join Helloween. The kind of metal from this album is more upbeat (sometimes described as “happy metal”) than any other metal I’ve heard – some may be annoyed by that; I’m not one of them. It’s like a holy union of Styx-meets-Sabbath. With the constant drone of a double bass drum kick, and accompanying buzz from the bass like a machine gun, nearly every track keeps up a pretty feverish pace, but never to the extent that you want (or feel the need) to constantly be head-banging. Creative riffs, solid solo’s, catchy choruses, the appropriately placed keyboard rhythm here and there, and soothing vocal melodies is the formula the album employs, and I enjoy.
Fav Songs – Ocean, The Quest, Rise Up (https://grooveshark.com/s/Rise+Up/3HSPxx?src=5)
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22) Mötley Crüe, Dr. Feelgood (1989)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41XRHE8T92L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Motley Crue was one of those glam bands that, despite their image, made some pretty heavy music in the early 80s… they were more metal than glam. Then, in the mid-80s they flopped and became more glam than musical substance (I'm looking at you, Girls, Girls, Girls). With the release of Dr. Feelgood, they created a perfect blend of both. No one could ever accuse the four members of being spectacular musicians, but combined the sum is greater than the parts. This album has great hard guitar licks, decent solos, drumming that is slightly more than just keeping the beat, your standard rock vocals with lyrics all about sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll (titles of Sticky Sweet, She Goes Down, Rattlesnake Shake and Slice of Your Pie is all the proof you need). All songs follow the intro-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus-fade formula. So, with such a mediocre description, why is this such a great album you ask? Probably not a lot of really good reasons, but 1989 was a time when I was really expanding my musical horizons. Having been a Classic Rock pundit for a few years, I started discovering 80s rock, both glam and the heavier side. There are some very distinctive riffs on this disc; I love Vince Neil’s voice, and he was never better here; lyrically, it appealed incredibly to me being an 18 year old obsessed with sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Tommy was just plain cool, and no one even knew he could steer a boat without his hands! This album just pours out a hard and unapologetic glam rock beat that hit the mark perfectly in 1989, not just for me, but for a lot of rock fans.
Fav Songs – Kickstart My Heart (https://grooveshark.com/s/Kickstart+My+Heart+album+Version+/3mQpoM?src=5), Same Ol Situation (S.O.S.), Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
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I had both Empire and Dr. Feelgood on cassette tape when they came out. Still have Empire. I really should upgrade to CD :)
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21) AC/DC, Back in Black (1980)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31XXJ7KVAGL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
The landmark release from the thunder from down under (no, not The Wiggles) was released a mere 5 months after the death of Bon Scott. Back in Black truly was one of those one-of-a-kind, monumental albums … for the band, for the rock genre, and for the music industry in general. At over 49 Million copies sold, only Thriller has ever sold more albums – EVER. The band considered breaking up after Scott’s death, but decided to move on with Brian Johnson on vocals, and thank god they did. The Young brothers and gang simply put forth a record that is just balls-to-the-wall good ole hard rock and roll. Simple rhythms, teamed with creative and unique guitar riffs, and Brian’s raspy and gritty vocals is the sound you’ll get song after song. No ballads, no duets, no fluff. Just memorable rock riffs one after another. I said that ToT was a riff factory, well this album is the original riff factory, highlighted by the big 3 – Hells Bells, Back in Black and You Shook Me All Night Long (undoubtably most recognizable riff in rock history).
Fav Songs – the big 3 (https://grooveshark.com/album/Back+In+Black/119639), Shake A Leg, What Do You Do For Money Honey
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20) Dream Theater, Octavarium (2005)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UjF-eluaL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
There shouldn’t be much that I need to say about why this album is on this list, but I will. First, I love the sheer brilliance of it… the nuggetz – from the five/eight theme throughout, to the elements representing a constant progression, to everything ending where it began (and if you want the full nugget story, check out https://dt.spatang.com/octavarium.php). Just brilliant. Every song is fantastic … I love the external musical influences - U2/I Walk Beside You, Muse/Never Enough (I personally like to think about the lyrics differently - of a husband/mistress – it might change how you ‘hear’ the song). Finishing with my all-time favorite DT song (it has the best guitar solo, the best instrumental section, and the best keyboard solo), what more can you ask for in an album? This was the first DT album where I was really in tune with the online community, and it was great to be part of it. As I recall, it was received by the community (by and large) the same as ADTOE was received upon its release. Given the ‘heaviness’ of ToT and most of 6 Degrees, this was hailed as a “return” to prog for the band. All the love that I had for it 6 years ago remains today – if not more so.
Fav Songs – Octavarium, Sacrificed Sons, The Root of All Evil
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19) Frost*, Milliontown (2006)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41QvWgNhO0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Jem Godfrey’s formation of Frost* was done to create the perfect union of old-school prog with contemporary prog. And damned if he didn’t do it. Reminiscent of the original progressive giants like Yes and Genesis, whilst still sounding fresh, new and relevant like Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. This six song album is heavily reliant on keyboard sounds, without much heavi-ness to it. Songs deliver a wide range of diversity, transitioning from soft to all-out rocking, touching on atmospheric moods, and provide melodies that demand excellence in the musicianship. Capped off with the 26 minute title track, this disc gives everything the prog fan (old-school or contemporary) wants in an album. Despite the fact that they write, record and produce just fantastic prog music, Frost* is unfortunately plagued by an on-again/off-again saga. I believe Jem recently announced recently, they are “on”. Hopefully it stays that way.
Fav Songs – Hyperventilate (https://grooveshark.com/s/Hyperventilate/2k3ppP?src=5), No Me No You, Black Light Machine
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Last 3 are mind blowing albums Great choices!!
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Milliontown has stood the test of time for me, I still love it.
Octavarium I loved when it first came out, now the only two songs I get excited about are These Walls and 8vm, and even 8vm has lost some of it's luster...I don't know if its a top 3 DT song for me any more.
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Milliontown is absolutely lovely.
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Yikes, in one update we have one of Dream Theater's weakest efforts, one of this forum's most overrated albums, and AC/DC, the implications of which should speak for themselves.
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Yikes, in one update we have one of Dream Theater's weakest efforts, one of this forum's most overrated albums, and AC/DC, the implications of which should speak for themselves.
How do you really feel Nick? Don't hold back, cuz I sense some restraint in the above comments. :rollin
Sometimes I think you have Turrets. :lol
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Tell Nick to go write some roulette results :)
Nick doesn't have Tourette's Syndrome, I've seen him and he doesn't twitch unless you say, "HEY LOOK! IT'S GEDDY LEE!!"
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Yikes, in one update we have one of Dream Theater's weakest efforts, one of this forum's most overrated albums, and AC/DC, the implications of which should speak for themselves.
Gonna have to agree. I've never heard Milliontown except for one song I wasn't thrilled about, but Octavarium is my least favorite DT album and AC/DC is one of my least favorite bands. *runs away*
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Haters gonna hate, Frost* is awesome.
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Octavarium is awesome, Milliontown is alright, and, for as much shit as AC/DC deserves, Back In Black is pretty great.
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26) Coverdale/Page, Coverdale/Page (1993)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41E4RTBXHNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
During the 80s, Robert Plant did his best to distance himself from his Led Zeppelin legacy, despite pressure from the music industry, and his band-mates to re-form. So, for some unknown reason, David Coverdale was seen as the next best thing to team with Page musically. With both being signed to Geffen, and after Coverdale “disbanded” Whitesnake, the timing was just right. The resulting one-time album was a mild commercial success. For me, it came at a time when I was still a fan of the glam rock genre, but (as mentioned) was starting to transition my tastes. Zeppelin was (and still is) my favorite band, so this collaboration (and the resulting output) hit a home run for me. Page is dynamite… gritty riffs flow throughout the album, along with his unmistakable blues sound and feel. Coverdale’s vocals on a few of the tracks are as good as anything he ever did with Deep Purple or Whitesnake. Some of the tracks invariably slide into the realm of glam, but by and large, the album is what one would expect from the union of the guitar king of the 70s, and one of the better vocalists of the 80s. It moulds elements of metal, blues, and rock with a Zeppelin-esque influence that probably would’ve received much more attention had it been released in the prior decade when the market was craving that sound.
Fav Songs – Whisper a Prayer For the Dying, Absolution Blues, Feeling Hot (https://grooveshark.com/s/Feeling+Hot/4fA4LL?src=5)
25) Circus Maximus, The First Chapter (2005)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DZFQS301L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Some would say Dream Theater rip-offs. Kris would say lazy-unfocused-pricks-that-make-fans-wait-five-years-for-another-great-album. I like to think of them as what would result if DT and Symphony X had a love child together. However you want to classify them, this quintet from Norway put out an absolutely stunning debut prog-metal album, blending rock, metal, symphonic, prog and pop into 8 fantastic tracks. Lyrically, themes representing a journey to salvation dominate throughout – highlighted by their interpretation of Gladiator in Glory of the Empire. Vocally, Michael Eriksen shines the way James did on I&W. Melodies range from slow/soft/acoustic, to pure head-banging/raunchy/double bass pounding riffs. Keyboard support, blistering unisons, sporadic time and key changes makes this a fully rounded progressive experience. Musically, one could hardly say this album was ground-breaking, or filled with any sense of ingenuity. None-the-less, the content in and of itself more than compensates for the slight lack of originality within the prog-metal genre.
Fav Songs – Glory of the Empire, Biosfear, Alive (https://grooveshark.com/s/Alive/rU1Jl?src=5)
let me show some love to these two... :heart
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Yikes, in one update we have one of Dream Theater's weakest efforts, one of this forum's most overrated albums, and AC/DC, the implications of which should speak for themselves.
Gonna have to agree. I've never heard Milliontown except for one song I wasn't thrilled about, but Octavarium is my least favorite DT album and AC/DC is one of my least favorite bands. *runs away*
Yeah. I'll run away too because I just can't stand Brian Johnson's voice. I can't take a rock & roll band seriously when the lead singer sounds like Donald Duck. Bon Scott was OK though and I really like Anus Young's playing. It doesn't help that classic rock stations and hard rock stations play AC DC songs like every 10 songs. I was tired of hearing them by the age of 15.
Still I'll agree that Back in Black is a really good album with some great catchy riffs.
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Back in Black is a great album by AC/DC. Top to bottom. I may not like most of their albums (Songs here and there) but every song on this album is great.
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Back in Black is a great album by AC/DC. Top to bottom. I may not like most of their albums (Songs here and there) but every song on this album is great.
That's kinda my point. As a whole, AC/DC is mediocre at best. They aren't overly talented, and don't write with much diversity. However, this is a top album list. And this is a worthy album. For those of us that got to experience the album in it's prime, there's a different perspective taken from it. If I heard this for the first time today (or 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago), given my musical tastes, I'd likely be pretty 'meh' about it. However, I got it when AC/DC was in their prime, and when that was the style of music that most appealed to me. 49 million others thought it was pretty darned good too.
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Back in Black is a great album by AC/DC. Top to bottom. I may not like most of their albums (Songs here and there) but every song on this album is great.
That's kinda my point. As a whole, AC/DC is mediocre at best. They aren't overly talented, and don't write with much diversity. However, this is a top album list. And this is a worthy album. For those of us that got to experience the album in it's prime, there's a different perspective taken from it. If I heard this for the first time today (or 10 years ago, or even 20 years ago), given my musical tastes, I'd likely be pretty 'meh' about it. However, I got it when AC/DC was in their prime, and when that was the style of music that most appealed to me. 49 million others thought it was pretty darned good too.
I totally understand this point of view. That's why Huey Lewis & the News' Sports album was so high on my list. However, if I heard Sports for the first time 10 or 15 years ago. I wouldn't even pay attention to it.
It's all about memories and how music affects you in your life.
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It's all about memories and how music affects you in your life.
BINGO! :tup
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Back in Black is a great album by AC/DC. Top to bottom. I may not like most of their albums (Songs here and there) but every song on this album is great.
Agreed!
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I discovered Dr. Feelgood because the whole album was available to download for Rock Band, and through playing the songs I developed a great appreciation for them. Some really really great tracks. Octavarium may not be one of my favourite DT albums, but the title track is also my favourite DT song. Good stuff!
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It's all about memories and how music affects you in your life.
BINGO! :tup
this.... it also explains the cheesy stuff I adore.... memories....
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It's all about memories and how music affects you in your life.
BINGO! :tup
this.... it also explains the cheesy stuff I adore.... memories....
Oh yeah, tons of cheese that I love ... Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Duran Duran, Twisted Sister... the list could go on and on.
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Not that other choices aren't good, but Milliontown = LOVE.
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Twisted Sister :heart :heart :heart
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For some reason, here’s where my write-ups start getting a little bit longer. Hopefully they’re not too long or verbose. As such, I’m only going to post two at a time. 10 more days to go.
18) Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514PHGqFBNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
If you’ve never seen TSO live in concert, do yourself a favour, buy a ticket and go this year if you still can. NOW! If you like rock music, it’s an experience you’ll not soon forget. I’ve gone every year for the last 5, and the core of the 1st half of the concert is Christmas Eve and Other Stories. From 2000-2009 TSO played over 700 shows in front of 5 million plus people – the 25th highest grossing touring act in that decade … and they only toured 2 months out of the year! What’s really cool is that they will use a local orchestra/symphony group to perform with them on stage, with a different group depending on the location of the show. Born from Savatage after Christmas Eve, Sarajevo 12-24 garnered some mainstream attention in the mid 90s, TSO’s first release is a concept telling a story of an Angel coming to earth, searching for something good in humanity, and witnesses a child trying to find her way home for Christmas. With a blend of rock, classical, orchestral, prog, and metal, this album is not just to be listened to at Christmas time. Mixed into the story are 4 acoustic Christmas themed instrumentals, and 4 blazing instrumentals with melodies that will give you chills while demonstrating the proficiency with which the band blends rock and orchestra together. Arranging familiar Christmas songs into the story is done magnificently. Seven different lead vocalists grace the album, giving a different and unique experience for the listener. Vocally, it’s got so much range – harmonizations, choirs, opera, duets, gospel and inspirational solo’s. Several songs give me goose bumps every time I hear them – Old City Bar (https://grooveshark.com/s/Old+City+Bar/2ovWNW?src=5) and This Christmas Day in particular.
Fav Songs – along with the aforementioned 2, Good King Joy, A Mad Russian’s Christmas, Ornament
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17) Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here (1975)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51FKs%2BhIylL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
This has shown up on a few top 50 lists, so no surprise here. Smack dead in the middle of Floyd’s amazing five album run (from Meddle to The Wall), WYWH is just a brilliant (and yes, I’m using this word over and over again, but it’s appropriate) piece of progressive/psychedelic rock from an era that was starting to wane on that kind of music, proving that they could essentially transcend the tastes of the music industry. With about an equal mix of acoustic and electric melodies and solo’s, Gilmour’s guitar work is at its peak on this album. Waters’ lyrics and vocals are mesmerizing. The keyboard/synth work by Wright is a marvel, particularly in Welcome to the Machine. Gilmour and Waters split the vocal duties equally as became the case for many of their albums. Creative instrumentation yet again highlights the sound of Floyd, with subtle contributions from wine glasses and car radio static; violins, and sax making more prominent appearances. While not a true concept album (ie, character and story line driven), all songs carry the theme of Waters’ critical view of the music industry, and its contribution to Sid Barrett’s mental breakdown. All songs flow into one another beautifully, and this is one of those albums where you can listen to the tracks on their own, but why the hell would you want to? The arrangements are just incredibly complex, but just magnificent to listen to. There’s a music troupe called “Classic Albums Live” that do concerts covering classic albums (duh)… but their tagline is “note for note, cut for cut”. They don’t worry themselves with the appearance, visuals or the pomp and circumstance of recreating the band, just the music. I’ve seen them do WYWH, and it takes 9 musicians to reproduce this album.
Fav Songs – all four of them (yes, Shine On is one song).
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For some reason, here’s where my write-ups start getting a little bit longer. Hopefully they’re not too long or verbose. As such, I’m only going to post two at a time. 10 more days to go.
18) Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514PHGqFBNL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
If you’ve never seen TSO live in concert, do yourself a favour, buy a ticket and go this year if you still can. NOW! If you like rock music, it’s an experience you’ll not soon forget. I’ve gone every year for the last 5, and the core of the 1st half of the concert is Christmas Eve and Other Stories. From 2000-2009 TSO played over 700 shows in front of 5 million plus people – the 25th highest grossing touring act in that decade … and they only toured 2 months out of the year! What’s really cool is that they will use a local orchestra/symphony group to perform with them on stage, with a different group depending on the location of the show. Born from Savatage after Christmas Eve, Sarajevo 12-24 garnered some mainstream attention in the mid 90s, TSO’s first release is a concept telling a story of an Angel coming to earth, searching for something good in humanity, and witnesses a child trying to find her way home for Christmas. With a blend of rock, classical, orchestral, prog, and metal, this album is not just to be listened to at Christmas time. Mixed into the story are 4 acoustic Christmas themed instrumentals, and 4 blazing instrumentals with melodies that will give you chills while demonstrating the proficiency with which the band blends rock and orchestra together. Arranging familiar Christmas songs into the story is done magnificently. Seven different lead vocalists grace the album, giving a different and unique experience for the listener. Vocally, it’s got so much range – harmonizations, choirs, opera, duets, gospel and inspirational solo’s. Several songs give me goose bumps every time I hear them – Old City Bar (https://grooveshark.com/s/Old+City+Bar/2ovWNW?src=5) and This Christmas Day in particular.
Fav Songs – along with the aforementioned 2, Good King Joy, A Mad Russian’s Christmas, Ornament
Damn...this guys are awesome... shame that they sold out in Hammersmith last year in a day :-\
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No cheese today. Both of these albums are so great. And such nice time with with the TSO entry and Christmas just around the corner.
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16) Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin II (1969)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MpGQsJGPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Took long enough for my favorite band to show up. Ya know, there are just some albums, songs, riffs, lyrics that leave a mark on you in such a way that every time you hear it, you are brought right back to the primal feelings you had the first time you heard it. The opening riff from this album does it every time. I don’t remember exactly when it was, but I remember being in my bedroom around 14 or 15 years old, and having just gotten this CD, plopped it in the player, and the opening riff just opening up an unbridled awe within me. 25 year later, that riff still brings back that feeling every time I hear it. Now, Whole Lotta Love isn’t my favorite song on the album, but man, that riff. So simple. So raw. So pure. The rest of the album just expands on those themes. Simple… the soft and mellow side of tracks like Ramble On, Thank You, and parts of What Is and What Should Never Be; Raw… albums just aren’t made this way anymore (and this was their SECOND album released in 1969). Zeppelin wrote this entirely while on tour, and recorded/mixed/produced each song in separate sessions in separate studios in the UK and North America. Jimmy coaxes some very raw sounds and licks from the guitar like in Hearbreaker and the The Lemon Song (wow… that instrumental breakdown!); Pure… just the tremendously smooth flow that you feel in the melodies from Living Loving Maid and Bring it on Home. There isn’t much that you can say about Plant’s vocals other than that he’s one of the best ever. Zeppelin expanded on the variety of styles they deliver, incorporating their ever present blues and folk side, but also some psychedelic, atmospheric and pop musings. Its popularity and anticipation in ’69 was so huge, that it knocked Abbey Road from the top spot from the charts … twice. Zeppelin I was a helluva debut, but Zeppelin II cemented their place, and the mark they would leave in music history.
Fav Songs – Ramble On (https://grooveshark.com/s/Ramble+On/3mnX1S?src=5), Bring it on Home, The Lemon Song
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15) Boston, Boston (1976)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/33/1b/11cc224128a0d44ca6a03010.L._AA300_.jpg)
Boston’s self titled debut release is a great example of the kind of rock music that is like your favorite home-cooked meal as a kid. It’s comforting to go back and listen to a simpler style of music – clean and refreshing melodies is what you’ll find at the heart of what is one of the best rock albums of all time. There’s nothing overly flashy, experimental or grandiose about it. Vocally, Brad Delp was a wizard - More Than A Feeling has the best scream in rock history. His voice is almost angelic at times. Sholz – the mastermind behind the band – gives us an amazing blend of acoustic and electric guitar throughout the album, as well as contrasts between simple runs and scorching power chords. Most albums would have two or three radio hits to them, but with all eight songs still on classic rock radio rotation today, song-for-song, this has to be at the top of anyone’s classic rock collection – it outperformed Destroyer (Kiss) and Rocks (Aerosmith) in 1976 … arguably those bands greatest albums. Selling 1 million copies in less than six months, the album was the fastest debut to do so, and only Appetite for Destruction has sold more copies as a debut album. It garnered them so much visibility, that they were the first band in history to make their New York concert debut headlining Madison Square Garden. Pretty impressive for “just another band out of Boston”
Fav Songs – Foreplay/Longtime, Something About You, Rock & Roll Band (https://grooveshark.com/s/Rock+And+Roll+Band/2DZs2F?src=5)
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I could never get into Milliontown Yay for WYWH!
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Lots of great material in these last few updates!
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WISH YOU WERE HERE :heart
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Boston is an epic album. I can't tell you how many times I've heard ever song from this album on the radio.
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Great 2 picks! WYWH is awesome too.
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14) Pink Floyd, The Wall (1979)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GtHoLrzcL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
What really can/needs to be said about this album? Without a doubt, the greatest Concept Album/Rock Opera of all time. I defy anyone to point out a band that has also written a Concept Album since 1979, and doesn’t cite The Wall as an influence. You can’t. This caps off that 5 album run from Floyd that I already mentioned, and really was the climax of the bands career (The Final Cut was a definite drop off, and Water-less Floyd – while fantastic – was still Waters-less). The Wall is noticeably harsher and ‘angrier’ than any other Floyd release preceding or following. Inspired by Waters’ and Gilmour’s feelings of alienation while touring in 1977, and culminating by spitting on a fan in Montreal, Waters wrote the story of protagonist's (Pink) self-imposed isolation after years of traumatic interactions with authority figures and the loss of his father as a young child, all symbolized through a metaphorical wall. The album brings together so many themes (musical and lyrical), so much emotion, so much reality that it sucks you into the world that Waters writes, and you can feel the panic, anxiety, loathing (self and for others), distress and terror that consumes Pink. Choirs, helicopters, orchestra’s, telephone operators, screeching tires, TV shows, movie samples all contribute to the reality of the experience – and that’s what listening to the Wall is … an experience. Classic Albums Live has also done re-creations of The Wall, and it takes a dozen musicians (+ the child choir) to recreate this one. Add to that what is arguably the best guitar solo EVER, and this is an album that is an absolute must for everyone’s library and listening repertoire.
Fav Songs … I just can’t call out individual songs. Fav Moments – Mother guitar solo, intro of Goodbye Blue Sky (“Did did did did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath the clear blue sky?”), end of Happiest Days of Our Lives, the Judge in The Trial.
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13) Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin III (1970)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61NE3aW-%2BEL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
What Jimmy Page did with the opening riff on Zeppelin II, Bobby Plant did perhaps more so with his opening scream in Immigrant Song. This was the album that showcased Zeppelin’s diversity, as they digressed from being predominantly a hard rock band (of that era). Branching out with styles sounding more like country, blues, and folk, this album gives the listener fewer signature guitar riffs, and more songs with a laid back feel, allowing all four members to demonstrate the excellence in their craft. If all you know about this album is The Immigrant Song, you are sorely missing out. That’s like giving up on Seinfeld after the first season. While a fantastic track, it’s over-valued relative to the rest of this (under-appreciated) album. Perhaps because it lacks any kind of stand-out track that most other Zeppelin albums contain (Dazed & Confused, Whole Lotta Love, Stairway to Heaven etc …), the critical and commercial reception at the time was luke warm at best. Most would argue it has aged the best out of their catalogue though - it certainly did for me. If you listen to it with pre-conceived notions about what Zeppelin is, this album definitely does take a while to appreciate. However, like a fine bottle of wine or Cuban cigar, the first sip/puff does not define the product, nor does the first listen define the excellence of this album. If not for the final track (which is the only Zeppelin song that I truly dislike), this would be in my top 3. Replace it with Hey Hey What Can I Do - which until 1990’s box set, was only found on the B-side of The Immigrant Side’s 45 (if you’re ??? with what I’m saying, go look it up kids), and it might even be my #1 album.
Fav Songs – That’s The Way, Gallows Pole (https://grooveshark.com/s/Gallows+Pole/2oXhVK?src=5), Since I’ve Been Loving You
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Great picks! Not my favourites by those respective bands though, but those are two bands where you can go anywhere in their discography and it would still be great.
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I'd probably rate WYWH higher than the wall but still good picks.
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Haha Boston, another band that I was introduced to via Guitar Hero / Rock Band. Great band, great album. Led Zep too obviously, though I'm not a massive Floyd fan.
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It's hard to go wrong with any Zep or PF albums IMO. I'm guessing we'll probably see one or two more on this list before its over.
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12) Hardline, Double Eclipse (1992)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Cnk8XkJiL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Hardline’s debut album is what great melodic rock is all about. However, it’s also a reminder how timing is just as (if not more) important than the music. Released in 1992, when glam rock/metal was about to be put on life support, it didn’t receive anywhere near the attention it should have (or could have if it had come out 3 or even 2 years sooner). For some unknown reason, there really wasn’t much of a distinction between Glam and Melodic Rock in the late 80s… invariably, music from the two genre’s were mostly lumped together – if you had long hair, catchy melodies, power ballads … you were likely considered Glam (for better or worse). Hardline likely earned that tag due to the founding brothers’ long hair, but this album is anything but glam. It has great melodies, unbelievable vocals (they’re worth the price of admission alone, gritty and raspy, yet smooth and flowing … almost like combining Russell Allen and Neal Morse), intelligent lyrics, thunderous guitar chords that just echo on as you listen, compelling solo’s, and commanding drum work keeping everything together. With Journey axe-man Neal Schon doing the producing and lead guitar efforts, this album gave him an outlet that Journey had trouble doing… songs with a guitar-rich sound and influence, and boy does he give this album just that. The band gives a wide range of tempo on the album, from the slow and rhythmic feel of Dr. Love and Everything, to the rapid pace in Bad Taste and Rhythm From a Red Car. Add in a couple of nice ballads, and the breath-taking vocal and musical performance on In The Hands of Time - this song has it all… a warming acoustic intro; slow serenade; vocals that go from calm and wise, to wailing and inspirational; lyrics that can bring a tear to your eye; and a guitar solo that has so much emotion, it’s easily be Schon’s best ever (it kinda reminds me of Paul Gilbert’s work). If you like 80s Halen, but want something a little more ‘smarter’ and musically more well rounded, this should be in your music library. It’s a shame it took these guys 10 years to follow up with their second (II), and even a bigger shame that a decent follow up didn’t come until 2009 and Leaving the End Open.
Fav Songs – In The Hands of Time (https://grooveshark.com/s/In+The+Hands+Of+Time/2gBCq3?src=5), Bad Taste, Hot Cherie, Everything
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11) Skid Row, Skid Row (1989)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5114iyHDFOL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
It’s probably no surprise to those familiar with Skid Row’s catalog that this is the album to make the re-appearance as stated in the OP. THIS album is the epitome of the concept of glam… a very hard rock band that (to some extent) sacrificed themselves for their image, and dummied down their sound to gain commercial acceptance. Paradoxically, the music on this album is not glam at all – compare it to the debut albums from Warrant, Poison, or Slaughter, and there is little to compare. Regardless of the route Skid Row took on their image, this album is dynamite. Skid Row was like Bon Jovi – but from the ‘other side of the tracks’. Providing harder riffs, lyrics with edgier topics, almost grunge-like bass licks, vocals that get a little angry at time (although still highlighting Bach’s abilities and range), this album brings together pop, rock, metal and stands very well on its own. With Bach’s vocal background, he was by far the most talented frontman of the glam genre – immensely more talented than the likes of Lane, Michaels or Slaughter … even Bon Jovi. Exuding power like no other vocalist in the late 80s, he could bring a soft/calm side one moment, then an angry/raging scream the next. This album is just full of party tracks, with lyrical themes of sex, teen angst and rebellion - and being an 18 year-old attending a lot of parties with mind altering intentions (commonly leading to sex, angst and rebellion), this was an album that really connected with my crowd. Lots of head-banging tracks with catchy melodies and lyrics, and the obligatory pair of power ballads make this easily the best of the late-80s glam band era.
Fav Songs – I Remember You, Makin a Mess, Youth Gone Wild, Sweet Little Sister (https://grooveshark.com/s/Sweet+Little+Sister/IK1L2?src=5)
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Hardline are awesome. I prefer Leaving the End Open myself over the debut.
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perfect pick... :hefdaddy Bach...
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10) Harem Scarem, Mood Swings (1993)
(https://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/3c/9a/e9f8c060ada0e6e4fd5cc110.L._AA300_.jpg)
I doubt many here have ever heard of this band, let alone their second album. Hailing from my neck of the woods (Toronto), these guys had success in Canada, but even more in Japan (enough for 12 studio albums in fact). For whatever reason, they just never gained any attention in North America (sound familiar?). Much like Hardline, Harem was a cross between melodic and hard rock, and took a few different directions in their 20 year career. Mood Swings was the first album of theirs that started to take that harder line, providing some powerful guitar chords, a variety of guitar sounds, matched with some creative and intelligent licks filling the gaps here and there. Add on original vocal writing – with lots of harmonization (they even have an acapella song) – a flawless rhythm section, all wrapped together by four talented musicians, and you have my favorite album from 1993. This album is actually closer to Prog, only missing the requisite instrumental fapping that produces songs greater than 5 minutes in length. Otherwise, it has quite a few elements that you’d expect from a prog album – tempo/time/key changes, sound experimentations, and talent. There is nothing shallow about the musicianship or the lyrics, as this album sounds nothing like the rock albums released in ’93. As with several other albums on my list, and the last time I’ll have to mention this, they suffered from the fate of bad timing. 1993 was not the period to release an album like this given the grunge tidal wave that was crashing in on the industry. Here is an album that never got the respect or fanfare it deserved – almost drawing parallels to the flagship band of this forum. Seriously, check out a couple of songs from this album (if you’re a fan of melodic rock, or what I like to call mini-prog rock), and you won’t be disappointed.
Fav Songs – Saviours Never Cry (https://grooveshark.com/s/Saviors+Never+Cry/21ZYSY?src=5), Empty Promises, Had Enough, No Justice
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51IJdDOzooL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
DTF’s reigning album of the year for 1981, and album of the decade for the 80s, and you’ll get nary an argument from me about it. There isn’t much I need to say about this album. It’s Rush’s flagship, and seeing it on the Time Machine Tour last year was pure bliss. I told the people behind me before the concert started, ‘just so you know, I won’t be sitting at all during Moving Pictures’. Side one is pure perfection. Is there an album out there that has four songs in a row as good as this? The whole album is the perfect incorporation of keyboard sounds and melodies along with Rush’s hard core prog sound of the 70s that still lingered into Moving Pictures (but subsequently faded for their synth era). It features Rush’s last 10 minute + epic in the Camera Eye, which is a highly under-rated song (and I’ve had the good fortune to hear live twice … on the tour last year, and DT covering it at ProgNation 2009 here in Toronto). Some of my favorite moments include the drum fill and riff at the end of the guitar solo in Red Barchetta, the opening riff from Limelight (the first time I saw them in concert in 1991, when this came on I swear, it was the loudest thing I’d ever heard in my life… crank that riff and it’s chilling), and the sheer intelligence of YYZ (it shouldn’t need to be said, but for the 2% of people that don’t know, YYZ is the airport code in Toronto, and the main riff is Y-Y-Z in morse code). Lyrically, Peart’s combination of narratives, fables and adaptations takes you into the heart of the stories he tells … feeling like you are part of a lynch mob, or traveling the streets of New York and London, or speeding uncontrollably down a gravel road.
Fav songs – Red Barchetta (https://grooveshark.com/s/Red+Barchetta/2NIObo?src=5), Limelight, Witch Hunt
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I love Moving Pictures, easily my favourite Rush album. Never listened to Harem Scarem though!
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
Fav songs – The whole fucking album
FTFY
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
Fav songs – The whole fucking album
FTFY
I'll join in....
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I don't think I have to say what I feel about Rush. Fantastic album that got me into the band in 1981 and a wee 13 year old.
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
Fav songs – The whole fucking album
FTFY
I'll join in....
Well yes, that goes without saying. But on the off chance that theer is anyone still following this thread and does not know MP, I feel I had a civic duty to still highlight my personal preferences for the best of the best.
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
Fav songs – The whole fucking album
FTFY
I'll join in....
Well yes, that goes without saying. But on the off chance that theer is anyone still following this thread and does not know MP, I feel I had a civic duty to still highlight my personal preferences for the best of the best.
lol... I overlooked the FTFY part... I thought that we were showing love and respect to the epic album... so thought that I'd join in...
The main reason why I enjoy your thread this much is your reviews JBoy.... keep'em coming :heart
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Moving Pictures :hefdaddy
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Moving Pictures :hefdaddy
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9) Rush, Moving Pictures (1981)
Fav songs – The whole fucking album
FTFY
I'll join in....
Well yes, that goes without saying. But on the off chance that theer is anyone still following this thread and does not know MP, I feel I had a civic duty to still highlight my personal preferences for the best of the best.
lol... I overlooked the FTFY part... I thought that we were showing love and respect to the epic album... so thought that I'd join in...
The main reason why I enjoy your thread this much is your reviews JBoy.... keep'em coming :heart
:blush
Thanks Nem. Here's one for you. :heart. Ok, two. :heart
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YAY... I've got the biggest heart collection ever ;D
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8) Queensryche, Operation:Mindcrime (1988)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61w9O%2BiWu%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Even before O:M squared off against Moving Pictures as the two best albums of the 80s, I had them ranked side-by-each in my top 10 as my favorite albums of the 80s. Representing the peak of their career from a truly progressive perspective, this is the album that propelled Queensryche from being a cult-like prog metal band, to a full on heavyweight in the genre. Like most rock opera’s, it’s a very unique and gripping story, takes the listener through all the requisite ups and downs of moods and emotions, and gives you new insight to it each time you listen to it. Like any good rock opera, it’s got a live version as good – nay, better – than the studio (when the crowd screams “REVOLUTION CALLING!”, it brings goose bumps every time). It’s one of those albums that you know right from the first 90 seconds, you’re going to be in for something special, on the edge of your seat for what’s about to come. I remember hearing “Sweet dreams … you bastard” and thinking, ‘well, this is going to be interesting, wonder what he did?’ Then the power packed Anarchy-X instrumental, highlighting DeGarmo’s brilliant guitar work. The overall concept covering religion, political upheaval, chemical manipulation and social wrongdoings was Tate’s, and something he put more effort into than anything else he ever did with Queensryche .. and the result reflects that effort. A compelling story, absolutely precise musicianship, fantastic production quality, and vocals from Tate when he was one of (if not) the best in the prog/metal genre. This album stands the test of time and is another one of those concept albums that has heavily influenced all others after it. While The Wall is the greatest concept album ever, if you look at the impact on its niche of music, O:M takes the title as the greatest of Prog-metal concept album – and yes, I do believe it’s better than SFAM (despite what this community believes). Bite me if you feel the other way.
(side note … both Moving Pictures and Mindcrime were engineered by Paul Northfield… man he has quite the resume – included DT’s last three albums)
Fav Songs – Breaking the Silence, I Don’t Believe In Love, Eyes of a Stranger (https://grooveshark.com/s/Eyes+Of+A+Stranger/2w4N9T?src=5), Suite Sister Mary
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7) Nightwish, Century Child (2002)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41P45358B6L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Nightwish’s fourth album was the first to feature the (sometimes growling) vocals from then new bassist Marco Hietala, providing at times the perfect demonic counter-point to Tarja’s angelic voice. With this album, they took the ‘symphonic’ aspect of their sound up a notch by using a live orchestra on four of the tracks. While not deviating far from what made them so immensely successful in their homeland, Century Child showcases a much more well rounded band (with an overall heavier tone) than was demonstrated on the first three albums. Rather than attacking the vocals and belting out the lines at the top end of her range (as she did almost exclusively), Tarja shows more control and diversity on this disc. As hot as she is (was? I’m not sure what she looks like these days), her voice was even sexier, and her performance on Century Child is without a doubt her best – smooth, sensual, soft, exquisite… then powerful and commanding. I said earlier that you can get lost in her voice, and it happens here even more, mesmerizing the listener to the point you can miss the brilliant sounds and musicianship happening at the same time. While all skilled with their instrument of choice, no single performance dominates the listening experience, each member/instrument contributing equally to the sound – which ranges from growling guitar riffs that induce head-banging (Slaying the Dreamer), double pounding and galloping bass/drums (End of All Hope), a ballad that isn’t really a ballad (Ever Dream) and an epic conclusion (Beauty of the Beast - which gives you everything you want in 10 minute + track). In many ways, the album escalates to this epic finale that is definitely my favorite song by Nightwish – a three part masterpiece that while you know quite clearly when each transition occurs, they are stitched together wonderfully to a brilliant climax. Aaaahhhhhh….. (I feel like I need a smoke). In short, it’s a great album that builds to an absolutely spectacular conclusion. From Nightwish’s catalog, Century Child is the best them.
Fav songs – Beauty of the Beast (https://grooveshark.com/s/Beauty+Of+The+Beast/2unXqr?src=5), End of All Hope, Dead to the World, Slaying the Dreamer
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Mindcrime is an absolute classic. Century Child is pretty good, but not in Mindcrime's stratosphere.
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Mindcrime is an absolute classic. Century Child is pretty good, but not in Mindcrime's stratosphere.
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8) Queensryche, Operation:Mindcrime (1988)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61w9O%2BiWu%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Even before O:M squared off against Moving Pictures as the two best albums of the 80s, I had them ranked side-by-each in my top 10 as my favorite albums of the 80s. Representing the peak of their career from a truly progressive perspective, this is the album that propelled Queensryche from being a cult-like prog metal band, to a full on heavyweight in the genre. Like most rock opera’s, it’s a very unique and gripping story, takes the listener through all the requisite ups and downs of moods and emotions, and gives you new insight to it each time you listen to it. Like any good rock opera, it’s got a live version as good – nay, better – than the studio (when the crowd screams “REVOLUTION CALLING!”, it brings goose bumps every time). It’s one of those albums that you know right from the first 90 seconds, you’re going to be in for something special, on the edge of your seat for what’s about to come. I remember hearing “Sweet dreams … you bastard” and thinking, ‘well, this is going to be interesting, wonder what he did?’ Then the power packed Anarchy-X instrumental, highlighting DeGarmo’s brilliant guitar work. The overall concept covering religion, political upheaval, chemical manipulation and social wrongdoings was Tate’s, and something he put more effort into than anything else he ever did with Queensryche .. and the result reflects that effort. A compelling story, absolutely precise musicianship, fantastic production quality, and vocals from Tate when he was one of (if not) the best in the prog/metal genre. This album stands the test of time and is another one of those concept albums that has heavily influenced all others after it. While The Wall is the greatest concept album ever, if you look at the impact on its niche of music, O:M takes the title as the greatest of Prog-metal concept album – and yes, I do believe it’s better than SFAM (despite what this community believes). Bite me if you feel the other way.
(side note … both Moving Pictures and Mindcrime were engineered by Paul Northfield… man he has quite the resume – included DT’s last three albums)
Fav Songs – Breaking the Silence, I Don’t Believe In Love, Eyes of a Stranger (https://grooveshark.com/s/Eyes+Of+A+Stranger/2w4N9T?src=5), Suite Sister Mary
:hearts: Suite Sister Mary in particular.... :heart and your review :heart
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Great picks! Mindcrime and MP would be in similar spots for me :)
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I remember how everybody talked about Mindcrime. Every party we went to it was playing cranked. MTV played the hell out of their videos (Remember those days when Videos were played on MTV?). It is a masterpiece.
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6) Meat Loaf, Bat Out Of Hell (1977)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q9UQxJaLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
For the better part of my teenage years, this was my ‘desert island album’, and how could it not be with an in-your-face, testosterone filled, ever present theme of teenage relationship turmoil and sexual tension. The success of this album lies in the hands of three people; composer and keyboardist Jim Steinman (who was highly influenced by Springsteen’s music at the time, so that kind of theme is really not that surprising); producer and guitarist Todd Rundgren (who also put together most of the arrangements); and the ‘Loaf’, whose distinct and powerful voice is probably the thing that truly made/saved this album – any other voice would’ve made this album seem like an incredible chunk of molded fromage. When you consider the music of 1977, this didn’t fit in anywhere… and it’s really kind of amazing it ever saw the light of day (Clive Davis passed on it, citing that it wasn’t rock music). It wasn’t mainstream rock, not disco (which was rising the way grunge did in the early 90s), not prog, not metal… at the time, it didn’t really fit into any genre. Even 35 years later, there’s still nothing quite like it. Commercially and critically, it initially got an overwhelming ‘meh’. However, like a freight train, it managed to pick up steam to become the 5th highest grossing (in terms of quantity) worldwide album ever – 43 million copies. Still to this day is sells a few hundred thousand copies a year. What do you get with this album? Now that it is appreciated for its place in the history of rock, you have seven songs with seven distinct sounds – exaggerated power chords and filler licks all over the place, flamboyant vocals, indulgent arrangements, emotionally charged (but not corny) lyrics, piano melodies that could act as the lead (and often do), and drum beats that seem like Animal from The Muppets is behind the skins. Right from track one (with the opening panic and motorcycle guitar solo), for those of us that heard it in the 70s and 80s, you knew you were in for one unique listening experience. Who knows, maybe those hearing it for the first time even now know how special it is.
Fav Songs – Bat Out of Hell (https://grooveshark.com/s/Bat+Out+Of+Hell/4e0GXB?src=5), For Crying Out Loud, All Revved Up With No Place to Go
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5) Star One, Space Metal (2002)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41BS3JMNDWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Predecessor to Victims of the Modern Age (#36 on my list), Space Metal is one of the most intriguing concepts (and I use “concept” here to signify a consistent theme, not a storyline) to an album I’ve ever heard – every song is based on a science fiction or fantasy movie/TV series. Bringing together Floor Jansen, Russell Allen, Dan Swano and Damian Wilson, this is an Avengers-like assembly of amazing vocalists who deliver passionate, emotional and precise performances on every single track. Russell and Damian provide most of the leads; Dan with the growling/deeper contributions; and Floor is largely responsible for the backing and harmonizations, yet she still manages to captivate and hold your attention despite not being in the spotlight. Heavier than Arjen’s other projects, Star One is his outlet to get his metal on (or out), composing simpler and more straight-forward music off of coarse, deep and wicked guitar riffs. The opening atmospheric setting puts you in the mood for the “Space Metal” you’re about to become immersed in, leading in to the ferocity of Set Your Controls that has a fantastic blend of keyboard and guitar. Fast and Furious is not a movie that Arjen pulled from, but it certainly describes what you’re going to find out of the gate, and throughout the rest of the album… interspersed with a few slower paced songs (The Eye of Ra, Perfect Survivor, Starchild). I’d never heard Damian Wilson before this, but man does he have an absolutely magical voice, and now I look for anything I can that he contributes to. Throughout the album you’ll find slow and grinding riffs, keyboard melodies and harmonies to keep that sci-fi feel, a rhythm section that sounds like organized chaos at times, catchy chorus’s and psychedelic (ie, “spacey”) keyboard and guitar solos… there just isn’t a bad track here at all. Like I mentioned with Victims, as you listen to the music and lyrics, you can’t help but be pulled into the backdrop of the movie (for myself, particularly with Master of Darkness/Empire Strikes Back and Songs of the Ocean/Star Trek IV). If you like Symphony-X, this is for you; if you like Ayreon’s harder sounds, this is for you; if you like a dominant keyboard element, this is for you.
Fav Songs – Master of Darkness, Intergallactic Space Crusaders, Sandrider, Set Your Controls (https://grooveshark.com/s/Set+Your+Controls/4deTHz?src=5)
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To this day I still haven't heard Bat Out of Hell. Not that I've been avoiding it, just never had an opportunity to listen and never thought to pick up a copy.
Space Metal > Victims of the Modern Age, definately. The Star One live album is actually what got me into Ayreon (since they did some Universal Migrator songs on it), not the other way around.
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Damian is one of the most underrated singers of our time. Dan is amazing too, great album.
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To this day I still haven't heard Bat Out of Hell. Not that I've been avoiding it, just never had an opportunity to listen and never thought to pick up a copy.
Good, then there's at least on album in my collection I can use for your roulette!!
Damian is one of the most underrated singers of our time. Dan is amazing too, great album.
I so agree. His voice is magic.
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Bat out of Hell is amazing! I normally don't like those kind of lyrics and I must admit I don't like a lot of the lyrics in the album but the title track has awesome lyrics.
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4) Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61E-tasCArL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Zeppelin IV, Zoso, Four Symbols, <untitled> … call it whatever you want, but I’ve got to believe that most people would place it (at least) in their top 5 of all classic rock albums. Recounting from my OP, this album was the one that changed, and set, my musical tastes in the direction that has endured for the past 25 years. Being a snot-nosed 14 year old pop music brat, this album completely changed my musical world, and frankly, the kind of person I was/became. In the span of less than three years in 1969, Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones went from relative obscurity to the biggest musical force on the planet. So much so, that this release had nothing on the album cover/sleeve – no band name or album title – just the artwork. Not uncommon these days, but 40 years ago… unheard of, and thought to be career suicide. The monumental impact that the band – and this album – had cannot be understood in relative terms these days. I once heard in the late 80s, that it was theorized that if you played Stairway to Heaven back to back for every time it was requested on AM and FM radio, you’d have to play it for 57 years. And remember, back then that’s how you got music … no Grooveshark, Spotify, YouTube, Torrents or anything else on demand. You either bought, traded (physically), or requested it. Zeppelin is known for some incredible openings, and Black Dog is no different. As usual, they don’t just leave you with brilliant blues-inspired classic rock, but weave other elements and styles in that weren’t at all expected in 1971. An acoustic duet with a mandolin! A rap drum beat… before there was such a thing as rap (side note, did you know that the “c” in rap is silent)!? An organ as the lead melody? Seriously!?!?! Who would’ve (or could’ve) done any of that and pulled it off? The four of them were gods in their art the way that all 5 members of DT are today – perhaps more so. Robert Plant was the mold for rock and roll frontmen, with his dynamic range and control, none were better in the 70s, and I would say only Freddie Mercury surpassed the stage presence he had in concert. Page’s execution, style, and creativity on the axe is legendary, and second to none (except maybe Hendrix). Bonham was everything a drummer should be. And even though Jones was overshadowed by these three, he was a master in his own right on the bass and keys. To get a taste of how influential this album is, collectively, there are over 250 known officially recorded and released covers of the 8 tracks from this album – by everyone from Dream Theater, to W.A.S.P., to Dolly Parton to Tony Levin.
Fav Songs – Battle of Evermore (https://grooveshark.com/s/Battle+Of+Evermore/2fKF3b?src=5), Rock And Roll, Four Sticks… oh yeah, and that other well known one.
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3) Rush, A Farewell To Kings (1977)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5114k9dEO0L._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
After the success and attention that Rush gained with 2112, expectations were pretty high, and man did they deliver! There isn’t one thing to highlight above another here… Peart’s vivid and colorful lyrics are beyond compare, and his work on the drums is jaw dropping. Not chaotic, or filled with any unnecessary ‘need for speed’ or flamboyant fills, just an absolute perfect demonstration of progressive percussion. Geddy slappin da bass as good as anything else he did on their 20 studio albums (he was so creative and inventive here); Alex’s guitar performance is controlled and crisp and defined (I’m not really sure what I mean by that, but it’s just the only word that comes to mind); and the keyboards/moog just completes the overall fantasy sound that the lyrics/stories provide. When you pack on two truly epic masterpieces like Xanadu (my favorite Rush track period… musically and lyrically it is just perfect – there are so many moments in the song that just leave me breathless and in awe at how three guys can make such amazing music) and Cygnus X-1, there’s really no other place for this album to fall but in the top 10 (at least for a guy like me for whom Rush is my #2 band behind Zeppelin). Geddy could’ve been reciting the alphabet with Twinkle Twinkle playing in the background for the other four tracks, and this would still be a top 10 album. That’s not to say the other four tracks are weak… they are not. The opening track contains catchy riffs, a jazz rock interlude, and a dramatic and blistering guitar solo. Closer to the Heart is probably their second most recognizable and accessible song, but I’ll tell you this, the studio version of it is hard to listen to, given they’ve had so many incredible live versions (I’m talking about you, Different Stages). This album is a perfect combination of basic rock riffs and sounds, along with just enough exploration to take (and keep) you into the prog domain. Xanadu was probably the first truly progressive song that ever captured me. As I mentioned in my OP (and as you can probably tell now that we’re almost at the end of the list), I was a bit of a classic/hard/glam rock snob in the mid-late 80s. It wasn’t until about ‘88 or ‘89 when I started getting into Rush (beyond the radio hits) that I found their earlier work. Then, in preparation for their Roll the Bones Tour (where they brought back Xanadu in its entirety), I became fully consumed with 70s Rush, and in turn, more exploration into Progressive Rock. It took me a while to really ‘get’ Cygnus X-1 (at first I found it a bit bizarre), but once I did, it just further cemented my preference for this as my favorite Rush disc.
Fav Songs – Xanadu (https://grooveshark.com/s/Xanadu/2zxVcx?src=5), Cygnus X-1, A Farewell to Kings
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Two amazing picks! Both would probably be in my top 50 too!
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When I say "v. countdown concluding engines off" I thought, "Man, he has Signals real high". I at least got the band right.
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Hell yeah. Great picks. :tup
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Two awesome albums, to I suppose neither would make my own top 50. Either way, good picks!
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4) Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin IV (1971)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61E-tasCArL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Zeppelin IV, Zoso, Four Symbols, <untitled> … call it whatever you want, but I’ve got to believe that most people would place it (at least) in their top 5 of all classic rock albums. Recounting from my OP, this album was the one that changed, and set, my musical tastes in the direction that has endured for the past 25 years. Being a snot-nosed 14 year old pop music brat, this album completely changed my musical world, and frankly, the kind of person I was/became. In the span of less than three years in 1969, Page, Plant, Bonham and Jones went from relative obscurity to the biggest musical force on the planet. So much so, that this release had nothing on the album cover/sleeve – no band name or album title – just the artwork. Not uncommon these days, but 40 years ago… unheard of, and thought to be career suicide. The monumental impact that the band – and this album – had cannot be understood in relative terms these days. I once heard in the late 80s, that it was theorized that if you played Stairway to Heaven back to back for every time it was requested on AM and FM radio, you’d have to play it for 57 years. And remember, back then that’s how you got music … no Grooveshark, Spotify, YouTube, Torrents or anything else on demand. You either bought, traded (physically), or requested it. Zeppelin is known for some incredible openings, and Black Dog is no different. As usual, they don’t just leave you with brilliant blues-inspired classic rock, but weave other elements and styles in that weren’t at all expected in 1971. An acoustic duet with a mandolin! A rap drum beat… before there was such a thing as rap (side note, did you know that the “c” in rap is silent)!? An organ as the lead melody? Seriously!?!?! Who would’ve (or could’ve) done any of that and pulled it off? The four of them were gods in their art the way that all 5 members of DT are today – perhaps more so. Robert Plant was the mold for rock and roll frontmen, with his dynamic range and control, none were better in the 70s, and I would say only Freddie Mercury surpassed the stage presence he had in concert. Page’s execution, style, and creativity on the axe is legendary, and second to none (except maybe Hendrix). Bonham was everything a drummer should be. And even though Jones was overshadowed by these three, he was a master in his own right on the bass and keys. To get a taste of how influential this album is, collectively, there are over 250 known officially recorded and released covers of the 8 tracks from this album – by everyone from Dream Theater, to W.A.S.P., to Dolly Parton to Tony Levin.
Fav Songs – Battle of Evermore (https://grooveshark.com/s/Battle+Of+Evermore/2fKF3b?src=5), Rock And Roll, Four Sticks… oh yeah, and that other well known one.
Great write up. Excellent album but It doesn't resonate with me more than some of their others.
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2) Ayreon, The Human Equation (2004)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61c-laGXNLL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
Some people have a gift and know how to use it. Arjen Lucassen is one of them. Four albums created by Arjen in my Top 50, all of them concepts (two story line, two thematic) … yes, I do believe he’s a musical genius, and without a doubt, “The Godfather” of concept albums. I’ll admit to being a massive fanboi of his works, as there isn’t anything I’ve heard of his that I don’t like (and yes, that includes Ambeon and The Guilt Machine). This one in particular has to be his most ambitious project (at the time) with 12 brilliant vocalists and 10 musicians producing sounds from over 20 different instruments (including a recorder and a didgeridoo!), and even more sounds when you consider the keyboard samples. Straying from the sci-fi/fantasy feel and themes from his previous 5 Ayreon discs, The Human Equation takes the listener on a grandiose emotional journey – with some incredible highs and lows, never letting you go, pulling you into the life of ‘Me’. For those that don’t know the story, here’s the Cliffs Notes – a man (“Me”) is hospitalized and in a coma due to a car accident. Cut off from the outside world, he finds himself trapped in a strange realm where his emotions- most of which he's ignored for a long time- have come to life to confront him with all the choices he has made in his life. As he is taken from one memory to the next, he slowly becomes aware of all the events leading up to his accident, and realizes that if he ever wants to wake up from his coma, he must find a way out of this emotional prison. Right from the very first track and complete listen (and like any concept album, there’s really no other way to do it), you find that it’s so expansive and diverse – lyrically, melodically, stylistically, instrumentally, vocally… there’s nothing simple about this album or any of the 20 tracks in any way imaginable. It gives the listener a blend of rock, metal, space and some traditional rock, symphonic, and atmospheric all in one double-disc. Arjen gets the absolute best out of his musicians and vocalists, and makes you want to learn more about their music (if you didn’t already know them). It was his projects that in turn got me in to Symphony X, After Forever, Blind Guardian, Stream of Passion, Shadow Gallery and others. Lyrically, it’s second to none in my book, some of my favorite lines being:
- I can’t accept this, we will find a way / Out of this cesspool of doom and dismay / Beyond this dejection there’s beauty and grace / A glorious future we long to embrace
- Be a man, give into hate / You better learn to communicate / Better to learn to protect yourself / That's not the way to get out of this hell
- The loved ones are waiting, break out of you cage / You have the power, give in to your rage / Listen to Pride now, for once he is right / Listen to Reason, let us be your guide
And for those that know this disc, please get over the cutoff of James' final scream... it's one note, a few seconds in over 100 minutes of music, and such a cool twist to the overall story.
Fav Songs – Day Eleven: Love (https://winamq.com/?id=23832976_73838090&t=0); Day Fourteen: Pride, Day Eighteen: Realization, Day Three: Pain, Day Ten: Memories
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1) Dream Theater, Images & Words (1992)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rzm599SJL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
This is probably no surprise here now that we’re at the end of the list. Of all the previous top 50’s, I&W has shown up seven times (I’m actually surprised it hasn’t shown up more). One could argue that modern day prog-metal started here, and that most current artists were influenced somehow by this release by a then unheralded band called Dream Theater, with a new lead singer. My first introduction to DT was actually A Fortune In Lies and The Killing Hand, which were enough to thoroughly pique my interest, and I went out and got I&W. It was 1996, so there were only a few of choices available in the bin at the local CD shop, and this is what I chose. Man, good thing I did (because it took me a while to appreciate Awake). This album is about as close to absolute perfection as an album can get (for me). Just look at the DT Survivor history (and 2009 song and album rankings in the Archive section)… Learning to Live, Metropolis Pt 1, and Take The Time consistently in the Top 10… and the painful woes that other songs keep getting left out because only the Top 3 per album make the finals. UAGM and Surrounded would be in DT’s Top 25 as well if not for the sheer awesomeness of I&W. I ran a Survivor a couple of years ago about DT’s best individual “moments”… things like the best guitar solo (live/studio), best unison, best instrumental section, best riffs etc… I&W’s songs showed up 33 times - more than any other album. Moments such the instrumental from Metropolis, the Surrounded guitar solo from Chaos in Motion, the UAGM guitar solo, Kevin’s keyboard solo from Take The Time … So many memorable moments come from this album. And JLB’s vocals leave me in amazement. You know all of the great lines:
So try another daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
I think it's time for a chaaaa-eeeeee-aaaaaaaaaaange
You can find all you need in your miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiind
His shadow slowly fading from the waaaa-AAAAA-aaaa-AAAA-aaaaa-AAAAA-aaaaaal
I'm asleep but I'm so afraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiiiiid
I hear kindness beauty and truuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuth
whoa whoa, whoa; WHOA WHOA, WHOA ; WHOA WHOA WHOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!
Whether in the studio, or from the early 90s live albums, he was the best on these songs. It sits atop the DT Album Power Game (remember, I wrote this a couple of months ago when the album poll was current). It’s DT’s most well rounded album… prog, rock, metal, ballads – no single style dominates. Creative, powerful, emotional, rhythmic, passionate, exciting, and every other desirable trait one can think of. What more is there to say really? You’re here at DTF, you know all about this disc.
Fav Songs – All of them … but Surrounded, Metropolis Pt 1, Take The Time and Learning To Live are "especially special".
And there you have it folks, another happy ending. Hope I was able to take some of the fogey’s down nostalgia lane, and maybe even inspire some of the younglings go have a go with something you didn’t know before.
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Good list. :tup
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What a stunning conclusion to your list.
I&W is also my favourite DT album. Though it doesn't come in at the #1 spot, it's very, very close. I was surprised by your inclusion of The Human Equation there, which I believe is also a fantastic album. Must sit somewhere in my top 20 ;)
Also:
Good list. :tup
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Very nice list Jingle! I&W is certainly a fitting way to top it off. If you're on this board you should likely have much respect for it IMO.
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Good picks. There are some on the list that I wouldn't listen to in a zillion years (no doubt, prince, shania etc) but a stong selection overall. I&W and Operation Mindcrime would be in my top ten too.
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I&W is the greatest album of all time, you got that much right :tup
and lots of other good choices :)
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Thanks folks, this was fun to do, and fun to see the reactions. I was actually surprised at the decade distribution of the list - 70s (10), 80s (13), 90s (15) and 00s (12) I would've thought I'd have more from the 70s, but alas, not.
Good picks. There are some on the list that I wouldn't listen to in a zillion years (no doubt, prince, shania etc) but a stong selection overall. I&W and Operation Mindcrime would be in my top ten too.
Yeah, I don't listen to those very much. As I said in my OP, those first few probably aren't REALLY in my top 50, but I had to throw some diversity in somehow!
Lookin forward to the next lists (especially DTVT's hidden gems). With Nick coming up soon though, it might not be until Memorial Day that you get your chance!
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I&W is the greatest album of all time, you got that much right :tup
and lots of other good choices :)
This!!
Great list! Especially the top 10 was very good.
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Great picks there! Good to see some love for The Human Equation, it really is a fantastic record.
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Ok, so here's the final list:
50 Tragic Kingdom - No Doubt
49 Save This House - Spirit of the West
48 Purple Rain - Prince
47 Keep Your Hands Off My Power Supply - Slade
46 Racine - Sass Jordan
45 Come on Over - Shania Twain
44 Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
43 Pornograffitti - Extreme
42 Dance of Death - Iron Maiden
41 Appetite for Destruction - Guns 'n' Roses
40 Into the Electric Castle - Ayreon
39 F.U.C.K - Van Halen
38 Dawn of Victory - Rhapsody
37 Hysteria - Def Leppard
36 Victims of the Modern Age - Star One
35 Native Tongue - Poison
34 Slip of the Tongue - Whitesnake
33 Scenes From a Memory - Dream Theater
32 The Great Radio Controversy - Tesla
31 Train of Thought - Dream Theater
30 Number of the Beast - Iron Maiden
29 Hemispheres - Rush
28 Once - Nightwish
27 Slippery When Wet - Bon Jovi
26 Coverdale/Page - Coverdale/Page
25 The First Chapter - Circus Maximus
24 Empire - Queensryche
23 Crystal Empire - Freedom Call
22 Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue
21 Back in Black - AC/DC
20 Octavarium - Dream Theater
19 Milliontown - Frost*
18 Christmas Eve and Other Stories - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
17 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
16 Led Zeppelin II - Led Zeppelin
15 Boston - Boston
14 The Wall - Pink Floyd
13 Led Zeppelin III - Led Zeppelin
12 Double Eclipse - Hardline
11 Skid Row - Skid Row
10 Mood Swings - Harem Scarem
9 Moving Pictures - Rush
8 Operation:Mindcrime - Queensryche
7 Century Child - Nightwish
6 Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf
5 Space Metal - Star One
4 Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
3 A Farewell to Kings - Rush
2 The Human Equation - Ayreon
1 Images & Words - Dream Theater
It's funny, I realized as I was putting this together, I didn't have any Spock's Beard or Symphony X here. I absolutely love everything from each of these two bands, and couldn't find a place to put anything from them, because I only got into each band just before X and Paradise Lost respectively. Upon discovering them though, I got their entire discography in one fail swoop, and as a result, no one single album stands out for me from either. Maybe in a couple more years, I'll have a more distinguished palate for their sound.
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And no Judas Priest or Dio!!!!!!!
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17 Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
15 Boston - Boston
9 Moving Pictures - Rush
8 Operation:Mindcrime - Queensryche
5 Space Metal - Star One
3 A Farewell to Kings - Rush
2 The Human Equation - Ayreon
1 Images & Words - Dream Theater
This made up for other oversights, mostly. :p
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Bat Out of Hell was playing the first time I touched a girl's boobays. And it was the girl's choice of music. True story.
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It's all about memories and how music affects you in your life.
A great quote!
Hey Jingle, Don't know why I never paid attention to this. Fact of the matter is that I really don't follow the Top 50 threads that much because I frankly never recognize anyone's bands. Seems some people really try and post some obscure shit that I've never heard of. (NOT directed at DTVT, as he was clear that was HIS intention!) And also, I guess I didn't realize how old you were until recently! :D
So anyway, if I may, could I make some belated comments? In the first few albums listed I saw No Doubt, Prince, and Shania Twain, and I thought, oh well, another Top 50 to avoid :lol but then I saw it..SLADE!! Wow, that’s an awesome album. If all people know are Run Runaway and My Oh My, they’re missing out on a very fun, rocking, and surprisingly heavy album.
Suffice to say, after seeing that, I went through the rest of the thread.
I think I have 6 to 8 of yours in my Top 50 as well, and a couple other bands you list that I have different albums for.
* Great to see the love for Tesla. Their first 4 albums are some of the great. A 70’s band trapped in the 80’s is how I’ve always described them. Actually, I think TGRC is actually the weakest of the four, though it contains my fave Tesla track, Paradise.
* I don’t know how many Maiden fans would rank Dance Of Death as their second favorite Maiden album, but good for you. I think it’s spectacular and put it easily above Brave New World. I feel that each successive Reunion era album has topped the previous one.
* Coverdale/Page..great point about it would have been much better received 10 years earlier. This was 10 times better than The Firm. A great album!
* Dr. Feelgood jumped out at me. I remember when it came out, I was less than impressed with Girls, but Dr. F. was so well written and well played.
Bon Jovi, AC/DC, GnR..definitely spurred a lot of memories.
Anyway, great list. I enjoyed reading it the real thoughtful write ups!
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Thanks for the nice words .... And a pretty big bump. You should sign up to do one ... They're quite fun to relive all those great albums that are so cherished us. And it's cool to see the tastes of our fellow posters. I'd love to see the Kings do a Top 50 -both wolf and shmegland.
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I follow all of these, regardless of whether the list makers' tastes match mine or not.
My list doesn't have many albums that will appeal to most people on the board, sooo... :lol
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I'm looking forward to yours Ravenheart.
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Thanks for the nice words .... And a pretty big bump. You should sign up to do one ... They're quite fun to relive all those great albums that are so cherished us. And it's cool to see the tastes of our fellow posters. I'd love to see the Kings do a Top 50 -both wolf and shmegland.
Man I'd have sit down and map that all out. Maybe I'll work on it little by little and throw my hat in the ring.
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Thanks for the nice words .... And a pretty big bump. You should sign up to do one ... They're quite fun to relive all those great albums that are so cherished us. And it's cool to see the tastes of our fellow posters. I'd love to see the Kings do a Top 50 -both wolf and shmegland.
Man I'd have sit down and map that all out. Maybe I'll work on it little by little and throw my hat in the ring.
That's the best way to do it, IMO. Sign up (which gives you the compelling reason to act), make your list and do the writeups for a couple of albums a day. I guess I'm kinda lucky in that - working from home - I can listen to pretty much all the music I want all day long, so was able to re-listen to all these albums while I worked.
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Well, I just threw my hat in the ring. Should be up around 2014.
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Just saw!
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That's the problem. I'm at work and I do between 50 and 55 hours a week so I'm strapped for time.
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Thanks for the nice words .... And a pretty big bump. You should sign up to do one ... They're quite fun to relive all those great albums that are so cherished us. And it's cool to see the tastes of our fellow posters. I'd love to see the Kings do a Top 50 -both wolf and shmegland.
Man I'd have sit down and map that all out. Maybe I'll work on it little by little and throw my hat in the ring.
That's the best way to do it, IMO. Sign up (which gives you the compelling reason to act), make your list and do the writeups for a couple of albums a day. I guess I'm kinda lucky in that - working from home - I can listen to pretty much all the music I want all day long, so was able to re-listen to all these albums while I worked.
Yeah, I signed up too a couple of weeks ago, so I'm on the list. Placing the albums in proper order has been much harder than I thought!
Strapped for time as well, but by the time it's my turn, I should be ready.