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General => Archive => General Music Archives => Topic started by: LieLowTheWantedMan on August 17, 2014, 02:19:30 PM
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Hello everyone, and welcome to my top 50. This is my third one, as I find a lot of my tastes have changed drastically since my second, although not as drastically as they did from my first to second list (which barely have any albums in common). In an effort to make things possibly more interesting, an artist may only show up once on this list. This includes two bands that have the same frontman. Note that this list WILL have similarities with my previous, but I like to think that A. there are not that many and B. I have become better at articulating my thoughts since then.
Now I will be basing this list off of my RYM ratings, and I don't think any of you know my RYM account so you won't be able to cheat. :) Unfortunately I have not rated anywhere near everything I own on the site, but I have tried to rate all the albums I really, really love. So I may accidentally miss something, but this will probably not be the case.
I will try to update daily, 3 albums a day up until 26-24, in which I will switch to two per day, up until 11-10 where I will switch to one. If I miss a day, you will get an extra special double update day if I have the time. The first three albums will probably be up later tonight.
Anyways, hope you all enjoy and maybe discover something new. :)
50. Beck Odelay
49. Sufjan Stevens Illinois
48. Dead Kennedys Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
47. King Crimson Discipline
46. Joy Division Closer
45. Guided By Voices Bee Thousand
44. Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots s/t
43. Nine Inch Nails The Downward Spiral
42. Unwound Leaves Turn Inside You
41. Pavement Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
40. Kendrick Lamar good kid m.A.A.d city
39. Elliott Smith Either/Or
38. Massive Attack Mezzanine
37. Porcupine Tree Stupid Dream
36. Built to Spill Perfect From Now On
35. Can Future Days
34. Dalek Absence
33. Burial Truant / Rough Sleeper
32. Bright Eyes Lifted Or The Story Is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground
31. Queens of the Stone Age Songs for the Deaf
30. Pink Floyd Animals
29. Wu-Tang Clan Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
28. Portishead Dummy
27. The Jesus Lizard Liar
26. Pixies Doolittle
25. A Tribe Called Quest The Low End Theory
24. Sonic Youth Sister
23. Van der Graaf Generator Pawn Hearts
22. American Football American Football
21. Boris - Boris at Last -Feedbacker-
20. NoMeansNo Wrong
19. Radiohead Kid A
18. Sigur Ros Agaetis Byrjun
17. Danny Brown - XXX
16. Slint - Spiderland
15. Brand New The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me
14. Godspeed You! Black Emperor Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
13. The Microphones The Glow Pt. 2
12. Neutral Milk Hotel In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
11. Converge - Jane Doe
10. Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye
9. DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
8. Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
7. Talk Talk - Laughing Stock
6. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
5. Death Grips - The Money Store
4. Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
3. Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind
2. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
1. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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I'm guessing we're looking at a BoC album at #1, though not sure which one. I'd say MHARTC, but we'll see.
Looking forward to this.
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Well I made this quicker than I expected so by later tonight I mean RIGHT NOW!!!!
50. Beck - Odelay (1996)
(https://sleevage.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/odelay_beck.jpg)
Probably the most 90s album out there aside from perhaps the album that will come in at #41. Beck is someone I never gave a chance until not too long ago, but I later found myself enjoying this album thoroughly. He's a charming character both inside and outside of his music. He has a very distinct sound, yet manages to be very eclectic musically, giving us solid alt rock songs like Devil's Haircut and fun alt hip-hop/rap rock sort of songs like Hotwax. He also plays a multitude of instruments, listed on Wikipedia as acoustic guitar, slide guitar, electric guitar, vocals, harmonicas, bass, drums, percussion, analog keyboards, electric piano, clavinet, organ and celesta. This is a really fun listen and also very easy to get into.
Best songs: Devil's Haircut, Lord Only Knows, Where It's At
49. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois (2005)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/6175ASTTEDL.jpg)
This would probably be higher if I made this list a few weeks or so from now, as this just recently fully clicked for me. This is an album that can astound you with how complex, catchy, and well orchestrated it manages to sound all at once. Sufjan is just an amazingly talented songwriter and it shows bigtime here. And he manages to outdo Beck in quantity of instruments on this one, playing acoustic guitar, piano, Wurlitzer, bass guitar, drums, electric guitar, oboe, alto saxophone, flute, banjo, glockenspiel, accordion, vibraphone, alto, sopranino, soprano, and tenor recorders, Casiotone MT-70, sleigh bells, shaker, tambourine, triangle, electronic organ, and vocals. He does all the arrangements and production as well. He put a crazy amount of work into this one. It's not without its flaws, there are a few tracks that I'm iffy with (and being 74 minutes long it isn't surprising), but the highs more than make up for it. Anyone who considers themselves a fan of indie music needs this album.
Best tracks: Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, John Wayne Gacy Jr., Jacksonville, Chicago, Casimir Pulaski Day
48. Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)
(https://eil.com/images/main/Dead+Kennedys+-+Fresh+Fruit+For+Rotting+Vegetable+-+Censored+Back+Cover+-+LP+RECORD-525539.jpg)
Here's one of the greatest classic punk albums of all time. It is classified as hardcore punk, but unlike most hardcore punk, it isn't totally angst-ridden, dissonant, and crazy. It's packed with humour, catchiness, and awesome bass lines. Jello Biafra has a voice many don't like so much, but those lyrics would not be the same coming out of anyone else's mouth. His voice perfectly captures the snide hilarity of the lyrics and drives it to another level. As is common in punk, most of the songs are quite short, so nothing really overstays its welcome, but the tracks are just long enough to get the point across. It also ends with an awesome Viva Las Vegas cover, with some of the lyrics changed and injected with that Dead Kennedys humour/commentary. If you wanna get into some older punk, this album is a really good starting point in my opinion.
Best tracks: Kill the Poor, Let's Lynch the Landlord, Drug Me, Your Emotions, California Uber Alles, Holiday in Cambodia
BTW, best tracks are in order of appearance on the albums and are not necessarily in order of quality. And writeups will likely get longer as the list goes on when I feel I have more to say. :)
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I used to really dig that Dead Kennedys album a while back. Haven't listened to it in a while, but I remember it being really good. I might have to listen to it again, to see how it has held up.
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Great pick with Beck and Sufjan Stevens :tup
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I always enjoy your lists, so I'll certainly follow this one with baited breath as well.
Sufjan Stevens is a great inclusion, which I don't remember seeing on your previous lists, so hooray for that! Chicago is such a relaxing song.
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I will follow this list. Haven't heard any of the albums so far, but I expect great things. :tup
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Will follow. Gotta check out that Sufjan Stevens album still.
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47. King Crimson - Discipline (1981)
(https://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/191/cover_3439917102008.jpg)
This one might seem weird for a lot of people. But yes, Discipline is my favourite Talking Heads King Crimson album. In the Court of the Crimson King and Red are both very close, but I seem to enjoy this one the most consistently of all. ItCotCK has Moonchild, which I still like, but all that improv would be better replaced with another song. Red has Providence, which is great but not as great as the rest. Discipline, however, is consistently awesome from start to finish. Like I joked about earlier, it sounds very Talking Heads-ish, but I actually prefer it to them, even Remain In Light which is a fantastic album. The album is full of catchy, poppy tunes, but doesn't come without its fair share of King Crimson weirdness (how does anyone even comprehend the time signature fuckery that is the title track?). The lyrics are odd, but fun to listen to. The drumming on the song Indiscipline is just godlike. And the longest track, The Sheltered Sky, is just an awesome, super relaxing instrumental. Other King Crimson albums may have higher highs than this one, but this one has almost no lows, and I find is the easiest to listen to start to finish.
Best tracks: Frame By Frame, Matte Kudasai, Indiscipline, The Sheltered Sky
46. Joy Division - Closer (1980)
(https://eil.com/images/main/Joy+Division+-+Closer+-+Expanded+Edition+%2F+Sealed+-+DOUBLE+CD-414160.jpg)
Oh boy, this one is a doozy. I actually feel I should have placed this higher, but it's pretty rare that I listen to it. Unknown Pleasures is a dark, unhappy listen, but still can be fun to listen to. On this one the darkness and unhappiness makes it almost unpleasant. It can pretty much crush almost any good mood I'm in. It doesn't treat depression with subtlety for sure, and by the time it was released the vocalist had already committed suicide. So that should definitely tell you something, heh. Anyways, right from the opening track you realize what you're up against. You're greeted with a pretty nifty, tribal-ish drum beat, and then suddenly the guitar comes in, and it sounds... weird to say the least. Almost like a power drill. Then Ian Curtis comes in with his signature, tired sounding baritone, singing the lyrics:
Asylums with doors open wide,
Where people had paid to see inside,
For entertainment they watch his body twist,
Behind his eyes he says, 'I still exist.'
Lots of people say those lyrics are about his epilepsy, and there was an incidence where he had a seizure on stage and because he had the tendency to dance like a complete maniac, people figured it was just part of the dancing. So yeah, right away it's completely unrelenting with its messages. There are songs that are less dissonant, like Isolation, which features super catchy and dancy instrumentation, but then Curtis' vocals come in sounding like he's almost about to break down. The contrast between the two really makes for a powerful song.
So yeah, I went on a lot longer about this one than the others. There's a lot to say about this one. Like I said, I'd have probably placed it higher if I was in the mood to listen to it more. Right now it's like a one listen every few months thing. But it's a really amazing piece of work, and I do recommend it.
Best tracks: Isolation, A Means to an End, Twenty Four Hours, Decades
45. Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand (1994)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41YF1E8XNZL.jpg)
Now after an album that I had lots to say about, here's an album that's just awesome. No other way to put it really. The songs are very short. There are 20 songs and the album is only 36 minutes long. Most of the songs are kind of like if you took a solid, catchy rock tune, and stripped away everything but the good stuff leaving no filler in between. Or even an opposing point of view, they sound like song ideas that they didn't even feel like turning into a full song. That second suggestion is very likely. :lol Because it almost seems like these guys don't care. The production is very lo-fi. There is a clear mistake in the opening track where it sounds like the guitarist may have dropped his pick or something because the guitar abruptly stops only to re-enter a few seconds later. See for yourself. (https://youtu.be/FEE3vjFakjo?t=1m14s) There are a few songs that sound more fully fledged, however. A good example is I Am a Scientist, which is definitely the best song on the album in my opinion. This is a very low effort album. But what do you expect, it was literally made by an English teacher and his buddies. :lol In any case, it works. There are so many little hooks on this album that will always enter my mind at random times. I always get the urge to sing along with Buzzards and Dreadful Crows. If you can dig the low production values, you'll probably love this one like I do.
Best tracks: Buzzards and Dreadful Crows, Tractor Rape Chain, The Goldheart Mountaintop Queen Directory, Echos Myron, Gold Star for Robot Boy, Queen of Cans and Jars, I Am a Scientist
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Closer is absolutely soul-crushing and I love it, though I have to be in a very specific mood to enjoy it. I love Ian Curtis' voice.
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LieLow, does this list replace your previous version?
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Sure!
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Discipline is fantastic. Definitely one of King Crimson's best.
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Closer is REALLY good.
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Loving the list so far! That Sufjan Stevens album is imo the most melodic album ever,I can just get lost in that record every single time. It's so good. Only one record I haven't heard so far (Bee Thousand) but I'll give that one a spin pretty soon! :tup
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Good stuff so far (as per usual). John Wayne Gacy Jr. is the most haunting song I've ever heard, so props for mentioning it among your favorites from Illinois.
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Ahh so GBV isn't so well known around these parts. I definitely recommend Bee Thousand to any indie fan. I would actually describe it as one of the most important indie albums to listen to but it seems not a ton know about it compared to others. You may hate it, I didn't care for it at first until I realized I couldn't get several of the songs out of my head, heh. It may sneak up on you.
44. Munly & the Lee Lewis Harlots - s/t (2004)
(https://betterpropaganda.com/images/artwork/Munly_X_The_Lee_Lewis_Harlots-Munly_X_The_Lee_Lewis_Harlots_480.jpg)
So here we have a country album. But no ordinary country album by any means. A gothic country album. Lead by one of the ugliest musicians in the world, Jay Munly! Seriously, he looks severely malnourished at all times. Anyways, onto the album. It has one crucial flaw: it is way too long. However it's so awesome it makes it anyway. It's one of the few albums I prefer listening to the tracks separately. But really none of the songs aren't awesome, it just doesn't work as well as an album experience I find. So, as a result, it ends up fairly low despite the song-for-song quality being absolutely spectacular. Onto the sound, it is, as I described, gothic country. Which is country, only way darker and tending to be super atmospheric. The songs are really weird at times, super catchy at others, and something you can really get absorbed into. The lyrics are like typical old-school western lyrics, only from hell. Really good writing. And it has some mean fiddle playin'. If you typically hate country like I do, listen to this anyway. It's a whole different beast.
Best tracks: "Big Black Bull Comes Like A Caesar", "Old Service Road", "Cassius Castrato the She-Male of the Mens Prison", "Song Rebecca Calls, 'That Birdcage Song', Which Never Was Though Now Kind of Is Because of Her Influence...", "The Leavening of the Spit-Bread Girls"
43. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/5a/The_Downward_Spiral.png)
I may not listen to this near as much as I used to, but it's still a damn fine album. There's not much to say that hasn't been said as it's one of the quintessential angry teenager albums. :lol I was close to putting The Fragile instead, but The Downward Spiral is a better album experience in my opinion. The songs are super catchy, even when dissonant. And it's just fun to listen to. I'm sorry I really don't have a ton to say about this album, but it's super famous and you should probably listen to it.
Best tracks: Piggy, March of the Pigs, Closer, The Becoming, Hurt
42. Unwound - Leaves Turn Inside You (2001)
(https://cdn.stereogum.com/files/2013/03/unwound-leaves-turn-inside-you.jpg)
Here we have a post-hardcore band that decided being noisy wasn't fun anymore and so they made this double album full of different influences and quit music forever. This album is really quite tough to describe. If there was ever any album I couldn't place a specific genre tag on, this would be it. It can be straightforward rock, post-rock, indie, and even has drone sections. It's like rock music deconstructed. The general sound of the album is almost cold and alienating and yet many people like myself connect with it on a quite personal level. Simply put, this has to be listened to in order to be really understood. Best song is Terminus though, with its almost GY!BE-like middle section.
Best tracks: We Invent You, Look a Ghost, Terminus, Off This Century, Scarlette, Below the Salt
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Leaves Turn Inside You is incredibly cool. :tup
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Like Closer, it's another I wish I could place higher, but I have to be in a rare mood so it kinda loses points there. (Luckily for me I'm actually in one of those moods now. :heart :heart ) It's a really interesting album that may seem boring on the surface, but every listen you find more to love about it.
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Leaves Turn Inside You and The Downward Spiral are both masterpieces. :heart
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41. Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (1994)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6u1umKGiJEU/Tb4kTIAHBZI/AAAAAAAAAD4/NLtI-EsJ8FU/s1600/crooked-rain-crooked-rain.jpg)
While Pavement's mainstream success is limited, they're arguably one of the most legendary indie bands out there. And it seems the favourite album of most is either this one or its lo-fi predecessor, Slanted and Enchanted. Slanted and Enchanted is an awesome album, but this one definitely has it beat in my opinion. This one is a better musical and emotional achievement. It has this perfect "90s summer" atmosphere throughout, and is overall a joy to listen to. Songs like "Elevate Me Later" and "Gold Soundz" are just melodically wonderful. "Stop Breathin'" has an almost post-rock middle section. And then there's "Cut Your Hair" which is a humorous, and super fun pop song. And there's a random 5/4 jazzy instrumental in "5 - 4 = Unity". This album has a lot to offer and carries such a neat atmosphere throughout. 100% essential indie listening.
Best tracks: Elevate Me Later, Cut Your Hair, Unfair, Gold Soundz, Range Life
40. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid m.A.A.d City (2012)
(https://thisindustrythingofours.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/20121023-131008.jpg)
Here we have the first hip hop album to make the list. This thing became my obsession right after my first listen, and while that has died down it's still an amazing album. This is a concept album about Kendrick's life as a clueless teenager getting caught up in crime, gangs, and drugs in Compton. While some criticize hip hop for glorifying such things, listening to the lyrics shows you that it's quite the opposite here. Everything that sounds like it's glorifying such things is really just him emulating his mindset as a teen (which leads to a lot of misunderstandings apparently). It's not very often you'll find a hip hop album with the emotional value of this one. It really absorbs you into the world of Kendrick as a teen. Even if you're not looking for emotional value in your hip hop, the songs themselves are very well written. If you're not a hip hop fan, this isn't something that will change your mind, but it's a great listen. It's definitely one of the best albums of the decade thus far.
Best tracks: Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe, Poetic Justice, M.A.A.D City, Swimming Pools, Sing About Me I'm Dying of Thirst
39. Elliott Smith - Either/Or (1997)
(https://www.the-peak.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ElliottSmith-EitherOr.jpg)
Here's another album from an artist who unfortunately ended up committing suicide. This time it's an indie folk album. The songs are full of great melodies, and the lyrics range from depressing to scathing. Elliott was a great lyricist, and his lyrics are a big part of why his songs are so great. He's also a pretty skillfull acoustic guitarist. It's a very intimate album I only ever really listen to when relaxing at home, as I enjoy just sitting down and getting really emotionally invested into it. It's another album that's hard to really go into great length about. If you like indie folk, this is one of the quintessential albums of the genre. It isn't really unique or anything, it's just top tier stuff.
Best tracks: Alameda, Between the Bars, Pictures of Me, No Name No. 5, Angeles, 2:45 A.M.
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Kendrick Lamar is the shit.
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40. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid m.A.A.d City (2012)
It's definitely one of the best albums of the decade thus far.
39. Elliott Smith - Either/Or (1997)
Best tracks: Between the Bars
:tup
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38. Massive Attack - Mezzanine (1997)
(https://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/mezzanine.jpg)
Mezzanine may have arrived nowhere near the beginning of the whole trip hop scene, but it's arguably the most influential trip hop album out there, aside from perhaps Dummy. It's a true night album in every sense. During the day it almost doesn't feel right to listen to it. But during the night is when I can really get sucked into the atmosphere, and I'm sure many others feel that way too. Robert Del Naja and Grant Marshall are the masterminds behind this album, but are nowhere near the only ones as they incorporate multiple guest vocalists, including reggae musician Horace Andy and Elizabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins (and you can actually understand what she sings!). There are a fair few samples to be found, but you almost don't even realize they're samples because of how effortlessly woven into the music they are. Also, the song Man Next Door might be my favourite cover of all time. It is a cover of the reggae tune I've Got to Get Away by John Holt and the Paragons and the group completely transforms it from a fun little ditty into an immaculately atmospheric, yet still oddly catchy tune. This is pretty much the ultimate album to just relax at night to, and I highly recommend it.
Best tracks: Angel, Teardrop, Black Milk, Man Next Door, Mezzanine, Group Four
37. Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream (1999)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Porcupine_Tree_-_Stupid_Dream.jpg)
This is probably the toughest choice on here for me. There are several albums Steven Wilson has made, hell, even just with PT that could land in this spot. I love so much of what he does almost equally. In the end I settled for this. There's something about Stupid Dream that just sticks out to me above everything else he does. It just seems to have it all in one place. Criminally catchy pop tunes, depressing songs, psychedelic atmospheres, and a bit of progginess. Of course In Absentia would later take all this and throw it together with some metal, but I prefer this one for some odd reason. Baby Dream in Cellophane and This Is No Rehearsal are probably two of the bands most underrated songs. The former being incredibly haunting and possessing some of Steven's finest harmonies, the latter being catchy as all hell and doing something I'm a real sucker for: making a happy sounding song with depressing lyrics. There's also Piano Lessons, which is a real earworm, and even slightly humorous which is quite rare in PT's music. This album is a super satisfying listen every time, and I think everyone should give it a fair shake.
Best tracks: Piano Lessons, Slave Called Shiver, Don't Hate Me, This Is No Rehearsal, Baby Dream in Cellophane, A Smart Kid, Stop Swimming
36. Built To Spill - Perfect From Now On (1997)
(https://sp0.fotolog.com/photo/16/28/76/_julih_/1210684849_f.jpg)
This is a more recent addition to the list. From what I understand this is by far the group's most ambitious release, as many of their other albums are sort of safe but still great indie rock, while this is something much more. Think Modest Mouse if they decided to dabble in prog and post-rock a tad. It's definitely one of my favourite guitar albums of all time. While there's nothing much in the way of solos or technical prowess, the guitars have such a beautiful tone and are often layered in a way that's puzzling to figure out but oh so satisfying. I've heard this album described as a "proto-emo guitar symphony." And sometimes they bust out something just plain awesome (2:09 of Out of Site has to be one of the happiest sounding guitar riffs of all time). I mentioned prog earlier, and where you'll find it is in the song structures. Many songs (Out of Site being the most notable) go through such an insane amount of moods and motifs in not a lot of time but still sound perfectly natural. It's one of the more ambitious indie albums you'll come across in sound, but it's also one of the more beautiful.
Best tracks: Randy Described Eternity, I Would Hurt a Fly, Stop the Show, Out of Site
Since I missed yesterday, more to come soon-ish. Just gonna take a little break. :lol
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Massive Attack and PT! :hefdaddy
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Apparently I couldn't do that. :lol Well here's more.
35. Can - Future Days (1973)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XVH0ERWRL._SS500_.jpg)
Can is one of the most interesting bands of all time, hands down. At least in my opinion. They were always way ahead of their time, sound like nobody else out there, and have influenced countless bands in many genres. And yet to the mainstream they are generally unknown. Kinda like The Velvet Underground, only even more awesome and while there are bands out there that kind of sound like VU that came later on, no one ever sounded anything like Can aside from borrowing an element here or there. Their sound in their prime was characterized by the hypnotically funky drum beats of Jaki Liebezeit, the nearly gibberish vocals of Damo Suzuki, and the will to pull off wild experimentation (the weirdest of which would appear in tracks like Aumgn from Tago Mago).
But enough about the band as a whole, what about this album? Well, it's a bit departure from their earlier sound. The funkiness is mostly set back in favour of an airy, beachlike, almost ambient sound. There are only 4 songs on the album, so going into detail on each won't wind things out too long. The beach ambiance is most present on the title track. There are ocean sounds and some weird percussion noise that I'm not sure of but enhances that atmosphere. It's a super relaxing, hypnotic tune. Spray begins with a 5 minute mindbending percussion dominated improv section. The percussion is most certainly being played by multiple people unless Liebezeit is truly an octopus like some claim. The improv eventually descends into a hazy psychedelia as Damo sings some stoned sounding gibberish (as he's known for) and the song ends. Moonshake is basically a typical Can song. Super catchy and funky. Not much to say but it's a good'un. Bel Air is 20 minutes long and AMAZING throughout. This song makes me indescribably happy for some reason. Damo's vocal melodies just seem so optimistic, and the beachlike ambiance really sweeps you away here. Sadly it would be the last we hear of him as he left Can afterwards to become a Jehova's Witness.
Sorry this was so long, I tend to really ramble when it comes to Can. :lol
Best tracks: Future Days, Spray, Bel Air
34. Dδlek - Absence (2004)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7b/D%C3%A4lek_-_Absence.jpg)
This is the album that basically made me begin to appreciate hip hop. I had a passion for weird stuff, and while I don't find this to be super weird nowadays, it's most certainly unique. It's some sort of weird fusion between hip hop and shoegaze. It's darker sounding than most shoegaze but it's a fine description of the sound. Ever Somber especially sounds just like if MBV decided to recruit a rapper. :lol While the noisey beats are more pleasantly shoegazey on that track, on most of the tracks the noise is more abrasive. And honestly it really gives me chills sometimes. The lyrics, while usually overcome by the beats and thus difficult to understand, are mostly politically conscious and very well written. The bass lines are often jazzy which almost contrasts the rest, but works for sure. Anyone interested in hip hop and shoegaze should definitely give this a listen.
Best tracks: Asylum (Permanent Underclass), A Beast Caged, In Midst of Struggle, Eyes To Form Shadows, Ever Somber
33. Burial - Truant / Rough Sleeper
(https://factmag-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/burial-truant-review-1.7.2012.jpg)
Ahh but what's this? An EP. I know I'm in the minority when I say this, but this EP is Burial at his absolute peak. It features only two tracks, both of which are over 10 minutes. Looking back to his critically acclaimed album, Untrue, not one song is over 10 minutes. In fact in all of his three most recent EPs, only one track is shorter than the longest track on Untrue. Now most people seem to like Kindred the most of all the EPs. But for me this one reigns supreme. Both tracks feature a multitude of melodies and samples that either give me chills or toy with my emotions. This album is probably Burial at his absolute least beat oriented, and while I love the beats that Burial delivers in his music, I love the crackly, dark, streets-at-night ambiance he creates most of all. And it's pushed to the forefront on this release.
Best tracks: I guess if I HAD to choose one I'd go with Rough Sleeper.
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Can is terrific and Future Days absolutely amazing. :hefdaddy
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I fucking love Untrue, and will check this right now :metal.
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Some abstract dopeness :tup
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Burial is great!
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That Built To Spill record kicks so much ass. I skipped that album for so long thinking that I've had enough Indie Rock for a while and then I listened to the whole thing. Holy crap is that record extremely melodic and beautiful.
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32. Bright Eyes – Lifted Or The Story Is In the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground (2002)
(https://cdn.albumoftheyear.org/album/lifted-or-the-story-is-in-the-soil-keep-your-ear-to-the-ground.jpg)
There was a period in my life when I was sad basically all the time. Now that time is over. But back when that was occurring I listened to this thing an unhealthy amount. Now that I'm happier I don't listen to it as much, but I still give it a listen on occasion and I can't deny how amazing it is. Now don't get me wrong it's not the most depressing album ever made or anything, but being unhappy seems to really enhance it more than any other album I can think of. I think because it doesn't reach so much of an extreme (like Closer does) and yet still is very sad and is so eloquently written it's just such a relatable album when you're in those shitty moods. And it clocks in at a whopping 73 minutes but goes by so much quicker than that IMO. This really is the perfect album for all mopey bastards. It's even complete with a couple glimmers of optimism. If you don't like sappy indie music this isn't for you. If you do, this is 100% essential. Conor Oberst really is one of the best lyricists out there.
Best tracks: The Big Picture, False Advertising, You Will. You? Will. You? Will. You? Will., Don't Know When But a Day is Gonna Come, Nothing Gets Crossed Out, Make War, Waste of Paint, Let's Not Shit Ourselves (To Love and To Be Loved)
31. Queens of the Stone Age – Songs for the Deaf (2002)
(https://thestarsound.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Songs+For+The+Deaf+UK.png)
Here's an album that isn't totally unique or groundbreaking, there's nothing to totally point out that's amazing about it, it just so happens that the quality of the songs is so high that it earns a spot on the list. Hell, lots of my love for this album might even just be due to nostalgia (my mom used to play this all the time when I was younger). But I'll try and come up with a bunch of stuff for a writeup. Well, the genre is stoner rock. The album has a strong "desert" atmosphere present throughout (which is exactly what they were going for). It's generally hard rocking and catchy as all hell, but tries other stuff at times (the opener is basically a metal track complete with harsh vocals, while the second track, No One Knows, has a bouncy groove and some pretty awesome bass). It's not an inaccessible album or anything. It's just awesome. Listen to it.
Best tracks: You Think I Ain't Worth a Dollar But I Feel Like a Millionaire, First It Giveth, A Song For the Dead, The Sky is Fallin', Hangin' Tree, Gonna Leave You
30. Pink Floyd - Animals (1977)
(https://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/364/cover_54531715102008.jpg)
This has got to be one of the easiest albums to get through. I'm never bored listening to this one, that's for sure. It begins innocently enough, and while the ending track is basically the same with different lyrics, by the time you're through with the album that ending track has so much more effect. There are only 3 main tracks. The 17 minute, solo-packed Dogs. The groovy cowbell-driven Pigs. And the driving, heavy Sheep. Dogs is probably my favourite Pink Floyd song, Sheep probably third, and while I don't have an entire top 10 sorted out I figure Pigs would be on it too. Three quite different songs all of which are top tier Floyd. It's pretty hard to go over my love without going super in depth into all three tracks. Most people here are familiar with Pink Floyd, and those who aren't really should check this out. All there is to say. With how much I love this one, you can only imagine how much I love the next 29. Yeah, I love my music. :lol
Best tracks: Dogs, Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep
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3 really nice picks! I love QotSA and Pink Floyd, and while I haven't fully checked out Bright Lights, the little I've heard has been good. :hat
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Finally something I know! That QotSA album is really good, as is Animals. Much love for those two! :heart
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Nothing but love for Animals. A masterpiece if anything.
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Dogs is probably my favourite Pink Floyd song
Great song, one of my favorites from the little i've heard from PF :tup
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29. Wu Tang Clan - Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
(https://planetill.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Enter-the-WuTang-36-Chambers.png)
And here's possibly the most classic hip hop album of all time. If there's one thing this album has going for it, it's charisma. There are 9 rappers, all recognizable and great in their own way. Two of them (U-God and Masta Killa) only have one proper verse each, but both make those verses count for sure. The beats, done by RZA, are minimalist and pushed to the background more than most hip hop, but they add to the songs a ton in their own unique way. The main focus is on the rappers. This album really does feel like a bunch of buddies trying to outdo each other, and that's most of why it's so fun to listen to. All their personalities and idiosyncrasies come together to form a charismatic, memorable album. This is probably the most essential of the essential hip hop albums. If you're a hip hop fan who somehow hasn't heard this you're in for a treat.
Best tracks: Clan In Da Front, Da Mystery of Chessboxin, Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Protect Ya Neck
28. Portishead - Dummy (1994)
(https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list/d9de5cb8418633ae40dc126d138e878e7421be06.jpg)
Mezzanine and this are basically the king and queen of the trip hop genre. No trip hop albums seem to have near the reputation that these two have. Well Mezzanine is a more sexual sounding night time album, this one is a bit more emotional. Some songs sound outright depressing, like Roads and Biscuit. The album also feels more song oriented than Mezzanine, rather than album oriented. It also only has one vocalist, Beth Gibbons. And her vocals are just beautiful. They're also diverse, there are a few songs where she sounds like a totally different woman. One thing of note is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the use of record scratches on this album. And I really can't describe why. They're just awesome. Specifically in Wandering Star and Biscuit. Another awesome thing I can't describe is the guitar in Glory Box. It feels so unnatural, and that's the beauty of it I guess. Basically if you like Mezzanine, and you'd like to see a more emotional side of trip hop, check this out.
Best tracks: Sour Times, Wandering Star, Numb, Biscuit, Glory Box
27. The Jesus Lizard - Liar (1992)
(https://eil.com/images/main/The+Jesus+Lizard+-+Liar+-+CD+ALBUM-97887.jpg)
This album was almost something of an afterthought to make this list. Then I remembered how much balls-to-the-wall fun it is to listen to, and it ended up placing relatively high. Anyway if there's anything that will turn you off it's the vocals. They're... something. David Yow can only be described as drunk and incoherent at all times. :lol He sounds almost humorous at first, but after you get used to him he's pretty awesome. It's usually called post-hardcore but I think it's a lot closer to regular hardcore punk than that. It's also often classified as noise rock. Perfectly fitting because it's noisy as fuck. It's also packed with more energy than almost any other album that comes to mind immediately. The riffs are awesome. The vocals (once you get used to them) are awesome. This album is just a high-octane blaze of masculinity. Listen to it. Drink boilermakers to it. ENJOY IIIIT!
Best tracks: Boilermaker, Gladiator, The Art of Self Defense, Puss, Rope
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Dope update, 36 Chambers and Dummy (though i prefer the comparables Illmatic and Endtroducing of their respective genres) :hat
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I never thought of Endtroducing as trip hop, but I know lots do heh.
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26. Pixies - Doolittle (1989)
(https://reviewindie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/artwork-doolittle.jpg)
And here's one of the most influential albums in all of alt rock. Maybe even the most, who knows. You can hear lots of the 90s predicted in this album, especially stuff like Nirvana. Only this is far, far better than anything Nirvana's done. ;) It doesn't take itself too seriously, but at the same time it's really well written stuff. It even has some surf influence which gives it even more personality. One thing it's known for are the contrasts between quiet and loud parts. The best example is definitely Tame, with almost whispered verses, and a full-blown screamed chorus. And while tracks like that are powered by dynamics, most of the others are just catchy as all hell. And then there's stuff like Crackity Jones, which is just utter craziness. :lol I always randomly revisit this thing, and every single time it's just satisfying as hell. If you like stuff like Nirvana and haven't gotten to this yet, please do.
Best tracks: Debaser, Tame, I Bleed, Dead, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Mr. Grieves, Hey
25. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)
(https://blogs.westword.com/backbeat/A-Tribe-Called-Quest-The-Low-End-Theory.jpeg)
The Low End Theory or Midnight Marauders? A Tribe Called Quest fans seem to be really divided between these two albums. For me it's The Low End Theory. And it's not even close. That's not a slight against Midnight Marauders or anything. Midnight Marauders is a super fun album that I love listening to. This one is just one of the best hip hop albums ever. It's pretty much the quintessential jazz rap album. Whereas Midnight Marauders is bouncy and full of energy, this one is (for the most part) far more chill, laid back, and smooth. The jazz samples are all flawlessly used. And in the case of Verses from the Abstract, you have jazz bassist Ron Carter laying down the bass lines. And they're tasty as fuck. I love listening to it and I plan on learning it on bass. Tip and Phife always sound like they're having a good time with it, and the vibes ooze out to the listener. Their chemistry is famously strong. This here's the ultimate hip hop album to chill to.
Best tracks: Excursions, Buggin' Out, Butter, Verses from the Abstract, Check the Rhime, Jazz (We've Got), Scenario
24. Sonic Youth - Sister (1987)
(https://eil.com/Gallery/519045b.jpg)
I am one of the two or three people on the planet who do not have Daydream Nation as their favourite Sonic Youth album. I still love it tons though, and if I allowed multiple albums from the same band it'd definitely be on this list. But since I don't allow it, this is all you'll get. ;) This album is where they fully evolved into the sound of their prime. They started out dark, dissonant, and almost sounding like early Swans. Pretty tasty No Wave. EVOL mixed the sound of that and their later, noise rock/alt rock sound. And then Sister came along and it was completely different (aside from the unnerving Pacific Coast Highway, which would fit right into their earlier stuff). Right from the first track they already sound way different from before. Schizophrenia is, aside from the one little outburst after Thurston's vocals, a calm, melodic track. And the verses are quite depressing and beautiful. Beautiful never being a word that I would use to describe earlier Sonic Youth. The rest of the album manages to mix together dissonant noise and catchy melodies as the band became most known for. It may not be as ambitious as Daydream Nation, but I find it slightly more satisfying overall.
Best tracks: Schizophrenia, (I Got A) Catholic Block, Stereo Sanctity, Pipeline/Kill Time, Tuff Gnarl, Pacific Coast Highway, White Cross
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While I have other albums as favorites by both Pixies and Sonic Youth, it's hard to argue with any of them being on the list. Two amazing bands and two amazing albums. :heart
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Late for the party, but Dummy is amazing. I much prefer it to Mezzanine, actually, even though that's a great album as well.
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23. Van der Graaf Generator - Pawn Hearts (1971)
(https://eil.com/images/main/Van+Der+Graaf+Generator+-+Pawn+Hearts+-+Blue+Label+-+LP+RECORD-518857.jpg)
Classic prog, I once really loved thee. Well some of it is still really awesome. This probably being the most awesome. There are only 3 songs, all of which are over 10 minutes, one of which is 23 minutes. Now why does VdGG stand out so much above other classic prog bands to me? Well, several reasons. They aren't overtly show offy, they can be delightfully weird (this album is the best example), Peter Hammill is one of the most brilliant lyricists out there and his vocals have so much fiery passion, versatility, and character that he's just a joy to listen to, they manage to rock super hard with (mostly) no guitar, and they really sound nothing like any other prog band or band in general. Oh and their saxophonist plays TWO SAXOPHONES AT THE SAME TIME! C'mon, that's awesome.
Now onto the album. This is definitely their weirdest, most experimental, and most ambitious release. The production isn't quite as crisp as their later releases either, but it works to the album's advantage in my opinion. It features a few crazy noisy sections, especially in the epic A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, and lots of psychedelic overtones. Speaking of A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, I think it's by far the greatest epic in prog and one of my favourite songs overall. It's a 23 minute ode to loneliness that goes through a whirlwind of different emotions all greatly enhanced by Hammill's amazing vocal delivery. Don't let the psychedelic section near the beginning put you off, it's quite an interesting song. Just prepared to go through some absolute chaos. :lol And even if you try this album and don't like it, you can always try out the more accessible Godbluff and Still Life. But for me, this is their peak.
Best tracks: All of them, but mostly A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers
22. American Football - s/t (1999)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41flTCXMprL.jpg)
And here's the greatest album in the twinkly guitar midwest emo genre. It really is the pinnacle of the genre. And lots of that is because of, well, the twinkly guitars. They never sounded better than on this album. Just immaculately produced and beautifully layered. It's real ear candy. The band also seems to enjoy odd time signatures, which gives it a more unique, fresh sound I find. The lyrics are, well, not always subtle but that's kind of usual for emo. :lol It's supposed to make you feel like a depressed teenager, and it does its job as well as any other. The album even feels longer than it is I find, but that isn't always a negative thing. Hell, feels like I'm enjoying more that way. ;) This is another album it's hard for me to go in depth about. If you are a depressed teenager or want to feel like one again, listen to it.
Best tracks: Never Meant, The Summer Ends, Honestly?, I'll See You When We're Both Not So Emotional, Stay Home
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American Football is amazing. Never Meant and Stay Home especially, but the whole album really manages to perfectly capture a sound, a moment in time and a certain atmosphere. Even if you hear it for the first time, there's something nostalgic about it. Makes you think back to the older days.
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American Football is amazing. Never Meant and Stay Home especially, but the whole album really manages to perfectly capture a sound, a moment in time and a certain atmosphere. Even if you hear it for the first time, there's something nostalgic about it. Makes you think back to the older days.
This.
It's truly a masterpiece and one of the most atmospheric albums I know of, though not in the way most people might use the term.
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Low End Theory :hat :chill
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21. Boris - Boris At Last -Feedbacker- (2003)
(https://media.tokafi.com/2010/05/Boris-At-Last-Feedbacker.jpg)
If there was ever an appropriate album title... :lol This album is actually a single 44 minute song in 5 parts. And each song just builds and builds. And, as I hinted at, there's lots of guitar feedback. ;) The first track may be throwaway to some, but I like it as it sets the tone well. Even if it is a little long. It's simple drone. Part 2 is basically a post-rock tune, part 3 is noise rock/metal, part 4 is... just noise. :lol And part 5 is basically just a short part 2 reprise. While on any other album just skimming through the tracks like I did wouldn't mean much, what I said might give you an idea of how it builds. After the opening drone, the real action begins in part 2, and after that the album slowly builds (or devolves depending on your perspective) into something noisier and noisier until finally part 4 just assaults you with all out noise, and part 5 eases you out of things. So you should already know this album is not for everyone. :lol If you like both drone and noise, good, check it out immediately. This album sends more chills up my spine than almost any other. It's very original and effective in its execution, and is almost equal parts beauty and ugliness.
Best tracks: All
20. NoMeansNo - Wrong (1989)
(https://1beer1song.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/nomeansno_wrong_500.jpg)
NoMeansNo is the most awesome punk band there is. These awesome Canucks capture all the anger and energy and punk, and mix it with expert musicianship, punishing basslines (with an equally awesome tone), and a humourous side. Have you ever heard Minutemen? Well this is them on steroids. They sometimes manage to almost be prog and punk at once. They're also comparable to The Jesus Lizard as you can tell they love their beer, and they just sound masculine as fuck. :lol So masculine they had to bring in a female vocalist in The End of All Things just to balance things out. But these guys have lots that The Jesus Lizard don't. Superior musicianship and a more varied sound most notably. And like I mentioned earlier, DAT BASS. Rob Wright (a.k.a. Mr. Wrong) is both the bassist and vocalist and he just dominates at both of these. And his brother John Wright (a.k.a. Mr. Right. Haha, get it? Wright is a combination of wrong and right. Hahahahahahahahaha......) is the drummer, and also a beast at his instrument. So yeah, every punk fan ABSOLUTE NEEDS THIS I AM NOT JOKING LISTEN TO IT NOWWWW
Best tracks: It's Catching Up, The Tower, Stocktaking, The End of All Things, Big Dick, Rags and Bones, Oh No! Bruno!, All Lies
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Slightly late to the party - following, some really good stuff in here, especially VdGG. :tup
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Feedbacker is a masterpiece. Boris overall have quickly become a new favorite, such a fantastic band.
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19. Radiohead - Kid A (2000)
(https://cranialspasm.com/recordclub/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/radiohead_kid_a.jpg)
This album is definitely Radiohead's peak in my opinion. It finds this pleasant zone between weird experimentation and catchy accessibility. This is Radiohead at their most electronic. Which may be good or bad depending on your tastes. There's very little rock to be found here, aside from on Optimistic, which is a fantastic song. The National Anthem is close to rock too I guess, but that song is almost unclassifiable really. :lol Either way as a whole, this album has a lot going for it. It's got catchiness, it's atmospheric (and even ambient at times), and it's just interesting as hell to listen to. At times it's downright weird, but still manages to be pleasant (aside from the end of The National Anthem, but come on that part's awesome anyway :lol). This is probably the most accessible "weird as fuck" album around, and you should probably show it to all your friends.
Best tracks: Everything In It's Right Place, The National Anthem, How To Disappear Completely, Optimistic, Idioteque, Morning Bell
18. Sigur Ros - Agaetis Byrjun (1999)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/92/%C3%81g%C3%A6tisByrjunCover.JPG)
This is definitely one of the most beautiful albums ever. So is the one after it, ( ). But I prefer this one ever so slightly. Like with A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory, they're two albums the fanbase seems divided between. I actually bought this album totally at random without ever hearing a Sigur Ros song (or even a post-rock song for that matter) prior a few years back and it blew me away on the first listen. It's bright and summery, yet almost melancholy at the same time. The bowed guitar has always been a staple of the Sigur Ros sound and it has some really beautiful moments here. And a few songs feature beautiful strings (especially on Staralfur which has some of the most beautiful use of strings ever). Another neat thing they incorporate is the use of a cymbal that had been driven over on Ny Batteri. And it sounds really cool! Like I said, one of the most beautiful albums ever. Maybe the most beautiful. I know a great deal of people here are familiar with Sigur Ros but if you are not do check them out.
Best tracks: Staralfur, Ny batteri, Viπrar vel til loftαrαsa, Olsen Olsen, Agaetis byrjun
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Kid A is a great album that I've been able to warm up to recently. Even so, I feel it falls just short of being truly amazing. It starts off strong and the fuzzy electronic sound I adore a lot, but the last two tracks is kinda where it wanes off a bit for me and doesn't leave the best of final impressions. Even so, it's thoroughly enjoyable.
Agaetis Byrjun :heart What a terrific listen. Not many come close to the beauty perfected here.
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Excellent list! Could be my favorite Top 50 albums list on this site! :tup
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Agaetis Byrjun is not one of my favorite Sigur Rσs albums, but it is incredible. The band overall is just one of the best, and Agaetis Byrjun is their first classic. Hard to argue with Kid A, amazing album. I tend to lump it together with Amnesiac for my favorite Radiohead release, it's really strong.
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Kid A was in my top 50 as well. Great pick. :tup
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Kid Amazing :tup
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17. Danny Brown - XXX (2011)
(https://edge-img.datpiff.com/maba28fa/Danny_Brown_Xxx-front-large.jpg)
There were a few times I wasn't sure about placing XXX this high. It's not a perfect album, it has a few tracks I like far less than the rest. But as a whole it's such a fun, unique, and rewarding listen that it gets the #17 spot. Besides, I shouldn't look at individual tracks toooooo much because I find this album very much to be a full album experience. Danny Brown is one of the most interesting figures in modern hip hop. He has an eclectic musical background (he's a big Joy Division fan and they were apparently who he was most listening to while recording this, and his favourite album of all time is Forever Changes by Love, which I find interesting). He also ranges from Lil B levels of humorous exaggeration and absurdity in his lyrics to serious, depressing writing. This album is incredibly hilarious at times, but as a whole is quite an emotional statement. The hilarity is even further amplified by Danny using his trademark high-pitched voice, which many find annoying, but many like me also find it awesome.
The album has two very distinct halves. The first half carries most of the humour, is mainly in his high-pitched voice, and is a lot more boastful and not always meant to be taken too seriously. The second half is a poignant look at the darker side of all the fun had in the first half, features him using almost entirely his normal lower pitched voice, and is a lot more serious. The last track, 30, breaks that mold and is almost like the entire album summed up in a track, starting out with the hilarious, wacky, and absurd lyrics of the first half and ending on a seriously dark note. It's probably the most effective album closer I've ever heard, and it really changes your view of the entire album. Seriously, listening to the first half you would never expect the album to turn out to be such an emotional statement, it really sneaks up on you. It's not for everyone for sure, but if you don't mind modern hip hop it's essential, and it might be my favourite hip hop album of all time.
Best tracks: Die Like a Rockstar, Pac Blood, I Will, Detroit 187, Monopoly, DNA, Party All the Time, EWNESW, Fields, 30
16. Slint - Spiderland (1991)
(https://www.knoxroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/slint-spiderland.jpg)
Now after an album I went on about forever, here's one that's a lot harder to put into words. This album is often known as one of the first post-rock albums. Slint has a really unique atmosphere about their music, and it seems to be in the guitars. There's something so unique and captivating about the quieter riffs on this album, most notably the ones in Breadcrumb Trail and Nosferatu Man I find. I really can't describe it at all, it's almost creepy but also soothing in a way. The quieter sections are contrasted with post-hardcoreish louder sections, that always give me chills. Another thing to note about this album is the spoken word. That is to say it's awesome, and another piece of uniqueness that contributes to the album's creepy/soothing atmosphere. The production is perfect as well, and the album probably wouldn't sound the same without it. It's a peculiar gem, and it should be explored by all of you.
Best tracks: All of them except For Dinner...
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Excellent Slint record. I'm surprised to see XXX that high,I now HAVE TO give it a listen. :tup
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It's super love-or-hate, but hope you enjoy. :)
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Spiderland is fantastic. :tup
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I was just listening to the first half of "XXX" yesterday since i really liked "Old" (2013). Great stuff, especially Pac Blood (loved how the samples used from Bob James "Nautilus" and Fleet Foxes "English House" complemented each other).
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Sorry guys, I'm back in college and have lots to focus on. Results will probably be up later tonight.
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Spiderland is amazing. One of my favorites as well.
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Okay I'll try this.
15. Brand New - The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (2006)
(https://media.tumblr.com/b393dd677bf105aa73f76838bac9dcf5/tumblr_inline_mtudy6SlBO1qcdz98.png)
The thing with Brand New is if I did allow artists to have repeat albums up here, I wouldn't doubt that they'd have 3 albums in the top 50. Brand New is one of my absolute favourite bands, as well as the only band I like that I've seen live. And they put on one amazing show. Anyways, this is their peak, and probably the peak of the entire emo genre. It's not always as catchy as Deja Entendu or as heavy as Daisy but it finds a perfect middle ground between the two. The lyrics are just top notch stuff. Everything is eloquently written and ranges from subtle to in-your-face. The album also uses dynamics in a way that would make Pixies proud. Luca scared the shit out of me first listen. :lol Other notable songs include Limousine, which is the band's longest song and is a very depressing track with a spectacular buildup, and You Won't Know, which probably features the best aforementioned use of dynamics on the album. Jesus is another highly touted song that features probably the best lyrics on the album and has a nice memorable riff. This is definitely one of my favourite albums to listen to when I'm feeling down, and give it a chance if the description intrigues you.
Best tracks: Millstone, Jesus, Limousine, You Won't Know, Luca, The Archers Bows Have Broken
14. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven! (2000)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/d3/Liftyrskinnyfists.jpg)
I had a lot of trouble deciding whether to put this or F#A# here. I went with this because I find it to be a more impressive objective achievement. It is one of the most legendary albums in the entire underground music scene. It features four songs, all of which are around 20 minutes long, and all of which are just amazing achievements. While F#A# may be superior from an atmospheric standpoint, Lift Your Skinny Fists is probably better from an overall musical one. The way the album orchestrates perfect crescendos is out of this world, and something that is unmatched by anyone else in post-rock. And it lets you know right from the opener. The first 6 minutes of Storm is hands down one of the best openings to an album of all time. Another thing to note is the amazing use of spoken word samples, which is really found throughout Godspeed's music. The most notable ones here are the priest or whatever in Static and the intro of Sleep. Their use of spoken word samples is second to one other album (which you may see soon eh? ::) ) in my mind. Speaking of Sleep, it's my pick for best on the album, and one of my favourite songs ever. Both buildups in the song are probably my two favourites on the record. This one is only at #14 because I really have to be in a mood to take it all in, but it's one of the most amazing albums (in an "achievement" way if that makes sense) I've ever heard, and if it doesn't go down in history it'll be criminal.
Best tracks: ALL but mostly Sleep
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2 amazing albums, LYSF is in my top5. I read the title of your update and thought of another album though, but I think we'll see that one soon. ;)
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As soon as I saw the title,I knew which album it was gonna be. :heart
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These two are complete masterpieces. Love them to death.
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As soon as I saw the title,I knew which album it was gonna be. :heart
Confusing threads, mister :biggrin:
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As soon as I saw the title,I knew which album it was gonna be. :heart
i loooooove you jesus christ
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Barely noticed, but...
Their use of spoken word samples is second to one other album (which you may see soon eh? ::) ) in my mind.
Soundtracks for the Blind much? :biggrin:
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2 of my favorite albums of all time, especially LYSF, I will be listening to those 2 albums tonight.
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Brilliant list. Following. Enter the Wu-Tang is a gahdamn classic.
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13. The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2 (2001)
(https://www.nadamucho.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Microphones-The-Glow-Pt-2.jpg)
If there's any word that describes this album, it is "warm". I never really got the whole "warm" feeling people say they get from lots of albums, except this one here. It actually took me a while to like this one. I heard lots about how amazing it is, got it, listened every now and then but never thought much of it. Thought it was good, but not top 50 of all time good. Now it's top 20 of all time good. :D First thing to note is it's decently long. It's 66 minutes and feels even longer than that. But as I mentioned earlier in this list, that is not always a bad thing. This album also mainly shifts between two genres: indie folk and noise rock. Quite different from one another, but gives the album a nice array of moods. The lyrics are cryptic, but nicely poetic. It features some very beautiful melodic moments (most notably I Want Wind to Blow, Headless Horseman, I Felt Your Shape), some crushing noisy moments (The Glow Pt. 2, Samurai Sword, I Want To Be Cold), and then there's The Moon, which is noisy, but soothingly noisy. It's a hypnotizing track that you just want to play as loud as you can to immerse yourself in. I also like that weird little drone that occurs throughout the album (most notably for the last 8 minutes of the album :lol). Lots of people don't like it but I find it contributes to the warmth. Essential indie listening.
Best tracks: I Want Wind to Blow, The Moon, Headless Horseman, The Mansion, Map, I Felt Your Shape, Samurai Sword, My Warm Blood
12. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (1998)
(https://blog.sevenponds.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/NMH1.jpg)
Zantera's hunch was correct. We were seeing this soon. Very soon in fact. Like with Lift Your Skinny Fists, this album is absolutely legendary in the underground music scene. It's often looked up to as one of the best if not THE best indie album of all time. And that's totally justifiable. Once I get into the mood for this one it's all I listen to until I get tired of it. It's really hard to describe. Now while this is legendary, it doesn't come without its fair share of hate. Mostly due to Jeff Mangum's... not so trained voice, heh. Frankly, he doesn't sound very good sometimes. Which says a ton about the songwriting that the album still warrants a spot this high. The songwriting is of the highest tier.
The album contains memorable little indie folk tunes and super fun rockers. It features a fuzz that the album would not be the same without, great use of horns, and some of the greatest lyrics in all of music. And oh man those lyrics. If there's one thing you'll take from your first listen it is a very strong opinion of the lyrics, whether you'll find them oddly alluring and beautifully poetic, or just plain weird and/or incomprehensible. I definitely fall in the former group, even if it features some really odd stuff like "semen stains the mountain tops" or something a little laughable and out-of-nowhere, and I'm sure most people who have heard it know the exact part I have in mind (Zantera already mentioned it). ;) Two Headed Boy, Pt. 2 is another track I want to touch on, because it's one of the most emotionally charged closers ever. Even if it's one of the tracks where his voice might be a little grating. Those closing lyrics, even if weird and difficult to understand what exactly they mean at one point, are one of the most powerful moments in all of music for me, and one of the best reprises of a previous song I can think of. So yeah, this is a polarizing album, but undeniably legendary nonetheless. If you haven't heard it, listen. You might loathe it, you might love it. Might as well give it a shot.
Best tracks: All
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I've been meaning to check out The Glow Pt. 2 for quite a while. And I don't say that in a casual way, like "I've heard good things and it's been in my head", but I actually got as far as getting the album on my computer and had plans to spin it, but for some reason it fell between the cracks. This gives me a nice reason to finally get to it though.
As for Neutral Milk Hotel, it's such a classic. Even if you're not huge on Indie Rock (I would say I'm a casual fan of the genre, but it's not the only genre I live and breathe), this album is still so iconic that it's hard to dislike it. It's a charming album that really is unique in so many ways. A lot of great hooks and interesting lyrics to sing a long to, like "I loooove you Jesus Christ" or "When you were young, you were the king of carrot flowers". Several really catchy songs, as well as a nice slow burn in "Oh Comely", which is one of my personal favorites. It's up there among my favorites as well.
:heart
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I once listened to that NMH album, and thought it was... not good. I couldn't get pass the noisy/lo-fi production and the singer's voice :lol . But what the hell, this is still an amazing list :tup .
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There's so many things to love about ITAOTS. Captivating lyrics, immensely layered and interesting instrumentation, cohesive, emotional themes, and overall memorability. It's really hard not to take something out of it, even if you go in skeptical. I sure as hell did.
I'm not sure I hail it as one of the greatest releases in underground music as many seem to do, but it is thoroughly enjoyable.
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The OP has been updated with a list of everything shown so far. It'll make it easier to guess. ;) Next update will be tonight sometime.
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11. Converge - Jane Doe (2001)
(https://www.metalsucks.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Converge-JaneDoe.jpg)
This is definitely the angriest album I've ever heard. The pure emotion in this one is almost overwhelming. Out of every album I've heard this one probably changed my opinion drastically from first to second listen more than any other, heh. First listen I thought it wasn't that good at all, and the second I loved it a bunch. Now one thing to keep in mind is the lyrics are, for the most part, completely unintelligible. And usually the "lyrics" in the booklet don't match up with the song at all (but are nice nonetheless :lol). So it's best to just think of it as him just screaming his face off randomly. My description may make it sound awful, but really it's a very cathartic album so it makes the most sense I guess, heh.
So besides just being an all-out emotional assault, it has other things going for it too. The drumming is spectacular. Phoenix In Flames is a great example, it's a 42 second track that is basically entirely drums and screaming vocals, and the drums are really crazy. The riffs are really awesome too, and in this case it's difficult to point to a specific track because awesome riffs are everywhere. But maybe Heaven In Her Arms is the best example, especially at 2:39. The closest this album gives to a breather from all the noise is Hell to Pay, which is a really awesome bass-driven tune. The title track has a calmer moment too. Speaking of which, the title track is hands-down one of the greatest metal songs of all time in my opinion. It's 11 minutes long, and almost a lot sadder sounding than angry. And it's an insanely emotional performance. So I've probably used this phrase many times and will use it more times by the end of this list, but this album is not for everyone. If you're curious though, feel free to give it a chance.
Best tracks: All
10. Kayo Dot - Choirs of the Eye (2002)
(https://www.prog-sphere.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Kayo-Dot-Choirs-of-the-Eye.jpg)
Damn that is one gorgeous album cover. I love it a lot. And the music is even better! This album truly defies all genre descriptions. It's easiest to just call it "avant-garde" and be done with it. :lol So this was my favourite album ever for a long time, and I think this is the first time it hasn't appeared in my top 5. But I'm certainly not enjoying it any less. I'm just finding other stuff I enjoy even more, or there are old albums I began to enjoy even more over time. So why do I love it so much? Well, like I said it defies all genre descriptions, and really description in general. There's nothing like it. It's amazingly beautiful at points (Wayfarer :heart :heart :heart) and a total wall of noise at others (The Manifold Curiosity :heart :heart :heart). It relies on build-ups a lot, like post-rock. The Antique's, slow, creeping buildup is one of the greatest of all time, before the song descends into absolute insanity and ends on a really beautiful note. Perhaps one of the greatest things about this album is the production. I think this might be the greatest produced album of all time in my opinion. It just brings out all the right elements and gives the album its atmosphere. So if you like metal and/or jazz and/or post-rock and/or drone and/or dark ambient and/or avant-garde and/or prog and/or classical and/or good music in general you should probably get to listenin'! ;)
Best tracks: All
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BTW not every album will be "Best tracks: All" from now on. It's just getting difficult to choose. :lol
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Now here's two albums I've been meaning to check out for some time. I should remedy that.
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Choirs of the Eye, total classic.
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Both of these albums are in my top15, probably even my top10 as well. Both are incredible.
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9. DJ Shadow - Endtroducing (1996)
(https://bonuscut.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/endtroducing.jpg)
This album is renowned for being composed entirely of samples. And anyone who thinks samples are EEEEEEEVIIIIIIIIIIIL should definitely give it a listen. Because it is truly extraordinary work. He'll blend samples from several different songs to make something entirely different from what was going on in any of them. Most of the stuff he chooses is obscure jazz, funk, early hip hop, and soul recordings found in his gargantuan record collection, but some more well known stuff emerges on occasion like the subtle use of the intro to Orion by Metallica in The Number Song and Possibly Maybe by Bjork on Mutual Slump. So while I noted jazz, funk, hip hop, and soul as the main genres samples here, the end product is more often than not something completely different in style. Something more spacey and atmospheric than what is usually found in the aforementioned genres.
Really, this is one of the most astounding albums I've heard on a technical level. The amount of work and skill it must have taken to weave all these unrelated samples to create things vastly superior to the source material is unimaginable. You hear some albums where there's guitar shredding or whatever and think it's amazing, but with lots of practice you could eventually pull it off. Whereas when I listen to this I can't imagine there's any hope of me achieving something like it. :lol It's hard for me to do the album justice with words. But just experience it sometime. Maybe it'll take a bit to hit, but it's one of the ultimate albums to chill to.
Best tracks: Building Steam With a Grain of Salt, Changeling, What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4), Stem/Long Stem, Midnight in a Perfect World, What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 1 - Blue Sky Revisit)
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This is one of those albums I've been meaning to check out, but haven't yet. I do have it on my computer even.
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Converge are... too angry for me :lol , but I have a friend that loves stuff like that and he's liking it a lot. I'm still digesting the Kayo Dot album, but it sounds amazing.
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Really, this is one of the most astounding albums I've heard on a technical level. The amount of work and skill it must have taken to weave all these unrelated samples to create things vastly superior to the source material is unimaginable.
Agreed, Endtroducing is pure genius.
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I never get tired of listening to Building Steam With a Grain of Salt. That's such an awesome opener to an album.
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I almost forgot, I'll do an honourable mention to go along with every album from now on. Since I forgot this one, I'll do it now. #8 will be up tonight probably.
Honourable mention:
Violent Femmes - s/t (1983)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Violent_Femmes.jpg)
This is probably my #51 or something. Oh so close to making the list. Violent Femmes have a sort of acoustic punk sound. Their songs are super fun to listen to, and their vocalist, Gordan Gano, is super charismatic. Their lyrics can be rather amusing, as can be Gano's delivery of some of the lyrics (in a good way). Most people here probably know the song Blister in the Sun, as it's rather well-known in general. Either way, check it out guys, it's a really good one!
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Honorable mention:
Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)
(https://eyesofartists.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/remain_in_light.jpg)
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE HANDS!! This album is just outrageously fun. Everyone here has to know who Talking Heads are. David Byrne is just an outrageously fun musician, with his little one-liners and quirkiness. The album is funky and accessible and weird all at once. It's a true classic. Check it out.
8. Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase (2005)
(https://www.anybodywithears.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/folder2.jpg)
So many questions that are probably running through your heads. Why are Boards of Canada so astronomically low (compared to how LieLow thinks of them)? Why The Campfire Headphase of all albums? Well to the first one, I don't know. Maybe I just wanted to give a fair shake to other albums, or maybe it's the fact literally every BoC album could be considered for this spot. :lol As for why I picked the least popular of all of their officially released studio albums? Simply because it's the one I'm listening to most lately. If you know me, you know I could never pick a true BoC favourite and I absolutely adore everything they've done. BoC speaks to me on a level nothing else does. Their music puts me in this weird euphoric state of mind. And just the amount of effort they put into making everything sound exactly like what they have in mind is deserving of recognition. But enough fawning over the brothers themselves, what about this album?
As I said, it's probably their least popular officially released studio album. And I have no idea why. In my opinion it has several of their most memorable tracks. Chromakey Dreamcoat, the absolutely gorgeous acoustic driven Satellite Anthem Icarus, Peacock Tail with the effective use of fading out of instruments, Dayvan Cowboy with its majestic intro, '84 Pontiac Dream with its perfect city atmosphere and neat little "corporate jingle" that always gives me frissons for some reason, Sherbet Head which captures a perfect ambient atmosphere, Oscar See Through Red Eye which sounds oddly dark for the mostly bright sounding album, Hey Saturday Sun with its extreme trippiness, Slow This Bird Down which is insanely relaxing and has an absolutely beautiful melody, and Tears From the Compound Eye which is probably their saddest sounding song. So I named almost every non-interlude type song on the album. Oh well. :lol
Now to describe the album as a whole? I have this weird thing with it where I always relate it to whatever season it currently is. If it's winter, the album sounds cold and frigid to me. If it's summer, it sounds warm and beachlike. It's probably the only album I know that changes my view like that. Boards of Canada is a very outdoorsy band in general. Their music really is perfect for hiking and all that. Another thing about them is how subtle little things in the music are so incredibly effective. Like the train track percussion in Chromakey Dreamcoat or the voices in Sherbet Head. Anyways I could go on about BoC forever but I'll spare you guys that. If you haven't listened, check them out. Maybe they'll bore you, maybe you'll turn into a rabid fanboy like me. :lol
Best tracks: All those ones mentioned in paragraph 2.
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Talking Heads :tup
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Campfire was the last album i listened from Boards of Canada and, to my surprise (because most say it's their "weakest effort"), i loved it, even more than Geogaddi (which is my least favorite).
To my fanboy ears, they can do no wrong :P
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I always considered Headphase slightly weaker than the rest, then one day it hit me like a ton of bricks. Now it's the one I reach for most, but in a few months that will change again, as it always does with these guys. :lol
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I fully understand your love for Campfire, I've always really liked it myself. Either that one or Geogaddi are my favorites, but their discography is just so strong overall.
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Things have been pretty busy/awesome/bad for me lately. Sorry guys. The rest will hopefully come quicker.
Honourable mention:
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0c/Velvet_Underground_and_Nico.jpg)
This is one of the most influential albums ever made. Punk rock, noise rock, prog, art rock, and many many other rock offshoots owe a lot to this album. You hear their sound everywhere. It wasn't popular on its release, but its impact was real. Like Brian Eno said, not many people bought it but everyone who did went out and started a band. :lol Luckily its influence is far more recognized nowadays. It's perverse, dissonant, catchy, noisy, beautiful, and ugly all in one neat package. Essential rock listening. Even if you probably won't like it I think it's worth listening to anyway just to hear how different it was for the time.
7. Talk Talk - Laughing Stock (1991)
(https://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120627064853/uncyclopedia/images/7/72/LAUGHING_STOCK_(Talk_Talk)_-_Front_cover.jpg)
This is probably the most mood-based album in my top 10. There are times I can't really enjoy it, and others where it'll floor me throughout it's entirety. It's the 5th and final album from synth-pop-turned-post-rock band Talk Talk. Prior to this they released The Spirit of Eden, often called the first post-rock album. Their previous albums were pop. Talk about a change in style. You go from pop to pioneering a genre that's almost anti-pop. If you hear Laughing Stock before anything else, you wouldn't be able to believe they were pop before. Spirit of Eden maybe. It's post-rock, but it does have more conventional leanings. Whereas half the time Laughing Stock doesn't even feel like it has a structure or is headed anywhere. But somehow it's another contender for the most beautiful album ever made. It's weird and disjointed, yet so damn pleasing to the ears. It's even jarring at times (like the louder parts of Ascension Day or the horn-type things in Taphead), but still manages to retain this weird minimalistic beauty.
Now I might as well speak of some memorable tracks. After the Flood is driven by a really pretty sounding bassline. It's incredibly simple and features few notes compared to the song's tempo, but it really makes the song. Taphead has a repetitive but absolutely stunning middle section. The guitar melody is really pretty if not a bit unsettling sounding, and the random instrument noises add to the experimental feel of the album. New Grass is repetitive through and through, but man is it ever groovy. The way the piano and the guitar mesh together is just sex. :heart :heart And it's driven by a really neat jazzy drumline. This is a difficult album to properly describe. It's beautiful, yet jarring and disjointed. It's incredibly inaccessible for a band that was making pop two albums ago. But that doesn't mean you won't like it. It took me a while to come around to it, but it's a truly amazing work of art.
Best tracks: Ascension Day, After the Flood, Taphead, New Grass
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Laughing Stock is amazing. I haven't listened to it much in the last year or so, and I wouldn't rank it AS high myself (to me there are a few better post-rock albums), but Laughing Stock is pretty much flawless. What a fantastic album.
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:clap:
Laughing Stock is amazing. The word "groove" comes to mind, but man this is one where you can just go and zen out.
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Honourable mention:
Autechre - Tri Repetae (1995)
(https://gs1.wac.edgecastcdn.net/8019B6/data.tumblr.com/6b5e89755c0599cae7bc74253438de03/tumblr_inline_mkurliRGKv1qz4rgp.jpg)
To prepare you for the mindfuck of an album cover coming right up, here's one of the most boring covers ever. :lol Luckily, the music is awesome. Autechre are probably my favourite artists that will not be found actually on the list. They have an incredibly consistent discography that I love basically all of, but nothing top 50 calibre. This and Confield come close though. How to describe Autechre? Some of the most cold, mechanical electronic music around. This is probably one of their less cold albums, but it still certainly is. Now while cold and mechanical may be a dealbreaker for many, Autechre know what they're doing. Some of the sounds they make are so intriguing they're enjoyable by themselves. But really their songs just sound so cool, and many are quite atmospheric. Check it out, electronic music fans!
6. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
(https://cdn.pitchfork.com/news/33806/bc68a14f.jpg)
Yes I'm one of those guys who thinks this is the best AnCo album. Their other albums are amazing yes, but I think this is their peak. Sure it's probably their most streamlined release, but there's still no shortage of weirdness. If you haven't heard it and want to know what it sounds like, well stare at that cover for a bit and you'll get the idea. It's trippy as hell. But it's also criminally catchy and fun to listen to. It's probably the only album I declared a favourite right after the first listen. It had that much of an effect. Hell, even just the opener really left an impression. The "if I could just leave my body for the night" section got me right into things. :heart :heart AnCo are incredibly polarizing. I sort of understand and sort of don't. Lots of people find them very annoying but I find their childlike happiness incredibly endearing. They're like the Beach Boys only modern and not totally boring!
:vomitard:
Anyways so yeah, more to say. This album will put you in a good mood (unless you hate it in which case it will put you in a not very good mood). It's super happy. Especially in songs like Summertime Clothes and Brother Sport. Brother Sport, by the way, being an amazing closer, and a supreme example of repetitiveness done right. Other notable songs include the opener which I referenced earlier. My Girls, a more conventional (at least relative to the rest of the album) pop song but amazingly catchy. Bluish which is an aquatic love song with nice harmonies and an amazing chorus. Taste which is a criminally underrated, odd tune but the "Am I really all the things that are outside of me" line is really catchy. And Lion in a Coma is possibly my favourite song on the album. That didgeridoo is just an awesome, weird little touch, and the verses are just soooo good. :heart :heart :heart Also, while this may seem innocuous, the line "I'm paler than a summer blouse that's packed inside a haunted house" just sounds so awesome to me. :lol It's almost catchy just speaking it. It doesn't make a ton of sense, but lots of AnCo is like that and I don't mind heh.
So yeah, if you like neo-psychedelic pop you should probably get to listening! You might find it annoying like many people, but maybe you'll be like me and fall in love with it.
Best tracks: In the Flowers, My Girls, Summertime Clothes, Bluish, Guys Eyes, Taste, Lion in a Coma, Brother Sport
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I'm not really a fan of AC, but that artwork..
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That cover is brilliant. :eek
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MPP is an amazing album. It's also the happiest album ever.
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It's an enjoyable listen, just nothing mind-blowing for me. Still love the cover art though. :lol
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Honourable mention:
Robert Wyatt - Rock Bottom (1974)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ka/archive/2/25/20120930130849!Robert-Wyatt-Rock-Bottom-342650.jpg)
I actually just remembered this album exists not long ago. Back in my prog phase I used to love it. And it still holds up today. It's a solo album by former drummer of Soft Machine, Robert Wyatt. It really sticks out of the closely knit Canterbury Scene, as it's a lot less whimsical than most of it (albeit not without some whimsicality). The story behind the album is actually quite sad, as during the period the album was being prepared he fell out of a third storey window and was paralysed from the waist down. He continued to work on the album in the hospital in what he calls the beginning of his maturity. The album is emotional, very weird, and sounds like nothing else. Give it a shot maybe.
5. Death Grips - The Money Store (2012)
(https://musicsnotdead.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-MOney-Store-censored.jpeg)
I'm sure many people have heard about this album to some degree. Death Grips have escalated to one of the most controversial figures in today's music. Well they've just recently broken up (without warning, mid-tour, when an album is supposed to be released soon, written on a napkin; exactly how you'd expect them to go out) but their presence is still very much felt. They have armies of adoring fans. Equally large armies of scathing critics. They've sampled artists like Jane's Addiction, Pink Floyd, FUCKING MAGMA!!!, and Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti in their songs. They got kicked off their record label for releasing an album early and for free. They made an album where the cover was the title written on the drummer's penis in black marker. They randomly cancelled shows later on. While some may call their attitude questionable and annoying, it only contributed to the enigma that was Death Grips. And many fans, like myself, were fully invested in the experience and it all just made things even sweeter.
So now about the music. Death Grips makes something you could probably call punk rap. Whenever you mention hip hop to me or even ask what my favourite hip hop album is, this album never comes to mind because it is such an outcast of the genre, but if you want to be technical it IS my favourite hip hop album. The one member of the group some would know beforehand is drummer Zach Hill, who is known for his work with math rock group Hella. There is also MC Ride, known to spit incredibly cryptic and weird lines, and shout his raps in incomprehensible rage. Flatlander is behind the production, and boy does he ever give them a unique flavour. This album is angry, and can pump you up like no other album out there. But at the same time, it's not without its catchiness. I've Seen Footage and Hacker are the most notable in that department. The Fever (Aye Aye) contains probably the loudest, most manic verses on the album but even that contains a really memorable chorus, a lot of thanks going to Flatlander's awesome synth melody (could be a sample, who knows with these guys). And, as a mentioned before, the lyrics are really cryptic but effective. Seriously, how much hip-hop gives you lyrics like:
"Lycanthropic manic cycles
Fire water burnin bibles
Wake up ragin, call a taxi
Take me to the nearest city
Cell light up yeah get at me
Make it quick though, blood, I'm busy, get busy, get busy, get busy
Drilled a hole into my head
Pierced the bone and
Felt the breeze
Lift my thoughts out
Dem sick bed
Wit a pair of crow
Skeleton wings
Know nothin since then
It seems
Been floatin through
The nexus threadin dreams
But did you know?"
Really odd stuff, but it works. But they also makes some of the most violent music I've heard, both in sound and sometimes in lyrics (Fuck That is about beating someone so hard that "Head wear your face like a yarmulka" :lol). It's music to smash up and set fire to your shitty apartment to. However, like I alluded to with the catchiness, under all this dissonance, fury, crazy whirlwind of drums, and weirdness is a pop album. Some may think that sounds crazy, but the songs are crafted simply and expertly, they lodge themselves in your head, and hell, there are even some you can dance to. Although you'd probably prefer to mosh. ;) It works on many levels. And many people will listen to this and probably be disgusted and think I'm crazy for ranking it this high and never listen to anything I say again. But that's fine. The fact they elicit such polarizing reaction means they're taking risks, and that's what they're all about.
Best tracks: All except maybe Fuck That but even that song is still pretty awesome so don't take that as a deterrent
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Also, any guesses for the top 4? ;)
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It wouldn't rank as high for me, but The Money Store is amazing and Death Grips are awesome. Their experimental take on the genre is really refreshing in a time when a lot of it sounds similar.
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Rock Bottom :hefdaddy
One of my all time favorites. One of the very few albums I can genuinely call perfect. I can't think of many albums that sound like it or invoke the emotions is does.
I liked The Money Store, but it gets slightly tiring after a bit. Not all the songs sustain my interest, but it's solid.
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Also, any guesses for the top 4? ;)
Loveless, Loveless, Loveless, and Loveless
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No luck catching them Swans?
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I'll be honest, I can't see anyone guessing 4 or 2 because I don't think I've talked about them very much but who knows? :o
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Honourable mention:
Soft Machine - Third (1970)
(https://www.robbierocks.ch/LP%20covers/Third.c.jpg)
So yeah, Soft Machine is also an honourable mention since my honourable mentions do not adhere to the frontman rule. :D Also Wyatt being the frontman is kind of debatable as I think all the members did their part equally. Wyatt only sings on one song anyway, the rest are instrumental. There are only 4 tracks, all of which are 18 or 19 minutes. It's mostly jazz-fusiony stuff, but forays into psychedelic pop in Moon in June. Really have to be in the mood for this one, but it's quite an amazing album.
4. Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (1996)
(https://images.juno.co.uk/full/CS1595385-02A-BIG.jpg)
Belle and Sebastian are a band apparently conceived for a college project. And their first album, Tigermilk, is amazing. They'd better have gotten 100% for that. ;) This is their followup, which was released only about five months after Tigermilk. And it blows it out of the water entirely IMO. Belle and Sebastian are a Scottish indie/twee pop group led by Stuart Murdoch. Their music isn't really unique or groundbreaking at all. It doesn't stick out a ton in its field soundwise. So why do I think this album is so amazing? Well, simply, it just is. It doesn't mean to be innovative or groundbreaking. It's just good music. Really, really good music. Basically all ten songs on this album are top tier stuff. And I can always pick it up and enjoy the hell out of it.
So like I said before, this is twee pop. It's got a cutesy, childish attitude to it, almost made even more apparent by Murdoch's fragile, lispy voice. A common theme of Belle and Sebastian's music are children/teenagers with really screwed up lives. Speaking of the lyrics, Belle and Sebastian have some of my favourite out of any band. Not only are they amazing at telling the story, but Murdoch has a sense of humour and wit comparable to Morrissey's (most famously known as frontman of The Smiths) so you may well get a laugh out of lots of them too. They really add a ton to the music and should definitely be paid attention to. The music, by the way, ranges from beauty to just being earworms, and often a pleasant mix of both. There are a few sadder songs (Fox in the Snow and The Boy Done Wrong Again mostly), but most of the songs will make you feel pretty upbeat even if the subject matter is not so bright and cheery. The band also uses quite a wide range of instruments which I always like.
So yeah, this is an example of an album that isn't exactly special soundwise, but has such a consistent quality to it that I love it to death. I can listen to it any time and enjoy it, and laugh at the little humourous bits in the lyrics. It's not energy-packed music, but good music to sit down and ride the bus to. If you're into indie, definitely give it a shot.
Best tracks: All
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IYFS is a perfect record for this season,everyone who hasn't heard it before should just give it a shot already.
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Ahh that's a good thought. It really is a perfect autumn record.
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Its spring here so I guess I'll wait a year :P
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Its spring here so I guess I'll wait a year :P
This. Btw, you have some really amazing choices on your top, so I've added most of it to my to-listen list. Damn, there's more than 170 albums there :lol .
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Honourable mention:
Dream Theater - Awake (1994)
(https://www.progarchives.com/progressive_rock_discography_covers/378/cover_1356161122008.jpg)
I almost never listen to DT anymore. But when I do it's almost always this, because in my opinion almost everything is at its A-game here. The production is miles ahead of any other DT album and has a distinct atmosphere to it. The lyrics are great throughout, lyrics being something I consider a big weak spot of theirs. JLB is at his absolute best. It has tons of memorable melodies. Lots of genuine emotion throughout the album. The musicianship is fun and impressive but doesn't get overly wanky at any point. Hell, I feel I should listen to it more, but I'm never in the mood. Seriously though, I really dig this one.
3. Swans - Soundtracks for the Blind (1996)
(https://iv1.lisimg.com/image/3181696/600full-soundtracks-for-the-blind-cover.jpg)
Swans has one of the most astounding track records of any band. Their first studio album was in 1983 and they're still releasing masterpieces. Back in their early days, they made some of the grittiest, ugliest music known to man. Heavier than most metal despite not being metal. 1983's Filth almost wore on your emotions because of how ugly and heavy it was, but it was something else. They went on to release several critically acclaimed albums and twist and evolve their sound again and again before quitting after this album here in 1996. They then returned in 2010 with My Father Will Guide Me Up a Rope to the Sky. A good album, but it wasn't top tier Swans. People didn't expect a ton after it. Then 2012's The Seer came and blew everyone way, being heralded as one of the greatest albums of their lengthy career. Now this year they proved it wasn't a fluke by releasing arguably an even more critically acclaimed album in To Be Kind (so far a distant runaway for my AOTY). The fact a band can still release top tier stuff that late in their career is really something special.
Now to focus on this album. It is the first of three double disc, 2 hour+ (okay The Seer is SLIGHTLY under 2 hours) albums by the group. This one being a whopping 2:21:37. So the length alone drips of ambition. It should also warn you it's not easy to tackle. Believe it or not it's probably even more difficult than the length suggests. :lol It took me a long time to digest it. Like well over a year, maybe 2 I'm not sure. ThatOneGuy2112 was correct when he pointed out my samples comment in Lift Your Skinny Fists. ;) This album paints dreadfully eerie pictures with its use of spoken word samples. A couple notable ones being the one in I Was A Prisoner In Your Skull, coming from a tape Jarboe got from her father's (an FBI agent's) desk, what seems to be a phone sex worker in The Beautiful Days, and Jarboe's mother (speaking about coping with some sort of illness/injury) and Gira's father (speaking about losing his sight) in How They Suffer. All of these samples are incredibly effective and give me major chills at certain points.
So music related stuff. Well the entire album seems to be rife with this indescribable atmosphere. I really don't know what to say about it. It's been said the album was supposed to be a soundtrack to a movie that doesn't exist, and I can totally feel that. The album is diverse in sound but doesn't drop that weird atmosphere. We have some post-rock tracks, most notably in Helpless Child and The Sound which are the two greatest tracks on the album. Then there's some really unnerving drone/ambient tracks like The Beautiful Days, I Love You This Much (most misleading title ever), and Her Mouth Is Filled With Honey (dear lord this one is something else, but I love it :heart :heart :heart). A crazy and distorted dance pop track in Volcano. Some good old fashioned punk rawk in Yum-Yab Killers. And hell, in Blood Section and Fan's Lament the album even sounds kind of happy. But it's definitely not happy as a whole. It's a dark, dark album. Also, random thing I love I feel obligated to say, but in Red Velvet Wound when it reprises the weird whirring drone from Red Velvet Corridor... massive love for some reason :heart :heart :heart.
I could go on and on about this album for days. It's more of an experience than an album. There is nothing like it, and there will never be anything like it. Even their amazing last two albums that were both also huge double discers are nothing like it. Those albums there's usually a consistent stream of music going on. This one is almost like a demented whirlpool of drones and field recordings with the occasional super awesome musical number to spice things up. It's almost apocalyptic. It makes me feel like nothing else. It's really hard to recommend this album to anyone I don't know fairly well but if you're interested in my description of this one feel free to give it a shot. It's completely nuts.
Best tracks: I Was A Prisoner In Your Skull, Helpless Child, The Beautiful Days, All Lined Up, How They Suffer, Animus, The Sound, Her Mouth Is Filled With Honey, Minus Something, I Love You This Much, YRP, The Final Sacrifice
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Knew it was only a matter of time until this one popped up. :biggrin:
I feel like I've been too harsh on the album in the past, nearly dismissing it as "unimpressive" or "shotty in areas". Your comment about it taking a long time to digest couldn't be any more true--this album is one that requires patience, but once you've got it, you've got it.
Now, I can't help but regard it as a masterpiece. I'll bear the shame of my former opinion of it if I must. :lol Truly one of the most dark, haunting, solemn, yet strangely beautiful experiences captured in audio that exists.
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Basically the same here. While I enjoyed some of their other stuff, I could barely stand to listen to this one. Then one time I just sat down with it and everything worked. Really amazing stuff.
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Swans :heart
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:clap: for Dream Theater, Neutral milk hotel and Brand new.
Also,
Luca scared the shit out of me first listen. :lol
If anyone told me they weren't scared by Luca at first, I'd call them liars. ;D
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Honourable mention:
System of a Down - Steal This Album! (2002)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Gdv1ofaCL.jpg)
There are some out there like me that love this album and herald it as the best SoaD. But most seem to think it's the worst. It's definitely their least cohesive album, but song for song I think it's the best. It has many of my favourite SoaD tunes and no songs I really consider weak at all. SoaD is so damn fun to listen to and this album to me is the most fun. I love it.
2. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? (2007)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/01/Hissingfauna.jpg)
Before I first listened to of Montreal, I didn't expect them to be great. I barely expected them to be good. I best case scenario I'd find a fun new band to enjoy every now and then. My first few listens, and that was fulfilled. Hell, surpassed even because I thought it was an exceptional level of fun. I enjoyed it a lot and figured it was new material to listen to in my happy-go-lucky moods (like Animal Collective). However, I wasn't really focusing on the lyrics back then. Animal Collective is usually backed up by happy lyrics if you can call them that. They're usually about drugs but whatever, they're not negative. Whereas this album for the most part is very dark lyrically. The only song at all where the emotions of the music goes along with that is the impossibly good centerpiece of the album, The Past is a Grotesque Animal. Once I realized that this album wasn't positive in the slightest, it became very surreal for me. I was going through a bout of depression at the time and found myself spinning it almost non-stop. Identifying with many of the lyrics while simultaneously having an odd sort of fun with the music. My enjoyment seemed to increase exponentially every time I heard it.
I won't go too in depth into the backstory of this album so to not bore you, but let's just say Kevin Barnes was not having a good time when he was writing this album. And it shows to an extreme. This album has two very distinct halves, separated by the 12 minute centerpiece, The Past is a Grotesque Animal. The first half is more conventional, super fun and catchy pop. The songs are pretty simple, but they're all memorable. Suffer for Fashion kicks off the album with a huge bang. After a few innocent noises and a couple guitar strums, the album is kicking in full force. If you aren't having a great time by the time he says "FOREVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR", you probably don't have a ton of hope with this album, but who knows? :lol After a couple calmer tracks, you're on Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse, which has one of the most awesome synth melodies of all time. The depressing lyrics are a bit more obvious this time. Then comes Gronlandic Edit, which was the first track that really hit full force with me. I thought it was a masterpiece first listen. It's very Queen influenced at times, and is just overall an amazing tune. A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger has an impossibly happy sounding and sing-along chorus, but again, the lyrics are anything but. And then here's where everything changes...
Now, here is the part where you think this album is fucking weird. Kevin Barnes has an alter-ego: Georgie Fruit, who he describes as a "black she-male". And from what I understand this next song, The Past is a Grotesque Animal, is supposed to be his transformation into the character. He calls Georgie Fruit a "dark mutation of my demented pastimes" in a later track, so maybe that will give you a picture. Anyway onto the track itself. It's one of the best songs ever in my opinion. It's by far the longest track on the album, and chronologically on the album is a big part of why this album is cemented in this spot. The music here is noticeably darker than any other song on the album, or even in the band's discography. It starts off with dark sounding synths and a few screaming guitar noises that never fail to give me major chills. It then builds into the beat the remains for the entirety of the 12 minute track. So it's very repetitive, but that doesn't matter, because the lyrics are a focusing point. Simply put I found many of them scarily relatable when I was going through tough times. It's a very heavy emotional load. Especially coming in the middle of an album that hid its depressing qualities behind cheery music before. There's no subtlety in this one. Complete masterpiece of a track, but should be listened to with the rest of the album for sure.
Anyways, I said the two halves were very different. Well, after that song, Georgie Fruit takes over, and instead of conventional pop, you have funk, soul, glam, and all sorts of weirdness flying into the music. The lyrics have a noticeable hint of cockiness and swagger to them now rather than depression. And lots of the lyrics are, well, hilarious. But there's the lines I mentioned earlier, which appear in Labyrinthian Pomp: "I got my Georgie Fruit on / He's a dark mutation / Of my demented pastimes". That mixed with the first half of the album puts a new spin on the attitude of this half. Makes you think what sort of insanity Georgie Fruit is? :lol If you listened to this half away from the other, it'd seem like a silly, fun, totally weird pop album, but the first half gives it the serious undertones.
Okay so I feel like my writing has got incredibly repetitive. To summarise, I first started listening to this album looking for happy-go-lucky fun pop and got a totally surreal fucked up beast of an album masquerading as happy-go-lucky fun pop. If that sounds like it's up your alley give it a shot. Lots of my love of this album is very personal to me obviously but maybe you can get behind it too.
Best tracks: All
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Steal This Album takes me back to being a teenager, them innocent times. Haven't really listened to Of Monreal.
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And the winner is...
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Adrenaline Mob.
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But I'll get to this soon I'm sorta busy and I might rattle off a bunch of honorable mentions immediately beforehand.
Until then SOMEONE WHO LIKES OF MONTREAL SPEAK UP SO I DON'T FEEL LONELY
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I'd love to, but I haven't really checked em out yet. :lol
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Alright I apologize horribly. I didn't think it was nearly as long since I said that as it was. I've been really busy and haven't had time to sit down and place myself in a writing mood. I won't bother with the honourable mentions thing because like I said, I'm having trouble getting in a writing mood but I'll try my best to do well on my #1 writeup. Really there are so many bands and albums that I wish could have made the cut that I would have done a top 100 if nobody would have been waiting on me. #1 will be up in the next hour, probably less than a half hour. Thank you all for being patient and following along. I'm sure most of you know #1 already anyway.
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I don't.
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1. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (1991)
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/1362117626_tumblr_le7eiz0dL01qdh7bo.jpg)
This might be the most highly regarded, legendary album of all time that gets no mainstream attention. I'd never heard of it before I really got into music on the internet, unless the plot device named after it in Crisis Core/background easter egg in Final Fantasy VII counts. Yet when I discovered it on online sites, it was lauded on a Dark Side of the Moon level. On rateyourmusic, it is the #11 most highly rated album ever, and everything near it (depending on your opinion of near) is popular in the mainstream in some form. It's an anomaly. How does an album get such astronomical praise from critics and music fans yet basically never be spoken of in mainstream? Well it's apparent basically as soon as you put it on. Only Shallow kicks off the album with a cliche stereotypical 4 hits of the snare drum before you're assaulted by two guitars, one playing a simple heavy riff and the other wailing like a chop saw tearing through metal. And after a few repetitions of that, the guitars immediately turn pleasant sounding and Bilinda Butcher softly sings underneath the blanket of soothing, dreamy guitar noise. Rinse and repeat a few times, exit with a short beautiful guitar drone, and the song is over. And it's something amazing.
So really, the album sounds exactly like the cover. Pink is definitely the colour this album brings to mind in sound, it has hazy qualities, and it's incredibly guitar driven. All this is achieved due to painstaking, meticulous work by Kevin Shields. He spent way longer than was expected on the album and its production bankrupted the record label. All because he wanted to make it completely perfect. At least, that is what legend says. And it is damn close to perfect. It marries crushing noise and beautiful dreamlike qualities more naturally than anything else. It's the epitome of the shoegaze genre. If you removed all the noise and loud guitars you'd probably have a regular pop album. But the guitars turn it into something else entirely. They bring it from being passable pop to being an unmatchable sonic experience. I'll now go track by track because I need to describe my love for the songs some way and they all have something different to love.
I already described Only Shallow, so I won't do that again. The next track is Loomer, which begins immediately with a monotonous beating of the drum and a repetitively strummed chords. Together they chug along like a train under Bilinda's absolutely beautiful vocal melody. And whenever she's done singing, what I think is some sort of synth plays an amazing melody. I know most people don't really regard this song as high as others on the album but man, I love that melody a really weird amount. Something about it makes me so happy when I hear it. The next song is Touch and it's the only song that isn't amazing. And that's because it's just a short transition track. It sounds like Chewbacca and is pretty weird but it's kinda neat at the same time. The next song is probably the least accessible of all, and it's called To Here Knows When. This is the general sound of the album on maximum overdrive. Take away the guitars, and it's just a good pop song. But the guitars in this song are NOISY. Like, they roar like a vacuum cleaner and don't stop throughout the song. Underneath the giant wall of noise is an oddly trippy synth melody and a repetitive head-bobby drum beat. As usual, Bilinda is gently singing a great melody, and it's really relaxing in this one. If any song will scare you away at first it's To Here Knows When, but it's one of the strongest tracks.
When You Sleep is a real crowd-pleaser. It's got a super cool synth melody, and it's sung by Kevin this time. For once in the album you can almost sort of understand what's being sung, and it's a really catchy song. Probably the most accessible song on the album. It still has all the Loveless hallmarks, but it's not used to quite the same degree. Still, it's one of the best on the album. I Only Said is another one driven by the synth melody. This one feels like drifting through the air. The vocals feel even hazier than usual, but not due to the guitars, it's just a quality on the vocals. The guitars are still noisy as ever though. Come In Alone almost sounds kind of sad. It starts with an almost dreary guitar/synth melody, with the bass being far more prominent than elsewhere on the album. Bringing out the bass for that one section was actually a great decision because it gives a real kick to that section. When the vocal melodies come along the bass is less felt again, but it works as a contrast. The vocal melody is just as dreary as the preceding one. The vocals also do this really cool thing where it starts off as just Bilinda singing, but she seems to gradually fade out while Kevin gradually fades in, and at the end of the melody he's mainly singing. This song just sounds sad, but it's absolutely stunning. Just a fabulous song. The next song, Sometimes, is a real standout, both in its amazing quality and the fact it sounds nothing like the rest of the album. It still has a weird electric drone throughout, but it's actually an acoustic ballad! And you can understand the vocals better than anywhere else, which are again sung by Kevin aside from some wordless "ooos" by Bilinda at points. Like the previous song, it's a bit less bright in mood, but this one resonates with me emotionally a lot more. However, in overall quality they're close.
The next song is Blown a Wish. This song has a wonderful little naivety to it that makes it fun. The non-vocal parts (which aren't very non-vocal because Bilinda does wordless vocables again) are very airy, for lack of a better word. There's something different about this song from the rest of the album that I can't put my finger on. Really fun tune though. Kevin is back on lead vocals in the next song, What You Want. The guitars on this one are a lot more conventional than elsewhere, but still aren't conventional in the slightest. They have more of a noisy punk feel to them this time. It ends with a long synth drone that is really captivating. And the drone leads right into the closer, Soon. Oh my god Soon. Holy shit Soon. This is a contender for my favourite song ever. As the drone fades out, simultaneously fades in an incredibly electronic drum beat. The drum beat quickly becomes less electronic-y after a few bars when all the instruments come in. The guitars strum along an incredibly happy chord progression, and after a couple bars, the synth and bass (sounding present yet again) come in and play matchingly super happy melodies. With the really bouncy drum beat, this entire section is actually incredibly dancy. Like seriously I cannot not dance a little when this plays. And after a while, the guitars go from present to surprisingly harsh and noisy. To Here Knows When sounded like a vacuum cleaner if it was "dreamier", this part just sounds like a plain old vacuum cleaner. :lol And on this one, Bilinda and Kevin are singing in harmony. And it's just plain amazing. Words cannot describe how in love I am with everything about this one. Like Only Shallow, it rinses and repeats and this time ends with the main chord progression being played quieter and over the electronic-y drums. It's something you have to hear.
So if you look at my song descriptions, you may realize something. These songs are very repetitive. But it's repetitiveness done right. They're almost not listened to like ordinary songs, but absorbed as a sort of experience. It's equal parts breathtakingly gorgeous and jarring/ugly. I really can't do it justice in description. If my descriptions interest you at all, listen to it. I've spent a lot of time on this and probably won't do better saying more. Give it a shot.
Best tracks: All listen to it now you silly willy
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I don't.
Mostly people who have been around longer know this one. :) Sorry if you feel left out. ;)
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Loveless is pretty good, but I can't help but feel that the unreal praise for it is a tad unwarranted. I could never fall absolutely in love with it like most people do. In the realm shoegaze, I much prefer an album like Souvlaki from Slowdive.
There are a good amount of endearing moments on it for sure, some that are outright beautiful and submersive, but it never became this soul-changing experience for me that a good portion of critics and the Internet feel it should be to me. :lol
But it's still a fine entry. :tup My favorite tracks are probably To Here Knows When, I Only Said, and Soon.
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Souvlaki's a good album but there are several tracks I feel iffy with.
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To be honest, I feel it's a flawless record, though I do like some songs more than others.
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I don't.
Mostly people who have been around longer know this one. :) Sorry if you feel left out. ;)
Actually I remember seeing this being in someone's top 5 album a while ago or something but didn't remember it being you so at least now I'm sure not to forget that again.
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I'm gonna side with ThatOneGuy2112. While I love Loveless and would give it a 5 out of 5, overall I prefer Slowdive over MBV and I think Souvlaki is just as good as Loveless. I think in the bigger picture, Slowdive is a much more consistent band, and a stronger discography overall. Still, Loveless is one of those classic albums and you can't take away the awesomeness from it.
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Why the fuck am I so damn late?
Hissing fauna is a tremendous album! Probably not my favorite one, since I enjoy all of their discography, but there's a reason this album got attention and some others didn't. The music is great for dancing and having fun, but if you decide to listen to the lyrics, it suddenly becomes this surreal adventure. It's great to hear this album spoke to so many people, I had the similar experience with Paralytic stalks while going through a weird period of time.
This band is the best of both worlds - you can connect with them on a deep emotional level, or you can have the time of your life when you crank it up at a party. :metal
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Yay, someone else! Yeah they're super amazing. :metal
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Ironically, i did "get" Loveless from the first listen :tup
Fail for not mentioning Sometimes though in your before-edit "Best tracks" selection :P
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I did though. :o
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Been having that album on my to.listen list for a while, so will check it right now :tup . All in all, great list!