DreamTheaterForums.org Dream Theater Fan Site
General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: Lolzeez on October 29, 2014, 10:09:06 AM
-
Hello everyone for the third time! It's me again,Lolzeez.(Or you can just call me by my name,Onat) I'm going to do my third Top 50 list. I really love doing these lists cause i can look back and see how my tastes have changed. I'm not the "proghead" or the "metalhead" i used to be. I'm just one of those pretentious "musicheads" now.
Don't worry,i'm not one of those hipsters who checks out Pitchfork for "Be st New Music" or watched TheNeedleDrop on Youtube to form his/her opinion on music. (Not his/her opinion now is it?) Currently I'm into every music genre. Sure,I'm not huge on EDM or Synth Pop and I still hate Invisible Touch by Genesis. (I still think that record is mindless muzak.) Anyways,I'm gonna be updating this thread soon with my first 3 albums and here are couple honorable mentions:
The Beatles - Abbey Road (Wonderful record from The Beatles,my favorite along with Revolver.
David Bowie - Low (Incredible first side on this record with catchy art pop songs after another,the second side isn't bad it's just that I'm not huge on ambient music. I still love the record)
Swans - To Be Kind (I thought this was a 10/10 after my first listen. It's still a perfect album imo but it's not that enjoyable. It's like a requiem. It's one of the most difficult albums I've ever sat through. I love the record to bits and I own it on vinyl. It's also a bit too recent to be on the list.)
Camel - Mirage (One of my favorites from the 70s prog scene. Excellent use of mellotrons all over this thing.)
Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (Extremely awesome stoner rock record that just rocks the whole way through)
The Strokes - Is This It (Really good Garage Rock record that is short and sweet with a lot of catchy tunes)
The World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die - Whenever, If Ever (One of the best Midwest Emo records I've ever heard,let's see if it will stand the test of time.)
That should do it for honorable mentions,I highly recommend those records though,all of them have gotten me through some bad times. Especially Whenever,If Ever. I guess first three albums coming soon!
-
I guess I'm one of those Needle Drop hipsters. :(
Anyhow, will follow!
-
Gonna follow this. Some nice honorable mentions you got there :tup
-
I guess I'm one of those Needle Drop hipsters. :(
Anyhow, will follow!
It's okay I got into so many artists thanks to Anthony.
Gonna follow this. Some nice honorable mentions you got there :tup
Thank you! First three albums are coming once i'm done studying...which i should start doing now.
-
Some great honorable mentions. Will follow. :tup
-
As I told ya, I shall follow this thread! :biggrin: I should also make my own list at some point when I'm not too busy.
-
Well,here it goes!
50.Nick Drake - Pink Moon (1972)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51hTUSQ7jqL.jpg)
Starting out with a really calm and depressing singer songwriter record from Nick Drake. Nick Drake is one of my favorite singer songwriters and he’s also criminally underrated. His music is some of the most gorgeous and most sincere singer songwriter music of all time. Like a Dylan level. Drake has a very calm and depressed voice. It just sounds like he’s been through some pain and it just paints the image of a guy laying on a hill watching the stars with tears dropping from his eyes and smoking a cigarette. There are some tracks on here that are not as good as the rest such as Horn. But I actually love that track. It sounds like death to me. It’s a very sharp and sad track. It truly gives the shock of death and to me that is just amazing. My favorite track on the record is the one following Horn,Things Behind The Sun. The riff on the song is just melancholy at its finest and the lyrics combined with Drake’s delivery really show off some emotion. One thing done really well on the records are surprisingly the titles of the tracks. It’s like Drake put a lot of thought to them. I really love that aspect to the record. It might be a short sad singer songwriter record but songwriting is just something special.
Favorite Track:Things Behind The Sun
49.Death Grips - The Money Store (2012)
(https://anywhereinalbionmag.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/death-grips-the-money-store.jpeg)
Okay,if you are not into hip hop or industrial music,you’re going to absolutely hate this record at first listen. But funnily enough this is my first proper hip hop record. I tried so hard to like Death Grips cause i wanted to be cool just like the other kids. The Needle Drop gave this record a 10/10 which made a huge number of people scratch their heads and start listening to this record. It opens up with Get Got which is an excellent opening track. The noisy beat backed by the great industrial drums just shocks you and doubled with frontman MC Ride’s gritty lyrics,the song hits hard. This is where the first listener goes “Just what the fuck is this?” and turns it off. But stay for the second track cause that’s where you will notice the genius of Death Grips,The Fever (Aye Aye) has one of the best hooks that have ever been created. The chorus is incredibly catchy and Ride’s delivery is just spot on. This song just blasts. Another favorite of mine is Hustle Bones. Again,wonderful hook but without Ride’s wonderful verses the song would not be as impressive. The following track,I’ve Seen Footage is one of the more listener friendly/poppy tracks. But the synth line (whatever that is) is pretty raw sounding and the funky clap beat is pretty fun. Who could have know the word “noided” would be the coolest thing to say? I’VE SEEN FOOTAGE I STAY NOIDED! The second half is also really good. The closer “Hacker” is another catchy song with the best delivery by MC Ride on the record. I swear that chorus literally haunts you. But in conclusion,this isn’t really suited for everyone but it’s worth a try at least. It’s one of the most unique records ever released.
Favorite Track:The Fever (Aye Aye)
48.Television - Marquee Moon (1977)
(https://images.rapgenius.com/2ajynvu3c7mgup2zv37lo8xx1.500x487x1.jpg)
Now here is a post punk classic,Television’s debut record Marquee Moon is one of the best rock records ever made. The sound the band captures on the record is VERY ahead of its time. Now when it comes to punk most people think The Sex Pistols,Ramones or The Clash. But I prefer Post Punk or Art Punk to just regular Punk Rock. (Although I do like London Calling and own the very first print on vinyl) The first thing worth noticing is how cool the vocals actually sound like. Tom Verlaine was going for a more dirty vocal delivery and you notice it the second he begins singing on See No Evil. The riffs on the record are also worth mentioning since they are really catchy. Friction and the title track in particular have some really cool riffs. Now the songs range from 3-4 minutes to 10 minutes which is the title track. Pretty lengthy for mid 70s punk if you ask me. But way the songs flow make the record end really quickly. I love the funky bass lines or the really Velvet Underground-ish back vocals on the songs. One last thing that I want to mention is the guitar solo during Marquee Moon. The solo is very very very different. I dislike guitar solos that don’t go anywhere or that are directionless and this solo is the exact opposite. The song progresses beautifully and there is not one second during the solo where you go “Come on just end the track already”. To me,Marquee Moon is one of the best guitar records ever made. This is just a fucking cool record.
Favorite Track:Title Track
-
Pink Moon :heart Such a beautiful and heart-felt record. It's a tad on the short side, but man is it so good.
-
Whether or not you agree with his taste (I do in selected instances), the Needle Drop dude is at least a competent reviewer.
After some years of not touching their stuff, I went and spun The Strokes recently. Is This It is really quite an extraordinary debut. They sound like a band a few albums in with their sound completely defined. Room On Fire seemed cool at the time, but it’s basically a much inferior rehash of ITI, completely pointless album. First Impressions at least shows them stretching their sound out a bit. I really liked it at the time, and I think it still sounds good today. Then again, most people hated it, for some reason.
On my list of shit I have queued up to buy/check out, Nick Drake is literally the next artist.
-
Great post. I think all of these are special. :heart
-
I think I heard Drake's previous album, and kind of like it a bit, but didn't think it was something really special. But I have had these on my to-listen for a while, so will check them soon :tup . Will surely follow the list.
-
I like the start of this list for its diversity. Will be following indeed.
-
Whether or not you agree with his taste (I do in selected instances), the Needle Drop dude is at least a competent reviewer.
After some years of not touching their stuff, I went and spun The Strokes recently. Is This It is really quite an extraordinary debut. They sound like a band a few albums in with their sound completely defined. Room On Fire seemed cool at the time, but it’s basically a much inferior rehash of ITI, completely pointless album. First Impressions at least shows them stretching their sound out a bit. I really liked it at the time, and I think it still sounds good today. Then again, most people hated it, for some reason.
Yeah he is one of the best reviewers on You Tube in my opinion. I love the dude's passion in music. As for The Strokes,I remember hearing Angles couple years back and then i was given Is This It and i thought it was a way more recent record than Angles but it turns out that Is This It came out YEARS before Angles,I was pretty surprised.
I think I heard Drake's previous album, and kind of like it a bit, but didn't think it was something really special. But I have had these on my to-listen for a while, so will check them soon :tup . Will surely follow the list.
Pink Moon is way more minimal than his previous two albums. The record only has guitar and Drake's voice. The only instance where another instrument is used is during the title track,there's piano for like half a minute.
Anyways,next three albums on the way! :tup
-
I'm a total n00b when it comes to singer-songwriters, but Mikael Åkerfeldt and Danny Cavanagh have praised Nick Drake, so I should listen to him.
-
Whether or not you agree with his taste (I do in selected instances), the Needle Drop dude is at least a competent reviewer.
After some years of not touching their stuff, I went and spun The Strokes recently. Is This It is really quite an extraordinary debut. They sound like a band a few albums in with their sound completely defined. Room On Fire seemed cool at the time, but it’s basically a much inferior rehash of ITI, completely pointless album. First Impressions at least shows them stretching their sound out a bit. I really liked it at the time, and I think it still sounds good today. Then again, most people hated it, for some reason.
Yeah he is one of the best reviewers on You Tube in my opinion. I love the dude's passion in music. As for The Strokes,I remember hearing Angles couple years back and then i was given Is This It and i thought it was a way more recent record than Angles but it turns out that Is This It came out YEARS before Angles,I was pretty surprised.
My brother played Angles once in the car on a road trip. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't hear anything that suggested I needed to hear it again.
-
I'm a total n00b when it comes to singer-songwriters, but Mikael Åkerfeldt and Danny Cavanagh have praised Nick Drake, so I should listen to him.
Well,there are couple singer songwriter albums coming up that you should check out! ;D
-
Sorry I'm slightly late but here are 3 albums!
47.Yes - Close To The Edge (1972)
(https://yesworld.com/albums/studio/1972-closetotheedge.jpg)
Yes,let’s talk some prog. Let’s talk some good prog. Let’s talk some epics. Nowadays,having a side long track has gotten pretty normal. But back then,the idea of a side long track was just a rare thing outside jazz. But yes,the title track is easily one of the best prog rock epics of all time. Not a second is wasted on this record. Musically the record is just fantastic,not too long and has brilliant melodies. It’s quite an enjoyable record. But it’s also very emotional,exciting and very explosive. The instrumentation is just amazing. Especially Rick Wakeman’s organ and Chris Squire’s bass lines stand out. That’s not to say Bill Bruford’s groovy drumming and Steve Howe’s incredible soloing combined with the angelic voice of Jon Anderson. Sure,sometimes Jon Anderson’s vocals are not too spot on but on Close To The Edge he’s on fire. And the gatefold record sleeve is just amazing. This is an album that you MUST own on wax. Wonderful prog record that holds up.
Favorite Track:All of them really
46.Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation (1988)
(https://cdn.riffraf.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/SonicYouth-DaydreamNation.jpg)
I rarely listen to this record. Almost less than once every 6 months. Maybe yearly. But this is one of the most unique records ever and also one of the most influential. There is still nothing like this record and in my opinion it’s the best noise rock record ever made. (Noise Rock as a primary genre) I remember when I first heard Daydream Nation,it was mind blowing since at the time i was a proghead who disliked anything punky. (I still dislike The Ramones or Sex Pistols) Every track one by one blew me away. From the anthemic Teen Age Riot to the intro of The Sprawl with Kim Gordon’s badass voice and lastly to the amazing Trilogy at the end. Providence especially is a very influential track because it literally sounds like a snippet of a Godspeed track. In 1988. Post Rock. Woah. Cross The Breeze and Hey Joni are couple other favorites. The record just makes you feel like a badass and it’s a very fun record despite its length. It really does fly by.
Favorite Track:First four tracks
45.LCD Soundsystem - Sound Of Silver (2007)
(https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list/e74a5c1262fd4107616be5054fdc820f4a06090d.jpg)
Future classic right here. It’s pretty sad that LCD Soundsystem broke up after two amazing and one great record. But Sound Of Silver just improves upon every single aspect of their self titled. As you listen to the record you can hear the idols of the frontman James Murphy reflected on the band’s sound. Kraftwerk,Bowie,Eno or David Bryne. But these artists are not really plagiarised,it literally feels like these artists were included in the band. That’s how sincere this record is. LCD Soundsystem is really doing something interesting and putting a modern feel on these influences. The production is perfect and the songwriting is just amazing. There are countless ideas perfectly executed on this record. Every track sounds really different. I mean take All My Friends,a track that builds and builds up for an awesome vocal breakdown and then check out New York,I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down. It’s a very beautiful,almost Queen-esque power ballad-y track which acts as a credits track to the record. Just a very balanced and varied record. This record will never be forgotten.
Favorite Track:All My Friends
-
Don't like Yes :P - there's something about the melodies, specially the vocal lines, that I thoroughly dislike. But the other seem really interesting, will check them soon :hat .
-
Don't like Yes :P - there's something about the melodies, specially the vocal lines, that I thoroughly dislike.
This.
-
Don't like Yes :P - there's something about the melodies, specially the vocal lines, that I thoroughly dislike.
There ya go again, Sacul :P
Anyway, Close to the Edge is a masterpiece. 'Nuff said. :hefdaddy
-
Close To The Edge is great!
-
Don't like Yes :P - there's something about the melodies, specially the vocal lines, that I thoroughly dislike.
This.
LISTEN TO IT LOUDER YOU TWO. :biggrin:
-
BECAUSE LISTENING LOUDER CHANGES VOCAL MELODIES.
Following this.
1/6 so far.
-
But back then,the idea of a side long track was just a rare thing outside jazz.
...so your list is gonna feature jazz?
Close to the Edge is an obvious classic, and I haven't listened to Daydream Nation in an age, but I remember it being really good.
-
1/6 so far.
Hope you make some nice discoveries! :tup
But back then,the idea of a side long track was just a rare thing outside jazz.
...so your list is gonna feature jazz?
That's not really what I meant but...why not? :biggrin:
-
Been slightly busy lately,only two records this time. Sorry guys! :P
44.Riverside - Out Of Myself (2003)
(https://image.lyricspond.com/image/r/artist-riverside/album-out-of-myself/cd-cover.jpg)
It’s been a damn long while since I’ve last listened to this band. But I still love this album and know it by heart. To me,this album sounds like a mix between 70s prog and some very melancholic prog rock of the early 2000s like couple Anathema tracks. Anyways,my favorite aspect of the record is that it’s very claustrophobic. Songs like I Believe or OK just make me feel miserable. Sure,the record is pretty prog but it has the depressing feels of a record from The Cure. The record also is very balanced. Opening with a 12 minute epic,The Same River which has some incredible bass riffs and soloing which moves onto the title track,a track that definitely shows off some Tool influences. I really love the whispering vocals on this track. Next up is I Believe which is a very pretty acoustic ballad. The lyrics are also pretty great. And then,we have an instrumental called Reality Dream. Pretty smooth instrumentation with nice bass riffs and then…the best track of the record comes up. Normally,people prefer Riverside’s next record,Second Life Syndrome simply because it’s a stronger record. And guess what? They’re right. But the reason I really hold OOM very close to my heart is how anti prog it is. Really,Loose Heart is shorter than 5 minutes but has a huge amount of feels and two incredible guitar solos. The song kinda reminds me of Comfortably Numb at some points. Especially the second guitar solo is fucking perfect. One of my favorite guitar solos EVER. Anyways,next up is Reality Dream 2 which I actually prefer over the first one since i just find it to be a tad catchier. In Two Minds is probably the weakest track on the record but the lyrics really make up for it. It’s like I Believe’s older cousin. Second to last we have The Curtain Falls. This track to me used to be the weakest on the record,but it’s made its way up as i gave it more listens. The solos and the grooves on this track are just amazing. Really great keyboard and guitar work. And then,OK closes the album on a very sad and depressed note. Out Of Myself impresses me in a way no other prog record does. It’s atmospheric,depressed and just a raw record. Anyone who is tired of generic prog should check this band out. They have been one of the best prog bands of the new millennium.
Favorite Track:Loose Heart
43.Cult Of Luna Somewhere Along The Highway (2006)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519ocMSevIL.jpg)
This record right here. This is the record that got me into Atmospheric Sludge Metal and Post Rock. This record perfectly combines those two genres and makes something amazing with both of them. Swedish sludge metal band Cult Of Luna have a really original sound. They always have this really doom and sludgy wall of sound while the song progresses and the drums back those sounds up so well that it just feels perfect. And the vocals,oh the vocals. In my honest opinion,I often dislike Post Metal vocals. For example,Oceanic to me is a better record without vocals. Sometimes trying to sound rough and tough just makes you much less rough and tough,if that makes any sense. Rydberg’s vocals,backed up by the amazing guitarist Johannes Persson’s gritty voice just creates a very deadly ambience. It not only compliments the music but also improves it. Now let’s talk about some highlights,there are three tracks on the record above 10 minutes and those three are some of the best Post Rock related tracks I’ve ever heard. I’m not gonna go into much detail track by track but there is a very high level of finesse with these tracks in both production and songwriting. And the record is very well arranged and perfectly structured. I will go as far as calling this one of the best metal releases of the 21st century so far. If you dig Isis or Agalloch,this could be the record you’ve been dying for. And even if you have not heard any post rock or post metal,this record is a wonderful place to start,so why the hell not?
Favorite Track:Dark City,Dead Man
-
Out of Myself! :tup
-
Out of Myself! :tup
Although SLS is the better album,I like OOM more.
-
Somewhere Along the Highway is such an amazing album. I prefer Salvation by a small margin, but still.. incredible music. :hat
-
I've heard about Cult of Luna, and about Riverside. Actually, I tried Riverside once, but didn't like them. Judging the fact that last year I hated both Haken and Devin Townsend, and now I absolutely love 'em both to death, maybe I'll eventually like them, sometime. Who knows.
-
I've heard about Cult of Luna, and about Riverside. Actually, I tried Riverside once, but didn't like them. Judging the fact that last year I hated both Haken and Devin Townsend, and now I absolutely love 'em both to death, maybe I'll eventually like them, sometime. Who knows.
Riverside are mostly very 70's Progressive Rock and Pink Floyd/Porcupine Tree sounding, but the one album that breaks the formula a bit is Anno Domini High Definition, which is more like a Progressive Metal album, and really has some strong DT-sounding parts. Actually I would say that one is my favorite album of theirs. Maybe that album would be easier to get into first. :)
-
I've heard about Cult of Luna, and about Riverside. Actually, I tried Riverside once, but didn't like them. Judging the fact that last year I hated both Haken and Devin Townsend, and now I absolutely love 'em both to death, maybe I'll eventually like them, sometime. Who knows.
Riverside are mostly very 70's Progressive Rock and Pink Floyd/Porcupine Tree sounding, but the one album that breaks the formula a bit is Anno Domini High Definition, which is more like a Progressive Metal album, and really has some strong DT-sounding parts. Actually I would say that one is my favorite album of theirs. Maybe that album would be easier to get into first. :)
Either that one or their most praised, Second Life Syndrome. Although I agree they are too PF/PT sounding, I really can't see them being 70's prog. They're nearer to Tool and 00's DT than to Yes or King Crimson, for example. They have quite a modern sound and approach that just a few prog metal bands have.
-
No update today due to me going to see Jack White live! :metal
-
So after getting really sick after the concert and being flooded with homeworks,I couldn't really update much. That shall change tomorrow,cya then!
-
So,after losing my laptop at school,I wrote these write-ups on my phone. Don't worry,my laptop is found and I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow. Meanwhile,here are two albums.
42.Aphex Twin - Richard D. James Album (1996)
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3646/3410652002_8c648d5348.jpg)
An incredible IDM record which proves that electronic music is not as easy to make as it sounds. Richard really shows off his talents on this record. From the very complicated beats to the very insane samples to the beautiful melodies,he proves that electronic music can be the most gorgeous music out there. The album opens up with 4 which is one of my favorites,a very upbeat track with a very badass drum line and an amazing synth (i think) line to boot. Another highlight is Fingerbib,a track that sounds so…squishy. I know it sounds really weird but some of these songs make me think with all five of my senses. As crazy as that sounds,that actually does happen. How cool is that? My absolute favorite on the record is Girl/Boy Song. That track has an amazing climax with strings and pianos and it really is a huge surprise. That song is probably my favorite IDM track out there. In conclusion,this is a must if you want to get into electronic music.
Favorite Track:Girl/Boy Song
41.Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)
(https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list/c8a82f6e2615a3669e06ca074ca126593ffd7de7.jpg)
I don’t think Trent Reznor gets enough credit as a songwriter. He has songs you can dance to,fuck to,cry to or go nuts to. The Downward Spiral proves that. Piggy,March Of The Pigs,Closer,Mr. Selfdestruct and Hurt are all different songs from one another. The record if you haven’t noticed is kind of a concept record of some dude killing himself. Some lyrics may seem really dumb but there are huge metaphors. The music is also really excellent. The instrumental part of Closer is one of the coolest things i’ve ever heard. It sounds like a gigantic machine starting up. Another thing I really like is the piano on this record. There are moments where piano is played during the end of a song which ends up looking really out of place in a really cool way. Anyways,this record is worth checking out and you should all do so
Favorite Track:Hurt
-
Two great albums even though neither is my favorite by the artist/band. Downward Spiral is a classic, but when it comes to Aphex Twin I feel like he has had an uphill career of trying to follow up his best album, Selected Ambient Works, which was also his first. The other albums aren't bad, but he never topped that one IMO.
-
I kind of like electronica, so will check Aphex soon. I'm curious about The Downward Spiral, because it's such an experimental and hard to digest album, yet it had a terrific commercial success. It's great and I'm still getting into it after some weeks of spinning, but I have no idea how it became that popular, being so inaccessible.
-
Two great albums even though neither is my favorite by the artist/band. Downward Spiral is a classic, but when it comes to Aphex Twin I feel like he has had an uphill career of trying to follow up his best album, Selected Ambient Works, which was also his first. The other albums aren't bad, but he never topped that one IMO.
Yep, my favorite is the first SAW too. Still, i think the Richard D. James album is pretty great :tup
-
I kind of like electronica, so will check Aphex soon. I'm curious about The Downward Spiral, because it's such an experimental and hard to digest album, yet it had a terrific commercial success. It's great and I'm still getting into it after some weeks of spinning, but I have no idea how it became that popular, being so inaccessible.
Really? It took me one listen really. But then again,the record gets better with age.
-
40.Peter Gabriel - So (1986)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41m8HAyJV4L.jpg)
Peter Gabriel is my biggest idol in music. His touch on music always goes farther and I love that about him. Even when his music is simple pop,he always has a very artistic and experimental edge. In my opinion,his work with Genesis spawned some of the greatest albums from the 70s. His solo albums are also really good,especially his 3rd Self Titled and So. I love both of those records equally but I went with So since it has more sentimental value. Mr. Gabriel really made me the person i am today,he has a very special view on music and just is an incredible songwriter. So is no exception. Probably the most commercially successful record on this list,So sold an impressive number of copies. The singles (Red Rain and Sledgehammer especially) did amazing with their videos playing more than any other music video on MTV. My favorite aspect of So is that it’s a record that is really impossible not to like. Like seriously,there’s something for EVERYONE here. The funky Sledgehammer,the beautiful duet with Kate Bush (another one of my favorite artists from the 80s) Don’t Give Up and the satirical Big Time. So is just a great,well balanced pop record.
Favorite Track:Sledgehammer
39.At The Drive In - Relationship Of Command (2000)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61BXXTB0BJL.jpg)
Here we have one of the greatest Post Hardcore releases ever. At The Drive In is one of the bands that I hated on first listen,as a Mars Volta fan prog snob,I really hated how punk At The Drive In was,years later I got into bands like Fugazi and Husker Du and when it was the time to revisit At The Drive In,I didn’t have any expectations. But what a first listen that was.. This is the greatest post hardcore album of all time. It’s one of the most entartaining albums ever and the punk sound mixed with beautiful melodies just blew me away. The albums opener Arcarsenal is an amazing post hardcore tune, Cedric’s vocals are really rough but not in a screamy way but it in a way sounds really amazing. Like the vocals have an epic feel to them. Probably because Cedric putting in so much energy to his vocals. The track Invalid Litter Dept. is in my opinion one of the greatest tracks ever. The piano in the background compliments the guitars so beautifully and the chorus is just great. The spoken word verses might sound weird at first but grows on you after the second chorus or so. But the really cool breakdown at the end of the song is just cool. It’s the moment i wish i could make in my own music. (Man,I need a drummer.) I could write an essay on this album,there’s so many things I love in it. So I’ll just cut it short here. In short,the record is amazing and if you’re not into punk,an essential gateway to the genre.
Favorite Track:Invalid Litter Dept.
-
Come on guys! :biggrin:
-
I think I have that Drive-in album on my to-listen list. It seems like a really energetic and fun album. Will give it a listen soon.
-
I think I have that Drive-in album on my to-listen list. It seems like a really energetic and fun album. Will give it a listen soon.
Give it multiple listens though,it took me a while to really get into the album.
-
Relationship of Command is absolutely fantastic. One of the best albums in general out there. :tup
-
I need to get familiar with Peter Gabriel and the stuff he did with Genesis, as well. I like Marillion with Fish, so his voice would probably not ruin the music for me. :D
-
I need to get familiar with Peter Gabriel and the stuff he did with Genesis, as well. I like Marillion with Fish, so his voice would probably not ruin the music for me. :D
Do it now.
Relationship of Command is absolutely fantastic. One of the best albums in general out there. :tup
Shh.. Editing.
-
I finally have gotten my new computer and wrote my write up for only one album,sorry I've been extremely slow but double update tomorrow so I promise the drought of no updates is over. Anyways,here is the number 38!
38.John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1966)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fNjQrG-aL.jpg)
Yes,pretty generic pick for the jazz album on the list but COME ON PEOPLE,you simply can’t name a jazz album constructed better than A Love Supreme. Acknowledgement,Resolution,Pursuance and Psalm. Those are the four parts that form this incredible record. Each have their own pros. The album opener Acknowledgement shows off some wonderful drumming with some really great playing from Coltrane in the lead. I love the part where Coltrane actually starts singing the name of the album. Pretty cool.The next part,Resolution has my all time favorite jazz riff. That riff is just so captivating that those 7 minutes fly by fast. Now the reason I’m not too into records like Kind Of Blue by Miles Davis is that the drumming is the same lame beat for the entire record,well part 3,Pursuance is the complete opposite. Elvin Jones is a complete monster on those drums on the intro and when Coltrane joins in,he still does couple really cool fills here and there. He’s a very unique drummer. The piano work by McCoy Tyner on this track is also great,it’s always wonderful listening to his fast lines. Lastly,Psalm closes the album on a very slower note. The drumming on the track is very different as this time it’s Coltrane’s turn to blow us away. I never get this feeling in other jazz records but Coltrane’s playing on this track to me sounds like he’s telling us about a heartbreak. I know that sounds dumb but that’s just what it sounds like to me. But i know that it isn’t just me that loves this record,this is up there with Bitches Brew and The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady as the greatest jazz records ever. (Let’s also add in some Karma by Pharoah Sanders in there) This is the perfect gateway to jazz.
Favorite Track:The Whole Thing
-
Gave it a listen some weeks ago. To be hones, it didn't tell me anything. The songs didn't feel they had some mayor structure, it was a big well arranged improvisation. It might grow on me if I give it another chance, but it bored me :lol .
-
I'm a bit of a casual Coltrane fan. I like his music, but so far I have been more blown away by Miles Davis. (though times can change) I forgot to write earlier, but Relationship of Command is a masterpiece.
-
A Love Supreme is absolute brilliance. There's a reason it's so highly praised in jazz music. Elvin Jones as well man. What a beast. :hefdaddy
-
Yes,pretty generic pick for the jazz album on the list
That's what's great about jazz as a genre though. If you asked your run of the mill rock fan for his favourite albums, they're probably gonna name albums like Nevermind, Back in Black, Led Zeppelin 4, and the Wall - in other words, a list of (arguably) quite varying quality. You could ask pretty much any jazz fan for their favourite albums, and they will quite consistently mention a similar set of albums, and they will all be monstrous, mindbending albums.
Of the major players in jazz, Coltrane's not one of my favourites. His stuff is a bit too... academic, it feels too concerned with technicality over swing and cool for me, as lame as that might sound. A Love Supreme is probably his best album though. It's a nice balance of his earlier material, more about showcasing technique, and his later, emotionally, spiritually driven work.
The songs didn't feel they had some mayor structure, it was a big well arranged improvisation.
Really, in jazz? Who'd've thought?
-
Also, one thing I forgot about ALS: it irks me how the instruments are completely separated into the different ears/channels, something they pretty much never do with jazz albums. I've never been able to listen to that album on headphones because of it.
-
Aside from Riverside (who I've always had a hard time fully digesting) I love everything so far. :metal
-
Sorry guys,due to my dog eating my computer,no updates today.
:neverusethis:
37.Arcade Fire - Funeral (2004)
(https://noisecritic.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/funeral.jpg)
This is a decade defining album. Even though it’s not my favorite album of the decade,i myself believe that indie rock in the 2000s will be remembered by Arcade Fire’s masterpiece Funeral. I don’t remember another album that I considered to be a modern classic after so few listens. The record is just stunning,powerful and just beautiful. This album hits hard when it does. I used to walk while listening to this the summer of 09,my every single step felt more powerful with this album in the background. When I listen to Funeral,i feel like i’m really going for a ride. The emotion in the music is so sincere. When I first listened to Arcade Fire,i was one of those people who thought that the 2000s were a horrible time for music and that Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven is the best song of all time. (But I still deep down inside preferred Achilles Last Stand) And I think it was during the first time i heard the chorus to Rebellion (Lies) when my opinion on music just changed. I could not get any enjoyment out of the music that I once adored. (Besides Progressive Rock that is) One thing i noticed about Funeral recently is that the album is very original. At the time,every single indie rock band had stolen something off of The Pixies. Arcade Fire aren’t one of those bands. They’re free of any clichés found on an indie album. Which is why Funeral still sounds very fresh. Every little detail is fantastic from the accordions to the strings and to the horns. Funeral in my opinion is one of the best albums of this generation of music.
Favorite Track:Wake Up
36.DJ Shadow - Entroducing (1996)
(https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/list/46c8775b87420d19e8a34221995dfae068531ba2.jpg)
You know this list really is lacking at the hip hop department. I’m kinda surprised with that since hip hop has been really growing on me the past couple years. (I have My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Good Kid Maad City to thank for that) But I knew this record would be on the list the second i started listing albums. This is one of the most unique albums ever. The way DJ Shadow uses samples is just unheard of. Sadly there is a train of thought that sampling is bordering on plaglarism. I really don’t agree. The thing with this record it’s the first record where I would consider sampling an art. Sure,sampling has been used waaay before this album came out but this kind of sampling was never done before. This stuff requires so much skill,time and also a lot of finesse. And you know what,at least it cites where the sample is taken from rather than just using it and not referring to the source. (Something Led Zeppelin never did with a ton of riffs huh?) But still,if you don’t like samples that much this record is not really for you. (Still worth a shot though) I ignored this album for way too long. I used to think this was some lame EDM record but then somehow I heard the record and i was really surprised with the variety of styles this man explores randing from hip hop,jazz,funk,psychedelic rock and more. From what I’ve heard,this album is actually in the Guinness Book Of World Records for being an album composed entirely of samples. It’s such a shame that DJ Shadow went on to produce very uninspired rehashes. It really hurts me to say that he’s a one album wonder. But we still have Entroducing. A masterpiece that will always stand the test of time.
Favorite Track:Stem/Long Stem/Transmission 2 (That’s one track)
35.Slowdive - Souvlaki (1993)
(https://www.moonunitrecords.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/8/7/8713748982256_1.jpg)
This album moves me. It takes me to a brand new planet. The spacey guitars just captivate me like nothing else. For example,listen to the opener Alison. There is a guitar lick on that song that just gives me goosebumps every single time. You know the one. (0:55) I don’t know why but somehow that sound the guitar makes just takes me away and Dagger brings me back home. Those two usually are the fan favorites off this album but I actually prefer Machine Gun over them. The bridge and the chorus on that track are some the most beautiful moments in music period. The lyrics are also very strong. But I just like how dreamy this all sounds. It’s nothing like that other shoegaze album. One of the things that I find to be very weird about this album is that even though the lyrics can be really dark,somehow the music has this sound to it where it gives a certain amount of hope to the listener. There really isn’t much to say this album. It really should just be experienced. Trust me,you won’t regret it.
Favorite Track:Machine Gun
-
All three of these are fantastic. :tup My placement of Funeral wasn't too far from yours. :lol
-
All three of these are fantastic. :tup My placement of Funeral wasn't too far from yours. :lol
Yeah,I noticed but I didn't want to really spoil my list. :biggrin:
-
Haven't listened to the others but Endtroducing.... :hefdaddy . I listened to it almost daily since I first heard it. Truly awesome.
-
Haven't listened to the others but Endtroducing.... :hefdaddy . I listened to it almost daily since I first heard it. Truly awesome.
It's amazing how unrivaled Entroducing is. The closest thing there is is probably J Dilla's Donuts. That's another great album. Check that out if you haven't.
-
It's Souvlaki ;) Either way, great album!
-
Great update!
I'm happy Slowdive are slowly getting more and more appreciation, and in my opinion they are the best Shoegaze/Dream Pop band out of the ones that really started it. While My Bloody Valentine gets most of the focus much thanks to Loveless (which is indeed a perfect album), I feel like Slowdive's overall consistency is what makes them the better band for me. MBV has one masterpiece, one great album and one throwaway album. Slowdive has two masterpieces and one great album.
-
Here,have a quick and short update! Exams are a pain in the ass. Funny cause I had a french exam today and the album is....
34.Harmonium - Si On Avait Besoin D’une Cinquieme Saison (Means “If We Needed A Fifth Season) (1975)
(https://img11.nnm.ru/5/4/2/3/2/542329ff0d4d2178b1f998374ed59d88_full.jpg)
Quite possibly the most obscure album on my list,this is a concept album by the canadian Progressive/Folk band Harmonium. This is quite possibly one of the most beautiful albums I’ve ever heard. Sure the first tracks may sound odd at first due to the French but it will grow on you in couple listens. But what steals the show is their “fifth season”. Yes,the first 4 tracks are the four seasons in the order of Spring,Summer,Fall and Winter. I love how the concept really works well since all the tracks sound really different from each other. The instrumentation work is incredible,often times including flutes,accordions,saxophones,mellotrons and even dulcimer. There is a huge variety of sounds on this record which keeps it fresh. It’s not the longest album ever,it ends really quickly but in a good way. It’s always an amazing experience listening to this album and I hope the record will remain one of my favorites.
Favorite Track:Histoires Sans Paroles
-
Knew I'd be their only fan on the forum! :biggrin:
-
I've heard of this album, but haven't given it a listen yet. Will do now. :tup
-
I've heard of this album, but haven't given it a listen yet. Will do now. :tup
This. I've heard it recommended on some essential prog lists somewhere. Although I'm not keen on 70's prog, will give it a listen anyways.
-
Knew I'd be their only fan on the forum! :biggrin:
Wrong! ;)
This used to be one of my absolute favourite albums back when I was a big proghead. I don't listen to it much anymore now that I'm into like any genre I can find merit in, but it's still a fantastic album.
-
I've heard of this album, but haven't given it a listen yet. Will do now. :tup
This. I've heard it recommended on some essential prog lists somewhere. Although I'm not keen on 70's prog, will give it a listen anyways.
I'm not that keen on 70s prog as well but this is a very different take on prog as it's kinda like an even folkier Jethro Tull.
-
33.Björk - Vespertine (2001)
(https://xahmusic.org/music/_p/Bjork_Vespertine_cover.jpg)
The perfect winter album. This album makes me feel cold in a good way. There’s only one other album that does that which will be coming up later in the list. (Were the early 2000s that cold?) But my adventure with Björk began when I was little. I heard Hyperballad somewhere and thought it was amazing and i forgot about it for years until I heard in on some radio. So naturally I bought some of her albums. I got Medulla,Debut and Post. Those last two I eventually started to like but I wasn’t really into those three albums when I was 13. So one day I found a bargain bin with albums for very cheap. One of those albums was Homogenic. And I was blown away with that album. The first 5 tracks on that album were just unmatched for me at that age..until i got Vespertine. Vespertine is a bit glitchier than Homogenic which is something that I’d get really tired of quickly. But man,this album is just special. The chorus of Hidden Place,the boy choir on It’s Not Up To You,the last few lines of Undo,Pagan Poetry as a whole,OOOOOHs in Aurora,the groovy Heirloom and the beautiful beats in Unison. There is a lot in Vespertine to digest. Every single listen has me discovering something new and to me that just shows how timeless this album is. Please do yourselves a favour and listen to this album.
Favorite Track:Pagan Poetry
PS:How beautiful is that cover? Very.
32.Jethro Tull - Aqualung (1971)
(https://www.withfriendship.com/images/i/40396/aqualung-images.jpg)
Oh yes this one.this is the album that put Jethro Tull on the map. I’m not too keen on the band’s work before this album. To me,this is as good as Jethro Tull gets. (Including Thick As A Brick,another masterpiece.) How many albums can you name that can make a flute so badass? None. Aqualung has two types of tracks. The amazing acoustic ballads like Wond’ring Aloud and Wind Up have some great vocal melodies and memorable instrumentation. But there are also some rockers like the title track and My God. The guitar work on the album is great and all but there’s some wonderful keyboard and orchestral work. It may sound weird but the orchestral work on this album reminds me of some Sigur Ros. (Wond’ring Aloud) I think the album is following some concept but I actually never dug deep for the story. I think it’s some dude looking for god. No matter what the concept is,the music on this album is just great. There are some really catchy material here which is just uncommon in prog. Up To Me for example has been playing in my head for a long time. Especially when I’m writing essays for some reason. One of my favorites is the closer,Wind Up. It’s one of the greatest ballads I’ve ever heard. The lyrics are easily Ian Anderson’s best here and the music just sounds sincere. I really don’t have a favorite on here. Every single song kicks ass.
Favorite track:Hey dude,read the last two sentences.
-
Björk :heart
-
Aqualung, huh. I dig title track, Cross-Eyed Mary, My God and Locomotive Breath. I'm not a fan of both Wind Up and Wond'ring Aloud. I think Ian's voice began to sound better on the ballads when he got a bit older (think Said She Was a Dancer). Still a strong album though.
-
Liked Aqualung, but TAAB is still better though :coolio .
-
I'm back for real this time. :blush
31.Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)
(https://assets.rollingstone.com/assets/images/album_review/aa3329a43c2bde0dea26fe22f22f78ac85f06e72.jpg)
Easily the most out of place song on the list,Songs In The Key Of Life is one of th e most enjoyable albums ever. In fact this probably deserves to be higher. A double album with NO FILLERS? Count me in! The music is also some really enjoyable. The voice of Stevie is one of the brightest voices I’ve ever heard. His performance on tracks like Isn’t She Lovely and Sir Duke just make me smile every single time. In context it’s impossible for me to get through this record,a double soul record? I can’t even get through a single album by Curtis Mayfield or Otis Redding. The difference with this record is that there’s so many ideas on this album. Stevie really nailed it with this one. You have jazz influences on Sir Duke,pop on Isn’t She Lovely and funk with Have A Talk With God. There are couple tracks with synth or string arrangements and it keeps things fresh every single time. This album impresses me every single time. 21 of the catchiest and joyful songs ever written.
Favorite Track:Sir Duke
30.Opeth - Still Life (1999)
(https://images.cryhavok.org/d/9125-1/Opeth+-+Still+Life.jpg)
Do I really need to say anything about this record? Sure,Blackwater Park is amazing too. And My Arms,Your Hearse is one of the most badass albums ever. But to me Still Life is Opeth at their best. The riffs,the passages,the lyrics,every single thing you might want from a good progressive metal album. Now the main difference why I prefer this over Blackwater Park is that the music just sounds more raw and dirty. The guitars sound really muddy in a good way. Another noticeable difference is that Still Life is actually a concept album. It’s about a man who had been banished from his town. He comes back 15 years later and starts looking for the Melinda,the girl he loved. The ending is pretty sad but the story is surprisingly good. The album is very consistent and constructed in a way that prevents you getting burnt out of it like other death metal albums. There are two great acoustic tracks,Benighted and Face Of Melinda. The opener The Moor has some amazing passages and is an amazing intro to the album. Godhead’s Lament is more of the same. Moonlapse Vertigo is still my favorite due to the wonderful melodies floating around. Serenity Painted Death is the heaviest track and it kicks a ton of ass. White Cluster is also pretty heavy and closes the album wonderfully. Still Life is a must for music fans although I still recommend Blackwater Park for beginners. But that doesn’t change the fact that Still Life is one of the best metal albums I’ve ever heard.
29.Elliott Smith - Either/Or (1997)
(https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51kcPXU7-9L.jpg)
There are a lot of sad singer songwriters out there,but what differs Elliott from the crowd? Besides his wonderful songwriting and warm voice,he’s also one of the most heartfelt and sincere musicians I’ve ever heard. He gives me the feels that not many artist can. He’s just a unique person and musician. This album is one of the most painful albums ever and it succeeds to make me sad every damn time. But there is always an optimism under that miserable layer. Imagine if Nick Drake joined The Beatles and kinda got a little more sad yet a bit less pessimistic. There are so many different feelings on these tracks. Speed Trials has some very sarcastic lyrics. Ballad Of Big Nothing is uplifting but Pictures Of Me is filled with angst. 2:45 AM is freaky and Alameda is sad as hell. The point is,the album is very rewarding and for such a short album has so much depth to it. Sure the album isn’t perfect,but it’s one of the most impressive.
Favorite Track:Between The Bars
-
I've not given Still Life enough attention, but I've liked what I heard. Either/Or is on my to-listen list - will give it a listen after my roulette is finished :tup
-
Either/Or is on my to-listen list - will give it a listen after my roulette is finished :tup
You'll love it. Trust me. :D
-
Still Life is a must for music fans although I still recommend Blackwater Park for beginners.
What!? :lol
-
I'm assuming he meant people who haven't heard Opeth before, or people who have a hard time with harsh vocals.
-
Still Life is a must for music fans although I still recommend Blackwater Park for beginners.
What!? :lol
Guys I have a confession to make. When I first joined this forum i wasn't an Opeth fan. :lol
Oh and yes i meant people who dislike harsh vocals. I was sold during Bleak.
-
Still Life is a great album. :tup Probably not for people not used to harsh vocals, but then again, Opeth was one of the bands that helped ease me into that style.
-
Favorite Track:Between The Bars
Amazing song by the way.
-
Still Life is one of my least favorite Opeth albums, but good nevertheless.
-
Favorite Track:Between The Bars
Amazing song by the way.
Yeah,one of those songs that can make anyone pick up the guitar.
-
Either/Or :heart :heart :heart
-
Hey guys,I've been incredibly busy with life recently. The following month is going to be one of my busiest so far. Thus I've decided to continue the list later. Cya guys in a month!
-
I'm curious if you plan to finish this :P
-
I'm curious if you plan to finish this :P
To bo honest with you i might start over. :rollin