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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: WildRanger on September 13, 2018, 03:19:39 PM

Title: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 13, 2018, 03:19:39 PM
Can you name some albums that are widely considered to be timeless classics (or "must-have" in the collection) but you could never get into them for some reason? And why?




Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Architeuthis on September 13, 2018, 03:21:40 PM
Anything by Queen..
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 13, 2018, 03:29:24 PM
I am sure these are "You had to be there at the time" material but:

Pet Sounds: Has one of my favorite songs ever (Sloop John B, a reworked folk song) and two excellent time classics (Wouldn't It Be Nice and God Only Knows) but otherwise nothing that impresses or resonates with me or compels me to ever listen to.

Sgt Pepper: Just because they had 3-4 better albums. Which I guess says something about the quality of their discography. 

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 13, 2018, 03:30:18 PM
I feel like (as evidenced by the first response) this will likely be more band related than specific album related. For me it's anything by Pink Floyd. Nothing against them at all, but I just don't "get it" the way other people do.

I can't think of a specific album that i don't get when I get other albums by that band.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 13, 2018, 03:32:47 PM
Anything by The Beatles or Black Sabbath. Most Metallica. Slayer's Reign in Blood if that counts I guess. Literally anything and everything by Chris Cornell, I guess Temple of the Dog's album was highly important but it's noise to me. Anything by Floyd except Dark Side and The Wall but especially WYWH and Animals.

I can probably think of 30 more classics if I tried. Yes, there is stuff I do like, too.  :biggrin:  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Podaar on September 13, 2018, 03:33:14 PM
The Beatles (White Album)
Foxtrot - Genesis
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Train of Naught on September 13, 2018, 03:36:17 PM
Awake, never knew why but I could never really get into it, it's a bottom 3 or 4 DT album for me.

Oh and In The Aeroplane Over The Sea :corn seriously what's the hype for that album about
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 13, 2018, 03:38:56 PM
Sgt Pepper: Just because they had 3-4 better albums. Which I guess says something about the quality of their discography.

The Beatles (White Album)

Both of these! I mean I really love The Beatles but Revolver and Abbey Road beat these hands down. The former is pretty good, and I'm a fan of all the late Beatles stuff, but I don't 'get' all the love it gets. The latter has some of my all time favourite Beatles songs but also plenty I don't care for.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: axeman90210 on September 13, 2018, 03:39:51 PM
King Crimson's Red. Big ol' pile of Do Not Want as far as I'm concerned.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 13, 2018, 03:39:57 PM
If we're talking DT then ToT, it does literally nothing for me.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Podaar on September 13, 2018, 03:41:06 PM
Anything by The Beatles or Black Sabbath. Most Metallica. Slayer's Reign in Blood if that counts I guess. Literally anything and everything by Chris Cornell, I guess Temple of the Dog's album was highly important but it's noise to me. Anything by Floyd except Dark Side and The Wall but especially WYWH and Animals.

I really thought that one day we could be friends, but now I see that it's just not going to work out.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Silent Man on September 13, 2018, 03:42:20 PM
Anything by Queen and Oasis. Queen because of their overplayed sing-along songs, Oasis because that annoying singer who gives me the creeps.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Crow on September 13, 2018, 03:43:21 PM
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
why do people freak out over this garbage sounding album, maybe the composition is good I dunno it's impossible to tell half the time though

Anything by Radiohead, they're at best "decent" but definitely not one of the best bands of all time

I'm sure I have more tbh I'm too lazy to browse my RYM page though
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: twosuitsluke on September 13, 2018, 04:00:49 PM
Prepared to be crucified but....anything by Iron Maiden!

I guess I get it if they were your gateway metal band and what introduced you to metal. My gateway metal band was Metallica though and they did everything bigger, better and were 'cooler' as far as I'm concerned.

I compare it to my thoughts, growing up, on sci-fi. I was a massive Star Wars fan (still am). I lived and breathed Star Wars. It was cool as fuck and just epic. Then there was Star Trek...

Star Trek (in my head) was just inferior, kinda lame and leagues behind Star Wars in the 'cool' factor. It was for complete nerds and people who would probably live at home forever, letting their mum buy their clothes and never getting laid. Star Wars on the other hand, I was convinced, was for cool kids who would basically all grow up to be Han Solo!

My view on Iron Maiden is kind of the same. I understand they came before Metallica (and influenced them), just as Star Trek helped pave the way for Star Wars. However, I wasn't around to witness that so I've always seen them as the 'nerdy, never get laid, tucks their t-shirt into their jeans' band which attracts those sort of fans. It doesn't help that I can't really stand Bruce Dickenson's voice. Anyway, I digress, I basically don't 'get' Maiden.

Ready for the backlash
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Zook on September 13, 2018, 04:04:41 PM
I am sure these are "You had to be there at the time" material but:

I don't believe this is a real thing. I don't like The Beatles, but I own 3 Pink Floyd albums, and I wasn't alive when they came out. You could say the same thing about any huge pop star in 50 years and it would be just as meaningless.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 13, 2018, 04:07:19 PM
I'm not exactly sure what the "why" part of this question means, and "classic" is obviously open to a lot of interpretation, but....

Pretty much anything by Pink Floyd.  Other than finding "we don't need no education" amusing as a middle school student, I have never found anything interesting in anything I've heard by the band.  Even Comfortably Numb, whose chorus is somewhat melodic, is just deathly boring.

Also the Grateful Dead.  I'm not sure there is any single album that is considered to be a "classic," but I don't see the appeal in this band.

Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

I'm sure something else will come to me as soon as I click "post."
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Indiscipline on September 13, 2018, 04:15:40 PM
OK Computer - Radiohead.

It's not a you needed to be there thing. I WISH I wasn't there.

Why? Can't stand the vocals, orchestration, sound, phoney spleen. I was young, and very educated people I respected vouched for that album's incredible smarts and innovation, but I couldn't - and still can't - help but feeling like the kid who saw the emperor naked.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 13, 2018, 06:29:42 PM
Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

Wow, I'm surprised to read this. I've heard Shoot To Thrill on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks and it stopped me dead in my tracks. This was a real coming of musical age album for me.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 13, 2018, 06:36:12 PM
Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

Wow, I'm surprised to read this. I've heard Shoot To Thrill on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks and it stopped me dead in my tracks. This was a real coming of musical age album for me.

So you've heard of AC/DC?

Hm.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 13, 2018, 06:37:36 PM
Tim, no joke.  That song gets my blood rising.  I love it.  Hell, every song was on rock radio.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Architeuthis on September 13, 2018, 06:58:15 PM
Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

Wow, I'm surprised to read this. I've heard Shoot To Thrill on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks and it stopped me dead in my tracks. This was a real coming of musical age album for me.
Have a Drink On Me absolutely rocks too!   :metal
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Architeuthis on September 13, 2018, 07:08:25 PM
Prepared to be crucified but....anything by Iron Maiden!



My view on Iron Maiden is kind of the same. I understand they came before Metallica (and influenced them), just as Star Trek helped pave the way for Star Wars. However, I wasn't around to witness that so I've always seen them as the 'nerdy, never get laid, tucks their t-shirt into their jeans' band which attracts those sort of fans. It doesn't help that I can't really stand Bruce Dickenson's voice. Anyway, I digress, I basically don't 'get' Maiden.

Ready for the backlash
Interesting!  I am the opposite, I knew Metallica way before Maiden. Once I finally gave Maiden a chance, I realized they are more melodic and I like their compositions more than Metallica. I also like Bruce Dickinsons vocals alot more. It's just a matter of personal taste, but Maidens music just grabs me more. That's saying alot because I really like Metallica!
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 13, 2018, 07:12:29 PM
Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

Wow, I'm surprised to read this. I've heard Shoot To Thrill on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks and it stopped me dead in my tracks. This was a real coming of musical age album for me.

So you've heard of AC/DC?

Hm.

 :rollin
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 13, 2018, 07:21:01 PM
Prepared to be crucified but....anything by Iron Maiden!

I guess I get it if they were your gateway metal band and what introduced you to metal. My gateway metal band was Metallica though and they did everything bigger, better and were 'cooler' as far as I'm concerned.

I compare it to my thoughts, growing up, on sci-fi. I was a massive Star Wars fan (still am). I lived and breathed Star Wars. It was cool as fuck and just epic. Then there was Star Trek...

Star Trek (in my head) was just inferior, kinda lame and leagues behind Star Wars in the 'cool' factor. It was for complete nerds and people who would probably live at home forever, letting their mum buy their clothes and never getting laid. Star Wars on the other hand, I was convinced, was for cool kids who would basically all grow up to be Han Solo!

My view on Iron Maiden is kind of the same. I understand they came before Metallica (and influenced them), just as Star Trek helped pave the way for Star Wars. However, I wasn't around to witness that so I've always seen them as the 'nerdy, never get laid, tucks their t-shirt into their jeans' band which attracts those sort of fans. It doesn't help that I can't really stand Bruce Dickenson's voice. Anyway, I digress, I basically don't 'get' Maiden.

Ready for the backlash


Luke, I just read this post like 3 times. Not sure what to even say...but let me start..

If you don't get Iron Maiden, that's cool. Especially if you don't like Bruce's voice.


I am not a Sci Fi guy. I cannot watch Star Trek, though I do appreciate it. I think the original Star Wars movie was one of the best ever made. But that's all I can watch, really. Like Metallica did with Death Magnetic trying to recapture the 80's vibe, didn't a new Star Wars movie come out recently that totally ripped the original?


Anyway..I respect your opinion.


Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Anguyen92 on September 13, 2018, 07:24:28 PM
Well, for me, it's pretty much the majority of the heralded classic rock albums that I do not care for.  I don't care much for anything from Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath in particular.  Don't have anything against them since they've influence the bands that influenced my favorite bands, but I honestly don't have much interest or personal reason to check their stuff out.

Heck, for me, I don't care much about the majority of the albums from classic rock bands except for Rush and Iron Maiden (and that's mainly because they've created great stuff in the 2000s that allows me to be interested enough to go further back into their catalog.  I can't say that for other bands that's as old as them.)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: ChuckSteak on September 13, 2018, 08:12:33 PM
A lot of Floyd haters around here. You heretics!  ;D
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 13, 2018, 08:27:20 PM
The Black Album

I grew to "like" it later.  But seriously.  The first Metallica album with several skip tracks.  There are some really cool songs there, but it's over polished and when you consider lame tracks like Don't Tread on Me, the entire album is just OK. 

Empire

Pretty much the same thing.  Remove the trash that is Jet City Woman and Another Rainy Night and the album becomes instantly better.  Not as great as their truly classic stuff, but still really good.   
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: PowerSlave on September 14, 2018, 12:17:47 AM
The Beatles (White Album)


I've had this discussion with my brother and one of our friends several times. The White Album would have been incredible if they had cut a lot of the crap out of it, and had let George Harrison get at least another song on the record. Around that time. George had written a song called Badge that ended up being given to Cream due to his friendship with Eric Clapton. George was having trouble getting songs on Beatles' albums because John and Paul kept dominating the track lists, so instead of getting a stellar song like Badge to accompany another stellar song like As My Guitar Gently Weeps from George, we got utter garbage like Why Don't We Do It In the Road from Paul.


As far as stuff that I just don't get, I'll have to go with King Crimson and ELP. I love the classic era of Genesis, and some of the classic era of Yes, so you'd think that KC and ELP would be in my wheelhouse, but they just irritate the shit out of me.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jingle.boy on September 14, 2018, 05:41:20 AM
Anything by Floyd except Dark Side and The Wall but especially WYWH and Animals.

I really thought that one day we could be friends, but now I see that it's just not going to work out.

Right?

I'll pop this one back on Katt again .... King Crimson/ITCOTCK.
I'll also agree with OK Computer
And it's a bit obscure (and RJ's gonna hate on me for this), but Tales from Topographic Oceans.
Early/experimental Floyd
Master of Puppets
Is American Idiot considered a 'classic/must-have'?  If so, then that one too.
Any of the big ones from grunge - Nevermind and Ten particularly

I'm sure more will come to mind.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 14, 2018, 06:11:44 AM
Sorry fellas. Those Floyd albums are dullsville. Just don't get it. Also, you love me, Chad  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Peter Mc on September 14, 2018, 08:04:32 AM
Anything by The Beatles or Led Zeppelin. I appreciate these bands are hugely influential on bands that I love but just don’t enjoy listening to them. I’m also a huge guitar fan (although not a musician myself) and I don’t get why Jimmy Page is so revered. Nothing I’ve heard has ever sounded impressive but then, I’ve never delved too deep into their back catalogue.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Evermind on September 14, 2018, 08:37:23 AM
Sorry fellas. Those Floyd albums are dullsville. Just don't get it. Also, you love me, Chad  :lol

Glad you weren't around when WYWH topped my Top 50 albums list. :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Samsara on September 14, 2018, 08:50:17 AM
Every AC/DC album ever recorded. I just don't get it.  ???
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 09:18:41 AM
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
why do people freak out over this garbage sounding album, maybe the composition is good I dunno it's impossible to tell half the time though

"Must-have" or "huge classic" albums.   
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: mikeyd23 on September 14, 2018, 09:27:46 AM
Prepared to be crucified but....anything by Iron Maiden!

I guess I get it if they were your gateway metal band and what introduced you to metal. My gateway metal band was Metallica though and they did everything bigger, better and were 'cooler' as far as I'm concerned.

I compare it to my thoughts, growing up, on sci-fi. I was a massive Star Wars fan (still am). I lived and breathed Star Wars. It was cool as fuck and just epic. Then there was Star Trek...

Star Trek (in my head) was just inferior, kinda lame and leagues behind Star Wars in the 'cool' factor. It was for complete nerds and people who would probably live at home forever, letting their mum buy their clothes and never getting laid. Star Wars on the other hand, I was convinced, was for cool kids who would basically all grow up to be Han Solo!

My view on Iron Maiden is kind of the same. I understand they came before Metallica (and influenced them), just as Star Trek helped pave the way for Star Wars. However, I wasn't around to witness that so I've always seen them as the 'nerdy, never get laid, tucks their t-shirt into their jeans' band which attracts those sort of fans. It doesn't help that I can't really stand Bruce Dickenson's voice. Anyway, I digress, I basically don't 'get' Maiden.

Ready for the backlash

I'm with you on this. So many people on this forum love IM, so I've tried to get into them, but I just can't. Just not my thing.

My other (probably unpopular) one - Queensryche - same thing - I've tried and I just can't get into them.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Nick on September 14, 2018, 09:31:16 AM
It has been a long time since I listened, but OK Computer is the first that comes to mind.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 09:34:20 AM
OK Computer
Nevermind
Tommy (not that it's bad, or I don't get it, but I just prefer Who's Next and Quadrophenia)
American Beauty (I actually love the Dead, but this album just doesn't work for me at all; I prefer Anthem of the Sun or Terrapin Station)
Revenge (HUGE Kiss fan, but I don't quite get the love)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Grappler on September 14, 2018, 09:45:59 AM
Every AC/DC album ever recorded. I just don't get it.  ???

Weren't you at the Chicago Queensryche Q2K shows at the House of Blues in March of 2000?  I went 2 nights in a row and for both nights, the music on the PA system was Back in Black.  Over, and over, and over again.  Pre-show and in between bands.  When the album ended, it just started over again.   :lol   I don't think I've ever recovered from that abuse - I like some AC/DC, but I haven't been able to enjoy anything from that album in 18 years.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2018, 10:07:33 AM
WTF is OK Computer? Is that a classic album? A band? I’ve never heard of it.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 14, 2018, 10:12:47 AM
Tim, you never heard of Radiohead?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2018, 10:14:45 AM
I’ve heard of them. But I’ve never heard them. Is that one of their albums?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 14, 2018, 10:20:11 AM
Yes.  It was them stepping into a more progressive style of music.  The hit song, Paranoid Android was in high rotation on MTV & VH1.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2018, 11:14:30 AM
What year? MTV hasn’t played videos in ages.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 11:20:23 AM
Mike used to have OK Computer pretty high up on his list of all-time favorites, if memory serves.   Rolling Stone orgasms over Thom Yorke about  every two issues, whether they have a release/tour or not. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Samsara on September 14, 2018, 11:21:22 AM
Every AC/DC album ever recorded. I just don't get it.  ???

Weren't you at the Chicago Queensryche Q2K shows at the House of Blues in March of 2000?  I went 2 nights in a row and for both nights, the music on the PA system was Back in Black.  Over, and over, and over again.  Pre-show and in between bands.  When the album ended, it just started over again.   :lol   I don't think I've ever recovered from that abuse - I like some AC/DC, but I haven't been able to enjoy anything from that album in 18 years.

I was there (and in Milwaukee). But for the Chicago show, we totally missed the opener (doubleDrive), which sucked, because I loved their set in Milwaukee and became a huge fan. So I missed the AC/DC. We got into the venue probably with five minutes before Queensryche went on. It wasn't at HoB though. It was at the Riv. Or did that become an HoB?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Grappler on September 14, 2018, 11:29:06 AM
Every AC/DC album ever recorded. I just don't get it.  ???

Weren't you at the Chicago Queensryche Q2K shows at the House of Blues in March of 2000?  I went 2 nights in a row and for both nights, the music on the PA system was Back in Black.  Over, and over, and over again.  Pre-show and in between bands.  When the album ended, it just started over again.   :lol   I don't think I've ever recovered from that abuse - I like some AC/DC, but I haven't been able to enjoy anything from that album in 18 years.

I was there (and in Milwaukee). But for the Chicago show, we totally missed the opener (doubleDrive), which sucked, because I loved their set in Milwaukee and became a huge fan. So I missed the AC/DC. We got into the venue probably with five minutes before Queensryche went on. It wasn't at HoB though. It was at the Riv. Or did that become an HoB?

They played the Riv (Riviera Theater) in November 1999 and then did 3 nights at the HOB in March 2000.  I was at the Riv show and the first 2 nights of the HOB shows.

Good thing you missed all of that non-stop AC/DC.   :)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 14, 2018, 11:33:19 AM
The Black Album

I grew to "like" it later.  But seriously.  The first Metallica album with several skip tracks.  There are some really cool songs there, but it's over polished and when you consider lame tracks like Don't Tread on Me, the entire album is just OK. 

Agree.  Both the Black Album and Empire were part of the series of disappointing early 90s releases by the great bands of the 80s (Maiden's No Prayer for the Dying being the other that springs immediately to mind).  This was like, "really?  Metallica too?"  It's still heavy, but "over polished" is right.  "Enter Sandman" was such a childish song (I'm talking more musically than anything else).  Just that one riff repeated over and over and over AND OVER....  Also too grungy for my taste.  Seemed like a conscious effort to do something very different from AJFA, and then Metallica took that to the extreme with BloodCum and BloodPiss.


Empire

Pretty much the same thing.  Remove the trash that is The Thin Line and One and Only and the album becomes instantly better.  Not as great as their truly classic stuff, but still really good.

ftfy

Best I Can, Another Rainy Night, Resistance, Hand on Heart and Anybody Listening? are really good to great songs.  Jet City Woman and the title track are just average, and the rest of the album should have been left on the cutting room floor (the success of Silent Lucidity notwithstanding).  That being said, virtually anything QR could have done would have been a bit of a disappointment in comparison to O:M.


And it's a bit obscure (and RJ's gonna hate on me for this), but Tales from Topographic Oceans.

I'm not sure even hardcore Yes fans would call Topographic Oceans a "must have" or a "classic."  I love it, but it took a bit of effort, and I completely understand why even fans of 70s prog wouldn't like it and why it was panned at the time of its release.


WTF is OK Computer? Is that a classic album? A band? I’ve never heard of it.

WTF is OK Computer? Is that a classic album? A band? I’ve never heard of it.

I've heard of OK Computer, but I'm not sure I've ever heard a single song from it (I'm looking at the track list, and none of the titles sound like anything I've ever heard.  According to Wikipedia, this album has sold about 2.5 million copies in the U.S. (about on par with Bon Jovi's Crush), but the Wikipedia article is longer than the articles for some U.S. presidents.  I think maybe the only Radiohead song I've ever heard was "Creep," which I sought out about a year ago (for some reason I can't now remember) and thought it sucked hard.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 14, 2018, 11:40:37 AM
I've heard of OK Computer and knew it was a Radiohead album but that's about it. If I have ever heard a Radiohead song I am unaware of it. I think I get them confused with Coldplay. Do they both have whiney British sounding vocalists?

According to Wikipedia, this album has sold about 2.5 million copies in the U.S. (about on par with Bon Jovi's Crush), but the Wikipedia article is longer than the articles for some U.S. presidents.

 :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: MirrorMask on September 14, 2018, 11:47:44 AM
While of course I know the famous songs here and there, I still haven't felt a compelling urge to properly and thoroughly explore the discographies of:

- The Beatles
- Rolling Stones
- Pink Floyd
- Rush

So I'd guess any of the classic albums of those bands.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 14, 2018, 11:49:02 AM
I've heard of OK Computer and knew it was a Radiohead album but that's about it. If I have ever heard a Radiohead song I am unaware of it. I think I get them confused with Coldplay. Do they both have whiney British sounding vocalists?

According to Wikipedia, this album has sold about 2.5 million copies in the U.S. (about on par with Bon Jovi's Crush), but the Wikipedia article is longer than the articles for some U.S. presidents.

 :lol

Moving pictures sold 2.6 and what do you think of that album Chris?

Edir: That was before the remasters and 5.1 CD's that pushed it to 4 million in sales.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 14, 2018, 11:54:02 AM
I should have highlighted (or is it highlit? I never know) the part about the Wikipedia page for OK Computer being longer than the pages for some presidents.

Moving Pictures is amazing, but HOT TAKE COMING I think Tom Sawyer is one of the most overrated songs in classic rock. And I say that being a big fan of Rush (2112-MP Rush anyway)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 14, 2018, 11:56:47 AM
I'm with you on Radiohead, Chris.  I'm actually having a similar reaction to an album I am listening to that I am supposed to review prior to its release.  It is a band that is quite popular here.  But I am having a REALLY hard time figuring out how I am going to have much positive to say.  Especially whenever the vocals come in.  They just suck SO bad.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 12:01:16 PM

This was like, "really?  Metallica too?"  It's still heavy, but "over polished" is right.  "Enter Sandman" was such a childish song (I'm talking more musically than anything else).  Just that one riff repeated over and over and over AND OVER....  Also too grungy for my taste.  Seemed like a conscious effort to do something very different from AJFA, and then Metallica took that to the extreme with BloodCum and BloodPiss.

Contrast that with me, who heard "The  Black Album" and realized that "wow, Metallica AREN'T pretenders, they're the real deal!"  I also point to the episode of "Later... With Jools Holland" where they played "Enter Sandman" as the closing number, and as the camera panned around to the other acts (the show is in a studio and all the acts are set up in a circle, sort of) EVERY ONE of them was clapping, singing along, and even some of the guitar players were playing along.  Some of the greatest artists in music history - Macca, Elton John, Tom Jones, Robert Plant, Paul Rogers - have been on that show, and I have never seen that even one other time.   It's one of the best live performances I've ever seen, by any band.

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 14, 2018, 12:06:15 PM
I'm with you on Radiohead, Chris.  I'm actually having a similar reaction to an album I am listening to that I am supposed to review prior to its release.  It is a band that is quite popular here.  But I am having a REALLY hard time figuring out how I am going to have much positive to say.  Especially whenever the vocals come in.  They just suck SO bad.

Must be Haken....heh.

For me, I enjoy the classic bands but never really dove into buying much from their catalog, including the classic albums. Being a fan of music, I just never bothered. I'm sure I'll enjoy some songs but I don't know why I never bought the albums.

Sabbath, Deep Purple, All the bands that appear on Classic Rock radio basically.

Its actually funny looking at peoples faces when they look through my music player. They see all these bands yet nothing familiar. If it is, its not the albun or song they know.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 12:07:12 PM
While of course I know the famous songs here and there, I still haven't felt a compelling urge to properly and thoroughly explore the discographies of:

- The Beatles
- Rolling Stones
- Pink Floyd
- Rush

So I'd guess any of the classic albums of those bands.

This is to Ben_Jamin as well...

Bearing in mind that I am not at all talking about "liking" them, but how can you possibly ascertain the place in history of an artist you like if you don't know that which came before?   I hear SOOO many people saying "WOW, Lady Gaga is so UNIQUE!" and I'm like, well, yeah, if you completely ignore that Madonna woman.   Pearl Jam is so UNIQUE!  Well, yeah, if you never heard Zeppelin, Neil Young or The Who.  Doesn't mean they suck, or they're not doing something with it, but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?  And the "hits" aren't really indicative of that; "Paranoid" is the one Sabbath song everyone is heard, but there's not 30 seconds on Sabotage or Vol. 4 that sounds like Paranoid.   
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 14, 2018, 12:10:22 PM
I'm with you on Radiohead, Chris.  I'm actually having a similar reaction to an album I am listening to that I am supposed to review prior to its release.  It is a band that is quite popular here.  But I am having a REALLY hard time figuring out how I am going to have much positive to say.  Especially whenever the vocals come in.  They just suck SO bad.

I don't own any Radiohead personally but I know about them, know that that album took them to another level ect.....
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: ChuckSteak on September 14, 2018, 12:11:39 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo0WQ2L3OGo
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Samsara on September 14, 2018, 12:12:16 PM
Every AC/DC album ever recorded. I just don't get it.  ???

Weren't you at the Chicago Queensryche Q2K shows at the House of Blues in March of 2000?  I went 2 nights in a row and for both nights, the music on the PA system was Back in Black.  Over, and over, and over again.  Pre-show and in between bands.  When the album ended, it just started over again.   :lol   I don't think I've ever recovered from that abuse - I like some AC/DC, but I haven't been able to enjoy anything from that album in 18 years.

I was there (and in Milwaukee). But for the Chicago show, we totally missed the opener (doubleDrive), which sucked, because I loved their set in Milwaukee and became a huge fan. So I missed the AC/DC. We got into the venue probably with five minutes before Queensryche went on. It wasn't at HoB though. It was at the Riv. Or did that become an HoB?

They played the Riv (Riviera Theater) in November 1999 and then did 3 nights at the HOB in March 2000.  I was at the Riv show and the first 2 nights of the HOB shows.

Good thing you missed all of that non-stop AC/DC.   :)

Ah, OK, yeah, I was at Chicago and Milwaukee in 1999, right after THanksgiving. I saw them in March 2000 as well, but that was at the 9:30 Club in D.C.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 14, 2018, 12:15:42 PM
... but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?

No, not really. If they write and play good music, I don't care one bit about their influences.

Unless I am missing your point, because I do realize some people think there was no pop music before the launch of MTV, or there were movies before Star Wars.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Podaar on September 14, 2018, 12:19:41 PM
Oh, thanks to another thread, I've thought of another album that is greatly loved that I just don't get.

Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on September 14, 2018, 12:23:42 PM
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
why do people freak out over this garbage sounding album, maybe the composition is good I dunno it's impossible to tell half the time though

"Must-have" or "huge classic" albums.

Edge of Sanity aren't KISS or anything truly great (:P), but if you're into progressive metal and death metal you've probably heard of Crimson.

As a side note I think the album is fantastic, which makes sense since Parama and I have mutually incompatible taste.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 14, 2018, 12:28:41 PM
Bearing in mind that I am not at all talking about "liking" them, but how can you possibly ascertain the place in history of an artist you like if you don't know that which came before?   I hear SOOO many people saying "WOW, Lady Gaga is so UNIQUE!" and I'm like, well, yeah, if you completely ignore that Madonna woman.   Pearl Jam is so UNIQUE!  Well, yeah, if you never heard Zeppelin, Neil Young or The Who.  Doesn't mean they suck, or they're not doing something with it, but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?  And the "hits" aren't really indicative of that; "Paranoid" is the one Sabbath song everyone is heard, but there's not 30 seconds on Sabotage or Vol. 4 that sounds like Paranoid.

I know you've raised this point before. Let me ask you, have you gone back to listen to Giovanni Palestrina in order to fully appreciate Bach, Haydn, Mozart? Have you gone back to Richard Wagner and Igor Stravinsky to appreciate the true roots of progressive music, stretching the boundaries and moving music forward?

I really don't need to listen to an artist from 50 years ago to appreciate a modern, present day group of musicians. I do not need to know one thing by The Who to have appreciated Guns N' Roses; I do not need to know a single thing by Iron Butterfly or Blue Cheer to appreciate Megadeth. They are so far removed that unless I'm writing a dissertation on their sound, I have no reason to listen to The Beatles if I want to enjoy, say, Ed Sheeran. I really don't! That might puzzle some people, it might puzzle you, but it's not always necessary. In the simplest terms, it is possible to be aware of those musicians, maybe not even know any of their music, and still appreciate what sounds good to an individual in the present day.

Literally the only reason it should matter is if you are discussing the importance or impact of a musician relative to a scene or other artists. But as far as someone just talking about what they like? There's no reason they should be obligated to go dig through the dustbin of history and treat it like a music appreciation course.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Shadow Ninja 2.0 on September 14, 2018, 12:41:57 PM
Here are some of mine:

Most Floyd. I love The Wall, I can listen to it front to back all day and never get tired of it. But anything else PF has done is just sort of OK to my ears. I've heard The Dark Side of the Moon. It's OK. I've heard Wish You Were Here. It's... OK. Usually about halfway through I get bored and switch to something else.

Iron Maiden is another one. Not even withstanding that all their recordings sound like ass, I just don't like Bruce Dickinson's voice. I can recognize he has talent, is a great frontman and generally seems like a cool dude, but I just really don't like listening to him.

Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime. I see people here and elsewhere rave over this one and it's... not awful. I don't know, there are a few cool sections but overall I don't think too much of it. I guess it doesn't help that Geoff Tate's weird yodel voice doesn't really work for me most of the time.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jingle.boy on September 14, 2018, 01:01:06 PM
Oh, thanks to another thread, I've thought of another album that is greatly loved that I just don't get.

Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf

You sure you're a fogey?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 14, 2018, 01:02:27 PM
All this talk of meatloaf just before lunch...
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 14, 2018, 01:06:18 PM
Was curious so looked at all-time top album sales, and what do you know, but #1 is a big one for me. Thriller. Though that is a symptom of me not liking any of his music or his style.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 14, 2018, 01:06:40 PM
Would you do anything for Meatloaf, bosk1?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Anguyen92 on September 14, 2018, 01:39:07 PM
Bearing in mind that I am not at all talking about "liking" them, but how can you possibly ascertain the place in history of an artist you like if you don't know that which came before?   I hear SOOO many people saying "WOW, Lady Gaga is so UNIQUE!" and I'm like, well, yeah, if you completely ignore that Madonna woman.   Pearl Jam is so UNIQUE!  Well, yeah, if you never heard Zeppelin, Neil Young or The Who.  Doesn't mean they suck, or they're not doing something with it, but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?  And the "hits" aren't really indicative of that; "Paranoid" is the one Sabbath song everyone is heard, but there's not 30 seconds on Sabotage or Vol. 4 that sounds like Paranoid.

I know you've raised this point before. Let me ask you, have you gone back to listen to Giovanni Palestrina in order to fully appreciate Bach, Haydn, Mozart? Have you gone back to Richard Wagner and Igor Stravinsky to appreciate the true roots of progressive music, stretching the boundaries and moving music forward?

I really don't need to listen to an artist from 50 years ago to appreciate a modern, present day group of musicians. I do not need to know one thing by The Who to have appreciated Guns N' Roses; I do not need to know a single thing by Iron Butterfly or Blue Cheer to appreciate Megadeth. They are so far removed that unless I'm writing a dissertation on their sound, I have no reason to listen to The Beatles if I want to enjoy, say, Ed Sheeran. I really don't! That might puzzle some people, it might puzzle you, but it's not always necessary. In the simplest terms, it is possible to be aware of those musicians, maybe not even know any of their music, and still appreciate what sounds good to an individual in the present day.

Literally the only reason it should matter is if you are discussing the importance or impact of a musician relative to a scene or other artists. But as far as someone just talking about what they like? There's no reason they should be obligated to go dig through the dustbin of history and treat it like a music appreciation course.

I concur with all of this.  For me, there's really no personal interest for me to go back and "appreciate" the bands that molded its history.  Doesn't mean they created bad music, far from it. I just rather spend my time listening to something more modern and something I can relate to.  I don't think I can relate to those classic bands at all, except Rush and Iron Maiden.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 14, 2018, 02:32:19 PM
Bearing in mind that I am not at all talking about "liking" them, but how can you possibly ascertain the place in history of an artist you like if you don't know that which came before?   I hear SOOO many people saying "WOW, Lady Gaga is so UNIQUE!" and I'm like, well, yeah, if you completely ignore that Madonna woman.   Pearl Jam is so UNIQUE!  Well, yeah, if you never heard Zeppelin, Neil Young or The Who.  Doesn't mean they suck, or they're not doing something with it, but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?  And the "hits" aren't really indicative of that; "Paranoid" is the one Sabbath song everyone is heard, but there's not 30 seconds on Sabotage or Vol. 4 that sounds like Paranoid.

I know you've raised this point before. Let me ask you, have you gone back to listen to Giovanni Palestrina in order to fully appreciate Bach, Haydn, Mozart? Have you gone back to Richard Wagner and Igor Stravinsky to appreciate the true roots of progressive music, stretching the boundaries and moving music forward?

I really don't need to listen to an artist from 50 years ago to appreciate a modern, present day group of musicians. I do not need to know one thing by The Who to have appreciated Guns N' Roses; I do not need to know a single thing by Iron Butterfly or Blue Cheer to appreciate Megadeth. They are so far removed that unless I'm writing a dissertation on their sound, I have no reason to listen to The Beatles if I want to enjoy, say, Ed Sheeran. I really don't! That might puzzle some people, it might puzzle you, but it's not always necessary. In the simplest terms, it is possible to be aware of those musicians, maybe not even know any of their music, and still appreciate what sounds good to an individual in the present day.

Literally the only reason it should matter is if you are discussing the importance or impact of a musician relative to a scene or other artists. But as far as someone just talking about what they like? There's no reason they should be obligated to go dig through the dustbin of history and treat it like a music appreciation course.

Well, in answer to your first question, generally speaking I have.  Maybe not eveyr classical guy ever, but when Jimmy Page - who I LOVE - says that 'there would be no Jim Page without Scotty Moore or Bert Jansch', I owe it to myself to listen to those people.

Of COURSE you don't NEED to know this stuff.   But I think it creates depth, and in an odd way, a greater appreciation for artists.   I never would have put The Who together with The Ramones, but Pearl Jam did, and WOW!   Kiss is a very derivative band, but they have some elements in there that don't fit (there are too many Beatles references to count).   LA of the 80's is another example; Eddie VH was the man, right?  And all the guys that came from there owe a ton to him right?  But if you listen to Randy Rhoads, there's almost ZERO Van Halen in his playing.   That makes Randy more of a god to me, because he WASN'T just trying to survive the scene (which a lot of really good, well known bands were doing; Motley Crue for one). 

You should know, that I also have a theory:  the most transcendent music is not of a genre, but rather the intersection of a genre.   Sabbath and Zeppelin and Purple are all "hard rock bands".  But Sabbath was the blues and jazz (yes, jazz; Django Rheinhart).  Zeppelin was Chicago blues and folk.   Purple was... classical and the blues by way of Hendrix.   Yes, Genesis and King Crimson are all prog bands.   Yes was the Lennon Beatles and classical music.   Genesis was the McCartney Beatles and orchestral music (I'm talking about almost what you'd call "Broadway show tunes").   King Crimson was an odd amalgamation of jazz and classical.   Bruford didn't hang with Yes, because they wanted a ROCK drummer - Alan White, who coincidentially - not - drummed for the Plastic Ono Band after the Beatles broke up.  Bruford took his jazz stylings and went to... Crimson, and was the longest-serving member of the band NOT named "Fripp".   

You don't have to "relate" or even "like" it.  But it does, I believe, create a richer tapestry with which to view the bands you DO like.   
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 14, 2018, 02:45:43 PM
(https://mitchellschicago.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ice-cream-headache-240x300.jpg)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 14, 2018, 03:27:31 PM
but it's important to know WHAT a band is doing with their influences, no?

This might be important if you're writing a biography or some sort of historical essay, but as a fan, I don't think it's important.  I was vaguely interested in Rush's Feedback, but I listened to it once and didn't like the songs and don't think I've listened to any of them in however many years it's been since that EP was released.  For some folks, it's enough to like Artist X, without knowing all of the influences that created that artist.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Indiscipline on September 15, 2018, 03:36:46 AM

Even though I'm in the "putting things into historical perspective" camp, I agree that getting or not an album/artist is such a complex chaotic process spanning the whole sentimental-to-intellectual-to-visceral spectrum (not forgetting the time and place factors) that knowing its precise context inside music history may result irrelevant to many.

But - and a big one at it - once you don't get an album you may want to ask why it's considered a "huge classic" or seminal recording moment, and I feel the answer almost always lies within its historical context (it featured something never explored before, resonated with a particular generational moment, created/renovated a genre, etc.)

tl,dr: You don't need to know your history to get an historical album, but most of the times you need it in order to understand why it's a huge classic despite going meh in your appreciation.


Props to Katt citing Palestrina, the man who started it all.

King Crimson need more love.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 15, 2018, 09:00:18 AM
Well, I guess it's "to-may-to/to-mah-to".   FOR ME (and I totally get that what works for me doesn't necessarily work for other people) it's a more enriching experience knowing how Eddie VH or Ace took the same music - Eric Clapton (music I've listened to for years) -  and turned it into enduring classics that don't sound anything alike.    That to me is interesting and impressive.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 15, 2018, 09:03:08 AM
Well, I guess it's "to-may-to/to-mah-to".   FOR ME (and I totally get that what works for me doesn't necessarily work for other people) it's a more enriching experience knowing how Eddie VH or Ace took the same music - Eric Clapton (music I've listened to for years) -  and turned it into enduring classics that don't sound anything alike.    That to me is interesting and impressive.

But where does it end? I like Metallica. Do I have to delve into all of the NWOBHM bands they took influence from? What about their influences? And their influences? And so forth and so forth?

It seems you're going back to direct influences only and then stopping there. That's cool, but ultimately a random decision to stop there and not anywhere else.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 15, 2018, 09:13:50 AM
I spent an hour this morning digging through some old textbooks of mine just listening to Palestrina and other members of the Ancient Fogey Posse because of this discussion.  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 15, 2018, 09:15:06 AM
I spent an hour this morning digging through some old textbooks of mine just listening to Palestrina and other members of the Ancient Fogey Posse because of this discussion.  :lol

And what about their influences?!?!
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 15, 2018, 09:18:22 AM
I spent an hour this morning digging through some old textbooks of mine just listening to Palestrina and other members of the Ancient Fogey Posse because of this discussion.  :lol

And what about their influences?!?!

Yeah! How can you appreciate music if you haven't even read about the Seikilos epitaph?!  :biggrin:

I'm taking the piss out of this to poke slight fun at Stadler, but I hope he knows I totally understand where he's coming from, it's just a matter of personal opinion where we differ; I think it only really matters if you're going to be discussing the influence of a given work or artist, or where a given artist got his inspiration. As far as listening and simply enjoying sounds, nah, not that important.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 15, 2018, 09:21:48 AM
Well, I guess it's "to-may-to/to-mah-to".   FOR ME (and I totally get that what works for me doesn't necessarily work for other people) it's a more enriching experience knowing how Eddie VH or Ace took the same music - Eric Clapton (music I've listened to for years) -  and turned it into enduring classics that don't sound anything alike.    That to me is interesting and impressive.

But where does it end? I like Metallica. Do I have to delve into all of the NWOBHM bands they took influence from? What about their influences? And their influences? And so forth and so forth?

It seems you're going back to direct influences only and then stopping there. That's cool, but ultimately a random decision to stop there and not anywhere else.

Not really; I already know the pedigree for Maiden, Seger and Sabbath, so I don't need to do that.  I don't really care about Discharge or the Anti-Nowhere League, so there's that, and the real insight is Diamond Head and Mercyful Fate.  I know from doing this with Guns and Roses, I got some good music and good insight.   The Sex Pistols, for example.   

Hey, look, I can read a room as well as the next guy; this isn't popular.  Whatevs.   It's fulfilling and enriching to me.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 15, 2018, 09:22:44 AM
I spent an hour this morning digging through some old textbooks of mine just listening to Palestrina and other members of the Ancient Fogey Posse because of this discussion.  :lol

And what about their influences?!?!

Yeah! How can you appreciate music if you haven't even read about the Seikilos epitaph?!  :biggrin:

I'm taking the piss out of this to poke slight fun at Stadler, but I hope he knows I totally understand where he's coming from, it's just a matter of personal opinion where we differ; I think it only really matters if you're going to be discussing the influence of a given work or artist, or where a given artist got his inspiration. As far as listening and simply enjoying sounds, nah, not that important.

Personally I trace all of my music back to Hurrian Hymn No. 6. At that point though, I realize I can't fully appreciate THAT piece because I dunno what influenced it. It's a depressing life.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 15, 2018, 09:24:40 AM
Well, I guess it's "to-may-to/to-mah-to".   FOR ME (and I totally get that what works for me doesn't necessarily work for other people) it's a more enriching experience knowing how Eddie VH or Ace took the same music - Eric Clapton (music I've listened to for years) -  and turned it into enduring classics that don't sound anything alike.    That to me is interesting and impressive.

But where does it end? I like Metallica. Do I have to delve into all of the NWOBHM bands they took influence from? What about their influences? And their influences? And so forth and so forth?

It seems you're going back to direct influences only and then stopping there. That's cool, but ultimately a random decision to stop there and not anywhere else.

Not really; I already know the pedigree for Maiden, Seger and Sabbath, so I don't need to do that.  I don't really care about Discharge or the Anti-Nowhere League, so there's that, and the real insight is Diamond Head and Mercyful Fate.  I know from doing this with Guns and Roses, I got some good music and good insight.   The Sex Pistols, for example.   

Hey, look, I can read a room as well as the next guy; this isn't popular.  Whatevs.   It's fulfilling and enriching to me.

It can be, but only if, like you, we pick choose when we do it and with whom, as opposed to a blanket philosophy. That's how I got into Rush and stuff. But do I care who influenced Rush? Not really. Could I find some music I might like if I spent hours/days going into all of their influences? Probably. Do I want to or have the time to actually do that? Nah.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Sacul on September 15, 2018, 10:14:48 AM
For myself, I'd say it is David Bowie's Heroes - title track is wonderful, but the rest of the album I can't recall a single note.

Oh and In The Aeroplane Over The Sea :corn seriously what's the hype for that album about
That album is so ridiculous yet so fucking emotionally raw, I can't help but sing along  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 15, 2018, 11:12:48 PM
Adami...

By saying "where does it end", you are concerning yourself with a destination...not the joy of the exploration.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Fritzinger on September 16, 2018, 01:25:59 AM
Most things that come to mind for me were already mentioned...

I just don't get OK Computer, neither do I get Kid A. I really like A Moon Shaped Pool though. Am I weird?

Operation: Mindcrime is highly overrated imho. So many things on this album are Pink Floyd rip offs, has anyone noticed that?

Concerning "classic" bands, I could never get into AC/DC, Sabbath, Maiden. That is not saying they're bad, I just can't get into their stuff.

I love Rush, but I think they have released lots of albums better than 2112. They managed to write a concise 20 min song on Hemispheres. 2112 seems kind of fragmented to me. I even like Snakes & Arrows and Vapor Trails more than 2112 (ok I'll go now)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: PowerSlave on September 16, 2018, 01:38:42 AM

Operation: Mindcrime is highly overrated imho. So many things on this album are Pink Floyd rip offs, has anyone noticed that?

I never really noticed the PF "ripoffs" until the the next two albums after that one. Or are you mentioning the sound effects and various other tie-ins between the songs that are serving the story line?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 16, 2018, 02:09:32 AM
Back in Black by AC/DC.  I love the title track; "Hells Bells" is pretty cool; and "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a fun party song (albeit now so overplayed that I really don't need to hear it again), but I think the rest of the album is no better than mediocre and cannot comprehend how it is one of the best selling albums in history.

Wow, I'm surprised to read this. I've heard Shoot To Thrill on the radio a couple of times in the past few weeks and it stopped me dead in my tracks. This was a real coming of musical age album for me.

So you've heard of AC/DC?

Hm.

TAC/TDC
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Fritzinger on September 16, 2018, 04:07:37 AM

Operation: Mindcrime is highly overrated imho. So many things on this album are Pink Floyd rip offs, has anyone noticed that?

I never really noticed the PF "ripoffs" until the the next two albums after that one. Or are you mentioning the sound effects and various other tie-ins between the songs that are serving the story line?

Well, maybe I wasn't using the correct word. Not really ripoffs, but too many things that sound like Pink Floyd, that it can't be a coincidence  :lol
For example, the passage between Spreading The Disease and The Mission: You can hear a radio- or TV-reporter, bells, a heartbeat (!) a talking voice and a distant keyboard sound coming from somewhere. Seriously? It's almost impossible to bring more Pink Floyd into this moment  :lol Whenever I hear this, I'm always waiting for the faded-in "aaaaaah"s and the words "is there anybody out there".
Another example, the beginning of Eyes Of A Stranger and Pink Floyd's Empty Spaces.

I don't want to say this album it shite, because I actually love 3-4 songs from Operation: Mindcrime. Revolution Calling is by far the best song on the album (for me), and I really like I Don't Believe In Love and Eyes Of A Stranger (despite the little Pink Floyd, erh, resemblance).


But in total, I really can't understand some opinions about it being the best album ever made, the ultimate prog-metal album etc.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: MirrorMask on September 16, 2018, 04:10:59 AM
Hey, look, I can read a room as well as the next guy; this isn't popular.  Whatevs.   It's fulfilling and enriching to me.

If it's any consolation, Jon Schaffer from Iced Earth spent the entirety of the liner notes of their cover album "Tribute to the Gods" (actually a disc in a boxset of remastered stuff) making your precise point, and urging people to go and find the inspirations for their favorite band to understand and appreciate better the music. Of course he's a guitarist and songwriter so for him it has more purpouse than for the casual fan, but he still insisted on this.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 16, 2018, 06:24:27 AM

But in total, I really can't understand some opinions about it being the best album ever made, the ultimate prog-metal album etc.

I never found O:M to be prog metal at all.

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: ReaperKK on September 16, 2018, 07:08:13 AM
Anything by Queen..
I sort of agree.

I went through the whole queen discography a few months back and while every album had great songs every album also had some terrible songs.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 16, 2018, 07:16:26 AM
Anything by Queen..
I sort of agree.

I went through the whole queen discography a few months back and while every album had great songs every album also had some terrible songs.

What is/are a terrible track(s) on Sheer Heart Attack?

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 16, 2018, 09:46:53 AM
I went through the whole queen discography a few months back and while every album had great songs every album also had some terrible songs.

I tend to think of Queen in term of songs rather than albums for this very reason. Even with Night at the Opera, I don't think they have a start to finish top shelf album, though a collection of their "Greatest Hits" would stand tall next to any band.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 16, 2018, 09:55:59 AM
Queen II kicks ass.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Ruba on September 16, 2018, 11:04:50 AM
I've heard of OK Computer, but I'm not sure I've ever heard a single song from it (I'm looking at the track list, and none of the titles sound like anything I've ever heard.  According to Wikipedia, this album has sold about 2.5 million copies in the U.S. (about on par with Bon Jovi's Crush), but the Wikipedia article is longer than the articles for some U.S. presidents.  I think maybe the only Radiohead song I've ever heard was "Creep," which I sought out about a year ago (for some reason I can't now remember) and thought it sucked hard.

To be fair, Creep is only an image of what Radiohead sounded on their debut album. If you've only listened to it, it's almost like if the only Dream Theater song you knew was Afterlife. Although Thom Yorke's vocal style has remained pretty consistent throughout the years and if you don't like him, you might not like Radiohead.

I must second everyone who has said The Black Album. Sure, it was my gateway album to metal and I loved it to death when I was 12,  but looking back maybe half of the album has stood the test of time. And considering it was follow-up to ...And Justice for All, it makes it all more disappointing. So I got it when I was younger. :lol


But in total, I really can't understand some opinions about it being the best album ever made, the ultimate prog-metal album etc.

I never found O:M to be prog metal at all.

At all is pretty harsh. There's Suite Sister Mary, and if that's not progressive metal, then I'm the queen of England. But I've never thought it as a prog album. Half of it could be played classic rock radio anyday. That doesn't mean it's bad by any means, I find the story intriguing and music top notch.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 16, 2018, 11:19:45 AM
Re: OK Computer

This album has floated by my recommended list ever since it came out.  Every time I *sat down* to take in this album, I just didn't get it at all.   

But last year, I finally got around to digitizing my music collection, and I threw a mixture of albums I love and albums I've been meaning to check out more on shuffle while I was working.   And suddenly, every time a song from OK Computer came on, I was like "This is cool...what is this?"   

I will go so far as to say that OK Computer is boring and hard to get into the same way that Dark Side of the Moon (with the possibly exception of Money) is somewhat boring and hard to get into the first time you hear it.    I mean, today I find DSOTM to be one of the most brilliant albums ever made, but the first time I heard it when I was an ADD 12 year old, I just kept wondering if they were actually going to DO anything.   Because I didn't get it.  I didn't understand the concept.  I didn't get the story of "On the Run", I didn't understand how it all fit together. 

OK Computer is still growing on me, even after a year.   But the "growers" are usually the albums that stick with me the longest.   
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: JLa on September 16, 2018, 12:48:48 PM
Rush - 2112. I like the first few minutes (think it's the two first parts of the suite? Maybe just the first, can't remember) of the title track, that's it.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2018, 12:57:19 PM
Edge of Sanity - Crimson
why do people freak out over this garbage sounding album, maybe the composition is good I dunno it's impossible to tell half the time though

"Must-have" or "huge classic" albums.
considering how many melodeath bands have been chasing after this album in particular for two decades I think it counts within its own genre :P
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 16, 2018, 12:59:28 PM
Crimson is absolutely a massive landmark album.

Maybe not to Grayhairs like Stadler, though :)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2018, 01:00:26 PM
I also think burzum's two big albums both suck so
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 01:38:30 PM
So some have said Metallica's TBA. When it came out, I was mortified at first. Some tasty bits, but WTF..

But it has really aged well. Mainly for two reasons.
First, the production is AMAZING!!
Second, frankly, they haven't released anything better since!



Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 16, 2018, 06:39:53 PM
Re: OK Computer

This album has floated by my recommended list ever since it came out.  Every time I *sat down* to take in this album, I just didn't get it at all.   

But last year, I finally got around to digitizing my music collection, and I threw a mixture of albums I love and albums I've been meaning to check out more on shuffle while I was working.   And suddenly, every time a song from OK Computer came on, I was like "This is cool...what is this?"   

I will go so far as to say that OK Computer is boring and hard to get into the same way that Dark Side of the Moon (with the possibly exception of Money) is somewhat boring and hard to get into the first time you hear it.    I mean, today I find DSOTM to be one of the most brilliant albums ever made, but the first time I heard it when I was an ADD 12 year old, I just kept wondering if they were actually going to DO anything.   Because I didn't get it.  I didn't understand the concept.  I didn't get the story of "On the Run", I didn't understand how it all fit together. 

OK Computer is still growing on me, even after a year.   But the "growers" are usually the albums that stick with me the longest.

No offense, bud, but DSOTM was NEVER "somewhat boring and hard to get into".   That opening suite hit me on first listen and has yet to fade, and "Us And Them" was as beautiful and elegiac then as it is now.   OK Computer is actually getting WORSE each time I listen to it (it's not as frequent as p/g, but I periodically give it a listen to make sure I haven't grown into it.  I haven't.)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 06:42:32 PM
DSOTM IS boring and hard to get into.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: King Postwhore on September 16, 2018, 06:59:32 PM
DSOTM IS boring and hard to get into.

Tim, even when you were high as a teen?  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 07:00:32 PM
DSOTM IS boring and hard to get into.

Tim, even when you were high as a teen?  :lol

Well, that's what got me into Wish You Were Here. I don't think DSOTM is anywhere close to that.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Adami on September 16, 2018, 07:01:15 PM
I can't get into DSOTM because I find it boring.


Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2018, 07:01:20 PM
animals is the best floyd album anyways so the entire discussion is irrelevant
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: KevShmev on September 16, 2018, 07:02:25 PM
The Wall is better than all of them. /KevShmev in 1991  :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 16, 2018, 07:03:27 PM
Re: OK Computer

This album has floated by my recommended list ever since it came out.  Every time I *sat down* to take in this album, I just didn't get it at all.   

But last year, I finally got around to digitizing my music collection, and I threw a mixture of albums I love and albums I've been meaning to check out more on shuffle while I was working.   And suddenly, every time a song from OK Computer came on, I was like "This is cool...what is this?"   

I will go so far as to say that OK Computer is boring and hard to get into the same way that Dark Side of the Moon (with the possibly exception of Money) is somewhat boring and hard to get into the first time you hear it.    I mean, today I find DSOTM to be one of the most brilliant albums ever made, but the first time I heard it when I was an ADD 12 year old, I just kept wondering if they were actually going to DO anything.   Because I didn't get it.  I didn't understand the concept.  I didn't get the story of "On the Run", I didn't understand how it all fit together. 

OK Computer is still growing on me, even after a year.   But the "growers" are usually the albums that stick with me the longest.

No offense, bud, but DSOTM was NEVER "somewhat boring and hard to get into".   That opening suite hit me on first listen and has yet to fade, and "Us And Them" was as beautiful and elegiac then as it is now.   OK Computer is actually getting WORSE each time I listen to it (it's not as frequent as p/g, but I periodically give it a listen to make sure I haven't grown into it.  I haven't.)

I just wasn't a real deep thinker as a kid.   Something clicked later.    The greatest band in the world when I was 12 was AC/DC
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 07:04:25 PM
animals is the best floyd album anyways so the entire discussion is irrelevant


I'm not a PF fan per se, but I do have WYWH and Animals and love them both.


The Wall is better than all of them. /KevShmev in 1991  :biggrin:

Oh, so you've read The Hipster's Guide To Pink Floyd?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 16, 2018, 07:04:34 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Zook on September 16, 2018, 07:13:55 PM
My contradictory opinion is DSOTM is overrated as fuck, but at the same time an excellent album. I maybe listen to it once a year if that, but when I do it's such a great listen.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Crow on September 16, 2018, 07:17:09 PM
the wall is, as a whole, pretty bad actually but there are some good songs in there, buried in the swamp of a mediocre & overblown concept album
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 16, 2018, 07:28:33 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 16, 2018, 07:33:25 PM
The Wall is so much better if you just watch the movie instead of listening to the album - sooo much filler for just an audio experience, in my opinion, but there is some truly amazing stuff there too.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 16, 2018, 07:36:50 PM
I need to think more about DSotM before feeling comfortable writing out my thoughts. But I can say without much reflection that the beginning (Speak to Me/Breathe/On the Run) is pretty damn boring and a horrible way to lead in to what would become a masterpiece.


I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)

 :lol Indeed. ProTip: With the exception of Echoes and Wots.. uh the Deal, don't go backward from DSotM.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 07:41:06 PM
….unless you're on acid..
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 16, 2018, 07:53:22 PM
Oh yeah, I've also heard Piper, which I enjoyed quite a bit, but it's not anywhere close to that legendary status.

Anyway, I'm listening to Animals right now & it does NOT disappoint.  :hefdaddy
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 16, 2018, 07:56:11 PM
Animals is awesome.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 16, 2018, 08:03:50 PM
I have delved deeply into PF's catalog, and the only "crap" I've found is half of Ummagumma, most of More, and parts of Saucerful...most of the rest is pure gold to me.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 16, 2018, 08:13:56 PM
Most of it IS gold, but their music was a bell-curve.  The weirder it got - at first - the better it got (like Atom Heart Mother) but then there was a point of diminishing returns where it just got... I don't know (Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast, Several Species of Small Furry Animals, Seamus...)

I LOVE More, by the way, as well as Zabriske Point. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 16, 2018, 08:19:13 PM
Back on topic, I really don't get the appeal of stoner metal. Maybe (definitely) because I'm not high enough, but my ADD-ish tendencies just screech internally at the sheer amount of repetition in these songs.  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: ReaperKK on September 16, 2018, 08:45:45 PM
Animals is awesome.

Animals never clicked. I always thought it was the weakest of the big four. Dogs was the only real standout on that album.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: 425 on September 16, 2018, 09:18:32 PM
the wall is, as a whole, pretty bad actually but there are some good songs in there, buried in the swamp of a mediocre & overblown concept album

I... agree with this Parama take. I can see why people like it, but I think a lot of the songs are just sort of there. And I find the concept and Waters' overall lyrical approach obnoxious at best and distasteful at worst.

Dark Side of the Moon lives up to the reputation, but it's the only PF I've heard that I actually enjoy start to finish. And even then Money is a clear weak point.



What other classics are there? Well, here's sort of one:

I really like Rush, but I think 2112 is overrated. The song itself is quite good (and it was my first ever epic), but the second side is pretty meh. Something for Nothing is the only song I would recommend. Passage to Bangkok, Lessons and Tears are fine and I don't like Twilight Zone.

I think that while 2112 is a big step up from Caress of Steel (where I would only rate Bastille Day and Lakeside Park) and obviously the step they needed to save their careers, A Farewell to Kings is the album where Rush actually hit their stride, and is the beginning of their very good to great run that goes through at least Grace Under Pressure (I have yet to get the albums beyond this besides Clockwork Angels.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 17, 2018, 08:08:22 AM

I really like Rush, but I think 2112 is overrated. The song itself is quite good (and it was my first ever epic), but the second side is pretty meh. Something for Nothing is the only song I would recommend. Passage to Bangkok, Lessons and Tears are fine and I don't like Twilight Zone.


I kinda agree. First side of 2112(title epic) is really great, but the second side ain't that special. Permanent Waves, Hemispheres, Kings and Pictures are more consistently great albums, although each of them has one or two tracks that are solid, but not that special or great (Cinderella Man, Madrigal, Circumstances, Entre Nous, Different Strings, Vital Signs, Witch Hunt). But somehow 2112 ended up being "the bigger classic" and more popular album among masses of rock fans(many of them don't have to be big Rush fans, but they have 2112 in their home collection) than the next 3 Rush albums, although they are better than 2112, IMO.
 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 17, 2018, 08:12:56 AM
Back on topic, I really don't get the appeal of stoner metal. Maybe (definitely) because I'm not high enough, but my ADD-ish tendencies just screech internally at the sheer amount of repetition in these songs.  :lol

Have you ever listened albums as Blues for the Red Sun, Welcome to Sky Valley, Sleep's Holy Mountain, Dopethrone and Dopesmoker?

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 17, 2018, 08:19:44 AM
You know, I'm gonna go with 2112. I don't really get the hype about the title track, and I never have. It's not a bad song, but it sounds disjointed, and there's nothing worse for a super long track than sounding disjointed with inorganic transitions between sections. Just my two cents, though. I genuinely think Caress of Steel is a far better album and The Necromancer and Fountain of Lamneth are way better epics than 2112, with cooler subject matter to boot.

2112 does have Something For Nothing and A Passage To Bangkok (and maybe Tears but that's not always something I'm in the mood to hear), though, which are great. But as far as 'early Rush' goes (up through Permanent Waves, I guess?)... 2112 ranks close to the bottom for me, just above A Farewell to Kings.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Sacul on September 17, 2018, 10:11:28 AM
I don't get Rush at all :neverusethis:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: 425 on September 17, 2018, 10:15:48 AM
2112 ranks close to the bottom for me, just above A Farewell to Kings.

Woah, kinda buried the lede there from my point of view! I think Farewell to Kings is definitely better than 2112 and is probably one of their top albums.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 17, 2018, 10:18:51 AM
2112 ranks close to the bottom for me, just above A Farewell to Kings.

Woah, kinda buried the lede there from my point of view! I think Farewell to Kings is definitely better than 2112 and is probably one of their top albums.

 :lol There's no shortage of people telling me how wrong I am for thinking that in the Rush thread when I was going through their catalog last year, but AFTK is one of my least favorite Rush albums, I just don't like it much at all unfortunately. Hemispheres however could be #1 or #2 Rush album depending on how I feel at any given moment.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: 425 on September 17, 2018, 10:24:26 AM
Interesting, especially since I feel like those are very similar albums. I would take AFTK over Hemispheres any day, but my guess is that's a minority opinion.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 17, 2018, 10:57:11 AM

But in total, I really can't understand some opinions about it being the best album ever made, the ultimate prog-metal album etc.

I never found O:M to be prog metal at all.

At all is pretty harsh. There's Suite Sister Mary, and if that's not progressive metal, then I'm the queen of England. But I've never thought it as a prog album. Half of it could be played classic rock radio anyday. That doesn't mean it's bad by any means, I find the story intriguing and music top notch.

Good morning, your majesty.

I have never thought of ANYTHING by Queensryche as prog metal.  And maybe I'm being a bit more rigid about genre definitions than necessary.  But just because a song is longer than 3 1/2 minutes and isn't about sex, drugs, and rock n roll doesn't mean it is "prog."  There's nothing "harsh" about that.  It's just that there music doesn't fit the genre.  Yes, their music is much more complex, thought-provoking, and artsy than most of what was out at the time.  And that's great.  And that's not what "prog" means.  But whatever.  I'm not trying to tell people what to call it.  Just chiming in on the conversation. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 17, 2018, 11:46:09 AM
Mindcrime is absolutely prog metal and this is coming from a guy who didn't know a single song from it until the start of 2018, but it's prog metal in the way that Led Zeppelin was 'metal' for the time... Rage For Order is much more progressive though, it actually does a lot of bizarre things that were out there for the time. Empire and Promised Land, not at all.

My two cents of course.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 17, 2018, 12:04:06 PM
Re: OK Computer

This album has floated by my recommended list ever since it came out.  Every time I *sat down* to take in this album, I just didn't get it at all.   

But last year, I finally got around to digitizing my music collection, and I threw a mixture of albums I love and albums I've been meaning to check out more on shuffle while I was working.   And suddenly, every time a song from OK Computer came on, I was like "This is cool...what is this?"   

I will go so far as to say that OK Computer is boring and hard to get into the same way that Dark Side of the Moon (with the possibly exception of Money) is somewhat boring and hard to get into the first time you hear it.    I mean, today I find DSOTM to be one of the most brilliant albums ever made, but the first time I heard it when I was an ADD 12 year old, I just kept wondering if they were actually going to DO anything.   Because I didn't get it.  I didn't understand the concept.  I didn't get the story of "On the Run", I didn't understand how it all fit together. 

OK Computer is still growing on me, even after a year.   But the "growers" are usually the albums that stick with me the longest.

No offense, bud, but DSOTM was NEVER "somewhat boring and hard to get into".   That opening suite hit me on first listen and has yet to fade, and "Us And Them" was as beautiful and elegiac then as it is now.   OK Computer is actually getting WORSE each time I listen to it (it's not as frequent as p/g, but I periodically give it a listen to make sure I haven't grown into it.  I haven't.)

I won't compare it to anything else, but I find pretty much everything Pink Floyd ever recorded to be VERY "boring and hard to get into."  Also, are you really using a word like "elegiac" to refer to rock music?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 17, 2018, 12:27:01 PM
Sure!   An elegy is a poem of serious reflection, often for the dead.   The song was originally called "The Violent Sequence" and was meant to sort of contemplate the effects and impacts of violence (in the Zabriskie Point soundtrack, from which it was rejected as being too "church-like").   

It's perhaps one of my three favorite musical passages in Floyd.    The Final Cut is in there, as is the Atom Heart Mother main theme. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jingle.boy on September 17, 2018, 01:13:06 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)

 :lol Indeed. ProTip: With the exception of Echoes and Wots.. uh the Deal, don't go backward from DSotM.


This.  So.  Fucking.  Much ( could even do without Wots.)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 17, 2018, 01:48:07 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)

 :lol Indeed. ProTip: With the exception of Echoes and Wots.. uh the Deal, don't go backward from DSotM.


This.  So.  Fucking.  Much ( could even do without Wots.)

Bro.   Nothing from More?  The Nile Song?   Fearless?  If?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Ben_Jamin on September 17, 2018, 02:00:39 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)

 :lol Indeed. ProTip: With the exception of Echoes and Wots.. uh the Deal, don't go backward from DSotM.


This.  So.  Fucking.  Much ( could even do without Wots.)

Bro.   Nothing from More?  The Nile Song?   Fearless?  If?

One past essential is Live at Pompeii. Its got great versions of some great older jams...especially Mademoiselle Nobs, hahaha. I wish I had a cd of those versions.

Haven't heard anything from More or the like.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 17, 2018, 02:09:50 PM
I need to check out the rest of PF's discography. I've only heard The Wall & DSOTM & they're both amazing.  :hefdaddy

You have a lot of GREAT music and a lot of REALLY SHITTY music ahead of you.  :)

 :lol Indeed. ProTip: With the exception of Echoes and Wots.. uh the Deal, don't go backward from DSotM.


This.  So.  Fucking.  Much ( could even do without Wots.)

Bro.   Nothing from More?  The Nile Song?   Fearless?  If?

One past essential is Live at Pompeii. Its got great versions of some great older jams...especially Mademoiselle Nobs, hahaha. I wish I had a cd of those versions.

Haven't heard anything from More or the like.

You are in luck:   It's in The Early Years, Volume 6: 1972: Obfusc/ation  (this is just one link; this set is pretty widely available:  https://www.amazon.com/Early-Years-1972-Obfusc-ation/dp/B06XSDB2W8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537214928&sr=8-1&keywords=the+early+obfusc%2Fation)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 17, 2018, 11:16:37 PM
Back on topic, I really don't get the appeal of stoner metal. Maybe (definitely) because I'm not high enough, but my ADD-ish tendencies just screech internally at the sheer amount of repetition in these songs.  :lol

Have you ever listened albums as Blues for the Red Sun, Welcome to Sky Valley, Sleep's Holy Mountain, Dopethrone and Dopesmoker?

Dopesmoker is the only one in that list I've heard, & I didn't like it at all. I'll check out the other ones though.  :corn
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Ruba on September 18, 2018, 07:25:01 AM
I never found O:M to be prog metal at all.

At all is pretty harsh. There's Suite Sister Mary, and if that's not progressive metal, then I'm the queen of England. But I've never thought it as a prog album. Half of it could be played classic rock radio anyday. That doesn't mean it's bad by any means, I find the story intriguing and music top notch.

Good morning, your majesty.

*waves hand in a royal fashion*

Mindcrime is absolutely prog metal and this is coming from a guy who didn't know a single song from it until the start of 2018, but it's prog metal in the way that Led Zeppelin was 'metal' for the time... Rage For Order is much more progressive though, it actually does a lot of bizarre things that were out there for the time. Empire and Promised Land, not at all.

My two cents of course.

I wouldn't really call QR really a progressive band, but they have been highly instrumental in shaping the genre. Rage for Order is probably their only album that I'd put under "prog metal" banner. Even though it lacks a real epic piece, it's diverse and experimental.

Empire is rather straight-forward hard rock album, but Promised Land has shades of prog rock. There are some clearly Pink Floyd-esque moments in there.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Sacul on September 18, 2018, 08:25:17 AM
Back on topic, I really don't get the appeal of stoner metal. Maybe (definitely) because I'm not high enough, but my ADD-ish tendencies just screech internally at the sheer amount of repetition in these songs.  :lol

Have you ever listened albums as Blues for the Red Sun, Welcome to Sky Valley, Sleep's Holy Mountain, Dopethrone and Dopesmoker?

Dopesmoker is the only one in that list I've heard, & I didn't like it at all. I'll check out the other ones though.  :corn
Dopesmoker is definitely the slowest and most repetitive out of the bunch, listen to Welcome to Sky Valley, that's what got me into stoner metal and it's very :2metal:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: CrimsonSunrise on September 18, 2018, 09:48:07 AM
Anyone who doesn't get DSOTM has probably never sucked on the business end of a bong before.... :hat

Overrated Hit albums?  Just to name a few....

Sgt. Peppers
White Album
Abby Road
Close to The Edge
1984
Boston
Exile on Main Street
Joshua Tree
Achtung Baby


Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 18, 2018, 10:25:02 AM
Anyone who doesn't get DSOTM has probably never sucked on the business end of a bong before.... :hat

Overrated Hit albums?  Just to name a few....

Sgt. Peppers
White Album
Abby Road
Close to The Edge
1984
Boston
Exile on Main Street
Joshua Tree
Achtung Baby

GTFO.   Abbey  Road rules, 1984 rules, The  Joshua Tree rules... you are right about "Exile" though. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 18, 2018, 11:59:04 AM
Anyone who doesn't get DSOTM has probably never sucked on the business end of a bong before.... :hat

Overrated Hit albums?  Just to name a few....

Sgt. Peppers
White Album
Abby Road
Close to The Edge
1984
Boston
Exile on Main Street
Joshua Tree
Achtung Baby

As to the first point, I never have, and I'll draw an analogy between music and burgers.  If you have to slather your burger with sauce and vegetables to make it palatable, then it isn't a very good burger (I'm looking at you, In 'n' Out).  Likewise, if you have to be high to "get" or like a song or band, then the song or band sucks.

I do, however, agree with you about 1984 and the two U2 albums.  War was pretty much the last U2 album worth a damn.  1984 was pretty much the perfect album for that year, but I still think (and pretty much always have thought) it sucked hard.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 18, 2018, 12:00:38 PM
I didn't smoke weed until 10 years AFTER I got into Floyd. Dark Side is drop dead incredible high or not.

Echoes is the one you might need to be baked like a cake for. Or Ummagumma. Or...
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 18, 2018, 12:54:16 PM
I have NEVER smoked weed, not do I intend to, but Dark Side is THE album that got me into Floyd.  I forget whether I bought that and Momentary Lapse at the same time, or if I got Momentary Lapse shortly after.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 18, 2018, 01:00:52 PM
Because you got high... because you got high... because you got high...  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Indiscipline on September 18, 2018, 01:31:15 PM
It should be said that Dark Side of the Moon brought many of us fortysomethings, well, into the world.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: CrimsonSunrise on September 18, 2018, 02:05:43 PM
Likewise, if you have to be high to "get" or like a song or band, then the song or band sucks.
  You make a valid point in that you shouldn't have to be loaded to enjoy the music.  That being said.......it sure didn't hurt  :lol.  I was at a buddies house, 8th grade, and pretty baked the first time I heard DSOTM.  Dude cranked up the volume right before the intro for Time....woke me up REAL quick! While he laughed hi ass off.  Damn kids!!!!   :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 18, 2018, 02:13:06 PM
Exile on Main Street

I am a big Stones guy, and there isn't much on this album that appeals to me. Definitely a "I just don't get the hype" album.

Likewise, if you have to be high to "get" or like a song or band, then the song or band sucks.

That band might not suck, but it has a pretty crappy business model since it only seems to be going after a specific demographic, and one in that must be in a specific state of mind to enjoy your product.

It should be said that Dark Side of the Moon brought many of us fortysomethings, well, into the world.

Floyd fans in the early 70s got laid? I was thinking this would apply more to Zeppelin.

(https://imyourgenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/mikedamon.jpg)

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Podaar on September 18, 2018, 04:37:35 PM
It should be said that Dark Side of the Moon brought many of us fortysomethings, well, into the world.

Floyd fans in the early 70s got laid? I was thinking this would apply more to Zeppelin.


I think you're forgetting that in the '70s the women were just as baked as the men. The munchies aren't the only side effect of pot and certainly not the best either.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 18, 2018, 05:08:42 PM
And side 1 is supposedly perfect. 20 min long, starts slow, gets a little frantic in the middle, and ends with a woman moaning and screaming. :angel:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 18, 2018, 06:11:46 PM
Yeah, I don't know about that. I'm not a huge weed head either, though not a virgin, and any action I got in my haze was either the Dead or the Eagles.   Otherwise it was always Zeppelin.  I think I've gotten more action while Zeppelin was playing than all other bands combined.    The only one that is close is Van Halen (because I dated a girl in high school that was a VH freak). 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 18, 2018, 06:25:20 PM
Floyd and Zeppelin are still the ultimate. Got it on myself some years ago in the middle of the Ozarks while Zoso and Think Floyd were playing (tribute bands obv.). The magic is still there. Granted, LSD might have been involved, but it's true, it's fucking good music for bumping uglies  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 18, 2018, 06:37:31 PM
Yeah..um..OK. I'll check back in the morning when you guys are done. :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 18, 2018, 06:47:19 PM
:heybaby:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Dream Team on September 18, 2018, 09:46:21 PM
Prepared to be crucified but....anything by Iron Maiden!

I guess I get it if they were your gateway metal band and what introduced you to metal. My gateway metal band was Metallica though and they did everything bigger, better and were 'cooler' as far as I'm concerned.

I compare it to my thoughts, growing up, on sci-fi. I was a massive Star Wars fan (still am). I lived and breathed Star Wars. It was cool as fuck and just epic. Then there was Star Trek...

Star Trek (in my head) was just inferior, kinda lame and leagues behind Star Wars in the 'cool' factor. It was for complete nerds and people who would probably live at home forever, letting their mum buy their clothes and never getting laid. Star Wars on the other hand, I was convinced, was for cool kids who would basically all grow up to be Han Solo!

My view on Iron Maiden is kind of the same. I understand they came before Metallica (and influenced them), just as Star Trek helped pave the way for Star Wars. However, I wasn't around to witness that so I've always seen them as the 'nerdy, never get laid, tucks their t-shirt into their jeans' band which attracts those sort of fans. It doesn't help that I can't really stand Bruce Dickenson's voice. Anyway, I digress, I basically don't 'get' Maiden.

Ready for the backlash

Late to the thread, but this post makes me weep.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: KevShmev on September 22, 2018, 06:47:58 AM
I am mostly in agreement with twosuitsluke.  Iron Maiden has a few songs I like quite a bit, but overall they just don't do it for me.  To me, they are a poor man's Judas Priest.  Bring on the carnage. :hat
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 22, 2018, 06:57:25 AM
I can understand (well I can't ;D) someone not liking Iron Maiden, but to call them a poor man's Judas Priest.... That doesn't even make sense. You sound like a lazy Rolling Stone journalist.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: KevShmev on September 22, 2018, 07:03:58 AM
I knew what to say to get a reaction from you. :P

Jokes aside, I often see Priest and Maiden compared (metal bands with a twin-guitar attack and a singer who can/could get way up there), and to me there is no comparison.  I can't think of a single Maiden songs as nearly as great as Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death, Sinner, The Rage, Exciter, Bloodstone, A Touch of Evil...my gosh, the list goes on and on! :metal
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 22, 2018, 07:20:58 AM
Ya'll are mixed up. Priest is a poor man's Maiden. Maiden is tops.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Indiscipline on September 22, 2018, 07:31:34 AM
80's Iron Maiden (and Helloween) is how I would define Heavy Metal.

Halford's vocals keep me from really appreciating Judas Priest, and as far as twin guitars are concerned, although they're great and brilliant, they don't touch Thin Lizzy in my taste.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 22, 2018, 07:36:27 PM
  I can't think of a single Maiden songs as nearly as great as Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death, Sinner, The Rage, Exciter, Bloodstone, A Touch of Evil...my gosh, the list goes on and on! :metal

There's plenty. But if you want to put up JP's Top 10 or 15 against Maiden's Top 10 or 15, I'd have no problem with someone picking JP, not that I agree with it, but at least I respect it. I just think Maiden's whole catalog is so much stronger than Priest's.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 22, 2018, 09:59:14 PM
I knew what to say to get a reaction from you. :P

Jokes aside, I often see Priest and Maiden compared (metal bands with a twin-guitar attack and a singer who can/could get way up there), and to me there is no comparison.  I can't think of a single Maiden songs as nearly as great as Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death, Sinner, The Rage, Exciter, Bloodstone, A Touch of Evil...my gosh, the list goes on and on! :metal

All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: 425 on September 23, 2018, 01:23:51 PM
I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Yeah, this is why I never got that much into Priest while I love Iron Maiden. Maiden had their occasional cartoony moments in the early 80s, and inexplicably brought them back in their weak early 90s period, but by and large there really is a weight and seriousness to their music and lyrics. Priest it seems like sometimes has some serious material, but doesn't really go all the way with it like Maiden.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 23, 2018, 02:35:21 PM
I knew what to say to get a reaction from you. :P

Jokes aside, I often see Priest and Maiden compared (metal bands with a twin-guitar attack and a singer who can/could get way up there), and to me there is no comparison.  I can't think of a single Maiden songs as nearly as great as Victim of Changes, Beyond the Realms of Death, Sinner, The Rage, Exciter, Bloodstone, A Touch of Evil...my gosh, the list goes on and on! :metal

All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter would like a word.   It might have a more adult subject matter....but OMG HOW HOKEY!!!!
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: WildRanger on September 23, 2018, 02:39:50 PM
When it comes to 'Big 4 of Metal' I would rank them like this, based on my preference:
1. Black Sabbath (first 6 albums plus Heaven & Hell & Mob Rules and maybe I could add Dehumanizer, but maybe! :metal  :metal)
2. Iron Maiden (first 7 albums plus Brave New World)
3. Judas Priest (70's run of albums Sad Wings - Unleashed in the East, Screaming for Vengeance and Painkiller)
4. Metallica as the distant fourth (Ride, Master, Justice)

Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 23, 2018, 04:48:42 PM
Bring Your Daughter is one of Maiden's best songs.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 23, 2018, 05:05:10 PM
Bring Your Daughter is one of Maiden's best songs.

 :facepalm:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 23, 2018, 05:38:33 PM
It is though. I've never understood why it gets crapped on.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jingle.boy on September 23, 2018, 07:54:58 PM
It is though. I've never understood why it gets crapped on.

At first I was hoping you forgot the change the font to green.  It gets hate because it's mid-tier song on their worst (Bruce) album ... BY FAR.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 23, 2018, 08:16:01 PM
How is it mid-tier? I always hear that, but never hear an explanation as to why. What about it is so bad? The lyrical content? As if singing about mythology and whores and Satan isn't silly too? Song has a sick riff, a great melody and a powerful hook. Not a damn thing wrong with BYDTTS. That song alone is better than no less than 4 of their full albums put together.

BTW, their worst Bruce album is Dance of Death or Final Frontier.  :hat
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: KevShmev on September 23, 2018, 08:22:50 PM


All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Cartoony? Wait, you've seen Iron Maiden's album covers, right?  Those literally look like cartoon drawings.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 23, 2018, 08:34:35 PM
We going into controversial IM opinions? ok


The Edge Of Darkness is their worst song
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Zook on September 23, 2018, 09:16:14 PM
Sun and Steel is a good song.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 23, 2018, 09:18:16 PM
Sun and Steel is a good song.

 :tup



Anyway, back on topic:

Anthrax - Among The Living

(or really, just any Anthrax album besides STD, POT, or FAK)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Cool Chris on September 23, 2018, 09:22:33 PM
We going into controversial IM opinions? ok

Somewhere in Time is one of their worst albums. SSoaSS isn't much better, but has the awesome The Clairvoyant and the solid Infinite Dreams to bolster its status in the Cool Chris rankings.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: MirrorMask on September 24, 2018, 02:13:46 AM
We going into controversial IM opinions? ok


The Edge Of Darkness is their worst song

One of the best songs of The X Factor FFS, if Bruce would have sung it people would be excited about the song.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 24, 2018, 02:41:08 AM
We going into controversial IM opinions? ok


The Edge Of Darkness is their worst song

One of the best songs of The X Factor FFS, if Bruce would have sung it people would be excited about the song.

Blaze is an amazing vocalist fyi; he's not my issue with the song. My issue is that it's a disjointed mess that can't keep a consistent tone. The only part of the song I find kinda cool is the riff near the middle, but even that's eerily similar to HTBN's main riff so... :dunno:

TXF is a fine album, but it does have a lot of weak points imo, & TEOD just kinda highlights most of my issues with the album in one song.

Let's just say the whole of TXF as a whole is worth a lot more than the sum of its parts.  :lol




Edit: also sorry for steering this thread so far off topic
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 07:54:50 AM


All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Cartoony? Wait, you've seen Iron Maiden's album covers, right?  Those literally look like cartoon drawings.

Not what I mean.    It's a metal album cover, duh.   

What I mean is the band itself.   Putting the detailed solo credits on the album sleeve.  Priest did it. Dave Murray said "shut the fuck up, let's tour".   Halford talks about being a "METAL GOD!" and driving a bike at 3 mph out on stage.   Dickinson said "shut the fuck up, where's the 767 I'm flying?"  Priest puts out remasters and the live tracks - all of which were taken from about three shows, well-bootlegged and catalogued - and says "recorded live on one of our many world tours across the world!"   Maiden puts out warts and all live tracks from a specific show with a specific date.    Priest does interviews and it's very corporate, very PR "well, this is our most mettle album to date, and we're mettle, and so we wrote a real mettle album."    Um, Rob, what about that session you did with those pop songsmiths?  "What?  No, that was, uh, well, uh, we're mettle and uh, we just wrote a mettle album.  It's called Jugulator."   Rob, what's a 'jugulator'?   "What?  Uh, it's a mettle way of uh, jugulating."   Iron Maiden does interviews and it's "Well, Bruce is a cunt, but that fucker can sing, amiright?  We just went in and did what we do."   Bruce?   "Shut the fuck up and start the tour."   Priest:  "We're going to do our Epitaph tour and we're going to DIG DEEP!  We're going to play one song from every album ever. So buckle up, because we're gonna do "Victim of Changes", which we haven't done for over 2 years now."    Maiden:  "Read the fuckin' internet, bloke.  We're doing our new album start to finish.  71:53 minutes of it."

I mean, some of this is for comedic purposes - Maiden has taken it's share of flack for setlist choices, I'm aware of that - but there just seems to be a realness to the way Steve runs the band (with Rod).  Warts and all, east London, take it or leave it.   For Priest, there was a period there where it just seemed like everything was handled in a very slick way through management (it was a woman; I can't remember her name.  Judith Anthony or something like that.)  I don't know; just a vibe I had.  I don't expect anyone to agree, it's just how I view them.   Kind of the difference between "Deep Purple" and "Rainbow", or "Whitesnake pre-US Slide It In" and "Whitesnake post-US Slide It In". 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 24, 2018, 12:54:31 PM
Battling Maiden v. Priest is like pitting my kids against each other.

That being said, Maiden never did anything as bad as Turbo.

Also, the "classic" Priest albums feature some pretty lame tracks:

"You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise"
"Hot Rockin'"
"You Say Yes"
"Heavy Duty"
"Heavy Metal"
"Love You to Death"
"Metal Meltdown"

And that only starts with British Steel.

Maiden's only real stinkers in the DiAnno and first Dickinson eras are "Back in the Village," "The Clairvoyant" and "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter."


For Priest, there was a period there where it just seemed like everything was handled in a very slick way through management (it was a woman; I can't remember her name.  Judith Anthony or something like that.)  I don't know; just a vibe I had. 

Jayne Andrews, who has co-managed the band with Bill Curbishley since at least the 1980s.  Part of the problem was that, for a long time, Rob had separate management than the rest of the band.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 01:17:06 PM
Battling Maiden v. Priest is like pitting my kids against each other.

That being said, Maiden never did anything as bad as Turbo.

Also, the "classic" Priest albums feature some pretty lame tracks:

"You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise"
"Hot Rockin'"
"You Say Yes"
"Heavy Duty"
"Heavy Metal"
"Love You to Death"
"Metal Meltdown"

And that only starts with British Steel.

Maiden's only real stinkers in the DiAnno and first Dickinson eras are "Back in the Village," "The Clairvoyant" and "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter."

HAHA, thanks for the support, sincerely, but BITV is a top ten Maiden song for me, and The Clairvoyant is well up there.   You can have BYD though.  :)

Quote
For Priest, there was a period there where it just seemed like everything was handled in a very slick way through management (it was a woman; I can't remember her name.  Judith Anthony or something like that.)  I don't know; just a vibe I had. 

Jayne Andrews, who has co-managed the band with Bill Curbishley since at least the 1980s.  Part of the problem was that, for a long time, Rob had separate management than the rest of the band.

YES! That's it.  (I knew a girl in college with the other name; I got confused).

Oh, and I fully understand that Jugulator is a Tim "Ripper" Owens album, but that didn't fit the comedy (though I will note that Steve Harris did NOT sign anyone named 'Prodigal Son' or 'Drifter' to sing for the band.)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 24, 2018, 01:26:30 PM
Hey, I still want an answer re: why BYD is so maligned.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 24, 2018, 01:28:03 PM
It's kind of like arguing on the Internet that not putting shopping carts in the corral is somehow morally indefensible.  It's a pretty lame argument with no foundation, but it's somewhat prevalent among keyboard warriors.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 24, 2018, 01:28:50 PM
It's kind of like arguing on the Internet that not putting shopping carts in the corral is somehow morally indefensible.  It's a pretty lame argument with no foundation, but it's somewhat prevalent among keyboard warriors.

If I wasn't sick right now... oooooooh. Shaking my fist at you!!
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 24, 2018, 01:30:06 PM
I thought I was siding with you.  It's a decent song.  :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2018, 01:30:48 PM
(though I will note that Steve Harris did NOT sign anyone named 'Prodigal Son' or 'Drifter' to sing for the band.)

 :rollin

Blaze "Drifter" Bayley! :metal  :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 01:39:06 PM
It's okay; it's a tough song to take out of context, though.   It's a soundtrack song, inspired by the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, and based - loosely - on the epic poem "To My Coy Mistress".  The latter is often cited as a key example of a "carpe diem" poem (we have but a short life, and if we want to live it we need to live it NOW!) but there's a dark humor in it as well, which I think we all can agree is shared by Mr. Dickinson. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2018, 01:42:13 PM
Musically BYDTTS is awesome, especially live. But I'm sorry. There's something innately f'n stupid about singing "Bring your daughter to the slaughter".
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 01:48:58 PM
It is a stupid alliteration, but the lyrics are very much Maiden-esque.  Not that far, really, from Number of the Beast if you think about it.

It's (according to Dickinson) about the fears surrounding becoming a woman and losing your virginity.  The protagonist in the song is coming after her in a nightmare.    After all, who better to write about that than a 31-year-old male British heavy metal singer?  :) 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2018, 01:52:57 PM
Well, that's just it. Those lyrics are not Maiden-esque, unless you can somehow link it to Charlotte The Harlot, or as you say, 22AA. Same for the lyrics in Hooks In You. Those two sets of lyrics completely help to undermine Maiden's credibility on No Prayer.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 02:18:01 PM
Well, that's just it. Those lyrics are not Maiden-esque, unless you can somehow link it to Charlotte The Harlot, or as you say, 22AA. Same for the lyrics in Hooks In You. Those two sets of lyrics completely help to undermine Maiden's credibility on No Prayer.

I'm totally with you on Hooks In You (though, oddly I like that song).   When I said "Number..." meant the song (being about a nightmare).   

I'm not going too much further, though, because I don't want to be seen as defending No Prayer.  I don't really like that album all that much, other than Tailgunner, Holy Smoke, and the two b-sides, All In Your Mind and Kill Me Ce Soir. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 24, 2018, 02:52:23 PM
Man, respectfully, I love Maiden, but the lyrics to BYD are no sillier than screaming bloody murder about the devil or the whorehouse on Acacia Avenue. Or a literal deathtrap from which the band derives its name, or any of the numerous literary sources from which Maiden derives their lyrics. Rime of the Ancient Mariner? Murders in the Rue Morgue? I dunno, I guess I'm weird, BYD is awesome. Hell, Holy Smoke is sillier than that, and I love Holy Smoke (smells good!).
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Dream Team on September 24, 2018, 03:52:38 PM
Not to keep the thread derailed, but BYD is easily their worst song and helped destroy the credibility they had built up through Seventh Son.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2018, 03:57:20 PM
I find it funny that we are devoting one (of six) entire page discussing No Prayer For The Dying in the "Must -have" or huge classic albums thread. :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 24, 2018, 03:59:46 PM
Battling Maiden v. Priest is like pitting my kids against each other.

That being said, Maiden never did anything as bad as Turbo.

Also, the "classic" Priest albums feature some pretty lame tracks:

"You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise"
"Hot Rockin'"
"You Say Yes"
"Heavy Duty"
"Heavy Metal"
"Love You to Death"
"Metal Meltdown"

And that only starts with British Steel.

Maiden's only real stinkers in the DiAnno and first Dickinson eras are "Back in the Village," "The Clairvoyant" and "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter."

Die With Your Boots On?
Quest For Fire?
Long Distance Runner?
Hooks In You?
Chains Of Misery?
The Apparition?
Weekend Warrior?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Zook on September 24, 2018, 04:36:35 PM
BYD was never meant to be a Maiden song, but Steve insisted on rerecording it for No Prayer. As someone said, it was written by Bruce for Nightmare 5.

Also, pretty sure Tim got his nickname after or during his audition for the band.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 24, 2018, 04:49:17 PM
Die With Your Boots On?
Quest For Fire?
Long Distance Runner?

:metal
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 24, 2018, 05:07:06 PM
Hey, I still want an answer re: why BYD is so maligned.

Because...opinions.  But, this:

There's something innately f'n stupid about singing "Bring your daughter to the slaughter".


It's kind of like arguing on the Internet that not putting shopping carts in the corral is somehow morally indefensible.  It's a pretty lame argument with no foundation, but it's somewhat prevalent among keyboard warriors.

 :rollin :rollin :rollin


Battling Maiden v. Priest is like pitting my kids against each other.

That being said, Maiden never did anything as bad as Turbo.

Also, the "classic" Priest albums feature some pretty lame tracks:

"You Don't Have to Be Old to Be Wise"
"Hot Rockin'"
"You Say Yes"
"Heavy Duty"
"Heavy Metal"
"Love You to Death"
"Metal Meltdown"

And that only starts with British Steel.

Maiden's only real stinkers in the DiAnno and first Dickinson eras are "Back in the Village," "The Clairvoyant" and "Bring Your Daughter to the Slaughter."

Die With Your Boots On?
Quest For Fire?
Long Distance Runner?
Hooks In You?
Chains Of Misery?
The Apparition?
Weekend Warrior?

I'll give you the last four songs mentioned (Most of NPftD and FotD are pretty forgettable), but the first three are great.  Not that I typically care what a band thinks are its own best songs, but Boots was good enough to earn a spot on Live After Death.  Side 1 of PoM is a perfect album side.  I know QfF is commonly maligned, but there's not a song on PoM that I don't love, and I think QfF is better than Still Life.  Likewise, TLotLDR might be the second least great song on an album of great material (the only clunker MOMENT on SiT is the "whoa whoa" section on "Heaven Can Wait").
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: KevShmev on September 24, 2018, 05:48:26 PM


All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Cartoony? Wait, you've seen Iron Maiden's album covers, right?  Those literally look like cartoon drawings.

Not what I mean.    It's a metal album cover, duh.   

What I mean is the band itself.   Putting the detailed solo credits on the album sleeve.  Priest did it. Dave Murray said "shut the fuck up, let's tour".   Halford talks about being a "METAL GOD!" and driving a bike at 3 mph out on stage.   Dickinson said "shut the fuck up, where's the 767 I'm flying?"  Priest puts out remasters and the live tracks - all of which were taken from about three shows, well-bootlegged and catalogued - and says "recorded live on one of our many world tours across the world!"   Maiden puts out warts and all live tracks from a specific show with a specific date.    Priest does interviews and it's very corporate, very PR "well, this is our most mettle album to date, and we're mettle, and so we wrote a real mettle album."    Um, Rob, what about that session you did with those pop songsmiths?  "What?  No, that was, uh, well, uh, we're mettle and uh, we just wrote a mettle album.  It's called Jugulator."   Rob, what's a 'jugulator'?   "What?  Uh, it's a mettle way of uh, jugulating."   Iron Maiden does interviews and it's "Well, Bruce is a cunt, but that fucker can sing, amiright?  We just went in and did what we do."   Bruce?   "Shut the fuck up and start the tour."   Priest:  "We're going to do our Epitaph tour and we're going to DIG DEEP!  We're going to play one song from every album ever. So buckle up, because we're gonna do "Victim of Changes", which we haven't done for over 2 years now."    Maiden:  "Read the fuckin' internet, bloke.  We're doing our new album start to finish.  71:53 minutes of it."

I mean, some of this is for comedic purposes - Maiden has taken it's share of flack for setlist choices, I'm aware of that - but there just seems to be a realness to the way Steve runs the band (with Rod).  Warts and all, east London, take it or leave it.   For Priest, there was a period there where it just seemed like everything was handled in a very slick way through management (it was a woman; I can't remember her name.  Judith Anthony or something like that.)  I don't know; just a vibe I had.  I don't expect anyone to agree, it's just how I view them.   Kind of the difference between "Deep Purple" and "Rainbow", or "Whitesnake pre-US Slide It In" and "Whitesnake post-US Slide It In".

You're such a lawyer. :lol :lol :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 05:55:17 PM
I think QfF is better than Still Life. 

When I read this the first time it sounded like you were saying that Quest For Fire is better than Still Life!  Hahah... oh, wait.  What?  :)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 24, 2018, 05:55:47 PM


All good songs, but Maiden is a step above.   I love Priest (first concert ever) and I have a new appreciation for them now, but I even sort of soured on them for a while, because they are just so... cartoony.  I never really got into the "Metal God" thing.   Maiden had a gravity to them that I never felt with Priest.   There are no Maiden songs like "Hot Rockin'", you know?

Cartoony? Wait, you've seen Iron Maiden's album covers, right?  Those literally look like cartoon drawings.

Not what I mean.    It's a metal album cover, duh.   

What I mean is the band itself.   Putting the detailed solo credits on the album sleeve.  Priest did it. Dave Murray said "shut the fuck up, let's tour".   Halford talks about being a "METAL GOD!" and driving a bike at 3 mph out on stage.   Dickinson said "shut the fuck up, where's the 767 I'm flying?"  Priest puts out remasters and the live tracks - all of which were taken from about three shows, well-bootlegged and catalogued - and says "recorded live on one of our many world tours across the world!"   Maiden puts out warts and all live tracks from a specific show with a specific date.    Priest does interviews and it's very corporate, very PR "well, this is our most mettle album to date, and we're mettle, and so we wrote a real mettle album."    Um, Rob, what about that session you did with those pop songsmiths?  "What?  No, that was, uh, well, uh, we're mettle and uh, we just wrote a mettle album.  It's called Jugulator."   Rob, what's a 'jugulator'?   "What?  Uh, it's a mettle way of uh, jugulating."   Iron Maiden does interviews and it's "Well, Bruce is a cunt, but that fucker can sing, amiright?  We just went in and did what we do."   Bruce?   "Shut the fuck up and start the tour."   Priest:  "We're going to do our Epitaph tour and we're going to DIG DEEP!  We're going to play one song from every album ever. So buckle up, because we're gonna do "Victim of Changes", which we haven't done for over 2 years now."    Maiden:  "Read the fuckin' internet, bloke.  We're doing our new album start to finish.  71:53 minutes of it."

I mean, some of this is for comedic purposes - Maiden has taken it's share of flack for setlist choices, I'm aware of that - but there just seems to be a realness to the way Steve runs the band (with Rod).  Warts and all, east London, take it or leave it.   For Priest, there was a period there where it just seemed like everything was handled in a very slick way through management (it was a woman; I can't remember her name.  Judith Anthony or something like that.)  I don't know; just a vibe I had.  I don't expect anyone to agree, it's just how I view them.   Kind of the difference between "Deep Purple" and "Rainbow", or "Whitesnake pre-US Slide It In" and "Whitesnake post-US Slide It In".

You're such a lawyer. :lol :lol :biggrin:

A tiger can't change it's spots. 
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 24, 2018, 06:06:44 PM
I think QfF is better than Still Life. 

When I read this the first time it sounded like you were saying that Quest For Fire is better than Still Life!  Hahah... oh, wait.  What?  :)

Quest for Fire good!!!!

(https://resizing.flixster.com/Cj83sY0uNQzxoHKXT2ReHxxXIcU=/300x300/v1.bjsxMDM0NjQyO2o7MTc4MzE7MTIwMDs5NTY7NzE3)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 24, 2018, 06:10:59 PM
 :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: 425 on September 24, 2018, 09:48:16 PM
Wow, so many Maiden takes in this thread that I do not at all agree with. Here are some of my responses:


And to pitch one on the thread topic: Killers gets a weird amount of love for an album I'd easily call the third-worst in their discography, ahead of only the two early 90s albums. Yes, it has some good songs, but what's so special about Another Life, Innocent Exile and Prodigal Son? Honestly, the fact that half this album is basically outtakes from the debut really shows. It's a fun album, don't get me wrong, but nothing I'd call must-have except for a Maiden die-hard.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 24, 2018, 09:49:44 PM
Apparently I had more controversial Maiden opinions than I thought  :biggrin:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: MirrorMask on September 25, 2018, 01:20:59 AM
It's (according to Dickinson) about the fears surrounding becoming a woman and losing your virginity.  The protagonist in the song is coming after her in a nightmare.    After all, who better to write about that than a 31-year-old male British heavy metal singer?  :)

I remember reading it was actually about the first period, and how horror movies are somehow a metaphor of the first period coming in the night since waking up in blood is not really a great sight. Anyway, not exactly Shakespeare material in both cases  :D
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Curious Orange on September 25, 2018, 04:00:20 AM
OK Computer - Radiohead.

It's not a you needed to be there thing. I WISH I wasn't there.

Why? Can't stand the vocals, orchestration, sound, phoney spleen. I was young, and very educated people I respected vouched for that album's incredible smarts and innovation, but I couldn't - and still can't - help but feeling like the kid who saw the emperor naked.

I totally agree with you. The number of people who told me I should love that album was astounding, yet there's nothing to it whatever so far as I can see.

Sorry about going off-topic in a Maiden thread...  :metal
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Stadler on September 25, 2018, 07:51:25 AM
Wow, so many Maiden takes in this thread that I do not at all agree with. Here are some of my responses:

  • FotD is their worst album. And it's not particularly close. TFF is their best album.
  • BYDTTS is pretty close to being their worst song. It's pointlessly crude lyrically and pretty banal musically. Hooks is at least fun. The other worst songs all come from a particularly miserable three song run on FotD: Chains of Misery, The Apparition, Weekend Warrior
  • The Clairvoyant, Die With Your Boots On, Back in the Village and The Loneliness of the Long Distnace Runner are all awesome.
  • The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.

And to pitch one on the thread topic: Killers gets a weird amount of love for an album I'd easily call the third-worst in their discography, ahead of only the two early 90s albums. Yes, it has some good songs, but what's so special about Another Life, Innocent Exile and Prodigal Son? Honestly, the fact that half this album is basically outtakes from the debut really shows. It's a fun album, don't get me wrong, but nothing I'd call must-have except for a Maiden die-hard.

You were on such a roll until that last paragraph.   Another Life is easily a top ten Maiden song for me.  Dave Murray's guitar just elevates that song to a new place.   I love how the swirling, repeating guitar lines sort of accent the way that these thoughts - of suicide - are swirling in that guy's head, confusing him, keeping him on edge.  I LOVE that song.   And while I can take or leave Innocent Exile, there is literally not one other song in the catalogue like Prodigal Son, and in my view, it provides a nice little break in the middle of that second side, kind of like the interlude in Rime, but broken out into an individual song.    Killers is an amazing record, top to bottom.   I usually put it at number three or four in the catalogue when I rate them.    (Oh, and while most of the material - I think all but Rue and Prodigal - was WRITTEN prior to the recording, none was actually recorded other than Wrathschild, so I wouldn't call them "outtakes", really.   The  material for the first album was just that material that had been played for over a year at that point, and a good portion was recorded along the way.)
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: The Walrus on September 25, 2018, 08:21:49 AM
Prodigal Son is a great song and one of my favorite Maiden tracks period. Nothing else they've written sounds like it. Killers is a phenomenal record.
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: bosk1 on September 25, 2018, 10:15:54 AM
Sorry about going off-topic in a Maiden thread...  :metal

:apology:
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: TAC on September 25, 2018, 10:18:04 AM
 :lol
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: Zook on September 25, 2018, 11:12:56 AM
The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.

No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
No More Lies
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: pg1067 on September 25, 2018, 11:53:45 AM
  • The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.


Since when is "Gangland" a "reunion era" song?
Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
Post by: jammindude on September 25, 2018, 12:44:21 PM
    • The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.


    Since when is "Gangland" a "reunion era" song?

    He’s comparing the reunion era to the 80s output.[/list]
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: 425 on September 25, 2018, 01:35:48 PM
    The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.

    No More Lies

    No More Lies is actually a STELLAR song aside from the fact that the chorus is repeated too much. The entire rest of the song is fantastic, and the chorus would be fine if there was less of it. Gangland doesn't hold a candl  to it.

    And while I'm throwing fire, every single song in the Blaze era is better than Gangland. Yes, even that one. Yes, even that one.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Stadler on September 25, 2018, 01:38:20 PM
    The 80s era is overemphasized, since the reunion era is the best period of the band. And there is no song in the reunion era that is as pointless as Gangland.

    No More Lies

    No More Lies is actually a STELLAR song aside from the fact that the chorus is repeated too much. The entire rest of the song is fantastic, and the chorus would be fine if there was less of it. Gangland doesn't hold a candl  to it.

    And while I'm throwing fire, every single song in the Blaze era is better than Gangland. Yes, even that one. Yes, even that one.

    I actually like that one.  Yes, that one.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: TAC on September 25, 2018, 02:01:26 PM
    No More Lies is actually a STELLAR song aside from the fact that the chorus is repeated too much. The entire rest of the song is fantastic, and the chorus would be fine if there was less of it.

    I agree.


    I love Gangland. Always have.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Zook on September 25, 2018, 06:14:46 PM
    No More Lies was fun live only because the entire crowd was singing that chorus, but it's completely ridiculous that they wrote it like that.

    I used to hate Gangland, but its ok now.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: IDontNotDoThings on September 26, 2018, 01:24:14 AM
    Maiden has always had kinda repetitive choruses tbh, that's hardly a new thing

    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Seventh son of a seventh son
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: jammindude on September 26, 2018, 07:34:17 AM
    This problem started primarily with SOIT...but some albums have been better than others. I’ve noticed that my love of any Iron Maiden album hinges on how many songs just repeat the name of the song over and over again. Which is one of the main reading I found Brave New World so disappointing. The other reunion albums have been a bit better.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: MirrorMask on September 26, 2018, 07:39:04 AM
    This problem started primarily with SOIT...but some albums have been better than others. I’ve noticed that my love of any Iron Maiden album hinges on how many songs just repeat the name of the song over and over again. Which is one of the main reading I found Brave New World so disappointing. The other reunion albums have been a bit better.

    Dance of Death.... out of the two longest songs, one has the chorus repeated only twice, and the other has no chorus at all  :metal
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Stadler on September 26, 2018, 07:45:42 AM
    This problem started primarily with SOIT...but some albums have been better than others. I’ve noticed that my love of any Iron Maiden album hinges on how many songs just repeat the name of the song over and over again. Which is one of the main reading I found Brave New World so disappointing. The other reunion albums have been a bit better.

    Why am I blanking on "SOIT"; "Somewhere In Time"?

    The only time it ever bothered me was one song on Virtual XI (can't remember which one; i think it was "Don't Look To The Eyes Of A Stranger") and one song on Dance of Death (I think it was "Montesegur").
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: The Walrus on September 26, 2018, 07:51:36 AM
    SHOW YOU THE GATES OF TOMORROW
    and
    LIFE IS LIKE A WHEEL

     :facepalm: Love Maiden but the repetition is such a double-edged sword; when it's awesome it's awesome, when it's grating it's really grating.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: cramx3 on September 26, 2018, 11:06:30 AM
    Speaking of bands who don't do LZ covers well, I must say I've never been a big fan of Iron Maiden's cover of Communication Breakdown.  In fact, I've never been a fan of Iron Maiden covering songs anyway, they never seem to work for me for some reason which sucks because normally I'd love hearing my favorite bands play other songs I really love.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: TAC on September 26, 2018, 11:38:45 AM
    Maiden has some great covers.
    I’ve Got The Fire
    Rainbows Gold
    Kill Me Ce Soir
    Massacre
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Stadler on September 26, 2018, 12:04:47 PM
    Maiden has some great covers.
    I’ve Got The Fire
    Rainbows Gold
    Kill Me Ce Soir
    Massacre

    See that and raise you an "All In Your Mind", and "Cross-Eyed Mary". 
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: TAC on September 26, 2018, 12:12:30 PM
    I never...never cared for Cross Eyed Mary.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: pg1067 on September 26, 2018, 12:38:52 PM
    Maiden has some great covers.
    I’ve Got The Fire
    Rainbows Gold
    Kill Me Ce Soir
    Massacre

    See that and raise you an "All In Your Mind", and "Cross-Eyed Mary".

    I had a Piece of Mind picture disc that had Cross-Eyed Mary as an extra track on side one (probably the only victim of the Great Vinyl Purge of 1997 or 98 that I regret).  I was shocked when I learned that it was a non-album track.

    (https://shop.totallyvinyl.com/img/uploads/images/ironmaiden/IRON_MAIDEN_PIECE_OF_MIND_PICTURE_DISC_LP_1.jpg)
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Ruba on September 27, 2018, 01:40:31 PM
    Maiden has some great covers.
    I’ve Got The Fire
    Rainbows Gold
    Kill Me Ce Soir
    Massacre

    Hell's yes! I love that one. It should have been on No Prayer for the Dying, would go with the album's general vibe pretty well and be better than majority of its songs.

    I've probably told my standing in Iron Maiden albums before, but here it goes. S/t to Powerslave: Gold. SIT and SSOASS: Very good but not great. NPFTD and FOAD: Meh. The X Factor great, Virtual XI meh. Post-reunion: Meh (all those albums have some great songs and some dross).

    I have many, many controversial Maiden opinions, but this thread is probably not the best place for them.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: cramx3 on September 27, 2018, 02:44:41 PM
    I never...never cared for Cross Eyed Mary.

    Other than I've Got the Fire, I never cared for any of the ones listed and also the ones not listed.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: TAC on September 27, 2018, 07:10:51 PM
    I never...never cared for Cross Eyed Mary.

    Other than I've Got the Fire, I never cared for any of the ones listed and also the ones not listed.

    It's not the notes you play, it's the notes you don't play.. :lol
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Stadler on September 27, 2018, 07:19:00 PM
    What say you guys about the "joke-y" tracks? I actually love the Sheriff Of Huddersfield, and while I don't listen to it much, Mission from 'arry" is fun; I used to put "...some cunt's recording this..." at the end of my mix tapes.   :loser:  I also think some of the "Listen with Nicko" stuff is funny ("A CD!  We're gonna put it on a CD!")
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: TAC on September 27, 2018, 07:27:23 PM
    Oh hell yes, The Sheriff Of Huddersfield is amazing.
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: 425 on September 27, 2018, 08:17:05 PM
    I actually like that one.  Yes, that one.

    I hope we're thinking of the same one, because I actually enjoy it quite a bit.

    Don't you think I'm a savior?
    Don't you think I could save you?
    Don't you think I could save your life?


    Don't you think I'm a savior?
    Don't you think I could save you?
    Don't you think I could save your life?


    Don't you think I'm a savior?
    Don't you think I could save you?
    Don't you think I could save your life?


    Don't you think I'm a savior?
    Don't you think I could save you?
    Don't you think I could save your life?


    Don't you think I'm a savior?
    Don't you think I could save you?
    Don't you think I could save your life?
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: MirrorMask on September 28, 2018, 02:11:54 AM
    Oh hell yes, The Sheriff Of Huddersfield is amazing.

    And the best thing is, they conspired with the label to keep it a secret from Rod! he only found out about the song when the single was actually released and the damage was done :D
    Title: Re: "Must-have" or huge classic albums that you "don't get"?
    Post by: Stadler on September 28, 2018, 07:46:44 AM
    He's a Yorkshireman!  He can take it!