Because with the possible exception of "The Battle of Evermore," IV is utterly perfect. III has moments of brilliance but a lot of weak spots as well, HOTH is fairly close but the overall quality level is prob. a bit lower.
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Monday, 25 April 2005 22:08 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 5691st place votes: 1total votes: 16
KRAFTWERK - THE MAN MACHINE
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This where Kraftwerk's style, image and theme find their ultimate expression, The Man Machine is where the group's ideas are most fully realised. Middle-European melancholy set in "Spacelab", futurism with an old world touch. All six songs are perfect and beautiful, none of them sound dated 27 years on. The robots that still define Kraftwerk's image were introduced here, yet the men's eye for the ladies in "The Model" shows the machines as human after all. This is the international edition, in Germany the band released a German language version. Oh my, the gentle kick drum that starts off "Neon Lights" has just started while I type this. Oh, and there's that synth line. I love this music so much.
JoB de wit
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 08:47 (nineteen years ago) link
― j blount (papa la bas), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 09:02 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6011st place votes: 0total votes: 17
THE STOOGES - FUN HOUSE
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 09:06 (nineteen years ago) link
IT KNOCKS THE FUCKING WALLS DOWN? -- Tim Ellison (timejeanne...), January 13th, 2005.
'Funhouse' is the only 'real' record. Everything else by [or with or whatever] Iggy Pop is very strange. Like, sort of cabaret music. Why? That is very strange to me. I don't complain about it being cabaret music, I can still listen 'past' the cabaret-ness of it, but I wonder why he was never again able to make a record that was not cabaret? On the other hand, the reason seems obvious. -- antonius (r...), September 6th, 2004.
I'd been playing Black Grape and the Happy Mondays just now, and suddenly throwing on Fun House is just so much more FULFILLING than those records (not knocking them, mind you). But fuck...."TV Eye" is playing right now, and it's just fucking UNSTOPPABLE! -- Alex in NYC (vassife...), January 13th, 2005.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 09:21 (nineteen years ago) link
I love this album.
― mark grout (mark grout), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 09:29 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6011st place votes: 0total votes: 18
MICHAEL JACKSON - OFF THE WALL
http://rds.yahoo.com/S=96062883/K=off+the+wall+jackson/v=2/SID=e/l=IVI/SIG=12r98co0b/EXP=1114686155/*-http%3A//linux030.cshc.qc.ca/~dmercier/biographie45/michael/otwallalb.jpg
Off the Wall
Michael Jackson
Somewhere in between Michael Jackson’s difficult childhood and his possibly psychotic reactions to his difficult childhood, he managed to come out with Off the Wall. At the time, we thought it would always be thus.
You can no longer listen to this record without thinking about what came after. Thriller may have made him the King of Pop rather than a good-looking guy with a few hits, but the seeds of MJ’s musical destruction are there. The paranoia, the megalomania, the self-reference (fictional and non-) made for great songs on Thriller, but he’s walking on a wire. He wobbled on “We Are the World,” teetered with stuff like “The Way You Make Me Feel” a great song rendered stiff by the production) and eventually fell off, handing in calcified junk like “Invincible.”
Off the Wall breathes; it’s engaging while it’s impressive. You can dance to it without worrying that you don’t look as cool as Michael Jackson dancing to it. “We’re the party people living night and day/ Living crazy that’s the only way/ So tonight/ Gotta put that 9 to 5 up on the shelf/ And just enjoy yourself.” Slight? Maybe, but fun too. And, as on “She’s Out of My Life,” as on everything here, he sings like he knows what he’s talking about (even though he probably already doesn’t).
Weird Al Yankovic never parodied anything from Off the Wall (on record anyway). That’s because he tweaks excess. And there isn’t any here.
Rick Massimo
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 10:03 (nineteen years ago) link
― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 10:17 (nineteen years ago) link
You mean: fahren!
― RS_LaRue (RSLaRue), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 10:29 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6041st place votes: 1total votes: 15
VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE HARDER THEY COME
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The Harder they Come
John Peel had a rating system for songs: 1 star meant he might play it on the radio, 2 stars meant he should, and 3 stars meant he must. Every few years he would announce that an album had achieved the distinction of every track on it getting 3 stars (I remember Misty in Roots 'Live at the Counter-Eurovision' and the first Bhundu Boys album being examples)
Anyway, 'The Harder They Come' falls into this category. Every track on it is not just good, but great, good enough that if you bought an album and it had just one of these tracks, you'd be satisfied with your purchase even if the rest of the album was rubbish.
Joe Kay
Various - The Harder They Come (Soundtrack)
To this day, the artist on the spine of "The Harder they Come" reads"Jimmy Cliff," although the album is indeed a compilation. Maybe itwas a recognition that Cliff's contributions are more numerous andarguably better than anything else on the record, but it probably hadmore to do with marketing, as Cliff starred in the lead role of thefilm. The other selections, by reggae stalwarts such as Toots & theMaytals and Desmond Dekker, are some of the island's greatest tracks,and serve as a counterpoint to Cliff's four masterpieces. Even thoughyou'll often hear that this is a "great introduction to reggae," I'vealways thought this collection is all the more powerful because BobMarley is absent from it. Not because he is in any way a lesserartist, but the inclusion of such a major personality would havedistorted the balance of the album. Either way, it's indispensablefor both casual reggae fans and fanatics alike.
Keith C
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 10:30 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6161st place votes: 0total votes: 22
THE SEX PISTOLS - NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 10:49 (nineteen years ago) link
-- Disco Nihilist (current31...), October 22nd, 2004.I mean trying to pick your least favorite NMTB song is like picking your least favorite orgasm."Submission" kinda sticks out as a place where maybe the LP drags a bit, to me. I guess that's why I thought of it first.I dunno, I never really got into "New York" either.The rest I can't think of a bad thing to say about.
-- AaronHz (aaronh...), August 5th, 2004.
I get the feeling that _Bollocks_ is the ultimate "you had to be there" album. -- Dan Perry (djperr...), January 17th, 2003.I can understand having mixed feelings upon hearing Suicide's debut album for the first time or even being underwhelmed by MARQUEE MOON (which, however, is truly a grower if you stick with it), but I can't imagine not being blown away by NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS. Obviously, this many years later it doesn't sound as shocking, but the songs and the character are still there in abundance. Or I think so, at least.
-- Alex in NYC (vassife...), January 18th, 2003.
Bollocks is a far deeper LP than *any* Clash LP in part because its failings — some of which are absolutely deliberate — are more powerful. -- mark s (mar...), June 4th, 2002.
and "never mind the bollocks" is at least 10000 x better than "the cl..." er, never mind. -- Pashmina (pashmin...), April 7th, 2003
The first times I heard "God Save the Queen" and "Anarchy In the UK" and enough of the rest for that matter were so momentous that I'll forgive the small repeat play value of Bollocks. -- sundar subramanian (sundar_subramanian200...), January 17th, 2003.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 11:15 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6831st place votes: 3total votes: 18
THE MODERN LOVERS - THE MODERN LOVERS
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:29 (nineteen years ago) link
― Pradaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:30 (nineteen years ago) link
ist album is a classic. plus it's hilarious. "I'm Straight" is one of the funniest songs ever, whilst still being a good rock song. "Roadrunner," "Astral Plane," "Pablo Picasso," "She Cracked," "Old World," "Modern World" are all fine tracks as well. Someone thought this was awhiny album, maybe a little but not on the really good tracks. Whoever said it was proto-indie wank or something is just failing to appreciate a pretty unique album. Recorded in 71, the VU influence is obvious but other than that it pretty outside of what was going on in rock at the time. That said, I don't think any of Richman's later stuff has been nearly as good -- g (graysonlan...), December 11th, 2001.
an obvious classic and "she cracked" alone still means a lot for me. -- Marco Damiani (magog0...), November 16th, 2004.
[sputtering]...he INVENTED punk rock on The Modern Lovers!
-- M Matos (michaelangelomato...), April 12th, 2002.
i burned a copy of this for my girlfriend, and she told me they were a shitty Doors ripoff. She doesn't know it, but i still haven't forgiven her for that. -- Felcher (wangchungvsah...), September 17th, 2003
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:53 (nineteen years ago) link
― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:58 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6921st place votes: 0total votes: 20
DAVID BOWIE - THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:08 (nineteen years ago) link
The TV announcer begins, telling us all of our imminent demise and the rest is a "what the fuck, its all over, let's take what we can get" ride. The last ever rock n roll band appearing, entrancing the kids, and getting torn to shreds. The aliens whispering over the airwaves, and those willing to listen going out, staring at the sky and hoping for some sort of salvation.
It ends with a stagger home, a lit cigarette, screeching brakes as the singer assures you you aren't alone, he'll comfort you, he'll make it all okay. Perhaps you just need to go home, come down, it'll all be okay. The world will be allright, and you imagined everything.
Not completely consistent, but which of his albums is? It doesn't need to be. The result is a technicolour dystopian dream - frightening and utterly seductive.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:29 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 6981st places: 1total votes: 19
GANG OF FOUR - ENTERTAINMENT
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Pradaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:53 (nineteen years ago) link
At least The Sex Pistols made top 20--glad the public turnaround on that isn't too intense. And also good to see Kraftwerk and Bowie's best albums both make the top 20.
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:54 (nineteen years ago) link
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:59 (nineteen years ago) link
Blondie - Parallel LinesEno - Before and After ScienceDylan - Blood on the TracksBuzzcocks - Singles Going SteadyBruce - Born to Run (?) Clash - London CallingKraftwerk - Trans-EuropeMarv - What's Goin' OnPiL - Metal BoxStones - ExileSly - RiotT. Rex - Electric Warrior
Am I missing anything?
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:04 (nineteen years ago) link
I'd bet money against this.
― Dr. Gene Scott (shinybeast), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:09 (nineteen years ago) link
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:10 (nineteen years ago) link
"Entertainment!" is a great album. And "Solid Gold" and "Songs of the Free" are real good ones. -- Not That Chuck (noemai...), December 16th, 2003.
Entertainment! sounds like the beginning of something, (1st alb) a kind of simple, brilliant template for a band: solid-state MGs revamped for maximum spike + Frankfurt school shouting, GO! (exercise: play "Damaged Goods" and "Green Onions" back to back)-- g.cannon (misterhungr...), September 26th, 2002.Entertainment! (Warner Bros., BSK 3446) LPSolid Gold (Warner Bros., BSK 3565) LP
After these, they fell off hard. But these are classics. Listen to the beginning of "Anthrax" if you wanna hear where just about every Albini-played guitar sound comes from (aside from the times when he rips off Metal Urbain, that is).
-- hstencil (hstenci...), December 9th, 2002.
I listened to Gang of Four's Entertainment! while watching a documentary about the a-bomb. There wasn't much synching going on, suprisingly enough. But then, I was also folding laundry. -- dave225 (adspac...), November 24th, 2003.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:12 (nineteen years ago) link
I'd be interested in seeing those predictions, though.
the 70s poll (albs and singles) predictions and things are posted here, i guess
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:15 (nineteen years ago) link
I'll start it up again.
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:16 (nineteen years ago) link
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:16 (nineteen years ago) link
― Lee F# (fsharp), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:21 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 7321st place votes: 0total votes: 22
STEVIE WONDER - INNERVISIONS
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Innervisions
Stevie's third post-liberation album, and arguably the peak of his career.Dazzlingly diverse, from bubble-jazz to stately piano ballads to singalonggospel funk, but effortlessly commercial too (is that a Carpenters influenceI hear on "Golden Lady"?). Every track could be - and probably was - eitheran FM or AM radio staple. Lyrically, it's gently hippie and gently sociallyconscious, which only adds to its crossover appeal. Faultless, basically
Jeff Worrell
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:21 (nineteen years ago) link
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:23 (nineteen years ago) link
― mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:36 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 7321st place votes: 4total votes: 18
THE ROLLING STONES - EXILE ON MAIN STREET
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If the Rolling Stones had only released Exile on MainStreet, they'd still have a good claim for "World'sGreatest Rock and Roll Band." A double album thatdeserves all 4 sides. Xgau says "Weary andcomplicated, barely afloat in its own drudgery, itrocks with extra power and concentration as a result,"in a remarkably lucid and entirely accurate remark. An album that sounds good at first listen andexponentially better on the 10th or the 100th. Absolutely amazing and essential.
Matt Sab
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:38 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 7461st place votes: 0total votes: 19
MARVIN GAYE - WHAT'S GOING ON?
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:47 (nineteen years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:47 (nineteen years ago) link
However, it sounds downright futuristic compared to that half-awful Marvin Gaye album. Oh well.
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:49 (nineteen years ago) link
― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:52 (nineteen years ago) link
― Keith C (kcraw916), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:53 (nineteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:55 (nineteen years ago) link
I mean, yeah, I'd rather listen to retro synth-funk that than the snoozetastic "timeless" "What's Going On?"
well, yeah.
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:56 (nineteen years ago) link
Teenage Fanclub "Grand Prix"/"Songs from Northern Britain"Scritti Politti "Cupid & Psyche 85"Comet Gain "Realistes"Marvin Gaye "What's Going On"Paul Weller "Paul Weller" -- Michael White (michaelwhite3...), December 13th, 2002.
(from the "albums that make you indescribably happy" thread)
Marvin Gaye "What's Going On"I don't think I ever put it on without playing from start to finish
-- webcrack (signon2...), December 17th, 2003.
Marvin Gaye might be the godfather of soul. Extremely pure and spiritual. Almost like someone singing a prayer. A tad annoying. Curtis Mayfield on the other hand is more funky, more urban, more dirty. I prefer his version of soul. And you? -- alex in mainhattan (alex6...), June 24th, 2004.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:58 (nineteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:58 (nineteen years ago) link
― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:59 (nineteen years ago) link
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:00 (nineteen years ago) link
Innervisions has some fantastic tracks on it - personally, "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing" is one of my favourite tracks ever. Another one I forgot to nominate for the poll.
There are quite a few I skip, though.
jaymc - my choices too, With living for the city chucked in.
― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:02 (nineteen years ago) link
bach obviously sounds like the third millenium! innervisions is just dull and annoys me. i don't remember any song on there. the production is totally not my cup of tea.
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:02 (nineteen years ago) link
points: 7581st place votes: 0total votes: 24
BUZZCOCKS - SINGLES GOING STEADY
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― hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:04 (nineteen years ago) link
― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:05 (nineteen years ago) link