ILX 70s album poll - results

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15

points: 683
1st place votes: 3
total votes: 18

THE MODERN LOVERS - THE MODERN LOVERS

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0000A5BUA.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:29 (nineteen years ago) link

Hooray!

Pradaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:30 (nineteen years ago) link

C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-CLASSIC. I love pretty much everything Jonathan Richman has ever done. Too much to put into words. I am not rational about it and I don't care.
-- Madchen (madchen_in_unifor...), November 16th, 2004.

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

I think this is the only album apart from the Ornette Coleman and Parliament I haven't heard. Gaps in my knowledge I'll have to fill but this high postion has me intrigued.

Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 12:58 (nineteen years ago) link

14

points: 692
1st place votes: 0
total votes: 20

DAVID BOWIE - THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00001OH7P.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg


hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:08 (nineteen years ago) link

Its the beautiful sleaze of it all. The world is ending, the bar lights splutter and the boy on the stage looks so very pretty, so corruptible - or corrupted or...well, whatever it is, he'll do.

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

13

points: 698
1st places: 1
total votes: 19

GANG OF FOUR - ENTERTAINMENT

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00003WG0M.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:52 (nineteen years ago) link

This placing strikes me as being on the modish side

Pradaismus (Dada), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:53 (nineteen years ago) link

oh well.

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

I reckon Lodger will be in the top 10.

Dr. C (Dr. C), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 13:59 (nineteen years ago) link

all right, so what we got left:

Blondie - Parallel Lines
Eno - Before and After Science
Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady
Bruce - Born to Run (?)
Clash - London Calling
Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe
Marv - What's Goin' On
PiL - Metal Box
Stones - Exile
Sly - Riot
T. 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 reckon Lodger will be in the top 10.

I'd bet money against this.

The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:04 (nineteen years ago) link

I thought someone started a separate predictions trhead so as not to take the suspense out of this one....

Dr. Gene Scott (shinybeast), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:09 (nineteen years ago) link

did they? I thought that people said "we should really do that" but no one ever did. Sorry if so.

The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:10 (nineteen years ago) link

"Entertainment" is a pretty seminal post-punk record... I've yet to check out any other Gang of Four records, but that one is recommended unreservedly. Very abrasive, dark, rhythmic record; a fine whole. "Anthrax" is a stunning end to it; breathtaking, jagged guitar-playing and a general wrongfooting malaise...
-- Tom May (joycean_cha...), December 6th, 2002.

"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) LP
Solid 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

You'd be the first person to use it for its intended purpose.

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

oh, sorry--that would explain it anyway. Feel free to have the mod delete my post.

I'll start it up again.

The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:16 (nineteen years ago) link

Err... I mean, how you'd place them, obviously, as you've already picked them.

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:16 (nineteen years ago) link

The Modern Lovers at #15 is awesome. i didn't expect it to place that high. an exceptional record - not a weak song on it. with this and More Songs About Buildings And Food both in my top 5, it is clear that Jerry Harrison was the true genius of the 70s.

Lee F# (fsharp), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:21 (nineteen years ago) link

12

points: 732
1st place votes: 0
total votes: 22

STEVIE WONDER - INNERVISIONS

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004S363.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Innervisions

Stevie's third post-liberation album, and arguably the peak of his
career.
Dazzlingly diverse, from bubble-jazz to stately piano ballads to
singalong
gospel funk, but effortlessly commercial too (is that a Carpenters
influence
I hear on "Golden Lady"?). Every track could be - and probably was -
either
an FM or AM radio staple. Lyrically, it's gently hippie and gently
socially
conscious, 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

I thought this was going to place much higher as it led the poll at one point, and was in the top 10 for practically all of it.

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:23 (nineteen years ago) link

Definitely my most loved Stevie Wonder album - good call, team.

mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:36 (nineteen years ago) link

11

points: 732
1st place votes: 4
total votes: 18

THE ROLLING STONES - EXILE ON MAIN STREET

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000000W5L.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

If the Rolling Stones had only released Exile on Main
Street, they'd still have a good claim for "World's
Greatest Rock and Roll Band." A double album that
deserves all 4 sides. Xgau says "Weary and
complicated, barely afloat in its own drudgery, it
rocks with extra power and concentration as a result,"
in a remarkably lucid and entirely accurate remark.
An album that sounds good at first listen and
exponentially 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

10

points: 746
1st place votes: 0
total votes: 19

MARVIN GAYE - WHAT'S GOING ON?

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00007FOMP.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:47 (nineteen years ago) link

that stevie wonder album sounds very seventies, very dated. i purchased it because of one of these best of lists. at least it didn't make the top ten...

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:47 (nineteen years ago) link

agreed about Innervisions.

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

That Bach album sounds very 18th century, very dated, I'm glad it didn't make the top ten...

o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:52 (nineteen years ago) link

hobart paving, if you have it handy, can you post the full results at the end? I'd love to see what was #101 and beyond. Thx.

Keith C (kcraw916), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:53 (nineteen years ago) link

The datedness is what's so awesome about it! I mean, yeah, I'd rather listen to retro synth-funk that than the snoozetastic "timeless" "What's Going On?"

jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:55 (nineteen years ago) link

dated in the "probably got a free pass at the time because it sounded nifty but really it's just shitty music" sense.

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

The canon be damned; WGO slays me, every time.
-- mike t-diva (mikejl...), June 7th, 2004.

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

It's been a while since I heard all of Innervisions, but there's a handful of really great songs on it: "Too High," "Golden Lady," "Don't You Worry Bout a Thing" etc.

jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:58 (nineteen years ago) link

alex otm about curtis mayfield.

jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 14:59 (nineteen years ago) link

I like the singles, and "Too High" is pretty good, but the rest...ugh.

The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:00 (nineteen years ago) link

that stevie wonder album sounds very seventies, very dated. i purchased it because of one of these best of lists. at least it didn't make the top ten...
-- alex in mainhattan (alex6...), April 27th, 2005.

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

x-post
but it's marvin gaye. whereas the album on the whole is not perfect there are some songs (the title song for example) which are not from this world.

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

9

points: 758
1st place votes: 0
total votes: 24

BUZZCOCKS - SINGLES GOING STEADY

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005MAGA.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:04 (nineteen years ago) link

wow, only #9.

The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:05 (nineteen years ago) link

does that mean that the f*cking clash will beat the buzzcocks? that's quite sad.

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:08 (nineteen years ago) link

Buzzcocks do rule, god fucking dammit, and anyone who speaks derisevely of them will suffer my wrath!
-- Alex in NYC (vassife...), March 23rd, 2003.

I like 'em lots. They should do a cover of Haddaway's "What Is Love?"
What is laaaahhff?!

-- Anthony Miccio (anthonymicci...), March 23rd, 2003.

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:08 (nineteen years ago) link

Yes, yes, but where is all the PROG, dammit?

mike t-diva (mike t-diva), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:11 (nineteen years ago) link

prog did not survive the millenium...

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:13 (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.

I think that Innervisions sounds great - though it's not Wonder's best, or even in the top three. But it's far from dull. And it doesn't really sound dated - in fact I'd say it sounds a lot less dated than most of the albums on this list. You can turn on the radio and hear lots of contemporary songs (e.g., Alicia Keys) that aren't too far removed from what Wonder was doing on Innervisions, and they are no more nostalgia-driven than something like Franz Ferdinand which sounds like Gang of Four, which is at least as dated as Innervisions.

o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:15 (nineteen years ago) link

Absolute total, capital "C", Classic
-- Stewart Osborne (stewart.osborn...), August 9th, 2004.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So classic it hurts. The Sex Pistols or the Saints may have been better bands (debatable), but within the realm of "punk" music there is no finer LP than Singles Going Steady. Who'd have thought that punk could be informed by pop/psychedelia/Krautrock and thrive? I love how "Orgasm Addict" and a few others throw in the occasional weird 7/8 time signature, just so they can hack through a tangled thicket of syllables and arrive at an unforgettable chorus just that much quicker. "Why Can't I Touch It?" could almost pass for a punk version of "Thank You For Talking To Me Africa". As for being a bad influence, maybe; but they were also a GOOD influence on Husker Du, which is alright by me. And Maher was indeed one hell of a drummer. I have a new favourite every time - last time it was "Boredom", next time "I Don't Mind." (Or make that "I Don't Mi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yind"!)
-- Myonga Von Bontee (scottyfield...), August 10th, 2004.

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:16 (nineteen years ago) link

8

points: 758
1st place votes: 1
total votes: 22

PiL - METAL BOX

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000007UDQ.02.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

hobart paving (hobart paving), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:28 (nineteen years ago) link

You can turn on the radio and hear lots of contemporary songs (e.g., Alicia Keys) that aren't too far removed from what Wonder was doing on Innervisions
that's why i never turn on the radio these days. and i totally agree about all these retro post-punk bands. the world really does not them. but gang of four cannot sound as dated as innervisions as they were after the punk divide. they still sound fresh to me anyways.

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:29 (nineteen years ago) link

"Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing"

I was out eating dinner once a few years back, in a posh new restaurant with a DJ (before the place caught on and became impossibly crowded all the time), and he snuck this song into his set making me hear it as I hadn't for a while. I bought Innversions on CD not long after (not that I didn't already have it on vinyl and cassette). Actually, I don't think it's perfect, but the good material is very very good.

RS_LaRue (RSLaRue), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:29 (nineteen years ago) link

the world does not NEED them. sorry.

alex in mainhattan (alex63), Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:29 (nineteen years ago) link

"prog did not survive the millenium..."

2nd edition is a prog album. poptones.

a best of the 70s list without yes, floyd, and zeppelin's just a bit autistic, don't you think?

the ghost of 76, Wednesday, 27 April 2005 15:32 (nineteen years ago) link


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