in any other discography this would be the band's best record
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:48 (four years ago) link
OTM. Sometimes feels like their best set of songs, but doesn't come together as an album for me. Maybe because the production's a bit more scattered; maybe because this is when I got into them, and it feels a little like listening to singles.
― woof, Monday, 16 March 2020 15:51 (four years ago) link
Still don't get "Cars and Girls" (I dislike both) but "The Golden Calf" reminds me of the Go-Be's when they rock out, i.e. charmingly and awkwardly.
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:51 (four years ago) link
but the song's about how some things hurt more (much more) than cars and girls! i.e. it is diminishing those things you dislike
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:54 (four years ago) link
i almost voted for "does heaven wait all heavenly over the next horizon" in the lyrics poll
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:55 (four years ago) link
xp I remember the Trouser Press Record Guide described 'The Golden Calf' as sounding like Cheap Trick. Maybe if you squint, McAloon's voice on the song is a bit like Robin Zanders?
― righteousmaelstrom, Monday, 16 March 2020 15:55 (four years ago) link
wha
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:58 (four years ago) link
kinda sound like a looser inxs, maybe?
mcaloon's macca-like 'rockin' voice' has always amused me on that song
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Monday, 16 March 2020 15:59 (four years ago) link
https://images2.imgbox.com/75/38/Jr1LNrw3_o.jpg
#2JORDAN: THE COMEBACKSeptember 1990Score: 97Votes: 25 (8)Youtube excerpt: Jesse James Symphony
Looking For Atlantis / Wild Horses / Machine Gun Ibiza / We Let The Stars Go / Carnival 2000 / Jordan: The Comeback / Jesse James Symphony / Jesse James Bolero / Moon Dog // All The World Loves Lovers / All Boys Believe Anything / The Ice Maiden / Paris Smith / The Wedding March / One Of The Broken / Michael / Mercy / Scarlet Nights / Doo Wop In Harlem
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:01 (four years ago) link
https://images2.imgbox.com/c4/5b/o3jNthd0_o.jpg
#1STEVE MCQUEENJune 1985Score: 115Votes: 26 (14) (Including 1 vote for Two Wheels Good)Youtube excerpt: The Yearning Loins (US bonus track, admittedly -- because it's quite good and we won't be hearing it later!)
Faron Young / Bonny / Appetite / When Love Breaks Down / Goodbye Lucille #1 / Hallelujah // Moving the River / Horsin' Around / Desire As / Blueberry Pies / When the Angels / The Yearning Loins* / He'll Have to Go* / Faron (Truckin' Mix)*
* Two Wheels Good bonus tracks.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:04 (four years ago) link
of course
― TikTok to the (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 16 March 2020 16:05 (four years ago) link
Makes sense
― enochroot, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:08 (four years ago) link
In summary...
Rank Points Votes #1 Votes 1 Steve McQueen 115 26 14 2 Jordan: The Comeback 97 25 8 3 From Langley Park to Memphis 51 20 1 4 Swoon 49 18 4 5 I Trawl the Megahertz 27 12 0 6 Protest Songs 23 10 0 7 Crimson/Red 13 6 0 8 Let's Change the World With Music 9 5 0 9 Andromeda Heights 3 2 010 Steve McQueen Acoustic 2 1 0
So, no love for The Gunman...
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:10 (four years ago) link
Swoon was my number one...a little faberge egg of an album
― X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Monday, 16 March 2020 16:12 (four years ago) link
I'll return with the lyrics results on (GMT+10) Tuesday, once I've had a proper look at them!
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:14 (four years ago) link
Need to change thread title to A Poll of No Surprises 😉
At least Swoon ran Langley Park pretty close. Also four first place votes!
― Jeff W, Monday, 16 March 2020 16:21 (four years ago) link
Who was the holdout who didn’t vote for Steve McQueen?
Andromeda Heights is way too low, I can understand some finding the production too cloying but the songs are up their with his best work.
― Dan Worsley, Monday, 16 March 2020 17:06 (four years ago) link
Wow, it looks like I'm the only #1 vote for Langley Park. Steve McQueen is more consistent but it took a while to grow on me, whereas Langley Park bowled me over immediately and never stopped hitting.
― J. Sam, Monday, 16 March 2020 17:09 (four years ago) link
It's funny the connections albums make. SM/TWG for me evokes summer of '88, dragging a ping pong table from basement to lawn on sunny Ballard days, playing beer pong with SM/TWG and Temple of Low Men cranked. Makes a quality album that much better.
― the body of a spider... (scampering alpaca), Monday, 16 March 2020 18:54 (four years ago) link
I was surprised by the rollout - Steve McQueen and Jordan vying for the top two spots is totally expected, but I would have picked Megahertz to come third on ILX.
It has some really good songs, but From Langley Park To Memphis doesn't work as an album for me. I read an interview with McAloon where he spoke to Paul McCartney and McCartney referred to 'The King of Rock and Roll' as McAloon's 'My Ding-a-ling'.
It took me a long time to enjoy Swoon - it's just about the densest pop album I've ever heard.
― aphoristical, Monday, 16 March 2020 21:14 (four years ago) link
I still don't really 'get' Swoon. Probably a factor in its durability for me.
Nice to see some positivity regarding AH here, after I went to bed.
Poor Crimson/Red though. No one wants to say anything about it at all? :)
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 21:45 (four years ago) link
It starts off well and ends well, I can't remember much about the songs in between. This poll has reminded me how little attention I've paid to the albums since Jordan. I need to rectify that.
― kitchen person, Monday, 16 March 2020 21:49 (four years ago) link
C/R certainly sounds great, probably due to the engineer, who I think also produced The Blue Nile's best albums. I rated "The Best Jewel Thief In The World" and "Billy" amongst my top tracks. Can't easily recall any of the others on that album, though.
― henry s, Monday, 16 March 2020 21:49 (four years ago) link
"adolescence" is brilliant and i forgot to vote for it :(
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 21:56 (four years ago) link
crimson/red and let's change the world with music both quite underrated here!
― ufo, Monday, 16 March 2020 21:57 (four years ago) link
https://images2.imgbox.com/9a/8c/93WazKPt_o.jpg
I'll drop a few these now, I think. Maybe the whole lot?
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:07 (four years ago) link
There are a lot of ties and the distribution is pretty flat, as expected. I'll just regurgitate what was submitted and leave you to find whatever patterns might be lurking. :)
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:11 (four years ago) link
#32 (TIE)Score: 1Votes: 1 (0)
…I am the next poet laureateAnd she is the cherry Madonna And all of the summer is hers.- I Trawl the Megahertz
- I Trawl the Megahertz
In the morning I go walking, It helps the hurting soften I've seen a lot of places, 'cos I miss her very often- Technique
- Technique
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:12 (four years ago) link
Didn't vote in this, but I would've quoted those exact lines from Technique.
― righteousmaelstrom, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:14 (four years ago) link
#28 (TIE)Score: 2Votes: 1 (0)
All my silence and my strained respectMissed chances and the same regrets- Bonny
- Bonny
The sunset makes a fence out of the forest- Faron Young
- Faron Young
Michael, help me write a letter to you-know-whoI will sign it ‘Lucifer Regrets’- Michael
- Michael
Now everybody wears the look Of the child that wished to marry you Who knocking proudly on your door Was greeted by your pretty wife- The World Awake
- The World Awake
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:20 (four years ago) link
every lyric on bonny is fantastic, so, logically, i didn't vote for any of 'em
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Monday, 16 March 2020 22:31 (four years ago) link
#18 (TIE)Score: 3Votes: 1 (0)
If you take, then put back good If you steal, be Robin Hood If your eyes are wanting all you see Then I think I'll name you after me- Appetite
- Appetite
No one planned it Took it for granted - Bonny
I could love you till the stars don’t shine But I’m not yours and you’re not mine- The End of the Affair
- The End of the Affair
We’re talking fireWe’re talking flameWe’re talking ice into ashesBut death is a small price for heaven- The Ice Maiden
- The Ice Maiden
Don’t goodbyes deserve some Bach, not Barbershop- Jesse James Bolero
- Jesse James Bolero
All my lazy teenage boastsAre now high precision ghostsAnd they're coming round the trackTo haunt me- The King of Rock 'n' Roll
- The King of Rock 'n' Roll
We chopped a billion treesTo print up eulogies- Moondog
- Moondog
My love and I, we are boxing clever She'll never crowd me out Fall be free as old confetti And paint the town, paint the town- When Love Breaks Down
- When Love Breaks Down
There was a boy I used to beI guess that he was coldIf she came to buy him nowHow cheaply he'd be sold- We Let The Stars Go
- We Let The Stars Go
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:34 (four years ago) link
Whoops, meant to post this non-tie first. Sorry.
#27Score: 2Votes: 2 (0)
You and I won't be the fools that other lovers are thinking every silver bottle top potentially a star - All the World Loves Lovers
- All the World Loves Lovers
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:35 (four years ago) link
#14 (TIE)Score: 4Votes: 1 (0)
A century has shut its eyes and who are we to wake it?- Carnival 2000
- Carnival 2000
Little boy got a hot rodThinks it makes him some kind of new god But this is one race he won't win- Cars & Girls
- Cars & Girls
Desire as a sylph figured creature who changes her mind- Desire As
- Desire As
We're only men and women doing what we can Sometimes I think that God is working to a plan Then other times I swear that he is improvisingDiscordant and remote- The Sound of Crying
- The Sound of Crying
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 22:52 (four years ago) link
shout out to all my votes at #18 lol
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Monday, 16 March 2020 23:01 (four years ago) link
Unranked ballot presumably? That must be how it was interpreted, at least!
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:10 (four years ago) link
One voter quoted the second line here. I grouped it with a vote for broader verse.
#13Score: 4Votes: 2 (0)
The dream helps you forget you ain't never danced a step You were never fleet of foot, hippy All the pathos you can keep for the children in the streetFor the vision I have had is sweeping- King of Rock’n’Roll
- King of Rock’n’Roll
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:12 (four years ago) link
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, March 16, 2020 6:10 PM (eleven minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink
yes it was! but i thought maybe at least one other voter would vote for just one of my choices.
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Monday, 16 March 2020 23:22 (four years ago) link
lol all of my lyrics placed
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 23:26 (four years ago) link
A bunch of first-place votes...
#8 (TIE)Score: 5Votes: 1 (0)
Her eyes china blue saucers, she's born that wayShe tastes of apple strudel, you can tell she does- Diana
If there ain't a heaven that holds you tonight they never sang doo-wop in Harlem- Doo Wop in Harlem
Oh Anne Garland, You can't call this heartbeat a man - Ghost Town Blues
Never let your conscience grow harmful to your healthLet no neurotic impulse turn inward on itself- Life of Surprises
Daddies shook their fists at hidden communists- Moondog
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:30 (four years ago) link
oh wait i forgot life of surprises!
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Monday, 16 March 2020 23:32 (four years ago) link
The 'Diana' excerpt was mine, I believe. Must be -- not many seem to rate that slightly ludicrous song!
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:34 (four years ago) link
#6 (TIE)Score: 5Votes: 2 (0)
And there’s nothing pathetic Listing clothes she’d wear If it proves that I had you If it proves I was there - I Remember That
Life's not complete till your heart's missed a beatAnd you'll never make it up, or turn back the clock- Goodbye Lucille #1
- Goodbye Lucille #1
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:44 (four years ago) link
NO YOU WON'T
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Monday, 16 March 2020 23:46 (four years ago) link
xpost to some previous comments: For as much as some might say 'KIng of Rock and Roll' is Prefab Sprout's 'My Ding a Ling,' the lyrics are ace!
― righteousmaelstrom, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:46 (four years ago) link
^ They are rather!
Given that I already said they were first-place votes up there, this is clearly how this bit should have read:
#8 (TIE)Score: 5Votes: 1 (1)
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:51 (four years ago) link
#5Score: 5Votes: 3 (0)
You surely are a truly gifted kid But you're only good as the last great thing you did- Moving The River
- Moving The River
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 16 March 2020 23:56 (four years ago) link
#4Score: 6Votes: 2 (0)
Paris, any music worth its salt is good for dancingParis, but I tried to be the Fred Astaire of words - Paris Smith
- Paris Smith
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 17 March 2020 00:13 (four years ago) link
Both of those are great lyrics and both feature in songs that have some serious clunkers in them too
― ooga booga-ing for the bourgeoisie (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 17 March 2020 00:22 (four years ago) link
#3Score: 10Votes: 2 (2)
Here she is with two small problemsAnd the best part of the blameWishing she could call him ‘Heartache’ But that’s not a boy’s name - Appetite
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 17 March 2020 00:28 (four years ago) link
I went to sleep with Spotify shuffling 2020 releases and woke to this conspicuously not-so-2020 sampled loop. Freaky.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgGkr6Qi8ro
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Monday, 26 October 2020 01:34 (three years ago) link
"life of surprises" is just the greatest goddamn song of all time
― mellon collie and the infinite bradness (BradNelson), Tuesday, 9 March 2021 03:16 (three years ago) link
"We Let The Stars Go" will fight you for that title.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Tuesday, 9 March 2021 03:33 (three years ago) link
It's "The Sound of Crying" for me, but we're splitting hairs here
― J. Sam, Tuesday, 9 March 2021 03:51 (three years ago) link
1) this goddamn band. 2) I now have an earworm mashup from Life of Surprises to Forever by Charli.
― Vanishing Point (Chinaski), Tuesday, 9 March 2021 12:27 (three years ago) link
I went through a period of listening to "Elegance" a lot after this poll. Not sure I'd parsed the lyrics properly beforehand but I was suddenly really digging it as a class warfare anthem. Secretly their best song. Maybe. Sometimes.
― Nag! Nag! Nag!, Tuesday, 9 March 2021 22:41 (three years ago) link
Nah. Cue Fanfare is the zenith.
― yugi ex, Tuesday, 9 March 2021 23:01 (three years ago) link
When everyone comes in at the start of “Life of Surprises” is the best
― Master of Treacle, Tuesday, 9 March 2021 23:32 (three years ago) link