5 Star Albums: Every Song

Sneer · 12-14-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almauro

I look at ranking a song from two perspectives, either you judge it by itself, or in the context of the album.. Great albums create momentum, and in the flow of an album, some songs will get the higher ranking, simply because it serves the need of the album. What I hear before and after the song has great impact on how I judge it. Maybe I'm too lenient?

In the context of OK Computer Fitter Happier serves in building this anxious, tense and ominous atmosphere that explodes in the next track Electioneering. It is essential to the overall themes and mood of the album. However, there is no way you can say it is a five star song.

sidewinder · 12-14-2009, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotjuice

I'm really strict with my rating system...I've rated about 5k/6.5k of my songs, and only 40 are 5*. Pretty much a song has to have literally changed my life or my outlook on life in order to gain that status.

Wow, that is really strict. I'm a little more generous with awarding 5 stars to a song, but still not generous enough that I can name a single album in this thread. If a song really hits the spot for whatever reason, regardless of meaning, if it makes me say hell yes or gives me chills or something, that's a 5-star song to me. Anyway we all have our own way of rating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by almauro

I look at ranking a song from two perspectives, either you judge it by itself, or in the context of the album.. Great albums create momentum, and in the flow of an album, some songs will get the higher ranking, simply because it serves the need of the album. What I hear before and after the song has great impact on how I judge it. Maybe I'm too lenient?

I think that's very true, and I rate things both ways really (without thinking about it). However, one of these songs that may work really well as part of the album but not as much on its own, will likely never be above 4 stars for me. On its own it would likely not be above 3. Essentially what Stu is saying above.

~~Flower Child~~ · 12-14-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BTown787

I think I'd pick Dirt over this, not just because its more mainstream but because I truly think Dirt is a better album. Still cool to see Alice In Chains of any kind in here.

I'm gonna add
Bad Brains - s/t
Black Flag - Damaged

Yeah yeah, Dirt was good, but I still have to stand by my choice of Facelift. Facelift just has more substance, the songs had a bit more variation in them and they each had their own atmosphere while I feel Dirt's were harder to tell apart, and tended to have the same message in each song. I also think that Staley's vocals were showcased a hundred times more in Facelift than in Dirt and I think that was partly due to the better cooperation between his vocals and the riffs and music.

almauro · 12-14-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu

In the context of OK Computer Fitter Happier serves in building this anxious, tense and ominous atmosphere that explodes in the next track Electioneering. It is essential to the overall themes and mood of the album. However, there is no way you can say it is a five star song.

That's an interesting example, because "Fitter Happier" is placed in the middle of the album and breaks the flow for me. It virtually splits the album into two parts, which is counter to building and keeping momentum. Also, I think it's more of a sound-FX.

Sneer · 12-14-2009, 12:22 PM

I thinks thats the point of it, to unhinge and disjoint. We become anxious when a natural flow is disrupted; when we are thrust into disequilibrium, and thats what Fitter Happier does. It fits perfectly because of the themes OK Computer communicates to the listener.

BTown · 12-14-2009, 12:39 PM

Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Although I think I like Lifted more, I think Lifted has one or two tracks that are hard to like where with this album I think Conor Oberst may have played it a little more safe with this one.

Can't remember if I mentioned it earlier or not.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 12-14-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by almauro

That's an interesting example, because "Fitter Happier" is placed in the middle of the album and breaks the flow for me. It virtually splits the album into two parts, which is counter to building and keeping momentum. Also, I think it's more of a sound-FX.

I think it fits fine in that album.

For me Electioneering spoils it. It just sounds like some knockoff they had leftover from The Bends

loveissucide · 12-14-2009, 01:25 PM

I'd agree Electioneering is somewhat out of place-it's the only track to date.

Violent & Funky · 12-14-2009, 01:58 PM

Heh, I can't really listen to Radiohead but I've put 'Electioneering' on repeat recently because of that sweet guitar riff. I guess I just don't "get it" with them.

I've looked through my library, and even my all-time favorites have several four-star songs and most have at least one three-star song on them. I have both Rage Against the Machine and You're Living All Over Me listed with all five-star and four-star songs. I guess I'm just strict about my song ratings? Others have only a few three-star songs:

Blood Sugar Sex Magik
- 'Breaking the Girl', 'They're Red Hot'

Frizzle Fry (I'm not going to count interludes)
- 'Spaghetti Western'

sidewinder · 12-14-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neorev

Clark - Totems Flare

I'm a huge Clark fan but really? It's good but it's not even his best work. 2 or 3 5-star songs for me, the rest 3 or 4 (mostly 4s).

I like the Nosaj Thing album too, there are definitely no duds and won't argue with your opinion there, the album as a whole just doesn't go over 4 stars for me.

12-14-2009, 12:22 PM	#55 (permalink)
Sneer Let it drip Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 5,430	I thinks thats the point of it, to unhinge and disjoint. We become anxious when a natural flow is disrupted; when we are thrust into disequilibrium, and thats what Fitter Happier does. It fits perfectly because of the themes OK Computer communicates to the listener. __________________ LastFM Sneer's Emporium of Sound Fright Team radio show

12-14-2009, 12:39 PM	#56 (permalink)
BTown super cool Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 806	Bright Eyes - I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning Although I think I like Lifted more, I think Lifted has one or two tracks that are hard to like where with this album I think Conor Oberst may have played it a little more safe with this one. Can't remember if I mentioned it earlier or not. __________________

12-14-2009, 01:25 PM	#58 (permalink)
loveissucide Himself Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Leuven ,Belgium, via Ireland Posts: 1,325	I'd agree Electioneering is somewhat out of place-it's the only track to date. __________________ www.last.fm/user/p-mccusker http://www.mixcloud.com/pmccusker www.valjester.wordpress.com

12-14-2009, 01:58 PM	#59 (permalink)
Violent & Funky FUNky Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 2,482	Heh, I can't really listen to Radiohead but I've put 'Electioneering' on repeat recently because of that sweet guitar riff. I guess I just don't "get it" with them. I've looked through my library, and even my all-time favorites have several four-star songs and most have at least one three-star song on them. I have both Rage Against the Machine and You're Living All Over Me listed with all five-star and four-star songs. I guess I'm just strict about my song ratings? Others have only a few three-star songs: Blood Sugar Sex Magik - 'Breaking the Girl', 'They're Red Hot' Frizzle Fry (I'm not going to count interludes) - 'Spaghetti Western'