1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die- Music Banter Edition

bob. · 08-15-2014, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Ah, finally an album I agreed with!

YorkeDaddy · 08-15-2014, 06:48 PM

I'll just talk about an album I've never talked about before

10. The Antlers - Hospice (2009)

Still my favorite album unquestionably. It's a visceral, raw experience more than it is just music, it really is an auditory representation of sheer sadness. It's executed flawlessly in every soul-draining track and at points is just overwhelmingly beautiful. I can't say it's some landmark, influential work like some of the other albums on here. Instead I can say that this is one of the finest depictions of depression ever recorded and that alone makes it a masterpiece.

Dylstew · 08-16-2014, 08:00 AM

11. - NoMeansNo- Wrong. 1989
One of the most unique punk albums I've listened to. I guess you could describe it as post-punk or post-hardcore, but it's not your typical post hardcore album. It really has a sound of it's own. The closest description would be the minutemen on crack, but that's still not it. The bass on this is used to it's fullest potential, the length of the songs is perfect, the songs are varied, the vocals are unique, it's full of energy and the song writing overall is just great. It's full of distortion, it's loud, it's aggresive and it's energetic. I love this album, and I think it deserves to be here.

(btw: The two bonus tracks are also great, you should check them out as well.)

**Janszoon** · 08-16-2014, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Ah, finally an album I agreed with!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob.

I think I phrased that poorly. I've never listened to the Nico album you mentioned. I just meant that Angel Dust was the only album I've seen on here so far that I might myself have nominated.

Tristesse · 08-16-2014, 10:58 AM

12. Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible (1994)

Considered one of the darkest albums in rock and an actual bible to many Manics fanboys and fangirls, it's an incredible piece of work and I haven't heard anything that delves into the human condition quite as much as this. With lyrics written mainly by Richey Edwards, the Manics resident uber-intelligent depressive who went on to disappear and never be found, it definitely gets you thinking, if you can make it all the way through the album without going out and jumping off the top of a tall building. This album is the first album that made me realise that music is so much more than just the songs.

Black Francis · 08-16-2014, 02:21 PM

13. The breeders - Last splash

If you like alternative music you'll probably like this album.
If you grew up during the 90's you probably heard their single 'cannonbal' at one point and though that was the only major hit from that album all the other songs from that album are just great alternative tracks.

it's a well balanced and varied alternative album that for me really captures what the 90's alternative sounded like.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 08-16-2014, 02:42 PM

14. Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner (2003)

Landmark album in Hip-Hop and UK electronic music. And entirely self produced between the ages of 16-17. It's completely unique from the production to the slang to the rhymes. Nobody was doing this in 2003. Timeless album.

Doesn't matter what he has made since or will make in the future he's secured his legend status with this.

**Goofle** · 08-16-2014, 04:48 PM

15. The Gris Gris - The Gris Gris

When I think of albums I want to listen to in my final moments, this is the first to spring to mind. The blend of Garage Rock and Neo-Psychedelia reaches perfect proportions on several of these tracks. The contrast of melancholic guitar chords and fuzzed out noise is just sublime. This is the kind of album you close your eyes to, create your own narrative, and enjoy the ride. It's simply a masterpiece as far as I am concerned.

Lisnaholic · 08-17-2014, 08:45 PM

16. Peter Skellern - Astaire (1979)

If you`re going to listen to 1001 albums before you die, you may want to sample a little bit of many different styles, and in that spirit I`d like to recommend an album that showcases some of music`s less spectacular charms. Instead of breaking new ground with original compositions (which several of the albums posted so far do) Skellern is concerned with looking backwards and covering someone else`s material, but I still feel he deserves a place here because this is such an exemplar of the art of covering songs. On Astaire he strips away the period dross and lets the quality of the original compositions shine through by adopting a modest, sincere approach which imo surpasses the slick crooning of earlier versions.

In many ways, this is a two-for-one album:-
- you get a taste of 1930's songwriting, plus a taste of 1970`s confessional singer/songwriter style
- you get some unashamedly romantic songs plus you get brass band workouts tagged on
- you get a compendium of essential old time classics...

Spoiler for Skellern`s tracklist:

...but you get them in simple arrangements without all that old-fashioned orchestral schmooze.

The cover suggests the intention of the album; conjuring up a ghost from a era of lost elegance, and that`s how Skellern seems to tackle the project; so as not to scare the ghost away he plays quiet, calm, almost tentative versions of the songs that Fred Astaire danced to. His soft voice and piano accompaniment makes this an intimate and romantic listening experience, although a couple of times he has fun with the past style and lets the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band blast out a crescendo.

So, for some beautiful lyrics and tunes, for an example of one era looking back at another, for a demonstration of how covers can surpass originals - or just for a rest after Trout Mask Replica - this is a good album to try before you die.

sidewinder · 08-17-2014, 09:08 PM

17. Meat Beat Manifesto - Satyricon (1992)
I think it was 93 or 94 when I discovered MBM, but they've been a favorite ever since. Jack Dangers is an EDM genius. After releasing a few mind-fucking albums of plunderphonic industrial hip-hop dubby breakbeat, MBM started incorporating more danceable beats (and less of the industrial harshness) on 99% and then created what to me is the perfect blend with the release of this album. It (and prior works, of course) influenced a slew of hugely popular 90s EDM acts like The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, etc. without getting near the recognition of those groups. And that's likely because those acts polished the sound for mainstream consumption. This may be one of MBM's most accessible albums, but aside from a few cuts maybe, it still has quite an underground sound. This is MBM's most vocal album, and Jack Dangers' vocals work perfectly with the style of vocal samples/snippets that are still very prominent - the samples being something that really drew me into industrial and related acts to begin with. The samples from this album have been ingrained in my brain (oh here's one popping in my head from 99%...it's in my brain now...) since I discovered the album. One pops into my head at least once a week.

If I had to make a comparison, I'd say this is the Paul's Boutique of EDM. But it's a relaxing and brain-stimulating album. It may sound dated to someone who's never heard it, even if you like other 90s EDM, but it's quite an amazing and influential album.

08-16-2014, 02:21 PM	#26 (permalink)
Black Francis Out of Place Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: in an abstract house Posts: 4,111	13. The breeders - Last splash If you like alternative music you'll probably like this album. If you grew up during the 90's you probably heard their single 'cannonbal' at one point and though that was the only major hit from that album all the other songs from that album are just great alternative tracks. it's a well balanced and varied alternative album that for me really captures what the 90's alternative sounded like. __________________ "Hey Kids you got to meet the MIGHTY PIXIES!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbRbCtIgW3A

08-17-2014, 08:45 PM	#29 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	16. Peter Skellern - Astaire (1979) If you`re going to listen to 1001 albums before you die, you may want to sample a little bit of many different styles, and in that spirit I`d like to recommend an album that showcases some of music`s less spectacular charms. Instead of breaking new ground with original compositions (which several of the albums posted so far do) Skellern is concerned with looking backwards and covering someone else`s material, but I still feel he deserves a place here because this is such an exemplar of the art of covering songs. On Astaire he strips away the period dross and lets the quality of the original compositions shine through by adopting a modest, sincere approach which imo surpasses the slick crooning of earlier versions. In many ways, this is a two-for-one album:- - you get a taste of 1930's songwriting, plus a taste of 1970`s confessional singer/songwriter style - you get some unashamedly romantic songs plus you get brass band workouts tagged on - you get a compendium of essential old time classics... Spoiler for Skellern`s tracklist: Isn't This A Lovely Day Cheek To Cheek They Can't Take That Away From Me The Way You Look Tonight The Continental Puttin' On The Ritz No Strings Let's Call The Whole Thing Off Night And Day Top Hat, White Tie And Tails ...but you get them in simple arrangements without all that old-fashioned orchestral schmooze. The cover suggests the intention of the album; conjuring up a ghost from a era of lost elegance, and that`s how Skellern seems to tackle the project; so as not to scare the ghost away he plays quiet, calm, almost tentative versions of the songs that Fred Astaire danced to. His soft voice and piano accompaniment makes this an intimate and romantic listening experience, although a couple of times he has fun with the past style and lets the Grimethorpe Colliery Brass Band blast out a crescendo. So, for some beautiful lyrics and tunes, for an example of one era looking back at another, for a demonstration of how covers can surpass originals - or just for a rest after Trout Mask Replica - this is a good album to try before you die. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

08-17-2014, 09:08 PM	#30 (permalink)
sidewinder Engorged Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,536	17. Meat Beat Manifesto - Satyricon (1992) I think it was 93 or 94 when I discovered MBM, but they've been a favorite ever since. Jack Dangers is an EDM genius. After releasing a few mind-fucking albums of plunderphonic industrial hip-hop dubby breakbeat, MBM started incorporating more danceable beats (and less of the industrial harshness) on 99% and then created what to me is the perfect blend with the release of this album. It (and prior works, of course) influenced a slew of hugely popular 90s EDM acts like The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, Crystal Method, etc. without getting near the recognition of those groups. And that's likely because those acts polished the sound for mainstream consumption. This may be one of MBM's most accessible albums, but aside from a few cuts maybe, it still has quite an underground sound. This is MBM's most vocal album, and Jack Dangers' vocals work perfectly with the style of vocal samples/snippets that are still very prominent - the samples being something that really drew me into industrial and related acts to begin with. The samples from this album have been ingrained in my brain (oh here's one popping in my head from 99%...it's in my brain now...) since I discovered the album. One pops into my head at least once a week. If I had to make a comparison, I'd say this is the Paul's Boutique of EDM. But it's a relaxing and brain-stimulating album. It may sound dated to someone who's never heard it, even if you like other 90s EDM, but it's quite an amazing and influential album. __________________ last.fm \| my collection on RYM \| vinyl instagram @allthatyouseeandhear I'd love to see your signature/links too, but the huge and obnoxious ones have caused me to block all signatures.

08-16-2014, 08:00 AM	#23 (permalink)
Dylstew Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 1,366	11. - NoMeansNo- Wrong. 1989 One of the most unique punk albums I've listened to. I guess you could describe it as post-punk or post-hardcore, but it's not your typical post hardcore album. It really has a sound of it's own. The closest description would be the minutemen on crack, but that's still not it. The bass on this is used to it's fullest potential, the length of the songs is perfect, the songs are varied, the vocals are unique, it's full of energy and the song writing overall is just great. It's full of distortion, it's loud, it's aggresive and it's energetic. I love this album, and I think it deserves to be here. (btw: The two bonus tracks are also great, you should check them out as well.)

08-16-2014, 02:42 PM	#27 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	14. Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner (2003) Landmark album in Hip-Hop and UK electronic music. And entirely self produced between the ages of 16-17. It's completely unique from the production to the slang to the rhymes. Nobody was doing this in 2003. Timeless album. Doesn't matter what he has made since or will make in the future he's secured his legend status with this.