Greatest Post Punk Album

[Noise Wall]

I recently got into an argument with a friend who claims Closer to be the great post punk album of all time.

I am a huge fan of Closer, definitely one of my favorites, but I dont know about it being the best.

My vote would probably have to go to The freshman Cocteau Twins release, Garlands. While Cocteau Twins are far more known for their dreampop, they began as one of the greatest post punk acts around. While the argument that this album is directly influenced by Closer stands strong, when actually judging the quality of an album, I don't thin influence should be such a big factor.

Besides Garlands, I also think that Psychocandy by Jesus and Mary Chain is capable of knocking Closer off of its throne, and if the Swans could be considered Post Punk, than they also have some albums that post a challenge.

Anyway, I made this thread to get your opinion. Which do you think is better of the two(If you have heard them both), and also, if neither of them, what album do you think deserves to be crowned king(or queen) of Post Punk?

[Violent & Funky]

Are we limiting ourselves to British post-punk?

[Noise Wall]

Originally Posted by Violent & Funky

Are we limiting ourselves to British post-punk?

No way. Its just mostly what I am familiar with.

[Howard the Duck]

P.I.L. - Metal Box

I win

[Forward To Death]

Violent Femmes S/T is one of the better non-british post-punk albums. Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth is one of the most influential alt rock albums ever made IMO.

I could go a lot of different routes here.

[William_the_Bloody]

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

Violent Femmes S/T is one of the better non-british post-punk albums. Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth is one of the most influential alt rock albums ever made IMO.

I could go a lot of different routes here.

Yep second that, the Cramps first album isn't bad either.

[Paedantic Basterd]

Well post-rock is the use of standard rock instrumentation to create more ambient, meandering, textural pieces.

Post-punk I think is less about a sound and more about an idea, so it's a broader blanket covering more dissimilar artists.

[Howard the Duck]

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

Well post-rock is the use of standard rock instrumentation to create more ambient, meandering, textural pieces.

Post-punk I think is less about a sound and more about an idea, so it's a broader blanket covering more dissimilar artists.

well, post-rock covers:-

Slint's Spiderland - which is more "mathy"
Talk Talk's last 2 albums - more jazzy/classical
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - lengthy prog-like pieces
Sigur Ros - eclectic and closer to "Shoegaze" or "dream-pop"

[Noise Wall]

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

Well post-rock is the use of standard rock instrumentation to create more ambient, meandering, textural pieces.

Post-punk I think is less about a sound and more about an idea, so it's a broader blanket covering more dissimilar artists.

Not in anyway the case. The only reason it might seem like this, is because post punk influenced bands are often called post punk when they are just alt rock. Look at Joy Division, early Cocteau Twins, Early Sonic Youth, Jesus and Marry Chain, Gang of Four, and Public Image ltd. They all have a stylistic similarity not shared by bands not considered post punk. It is as defined a style as punk rock itself, and many post punk acts crossover into new wave which is pretty much post punk + synth pop. This crossover is a large reason for the confusion I think.

[Urban Hat€monger ?]

Originally Posted by Noise Wall

and many post punk acts crossover into new wave which is pretty much post punk + synth pop. This crossover is a large reason for the confusion I think.

New Wave was the major labels attempt at commercialising what was left of the punk influence.

Post punk was virtually the opposite of that, I don't see there's any crossover at all.