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Classic Albums I have never heard
Reading over Powerstars' review of Nirvana's "Nevermind" brought to my attention that there are many, many albums considered (probably rightly) total classics which I have never even listened to, and I probably really should. We're talking the likes of OK computer/Kid A, Close to the edge, Transformer, Reign in blood, all that sort of thing. I was going to just run another new section in the Playlist, but then I thought no, this needs its own journal in order to work properly, so here I am, making yet another.
I'm not going to be reviewing these albums: no point, as most of you more than likely know them inside out anyway. What I will do is give my impressions, both first and later. So I'll listen to an album once, write my sketchy impressions of it, then later (some time later) after I've had a chance to spin it a few more times and get more deeply into it, I'll come back with a "redux" of it, to see if my opinion has changed, for better or worse. Oh yeah: there will be no YouTubes, for the same reason as stated above. What would be the point? The impressions will as I say be basic: things like how I felt one minute into the album, how I thought it sounded, how it developed if at all, and so on. I'm open to suggestions for albums, though generally I'm gong to tend to stay within my own preferred genres. So it's not likely I'll be listening to "Never mind the bollocks" anytime soon! Of course, if someone can make a persuasive argument for why I should listen to a particular album I'll be prepared to listen. This will be the journal wherein I hope to see a decent amount of comments, as people either tell me I don't know what I'm talking about (what's new?) :rolleyes: or ask me how I avoided hearing THAT album for so long, whether I like it now and just general discussion about albums you guyses will knows a lots mores than mes. Of course, with three other journals to keep going don't expect to see daily updates here; I'll be lucky if I can do one a week. But hopefully it may provide both some new listening pleasure for me and a fresh perspective perhaps on albums that most of you know intimately. New eyes, as they say. Or in this case, ears. Anyhoo, I'll be back a little later with the beginnings of a list. I already know which one is going to be looked at first, but will hold off announcing that just yet. Oh yeah, even if I hate an album, even after repeated listens, can't understand why it's so highly rated, I'll still write about it. Okay then, off I go to make my list! PM me if you have any ideas, or once the journal's approved drop in a comment. Till later Troll Okay then, here's the first draft of my list. This is of course in no way complete or comprehensive, and has been put together basically by reference to the top 500 albums according to :shycouch: "Rolling Stone" --- I know, I know! But I just wanted an idea! --- and that list of "1001 albums you must hear before you die." As I say, I'm open to suggestions and if I have an album here by an artiste that someone knows is not considered their most classic, let me know. A quick word on ratings: later in the journal I decided to instigate a rating system. This has of necessity to be built around both how much I liked or did not like the album and its overall popularity as a classic album, so even if I didn't enjoy a particular album but recognise it as a bona fide classic, it would have to get a reasonably high rating. It wouldn't do, for instance, for me to go rating, say, The Joshua Tree low, even if I didn't like it personally. The rating will therefore be an amalgamation of the album's standing and my own reaction to it. I've tried to limit the list to one per artist, otherwise I'll be at this till I die. Here's what I've come up with so far. These are in alphabetical order, though that does not in any way mean they will be processed in that order. ABC - The Lexicon of Love AC/DC - Back in Black Antlers - Hospice Arcade Fire --- Funeral The Auteurs - New Wave The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica Big Star - #1 Record David Bowie – Low Kate Bush - The Hounds of Love Can- Tago Mago The Cars - The Cars Catherine Wheel - Chrome The Clash - London Calling Terence Trent D'Arby - Introducing the Hardline According to... Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks Earth Wind and Fire - That's the Way of the World Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain ELP - Tarkus Faith No More --- Angel dust Funkadelic --- Maggot brain Gang of Four – Entertainment! Marvin Gaye - What's Going On? The Go- Betweens - 16 Lovers Lane Human League - Dare! Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814 Michael Jackson – Thriller The Jam – All Mod Cons The Jesus and Mary Chain --- Psychocandy Judas Priest --- British Steel Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced... Bob Marley - Exodus Massive Attack – Mezzanine My Bloody Valentine – Loveless Neutral Milk Hotel --- In the Aeroplane Over the Sea Nirvana - Nevermind Of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? Orange Juice - Rip It Up Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Damn the Torpedoes PIL - Metal box Portishead - Dummy Primal Scream - Screamadelica Pulp - Different Class REM - Automatic for the People RHCP - Californication Todd Rundgren - Something/Anything Paul Simon – Graceland Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours Sisters of Mercy --- Floodlands Slayer - Reign in Blood Slowdive --- Souvlaki The Smiths - The Queen is Dead Talking Heads --- Remain in Light Sonic Youth --- Daydream Nation Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread and Alive U2 - The Joshua Tree Pere Ubu - Dub Housing Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues Weezer – Blue The White Stripes - Elephant Wilco --- Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life Yes - Close to the edge Neil Young - After the Gold Rush ZZ Top - Tres Hombres |
The fact you haven't heard "Close to the Edge" knocked me out of my chair. I was under the impression you heard every album released in the 20th Century. That album had my favorite line up of Yes with Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman, Chris Squire and Jon Anderson. Best heard on headphones :hphones:
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I agree with Nepo and I'm shocked you haven't heard Close to the Edge the most famous prog album ever!' No Radiohead even though I find them pretentious and boring, I don't think Transformer would be your thing and hahaha you listening to Reign in Blood, now the thought of that brings a smile to my face. Now as for Never Mind the Bollocks that is the punk album for people not really into punk and you should listen to it, its angsty, fun and easy on the ear and an all time classic, an album for the family!
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You've been here, what 5 years now and in all that time I've never really seen you pushed out of your comfort zone. I just think the fact you're listening to stuff you've not heard before is an opportunity to look at stuff you wouldn't normally listen to. Plus let's be honest, you write lots of reviews. Now I know you've not heard Close To The Edge and while that does surprise me given your tastes you pretty much know what to expect from that album. I'd much rather throw something like Funkadelic's Maggot Brain or Captain Beefheart's Trout Mask Replica at you and say 'Now let's see what you make of this'. Obviously I'm not saying don't do Yes. I just think that this journal will be more interesting if you pushed the unknown a bit more. Oh and if I was to write a list of 5 classic albums for you.... David Bowie - Low Primal Scream - Screamadelica Massive Attack - Mezzanine P.I.L. - Metal Box / Second Edition Black Flag - Damaged |
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I really Urban's idea of you stepping outside of your comfort zone a tad bit more so my list is filled with albums that you normally wouldn't listen to. I don't mind if you decide that you'd rather not be bothered with my suggestions but it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on them.
Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread or Alive Earth Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World Janet Jackson - Control KMFDM - Symbols A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory |
Thanks for all the replies guys. Few comments then:
Close to the edge: why are you guys so surprised I've never heard this? I've made it plain that I have only heard and enjoyed "later" Yes, from 90125 on, and that what I heard of "classic Yes" I thought overlong, boring and pretentious and I lost interest quickly in it. That said, yes I understand it's a classic prog album which is why it's on the list. Sex Pistols: No. I don't care how classic it may be seen as, I bloody HATE the SP and everything they stood for. I have no intention of ever listening to them, and it's not because I'm scared, or they're outside my comfort zone: it's simply that I dislike them so much. No punk fan, I! Urban: never stepped out of my comfort zone? You're talking to the guy who fearlessly went where other reviewers fear to tread, deep into the wilds of Boybandland. I still wake shivering every few nights about that! And have you not seen "The Meat Grinder"? Still, yes, I don't tend to push myself very much but you see I don't want to. I'm happy to listen to music for enjoyment, not to show how diverse a taste I have, like you, Jack or Goofle. Don't need that validation thanks. But I will take on your list. Let's see: was gonna do Mezzanine anyway, Low I heard once, once only as a very young lad (Eno's involved in that, isn't he?) and I may look at PIL, though I might go for BAD instead. Or both. Primal Scream? Don't know jack about them, will have to read up, unless you want to give me a clue. As for Captain Beefheart: yeah I'll give him a go. I only ever heard "Ice cream for crow" (the song) once and thought it was hilarious, but a whole album might be interesting. DJ: I'll take Peter Tosh, Janet and EWF thanks. I'll add them to the list. See the thing is I know you all would like to see me explore albums I'd normally not touch, but that's not the point of this journal. If I did that then I'd miss getting to hear all those classic albums I have never heard, and this would become instead "Trollheart walks on the wild side" instead. Hmmm... No, no! Four journals is more than any man should ever have to update. No more! No. More. Well, maybe just one. NO. Definitely not. Ever. Maybe. :shycouch: Thanks for the suggestions guys. Will be back with my list soon as. And thanks for the interest already. TH |
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Besides I wouldn't say I was pushing you to validate yourself, I know you don't want to do that which is why all 5 of the albums I carefully chose have their roots in rock music, even Mezzanine which I think of more as a rock album than an electronic one. Well apart from the Black Flag one, that was just to **** with you :) Primal Scream ... For that album think The Rolling Stones meets acid house |
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I agree with Urban in the albums that he's suggested to you, I know four of the five and they're albums to push your listening experience without giving you a coronary or making you scratch your head too much, but you might be best to avoid Damaged, you're not ready for that yet. But Low and Close to the Edge might be two great places to jump in and both are two of the best albums ever recorded.
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Maybe early era Yes is something that has to grow on you. I remember every early Genesis album I bought I didn't care for after the first listen. I would pack it away give it a try another time later. It might had taken several tries, but when I became more familiar with the album I enjoyed it more. Why I didn't care much for it the first time around? I don't know. Sometimes Prog can be demanding on the first listening, but if you know the song well the length of the song, and other things don't matter as much any more (and maybe that goes without saying). I think if you do decide to listen to Close to the Edge maybe start off with say Classic Yes first were you get a cross section of the music they did before, during and after the album (CttE). And who knows maybe you'll (secretly) become a fan of early Yes, and listening to the (CttE) album will be more enjoyable and less of a chore. Quote:
The Rezillos are still a good choice, they're from Scotland, and music-wise they cut their teeth on R&B and you'll find them excellent musicians, they're not the "I'll spit in your face because I don't know how to tune this guitar and play three chords in the right order" kind of punks either... which is so stereotypical of Punk anyways. |
Okay a few more lines before I get into my list.
Urban, I know you can listen to boybands on the radio, TV, whatever. My point in doing that wasn't necessarily to subject myself to terrible music I would normally not listen to (though that of course became a side effect), it was to try to understand the genre, so that when I next slagged boybands off I would know what I was talking about, and have references, not just the hits everyone knew. But you're right: I wouldn't launch into an investigation of screamo metal or hardcore punk or techno really; I just don't have any interest in those genres. Oh,and it may seem I've been here for five years but I only really returned actively in 2011, so it's only three. Seems like thirty, seems like thirty... :) (Jesus Christ Superstar reference which probably nobody will get) [List moved to OP 10.03.17] And the one I'm starting with is this... http://theseconddisc.files.wordpress...-my-bloody.jpg I know they have a new one out but everyone references this so much I thought I should give it a listen. Everyone's free to disagree and argue with me of course on certain/all albums, but obviously my impression won't be swayed by someone saying "but that's a classic!" If I don't like an album, after giving it a fair go, it's likely I never will so please don't any well-meaning member try to change my mind. Hopefully though, some of these will strike a chord and I'll wonder why I never listened to them before. So, off I go to download "Loveless" and see what, if anything, I've been missing all these years. Wish me luck! I'll post my initial review, as it were, in the next day or so, once I've listened through to it once all the way. Notes Note 2: Yes yes I know! I have heard tracks off it, but never the whole album all the way through. Don't know why: I have it, just have never got around to listening to it. Note 3: Listened to this once in my twenties and hated it, but in fairness I expected to and was biased against it, so will give it a more discerning and tolerant listen when I get around to it. Note 4: I know it's a greatest hits package, but I don't know enough about Marley to know what his classic album is considered to be? If anyone knows, and has suggestions, let me in on it. Note 5: Owned this years and years ago but hated it. Will try to understand it and give it a fair hearing. |
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That's the one with all the hits on it, This Is Hardcore bombed when it was released. Hell it took me a good while to get into that album & Pulp were one of my favourite bands at the time. Quote:
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Go with Rhythm nation 1814, I personally prefer Control but Rhythm Nation won more accolades when it was released.
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I'd argue that the quintessential Pulp album is actually Different Class, and The Queen is Dead for The Smiths.
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http://theseconddisc.files.wordpress...-my-bloody.jpg
Title: Loveless Artiste: My Bloody Valentine Year: 1991 Chronological position: Second album Previous experience of this artiste: Nothing Why is this considered a classic? According to Wiki, this album invented shoegaze as a genre? My thoughts My reaction/immediate impression, ranging from Great, Good, Meh to Bad or Still waiting, or perhaps Other if nothing else fits. One minute (or thereabouts in) ---- Good One track in --- Good Halfway through --- Other: frustrated mostly. Some good ideas but hard to make them out under the weapons-grade distortion. Finished --- Still waiting, but maybe Other, ie frustrated? Comments: I was trying to place the voice, and now I know. Though this will mean nothing to any of you, he's very very similar to the lead singer from another Irish band, the Stars of Heaven. I'm not mad about the heavy reverb and distortion, which seems even to be on the vocals, though I've read it is or was MBV's trademark. Makes it a little hard to listen to, for me, specially on the second track. Almost like listening to two albums playing at once, one slightly behind the other. Track three is a bit stupid, just a squealing guitar and then some orchestral style keyboard, a short instrumental if you can call it that. Look, is this backwards masked or something? Because To here knows when (huh?) sounds like that. It's just a mess. I must say I'm beginning to lose patience here people. Is it possible you have to be stoned to appreciate this? Cos it sounds like they are. So far, apart from the opening track, bloody awful. Right, and some growly guitar with a warped effect right at the end. Where's me tea? Sigh. On we go. When you sleep has a nice melody in there somewhere but so much gets twisted and warped it's almost like MBV can't stand to have an ordinary song on this album. Right, now it's settling down a little. Sort of. Jesus! What do they have against allowing the vocals to be heard? This is really annoying me now. I'm getting angry now, and you wouldn't like me when I'm ... oh wait, I already used that line. Anyway, there does seem to be some good, possibly great music in there somewhere but it's all buried under mountains of distortion, reverb, echo and singing that can't really be made out that it's just become a jumbled mess as far as I'm concerned. Although... I do like that fading out guitar riff that's been running all through the song, and the next one up, Come in alone is actually listenable, with clear(ish) vocals, so that may make it onto my list of, so far, one favourite track. Actually, the previous one might squeeze in too, on the basis of that riff. Maybe. Yeah, hold the phone: Sometimes is good too; guitar's growly but not drowning out the rest of the music, and the vocal's good. Nice melody. Say nothing, say nothing, fingers crossed... Ah no. Blown a wish brings all the feedback and distortion and hard-to-decipher vocals back. Oh well. Look, I know it's the way they do things, apparently, and I'm not saying anything against that, but it's making it hard for me to enjoy --- damn it, even listen to --- this album. What you want has a vaguely Prefab Sprout feel to it, but again the vox are hard to make out --- yes, yes, I know it's intentional, not bad production. That's the whole problem, and why I don't see this band being a good fit for me. Favourite track(s): Only shadow, Come in alone, I only said, Sometimes Least favourite track(s): Everything else Final impression --- Kind of still waiting: I'll have to take a few more listens, but right now, I'd say good but not great. Do I feel, at the end, A) I wish I had listened to this sooner B) I'm sorry I bothered C) I might end up liking this D) Not at all sure, have to wait and see Sort C combined with D really. But I don't think I hate it. Or do I? :shycouch: |
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Okay, see this is where I need the help of you guys. I'm just looking at lists, which are of course biased and may not reflect an artiste's true classic album, or the one considered as their classic. I mean, some people would have you believe "Invisible touch" is Genesis's classic! So, then...
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I guess I'll get some "seriously?" responses from people, but could I recommend something?
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Tbh I was hoping to make you a full fledged fan of early Yes :shycouch: |
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Anyway talking of classic albums, when are you finally going to listen to the Diamond Head debut, I've been hitting you over the head with a hammer on that album for a while now:bonkhead: I know this seems like I'm having a go at you.......... well I am;) Quote:
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Also, I haven't stated I want to hear classic albums I don't know, I've said I want to hear classic albums I haven't heard: there's a difference. You could tell me that Johnny Lampost Head and His Burning Sticky Labels first album "I hate you all" is a classic, but if I haven't heard of it it's not a classic to me. The perfect example is "Loveless". I have heard people raving about it, though I don't know anything the band has done, and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It's more albums I think I should have heard, or owe it to myself to hear. Quote:
Mind you, you may not like what I say about them.... Quote:
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Fantastic idea! If I send you Nevermind, will you give your impressions? Don't worry, I think every last song on that album is better than Teen Spirit, except for Teen Spirit itself. It helps to have notes on the inspiration of certain songs like Polly. If you don't wanna review, that's cool, I'll still follow this!
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I was just listening to Faith No More - Angel Dust and was wondering if you'd ever had the opportunity to hear it?
Some of their best work. I'd say it's a classic. |
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Okay guys, still digesting "Loveless" and will be for some time. Next one up is this:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qw1xkAWDzo...es_-_front.jpg Expect my first-time review shortly... |
I notice you don't have Rum, Sodomy & The Lash by The Pogues on your list.
Is that because it's the against law in Dublin not to have heard it, or is it because it's against the law in Dublin not to like it? :) |
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:laughing:
That a no then? ;) |
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That would be a no. ;)
You've already challenged me with three (I think) albums I hadn't considered, so you're done pal. Don't try to convince me to listen to the Pogues too!:eek: Ah, ZZ! Pure Texas blues bliss! Now THIS is what I like! (More later)-ish :) :dj: |
Obviously, I don't know what you've listened to, so here are a few pretty accessible albums that are classics in my book. I tried to provide a nice variety.
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger Slowdive - Souvlaki Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind Dio - Holy Diver Dr. Dre - The Chronic 2001 Jesus and Mary Chain - Psychocandy if you want to push yourself Darklands if you want to stay accessible Television - Marquee Moon and someone mentioned the Low End Theory from A Tribe Called Quest…I completely agree. That album has helped so many people enjoy rap, including myself. Maybe you will want to ignore The Chronic 2001 for now...but seriously...listen to the Low End Theory. |
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3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... by Arrested Development 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul Of the Heart, Of the Soul and Of the Cross: The Utopian Experience by P.M. Dawn Blow Out Comb by the Digable Planets (Blow Out Comb is perhaps the greatest alternative rap album of all time) Grandmaster Flash's earliest collaborations with the Furious Five and the Sugarhill Gang were released on Sugarhill Records as 12" singles and those oldest of the old school recordings are still the best. All of those singles have been collected on two different long playing albums, Message From Beat Street (1994) and The Best of the Best of the Sugarhill Gang (1996). Those two collections of Flash's earliest single releases simply blow away all of the current day rap music artists. |
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So in your list, I've bolded the ones I already know and have heard (as a dedicated headbanger in my youth I should bloody hope so too!), italicised the ones I may try and underlined the ones I have no intention of going near. I don't want this list to get out of control, so I'm trying to confine it to albums that mean something to me but that I've never listened to. Rap and hiphop I have no interest at all in, zero, sorry. Not gonna happen. Thanks for the interest and the list: I'll add any I decide in the next draft. |
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