Closing out the bottom 50 with this entry. The running list on the bottom of this blog will be it's own post or page and on the next post we'll start with a new short listing of the next 50. New poll to the right as well issuing the age old question, which Beatles album? I'll also include a fun little rant from Matt concerning my inclusion of The Decemberists on the list AND, I'm very excited to say, a list of Mr. Michael Absher's top 20 hard rock albums. Those of you in the Flint, MI area know he is THE DJ in our neck of the woods and his 25th anniversary of broadening our musical horizons is just around the corner. For those of you NOT from this region, trust me, he's the man. Not that I'm kissing up in the hopes of getting more reviews or lists from him or anything....wouldn't want to pressure him with praise...he's also a very handsome man. Away we go....
255. Harvest - Neil Young (1972)
Young's fourth solo album was the best selling of 1972. It stands today as one of the greatest Americana country rock album evah (says I). It sort of set the stage for the soft rock mid-70s to begin as both James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt make appearances. Young's old bandmates C,S,N are all here on backing vocals as well. I must admit, I'm not a huge Neil Young fan, but with Heart Of Stone, Old Man, The Needle And The Damage Done and Alabama, it's hard to argue against this album. Of course, this also has A Man Needs A Maid and There's A World, which sound like weaker retreads of older material, hence it's placement here in the top 300. Still, the second best solo album from Young, Rolling Stone had it ranked at 78.
254. Stankonia - Outkast (2000)
This one I go the other way on from Rolling Stone, who had it ranked at 359. "Slumadelic" is what Big Boi branded as the sound of his fourth album with Andre 3000. This remains the group's best album as Outkast or going solo. Songs like Ms. Jackson and So Fresh, So Clean hadn't really been done in rap before. The mixing of so many different styles and genres on a hip hop album being done so well hadn't really been done before, either. The samba-tinged Humble Mumble remains one of my favorite rap songs with one of the sickest flows I swear I've ever heard, the metaled-up Gasoline Dreams and mad club vibe of B.O.B...even the 'throw-away' minute-long sketches are good. A great hip hop and funk album, if you don't know it, get to. My only beef is that, at 24 tracks long, it can feel just that at times. Do not let that stop you from experiencing this incredible music.
253. Confirmation - Charlie Parker (1995)
If you don't know him, Yardbird was one of the greatest sax players ever. There are live recording of his blistering brilliance that are very good albums. This 2-disc set is my favorite, however, as it an incredible example of how versatile an artist Parker truly was. I believe Coltrane was the greatest (you'll see much of him later), but no jazz saxophonist could play as well as Bird in as many settings. These recordings are mostly from the early 50's. You've got everything from his playing in quartets to playing in big bands, be-bop to latin jazz, strings to a vocal from Ella, the man appeared well in any company. A must-have for anyone just getting into jazz or anyone who loves great music. There's too much to say about the man himself, but do yourself a favor and read a bio, see the movie "Bird" or look him up on line to get to know this tortured soul who fought his addictions to give us some of the greatest sounds ever heard.
252. Strictly Commercial: Best Of - Frank Zappa (1995)
The fact that this great composer/guitarist has around 100 albums out almost guarantees him a seat at this table. Add to that his fierce dedication to defending against censorship in the arts and respect alone should put him on the list. Luckily, Zappa was pretty damn good at what he did, as is evident on this expertly put-together Best Of collection, so we'll just judge his albums. I believe there are two studio albums he did that outshine this set, but it's a great place to start. The organized insanity of Peaches En Regalia, goofball bluesy Don't Eat The Yellow Snow, the rocking anti-girlfriend's mom My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, Zappa was a big fan of telling off-beat stories (this collection steers clear of the more sexually overladen Zappa tracks mostly) to different genres and styles of music. He could have fit onto an album of great American composers as easily as he could have a Dr. Demento set. Start here to check out this essential figure in jazz/rock history, but stay tuned for more Zappa later!
251. One From The Vault - Grateful Dead (1991)
This one is kind of a special one for me (sniff) as this was the first Grateful Dead album I ever listened to. This 2-disc live set was recorded in 1975 in the Dead's home city of San Fran. Smokin' versions of The Music Never Stopped, Eyes Of The World, Sugaree and even Johnny Cash's Big River can be found here. Also, Jerry and the boys played their album Blues For Allah in it's entirety for the first time ever on this collection, so it's almost like 2 albums in one! Not to mention my favorite version of one of my all-time favorite Dead songs. I overheard Franklin's Tower for the first time playing in my brother's room back in high school and I asked to borrow it. When he eventually let me, I listened to nothing but that album for a month. Oh, and if you're looking Matt H (not the other Matt who is a frequent guest here), I still have it. Sorry, bro.
Here's a nice little tirade against The Decemberists having their album The Crane Wife ranked at #267 on the list:
broseff you have an obsession with concept albums. The Decemberists! I got that album for free and still felt I was owed money back. I liked 2 songs kind of. But, the rest was just nonsense. Its not the vocals alone or even the instrumentals that I dislike its mostly lyrical. Just because you tie your songs together with a common theme or story that resembles musical movie doesn't make it interesting. In fact, it makes them more unrelatable to the listener. To me it seems most of the time concept albums show a lack of creativity and seem self indulgent. Usually concept album artists act like they think their brilliant musicians saying I can make a whole albums about one flat story line. But, I think they're trying too hard. If the symbolic content of a song is there and you want to expand it do so in a track or two or even three. But, I doubt anything that can be summarized in a paragraph or less is going to sound better stretched to over 90 minute! That's time I can't get back! Its like a one note movie you see the ending a mile away. But, then again you did like 'Shutter Island' didn't you?!? Lol jk I crack myself up:)
Ps I was soo pissed about that album I actually remember throwing that album onto I69 about a year and a half ago! So if you want another copy.... Lol It should be by an Alesana album too:) Ironically I got both for free with a Best Buy gift card and picked up Vampire Weekend with it too. I was purposely trying out bands I had vaguely heard of. Vampire Weekend I liked quite a bit, but the other two tasted the highway!
I do love a good concept album, Matt, as long as the songs can stand up on their own, which is a little bit of my issue with The Wall. I thought The Crane Wife had several songs that do just that. And, I confess, I do like Shutter Island. I thought it got a bad rap. At least I got Vampire Weekend right in your book, right? Thanks, as always, for the comments, my friend. Keep 'em coming, and you other readers, you could chime in, too, you know?!
Finally, here's that list from the only guy that I will freely admit schools me in music appreciation and knowledge, Michael Absher.
Aside from a brief flirtation with the form in high school, I've never been much of a heavy metal guy. But I'm not entirely immune to the charms of turgid testosterone driven rifferama. So, I present the first in a series of top 20 lists...strictly by personal taste, mind you.
1. The Stooges - Fun House
2. Nirvana - Nevermind
3. Bad Brains - I Against I
4. Mudhoney - Bigmuff Superfuzz plus Early Singles
5. The Who - Who's Next
6. Mother Love Bone - s/t
7. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
8. Faith No More - The Real Thing
9. Melvins - Stoner Witch
10. Van Halen - s/t
11. Janes Addiction - Nothings Shocking
12. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
13. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
14. AC/DC - Highway to Hell
15. Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
16. Led Zeppelin - s/t
17. Alice in Chains - Dirt
18. Monster Magnet - Dopes to Infinity
19. Rage Against the Machine - s/t
20. Tool - Lateralus
I limited myself to one album per artist. And if I did this list tomorrow it would likely be different. Still, an interesting exercise.
And there you have it. You've already seen Fun House on both lists, will there be more shared albums? Only time will tell. As always, feel free....feel obligated, even...to take the poll on this page, send comments, album reviews, lists, general musical shenanigans and goings-on my way. Let me know how you feel about my picks, love em, hate em, first timers, share, people, SHARE!
255. Harvest - Neil Young (1972)
Young's fourth solo album was the best selling of 1972. It stands today as one of the greatest Americana country rock album evah (says I). It sort of set the stage for the soft rock mid-70s to begin as both James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt make appearances. Young's old bandmates C,S,N are all here on backing vocals as well. I must admit, I'm not a huge Neil Young fan, but with Heart Of Stone, Old Man, The Needle And The Damage Done and Alabama, it's hard to argue against this album. Of course, this also has A Man Needs A Maid and There's A World, which sound like weaker retreads of older material, hence it's placement here in the top 300. Still, the second best solo album from Young, Rolling Stone had it ranked at 78.
254. Stankonia - Outkast (2000)
This one I go the other way on from Rolling Stone, who had it ranked at 359. "Slumadelic" is what Big Boi branded as the sound of his fourth album with Andre 3000. This remains the group's best album as Outkast or going solo. Songs like Ms. Jackson and So Fresh, So Clean hadn't really been done in rap before. The mixing of so many different styles and genres on a hip hop album being done so well hadn't really been done before, either. The samba-tinged Humble Mumble remains one of my favorite rap songs with one of the sickest flows I swear I've ever heard, the metaled-up Gasoline Dreams and mad club vibe of B.O.B...even the 'throw-away' minute-long sketches are good. A great hip hop and funk album, if you don't know it, get to. My only beef is that, at 24 tracks long, it can feel just that at times. Do not let that stop you from experiencing this incredible music.
253. Confirmation - Charlie Parker (1995)
If you don't know him, Yardbird was one of the greatest sax players ever. There are live recording of his blistering brilliance that are very good albums. This 2-disc set is my favorite, however, as it an incredible example of how versatile an artist Parker truly was. I believe Coltrane was the greatest (you'll see much of him later), but no jazz saxophonist could play as well as Bird in as many settings. These recordings are mostly from the early 50's. You've got everything from his playing in quartets to playing in big bands, be-bop to latin jazz, strings to a vocal from Ella, the man appeared well in any company. A must-have for anyone just getting into jazz or anyone who loves great music. There's too much to say about the man himself, but do yourself a favor and read a bio, see the movie "Bird" or look him up on line to get to know this tortured soul who fought his addictions to give us some of the greatest sounds ever heard.
252. Strictly Commercial: Best Of - Frank Zappa (1995)
The fact that this great composer/guitarist has around 100 albums out almost guarantees him a seat at this table. Add to that his fierce dedication to defending against censorship in the arts and respect alone should put him on the list. Luckily, Zappa was pretty damn good at what he did, as is evident on this expertly put-together Best Of collection, so we'll just judge his albums. I believe there are two studio albums he did that outshine this set, but it's a great place to start. The organized insanity of Peaches En Regalia, goofball bluesy Don't Eat The Yellow Snow, the rocking anti-girlfriend's mom My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama, Zappa was a big fan of telling off-beat stories (this collection steers clear of the more sexually overladen Zappa tracks mostly) to different genres and styles of music. He could have fit onto an album of great American composers as easily as he could have a Dr. Demento set. Start here to check out this essential figure in jazz/rock history, but stay tuned for more Zappa later!
251. One From The Vault - Grateful Dead (1991)
This one is kind of a special one for me (sniff) as this was the first Grateful Dead album I ever listened to. This 2-disc live set was recorded in 1975 in the Dead's home city of San Fran. Smokin' versions of The Music Never Stopped, Eyes Of The World, Sugaree and even Johnny Cash's Big River can be found here. Also, Jerry and the boys played their album Blues For Allah in it's entirety for the first time ever on this collection, so it's almost like 2 albums in one! Not to mention my favorite version of one of my all-time favorite Dead songs. I overheard Franklin's Tower for the first time playing in my brother's room back in high school and I asked to borrow it. When he eventually let me, I listened to nothing but that album for a month. Oh, and if you're looking Matt H (not the other Matt who is a frequent guest here), I still have it. Sorry, bro.
Here's a nice little tirade against The Decemberists having their album The Crane Wife ranked at #267 on the list:
broseff you have an obsession with concept albums. The Decemberists! I got that album for free and still felt I was owed money back. I liked 2 songs kind of. But, the rest was just nonsense. Its not the vocals alone or even the instrumentals that I dislike its mostly lyrical. Just because you tie your songs together with a common theme or story that resembles musical movie doesn't make it interesting. In fact, it makes them more unrelatable to the listener. To me it seems most of the time concept albums show a lack of creativity and seem self indulgent. Usually concept album artists act like they think their brilliant musicians saying I can make a whole albums about one flat story line. But, I think they're trying too hard. If the symbolic content of a song is there and you want to expand it do so in a track or two or even three. But, I doubt anything that can be summarized in a paragraph or less is going to sound better stretched to over 90 minute! That's time I can't get back! Its like a one note movie you see the ending a mile away. But, then again you did like 'Shutter Island' didn't you?!? Lol jk I crack myself up:)
Ps I was soo pissed about that album I actually remember throwing that album onto I69 about a year and a half ago! So if you want another copy.... Lol It should be by an Alesana album too:) Ironically I got both for free with a Best Buy gift card and picked up Vampire Weekend with it too. I was purposely trying out bands I had vaguely heard of. Vampire Weekend I liked quite a bit, but the other two tasted the highway!
I do love a good concept album, Matt, as long as the songs can stand up on their own, which is a little bit of my issue with The Wall. I thought The Crane Wife had several songs that do just that. And, I confess, I do like Shutter Island. I thought it got a bad rap. At least I got Vampire Weekend right in your book, right? Thanks, as always, for the comments, my friend. Keep 'em coming, and you other readers, you could chime in, too, you know?!
Finally, here's that list from the only guy that I will freely admit schools me in music appreciation and knowledge, Michael Absher.
Aside from a brief flirtation with the form in high school, I've never been much of a heavy metal guy. But I'm not entirely immune to the charms of turgid testosterone driven rifferama. So, I present the first in a series of top 20 lists...strictly by personal taste, mind you.
1. The Stooges - Fun House
2. Nirvana - Nevermind
3. Bad Brains - I Against I
4. Mudhoney - Bigmuff Superfuzz plus Early Singles
5. The Who - Who's Next
6. Mother Love Bone - s/t
7. Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
8. Faith No More - The Real Thing
9. Melvins - Stoner Witch
10. Van Halen - s/t
11. Janes Addiction - Nothings Shocking
12. Queens of the Stone Age - Songs for the Deaf
13. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
14. AC/DC - Highway to Hell
15. Foo Fighters - The Colour and the Shape
16. Led Zeppelin - s/t
17. Alice in Chains - Dirt
18. Monster Magnet - Dopes to Infinity
19. Rage Against the Machine - s/t
20. Tool - Lateralus
I limited myself to one album per artist. And if I did this list tomorrow it would likely be different. Still, an interesting exercise.
And there you have it. You've already seen Fun House on both lists, will there be more shared albums? Only time will tell. As always, feel free....feel obligated, even...to take the poll on this page, send comments, album reviews, lists, general musical shenanigans and goings-on my way. Let me know how you feel about my picks, love em, hate em, first timers, share, people, SHARE!
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