View Full Version : Gatsby's Top 50 Albums
http://i.imgur.com/DmUiuKh.jpg
I don't like ranking movies, tv shows, music, or anything that can be organized into a certain order in terms of quality, but I thought doing a list would be fun. It also gives me something to routinely do.
In this list, I tried to showcase what my general taste looks like, but just because a rock music album is higher than a jazz album doesn't mean I prefer rock. My Top 10 is pretty much the only bunch that's in an exact order. I also tried to put in a variety of artists, instead of limiting myself to Rush, The Who, and The Police. Lastly, some of the albums on this list are ones I recently got into, so disclaimer: not a lot of classic rock and pop.
Not sure if you guys will love my picks or despise them, but that's exactly why I made this thread. Sharing my favorites and finding out if others agree on them.
http://i.imgur.com/AFxlx6v.jpg
Bonus picture: Dark Side of the Moon cake
http://i.imgur.com/aYsp2O1.jpg
Very cool Gatsby, gonna be shweet. I have really come to appreciate you when it comes to music, because even though you might not love everything, you are definitely open to everything in a very genuine way. I like that you seek out new stuff and give it a real opportunity. Everyone should be like that.
50. Gaucho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BQ76j_LpXg
Favorite Tracks:
1. Babylon Sisters
2. TIme Out of Mind
3. Third World Man
Steely Dan's way of dissecting genres of music and putting them back together using their own unique style never fails to amaze me. This is my favorite Steely Dan because it combines jazz and rock (seems impossible, but they pull it off somehow) and a bit of prog rock too. Real classy stuff.
Guaporense
02-24-16, 03:17 AM
You are Korean but listen to mostly Anglo Saxon pop music. Is Korea that Americanized? In my top 100 albums I had about 40 Anglo Saxon albums as well but Latin America always was a UK - US cultural colony. I expected Korea to be under high level of Japanese cultural influence not American.
I love Steely Dan. I love Pretzel Logic and Aja. I haven't heard this one, though.
49. Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRrzymFRUec
Favorite Tracks:
1. Free Bird
2. Tuesday's Gone
3. Simple Man
The debut album by, errr, Lineard Skynard (seriously, that how I used to call them, until I read the album cover :D) is funny, because it makes even die hard classic rock fans appreciate country a bit more. Sure, the 5 minute guitar solo at the end of Free Bird make this album legendary, but the other tracks are worth listening to.
You are Korean but listen to mostly Anglo Saxon pop music. Is Korea that Americanized? In my top 100 albums I had about 40 Anglo Saxon albums as well but Latin America always was a UK - US cultural colony. I expected Korea to be under high level of Japanese cultural influence not American.
No, that's not Korea Americanized. I listen to mostly American music because
1) I find it to be better than Korean music
2) Like I said, I do listen to Korean music, but I don't mention it here because nobody has ever heard of them before, which is also why Korean music is not on this list.
Guaporense
02-24-16, 03:21 AM
This reminds me of this song from Rammstein:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4NAM3rIBG5k
Great pick! Pronounced was my favorite album when I was 12. I think I still have that old, scratched CD I played to death, somewhere.
The problem with Skynyrd, and why I don't consider them a favorite - maybe you feel differently - is I don't feel they lived up to the greatness of Pronounced with their work after. Second Helping is... okay... but not nearly on the same level of greatness.
They aren't exactly I favorite of mine either - I just really like their first album. Allman Brothers Band is better in terms of consistent quality.
They aren't exactly I favorite of mine either - I just really like their first album. Allman Brothers Band is better in terms of consistent quality.
You speak the truth.
Guaporense
02-24-16, 03:26 AM
No, that's not Korea Americanized. I listen to mostly American music because
1) I find it to be better than Korean music
2) Like I said, I do listen to Korean music, but I don't mention it here because nobody has ever heard of them before, which is also why Korean music is not on this list.
I see. But you shouldn't exclude Korean music because I think that would be interesting as well.
I wouldn't say that I liked or dislike music from a certain country or not, both Eminem and Slayer are American and both Zeca Pagodinho and Angra are Brazilian but I like Angra and Slayer and I dislike Zeca Pagodinho and Eminem, I don't think of music in terms of countries. In my list of top 100 albums I included albums from the following countries among others:
Germany
Denmark
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Brazil
US
Japan
UK
France
Switzerland
Austria
I like two genres of music: classical and metal and you can find great metal music everywhere. I didn't include any Korean album because I don't know any Korean metal bands. ;) Overall though most of my favorite albums are from Germany and the Scandinavian countries, the region of the world were metal is the most popular.
I see. But you shouldn't exclude Korean music because I think that would be interesting as well.
I'll do an honorable mentions post that will have a handful of Korean albums. :)
48. Genius + Soul = Jazz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_p8tIqgnnY
Favorite Tracks:
1. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town
2. Strike up the Band
3. From the Heart
There are a lot of Ray Charles albums that I like but for some reason this one clicks with me the most. In my opinion it's a combination of slightly better instrumentals and more melodic tunes. And of course, as always, Ray Charles' voice is amazing. I do have one problem though: if Genius + Soul = Jazz, does that mean Genius = Jazz - Soul? :p
47. Electric Warrior
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bRl5fx8Eo
Favorite Tracks:
1. Rip Off
2. Get it On
3. Jeepster
Electric Warrior is one of those albums that has a cool tone. The guitar riffs are smooth and playful, drums add just enough boldness, and Marc Bolan's voice is confident and seductive - it's almost as if he's asking you to join the fun - which you do end up doing, making the 40 minutes fly by in a hurry. Blues glam rock ftw.
Chypmunk
02-24-16, 09:40 AM
Three out of four reps for me thus far, might've been a full house but I'm not sure I've ever listened to the Ray Charles album. Great that you are doing this Gats, looking forward to keeping up with it.
Three out of four reps for me thus far, might've been a full house but I'm not sure I've ever listened to the Ray Charles album. Great that you are doing this Gats, looking forward to keeping up with it.
Thanks Chyp. Full house is great but I'm okay with a Three of a Kind. ;)
Same as Chyp, i've liked everything so far but haven't listened to Steely Dan much.
Miss Vicky
02-25-16, 12:54 AM
I've never been much of an album person - my music listening always focused more on individual songs - but this is an interesting list so far.
46. Definitely Maybe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncnGCQrUNyk
Favorite Tracks:
1. Supsersonic
2. Rock n Roll Star
3. Married With Children
Oasis' second album, Morning Glory, features a more radio-friendly pop sound, but my preference is definitely, and not maybe, their energetic punk-esque debut album. Consistency is a key highlight in this album- every song feels like a title track, with walls of guitars, clever songwriting, and raw but subtly sweet and honest vocals.
Oasis is cool but I never delved too much into their work. One day. One day.
Oasis is cool
Read this in a Beavis voice. :D
Chypmunk
02-26-16, 06:06 AM
I'd love to rep Oasis as they are grand lyrically and musically but I just don't like the vocals on some of them ... if I could give two-thirds of a rep I certainly would ... sowwy Gats :bawling:
Tis okay Chyp. Gallagher's vocals are a taste not everyone acquires. :)
45. Blame it on the Bossa Nova
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYQBd9ordbE
Favorite Tracks:
1. Blame it on the Bossa Nova
2. The Coffee Song
3. The Message
Chose this album out of the few Eydie Gorme albums I've heard from start to finish. [I]Blame it on the Bossa Nova[/] has a more mainstream sound compared to her early work, and I guess that's why it appeals to me. Clocking it at 35 minutes and with no depressing lyrics or distorted sound, the album feels like a light, soft breeze, which often serves as a nice break. Really shows its potential when trying to write a paper.
44. Fragile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87xx5pzHDlY
Favorite Tracks:
1. Roundabout
2. South Side of the Sky
3. Cans and Brahms
Yes' masterpiece is pure glorious progressive rock. If hard rock fans have Back in Black, prog lovers, which includes me, have this go-to album to enjoy anytime of the day. 9 awesome songs prove that being armed with a variety of sound brought from all sorts of genres is definite success key.
Chypmunk
02-27-16, 08:41 AM
No hesitation at all in rep for Eydie, you probably already know I'm not a huge prog-rock fan so sorry about that one :(
Miss Vicky
02-27-16, 10:53 AM
I hate Oasis. Absolutely cannot stand them.
Gorme is okay. Not really my kind of music. I've not heard much from Yes, but I like what I have heard.
I hate Oasis. Absolutely cannot stand them.
Gorme is okay. Not really my kind of music. I've not heard much from Yes, but I like what I have heard.
Your comment about Oasis sucks, but at least you like Yes so far. :up:
Oasis was my favourite band when i was 12. Don't listen to them anymore, Definitely Maybe is their best album though. Not listened to the other two.
43. Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bucVwI0RfEg
Favorite Tracks:
1. God Save the Queen
2. Holidays in the Sun
3. Problems
Definitely not the best punk rock record in terms of musical quality, but I have to say, it's so fun to listen to. This is one of the few albums that have an enjoyable 'annoying' sound - because energy and sharp lyrics back it up and make it great. A near-perfect album full of everything you can expect from an attitude built on rock and roll. God save the queen!
I've not delved into punk well enough yet and I'm not sure I'd fall in love with that genre, but that is one punk record I've always liked.
Like Swan i've never really tried to get into punk. Always thought that album was alright though.
42. Gratitude
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2hMf7bVQ54&list=PLrrWWJCP6a4jKAcBQn5AY7HXQfsgXRjZ0
Favorite Tracks:
1. New World Symphony
2. Africano/Power
3. Sunshine
Earth. Wind and Fire is a band that shines the most when performing live, because every band member unites to create glorious sounds, whereas studio albums often have some member outshine each other in order to create a more conventional sound. Thus, Gratitude in my opinion is a masterpiece.
41. Rumors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvVznAb9-Ss
Favorite Tracks:
1. Go Your Own Way
2. Dreams
3. Songbird
Guilty pleasure album for me, because it's a genre I usually don't enjoy. Pop rock rarely has the same amount of atmosphere and serene harmony that can be found in Rumours. Every song works and connects with each other flawlessly, letting you peacefully drift away into the music.
Chypmunk
03-05-16, 10:40 AM
Ooops, just checked after my comment in my thread and I obviously missed these updates at the time :eek: Sorry Gats!!
NMTB is just such a great album :up:
EW&F I like but can't say I've ever played an entire album all the way through, must try and correct that this weekend.
Rumours is very solid - amazing how they managed to produce such a work with everything that was going on at the time. :up:
I haven't commented because i haven't listened to either of them. Neither the Albums or the bands much really.
40. Dirt
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxOv5tuNDr0
Favorite Tracks:
1. Rooster
2. Rain When I Die
3. Junkhead
A lot of 90s grunge bands used hooks inspired by pop songs to maximize commercial appeal (*cough* Pearl Jam *cough*), but Alice in Chains, even after receiving spotlight, never abandoned their origins, and made Dirt, a friggin' masterpiece with an hour of extremely moody, depressing songs while providing powerful laments on society. Rooster might be the best anti-war song ever written.
39. Lullabies of Birdland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4DBLUL3ixo
Favorite Tracks:
1. Lullaby of Birdland
2. Ella Sings the Blues
3. Oh Lady Be Good
This is my go-to jazz album by a female artist. It's a hard to describe why I like it, because atmosphere is very hard to analyze. Let's just say I'll be loving it until I get bored of jazz, which I don't think will be happening soon.
Chypmunk
03-12-16, 04:58 AM
Ooh I can definitely rep both of those without hesitation :up: :up:
The Top 3 albums thread reminded me that I'm still not done with this. :lol:
To shorten the time, I'll just post a lot of albums at once, sorry for those who are expecting lengthy write-ups.
#38: Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon's debut album is his greatest. MV would disagree with me though.
#37: Innversions - Stevie Wonder
Before Stevie Wonder become more pop-friendly, he was doing the work of angels, by trying out stuff nobody had dared to before.
#36: The Wall - Pink Floyd
The album that works because it's an album. Yeah, no sh*t Gats, but it's true!
#35: La Woman - The Doors
I've always thought that bluesy Jim Morrison is better than psychedelic Jim Morrison. LA Woman is mostly a blues album, thus I adore it.
#34: Doba Vida - Soda Stereo
Soda Stereo, what a great band I recently discovered.
#33: Get the Knack - The Knack
Best power pop album ever made.
http://i.imgur.com/65YmwHr.jpg
Have you heard much power pop? Big Star, Shoes, Records, early Cheap Trick, Velvet Crush, Smithereens, Plimsouls, You Am I, Posies, Nada Surf, Guided by Voices, New Pornographers, Spoon, etc.? If so, what did you think of them?
Miss Vicky
05-02-16, 03:55 PM
#38: Excitable Boy - Warren Zevon
Warren Zevon's debut album is his greatest. MV would disagree with me though.
Yeah I prefer his final album, The Wind.
The important thing, though, is not which Warren Zevon album you appreciate most, but the fact that you appreciate him at all. :up:
Innversions, The Wall and LA Woman (my fav Doors album) :up:. Haven't heard any of the others.
Have you heard much power pop? Big Star, Shoes, Records, early Cheap Trick, Velvet Crush, Smithereens, Plimsouls, You Am I, Posies, Nada Surf, Guided by Voices, New Pornographers, Spoon, etc.? If so, what did you think of them?
I've tried albums by some of those artists, especially Cheap Trick, Velvet Crush, and Nada Surf, but they didn't work for me. The Smithereeens stand out though, great band. And of course calling Get the Knack the best one is hyperbole, because I've not explored all of power pop.
#32. There's a Riot Goin' On - Sly & the Family Stone
I'm an Asian with a black soul who is trying to become white. Yep.
#31. Outlandos D'Amour - The Police
This album was the first Police album I heard. Totally blew my mind away, punk rock and reggae fused together? How is that even- one of the greatest debuts.
#30. Ok Computer - Radiohead
90s music wouldn't be the same without Radiohead.
#29. Chuck Berry on Top - Chuck Berry
A brilliant collection of short and merry songs that never get boring. Ever. Chuck Berry's songwriting ability is amazing.
#28. Tapestry - Carole King
There's lack of female artists here, but I hope Carole King is enough to satisfy y'all.
#27. Siamese Dream - The Smashing Pumpkins
This album is grouped in with grunge, but that's completely inappropriate. Same case with GNR's Appetite for Destruction being called a hair metal album. Siamese dream is more like a heavy psychedelic with the loud/quiet dynamic present in most alternative albums released during the early 90s.
http://i.imgur.com/lA0ESQG.jpg
Chypmunk
05-04-16, 08:15 AM
Definitely need more female artistes .... sorry but Carole King alone for the remainder of this list will NOT suffice ;)
You're pulling out a nice mix of classics (Innervisions, L A Woman, Outlandos D'Amour, Tapestry) alongside some lesser known/heard works which is great :up:
Definitely need more female artistes .... sorry but Carole King alone for the remainder of this list will NOT suffice ;)
She's not the only lady up my sleeve. Stay tuned. :)
The only one i've heard there is OK Computer which i love. Kid A is my fave of theirs though.
The only one i've heard there is OK Computer which i love. Kid A is my fave of theirs though.
You've only heard of that one? You need some listenin' to do bro!
Kid A is good too. Every Radiohead album I've heard is great so far.
Cool list.
Siamese Dream is a great album. :up:
You've only heard of that one? You need some listenin' to do bro!
Kid A is good too. Every Radiohead album I've heard is great so far.
I've heard plenty of Chuck Berry, The Police and Smashing Pumpkins songs just not one of their albums.
I don't like their debut too much tbh. I've been told by older Radiohead fans that i'd appreciate it a lot more if i heard it when it was just released rather than after Ok Computer, Kid A, Hail To The Thief, etc.
I don't really like the first album either, but I didn't mention it because I tend to forget about it.
Miss Vicky
05-04-16, 12:27 PM
I'm an Asian with a black soul who is trying to become white. Yep.
Plus rep because this made me laugh.
#26. Time Out - Dave Brubeck
If Starbucks or other contemporary coffee brands played this kind of jazz at their joints, I'd be much more happy, even if I get half ice and half coffee.
#25. Santana - Santana
I admit I rip off a lot of Santana drum fills whenever I play. But when you're a drummer it's inevitable: they're too awesome to ignore them.
#24. Here's Little Richard - Little Richard
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
Tutti frutti, oh rutti
Wop bop a loo bop a lop ba ba!
#23. Appetite for Destruction - Guns 'n Roses
GNR was one of the first bands I listened to during my early appreciation for rock music. A that time, I hadn't seen anything yet, so this album was like a holy grail. I still love it very much.
#22. Moving Pictures - Rush
Moving along, you people don't like Rush anyways. :D
#21. Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane
Psycadelic albums are rarely addictive, but this one keeps playing on repeat even when you sleep.
http://i.imgur.com/1Wr4yIn.jpg
The only one i've heard there is Appetite for Destruction, not a big GNR fan tbh. Rep for Santana and Little Richard who i love even though i haven't heard those albums.
#20. Virtuoso - Joe Pass
It's over an hour of plain fiddling, nothing else, but I can handle it because Joe Pass is such a good guitarist.
#19. Truth and Soul - Fishbone
Fishbone is one of the most underrated bands of all time. Their style is being imitated even today, without them getting much credit. Their blend of jazz, rock, and ska and even metal is brilliant. Haven't heard anything like it really.
#18. My Generation - The Who
I still can't believe that this was released in 1965.
#17. Singin' the Blues - B.B. King
When someone says the word 'blues' I instantly think of Singin' the Blues. Very literal title and album is which B.B. King rambles on.
#16. Paranoid - Black Sabbath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMffgZXZ2XE
Chypmunk
05-07-16, 04:48 AM
These albums are like buses .... nothing for ages and then a whole glut of them in quick succession :eek:
A mixed bag for me on these last two sets - +rep for Brubeck & Santana, The Who, King & Sabs. Could possibly stretch that to include Jefferson Airplane too. Not heard any Joe Pass so will now have to listen to some :)
edit: Ok, liking Joe Pass - was a little concerned by your comment that it would be egocentric 'look at me' style of playing but it so isn't - just good quality guitar work from what I've heard thus far :up:
edit: Ok, liking Joe Pass - was a little concerned by your comment that it would be egocentric 'look at me' style of playing but it so isn't - just good quality guitar work from what I've heard thus far :up:
Should have told ya that I don't like 'look at me' guitar playing. Confession: I think Jimmy Page isn't great at soloing. :p
My Generation :up:. Not a fan of Black Sabbath really and i haven't really heard any of the others.
christine
05-07-16, 04:11 PM
Gats, I'm happy to see you're a fan of Steely Dan, I love them too :)
#15. Exodus - Bob Marley
The album that got me into reggae. I'm sure it's the same for a whole lot of people.
#14. Are You Experienced - Jimi Hendrix Experience
It's cover is a rare nice blend of yellow and purple.
#13. The Man Who Sold the World - David Bowie
The only problem I have with this particular album is that the title track sounds extremely annoying when listening it on an ipod, for some reason. Other aspects are stellar.
#12. Homogenic - Björk
Experimental electronic pop/alternative music usually means instant turn-off, but the magic of Bjork makes an exception. There was a short period when all I'd listen to was her music.
#11. Disintegration - The Cure
Robert Smith! :D
http://i.imgur.com/5KPnLQp.jpg
Chypmunk
05-16-16, 11:35 AM
Hmmm ... ^ don't like any of those ^ :(
Nah, just kidding - a good set of albums, your best yet in this list imo.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/42/db/26/42db2600b05b74bf7133ccd749da98e8.jpg
AboveTheClouds
05-16-16, 01:24 PM
The only Bjork album I've heard is "Post" and that's because of Hyperballad, but I really enjoyed it, she has a hauntingly beautiful voice. +1 for Bjork, and I'd like to give you another for "Disintegration" because that is The Cure's best album, with "Pornography" trailing slightly, but alas, I cannot. You have some pretty good stuff so far man, not all of it to my taste, but none lacking artistic merit or unworthy of the praise.👍
#10. Hell - James Brown
Could have easily chosen Live at the Apollo, but I'm trying to avoid obvious choices. So I went with the album that I personally like. This live album is a lot more heavier than other James Brown performances, informed by the blunt title.
#9. Arthur (Or the Decline and the Fall of the British Empire) - The Kinks
Concept albums tend to have hit-or-miss songs, and moments that are dull and redundant as a result of trying to tell a third-rate story. Not here, as this album works because it doesn't try to be something brilliant, the greatness is already in the songs.
#8. In Utero - Nirvana
Favorite 90's album. Nevermind's polished sound is great, but a raw production is what suits Nirvana in my opinion.
#7. Who's Next - The Who
A hard rockin' album from start to finish, nothing else to describe it really. Nothing like it to get you into a rock n' roll mood after you've listened to, for example, The Cure's Pornography. It's got everything you'd expect from a band like The Who, with a few notches in quality raised. I'd say this is the peak of their career.
http://i.imgur.com/I6HSeCM.png
I really like In Utero but i kind of hate the way everyone has turned against Nevermind and suddenly In Utero is Nirvana's best. That is bull IMO Nevermind is easily their best, i'm fine with everyone liking whatever but this is revisionism if i have ever seen it.
Actually it seems like a sin to admit you like Nirvana at all on the internet now.
Who's Next is my favourite Who album as well :up:
Actually it seems like a sin to admit you like Nirvana at all on the internet now.
isn't that because of the people who claim that they like Nirvana and wear Nirvana shirts but have only heard of the one song?
isn't that because of the people who claim that they like Nirvana and wear Nirvana shirts but have only heard of the one song?
Yeah, that is a myth though and there is nothing wrong with liking Smells Like Teen Spirit. Great song. Way overplayed but still shouldn't be as hated as it is on the internet at least.
Good group there, I like all those albums/musicians. My fave Kinks album is Something Else by the Kinks.
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