Top 903 albums of all time

[mollyringle]

Here in Seattle we're lucky to have one of the best radio stations in the known universe, KEXP, 90.3 FM. Lately they ran a poll asking listeners to submit their ten favorite albums of all time, and from the results they compiled the best 903 albums of all time. (And played a song from each one, in a big countdown over the course of several days.)

It's an interesting list, even if you don't agree with all the choices. For example, I'd be inclined to grumble, "Enough with the freaking Radiohead" myself, given that Radiohead scored four of the top twenty albums, tying with the Beatles. I mean, they're a good band, but equal to the Beatles? Hardly. At least, not to me.

Still, the Gothly groupie in me was pleased to see six Cure albums making the overall list. The Smiths scored five, with Morrissey getting another three. David Bowie made the list eight times; REM ten; the Beatles six. Blur got three albums on the list; Oasis only one. Haha. Guess the worthy victor won that feud.

What's this? No Monkees?? Ah, well. Browsing the list still makes me want to go CD shopping.

Comments

[gavinworld.livejournal.com]

No one is equal to the Beatles. There are other groups whose best work I enjoy as much as my favorite Beatles' songs, but no one can equal them for sheer impact or consistency.

The Monkees definitely should have been on it. Seriously. Headquarters and Pieces, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Jones are both awesome albums.

[gavinworld.livejournal.com]

It's a crime that the Zombies' Odessey and Oracle isn't on there. If you love great British Invasion/Britpop at all, you need to own this album.

[pokeystar.livejournal.com]

I can't believe Amy effin' Winehouse was higher than TMBG. *headdesk*

Cake had more albums than Oasis on the list. This makes me very happy (revenge! revenge!) I went to festival once where oasis overplayed, cutting off cake's set.

*tiny voice* we have the top 20 minus two.

[bluesound.livejournal.com]

I see what you mean about Radiohead. I like Radiohead but I would never rate their stuff as higher than a lot of other albums there.

Who stuck Eno's 'Another Green World' on there? Who? Who? There's much better Eno albums out there. 'Before and After Science', 'Here Come The Warm Jets' or 'Music For Airports'.

I can think of a few other replacements. One being 'Treasure' by the Cocteau Twins should be replaced by 'Blue Bell Knoll'.

[dirae.livejournal.com]

Agreed on that one.

[dirae.livejournal.com]

My personal pet peeve aside from the Radiohead one --
Neutral Milk Hotel -- In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.

This is the BIGGEST over-rated indie rock outfit there and about. Please, please, please -- I wish lay people would stop citing what an effing genius Jeff Mangum is. True, it is an innovative album in the form of composition. However, we have Magnum to thsnk for every overwrought indie concept album in existence since 1998 (including my own beloved Decemberists ego piece that is known as "The Crane Wife"). He is the Harper Lee of indie rock without the staying power.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

High five, my man. Those are the two albums I'd rate highest for the Monkees, too. It's a shame most people simply haven't heard Monkees songs beyond "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer." (So much believing.)

Also, I'd put one or two of Nesmith's solo albums on the list, but even fewer people have heard those. Except you, of course, awesome person that you are. :)

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I've wish-listed it at both the library and Amazon. Sounds like my kind of thing!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I am glad TMBG made the list at all, though. They're too cute not to.

Oasis does have a reputation of being rather bastardly, don't they? Serves 'em right.

If the list looks good to you generally, you might like KEXP. You can stream the station online, if you're ever bored.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I need to hear more Eno. As a result of your comment, I've reserved myself a library copy of 'Before and After Science.' (Our library has a pretty good CD collection...)

I'm sure you'll also agree with me that Frank & Walters should've been on there somewhere! But I guess they're too little known.

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Heheh. I never realized till this poll how wildly popular NMH was. I find their songs catchy, but have never been grabbed quite enough by them to buy the album. Odd, what the public will seize upon, in neglect of other worthy stuff.

[gavinworld.livejournal.com]

AFAIK, the essential Eno albums are:

Here Come the Warm Jets
Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)
Another Green World
Before and After Science

[gavinworld.livejournal.com]

[Blushes] Rolling Stone had called Nesmith's solo music (which was actually fairly successful in England), "The Greatest Music Never Heard."

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

I already found the last one at the library. I'll have to reserve the others too!

[mollyringle.livejournal.com]

Interesting... You'd think it'd be most successful in, say, Texas.