For the sake of starting some conversation, here is my all-time, desert-island top ten albums of all time.
1. Clarity - Jimmy Eat World
2. Siamese Dream - Smashing Pumpkins
3. The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place - Explosions in the Sky
4. The White Album - The Beatles
5. Kid A - Radiohead
6. OK Computer - Radiohead
7. Takk... - Sigur Ros
8. Funeral - The Arcade Fire
9. Led Zeppelin - IV
10. Pinkerton - Weezer
I'm throwing Pinkerton in there because (A) I love that album, (B) I want to mix things up, and (C) when I realize what great album I'm blatantly forgetting, I'll have a spot for it.
Albums not in my top ten and why:
Joshua Tree - U2: Overrated. Granted there are maybe five absolutely amazing songs on that album, I don't think it is as great as every college student who is finally getting into music thinks it is. Though if one album needs to be the best selling album of all time I would rather it be Joshua Tree than anything by Pink Floyd. There are a number of albums that contain one or two lights-out, awesome songs that are on albums that don't have the follow through. Examples: Fever to Tell - Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Y Control" is an amazing song. I love Karen O for this song; Turn on the Bright Lights - Interpol, "Stella Was a Diver and She's Always Down," and I'm not just saying this because Brian and Ethan always sing it to me, "Tay-LA! Tay-La-HA!" Awesome song but the album doesn't quite get there.
Sounds of Silence - Simon and Garfunkle: Outdated. This is a great album but the problem is that musicians have been standing on Simon and Garfunkle's shoulders for decades now and are making better music, regardless of the fact that certain artists are indebted to them for blah blah blah. I used to insist on putting Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys in my top ten list but similarly have decided that it was more of an innovative landmark album than an album that will stand the test of time. Note also that the White Album and nearly any album by Led Zeppelin are still relevant today.
Points for debate:
Did I pick the right Zeppelin album?
Does Radiohead deserve two spots in the top ten over other albums?
13 comments:
You know who is having an awesome time rockin out on a desert island? Not Taylor. I know we all love the introspective, soul-crushing music but, seriously, you might consider adding a few more "uppers" to your collection. At this rate you are going to make it about a week before making a volleyball your new best friend.
FYI, I am reserving a spot in my Top 10 list for the Money Beets debut album.
Here are ten more albums that are in contention: (in no particular order)
Belle and Sebastian - Tigermilk
Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Elliott Smith - Either/Or
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin I
Metalica - Metallica (The Black Album)
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
White Stripes - Elephant
System of a Down - Toxicity
Alright, Leslie. What are your top five "upper" albums that can compete with the great albums that I will only assume you have on your top ten albums of all time.
Ok here are mine. Probably will change from month to month.
1. Clarity - Jimmy Eat World
2. Harvest Moon - Neil Young
3. The White Album - The Beatles
4. Blue Screen Life - Pinback
5. Quadrophenia - The Who
6. Moondance - Van Morrison
7. Physical Graffiti - Led Zepplin
8. Let it Bleed - The Rolling Stones
9. Legend - Bob Marley and the Wailers
10. Funeral - Arcade Fire
I like it. You have a lot more classic rock and a few albums I haven't listened to much (Quadrophenia) or at all (Harvest Moon) but it looks pretty solid. Though as far as a critique goes I must point out that I have NEVER heard you listen to Bob Marley. He's good and Legend is certainly an historic album but I think you have it on there to balance out your list rather than because you really love it.
You dare question the man who brings "unknown" to The Money Beets? How dare you. I could sing every word to every song off of Legend. Try me. I generally don't play Marley because I don't think I have seen that you guys particularly enjoy Reggae. He is more of a beach time or scenic view time listen for me. Which is conducive to me usually being alone.
I suppose going along with the desert island theme that Bob Marley could be good music to have if all you did was sit around on the beach (and perhaps grow certain plants).
Palm Trees?
Leslie's top ten albums are lame:
http://watchingandjudging.blogspot.com/2008/08/judging-top-ten-desert-island-albums.html
You might as well put Huey Lewis and the News on there. Go to the mall.
how dare you...
I will give you this though: your blog has the benefit of the shit-show that is Gunner commenting on your top ten albums. What a train wreck.
And yes, Brian, sweet sweet palm trees.
Post a Comment