There are tons of one hit wonders. So it is not beyond reason for someone to write and record a song someone may like.
However, a little harder to produce enough material to make a album. And extremely hard to make a great album where every song is great.
So, that is what this thread is about "great albums." I have a bunch in mind but I will start with this one: "Kind of Blue" Miles Davis. ======================================================
Kind of Blue is a studio album by American jazz trumpeter Miles Davis. It was recorded on March 2 and April 22, 1959, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio in New York City, and released on August 17 of that year by Columbia Records. The album features Davis' ensemble sextet consisting of saxophonists John Coltrane and Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, with former band pianist Bill Evans appearing on most of the tracks in place of Kelly. In part owing to Evans joining the sextet during 1958, Davis followed up on the modal experimentation of Milestones by basing Kind of Blue entirely on modality, departing further from his earlier work's hard bop style of jazz.
Kind of Blue has been regarded by many critics as the greatest jazz record, Davis's masterpiece, and one of the best albums of all time. Its influence on music, including jazz, rock, and classical genres, has led writers to also deem it one of the most influential albums ever recorded. The album was one of fifty recordings chosen in 2002 by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry, and in 2003 it was ranked number 12 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. =======================================================
I have a long personal history with this album. Owned the vinyl since about 1963. It brings me great joy to listen too. And I have listened to it countless times. If I was ever left on a deserted island and had one album to only listen too; this would be it.
Alice In Chains (well all of their old albums are outstanding)
Moby - Play, although I also love a lot of his songs from other albums, he makes a wide variety of music genres, alt rock, punk, ambient, trip hop, techno. I mostly like streaming his concerts on youtube
Pink Floyd - All of them
Tool - Lateralus
Nirvana - I like most of their stuff, but Nevermind was my fav
How To Train Your Dragon movie soundtracks from movies 1 and 2
Gladiator movie soundtrack
Star Wars movie soundtrack from A New Hope
Limitless movie soundtrack
Last Of The Mohicans soundtrack
Braveheart soundtrack (I primarily listen to movie soundtracks when I work as it's non distracting)
INXS - Kick and X
It's hard for me to pick favorite albums because I listen to so much random stuff.
I stopped buying albums when they stopped putting CD players in cars. I only ever listen to music on youtube and on the radio anymore.
Eiffel 65 -Europop Eminem - The Eminem Show 50 cent - Get rich or die tryin Linkin Park - Hybrid theory Ace of Base - The Sign
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young Aqualung - Jethro Tull Beginnings - Allman Brothers Layla - Derek and the Dominos Sticky Fingers - Rolling Stones Desperado - Eagles The Royal Scam - Steely Dan Making Movies - Dire Straits
Donald Fagen - The Night Fly Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms Supertramp - Crisis What Crisis David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust Eagles - Hotel California Meatloaf - Bat Out of Hell
These are the albums I played over and over and didn't feel the need to skip any songs on them:
Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced The Who - Live at Leeds, Tommy Deep Purple - Machine Head Queen - Sheer Heart Attack Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti, The Song Remains the Same Neil Young - Harvest Black Sabbath - Master of Reality Rush - All the Worlds a Stage ZZ Top - Tres Hombres Jesus Christ Superstar Alice Cooper - Killers Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East Van Halen - Van Halen
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Grateful Dead- Without a Net Widespread Panic- Light Fuse, Get Away Blind Melon- (self titled) Paul Simon- Graceland Dr Dre- 2001 Allman Brothers Band- An Evening with the Allman Brothers Band: First Set
Revolver expanded the scope of pop music in terms of the range of musical styles used on the album, compositional form, and the lyrical content of its songs. The album was influential in advancing principles espoused by the 1960s counterculture and in inspiring the development of subgenres such as psychedelic rock, electronica, progressive rock and world music. Many music critics recognise it as the Beatles' best album, surpassing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The album was ranked first in Colin Larkin's book All-Time Top 1000 Albums and third in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". In 2013, after the British Phonographic Industry had changed its sales award rules, Revolver was certified platinum in the UK. The album has been certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
I had two older sisters who had a large collection of 45's that I used to listen to on a little suitcase record player when I was a little kid in the 60's. I remember "Ruby, Baby" being done by a teen-idol singer named Dion. Reading on Wiki tonight, I see it was originally recorded by The Drifters (Under The Boardwalk, Up On The Roof - anyone?). Happy memory of bad weather Saturdays spent listening to top 40 hits in my room as a kid.
We all our favorites but some of these great albums influenced our culture.
Marvin Gaye: "What's Going On."
The album was an immediate commercial and critical success, eventually being regarded as a classic of 1970s soul. In 2001, a deluxe edition of the album was released, featuring a recording of Gaye's May 1972 concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Broad-ranging surveys of critics, musicians, and the general public have shown that What's Going On is regarded as one of the greatest albums and a landmark recording in popular music.[1] In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it sixth on the magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", and also in an updated list nine years later.[2]
I agree with your take. An album should be more than a collection of tunes slapped together to burn 40-60 minutes. If done properly, the entire joint should carry a particular mood, theme, aesthetic or point of view.
When all my dorm mates were listening to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bad Co, Frampton Comes Alive! I was discovering the so-called 'concept album. Done primarily by Proggers, they sometimes killed an entire side of a 12" LP with a mini suite, complete with extended solos, multiple sections, and finely-wrought arrangements. This appealed to my Western Art Music (read: 'Classical') sensibilities. Drove my room mate nuts... but he was a business major from Barberton whose idea of good music was The Carpenters, Barry (Bury) Manilow and Paul Anka.
So... here was the list when I was a young, pretentious college boy:
Jethro Tull: 'A Passion Play' Genesis: 'Nursery Cryme,' 'Foxtrot,' 'Selling England by the Pound,' 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' Yes: 'Close To The Edge' ELP: 'Trilogy,' 'Tarkus,' 'Pictures at an Exhibition' (live) 'Brain Salad Surgery' Gentle Giant: 'Three Friends', 'Octopus,' 'The Power and the Glory,' 'Interview' King Crimson: 'In the Court of the Crimson King,' 'Lark's Tongues In Aspic,'Islands,' 'In The Wake of Poseidon,' 'Starless and Bible Black' PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi): Photos of Ghosts,' 'The World Became the World'
I still love all those joints. Some, because they stand up after 40+ years. The rest, because of pure nostalgia.
My tastes have changed over time, but the one genre that has always remained a constant: Jazz (and its hybrid little sister) Fusion.
I will post these later... I'm presently listening to some PFM, and don't wish to split my concentration any longer. See y'all's soon
These are the albums I played over and over and didn't feel the need to skip any songs on them:
Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced The Who - Live at Leeds, Tommy Deep Purple - Machine Head Queen - Sheer Heart Attack Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti, The Song Remains the Same Neil Young - Harvest Black Sabbath - Master of Reality Rush - All the Worlds a Stage ZZ Top - Tres Hombres Jesus Christ Superstar Alice Cooper - Killers Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East Van Halen - Van Halen
For great albums, you missed:
Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed
I thought I was the only person in the world that liked Bridge of Sighs.
I would like to add
Bob Mould - Black Sheets of Rain Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage
If you were a guest at someone's crib and saw 'Bridge of Sighs' leaning against their record rack, you knew you were with some cool company. Folks who knew how to listen to music.
Johnny Cash At San Quentin George Jones 50 Years of Hits Loretta Lynn Greatest Hits Garth Brooks Ultimate Hits Chris Stapleton Traveller (Pronounced 'Leh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd Blackfoot Greatest Hits Brantley Gilbert Read Me My Rights
If you were a guest at someone's crib and saw 'Bridge of Sighs' leaning against their record rack, you knew you were with some cool company. Folks who knew how to listen to music.
Saw him in concert many years ago after bridge of sighs came out. Cool show, small venue. Still remember the reverb on that guitar.
Been meaning to ask you about Game of Thrones. Is that a cello players dream? I remember some of the westerns that came out in the 80s, 90s that were trumpet/brass players dreams.
This is a great topic, but I feel somewhat overwhelmed because there are so many great albums and I hate to slight any of them.
A lot of the greats [in my opinion] have already been mentioned, including the Miles one in your OP and Marvin Gaye's classic What's Goin' On, that you highlighted later on.
I like how you brought up the concept albums as opposed to a collection of songs. For that reason, I think almost every Pink Floyd album is great. Furthermore, almost all of their music is simply their own and they could weave elaborate stories not only w/their simplistic lyrics, but w/their mastery of music.
I think I will come back to this thread and just highlight one great album at a time because it's almost like we do them a disservice by lumping them all together. I'm not going to try and get cute or find obscure albums. I'm just going to highlight some albums that I thought were truly great and also speak to why I think they were great albums.
This is a great topic, but I feel somewhat overwhelmed because there are so many great albums and I hate to slight any of them.
A lot of the greats [in my opinion] have already been mentioned, including the Miles one in your OP and Marvin Gaye's classic What's Goin' On, that you highlighted later on.
I like how you brought up the concept albums as opposed to a collection of songs. For that reason, I think almost every Pink Floyd album is great. Furthermore, almost all of their music is simply their own and they could weave elaborate stories not only w/their simplistic lyrics, but w/their mastery of music.
I think I will come back to this thread and just highlight one great album at a time because it's almost like we do them a disservice by lumping them all together. I'm not going to try and get cute or find obscure albums. I'm just going to highlight some albums that I thought were truly great and also speak to why I think they were great albums.
Pink Floyd's Animals is probably their best. It's one of my all time favorites.
I agree with your take. An album should be more than a collection of tunes slapped together to burn 40-60 minutes. If done properly, the entire joint should carry a particular mood, theme, aesthetic or point of view.
When all my dorm mates were listening to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Bad Co, Frampton Comes Alive! I was discovering the so-called 'concept album. Done primarily by Proggers, they sometimes killed an entire side of a 12" LP with a mini suite, complete with extended solos, multiple sections, and finely-wrought arrangements. This appealed to my Western Art Music (read: 'Classical') sensibilities. Drove my room mate nuts... but he was a business major from Barberton whose idea of good music was The Carpenters, Barry (Bury) Manilow and Paul Anka.
So... here was the list when I was a young, pretentious college boy:
Jethro Tull: 'A Passion Play' Genesis: 'Nursery Cryme,' 'Foxtrot,' 'Selling England by the Pound,' 'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' Yes: 'Close To The Edge' ELP: 'Trilogy,' 'Tarkus,' 'Pictures at an Exhibition' (live) 'Brain Salad Surgery' Gentle Giant: 'Three Friends', 'Octopus,' 'The Power and the Glory,' 'Interview' King Crimson: 'In the Court of the Crimson King,' 'Lark's Tongues In Aspic,'Islands,' 'In The Wake of Poseidon,' 'Starless and Bible Black' PFM (Premiata Forneria Marconi): Photos of Ghosts,' 'The World Became the World'
I still love all those joints. Some, because they stand up after 40+ years. The rest, because of pure nostalgia.
My tastes have changed over time, but the one genre that has always remained a constant: Jazz (and its hybrid little sister) Fusion.
I will post these later... I'm presently listening to some PFM, and don't wish to split my concentration any longer. See y'all's soon
Concept albums like Rick Wakeman's, Journey to the Center of the Earth, or Alan Parson's Project, Tales of Mystery and Imagination of Edgar Alan Poe?
Greatest hits are albums but not what I was thinking of.
Albums are different when there is a theme. Even soundtracks count.
I consider Bob Dylan's soundtrack "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid" a truly great album. The whole album has the musical feel of the West.
The soundtrack consists primarily of instrumental music and was inspired by the movie itself, and included "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", which became a trans-Atlantic Top 20 hit. Certified gold by RIAA.
I would have to include what many may see as a controversial add, but to me they are a group who used their stage to speak to a generation. Sure the sex, drugs and R&R groups have their place, but when you risk your fame and fortune to send a message of change to the people, you have the courage to speak out. Whether one agrees with the message or not I feel at the very least you must admire the courage involved.
CSNY. Déjà Vu
CSNY. So Far
Neil Young. Harvest
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I see a ton of ‘classic rock’ slbums on this thread. While I fully appreciate them I surprised I’m about the only person that has named an album released in the past 30 years. There’s been some amazing music made since the 70’s.
Pearl Jam’s Ten is incredibly solid back to front. While Jeremy, and Alive made all the air play, songs like Garden, and Oceans are better songs in my mind. There’s not a bad track on the entire album.
I see a ton of ‘classic rock’ slbums on this thread. While I fully appreciate them I surprised I’m about the only person that has named an album released in the past 30 years. There’s been some amazing music made since the 70’s.
Pearl Jam’s Ten is incredibly solid back to front. While Jeremy, and Alive made all the air play, songs like Garden, and Oceans are better songs in my mind. There’s not a bad track on the entire album.
I just thought of the albums that I would plop onto the turntable and not worry about skipping to my favorites because all the songs were good. (Not to mention it was also a pain to get the needle right into the gap between songs). Once the digital age (and maturity) set in, I really didn't have the free time to listen to entire albums. Most of my listening is during workouts, while driving or trying to figure out a song to play on my guitar.
Many times, I also think that George Thorogood had it right when he said, "All of the good songs have already been written".
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
Sometimes people aren't the greatest singers in the world but assemble great bands, have great lyrics and can just make you feel the songs and their words. And after all, feeling the music is really what it's all about. So with that said, I must add.....
Ozzy Osbourne. Blizzard of Oz
Ozzy Osbourne. Diary of a Madman
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
I hear you. And in some ways you are correct. The idea of an album has become somewhat outdated in the world of digital music. That said there still an amazing amount of great music being made. George Thorogood couldn’t have been more wrong.
Been meaning to ask you about Game of Thrones. Is that a cello players dream?
I'll be honest: it's kind of repetitious. We do get to kick things off, which is nice. What makes that piece so effective is how the other voices are layered on top of that cello riff.
No... the cellist's dream is any death scene. Any time someone is checking out, they roll out some very juicy parts for solo cello. Yup- dead folks is what gets us off!
Definitely blazed their own path, with their own style, at a time when music was exploding into a thousand different directions. Not a bad track on the album and some absolute classics. One of the most (unfairly) overlooked bands in rock history.
Definitely blazed their own path, with their own style, at a time when music was exploding into a thousand different directions. Not a bad track on the album and some absolute classics. One of the most (unfairly) overlooked bands in rock history.
Agreed. Though I’m s bigger fan of Nothing Shocking. That album is so sonically impressive. Comparable to a Zeppelin album in my mind. I think they’re the best ‘rock band’ of my generation. Their counter culture, college radio, persona kept them from being fully appreciated in their time... the end of the god awful hair metal era.
From the same era... The Cure’s album ‘Disintigration’ is so so good. Powerful. Textured. Layered.
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