Fun Stuff > BAND

The one album

(1/23) > >>

pwhodges:
To help moderate the enthusiasm for the uncritical dumping and downloading of complete discographies on the mediaf!re thread, perhaps we should tell people what we think is the one album  that they should get to hear for any particular artist/group.  Of course, different people will have different choices, but that's OK so long as there is an explanation and some real attempt at discernment.  I'll start the ball rolling with a couple...

The Beatles - Let it Be

There is an argument for choosing at least half of their albums as "the one". I select this because, as the one they recorded when they were trying (and failing) to stop it all falling apart, it is in some ways the most human and emotional - and, as always, there are some bloody good songs on it.

Jamie Cullum - Pointless Nostalgic

His first published album is the least affected.  While his subsequent ones show development, they haven't yet reached a mature style.  It will be interesting to watch his progress, of course.

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

Why not The Joshua Tree?  Well, I just prefer the earlier album which marked their change of direction.  But then, you can probably see that I like work-in-progress possibly more than arrival.

And because you wouldn't expect me to ignore the classics:

Britten - War Requiem

All of Britten's art is contained in this work somewhere; and it is one of the great musical creations of the twentieth century.

Your turn now.  You don't have to give more than one suggestion, of course - just continue the theme as you think it will work and benefit other people.

imapiratearg:
Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me

The last record to be recorded with the original line-up for nearly ten years.  It is arguably one of the finest collection of Dinosaur Jr. songs, including some of the most memorable tunes they've recorded.  The cover of Peter Frampton's "Show Me the Way" at the end is also awesome.

valley_parade:
I'm disagreeing with Paul here. Let It Be, over Revolver? *sigh*

imapiratearg:
I'm still counting on someone coming in and saying Abbey Road, but I more or less agree with Paul.

michaelicious:
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground (1969)

When I tell people this is my favourite Velvet Underground record they usually try to convince me how wrong I am. They usually give me a well-reasoned argument about the merits of White Light/White Heat or say "I like the one with Andy Warhol best".

I love the honesty of this record. It seems more like the collaborative effort of a band than their other records. The songs seem more personal, and while the subject matter is often the same as previous records, it seems to be explored with more depth and humanity (I guess, I probably could have picked a better word). While I'll never turn down an opportunity to blast "Sister Ray", I find myself becoming more an appreciator of the quiet moments. Plus I just about lose it at the end of "Beginning to See the Light" when they are all "How does it feel, to be looooooooved?"

It feels damn good.


Television - Live at the Old Waldorf (2003)

Being a pretty avid Television fan, I was surprised that I was unaware of the existence of this album until about two months ago. I mentioned my love for The Blow-Up on the Electrical Audio forums and someone suggested I listen to this.

Television were pretty much an entirely different band on-stage than they were in the studio. If any dick tries to tell you that Television wasn't a punk band, just play them any song from this record (I would pick "Foxhole"). The songs are looser, louder, and about one hundred times more badass. The live environment offers an entirely new urgency to Television's songs, especially the songs from Adventure. The first time I listened to this, it gave me goosebumps when "The Dream's Dream" finally picks up at around the 1.18 mark.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page