bloggedy blog: the personal weblog of a music lover and aging punk wannabe

:: Thursday, March 18, 2004 ::

Greatest Pop/Rock Albums, Vol. 10: The Top 10
Cue The Doors to the last track...

This is the end, my only friend, the end....

Yes, the Definitive Top 10 Greatest Pop/Rock Albums of All Time is just ahead, signaling the end of our two-week countdown. But if you'd like to review the other entries before diving into the final list (savor the moment, if you will), here they are. Otherwise, if you just can't wait, scroll down a bit.

Vol. 1 (100-91)
Vol. 2 (90-81)
Vol. 3 (80-71)
Vol. 4 (70-61)
Vol. 5 (60-51)
Vol. 6 (50-41)
Vol. 7 (40-31)
Vol. 8 (30-21)
Vol. 9 (20-11)

10. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin
The masters of blues-rock, progenitors of heavy metal, came crashing through with this 1969 debut. Jimmy Page's sexy, wailing guitar (especially on "Dazed and Confused") coupled with Robert Plant's sexy, wailing vocals (on everything) was brand new and filled with passion. A great rock'n'roll record.

9. Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
Unleashed upon the world during a very creative year in rock (1977), Fleetwood Mac's Rumours stands tall as one of the greatest records of that year, and of all time. The album built on the previous self-titled record and solidified the mix of diverse talents. Rumours brought out the best in Lindsey Buckingham's simple but effective guitar riffs, Stevie Nicks' sultry vocals and vision (captured best in "Dreams" and "Gold Dust Woman"), Christine McVie's upbeat pop (featured in "Don't Stop"), and Mick Fleetwood backing it all up with steady, fluid drumwork. "Go Your Own Way" pulls all the talents together -- a jingly rhythm guitar, solid drumming, luscious McVie vocals and terrific harmonies.

8. The Wall, Pink Floyd
An amazing, grand effort to create a cohesive, single work of art -- an epic story. The effort may fall flat as rock opera fare, but The Wall contains more than its fair share of exquisite tracks. "Comfortably Numb," "Another Brick in the Wall" (Parts 1 and 2), "Young Lust" (Roger Waters' martial guitar makes this one a keeper), etc. But if you haven't seen the movie, don't bother. Listen to the record instead.

7. Nevermind, Nirvana
Stupid and contagious, Nevermind, as we all already know, ranks as the definitive grunge/indie/alt album. Filled with angst and rage and pessimism, Nevermind gave voice to an entire generation. Kurt Cobain's lyrics on "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Come as You Are" and "Lithium" capture a sense of disengagement and alienation and bring us to stare into the void. Dave Grohl's drumming simply kicks.

6. Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon is the Sgt. Pepper's of my generation. What more can I say?

5. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen
Flashback to 1975: A gawky, alienated, confused high school freshman tries to teach himself to play the guitar. He locks himself in the bedroom and plays "Born to Run" (the 45 single; he didn't own the album) over and over to master the chords. When I finally discovered how to play this tune it was a eureka moment for me. But more than the simple chords (E, A. F sharp major -- if I recall correctly), I loved the lyrical genius of this song. I wished I had a Wendy to die with on the streets at night in an everlasting kiss. This album is immortal.

4. Are You Experienced The Jimi Hendrix Experience
In the pantheon of guitar gods, Hendrix is Zeus. Yeah, I know, everybody says that. But this CD proves it. Listen to the guitarwork on "Hey Joe," "Red House" or "The Wind Cries Mary" and tell me Hendrix wasn't blessed with talent far beyond mere mortals. So what if his voice was weak? It was distinct, and we all came for the bluesy wailing and shrieking of his guitar wizardry anyway.

3. London Calling, The Clash
God, I love this record. With 1979's London Calling (released in the states in 1980), UK punk band The Clash crashed through the barrier of punk to become a bona fide rock band. Blending punk ("London Calling"), ska ("Rudie Can't Fail," "Revolution Rock"), rockabilly ("Brand New Cadillac"), reggae and Jamaican calypso beats ("Wrong 'Em Boyo"), they created an intelligent and nuanced double record that made punk-bashers do a double-take. They even poked fun at themselves and their early punk antics ("Everybody smash up your seats and rock to this brand new beat...") and had fun with Montgomery Clift. What more could one ask for in a record? London Calling has it all -- and you can buy it from Amazon for only $9.99. That, my friends, is a true bargain.

2. The Joshua Tree, U2
The vacationing David Hopkins said it best: "It's the freakin' Joshua Tree! If you don't know why it's #3 (on his list; #2 overall), you have no soul." This album deserves its instant classic status. "Where the Streets Have No Name" is one song that will play at my funeral.

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
Well, well. Surprise, surprise. The Citizen Kane of rock'n'roll -- the ultimate work of art, and getting better all the time.

*****
My Top 10
by SteelerDirtFreak
Our favorite mullet-rock lover weighs in on this, the final day of our countdown:

10. Are You Experienced, Jimi Hendrix

9. Concert For Bangladesh, Various Artists
This is the first 'live aid' type recording I ever remember hearing, and still my favorite.

8. Live At Fillmore East, The Allman Brothers

7. Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd

6. War, U2

5. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles

4. London Calling, The Clash

3. One More From The Road, Lynyrd Skynyrd
In my mind, the #2 rock band of all time, but then my neck's always been red, and my collar's always been blue...

2. The Joshua Tree, U2

1. Revolver, The Beatles
The greatest rock and roll band ever. This is my favorite of many Beatles albums.

:: Andrew 08:28 + ::
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