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

:: Saturday, March 06, 2004 ::

Greatest Pop/Rock Albums, Vol. 2: 90-81
We continue our countdown of the 100 greatest pop and rock albums of all time, as determined by our panel of international experts. (Just in case you missed the first installment: Vol. 1, 100-91)

90. Help! The Beatles
The first but certainly not the last Beatles album to make the list. "Gorgeous pop rock of harmony and melody," says Ben Squires. Some of my faves include the title track, "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away," "Ticket to Ride" and, of course, "Yesterday."

89. Hard Rain, Bob Dylan
The second Dylan album to make our top 100, but a travesty that it's only at No. 89. "Stuck inside Bloggedy Blog with the Music Critics' Blues Again," as Dylan himself might say. A description of the record, from Mista Sinista: "Dylan plugs in his guitar and hires a band for this record, consisting of tracks from his 'Rolling Thunder Revue' tour. Many of his fans hated him for abandoning his simple acoustic sound, but I think it gives a worthwhile edge to what would otherwise be more boring Dylan."

88. Wilson Phillips, Wilson Phillips
It pains me greatly to include this on the list, but it got a high enough ranking on one judge's list, so here it is.

87. Busted Stuff, Dave Matthews Band
Not the greatest DMB album, IMHO, but it got high billing on Rick's list."No kidding, these guys sound like they're thinking my thoughts sometimes," he writes.

86. Enter the Wu-Tang Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers)
W00t? I'll let Mista Sinista explain why it belongs here (parental advisory): "'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothin' to F*** With,' and neither is this record. More than 10 years after its releases, 36 Chambers is still the most original and revolutionary hip-hop record ever dropped."

85. The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley
The genius of Elvis, the essence of Elvis, belongs on the classic 45. But this album is a great collection of those early rockabilly hits: "That's All Right," "Good Rockin' Tonight," etc.

84. Rattle & Hum, U2
The first of a several U2 albums to make our list. A great live album, and U2's cover of "Helter Skelter" is better than the Beatles' original.

83. 77, Talking Heads
This debut by the clean-cut art-school weirdos of the New York CBGB's/punk scene is a classic. Lurking beneath their yuppie demeanor was the angst and tension that helped to launch punk upon the world. "Psycho Killer" is the best known tune from this album, but from the first notes of "New Feeling" (and David Byrne's tense crooning of "It's not...yesterday...anymore...") to the Jamaican polyrhythms of "Love Comes to Town," this album is worth adding to your collection. Guess who voted for this one?

82. Loaded, Velvet Underground
Velvet Underground and Nico is usually considered the classic VU title, but our discerning judges left it in the scrap heap and went with Loaded instead. David Hopkins declares it "an incredible tribute to rock'n'roll." From my perspective, "Sweet Jane" alone is worth the price of admission.

81. Voice of the Beehive, Honey Lingers
If you're wondering why this one is on the list, consult Ganns' top 10 list posted at the bottom of Friday's entry.

*****

My Top 10
by Joshua Claybourn

10. Rumours, Fleetwood Mac
9. Thriller, Michael Jackson
8. Rubber Soul, The Beatles
7. Revolver, The Beatles
6. The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley
5. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
4. The Beatles (White Album), The Beatles
3. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
2. Abbey Road, The Beatles
1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles

Josh's commentary: "As happens with most lists of top albums, The Beatles are the dominant entity. But is it any wonder? Although their record-setting sales is evidence enough, they had the creativity and genius to match. When fellow artists are asked to list the top artists of all time, The Beatles consistently place at the top. While all of the Beatles albums were groundbreaking in some way, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was particularly unique because the band combined classical and machine-made sounds in a way not done before, but imitated ever since.

:: Andrew 12:42 + ::
...