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

:: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 ::

Greatest Pop/Rock Albums, Vol. 9: 20-11
Welcome back my friends to the countdown that never ends...or does it?

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)

20. Ramones, The Ramones
Hey! Ho! The Ramones' blistering power pop -- three chords, a thumping bass, the biggest crash symbal sound this side of "76 Trombones," and a lead singer who sounds like he forgot to take his Sudafed -- defined punk for America. With no song clocking in over 3 minutes, this astounding record packs a wallop. From the stupid songs about sniffing glue and beating on the brat to its political commentary ("Havana Affair") and '50s-era sock-hop ("Let's Dance"), not to mention the classic "Blitzkrieg Bop," this album packs a wallop.

19. Let It Bleed, The Rolling Stones
This album essentially proclaimed the end of '60s idealism. From "Gimme Shelter" to "You Can't Always Get What You Want," this record evokes a poignant sense of loss through and through. Says KJo: "Watch out world, the Stones try to grow up here, and give the performance of their lives -- fitting considering the events leading them to this album. And it's obvious with some of the subject and the urgency in the delivery."

18. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
Back to back Stones in our countdown. This is thebad boys of rock at their rowdiest, and it's good. A hard-banging piano adds to the boogie sound.

17. The Beatles (The White Album), The Beatles
The Fab Four produced their most fractured yet arguably most creative album with this tour-de-force. The tension of the Beatles' final days as a group is evident here, as band members go their own way. Songs like "Blackbird" and "Martha My Dear" are clearly Paul's; George Harrison's influence shines in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," featuring a lovely cameo by Eric Clapton; and even Ringo gets in on the act (fittingly, perhaps, with "Don't Pass Me By"). Perhaps not the best "Beatles" album, but a wonderful work that showcases the talents of each member.

16. Ten, Pearl Jam
"They've tried to avoid it, but Pearl Jam will always live under the shadow of their first album," writes David Hopkins. Oh, but what a record. Eddie Vedder's manic vocals, born
somewhere between Johnny Rotten and James Hetfield, and the soaring guitars came to define the Seattle sound. "Nirvana may have started the revolution," says KJo, "but this was the more poignant album."

15. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
This 1965 release is Dylan's masterpiece. "Like a Rolling Stone" is lyrical, beautiful, surreal. My friend Andrew Jones no doubt rates "Ballad of a Thin Man" as
one of his favorites. Do you, Mr. Jones? If you can own only one Dylan album, make it this one.

14. My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello
Elvis lives! This debut album from the Year of Punk ('77) is Costello at his wittiest and most acerbic (even when it doesn't come off as acerbic). Every track on this CD hits the mark, but I count "Mystery Dance," "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes" and "Less Than Zero" among my favorites. Oh, and "Waiting For the End of the World." And of course the greatest love ballad of all time for girls named Alison.

13. War, U2
How sadly appropriate, with the recent violence in Spain, that "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is still relevant two decades after the release of War, the final album of U2's early period. (U2Sermons discusses this.) Bono's voice is powerful and plaintive in this protest album, and The Edge's guitar minimalism is lovely in "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "New Year's Day" and "Two Hearts Beat As One." And for those who think all the picks on this countdown are somehow ungodly, please note that this record ends in a Psalm, "40."

12. Revolver, The Beatles
The beautiful pen-and-ink cover art is only the icing. The cake tastes great. Pick a hit, any hit: "Taxman," "Eleanor Rigby," "Here, There and Everywhere," "Doctor Robert," "Got to Get You into My Life," "Yellow Submarine" -- they're all here. Also the first Beatles album introducing George Harrison's eastern influences. Yet another groundbreaking Beatles great.

11. Abbey Road, The Beatles
My personal favorite Beatles album, Abbey Road, like The White Album, featured the disintegrating band. The album seems made up of fragments of songs that segue oddly, but somehow it works."Come Together" is a classic John Lennon rocker.

*****
My Top 10
by David Hopkins

10. Ten, Pearl Jam
They've tried to avoid it, but Pearl Jam will always live under the shadow of their first album.

9. Specials, The Specials
The Specials took punk, jamacian ska rhythms, and created one of the most unique pop albums ever. And then, copycats took their lead. Immitation is the best form of flattery?

8. Weezer (Blue Album), Weezer
Weezer decides to create their greatest hits album in one album. Radio stations drool.

7. The Who Sings My Generation, The Who
"My Generation" is possibly the greatest single of all time. That song alone puts it at #7.

6. Ramones, The Ramones
Hello world. The Ramones define punk rock for America.

5. Loaded, Velvet Underground
Their last album. An incredible tribute to rock'n'roll.

4. London Calling, The Clash
The Clash gave punk a heart ... and a brain all at once.

3. The Joshua Tree, U2
What can I say? It's the freakin' Joshua Tree! If you don't know why it's #3, you have no soul.

2. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Yeah, it's a concept album ... but it's a great concept album. The Beatles at their most creative

1. Doolittle, Pixies
What?! Not the Beatles or the Stones or Led Zepellin? The Pixies may have been just a moderately successful band within the indie/alternative scene, but their magnum opus DOOLITTLE is as close to perfect as rock'n'roll gets. Twisted, catchy, playful, textured, solid -- the Pixies created an album that kicks ass and takes names.

:: Andrew 08:26 + ::
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