| | To follow up on the Wedding Present thing -- yes, Seamonsters (well, the UK release of it anyway) predates Nevermind by a few months. And Albini doesn't "produce" anything, right? Doesn't he insist on being called "engineer"? And he had worked with them on the re-recorded Brassneck single from the previous album, Bizarro, and the stopgap Three Songs EP a few months prior to Seamonsters as well. Not to pick on Andrew's blurb because it's great, just to point to those interested that there is other similar/worthy material to be had if you dig Seamonsters. |
| | This was a great idea. Stylus' 101-200 Favorite Albums Ever rather than the same old top 100. Good wording of title too, though I really have no problem with people giving their lists "Greatest" since I actually understand it's all just in good fun.
However, I am kind of dissapointed with the final outcome of the votes. In this case I think that the top 100 might have been just as, possibly more, interesting. Best of all would probably have been to run the entire 200 and only blurb the ones you guys felt were underacknowledged. Reason being that at least half of this list are albums that are normally in the top 100: What's Goin On, LZ IV, Stooges, Who's Next, Ramones, Let It Be, Harvest, Thriler, Kind of Blue, Wire, etc. A top 100 would have worked with Stylus since, unlike the major pubs, there's no fiscal politics (that I'm aware of) and the staff are much more free to pick what they truly like. And this is exactly why I think a lot of albums that, let's face it, just don't hold up as well any more rightfully got dropped further down (though Moondance only at 187!!!;)).
But don't get me wrong, this was a great list!
There more many surprises that I liked (Modest Mouse, Red House Painters, Bringing It All Back Home, Songs of Love and Hate, Vocal Studies, Ghostface Killah, Arab Strap, Galaxie 500...) as well as a few left field choices I've never heard of (The Wedding Present, The Congos, Pop Group) or loath (Hole). I enjoyed reading the list and writing this comment, and, you know, that's all that matters. Make more best album lists in the future!
Though to be an ass, I personally think Little Earthquakes is just a shit record. In fact, I think the only reason it's on these lists at all is because she's a woman. ;) OK, it's not that bad, but c'mon that blurb was kind of a turn off. If I want to hear music like that give me Joni Mitchell or Kate Bush any day. And speaking of Kate, I hope Hounds of Love was in the top 100! And Crazy In Love IS good because of the horns! It's probably not like they were Beyonce's idea... Lucinda Williams or Bjork or that Susanna chick from Susanna and the Magical Orchestra (my fave of 2004 so far), on the other hand, are good because of what they perform. |