Fresh Question #18: Favorite Album

**Nightwing** · 06-24-2002, 10:15 AM

Hello people of the world, it's new FQ time. This one was submited by your favorite poster and mine, randomguy. Enjoy!

Sometimes artists that throw their CDs at us don't just have one or two good songs on them. The right artists and bands can churn out a FULL album that really says something with really great songs.

What is your favorite music album of all time??

**VashTheStampede** · 06-24-2002, 10:28 AM

Cowboy Bebop OST 1 is my favorite of all-time. All the new music to me is awful and older stuff I thought was plain, but this one I can't get enough of.

**James** · 06-24-2002, 02:23 PM

Hmm. Three albums spring to mind as nearly perfect albums.

Pavement - Terror Twilight
Rocket From The Crypt - Scream Dracula Scream!
Faith No More - King For A Day, Fool for A Lifetime...

I think in order, these must fall...:

At number 3 - Pavement,
At number 2 - Faith No More
Number 1 - Rocket From The Crypt.

It depends how you judge an album's greatness. RFTC is the most listenable album. All songs are great. Faith No More's King For A Day is marred by 'Get Out' the album opener.

That said, FNM has a far more diverse and well constructed album. In that sense, it is better than FNM. Critically more impressive, but not as easy to just slam on. RFTC can go on no matter what the mood...

You have to judge your criteria before making a claim to this one!

**Memphis Bleek** · 06-24-2002, 06:23 PM

Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

**Storm** · 06-24-2002, 06:30 PM

Mary J. Blige: No More Drama
Aaliyah: Aaliyah
Ja Rule: Pain is Love
Destiny's Child: Writings on the Wall
Jay-z: the Blueprint

**JETBLACK87** · 06-24-2002, 08:25 PM

all of Cowboy Bebop, but Blue is the best.

**Floydian Slip** · 06-24-2002, 11:22 PM

cKy: volume one
Gorillaz: Gorillaz (g-sides was a dissapointment, besides the first and last songs)
and finally Him: Razorblade Romance.
those are in order 1, 2 ,3.

**Sheamon** · 06-24-2002, 11:39 PM

Hmm... so tough to pick one... I'll have to go with Type O Negative's 'October Rust' with Cowboy Bebop's 3rd OST, and Tool's Aenima being runners up.

**Andy Mancini** · 06-25-2002, 12:08 AM

Mine are:

"Apollo 18" by They Might Be Giants
"Abbey Road" by The Beatles
"King James Version" by Harvey Danger

**randomguy** · 06-25-2002, 12:14 AM

Let's see... I wouldn't have submitted this idea if I couldn't have rattled off dozens of quality albums. I'll try (seriously) to keep this as a small as possible, but be warned- this will be a MASSIVE post. What can I say, I'm a music fan, and some albums I have to give their due.

Runners-Up:
-Stevie Ray Vaughan, In Step - There are few albums which are so utterly perfect as In Step . SRV released this after a recovering from a battle with drugs and alcohol, which he had managed to kick, with much effort. Coming out of this harsh experience, the new Stevie had more enthusiasm, spirituality, musical polish, and an insatiable love of life. His boundless faith in music shows itself more on this album than any other. It packs the blistering "Crossfire", "Tightrope", the recovery ballad "Wall of Denial", blues covers like "Leave My Girl Alone", and the flawless "Riveria Paradise". In Step would sadly be SRV's last studio album (he died in a helicopter crash one year after its release), yet no album could be more fitting as a final farewell.
-Nirvana, In Utero - Most people would probably categorize Nirvana's Nevermind as their best album, and although it's definitely more popular and influential, I still find In Utero to be Cobain's best effort. It seems to pack the best variety, the perfect balance between polish and raw sound, and the best overall tone of the three Nirvana albums. It doesn't hurt that "Pennroyal Tea", my favorite Nirvana song, is on here.
-All Albums, Led Zeppelin- Seriously, TRY picking the best Zeppelin album. They're all gold- quality and sales-wise.
-All Albums, The Beatles- same as above.
-Toadies, Rubberneck - A massively underrated album, this Toadies gem packs a unique and refreshing kind of music caught somewhere between punk and alternative rock. Blistering vocals and a raw, giddy sound give this album it's very recognizable tone, and it's a strangely upbeat record for something that came out of the early 90's alterna-rock revolution. From the memorable "Possum Kingdom" to the come down on you like a friggin' hurricaine song "I Come From the Water", this album is something fierce. In a perfect world, it would be a revolutionary album, but what are you gonna do?
-Stone Temple Pilots, Purple - This album is a bittersweet piece of work. You see, it was released in '95, on the heels of Pearl Jam's Vitalogy , when that band was about to fade from the mainstream, after Kurt Cobain shot himself, when Soundgarden was due for a breakup. That means it was released at the end of the early 90's alternative rock kick- it would prove to be the last great album of said age. It's important for that reason alone, but it is also a very high-quality album. I have never seen a band progress as much inbetween two albums as STP did from Core to Purple . They seemingly effortlessly moved from a Pearl-Jam ripoff to a band with remarkable variety and unique sound. The music was brilliant, memorable, and contained some of the best guitar riffs of the 90's. "Interstate Love Song", "Big Empty", and "Vasoline" would become classics of a dead age, and some damn good ones at that.
-Jimi Hendrix, Electric Ladyland- If I'm not mistaken, this is Hedrix's last album with his trademark band, The Jimi Hendrix Experience. It would prove to be their finest hour. Hendrix's style is mesmerizing and unbelievably revolutionary. Nobody would even approach guitar music the same after this man, and his work with the Experience is his most accesible and likeable. The album that firmly cemented Hendrix's status as legend, even before he died.
-Miles Davis, Kind of Blue - There's something to be said for the fact that this album broke into the mainstream, who notoriously does not embrace Jazz. It's impossible for me to overstate Kind of Blue 's importance; it would shape the handiwork for all the jazz and much of the blues and bebop that would follow it. Perfect.

But my all time favorite is...

-Double Trouble, Been a Long Time - OK, nobody's heard of it, but that only makes it sweeter. Double Trouble was the band that played with SRV, consisting of three guys- a bassist, a drummer, and a keyboarder. How do these people release an album without a vocalist or a guitarist? Simple- they pack over a dozen guest artists on the album, each of which rocks in their own right. With over fiteen people all contributing material, Been A Long Time packs a variety of musical styles no one else can touch. From the extremely soulful and powerful "In the Garden", to the thoughtful love ballad "Baby There's No One Like You", to the mournful and beautiful "Cry Sky", to the traditional blues outing "In the Middle of the Night", to the blistering rock songs "Turn Towards the Mirror" and "Rock and Roll" (a cover of the Led Zeppelin song), there is an amazing array of different sounds and styles on this album. What's great, however, about this album is how utterly fun it is- there was no bloodshed or fighting in its making, it's a honeymoon album; a great ride for everyone involved in the recording practice, and it shows in the quality. It's a work of joy; of sheer exuberance. From Malford Milligan's deep voice to Kenny Wayne Shepard's blistering guitar, it's a soulful, beautiful, refreshing, perfect piece of work that I can't get enough of. It came out in 2001, so it's not hard to find a copy- I can't urge you enough to track one down and give it a chance. You're sure to find something you like on there. It's the album to beat all albums. Ironic that, sans SRV, their unquestioned frontman and visionary, Double Trouble puts out its best work, an album dabbling in Jazz, Blues, Rock, Rhythm, and Soul. A masterpiece.

You know, the funny thing is, I'm sure I forgot a couple of albums. But I'll spare you.

**Sheamon** · 06-25-2002, 12:47 AM

-Nirvana, In Utero - Most people would probably categorize Nirvana's Nevermind as their best album, and although it's definitely more popular and influential, I still find In Utero to be Cobain's best effort. It seems to pack the best variety, the perfect balance between polish and raw sound, and the best overall tone of the three Nirvana albums. It doesn't hurt that "Pennroyal Tea", my favorite Nirvana song, is on here

I agree!

In Utero's by far their best IMHO, and I'd say both Incesticide and Bleach are better than Nevermind as well. Nevermind's extremely over-rated, especially 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. -_-

**randomguy** · 06-25-2002, 01:13 AM

I'd say both Incesticide and Bleach are better than Nevermind as well

Wow, I CANNOT believe I forgot about Incesticide. D'OH! Not sure where it goes over in the Nirvana ladder, but it's a fascinating little piece of work, to be sure...

**DarkAngel** · 06-25-2002, 10:04 AM

Originally posted by Nightwing
What is your favorite music album of all time??

I've always considered the following three the best ever:

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Beatles - Abbey Road

My personal favorite, though, might be Ram by McCartney.

**Do-Do** · 06-25-2002, 04:04 PM

I have three favorites. They are:
The Beatles(a.k.a "The White Album"), by The Beatles
Plastic Ono Band, by John Lennon
All Things Must Pass, by George Harrison

**DarkAngel** · 06-25-2002, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by Do-Do
I have three favorites. They are:
The Beatles(a.k.a "The White Album"), by The Beatles
Plastic Ono Band, by John Lennon
All Things Must Pass, by George Harrison

It's amazing how many different Beatles albums I've considered to be their best. My opinions always changing from one moment to another. The White Album is great. Revolver is another that might be their best. They had so many great ones, though.

I haven't heard Plastic Ono Band in a long time. When I first heard it, I didn't care for it. I should pick it up sometime and give it another listen. I've always heard great things about it.

I just recently got the 30th anniversary version of All Things Must Pass. I'm listening to it at the moment, actually. It's one of the best of solo Beatles releases. I'm hoping the new material Harrison had written before he passed will get released at some point. I've been waiting to hear new material for a long time.

**Andy Mancini** · 06-25-2002, 07:51 PM

Originally posted by Sheamon

I agree! In Utero's by far their best IMHO, and I'd say both Incesticide and Bleach are better than Nevermind as well. Nevermind's extremely over-rated, especially 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. -_-

Actually, they thought so too. I remember seeing an interview with Chris Novoselic and he said that they hated "Smells Like Teen Spirit". He said that it was "the weakest song on the album" and that it was just "a cheap ripoff of The Pixies".

**randomguy** · 06-27-2002, 12:32 AM

Oh, come on. We've got to have more music fans than this.

**Bluntman** · 06-27-2002, 09:44 AM

Here's my list of my favorite albums:

10. Anything by the Beatles, after they dabbled in drugs. Those albums brought out the true genius of this band. Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, The White Album, Abbey Road, even Yellow Submarine were all wonderful.

9. The Who, Quadrophenia. A true concept album that was unlike anything done before. I love The Who. They tore it up in New York recently, and are going on tour. Check them out if you can. You won't be disappointed.

8. The Doors, The Best Of. I probably shouldn't put a greatest hits album on my list, but it's the only Doors album I own. I'm satisfied with it, and it is damn good. It shows how good they were before The Lizard King passed on.

7. Rush, Counterparts. I'm probably dating myself age-wise here, but this was the first Rush album I bought. Wonderful music with thought provoking lyrics.

6. Wu Tang Clan, Enter The Wu Tang. Just a good album. Nice beats, rhyme flow and just all around untouchable.

5. Van Halen, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Back before Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen broke apart, they put out one of the most kick ***** albums from the band that has been forgotten. Everything was on point, vocals to music. I defy anyone to doubt that Eddie is King.

4. Pink Floyd, Momentary Lapse Of Reason. After Roger Waters quit, one of rocks greatest bands was in jeopardy. This album put all fears to rest. Not a bad song on this one.

3. The Cure, Bloodflowers. Most people missed the inside joke that was Wild Mood Swings. Many thought that Robert Smith and company had lost their touch. They silenced most critics with their best album since Disintegration. Sadly, it may have been their last. This album was a true beauty.

2. Led Zepplen, Physical Graffitti. One of their best albums from one of the greatest bands of all time.

1. Jimi Hendrix, All of them. Flat out, the man. No one will ever top Jimi, ever. His songs all stand the test of time. It can't be debated. Many have tried to reach him. Only Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Page, Pete Townsend, Alex Lifeson, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, David Gilmour, and Eric Clapton can even come close. But none of them can quite catch Jimi.

**Joe Wagner** · 06-27-2002, 12:49 PM

Seeing as how I listen to a ton of music I always find that these are that albums that tend to wind up in my CD player the most:

5. Creed - My Own Prision
4. Staind - Breaking the Cycle
3. Sevendust - Animosity
2. Disturbed - The Sickness
1. Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory

These would have to be my favorite albums.

-Joe!

**James** · 06-27-2002, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by randomguy
-Nirvana, In Utero - Most people would probably categorize Nirvana's Nevermind as their best album, and although it's definitely more popular and influential, I still find In Utero to be Cobain's best effort. It seems to pack the best variety, the perfect balance between polish and raw sound, and the best overall tone of the three Nirvana albums. It doesn't hurt that "Pennroyal Tea", my favorite Nirvana song, is on here.

I enjoy In Utrero. I'm not sure which is their best. My favourite Nirvana song has always been 'Radio Friendly Unit Shifter' and that sits smuggly undetected on that album. Nevermind is good - but I've always enjoyed those songs which got little attention like Breed, Drain Me, Lounge Act, On A Plain..

Stone Temple Pilots, Purple - This album is a bittersweet piece of work. You see, it was released in '95, on the heels of Pearl Jam's Vitalogy , when that band was about to fade from the mainstream, after Kurt Cobain shot himself, when Soundgarden was due for a breakup. That means it was released at the end of the early 90's alternative rock kick- it would prove to be the last great album of said age. It's important for that reason alone, but it is also a very high-quality album. I have never seen a band progress as much inbetween two albums as STP did from Core to Purple . They seemingly effortlessly moved from a Pearl-Jam ripoff to a band with remarkable variety and unique sound. The music was brilliant, memorable, and contained some of the best guitar riffs of the 90's. "Interstate Love Song", "Big Empty", and "Vasoline" would become classics of a dead age, and some damn good ones at that.

Vasoline and Big Empty are my favourite although the album is not their best in my opinion. I think Core is the most consistant. Nice to see another person who likes STP. Always prefered them to Pearl Jam.....