TOP 100 ALBUMS - 100-91
Submitted by kkna8927 on Thu, 05/30/2002 - 07:16
Tags:
- 100) Reef-Glow: The second album from the boys from Bristol, and a mighty fine effort. Released in 1997, but sounding like a rock album from the 70's, this album shows that classic rock is not quite dead yet. Pleasing, jagged and 12 great tunes. Best Songs: Place your hands, Consideration, Come back brighter.
- 99) REM-Up: There are going to be alot of people who disagree with me about this one, but this is my second favourite REM album. It's melancholic shades and subtle beauty mixed with great songwriting and general musicianship makes for a terrific album. A refreshing change from it's heavier predecessor, Monster. Best Songs: At my most beautiful, The apologist, Daysleeper.
- 98) Dire Straits-Making Movies: I think Mark Knopfler is a much underrated genius. This album has 6 incredibly good songs on (with the exception of Les boys), and combined with that typical Dire Straits sound makes this album one of the best of the 80's. Best Songs: Tunnel of love, Romeo and Juliet, Expresso love.
- 97) Eric Clapton-From The Cradle: I'm not the biggest fan of his solo stuff, but this is brilliant. 16 fantastic blues covers played with exhillerating energy, makes this album essential listening for any blues fan. Best Songs: Blues before sunrise, Hoochie coochie man, How long blues.
- 96) David Bowie-Aladdin Sane: There's something strangely compelling about this album. In some ways it's humorous-almost tongue in cheek (Drive-in saturday), but at the same time spellbindingly brilliant. Does anyone else think that Starsailor were 'influenced' by this? Best Songs: Cracked actor, The jean genie, Lady grinning soul.
- 95) Bob Dylan-Street Legal: Another one I may get disagreements for. Apart from the shoddy, rushed production, this is an album of emmense power, best shown by Senor (tales...). Dylans first steps towards Christianaty (Changing of the guards), and his last great album before Time Out Of Mind. Best Songs: Changing of the guards, Baby, stop crying, Senor (tales of yankee power).
- 94) Ash-1977: This is a raw, punky album with some great songs on. One of the best albums of the 'Britpop' era, though this is a shade heavier than most of the other bands of this genre. Best Songs: Goldfinger, Girl from Mars, Oh yeah.
- 93) Doors-L.A. Woman: This album would be here for the title track and Riders on the storm alone. There are other good songs on here though, including The changeling, Love her madly and Been down so long. Not their best album, but a pretty darn good one. Best Songs: Love her madly, L.A. woman, Riders on the storm.
- 92) Oasis-Definitely Maybe: A contender for one of the greatest debut albums of all time. This album shows alot of promise from the Manchester quintet, and shades of the brilliance which was just around the corner. Best Songs: Live forever, Cigarettes and alcohol, Slide away.
- 91) Led Zeppeiln-Houses of the holy: Probably their least heavy album and certainly their most experimental. Apart from The crunge and D'yer mak'er, which even I'm not 100% on, this album holds some truly astonishing work. The rain song and No quarter (a John-Paul Jones song) takes my breath away every time I hear them. Best Songs: The rain song, No quarter, The ocean.
Author Comments:
This is my top 100 albums of all time. Simple rules - no bootlegs, live albums or compilations. Only officialy released studio albums get in.
The Led Zep/Dylan maniac I am, there are going to be some obvious choices, but with the odd surprise thrown in here or there, I hope this list will keep you reasonably entertained. I have included comments about each album, aswell as my favourite three tracks from each album. This was a tremendously difficult task, and there were many albums I love which didn't quite make it. Enjoy!(Idea from L.Bangs).
Wow, I'm thrilled to see you follow up on this idea. Terrific! I especially love reading the comments, and the 'best songs' idea is fantastic! Great job!
I admit I am unfamiliar with the Reef album, so I also get a new avenue to explore in the deal.
Making Movies is indeed an under-rated album with some killer songs. I'm also a huge Aladdin Sane fan, and I would have to add Panic in Detroit on the list of best songs. It is also very nice to see Oasis' great debut on here.
You are right about getting disagreements over REM's Up, however; not a bad album at all, but far from my favorite by the band. I'll have to wait to see what your favorite album by the boys is, but it being your second favorite, I'm guessing it has to beat Murmur, Automatic for the People, and / or Out of Time. I'll try to hold back the tears. ;)
I enjoy Clapton's playing on From the Cradle, but for me, his singing nearly sinks the entire affair. For me, Clapton is very frustrating; he is obviously a major talent, but excepting Layla, I don't really believe he ever cut an entire classic album. A good argument for the Crossroads box set, no doubt.
Oh yeah, that Ash album is fun, even if I always turn it off long before the vomit finale lurking at the end...
Great start. I eagerly await the rest! Personally, I have no problem with Dylan popping up all over the list. When you're that good, you deserve tons of albums on a list like this.
Can't wait for the next installment.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I'd like to second being thrilled! I love these detailed lists with well-reasoned comments. I'm not musically knowledgable enough to laud or debate your choices, but if I ever get back into music beyond listening to the radio this list will certainly join my collection of buying guides. Looking forward to 90 - 81!
Thank you both for your kind comments - much appreciated. I am going to try and include more comments as the countdown comtinues - to do this, I may list the albums in sets of fives rather than tens (I'm a slow typer!).
Best wishes,
Ed.