Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-#91

Anything music related. Latest songs, good new bands, and blasts from the past.

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NSpan
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by NSpan »

#93

NSpan

The Pink Mountaintops
- The Pink Mountaintops (2004)

Image

1. "Bad Boogie Ballin'"
2. "Rock'n'roll Fantasy"
3. "I (Fuck) Mountains"
4. "Can You Do That Dance?"
5. "Sweet '69"
6. "Leslie"
7. "Tourist in Your Town"
8. "Atmosphere"

Basically a reconfiguration of Black Mountain (a band I'll get to later) as well as Lightning Dust, Blood Meridian, and Jerk With a Bomb, The Pink Mountaintops is what Stephen McBean does when Amber Webber is busy. You'll actually hear her voice on the records, but she doesn't seem to tour under this banner. My favorite musicians nowadays seem to be a fairly incestuous group--all somehow spawning from The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Being primarily based out of Canada, The Black Mountain "Army" is actually more separated from BJM than any of the L.A.-based bands you'll see on my list. That said, members of The Warlocks, The Black Angels, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and the Cold War Kids have all officially affiliated with the Pink Mountaintops at one point or another.

All that name dropping aside, Stephen McBean is the star of the show here. And I honestly believe that this guy's genius will eventually be recognized. As Black Mountain, he's achieved a good degree of success. But I've seen him perform solo acoustic, and he's the guy to watch down the line. For any outsider, the last two paragraphs probably sound like gibberish... but a few whiskey-soaked nights in Joshua Tree would make anyone a true believer.

"Can You Do That Dance?"


"I (Fuck) Mountains"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW03pNJf-ps

^--I daresay this song is the "Planet Caravan" of the 00s.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by numbersix »

NSpan wrote:
numbersix Various Artists,"New York Noise, Volume 1", 2003
Is this where you first heard Liquid Liquid? I agree that there's something truly unique about NYC. No one can deny the impact of bands like The Velvet Underground, the Talking Heads, Television, New York Dolls, etc. Coincidentally, I learned today that Blue Oyster Cult is from New York--and not California as I had always assumed. If your featured tracks are anything to go by, I'd like to hear the rest of the album. Have you delved into most of these individual artists? Or is this more like a "Nuggets" collection where the source material is a bit harder to track down?
It varies with this comp. The problem with post-punk is a lot of acts who managed to stick together (and they were few) slid into New Wave, which put me off (Lizzy is a good example of this). But most of the acts have compilations that are relatively easy to find, especially on places like Amazon. Acts like Liquid Liquid, Glenn Branca, DNA, James Chance and the Contortions, ESG, DNA, Mars and Bush Tetras all have compilations worth checking out. And no, I knew of Liquid Liquid before this compilation, but thanks to another....

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by numbersix »

Round #93 was pretty awesome overall

Ozzy: Agree about Bright Eyes. Usually great lyrics, the music never really surprises. But it's a solid album

Geez: A pretty good compilation that shows the range of Nirvana. Unsurprisingly, Sliver is one of my least favourites, with Aneurysm being the best

John E: That was pretty cool. Very trashy.

Leetsu: I pretty much hate Happy Mondays. Ryder was an ass and Bez was a moron. I hate their lazy lyrics and their dull music (especially Lazyitis). That said, Country Song wasn't half bad.

NSpan: These guys sound real familiar. Maybe it's because the lead singer reminds me a tad of Can. Anyway, it's pretty solid psych-rock, a genre that sometimes can't grab my attention, but generally sounds really nice. Loved the mellow second song. Pot-tastic.

SS: I've always been on the fence about The Jam. They have some good song (like Tube Station), and some dull ones.

Tranny: That was pretty good. I liked the samples of the first song, but the second was excellent. Loved the music, which sounds like something from Warp Records. And at first I thought the lyrics were going to be about fucking bitches, but it's like an anthem about drug addiction. A real surprise.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by NSpan »

englishozzy Bright Eyes, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning", 2005
Wow, I was really surprised at how much I liked this. I have a buddy who has spent years trying to convert me to Conor Oberst's music--all to no avail. Why didn't he just play me "First Day of My Life" ??

Geezer Nirvana, "Incesticide ", 1992
When I first discovered Nirvana in '90-'91 (as a fairly young kid, obviously), I was impressed. However, it wasn't the performance or the musicianship that impressed me (or anybody else, I don't think). For some, it was simply the proverbial packaging and presentation of this "new" type of music. For others, it was Kurt Cobain's songwriting and identity as an "artist." That's where my quickly growing fascination stopped short. Why were all of my favorite songs being released by this artist covers of other bands' songs?? I was shocked to find out that all of my favorite Nirvana songs were lifted from the Meat Puppets, David Bowie, the Vaselines, the Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, and authentic bluesmen. Just never got back into them after that. Kurt was portrayed as a voice with something to say. When all he had to say was regurgitated, I moved on.

Do yourself a favor, and find a recording of the Asylum Street Spankers' cover of "Sliver" from their kids album. It's the perfect blend of parody and tribute.

BleedBlackandGold, MDC, "Millions of Dead Cops", 1998
Interesting. I didn't dislike it... but it was simply too frenetic for me.

Leestu Happy Mondays, “Bummed”, 1988
Yikes. Not sure how to respond to this one. I might give it another listen in the morning and try again....

numbersix Various Artists,"Warp 20", 2009
I'll revisit this along with Lesstu's pick. Couldn't provide an immediate response.

silversurfer The Jam, "All Mod Cons", 1978
I already own six of their albums because you? Are you trying to make it seven??

transformers Atmosphere, "When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold", 2008
I am SO picky about my hip-hop... but I guess this wasn't too bad. I think Tranny's taste may be somewhat in line with my own. As surprising as that might sound.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by numbersix »

AC/DC's TNT
If any of you can convince me to get an ACDC album you'll have suceeded where many have failed. I don't dislike them, they're cool, but I just don't like them enough to explore more. That said I thought Rocker was excellent (and it was dropped from the album?).

The Reverend Horton Heat
Deliberately retro, but not bad. Psychobilly is one of the many styles the Pixies incorporated into their music.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by silversurfer19 »

Album No.92

Alyson
Alanis Morrisette, "Jagged Little Pill"
, 1995

englishozzy
Lisa Mitchell, "Wonder",
, 2009

Image

One of the very few that has gone on to prove that being on a reality program is not the kiss of death for your career. Mitchell finished 6th in Australian Idol but you always knew the competition was only holding her back.

"Oh! Hark!"

"Coin Laundry"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90DflEOXi9E

Geezer
System of a Down, "Mezmerize "
, 2005

Image

1.Soldier Side (Intro) – 4 stars
2.B.Y.O.B – 5 stars
3.Revenga – 3 stars
4.Cigaro – 3 stars
5.Radio/Video – 4 stars
6.This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On this Song – 4 stars
7.Violent Pornography – 5 stars
8.Question! - 4 stars
9.Sad Statue – 4 stars
10.Old School Hollywood – 4 stars
11.Lost In Hollywood – 4 stars

I waited so long for this album to come out and I certainly was not disappointed. Technically the first half of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize double album, they were released 6 months apart and this clearly outpaced the follow-up (though I own both). System of a Down is a phenomenal band, I know at least Tranny will agree.

""B.Y.O.B.""

"Violent Pornography"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VyzYbqRuFE

BleedBlackandGold
CKY, "Infiltrate , Destroy , Rebuild"
, 2002

Image

I have a love hate relationship with Metal but Damn I love this record! CKY is unfortunatly know mostly as Bam's brother's band , but they are so much more ! From Jess' killer drums to Deron's odd vocals and just insane guitar effects of The GG Allen obsessed Chad I Ginsberg this band is in a league of their own.

"Close Yet Far"


Leestu
The Beastie Boys, “Check Your Head”
, 1992

Image

It had been three years since their second album Paul’s Boutique, and I was eagerly awaiting a new release from them. I purchased this album as soon as it was released and was not disappointed. Each song was a delight and I don’t think it left my cd player for a couple of weeks. It’s a more mature album than their two previous releases and combines guitar and hip hop with influences from everywhere for a fun and fascinating listen. Featuring the singles So Watcha Want, Pass The Mic, Gratitude and other great songs. I like the pairing of the punk version of the Sly and The Family Stone song Time for Livin’ immediately followed on the album by the calming trippy jazz inspired Something’s Got to Give.

“Time for Livin’”

“Something’s Got to Give”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teQqelBTw7g

NSpan
The Moldy Peaches, "The Moldy Peaches"
, 2001

numbersix
Jeff Buckley,"Sketches (For My Sweetheart the Drunk)"
, 1998

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The record that never was. Buckley was prepped to become massive, but sadly drowned in the Mississippi River as he was continuing work on his new album. This double-album features the first attempt at a new album (which he ultimately rejected) and then the demos that supposedly represented the sound he was aiming for. You can hear the new directions Buckley was exploring, which delved more into gritty and experimental territory. This is the music of a man trying to find his sound and not just rest on the laurels of his glossy debut. But what he could never hide was that beautifully soaring voice that could make a song anything from gentle jazz to screamy rock.

"Jewel Box"

"Nightmares by the Sea "
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un9VmOSzzCs

Ron Burgundy
Foster The People, "Torches"
, 2011

Image



silversurfer
Modest Mouse, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News"
, 2004

Image

Another band who I first discovered through Channel 4 teletext, Good News For People Who Love Bad News was voted no.1 record by the Planet Sound staff, so while they were a band I had heard of before by name, I made it my prerogative to actually listen to the record. It was NOT what I was expecting. The name had indicated perhaps a soft, folkish sound, not the hollering, Pavement-esque, brass infused indie rock which was laid in front of me. Hindsight has benefitted me the knowledge of knowing this record was indeed a perhaps more relaxed effort than what had come previously, but that is neither recognisable at first and is in no way to its detriment either. Indeed, this was the band finally at their most cohesive and accesible, with their sound sweeping from maccabre, ghoulish and terrifying one moment to lush, inviting and comforting another. And somehow, it works.

"The View"

"Bury Me With It"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_gi9T24qtM

transformers
N.W.A, "Straight Outta Compton"
, 1988

Image

"Express Yourself"

"Quiet on tha Set"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_leq5BZsWbg
Last edited by silversurfer19 on September 20th, 2012, 12:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by silversurfer19 »

By the way, at the end of this thread would anyone be averse to taking a couple of days off from the countdown? This would primarily allow for me to catch up with the first thread of music, as well as allow some ofthe stragglers to catch up, as we are generally 4 or 5 down per day at the moment. If not, and you all want to press ahead, then fine, but I thought it could be a good opportunity to catch up.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by NSpan »

I've been stuck in a perpetual state of being one day behind on this. Whether we take a breather or not, I'm making a point of getting on track with everybody else. In the meantime:

---

#92

NSpan

The Moldy Peaches
- The Moldy Peaches (2001)

Image

1. "Lucky Number Nine" – 2:08
2. "Jorge Regula" – 3:06
3. "What Went Wrong" – 1:36
4. "Nothing Came Out" – 5:04
5. "Downloading Porn with Davo" – 2:24
6. "These Burgers" – 2:01
7. "Steak for Chicken" – 2:43
8. "On Top" – 2:03
9. "Greyhound Bus" – 1:15
10. "Anyone Else but You" – 2:59
11. "Little Bunny Foo Foo" – 1:19
12. "The Ballad of Helen Keller & Rip Van Winkle" – 2:08
13. "Who's Got the Crack" – 3:25
14. "Lucky Charms" – 3:08
15. "D.2. Boyfriend" – 1:39
16. "I Forgot" – 2:09
17. "Lazy Confessions" – 1:48
18. "NYC's Like a Graveyard" – 3:15
19. "Goodbye Song" – 2:13

Technically, this could be considered a compilation as it consists of previously recorded material (though only released on CD-R and cassettes... so if you own the early stuff, you're either friends with the band or a dirty liar). Nonetheless, it actually feels cohesive. The songwriting has a distinct sense of identity, and a thread of dark--almost nihilistic--humor is maintained from start to finish. Whatever buzz this duo had going for them, it was quickly silenced: the album was released on the morning of September 11th, 2001. The fact that one of the tracks is called, "NYC's Like a Graveyard" probably didn't help. I only discovered the band several years later after hearing Adam Green's solo work. He's released seven albums, and he has created a musical persona that somehow blends Lou Reed, Nick Cave, and Leonard Cohen. He's decidedly more whimsical and childlike when co-writing with Kimya Dawson, but the sardonic wit and intentionally subversive lyrical content was part and parcel from Day One. Dawson received a huge boost in her career with her involvement on Juno, but Green is the one to watch here.

"Steak for Chicken"


"NYC's Like a Graveyard"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9lRSp75gtY
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by Geezer »

If we do take a break, you all may want to avert your eyes from my facebook, if you want to avoid what is to come... as I am running a simultaneous countdown on there, and I'd be ahead of the group here.
Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man. - The Dude

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by Leestu »

I have no problem with pausing for a couple of days. Gives everyone a chance to catch up or prepare for further ahead. I know I would benefit from it.
I was also wondering if we should give Surfer a break at some stage and some of us others take a turn at collating for a while. I imagine it is a time consuming process so it's probably a bit unfair to expect one person to do it alone for over three months, unless it's Shryke of course. ;) It would only take 4 of us to do 25 each, or 5 do 20.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by silversurfer19 »

To be honest, and I'll see how I'm going 25 records in, but the actual compiling of each post has gotten pretty quick. Generally takes me about 20 minutes to do. The main issue for me is then having time to listen to the damned things!

But for the meantime I have no problem with continuing posting each day, as for starters it prompts me to keep up to date with my own list, as well as keeping it so that only one person has to deal with learning how to post in the standard format and avoids having to email each post to different people. Plus, I really enjoy it too! So perhaps, for now, having a break of a day or so at the end of each thread would be best, as it allows me some time to catch up with everyone's selections. If I do struggle though I will definitely let you know.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by Leestu »

Haven't had a chance to listen the last couple of days, but from what I know:-

Geezer: Love the Incesticide album. I might disagree with some of your individual ratings - there shouldn't be anything less than 4 stars ;), but otherwise can't complain.
I quite enjoy the SOAD album too. I don't listen to it a lot but every now and then I will chuck it on.

Surfer: All Mod Cons has some great songs on it, and English Rose is a beautiful song. It probably doesn't have the same impact for me as it might an expat pom but I still love it.
The Modest Mouse album is just quality through and through.

Nspan: I think I said enough in the individual songs countdown that I am not a fan of AC/DC, especially songs like The Jack, and Can I Sit Next to You Girl, however I don't mind It's a Long Way To The Top...it's probably the bagpipes...anything with bagpipes is good right? :lol:
Like Geez I only know Psychobillly Freakout from guitar hero (man it's a hard song to play, I have to drop down a level to hard to get throught it) but I am curious to hear more.

Ozzy: Lisa Mitchell is the only performer I have ever liked to have come from any of those singing/performing competiton shows. She has a sweet voice, and both Neopolitan Dreams and Coin Laundry really grew on me the more I heard them. I've been meaning to check out more of her stuff for a while but so much music and too little time...

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by NSpan »

englishozzy Lisa Mitchell, "Wonder", , 2009
Never heard of her, never heard of the show--so I went in with a clean slate. That's definitely a strong and distinct voice. She could probably fill in at a Throwing Muses concert (or, perhaps, Belly... or Mazzy Star). That's a big compliment, imo.

Geezer System of a Down, "Mezmerize ", 2005
Sorry to always be ragging on your picks, buddy......... but today's not the day I'm going to break that trend.

Leestu The Beastie Boys, “Check Your Head”, 1992
Great album. I just realized that it's only my fourth-favorite Beastie Boys record... and I still think of it as a classic. So that's definitely testament to the quality (or at least my perception) of the band.

numbersix Jeff Buckley,"Sketches (For My Sweetheart the Drunk)", 1998
I dig what I'm hearing. As with all musicians who die young, I think Buckley benefited from a starry-eyed optimism regarding his unfilled potential... but that's not to say his legacy is unearned. "Jewel Box" is a bit reminiscent of his "Hallelujah" cover... in a good way.

silversurfer Modest Mouse, "Good News For People Who Love Bad News", 2004
These guys had a huge following in Austin from the start. So, by the time "Float On" came around, I had already had my fill. That said, I don't think these guys ever stopped making good music. The last time I saw them play, the sound mix was atrocious--though I don't think it was the band's fault, and it's kind of a bummer to think that's how I remember them most clearly.

transformers N.W.A, "Straight Outta Compton", 1988
Lots of good memories with this album. Funny how much old school rap we listened to as middle-class suburban white kids.
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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by numbersix »

Ozzy: Well, it wasn't as awful as I imagined for an Idol contestant. But it's still not my thing. First song reminded me a little of Feist.

Geez: No thanks. The first was silly, but the second went so far out of silly it landed right in the centre of irritating.

Leetsu: Very cool. Interesteing that both songs you picked sounded very different to the usual Beastie sound. Does that reflect the album in total?

SS: It's not a bad album, but it's very uneven for me. I don't have any MM album that I think isn't uneven, but I'd certainly place The Moon and Antartica and The Lonesome Crowded West way ahead of this. I do like Ocean Breathes Salty though.

Tranny: Again, very cool. Much better than most "modern" rap.

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Re: Fantaverse Top 100 Albums of All Time (THREAD #1): #100-

Post by numbersix »

Oh, and I'm up for taking a break after these first 10 rounds.

It'll give us time to think about what we'd like to explore more of, as well as allow others to catch up. Aly and Ron B have gone AWOL and I think John L is missing a few tracks. Surfer, it's time to get Shryke on their asses.

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