Making top X of Y lists makes me extremely stressed (am I alone in this?) and I'll stick to my annual best of lists that seem at least marginally doable, but boy do I love reading them from others!
I knew it would be a challenge, but the final cuts were incredibly difficult. There's probably at least another 50-100 that could easily crack my list. Maybe we'll do a "Just Missed the Cut" epilogue for everyone to react to.
There's only one record on there I've heard of ("Control"), so if the rest of this project is going to be like that, this is going to be very educational for me.
Wow, this is gonna be a lot of fun! Interesting to see the time gap, era-wise, between your selections in the 100-91 list and will be even more interesting to see if that gap shrinks as you get into the top 20.
A lot of bands I don’t know here, so I have some research to do! My entree to Stereolab was “Dots and Loops” and though I haven’t explored enough of their catalog, of everything I’ve heard D&L stays on top.
I like where this is going with Ralph Tresavant coming out of left field and then Luscious Jackson made their dubious appearance. I'm kind of expecting Elastica to be kind of high on this list and with Bobby Brown and Radiohead to be in the top 20. Just a prediction.....I've been very wrong before.
Thanks Gary! I hope the coming weeks' picks are just as interesting for you. nothing worse than a list where you can guess most of the entries before even reading it. I have a few on my list that I think I'll really have to fight my corner on, and I'm sure Sam does as well.
I love making lists BUT it's the wording "Greatest Albums of All Time" that gets me when I see other such lists. It's SO subjective! I never feel qualified to say a song or album is the "best" but I can say which are my favorites and why! I plan to do this after I finish my own Top Ten memoir. Until then I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with! So far there is only one from either of your lists which could make my own Top 100 "favorite" albums.
I agree. To quote myself in my mirror version of this list lol:
"...as with any of these lists (Rolling Stone, NME, Spin, Pitchfork, etc.), getting annoyed by them—or even acknowledging them—is already granting them more significance and authority than they deserve. If you’re a head, these are not for you. Although, those old Pitchfork “Best 100 Albums of [INSERT DECADE]” turned me on to a lot of cool stuff during my teenage years. But I have a standard that I hold myself to when it comes to cultural criticism—if I’m going to rip on someone’s list of greatest albums, I will put my tastes out there and provide my own list so people can get a perspective of what I appreciate. Also, these things are fun to discuss and analyze, even if we’re just doing glorified hairsplitting.
Making ranked lists of the greatest albums of all time is a flawed exercise to begin with: Obviously, there is a canon of albums across every genre and decade that are widely acknowledged as classics or influential, but arguing that one is greater than the other is pointlessly subjective. There are at least an additional 100 albums that could stake a plausible claim to such a list and could’ve easily cracked mine—and maybe after the end of this series, if there’s a demand for it, Kevin and I can cobble together our lists of albums that just missed the cut."
"if I’m going to rip on someone’s list of greatest albums, I will put my tastes out there and provide my own list so people can get a perspective of what I appreciate."
This is a huge point, and one of the reasons/inspirations behind doing this. Obviously, it's fun to put together, but if I'm gonna rip on a list like Apple's (and I did), I should at least be willing to offer up my own picks and make the case for each.
What a challenge! Great to see such an unexpected start! No doubt Jackson's album was groundbreaking for her but does anyone actually listen to it today?
WAAAAAY off topic, but I was happy to see that the Substack FC league is back in business for the 24/25 season. Puddle City FC is in fine form and ready for it's usual mid-table mediocrity.
Thanks! It was a tough but fun exercise. So many amazing albums that I had to leave off. Like Zeppelin and the Beatles alone could’ve occupied 10-15 spots.
- You each have a Stereolab pick. It will be interesting to see the weekly crossovers. If there are two lists in one post, is that a "stereo" post?
- Thumbs up - The Church and Pere Ubu, thumbs down - G 'n R, WTF - Janet Jackson
- I just got a copy of "Faith, Hope and Carnage" (the book by Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan). I may have had that on my list based on a Kevin post some time back. I guess I will have to give "Let Love In" a listen before I begin reading.
It’s such a good read! I’d give Ghosteen a spin before reading it because the interview was done right after it was released and they talk a lot about the creative process that went into that album.
I'm really curious to see how much crossover we have across the entire list. My theory is that it's likely to increase as the weeks go on, but time'll tell if that's correct or not.
Having what I think(?) is a good read on your tastes, there are several thumbs up picks on the way, and probably a few more WTFs as well.
Neither Sam nor I are responsible for damage to laptops thrown out of your window.
Seriously though, mine is a blend of what I like (and typically write about), and some that unquestionably changed the world. There may be a rap record or two, but i'm not overindexed on it.
You are correct on it being inescapable for a very long time. I do like Slash and Duff. It might be the Seattle connection with Duff, but I find him to be a very competent bass player.
I just have never bought into that Rose is a great singer. Then again I think that Geoff Tate was one of the greats in his early years. No accounting for taste....lol
Making top X of Y lists makes me extremely stressed (am I alone in this?) and I'll stick to my annual best of lists that seem at least marginally doable, but boy do I love reading them from others!
I knew it would be a challenge, but the final cuts were incredibly difficult. There's probably at least another 50-100 that could easily crack my list. Maybe we'll do a "Just Missed the Cut" epilogue for everyone to react to.
Definitely!
You are 100% NOT alone. I'm fussy enough as it is. I lost ocunt of how many times I revised this list before finally having to let it go.
There's only one record on there I've heard of ("Control"), so if the rest of this project is going to be like that, this is going to be very educational for me.
It's been educational for me as well. Discovering some gems that I would've never considered.
I listen to a ton of music from almost all genres; i’ll probably know a lot of them…but it’ll be fun giving the unknowns (to me) a listen.
Also, KA, that Solange cd is completely underrated!
More people need to listen to Solange!
Yes!!!!
Never heard Guns N Roses ?
Lol yes I know who they are. I'm referring to Kevin's picks of 808 State, Pere Ubu, and Velocity Girl.
Yea I was replying to the other guy who said he only had heard 'Control'
Haha all good
They're an up-and-coming band with a bright future!
You bet. I also think Michael Dukakis has a real shot this fall
He could still surprise us! Just need to avoid photo ops with tanks.
I hope so! It'd be kinda boring if everyone knew all the records.
Wow, what an under taking. I’m here for it! Great picks so far!!
Thanks! I'm happy to hear it. That noise you heard earlier this week wasn't at the Bloom; it was me hitting my head on my keyboard.
Wow, this is gonna be a lot of fun! Interesting to see the time gap, era-wise, between your selections in the 100-91 list and will be even more interesting to see if that gap shrinks as you get into the top 20.
A lot of bands I don’t know here, so I have some research to do! My entree to Stereolab was “Dots and Loops” and though I haven’t explored enough of their catalog, of everything I’ve heard D&L stays on top.
Looking forward to the rest of this series!!
It's my personal fav. But you can't go wrong with any of their '90s output. It's all phenomenal.
I was going to say the same thing. This is an impressive beginning to the project!
Just wait until Kevin and I become sworn enemies over his inexcusable exclusion of Radiohead's entire discography in his top 10.
Lol.
...Or Sam's refusal to include at least 5 New Order records on his list. Unconscionable, really.
I had a bunch of them on my final cuts list, it was a tough call because their 80s run is magical
Thank you!
Dots & Loops is incredible. I wasn't kidding when I wrote that I had seconded thoghts about my own Stereolab pick after seeing Sam's.
I think (?) the gap will narrow as we make our way toward number 1. With that hypothesis prove true? I guess we'll see!
I like where this is going with Ralph Tresavant coming out of left field and then Luscious Jackson made their dubious appearance. I'm kind of expecting Elastica to be kind of high on this list and with Bobby Brown and Radiohead to be in the top 20. Just a prediction.....I've been very wrong before.
Don't expect Radiohead from Kevin lol, but I got you!
Lol.
Thanks Gary! I hope the coming weeks' picks are just as interesting for you. nothing worse than a list where you can guess most of the entries before even reading it. I have a few on my list that I think I'll really have to fight my corner on, and I'm sure Sam does as well.
I am looking forward to your newsletter. This sounds wonderful.
We're glad you're here, Zail!
I think Appetite is in my top five.
I can't believe you left out "The 97th Best Album" by The 97ers.
I can't believe I forgot there is a real band called The Old 97s that would have worked for that joke
next time!
Lol. maybe I should make a list of records/bands by the numbers?
The Blurred crusade by The Church is an absolute top favorite 👌 and definitely one of their finest.
Yes! It's the one I come back to over and over.
I love making lists BUT it's the wording "Greatest Albums of All Time" that gets me when I see other such lists. It's SO subjective! I never feel qualified to say a song or album is the "best" but I can say which are my favorites and why! I plan to do this after I finish my own Top Ten memoir. Until then I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with! So far there is only one from either of your lists which could make my own Top 100 "favorite" albums.
I agree. To quote myself in my mirror version of this list lol:
"...as with any of these lists (Rolling Stone, NME, Spin, Pitchfork, etc.), getting annoyed by them—or even acknowledging them—is already granting them more significance and authority than they deserve. If you’re a head, these are not for you. Although, those old Pitchfork “Best 100 Albums of [INSERT DECADE]” turned me on to a lot of cool stuff during my teenage years. But I have a standard that I hold myself to when it comes to cultural criticism—if I’m going to rip on someone’s list of greatest albums, I will put my tastes out there and provide my own list so people can get a perspective of what I appreciate. Also, these things are fun to discuss and analyze, even if we’re just doing glorified hairsplitting.
Making ranked lists of the greatest albums of all time is a flawed exercise to begin with: Obviously, there is a canon of albums across every genre and decade that are widely acknowledged as classics or influential, but arguing that one is greater than the other is pointlessly subjective. There are at least an additional 100 albums that could stake a plausible claim to such a list and could’ve easily cracked mine—and maybe after the end of this series, if there’s a demand for it, Kevin and I can cobble together our lists of albums that just missed the cut."
"if I’m going to rip on someone’s list of greatest albums, I will put my tastes out there and provide my own list so people can get a perspective of what I appreciate."
This is a huge point, and one of the reasons/inspirations behind doing this. Obviously, it's fun to put together, but if I'm gonna rip on a list like Apple's (and I did), I should at least be willing to offer up my own picks and make the case for each.
What a challenge! Great to see such an unexpected start! No doubt Jackson's album was groundbreaking for her but does anyone actually listen to it today?
Looking forward to the unveiling!
I blast it when setting my lineups for EPL fantasy soccer. :)
I see it fairly regularly on magazine lists and Spotify dance playlists
Lol…I must be in the wrong social circles!
Also I lied. One more spoiler: I promise Ozric Tentacles is nowhere to be found on my list. 😀
Lol….thank gawd for that…and no Levellers either…
WAAAAAY off topic, but I was happy to see that the Substack FC league is back in business for the 24/25 season. Puddle City FC is in fine form and ready for it's usual mid-table mediocrity.
Lol. I'm here to win!
Kudos to you two for taking this on - thinking about doing something similar myself gives me the willies.
Thanks! It was a tough but fun exercise. So many amazing albums that I had to leave off. Like Zeppelin and the Beatles alone could’ve occupied 10-15 spots.
Thanks Robert!
Top 100!!! I had trouble putting together a top 10 list. I got to 7.
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul
The Beatles - Sgt. Peppers
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds - No More Shall We Part
Dave Brubeck Quartet - Time Out
Neil Young - Heart Of Gold
CSN&Y - Four Way Street
Pink Floyd - DSotM
Hot Buttered Soul, Sgt. Peppers, Heart of Gold, and Dark Side of the Moon were all in my final cut list.
That's a solid 7, Norman! Are any of these on my list? We'll see! In the meantime, I'll just say great minds think alike. :)
- You each have a Stereolab pick. It will be interesting to see the weekly crossovers. If there are two lists in one post, is that a "stereo" post?
- Thumbs up - The Church and Pere Ubu, thumbs down - G 'n R, WTF - Janet Jackson
- I just got a copy of "Faith, Hope and Carnage" (the book by Nick Cave and Sean O'Hagan). I may have had that on my list based on a Kevin post some time back. I guess I will have to give "Let Love In" a listen before I begin reading.
It’s such a good read! I’d give Ghosteen a spin before reading it because the interview was done right after it was released and they talk a lot about the creative process that went into that album.
Ghosteen it is! Thanks.
I'm really curious to see how much crossover we have across the entire list. My theory is that it's likely to increase as the weeks go on, but time'll tell if that's correct or not.
Having what I think(?) is a good read on your tastes, there are several thumbs up picks on the way, and probably a few more WTFs as well.
Excited to discover some gems! Also, are these records following the music typically shared via On Repeat? Or is this including literally everything?
Basically, I'm trying to prepare how angry I should get by the representation of Rap and Pop haha.
I can’t speak for Kevin but I did a mix of what is “objectively” classic albums and my personal favorite
Lol.
Neither Sam nor I are responsible for damage to laptops thrown out of your window.
Seriously though, mine is a blend of what I like (and typically write about), and some that unquestionably changed the world. There may be a rap record or two, but i'm not overindexed on it.
Great start. Only have one small question, super tiny question, almost not a question at all.... GNR? Really? Great band, terrible front man.
Lol. Yes. Really. More for the impact the record had on music and culture than anything else. It was all pretty inescapable for awhile.
You are correct on it being inescapable for a very long time. I do like Slash and Duff. It might be the Seattle connection with Duff, but I find him to be a very competent bass player.
I just have never bought into that Rose is a great singer. Then again I think that Geoff Tate was one of the greats in his early years. No accounting for taste....lol