I remember hearing the single Technique, but for some reason never bought the album (unless I have the cassette somewhere?)- I did give it a listen back when Kevin wrote about it a while ago lol - and of course it’s fantastic! Power Corruption and Lies was such a staple of mine!
That’s what I thought, yes. But New Order’s Technique is listed as number 20 but, halfway through the review, he says it’s his number 1. That’s what threw me off.
Sorry for the confusion! I included my previous write up on Technique for this edition. Subjectively, it *is* my favorite New Order record, for a whole host of reasons.
Love New Order and if I was doing a top 100, I would likely have several of their albums included 🙂. Also a big fan of the Cocteau Twins and that is a gorgeous album.
Heaven or Las Vegas is undeniable, but I prefer Four Calendar Cafe. Treasure, also very good. The Pick Opaque. The Moon and Melodies. Very deep amazing catalog imo!
As the friend that was phoned on the Monk record, I had no idea that he'd show up in the top 20. High praise for the high priest of bepop! You love to see it.
And yes, I do understand what you mean about jazz being hard to articulate. I can read music, because I grew up playing the saxophone in its various forms, but I don't know anything about chords nor do I have much experience with actual improvisation. I also struggled to be in tune because my ears just didn't work in that manner.
I don't want to say that jazz is more complicated than other types of music, because that blatantly isn't so, but that feeling you get when everything is just right and the players on stage or in the studio are vibing with each other might be hardest to communicate with others. But at the end of the day it's a combination of writing, playing, and feeling, just like heavy metal or classical or shoegaze. In any case, I'm glad Monk scratches that itch for you.
100%, and thank you again for letting me share your work! Trying to put those vibes into writing (and not just writing something like "the vibes are immaculate") was not something I was going to be able to do on my own.
I loved Document and agree it is peak REM before they got a wee bit successful and seemed to tire of it all. But I truly never think of playing their music anymore and have not for some time. Surprised that New Order were not in your top 10 so now worried by Sam’s comments!
All great and love the fact that with these high picks the stories get more personal and detailed!
I wouldn’t complain about any of the first ten REM albums being featured here but my personal favourites come before Document. It’s still a great record but my personal favourites will always be Lifes Rich Pageant and Fables of the Reconstruction.
Oh, and in yet another example of me having missed the party altogether, I am at this moment listening to Heaven Or Las Vegas for the first time. What a great record!
Love seeing Damn The Torpedoes on this list. Such a great album and my favorite of the Heartbreakers albums. Expect a post on my favorite TP album in the relatively near future.
Document was the first of the IRS records I got in the wake of getting fully into the band with Out of Time. For a long time, it was my favorite.
Loved reading the other picks (surprised New Order wasn't higher...).
Crap, why did I forget to mention Tim? Don't Tell a Soul was my entry into the band, so that always has a soft spot. Usually my favorite Replacements album is Tim or Let It Be, depending on which one I listened to more recently.
Wow, what a fantastic list! Despite there being so many iconic albums on this list it’s surprising to me how few I’ve actually listened to.
I remember really enjoying Loveless when I first heard it (probably a couple years after its release) and although I go back to it from time to time it’s not a favorite (despite turning me on to shoegaze sound that I still enjoy if only in a passing way).
I haven’t given The Replacements enough time over the years. I was first introduced to them in 1987 by a girl during an extremely short-term romance when she was visiting Bermuda from Massachusetts. And I just didn’t get it at the time. But my musical tastes were so constrained at that point in my life that I couldn’t appreciate them. I’ll give both versions of the album a listen.
Ghost in the Machine is probably my favorite Police album and it’s lovely (but not surprising) to see it make an appearance.
Joni Mitchell is an interesting one. To be honest her music and her voice are both generally grating to my ear. Having said that, “Case of You” has found its way into the selective list of my favorite songs of all time.
Definitely some homework for me again in this installment, particularly Technique, Damn the Torpedoes, Monk’s Music, Heaven or Las Vegas.
Loveless admittedly took me a few listens for it to really click, but when it did, it was like a bomb going off in my eardrums.
Joni Mitchell is definitely not the easiest singer-songwriter to get into because her quirks and idiosyncrasies are so out there, but her music is so powerful that I couldn’t leave it off my list.
Too many "YES!" moments to list here, but definitely YES! - “'Omega Man' was never as single, but by all rights, it should’ve been. It moves at light speed and, in my opinion, is one of the best tracks the band ever made."
My fave part is your Costa Rican Daft Punk story Kev! If that isn't pura vida then I don't know what is 😃
I'm glad you liked that! It was such a fun trip! I seriously thought about just staying there.
Umm…out of all the New Order Records, why have I never listened to Technique before? Listened to it just now on the commute, and it’s superb
It’s tied for their best with Power, Corruption, and Lies
I'm happy to hear it!
I remember hearing the single Technique, but for some reason never bought the album (unless I have the cassette somewhere?)- I did give it a listen back when Kevin wrote about it a while ago lol - and of course it’s fantastic! Power Corruption and Lies was such a staple of mine!
We’re getting close to the finish line! Nina singing the blues hits in all the right spots.
I also dig that Beastie Boys inclusion.
Kev, have you already revealed your number 1, or did I misread?
That’s next week. I’m the only other person who’s privy to this information.
That’s what I thought, yes. But New Order’s Technique is listed as number 20 but, halfway through the review, he says it’s his number 1. That’s what threw me off.
It’s a diversion. His number 1 is either “Cowboy Carter,” “Trout Mask Replica,” or “Red (Taylor’s Version)”
Lol. I had the Baby One More Time banners and balloons ready.
No spoilers!
Also: It's "1989," obvs.
Glad you spoke now (I know… 😁)
Sorry for the confusion! I included my previous write up on Technique for this edition. Subjectively, it *is* my favorite New Order record, for a whole host of reasons.
Gotcha! Now it makes sense 😊 thanks for clarifying!
Next week! Please see below.
Petty! And Ghost in the Machine!! What a great album. The best, most basic cover art ever.
Thought you might like those! :)
N°12 and N°20 would be in my list too. Great selection. Looking forward to the top 10
Thank you! We're looking forward to sharing them with you.
Love New Order and if I was doing a top 100, I would likely have several of their albums included 🙂. Also a big fan of the Cocteau Twins and that is a gorgeous album.
If I'd had my way, almost their discography would've found a way in here. Lol.
Oh jeez it is gonna be hard for you guys to fit in two more Cocteau Twins albums in the top ten!
Nothing tops Heaven or Las Vegas
Heaven or Las Vegas is undeniable, but I prefer Four Calendar Cafe. Treasure, also very good. The Pick Opaque. The Moon and Melodies. Very deep amazing catalog imo!
Gonna need a bigger shoehorn!
As the friend that was phoned on the Monk record, I had no idea that he'd show up in the top 20. High praise for the high priest of bepop! You love to see it.
And yes, I do understand what you mean about jazz being hard to articulate. I can read music, because I grew up playing the saxophone in its various forms, but I don't know anything about chords nor do I have much experience with actual improvisation. I also struggled to be in tune because my ears just didn't work in that manner.
I don't want to say that jazz is more complicated than other types of music, because that blatantly isn't so, but that feeling you get when everything is just right and the players on stage or in the studio are vibing with each other might be hardest to communicate with others. But at the end of the day it's a combination of writing, playing, and feeling, just like heavy metal or classical or shoegaze. In any case, I'm glad Monk scratches that itch for you.
100%, and thank you again for letting me share your work! Trying to put those vibes into writing (and not just writing something like "the vibes are immaculate") was not something I was going to be able to do on my own.
But sometimes the vibes are immaculate!
This is true!
Great stuff, as always. Given New Order, The Replacements and R.E.M., were all in 11-20, I'm fascinated to see what will be in your top 10.
Stay tuned! Hopefully a favorite or two of yours.
Getting down to the wire! Super excited to see Lifehouse's "No name Face" as the #1 album. :p
Damn you’re onto me
I can't tell you how hard it's been to keep that under wraps!
I loved Document and agree it is peak REM before they got a wee bit successful and seemed to tire of it all. But I truly never think of playing their music anymore and have not for some time. Surprised that New Order were not in your top 10 so now worried by Sam’s comments!
All great and love the fact that with these high picks the stories get more personal and detailed!
The drama and tension mounts!
I've got 10 picks left, so there's room for most of their discography in there. :)
I wouldn’t complain about any of the first ten REM albums being featured here but my personal favourites come before Document. It’s still a great record but my personal favourites will always be Lifes Rich Pageant and Fables of the Reconstruction.
Oh, and in yet another example of me having missed the party altogether, I am at this moment listening to Heaven Or Las Vegas for the first time. What a great record!
Glad you have embarked on the dream pop journey!
Right on! I'm happy to hear it.
Same here, Lou. The earlier stuff just resonates with me more than anything in the latter half of their catalog.
Love seeing Damn The Torpedoes on this list. Such a great album and my favorite of the Heartbreakers albums. Expect a post on my favorite TP album in the relatively near future.
Document was the first of the IRS records I got in the wake of getting fully into the band with Out of Time. For a long time, it was my favorite.
Loved reading the other picks (surprised New Order wasn't higher...).
There's still time! :)
Crap, why did I forget to mention Tim? Don't Tell a Soul was my entry into the band, so that always has a soft spot. Usually my favorite Replacements album is Tim or Let It Be, depending on which one I listened to more recently.
DTAS was my on ramp as well. I wish it didn;t have such a bad rap with fans.
Wow, what a fantastic list! Despite there being so many iconic albums on this list it’s surprising to me how few I’ve actually listened to.
I remember really enjoying Loveless when I first heard it (probably a couple years after its release) and although I go back to it from time to time it’s not a favorite (despite turning me on to shoegaze sound that I still enjoy if only in a passing way).
I haven’t given The Replacements enough time over the years. I was first introduced to them in 1987 by a girl during an extremely short-term romance when she was visiting Bermuda from Massachusetts. And I just didn’t get it at the time. But my musical tastes were so constrained at that point in my life that I couldn’t appreciate them. I’ll give both versions of the album a listen.
Ghost in the Machine is probably my favorite Police album and it’s lovely (but not surprising) to see it make an appearance.
Joni Mitchell is an interesting one. To be honest her music and her voice are both generally grating to my ear. Having said that, “Case of You” has found its way into the selective list of my favorite songs of all time.
Definitely some homework for me again in this installment, particularly Technique, Damn the Torpedoes, Monk’s Music, Heaven or Las Vegas.
REALLY looking forward to the top ten!!
Loveless admittedly took me a few listens for it to really click, but when it did, it was like a bomb going off in my eardrums.
Joni Mitchell is definitely not the easiest singer-songwriter to get into because her quirks and idiosyncrasies are so out there, but her music is so powerful that I couldn’t leave it off my list.
Those 4 records are a treat. I hope you enjoy all of them!
Too many "YES!" moments to list here, but definitely YES! - “'Omega Man' was never as single, but by all rights, it should’ve been. It moves at light speed and, in my opinion, is one of the best tracks the band ever made."