Yea, I'm kind of an attention whore. But there's an actual question here! Contribute! 
In my opinion, modern music has really let the idea of having an album stand as a unified piece of work fall by the wayside, instead letting it be a disc filled with 4 singles and 8 filler tracks (hello, one-hit wonders...damn the '80's!). However, there are albums out there that present a very good message as a whole, where each song serves a certain purpose in it's spot, and there is a recognizable structure to the album.
So, what're your favorite albums as a whole? Discs that you can sit and listen to the whole thing, from beginning to end, and get enjoyment out of each and every track, contextually? That record in your collection that you can identify as, quite simply, a Damn Good Album?
Personally, I have a couple...
Tool - Lateralus
From beginning to end, this is one album that's obviously crafted as an album, as well as 13 seperate tracks. I chose this one over Aenima because, well, Aenima has a lot of very good songs, but Lateralus stands as an album very well. The Parabol->Parabola pairing is awesome, as well as the Disposition->Reflection->Triad sequence. Thematically, the album stays very consistent (except, perhaps, with Ticks and Leeches, but that has its place as well). Interestingly enough, people have theorized about ordering the tracks differently to achieve different effects (although some would just write this off as Tool-o-phile whackiness) In any event, the stuff with the Fibonacci sequence is interesting--but that's not my field.
Mudvayne - L.D. 50
This one is a really well balanced disc, in my opinion. The use of sample tracks in between a lot of the heavier stuff gives it a nice tempo, and the themse throughout are solid and consistent. Plus, it's got an insane amount of emotion (in my opinion). I have to be rather down to enjoy this one, though.
Strapping Young Lad - City
This one is an awesome album purely on the energy. Quite simply, this disc is 40 minutes of metal distilled into its most pure form, with no ifs, ands, or buts. The continuity of the album is awesome, and the first five tracks FLY by. The only thing that drags this down is the inclusion of the track Room 429, which is a slower paced (but still rather heavy) song. However, beneath the sonic assualt, this disc stands very well on its themes, which go far beyond that of the usual "Death metal KILL BLOOD SATAN RAAAAAARGH" metal fare.
And the last...
The Presidents of the United States of America - s/t
Maybe it's nostalgia, but this album was a lot better than the sum of its parts (which wasn't bad either!). While the singles Lump and Peaches got the everliving shit played out of them in their day, the other tracks on this disc are also damn good (and amusing to boot). It has a very nice progression (almost a storytelling type thing), and the fact of the matter is, who doesn't like The Presidents? They're funny and folksy. And they like peaches. And being naked.
other than that um Abba gold
Pink floyds works, the wall
other than a few other greatest hits i cnat hink of a entire alumbum by anyone i like
White Zombie - Astro-Creep 2000:
The whole album plays like some creepy free-verse death rock. "El Phantasmo," "Blur the Technicolor," and "Blood, Milk, and Sky" are absolutely perfect together. Vaguely haunting and disquieting, somehow grander in scale than your typical album. Excellent.
Rage Against the Machine - Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium:
16 of the best Rage tracks + intense live crowd + fact that it was their last live show = fucking amazing album. This hasn't left my car's stereo in almost 4 months.
Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite. - John Kenneth Galbraith
Jaques Brel - Le Grand Jaques
Amsterdam makes this CD an absolute must if you can speak french. If you can't, it tends to sound quite a bit like random folk music.
Radiohead - OK Computer
We've had this album for a very very long time now and I simply never get tired of it. Thom Yorke's sense of timing is simply impeccable and the entire CD hangs together fantastically well.
Massive Attack - Mezzanine
Nothing like walking around a large foreign city listening to this CD. Nothing.
"Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy," Mindless Self Indulgence. Just plain awesome. Doesn't need a flow, because it kicks that much ass.
Um, there are more, but I'm sure nobody would like my tastes or something, just because it's hip to hate on Suddar's music.
From Cochise to Last Remaining Light, there isn't a single song on this album I don't love, and they've all gained a permanent spot on my Winamp playlists.
Coincidently it's also one of the only two albums I've purchased in the past two years.
It's not something people hear about.
Dave Matthews Band - Before These Crowded Streets
unf
Those two are my absolute favorites. I could go on listing more, but I'll spare you. Kegwen fucked around with this message on 04-27-2004 at 04:21 PM.
Opeth - Blackwater Park
Love Songs of the Middle Ages (1150-1450) - Various artists
Yes, I'm strange.
Sounds of Tuva - Various artists (Smithsonian)
Yes, again I'm strange. It's a collection of songs sung by the indigenous (sp?) peoples of Tuva. It includes a lot of multiphonic "throat singing" (one person singing two notes at the same time.)
The Planets (Holst) - Montreal Symphony
Lead trombonist was told right before the recording session that he was fired as soon as the gig was over. Because of this, he ignored all the directors attempts to get him to play quieter. The Marts movement is the loudest, angriest version of the piece you will ever find.
Portsmith Symphony - Portsmith Symphony
THE funniest classical music album EVER. An art school decided to try playing orchestral music, without anyone knowing how to really play an instrument before. They all learned what they could over a short while, and recorded the album. You have to hear it to appreciate it. (I'll share the mp3s of it, if anyone is interested, as the album is out of print now)
quote:
When the babel fish was in place, it was apparent Niklas said:
Upload it, Cherveny. And the Marts movement from the other one.
I'll upload the Portsmith to Khy's later tonight (still at work, waiting on my slow co-worker).
Can't share the Planets though, as I don't own the recording. I listened to a friends CD, but have since lost touch with the friend, and cannot find the recording for sale myself.
And no worries about the other one, I'll look for it myself.quote:
Check out the big brain on Niklas!
Thank youAnd no worries about the other one, I'll look for it myself.
Let me know if you find it. I know they have recorded it multiple times, and I'm not sure which year is the year of the recording. (probably mid to late 80s or early ninetys)
It's all you need.
There are a lot of others as well.
quote:
Trent stopped staring at Deedlit long enough to write:
Primus: Sailing the Seas of Cheese
Rock on!
Burger fucked around with this message on 04-27-2004 at 07:56 PM.
No, Really. Bite me.
quote:
So quoth Niklas:
Thank you
Portsmith Symphonia mp3s are now up on Khy's FTP (in the Uploads folder).
quote:
Burger painfully thought these words up:
Toad The Wet Sprocket - Coil
quote:
Bummey the Fool wrote, obviously thinking too hard:
Mindless Self Indulgence - Tight
Mindless Self Indulgence - Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely SexyIt's all you need.
The lead singer's voice of MSI is AWESOME.
Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle and Sebastian, do I really have to say more? Old sad bastard music that's wonderfully peppy, and all that jazz. It's sorta folky, and I love folky music. It's wonderful lyrically, and the vocals are nice. Nothing fancy, nothing agressive - good plain "I'm just living here" music.
It defies words, just go pick it up.
Arab Strap - Monday At The Hug and Pint
Oddly enough, the name of this band takes from a Belle and Sebastian CD (The Boy With The Arab Strap) - and to this album I'm very mixed. It starts out sounding like a singer/songwriter-cum-laptopist trying to make his "band" sound more full. However, it is actually the brain-child of a brilliant lyricist, and an amazing musical tactician. This album is anything but standard. The variety of sounds expressed in the songs all fit vaguely within the same genre - but only because the genre is so wide and undefined. It's darkly melancholy, and decidedly not peppy - but it's not overly down. It's the weakest album on this list.
Nonetheless, it's powerful.
The Postal Service - Give Up
Guitarist/Vocalist from Death Cab For Cutie, a female vocalist (from Mates of State, I think), and a studio producer team up and produce this. Completely amazing; electronic indie, still sporting the occasional guitar. Masterful lyrics tell sappily happy stories, vaguely melancholy tales, and the occasional dialogue of a couple that just won't work.
But don't let my synopsis fool you, it's not all about girls. It's about orgasmic music. Very peaceful.
At The Drive-In - In-Casino-Out
Exotic, Chaotic, aggressive... it's post-punk emo rock. Growling vocals may aggitate the casual listener - but when played beginning to end, the boyish charm and underlying cutesy factor will keep almost everyone listening and being drawn in. Granted it does have the occasional completely manic song, they're easily overlooked. Amazingly catchy album.
Loudermilk - Man With Gun Kills Three
Much different from the rest of these albums. It's hard, it's chaotic. Yet it's also soft, caring, and incredibly melodic. If you're framiliar with Loudermilk's later work (but not their new "Gosling" stuff) - just imagine it more intense. Red Record was very much MWGK3 toned down and made "radio friendly" - but for those that can handle some odd-ness, MWGK3 is often considered the better album.
Unfortunately, there are only 70 some copies out there. However, the band gladly burns copies of it for people all the time.
