Music Forum Essentials: The Seventies

[micahistheballs]

25. Joy Divison- Unknown Pleasures
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s544.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/joy_division/unknown_pleasures/)

24. The Specials- The Specials
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s113956.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_specials/the_specials_f1/)

23. Led Zeppelin- III
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s2028.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/led_zeppelin/led_zeppelin_iii/)

22. Stevie Wonder- Songs In the Key Of Life
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s432418.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/stevie_wonder/songs_in_the_key_of_life_f3/)

21. Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s974.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pink_floyd/wish_you_were_here/)

20. Simon and Garfunkel- Bridge Over Troubled Water
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s149.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/simon_and_garfunkel/bridge_over_troubled_water/)

19. Michael Jackson- Off the Wall
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s2448.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/michael_jackson/off_the_wall/)

18. Pink Floyd- The Wall
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s969.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pink_floyd/the_wall/)

17. The Beatles- Let It Be
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s13.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_beatles/let_it_be/)

16. Boston- Boston
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s5761.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/boston/boston/)

15. Miles Davis- Bitches Brew
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s4588.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/miles_davis/bitches_brew/)

14. David Bowie- The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s623.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/david_bowie/the_rise_and_fall_of_ziggy_stardust _and_the_spiders_from_mars/)

13. John Lennon- John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s113.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/john_lennon/john_lennon___plastic_ono_band/)

12. The Who- Who's Next
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s185.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_who/whos_next/)

11. Nick Drake- Pink Moon
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s90.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/nick_drake/pink_moon/)

10. Marvin Gaye- What's Going On
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s5892.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/marvin_gaye/whats_going_on/)

9. Queen- A Night at the Opera
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s4651.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/queen/a_night_at_the_opera/)

8. Elvis Costello- This Year's Model
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s578.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/elvis_costello/this_years_model/)

7. Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the Moon
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s976.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/pink_floyd/the_dark_side_of_the_moon/)

6. The Ramones- The Ramones
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s806.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/ramones/ramones/)

5. Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s3581.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bruce_springsteen/born_to_run/)

4. Bob Dylan- Blood on the Tracks
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s50.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bob_dylan/blood_on_the_tracks/)

3. Bob Marley- Exodus
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s3115.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bob_marley/exodus/)

2. The Clash- London Calling
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s236.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/the_clash/london_calling/)

1. Led Zeppelin IV
http://static.rateyourmusic.com/album_images/s43.jpg (http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/led_zeppelin/led_zeppelin__iv_/)

[Troggy]

I Win! I picked the #1 album as my only selection! haha

[hailthewarrior]

I Approve This List

[hailthewarrior]

Also, nice touch giving Exodus a big cover for Craig's sake.

[Troggy]

In other news, none of the other 70s albums on my computer made it...guess it's time to get more.

[versus_god]

Glad to see the Ramones so high up.

As for Led Zeppelin, let's just say I belong to the Ben Weasel school of thought.

[micahistheballs]

Also, nice touch giving Exodus a big cover for Craig's sake.
That actually wasn't intentional, although I did laugh at it when I realized it.

You were in before the edit.

[hailthewarrior]

Lame move on shrinking Exodus Micah, lame move.

My thoughts are really everything on here fits, though I've never heard of The Specials... surprised Pink Floyd wasn't top 5...

[micahistheballs]

In other news, none of the other 70s albums on my computer made it...guess it's time to get more.

What are you listening to?

Glad to see the Ramones so high up.

As for Led Zeppelin, let's just say I belong to the Ben Weasel school of thought.

I was kind of surprised to see them that high up honestly. I knew they'd make the list, but not top 10.

What's this school of thought?

[Troggy]

surprised Pink Floyd wasn't top 5...

uhh there's only one AFG...

[micahistheballs]

Lame move on shrinking Exodus Micah, lame move.

My thoughts are really everything on here fits, though I've never heard of The Specials... surprised Pink Floyd wasn't top 5...
I'm editing again haha. I mean it had to be destiny.

EDIT: It's back.

[chipdip18]

Very nice! i really like it. I called the top 3.

[El_Jeffe]

haha we all know what i think #1 should be, but 3rd... alright then

gutted no van morrison, can't believe that. if you guys were to pick up some new albums from this decade, ensure one of the first is moondance. honestly pretty shocked. also applies for james brown, i mean the bloke pretty much reinvented, & in so many ways, defined the role of the modern frontman

great to see marvin gaye crack the top 10, bummed to see stevie wonder so low

the specials were a nice surprise. especially since that album is almost completely covrs, but essential none the less

also great to see some jacko

blood on the tracks is way too high in my opinion. great album, but not something i'd consider essential to the 70's. same goes for let it be & wish you were here

simon & garfunkel, that's a tough one. i really love them & would like to see them higher, but i think that's probably more my own bias than anything. thoughts?

[hailthewarrior]

uhh there's only one AFG...

yes, but even if im not the biggest fan, its still pink floyd, haha.

I'm editing again haha. I mean it had to be destiny.

It did have to be destiny.

[Troggy]

What are you listening to?

Dude all i have is zep, king crimson, america, yes, and deep purple. I was waiting for this thread to end to pick up some more stuff. I was never into older stuff before like a year or two ago and I have a lot of work to do haha.

[micahistheballs]

I'm listening to Exodus right now, Craig would be so proud.

How long until this becomes the "Why Exodus is the Greatest Album Of All Time (Official Thread)"

Matt could come in asking for the link for his sticky and everything.

[El_Jeffe]

That actually wasn't intentional, although I did laugh at it when I realized it.

You were in before the edit.

hahaha it's a sign! even it knows it should of been #1

[hailthewarrior]

I'm kinda surprised Rush didn't make the list, especially with how awesome 2112 is.

If it wasn't for Vinh (and consequently Ben and Chris) I would have no clue who Nick Drake is, so I guess that's my only complaint, that Rush didn't make it and he did.

[Tyler Revolution]

Eh, kind of makes me sad.

[Tyler Revolution]

I'm kinda surprised Rush didn't make the list, especially with how awesome 2112 is.

If it wasn't for Vinh (and consequently Ben and Chris) I would have no clue who Nick Drake is, so I guess that's my only complaint, that Rush didn't make it and he did.

He deserves it 1000 times more than Rush.

[micahistheballs]

haha we all know what i think #1 should be, but 3rd... alright then

gutted no van morrison, can't believe that. if you guys were to pick up some new albums from this decade, ensure one of the first is moondance. honestly pretty shocked. also applies for james brown, i mean the bloke pretty much reinvented, & in so many ways, defined the role of the modern frontman

great to see marvin gaye crack the top 10, bummed to see stevie wonder so low

the specials were a nice surprise. especially since that album is almost completely covrs, but essential none the less

also great to see some jacko

blood on the tracks is way too high in my opinion. great album, but not something i'd consider essential to the 70's. same goes for let it be & wish you were here

simon & garfunkel, that's a tough one. i really love them & would like to see them higher, but i think that's probably more my own bias than anything. thoughts?
I figured you'd be content with 3rd though.

This is the second decade in a row Morrison has JUST missed out on. He barely missed the cutoff with Astral Weeks and Moondance respectively.

Didn't Brown make the 60's list?

I understand your problem with Blood on the Tracks, but 4 seems about right to me.

[chipdip18]

Would have Van Morrison made top 30's?

[hailthewarrior]

He deserves it 1000 times more than Rush.

I've listened to a couple songs on Myspace, I think it was, and it don't see how it changed so much, especially when you look at what Neil Pert did for drumming.

[micahistheballs]

hahaha it's a sign! even it knows it should of been #1

I seriously cracked up when I saw that. I'm leaving it that way; it's destiny haha.
I'm listening to it now.

I'm kinda surprised Rush didn't make the list, especially with how awesome 2112 is.

If it wasn't for Vinh (and consequently Ben and Chris) I would have no clue who Nick Drake is, so I guess that's my only complaint, that Rush didn't make it and he did.

Yeah, I wonder how many people threw him on there to win Vinh cred haha.

Eh, kind of makes me sad.

What about it?

[Tyler Revolution]

It's awful that Van Morrison didn't make it in either. He easily should have made both.

[versus_god]

I was kind of surprised to see them that high up honestly. I knew they'd make the list, but not top 10.

What's this school of thought?
I'm not a Zep fan, and neither is my friend in Screeching Weasel. Can't argue IV's "essentialness", though.

The Ramones' self-titled is arguably the most important punk record ever released. Ranking it any lower would have been all kinds of shenanigans.

[micahistheballs]

A few omissions in my mind are...

Funkadelic- Maggot Brain
Larry Norman- Only Visiting This Planet
Rolling Stones- Exile On Main Street
Patti Smith- Horses
Elton John- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Captain Fantastic...

[El_Jeffe]

yea pink moon, definitely not undeserving (although it is reasonably high), but i honestly didn't think enough people listened to it to for it to gain enough votes

I figured you'd be content with 3rd though.

This is the second decade in a row Morrison has JUST missed out on. He barely missed the cutoff with Astral Weeks and Moondance respectively.

Didn't Brown make the 60's list?

I understand your problem with Blood on the Tracks, but 4 seems about right to me.

haha should of been #1! but it'll do i suppose... i think i made enough points about it in the last thread haha

that's a real bummer. i don't think people realize how important he is, even on a lot of the indie/folk stuff people rave about on here. people just don't seem to be familiar enough with him. moondance trumps blood on the tracks in every which way possible in my mind

nah mate, i think me & perhaps ben were the only brother brown votes in the 60's & i might have been the only one in the 70's, big shock

[hailthewarrior]

I do agree with Elton John being left off as well, Micah.

[x togepi x]

wow what a horrible list.

[micahistheballs]

yea pink moon, definitely not undeserving (although it is reasonably high), but i honestly didn't think enough people listened to it to for it to gain enough votes



haha should of been #1! but it'll do i suppose... i think i made enough points about it in the last thread haha

that's a real bummer. i don't think people realize how important he is, even on a lot of the indie/folk stuff people rave about on here. people just don't seem to be familiar enough with him. moondance trumps blood on the tracks in every which way possible in my mind

nah mate, i think me & perhaps ben were the only brother brown votes in the 60's & i might have been the only one in the 70's, big shock

I thought you loved Dylan? Do you just not like that album as much or just not see any essential-ness to it?

I voted for James Brown- Live at the Apollo in the 60's. Give me more credit Craig!


I do agree with Elton John being left off as well, Micah.

You mean disagree?

[hailthewarrior]

You mean disagree?

I agree it shouldn't have been ommitted?

[El_Jeffe]

I've listened to a couple songs on Myspace, I think it was, and it don't see how it changed so much, especially when you look at what Neil Pert did for drumming.

rush, hmm. perhaps had the list been top 50 or something. while i definitely agree with the pert comment, i'm not sure rush added a lot to music that others haven't already. they sure they're great at what they do though

It's awful that Van Morrison didn't make it in either. He easily should have made both.

:thumbup:

A few omissions in my mind are...
Rolling Stones- Exile On Main Street


woo yea, i forgot that wasn't on there. definitely more vital to the 70's than let it be

I do agree with Elton John being left off as well, Micah.

same. although i'm not sure if that's my strong distaste for the mans music, or an impartial view haha. probably the former. if any piano pop artist were to appear, i reckon it should have been billy joel, with his classic the stranger

[micahistheballs]

I agree it shouldn't have been ommitted?
I guess I'm tired or it was just poorly written, but we all know that can't be the case Mr. English major!

Yeah, he should've been on though somehow.

[hailthewarrior]

rush, hmm. perhaps had the list been top 50 or something. while i definitely agree with the pert comment, i'm not sure rush added a lot to music that others haven't already. they sure they're great at what they do though

same. although i'm not sure if that's my strong distaste for the mans music, or an impartial view haha. probably the former. if any piano pop artist were to appear, i reckon it should have been billy joel, with his classic the stranger

every time i listen to them, im still amazed at the sound they pull off as a three-piece.

i like elton john a lot, but now that you mention billy joel, thats a tough decision. i worded my statement wrong.

[micahistheballs]

rush, hmm. perhaps had the list been top 50 or something. while i definitely agree with the pert comment, i'm not sure rush added a lot to music that others haven't already. they sure they're great at what they do though



:thumbup:



woo yea, i forgot that wasn't on there. definitely more vital to the 70's than let it be



same. although i'm not sure if that's my strong distaste for the mans music, or an impartial view haha. probably the former. if any piano pop artist were to appear, i reckon it should have been billy joel, with his classic the stranger
Yeah, Let It Be is just on there because it's by the Beatles obviously.
I was looking at other lists and found it slightly humorous that Exile on Main Street is number 7 on Rolling Stone's list of top albums ever and doesn't even make ours. Not that it's the best publication, but still.

I forgot you hated Elton John haha.

[chipdip18]

I think Billy Joel would have gone before Elton John.

[El_Jeffe]

I thought you loved Dylan? Do you just not like that album as much or just not see any essential-ness to it?

I voted for James Brown- Live at the Apollo in the 60's. Give me more credit Craig!

i do, i really do, & i really love that album, very enjoyable. but "essential" to a decade? that's where i'm not so sure mate, especially not at #4

oh did ya? well my apologies mate, didn't recall. didn't pick ya for much of a funky brother? haha, live at apollo is awesome, but during the 60's i think i went with papa's got a brand new bag

every time i listen to them, im still amazed at the sound they pull off as a three-piece.

i like elton john a lot, but now that you mention billy joel, thats a tough decision. i worded my statement wrong.

yea there's no denying the talent, 2112 is pretty awesome. steveo actually got me into that

easy choice for me. i know elton has a ton of fans, but i don't know, just can't get into him

Yeah, Let It Be is just on there because it's by the Beatles obviously.
I was looking at other lists and found it slightly humorous that Exile on Main Street is number 7 on Rolling Stone's list of top albums ever and doesn't even make ours. Not that it's the best publication, but still.

I forgot you hated Elton John haha.

agreed & i couldn't disagree with it's placement more. that's part of the point i was trying to across in the last thread, some people just buy into the hype

bugger rolling stone haha, but i think exile on mainstreet should have appeared somewhere. again it's just people aren't as familiar with them as they are with say the beatles

I think Billy Joel would have gone before Elton John.

yea for sure. would you agree with the stranger as his essential album, or do ya have something different in mind mate?

[chipdip18]

yea for sure. would you agree with the stranger as his essential album, or do ya have something different in mind mate?


Oh, i don't really know. That's tough. I'll have to revisit my parents' Billy Joel to make a confident opinion. But no doubt he was essential in my opinion, like you or someone said, to pop piano artists.

[micahistheballs]

i do, i really do, & i really love that album, very enjoyable. but "essential" to a decade? that's where i'm not so sure mate, especially not at #4

oh did ya? well my apologies mate, didn't recall. didn't pick ya for much of a funky brother? haha, live at apollo is awesome, but during the 60's i think i went with papa's got a brand new bag



yea there's no denying the talent, 2112 is pretty awesome. steveo actually got me into that

easy choice for me. i know elton has a ton of fans, but i don't know, just can't get into him



agreed & i couldn't disagree with it's placement more. that's part of the point i was trying to across in the last thread, some people just buy into the hype

bugger rolling stone haha, but i think exile on mainstreet should have appeared somewhere. again it's just people aren't as familiar with them as they are with say the beatles



yea for sure. would you agree with the stranger as his essential album, or do ya have something different in mind mate?
I think Blood on the Tracks laid the mold for the singer/songwriter/confessional genre in a large way and that's why I think it's essential in a nutshell.

Yeah, I'm really not that funky, but they call him the Godfather of Soul for a reason, you know? You can't really discount that kind of legacy.

Let It Be is a good album, but influential? Not really. The novelty of the Beatles had worn off at that point and people had already taken their influence and run with it.

I think one reason people aren't as familiar with the Rolling Stone's music is how they've in a sense tarnished their legacy a bit by still touring as old shells of their former selves and putting out subpar records. It took me a long time to look into them as I couldn't get past the preconceived notions I had about them.

[IWasaCamera]

great to see marvin gaye crack the top 10, bummed to see stevie wonder so low

simon & garfunkel, that's a tough one. i really love them & would like to see them higher, but i think that's probably more my own bias than anything. thoughts?
Stevie made it on the strength of about 4 of us placing Songs In The Key Of Life highly haha.

Agreed on Bridge Over Troubled Water as well. Incredible album that should have been higher.
If it wasn't for Vinh (and consequently Ben and Chris) I would have no clue who Nick Drake is, so I guess that's my only complaint, that Rush didn't make it and he did.
Nick Drake is actually remarkably influential and I don't know of a more perfect example of the singer-songwriter "genre". Hell, even The Cure took its name from one of Drake's songs.

Pink Moon is in the exact position I placed it at if I remember correctly so I have no qualms.
He deserves it 1000 times more than Rush.
Completely agree.
Yeah, I wonder how many people threw him on there to win Vinh cred haha.
No one receives Vinh cred. Ever.
I think Blood on the Tracks laid the mold for the singer/songwriter/confessional genre in a large way and that's why I think it's essential in a nutshell.
Whoa there, Pink Moon is infinitely more influential and essential within the confessional mold. I don't even find them similar stylistically to be honest and I'd dare say Dylan's album has virtually no bearing on the image that comes to mind when thinking of the lone troubadour and his trusty guitar.

[CellarGhosts]

I approve.

London Calling is far better than IV but whatever.

[noideas]

I think Let It Be is an important album when you look at it as a piece of Beatle's history. It was their last release, and it was quite possibly the reason they broke up. I know Abbey Road was recorded after it, but Let It Be had a lot of conflict about it after recording was finished especially about additions Phil Spektor wanted to make that Paul didn't like. Sure it was probably just the straw that broke the camel's back, but I think the straw that broke the back of the biggest camel ever is an essential straw.

For the list as a whole, I think that the seventies had so much good music that it was guaranteed that a lot of very good albums were going to be left off the list.

[bowl of oranges]

i'm glad Bowie got on the list.

[AlternateToLife]

Personally I'd move up Nick Drake and move down Led Zepplin. But otherwise a decent list. Exodus at three, the clash at two, Marvin Gaye at ten. Everything else was expected, but not bad.

[micahistheballs]

Stevie made it on the strength of about 4 of us placing Songs In The Key Of Life highly haha.

Agreed on Bridge Over Troubled Water as well. Incredible album that should have been higher.

Nick Drake is actually remarkably influential and I don't know of a more perfect example of the singer-songwriter "genre". Hell, even The Cure took its name from one of Drake's songs.

Pink Moon is in the exact position I placed it at if I remember correctly so I have no qualms.

Completely agree.

No one receives Vinh cred. Ever.

Whoa there, Pink Moon is infinitely more influential and essential within the confessional mold. I don't even find them similar stylistically to be honest and I'd dare say Dylan's album has virtually no bearing on the image that comes to mind when thinking of the lone troubadour and his trusty guitar.
Yeah, I remember we went through this a bit in the last thread about Drake vs. Dylan and yes, they are in different genres, but Dylan laid the mold more because of his popularity and what not. I don't know, it just seems more essential to me and 4 and 11 seem right for those respective albums.

[Dre Okorley]

Al Green all the way.

[3mpire]

Let It Be is too high. It probably shouldn't be on the list to be honest.

[Tyler Revolution]

I seriously cracked up when I saw that. I'm leaving it that way; it's destiny haha.
I'm listening to it now.



Yeah, I wonder how many people threw him on there to win Vinh cred haha.



What about it?

Quite a few things that definitely should have been there, aren't. And a few things that definitely shouldn't be on there, are.

[Tyler Revolution]

Let It Be is too high. It probably shouldn't be on the list to be honest.

I don't think it should either.

Also, Elton John >>>>>>>>>> Billy Joel.

[stereomouse]

cool list. but no sabbath? :(

[KatieKutthroat.]

Let It Be is too high. It probably shouldn't be on the list to be honest.

I love the album, but I agree. It's not necessarily essential, just really good.

I don't think it should either.

Also, Elton John >>>>>>>>>> Billy Joel.

Definitely. Not even a competition in my book.

[mattybobviously]

IMO the glaring omissions are Moondance and Marquee Moon, but again, considering the general taste of AP.net, it's a pretty good list. Definitely going to grab the few albums from the top 25 I don't currently have.

[CellarGhosts]

No Tom Waits. :-(

oh well. let's hope the 80's recognizes him.

[CellarGhosts]

I'll be voting Rain Dogs for sure.
Sweet.

There's no way an 80's essential list is complete without that album. Or even Swordfishtrombones or Frank's Wild Years maybe, if not one or the other.

But as long as Waits gets on there somehow, I'm good.

[micahistheballs]

Yeah, I'll have at least Rain Dogs and possibly Swordfishtrombones.

[CellarGhosts]

I'm voting two albums, Rain Dogs being one of them but I can't decide between Swordfishtrombones or Frank's Wild Years for the other.

[mattybobviously]

80's could be really interesting... or it could be a lot of piggybacking. I think it'll be different just because I feel like people's tastes have branched out differently in the 80's more so than the 70's, and so you have a whole bunch of genres that put forward reasonable #1 contenders, even if overall the decade didn't produce some of the greatest albums ever.

[Until The Bombs]

Thriller ftw!

[El_Jeffe]

not that i ever thought for a second he'd make the list, but fela kuti is on the most defining & essential artists of all-time. but he's considered world music, so i'm guessing not many would enjoy. bit of a bugger, but oh well

Al Green all the way.

only just missed my list, i love al green. have you heard his new album, lay it down? damn good


Also, Elton John >>>>>>>>>> Billy Joel.

seriously? i never got into elton. but either way, besides goodbye yellow brick road, what's he done of such high merit?

No Tom Waits. :-(

oh well. let's hope the 80's recognizes him.

yea i was waiting for the 80's, some of his 70's stuff is good, but not quite essential just yet

Stevie made it on the strength of about 4 of us placing Songs In The Key Of Life highly haha.

Agreed on Bridge Over Troubled Water as well. Incredible album that should have been higher.


thank goodness we all voted on the same stevie album then haha. simon & garfunkel missed out on the 60's cause everyone opted for something different. which is a fault, cause if you look through that thread they got a ton of votes, meaning they are quite clearly considered essential to the decade. we all should of just came to a clearer consensus on album choice i guess haha

Thriller ftw!

not my favourite from jacko, but man what an impact it had. has to be in the top 5, surely

[Dre Okorley]

only just missed my list, i love al green. have you heard his new album, lay it down? damn good


No, but that's cr00sh bonus points on your part, will check out now, thx.

[allhourcymbals]

I thought London Calling would have been one, and Exodus two, but I'm okay with Zeppelin taking that spot. Fairly predictable list for the most part.

[Tyler Revolution]

seriously? i never got into elton. but either way, besides goodbye yellow brick road, what's he done of such high merit?

The obvious Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is superb. Tumbleweed Connection is also superb. His Self-Titled, Honky Chateau, Captain Fanastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, and Madman Across the Water are all great records. To me, Billy Joel has never released anything essential.

[El_Jeffe]

fair enough mate, each to their own. when i've ever been in the mood for something piano based stevie wonder, brother ray & a number of others always find themselves in my cd player long long before elton haha. i think the piano man is rather under appreciated in a way, he wrote some great songs, strong albums & was a lot more talented on the keys than many people give him credit for, decent vocal range to boot. i've always found a lot of elton's work (especially singles) to be very similar, almost tempted to say “reworkings”... but that's probably just me haha

[micahistheballs]

not that i ever thought for a second he'd make the list, but fela kuti is on the most defining & essential artists of all-time. but he's considered world music, so i'm guessing not many would enjoy. bit of a bugger, but oh well



only just missed my list, i love al green. have you heard his new album, lay it down? damn good



seriously? i never got into elton. but either way, besides goodbye yellow brick road, what's he done of such high merit?



yea i was waiting for the 80's, some of his 70's stuff is good, but not quite essential just yet



thank goodness we all voted on the same stevie album then haha. simon & garfunkel missed out on the 60's cause everyone opted for something different. which is a fault, cause if you look through that thread they got a ton of votes, meaning they are quite clearly considered essential to the decade. we all should of just came to a clearer consensus on album choice i guess haha



not my favourite from jacko, but man what an impact it had. has to be in the top 5, surely
What's your favourite Jackson album?

[IWasaCamera]

Dylan laid the mold more because of his popularity and what not. I don't know, it just seems more essential to me and 4 and 11 seem right for those respective albums.
Do you mind elaborating? Bob Dylan and confessional doesn't register as anywhere near synonymous. As much as you may love Blood On The Tracks and be unfamiliar with Pink Moon, within the genre in question, there is no contest.
Also, Elton John >>>>>>>>>> Billy Joel.
Agreed.
80's could be really interesting... or it could be a lot of piggybacking.
I suspect this entire series of threads has been riddled with piggybacking.

[micahistheballs]

Do you mind elaborating? Bob Dylan and confessional doesn't register as anywhere near synonymous. As much as you may love Blood On The Tracks and be unfamiliar with Pink Moon, within the genre in question, there is no contest.

Agreed.

I suspect this entire series of threads has been riddled with piggybacking.
Dylan and confessional aren't synonymous except for on that album, which is what makes it so unique and special I think.

Didn't you have Blood on the Tracks above Pink Moon as well?

[IWasaCamera]

Dylan and confessional aren't synonymous except for on that album, which is what makes it so unique and special I think.

Didn't you have Blood on the Tracks above Pink Moon as well?
Pink Moon remains the greatest representation of the genre. Blood is clearly a sore thumb within Dylan's catalog but I hardly find it important to the style we're discussing.

Nope, Drake at 12 and Dylan at 18.

[TheOtherAndrew]

No Velvet Underground? Blah.

[CellarGhosts]

fair enough mate, each to their own. when i've ever been in the mood for something piano based stevie wonder, brother ray & a number of others always find themselves in my cd player long long before elton haha. i think the piano man is rather under appreciated in a way, he wrote some great songs, strong albums & was a lot more talented on the keys than many people give him credit for, decent vocal range to boot. i've always found a lot of elton's work (especially singles) to be very similar, almost tempted to say “reworkings”... but that's probably just me haha
I agree with you on this, I enjoy Billy Joel more than Elton John as well.


yea i was waiting for the 80's, some of his 70's stuff is good, but not quite essential just yet

I guess that's fair enough. I'm just super-stoked on all his albums so ignore me haha.

[Tyler Revolution]

fair enough mate, each to their own. when i've ever been in the mood for something piano based stevie wonder, brother ray & a number of others always find themselves in my cd player long long before elton haha. i think the piano man is rather under appreciated in a way, he wrote some great songs, strong albums & was a lot more talented on the keys than many people give him credit for, decent vocal range to boot. i've always found a lot of elton's work (especially singles) to be very similar, almost tempted to say “reworkings”... but that's probably just me haha

Oh, I enjoy Stevie and Ray more as well. But we're talking about Elton John and Billy Joel, not those two.

[bluepoles]

I'm really into Bob Marley right now. Amazing man.

[micahistheballs]

There were more lists posted and nearly 200 albums were voted for in the 70's. Do you think that this shows that there was more good music in the 70's and whether there was or not, how does the 70's factor in as essential compared to the 60's as a whole?

[Troggy]

I like the 70s more than the 60s

[Until The Bombs]

fair enough mate, each to their own. when i've ever been in the mood for something piano based stevie wonder, brother ray & a number of others always find themselves in my cd player long long before elton haha. i think the piano man is rather under appreciated in a way, he wrote some great songs, strong albums & was a lot more talented on the keys than many people give him credit for, decent vocal range to boot. i've always found a lot of elton's work (especially singles) to be very similar, almost tempted to say “reworkings”... but that's probably just me haha

I was kinda disappointed to not see anyone else put Billy Joel on their seventies lists. I threw The Stranger in my top twenty.

[oranjeman]

I'm disappointed about how low Bridge Over Troubled Water is. But Pink Moon made it higher than I expected.

[El_Jeffe]

What's your favourite Jackson album?

off the wall, so awesome. i love pretty much all oh his work though, even his last album, invincible had some great moments

I agree with you on this, I enjoy Billy Joel more than Elton John as well.

I guess that's fair enough. I'm just super-stoked on all his albums so ignore me haha.

haha glad some people are agreeing with me, thought it was another solo preference

nah it's fair enough mate. had the list been expanded i probably would have included a waits album in the 70's

I'm really into Bob Marley right now. Amazing man.

:thumbup: good man

There were more lists posted and nearly 200 albums were voted for in the 70's. Do you think that this shows that there was more good music in the 70's and whether there was or not, how does the 70's factor in as essential compared to the 60's as a whole?

no way was it better, i think it's just people are more familiar with the 70's material & it's probably as far back as some people enjoy tracing their roots of their favourite genres. the 60's had some terrific music, & was such an innovative time that obviously laid down much of the ground work for the 70's. but the thing about the 60's was, for the first time (in mass) rock music was made appealing to the youth. the trend that was only built upon in the 70's

the 70's saw the breakup of the characteristic sounds of rock & roll from the 60's with the beatles disbanding & the death of elvis. popular music fractured into a ton of new styles: soft-rock, hard rock, country rock, folk rock, punk rock, etc, & also later in the decade reggae hit the west & disco became huge

but ya have to keep in mind the taste of many ap'ers, the genres that are enjoyed here have more or less been directly influenced by the music that either came about, or was defined in the 70's. punk exploded in the 70's, which whether people respect it here or not, it gave rise to every pop-punk band & alike that have been ever so popular here since. even punk/ska, most often fans of that sound only trace their roots back to the 70's where the specials fused ska melody & rhythm to a punk beat for the first time. (even though the few ska fans who posted lists really seem to know their history a lot better) & as you & vinh have battled out, confessional singer/songwriters who's popularity is always on the rise here

it's more people tracing back what they're familar with, look at the 60's, our list was still dominated by rock bands. despite that era being a birthing ground of innovation for soo many other genres like ska, vocal jazz, soul, funk, folk, etc

I was kinda disappointed to not see anyone else put Billy Joel on their seventies lists. I threw The Stranger in my top twenty.

such a good album. "scenes from an italian restaurant" is probably my favourite joel jam

[riot_gurl]

i like the list.

[HellhammerMario]

This list needed more of The Stooges

[micahistheballs]

off the wall, so awesome. i love pretty much all oh his work though, even his last album, invincible had some great moments



haha glad some people are agreeing with me, thought it was another solo preference

nah it's fair enough mate. had the list been expanded i probably would have included a waits album in the 70's



:thumbup: good man



no way was it better, i think it's just people are more familiar with the 70's material & it's probably as far back as some people enjoy tracing their roots of their favourite genres. the 60's had some terrific music, & was such an innovative time that obviously laid down much of the ground work for the 70's. but the thing about the 60's was, for the first time (in mass) rock music was made appealing to the youth. the trend that was only built upon in the 70's

the 70's saw the breakup of the characteristic sounds of rock & roll from the 60's with the beatles disbanding & the death of elvis. popular music fractured into a ton of new styles: soft-rock, hard rock, country rock, folk rock, punk rock, etc, & also later in the decade reggae hit the west & disco became huge

but ya have to keep in mind the taste of many ap'ers, the genres that are enjoyed here have more or less been directly influenced by the music that either came about, or was defined in the 70's. punk exploded in the 70's, which whether people respect it here or not, it gave rise to every pop-punk band & alike that have been ever so popular here since. even punk/ska, most often fans of that sound only trace their roots back to the 70's where the specials fused ska melody & rhythm to a punk beat for the first time. (even though the few ska fans who posted lists really seem to know their history a lot better) & as you & vinh have battled out, confessional singer/songwriters who's popularity is always on the rise here

it's more people tracing back what they're familar with, look at the 60's, our list was still dominated by rock bands. despite that era being a birthing ground of innovation for soo many other genres like ska, vocal jazz, soul, funk, folk, etc



such a good album. "scenes from an italian restaurant" is probably my favourite joel jam
I love your input so much Craig, just so you know, but anyways.

I think the 70's as a whole had a more diverse set of releases and groundbreakers, so the 70's may have been better than the 60's, but the top of the 60's > the top of the 70's. Maybe even our list would be that way due to us just scratching the surface.
I don't think an album from the 70's was a Blonde on Blonde or Sgt. Pepper or Highway 61 Revisited really (although you'll say Exodus is)

[El_Jeffe]

I love your input so much Craig, just so you know, but anyways.

I think the 70's as a whole had a more diverse set of releases and groundbreakers, so the 70's may have been better than the 60's, but the top of the 60's > the top of the 70's. Maybe even our list would be that way due to us just scratching the surface.
I don't think an album from the 70's was a Blonde on Blonde or Sgt. Pepper or Highway 61 Revisited really (although you'll say Exodus is)

haha cheers & back at ya mate. whether we've been in agreement or not, i've enjoyed our yarns

in terms of mainstream chart topping songs from rock based genres, i guess there's a case for diversity. but it'd be very hard to make any real claims in diversity between the decades for music in general. i think you summed it up by saying the lists only scratch the surface, still a lot of buying into hype perhaps? don't know where i sit with the best of the 60's better than the 70's, i think paul simon said it best in that wonderful song "boy in the bubble" every generation throws a hero up the pop charts, medicine is magical & magical is art

haha & of course exodus, but also so much more. too often we only look at the mainstream & what direct impacts can be heard/traced. forgetting whole other realms of important & enjoyable tunes. there's so many albums that are completely deserving, but because of rock based tastes have gone completely unnoticed. but it certainly doesn't mean they aren't essential &/or just flat out incredible, curtis mayfield for starters

[absolutecrunk]

I don't think a single one of my albums made the list. Not even Yes? Not even LA Woman? What a bummer.

[versus_god]

This list needed more of The Stooges
I think Raw Power was fourth on my list.

[subliminalfunk]

How did Cosmo's Factory not even make the Top 25? That is despicable :(

[subliminalfunk]

And Let It Be is a TERRIBLE album. The only Beatles-quality song on the whole d*mn thing is Get Back. Awful awful album.

[xmadeofstonex]

too much faggy shit on this list

[mattybobviously]

too much faggy shit on this list
WORD UP BROTHA FO SHO

This list made me fall in love with Marvin Gaye's discography.
Bring on the 80's.

[CellarGhosts]

Haha, "faggy shit", YOU'RE SO TOUGH, BROSEPH!


:rolleyes:

[xmadeofstonex]

sucks for you

[El_Jeffe]

This list made me fall in love with Marvin Gaye's discography.
Bring on the 80's.

brilliant. were you previously a fan of gaye's, or did this thread put you onto a new path? someone who should have been top 5 of this decade & last, in my view, is curtis mayfield & well worth checking out mate

[IWasaCamera]

How did Cosmo's Factory not even make the Top 25? That is despicable :(
Despicable is a tad excessive.
And Let It Be is a TERRIBLE album. The only Beatles-quality song on the whole d*mn thing is Get Back. Awful awful album.
The Starting Line.

[mattybobviously]

brilliant. were you previously a fan of gaye's, or did this thread put you onto a new path? someone who should have been top 5 of this decade & last, in my view, is curtis mayfield & well worth checking out mate
I hadn't really touched his work, I mean, I'd always liked the singles that everyone knows, but hadn't ever reached further. Absolutely love M.P.G., What's Going On, and Let's Get it On, and the rest of his material is really great as well.

Where would you recommend I start with Mayfield?

[El_Jeffe]

I hadn't really touched his work, I mean, I'd always liked the singles that everyone knows, but hadn't ever reached further. Absolutely love M.P.G., What's Going On, and Let's Get it On, and the rest of his material is really great as well.

Where would you recommend I start with Mayfield?

that's awesome! all those brilliant songs "inner city blues (makes me wanna holler)", "come get to this", & so many more

for mayfield i'd probably suggest starting with his first & his last solo albums, (curtis & new world order) hopefully you'll be able to latch on the romance of rhythm on at least one, if not both, of albums. strong social conscious, powerful messages of change, musically exciting, creative & passionate. just soo good

[mattybobviously]

Micah, when are you starting up 80's? I only ask because I'm leaving in a week and would like to get a list in, whether it be in the thread or me PMing you ahead of time.

[micahistheballs]

Micah, when are you starting up 80's? I only ask because I'm leaving in a week and would like to get a list in, whether it be in the thread or me PMing you ahead of time.
I should put up tonight probably. I've been hesitant due to the fact that I'm gone from the 21-26, then the 29-6 of July and Lord knows how long after that so tallying may not be done in a while, but yeah...

[micahistheballs]

Also, as a discussion point.

Many people have said Let It Be doesn't belong on this list and that it was only on there because it was by the Beatles. Why do you say this? Do you feel the Beatles had worn out their influence or it just was not up to par of their previous releases? Those who did put it, why?

[mattybobviously]

Yeah I'm gone from the 26 to the 12 at the least, potentially another week.

Naturally part of planning my departure means checking in on my favorite thread series, haha.

[mattybobviously]

Also, as a discussion point.

Many people have said Let It Be doesn't belong on this list and that it was only on there because it was by the Beatles. Why do you say this? Do you feel the Beatles had worn out their influence or it just was not up to par of their previous releases? Those who did put it, why?

I had Let it Be on my list, but would easily trade it out of that top 25 for a number of other albums, most notably Moondance. I felt like not only is it a very good album, but it was kind of the end of an era so to speak. It certainly does not deserve to be ranked where it is though, and it's a joke that it made it over some incredibly essential albums that were left out all together.

[micahistheballs]

Yeah I'm gone from the 26 to the 12 at the least, potentially another week.

Naturally part of planning my departure means checking in on my favorite thread series, haha.
Haha yeah, summer's pretty chaotic for me as well.

The 80's are up by the way.

[IWasaCamera]

Let It Be is a great album. People need to stop giving it a bad rap simply because it isn't as highly acclaimed as Sgt. Pepper's or Abbey Road. Probably doesn't deserve to be ranked where it was but hey, it's not like every other record on the list was placed perfectly.

[Superunknown]

Where in the hell is Exile On Main Street?

[IWasaCamera]

Wow.

[kearn1tm]

Exile on Mainstreet being left off is a crime. As is one of the best (and sadly overlooked) Folk albums of the decade, Joni Mitchell's Blue.

Billy Joel's The Stranger is far more deserving than Elton John's offering (conversely, neither are 'Top 30 Worthy').

Moreover, Richard Hell and the Voidoids' Blank Generation was one of the most influential Punk albums of the decade (in the underground which, of course saturated the much more prominent bands that receive acknowledgment), and I'd say it should be on there in some capacity.

Oh, and where's Rumours?

[IWasaCamera]

The Stones are barely discussed here.

[chipdip18]

Huge bump.

edit: Since this thread was made, i have bought a few of these albums.

edit: Seven or eight.

[Superunknown]

Oh, and where's Rumours?

You beat me to it. Just about to mention Rumours not being there.

Can't stand the Sex Pistols but where's Never mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols?

Undeniably influential.

And yes leaving off Exile On Main Street is an absolute crime.

[IWasaCamera]

Never seen anyone mention Fleetwood Mac here so it would have been surprising if it did make the list. Not a fan either.