Wednesday, August 26, 2009
What's an album anyway?
Posted by Jason Younger on Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:09 AM
What happened to the days when an ENTIRE album was good?
Ok, pop quiz — What was the last album you bought? Easy question, right? Now, a harder one — When was the last time you enjoyed an album so much you could listen to it end-to-end? Harder, right?
While you’re thinking, it seems that the days of a good ALBUM may be behind us. For three main reasons:
1. In the digital/internet age, people can download just their favorite songs – if an artist has a couple good hits, it’s considered a successful album.
2. Today’s “albums” just aren’t that good from beginning to end.
3. Today’s artists just aren’t as good. Or at least that which makes the heavy rotation on radio airwaves.
I remember in the not-so-distant past that when you wanted to get your favorite song, you had to shell out $15-$20 bucks for the whole CD. Now, an album is like an elementary school dodge-ball game. The best songs get picked quickly, and the other, not-so-talented players, are left on the bench.
If you’re like me, you want the ability to put in one CD and let it play – able to enjoy the entire experience. Today, you’d better build your own play list to accomplish such a feat.
So, if you find yourself in the same quandary as me, I offer you the following list of great ALBUMS to listen to. Without further ado, here they are in no particular order:
* AC/DC's Live — I intentionally left greatest hits albums off the list but a couple live albums make the cut. Nothing more fun than AC/DC at full tilt.
* Michael Jackson's Thriller — Easiest pick on the list. You could re-release this album brand new, and it’d be number one all over again (and not just because Michael left us).
* Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A. — There may be better Bruce songs than on this album, but no album is better cover-to-cover. May explain why seven of the 12 tracks were top-10 hits.
* Johnny Cash's At Folsom Prison — The second live album on the list – but this captures the Man in Black in his heyday finest.
* U2's Joshua Tree — Yup.
* Elvis' The Sun Sessions — Notice a trend occurring on this list? They don’t make ‘em like they used to.
* 2Pac's All Eyez on Me — Rap makes an appearance with this trend setter.
* Pearl Jam's Ten – You may not appreciate grunge, but can still appreciate Pearl Jam.
* The Beatles' Revolver — Hardest part is which album makes the list.
* Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. — See: Beatles.
* Prince's Purple Rain – Yes, it’s a soundtrack. And yes, it’s awesome.
What’d I miss? Which Clapton, Wonder, southern rock or legend did I leave off? And don’t say Pink Floyd.
So try an album out for a change, your OCD will appreciate the time off...
Comments (16)
Showing 1-16 of 16
Sorry, I'd have to include Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." I'm sure there are plenty of others, but another at the top of my list would be Jane's Addiction "Nothing's Shocking" Also: Pearl Jam's "Ten" Something by The Doors. Metallica's "Master of Puppets" Led Zeppelin "IV" Nine Inch Nails "Pretty Hate Machine" Rage Against the Machine...the list goes on. I've also come across a few newer bands that I enjoy entire albums of — White Stripes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, Radiohead, the new Rev. Horton Heat album, Nico Vega...
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I can't believe I forgot Rage Against the Machine. I'll never forgive myself. And i knew someone would say "Dark side of the Moon". My wife told me i regret the Pink Floyd comment. Right as always. :)
I can only say there are a few Albums that I enjoy listening to from start to finish. My favorites are: 1- Kenny Chesney- When the Sun Goes Down 2- Nora Jones- Come Away with Me. 3- Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend Yes, it is quite a mix, but I enjoy good music that I can relax to!
If you want to get into the new new stuff, Phoenix's "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" is fantastic start to finish. I was suprised. Really solid, polished effort by the French dudes. Great post, Jason.
I'll challenge your Born in the USA statement. It was Bruce's most popular album, but Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of town are hands down his best two albums.
As for (sort of) recent quality albums two come to mind: Wallflowers- "Bringing Down the Horse" Very understated but solid drumming on that one. Rob Hyman (and others')-"Largo" Is a great little-known gem from '98. It's idea is a little lofty: a song cycle based on the second movement to Dvorak's 9th Symphony. However, with the help of a lot of guests including Taj Mahal and Joan Osborne just to name a few the album really works.
Dude! The Police, Synchronicity or The Smiths, How Soon is Now? Didn't make the list? Geezzzzz
Sad but true, back in the heyday of Napster I downloaded Madonna's Music album. I liked it so much start to finish I considered sending her money! Another fav...little know, The Freddy Jones Band - North Ave Wakeup Call.
Doh, forgive me, I forgot to include any live album by John Mayer, though the Live from LA 2 disc set is currently in heavy rotation.
I actually have a recent one - Sixx A.M "The Heroin Diaries Soundtrack"(yes I am a crazy Nikki Sixx fan!). But my better half says Guns N' Roses "Appetite for Destruction" wins hands down.
Well - I must say, I disagree :) Great list of albums but here are my thoughts about the rest: http://thecodywoodshow.blogspot.com/
The worst part about losing the album concept is is miss the idea that the artist was in a certain frame of mind when creating...thus the album has a feel. IE, Sgt.Peppers vs. Revolver Or the development of a band: Tears for Fears (The hurting) vs. (songs from the big chair) although the "the hurting is a far superior album yet less commercially successful. My albums along with John's NIN and Sarah's the smith's. Abbey Road The Vapors : New Clear Days Flaming Lips: Yoshima vs Pink robots RadioHead : Okay computer
One last thought...the album concept is really only a couple of decade conept. Prior to the Beatles/Stones/etc...artists pretty much released 45s or 78s if you go back far enough...LPs didn't come into popular demand until the late 50s early 60s...Maybe it's just our couple of generations from 60s to 90s that care about artist's creating albums as a whole?
