Your greatest albums

Pixies: Surfa Rosa

Forgot The Pixies. I would be lost between all their early material. When Kim Deal left they lost direction and The Pixies signature sound just seemed to disappear with her. My thoughts anyway......still hasn't stopped me buying everything they have produced
 
Great idea @Satanfriendly!

Trying to keep it to 10 is tough. Here goes:

Top Ten

Boxer by The National
This band is so consistently excellent that I could have chosen several of their albums in this list. The National's front man, Matt Berninger, masters the art of 2am slightly disheveled dude in a lounge jacket at a cocktail bar cool. His wonderful baritone and biting lyrics are effortlessly supported by masterful lead and rhythm guitars from the Dessner twins. The icing on the cake is the second set of brothers in the band, Bryan and Scott Devendorf. Bryan's unique staccato drumming style is a hallmark of The National sound, and Scott is a flawless bass player who weaves his lyrical bass notes beautifully amongst the more articulate work of the Dessners. A breathtakingly good album.

For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver
The pain of a recent relationship breakdown has rarely, if ever, been captured so agonisingly than by For Emma, Forever Ago, Justin Vernon's debut album. In a backstory that has become legend, Vernon isolated himself in a log cabin in mid-winter with his instruments and recording equipment. The resulting creation stands amongst the the very best of solo acoustic recordings.

The Crane Wife by The Decemberists
Indie darlings The Decemberists have led the charge of American indie-folk bands in the last decade or two. This is their finest hour - an epic journey of an album, with each track seamlessly blending into the next in the finest story-telling tradition.

(Come on feel the) Illinoise by Sufjan Stevens
Grand in both ambition, length, and scale, this double album is Sufjan Steven's dedication to the US state of Illinois, and tells its history in song. The sheer density of the music is staggering, as is the consistent excellence from start to finish. Magnificent.

Murmur by REM

Choosing a single album from such a superb catalogue of REM's recordings is not easy. However, the sheer energy and brilliance of their debut album gives it the slight edge. Michael Stipe's vocals became more legible as the band progressed, but his vocal range and power are spine-tingling on this recording. Peter Buck re-defines jingle-jangle guitar, and arguably the best bass player in recent rock history, Mike Mills, provides both rhythm and melody counterpoint, as well as fantastic backing vocal harmonies.

The Smiths by The Smiths
Emerging at a similar time as REM, The Smith's self-titled debut album shares the same confidence and swagger of a band that know they are seriously good, even on their first album. Morrissey and Johnny Marr transported the listener to the darker side of Mancunian folklore, and simultaneously sent a jolt of pure adrenaline through the music industry with their startling new sound.

In The Aeroplane Over The Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
Almost universally loved by fellow musicians, this is a cult album that deserved so much more recognition. Songwriter, lead vocalist and frontman Jeff Mangum produced an album that veers wildly from alt-folk to post-punk, and much in between, yet maintains an immaculate sense of balance and melody. A recording that you simply don't want to end.

Dignity and Shame by Crooked Fingers
Another grossly underappreciated band is Crooked Fingers. Songwriter, singer and front man Eric Bachmann is also a wonderful guitarist, particularly when he is finger-picking on acoustic tracks. His impossibly deep baritone excels on the sinister ballads of this album, whilst the harmonies in the more upbeat tracks are heavenly.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Rick Wakeman
A live recording at London's Royal Festival Hall in 1974, it adroitly captures Wakeman's keyboard genius. Storytelling of the highest order, via sparse narration, and a wonderland of 70's rock, supported of course by The London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Choir, not to mention the finest Rock guns-for-hire available.

Ágætis Byrjun by Sigur Ros
This Iceland band is a genre unto themselves. Other-earthly vocals and music that seems appropriate for the glacial landscapes of their beautiful homeland, they are spellbinding.

Near Misses
Mr. Beast by Mogwai - Scotland's finest with a wonderful example of post-rock thunder.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix - Impossibly catchy French pop-rock.
Blinking Lights and other Revelations by Eels - Dark, moody, and superb songwriting and performance.
Neon Golden by The Notwist - Moody electronic rock with more hooks than a tackle box.
Rook by Shearwater - Grandiose indie concept band; their finest album.
The Midnight Organ Fight by Frightened Rabbit - Wonderful Scottish band; superb album. RIP Scott Hutchison.
Boys and Girls in America by The Hold Steady - Pure US bar rock, with genius lyrics from songwriter Craig Finn.
Hand. Cannot. Erase. by Steven Wilson - Peerless in modern Prog-Rock; his best solo offering by some margin.
In Rainbows by Radiohead - At times heartbreaking, at others uplifting; always excellent.
Heartbreaker by Ryan Adams - Alt-country bad boy Ryan Adams nails it.
Crazy Rhythms by The Feelies - A hidden gem that still astounds.
Hunky Dory by David Bowie - Slower and more reflective that typical Bowie; magnificent.
My Aim is True by Elvis Costello - So far ahead of its time.
The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden - A great album by a great band.
Paranoid by Black Sabbath - Blasting speakers and minds; a touchstone for all future metal.
The Way Out by The Books - Unique, crazy-good musicianship, a trip.
Brand New by Science Fiction - Who thought modern emo-punk could be so wonderful?
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen - Stadium Rock blueprint.
Tea for the Tillerman by Cat Stevens - Try to find one weak song; landmark recording.
Sometimes by City and Colour - Canadian songwriter Dallas Green with a terrific indie-folk effort.
Aqualung by Jethro Tull - A timeless recording full of energy and power, with an Anglo-folk backbone.
50 Words For Snow by Kate Bush - Dreamy and gorgeous (both the music and the artist).
The Great Destroyer by Low - The band that invented slow-core, and Robert Plant's favourite band.
Everything is True by Paul Dempsey - Aussie legend of "Something for Kate" with his seminal solo release.
Top Priority by Rory Gallagher - The Irish blues/rock guitar god at his peak.
 
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1.Wish you were here :- pinkfloyd
2.Dark side of the moon :- pinkfloyd
3.long live rick and roll :- rainbow
4.war of the worlds :- jeff wayne
5.running in the family :- level42
6.our town :- deacon blue
7.iron maiden :- number of the beast
8.hysteria :- deff leppard
9.rumours :- fleetwood mac
10.stevie nicks :- edge of seventeen

Id also chuck in here Dire Straits Alchamy live
 
Changes every day but I wouldn't want to be without these:

1 Revolver - The Beatles
2 The Clash - The Clash
3 Lowlife - New Order
4 Exile on Main Street - Rolling Stones
5 Damn the Torpedoes - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
6 Ace of Spades - Motorhead
7 The Queen is Dead - The Smiths
8 Delicate Sound of Thunder - Pink Floyd
9 Absolutely - Madness
10 Who's Next - The Who
 
Regarding The Sisters of Mercy - Floodland

I don't think I ever had an album of theirs the first few EPs and a single or two though, New Model Army, Killing Joke come to mind as well.

As an absolute die-hard fan who still sees them routinely, it's the live shows that really make TSOM.

With line-up changes, the first few singles represent an entirely different band to the first album and then the big split, so Floodland was largely a solo effort by the singer Andrew Eldritch. At the time it was not largely liked by dedicated fans but give it a decade, then another ...

Remastered and on headphones, it's a gem! It takes you back to when music was just so enormously over-produced. It's pure formica! Jim Steinman (of Meatloaf - Bat Out of Hell fame) did the production.

What an album!

... of course entirely new line-up for the third (and more rocky) album and then no more vinyl on principal, but they tour every year.
 
So what are your own personal best albums of all time?

No top 10 or anything like that just anything which got to your musical soul. In my case my top album will always be my top album and everything else changes more regularly than my blades.

If this has been done before I do apologise

1. Never Mind the Bollocks - Sex Pistols

A reflection of the angst and anger of the time and if ever the nation needed a kick up the posterior then this album delivered. Poorly recorded, poorly performed, but it is what it is warts and all. Gritty, grimy, filthy and furious, it couldn't be anything else

2. The Clash - The Clash

For much the same as my No.1 except it dived it from a slightly different angle. Short fast and manic songs which were more adrenaline inducing than NMTB but equal in their message. What happened to The Clash after this great album I have no idea but they lost the plot and I Don't have much time for what followed.

3. The Art of Falling Apart - Soft Cell

A sudden change of direction here but an album I have always had time for. More sexy, more dirty and more seedy than Non-stop Erotic Cabaret and with some quite cynical and weird songs in the mix.

4. Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables - Dead Kennedy's

I was never that keen on American punk (The Ramones and The Avengers aside) as it was all too avant garde for me. The DK's though struck a chord with me and it doesn't get much better than this album. It delivers at break neck speed. Terribly bright recording but so What? A band more talented than most will give credit. East Bay Ray, what a guitarist

5. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

What more can one say? For me a far better offering than DSOTM with more musicality about it. Whereas I always think DSOTM is trying too hard, Wish You Were Here delivers with more natural musical fluidity. A first class recording if ever.

6. Peer Gynt Suite Greig - Decca Jubilee

My earliest musical memory. They used to play 'morning at every junior school assembly. As a consequence I became very attached to the suite as a whole and love the moods and shifts in directions it takes. It is like a complete musical journey.

7. Tocatta - Michael Schnider- Eros records

A mind boggling recording of Tocatta played by the exceptionally talented organist Michael Schnider. A piece you can feel the musical expression pouring through to the point you can touch the music. A sublime recording. Best 50p spent in a charity shop

8. Singles Going Steady - The Buzzcocks

It is strange to place a compilation album in a best list but it just has everything. Pure power pop stripped back to the basics and delivered in an energetic orgasm of music. Very formulated but delivered with gusto and honesty. Harmonies in my head is one of the best ever songs written in my opinion.

9. Jumpin' Jive - Joe Jackson

If anyone says 'Show me your system' it is inevitable this will be first album the stylus hits. Powerful, involving and incredibly stylish. An exceptional recording which makes bad systems sound terrific. Great songs played with great enthusiasm and Joe Jackson is more than just a great talent

10. Xeno - Cross Faith

When I first saw this band walk on stage we were 'WTF is this?'. Japanese chaps in slick shiny suits? But when the music started it was mind blowing. This album continues from their concert. A very imaganitive and different Nu-Metal album which pumps out energetic and powerfully strong songs. Very nicely recorded vinyl LP which makes a welcome change to many of the usual modern pressings.

Probably gone on a bit here but music is such an important part of my life.

Be interesting to hear what albums others have in among their favorites
A terrific list there, @Satanfriendly. And you included a bunch of Mancunians at No 8! I had to laugh at your comment about the Joe Jackson album - every Hi-Fi store I visited in the 80's seemed to have a Joe Jackson album handy to throw on the turntable for a demo listen.
 
I'll give it a go;

Without a doubt my favorite album is "Pet Sounds" by The Beach Boys. Although not a particular fan of their's - this album is something else. Brian Wilson's approach to it's production and trying to emulate Phil Spectre's wall of sound is beautiful. Aided by a jobbing lyricist in Tony Asher; there are some moving moments. Also happens to contain my favorite song of all time. This song gets me every time:


Second up, "The Stone Roses" by the The Stone Roses. Bloody marvelous. A rattling good album from start to finish. Some really clever lyrics and amazing guitar work. To this day "I'm the resurrection" must stand up as one of the greatest songs written?

.

The Last Broadcast by Doves. Now this band are my favorite EVER! Each of their tracks, on each of their albums has a particularly meaning for me. This album, their second is a work of art. Beautiful and moving. Check out There Goes the Fear. Not too shabby for a group of hairy blokes from Manchester! This is my top moment:


"Hinterland" - Strabge Cargo - is actually William Orbit. A lovely and smooth offering. A proper chill out album. Takes me back to the summer of 1995. I love to sit and sound bathe to this album. Good for destressing:


Honorable mentions:

"Breakfast in America" - Supertramp
"Murmur" - REM
"Up to our hips" - The Charlatans
"Summer Camp" - Summer Camp
"Holes in the wall" - Electric Soft Parade
"His n Hers" - Pulp
Great list @Glen_Lee - I knew you'd have a Doves album in it!
 
Some more of mine:

4) Clones of Dr Funkenstein - Parliament

Crazy psychedelic funk played by intrepid Afronauts. Parliament appealed to me more than their equally prolific sister act Funkadelic. The songwriting was stronger and more funk-focused, discarding Funkadelic's rock influences (as well as the lengthy guitar solos, thankfully). Parliament really hit their stride in '75 with the brilliant Mothership Connection, but Clones from '76 has always been my favourite. Totally original, occasionally bonkers, and always very, very funky.

5) I Against I - Bad Brains

Four black Rastafarians playing punk rock... er... what? Bad Brains would always be outliers in the early hardcore punk scene. Their first two albums were peerless in their ferocity and precision, plus they included the occasional sublime reggae number. Their third album I Against I (1986), took it to another level, dropping the reggae and adding elements of metal, funk and weirdness to make a completely original sound that defied categorisation.

6) Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers

The arrival of a teenage John Frusciante on their previous album Mother's Milk had transformed the Chilis into a more melodic outfit, but the producer's insistence on multi-layered distorted guitars and a glossy commercial sound obscured the band's real intent. Mercifully, there was no such interference on this album. All four members shine here, but Frusciante in particular is a veritable force of nature. The unadulterated band sound of pure Strat, bass and drums sounds lean, muscular and HUGE on this record. Their defining album, and a landmark for alternative rock in the '90s.
 
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Great stuff! Bad Brains were great, then Alice In Chains rocked my World in the ‘90s.
And in the Parliament family, Funkadelic's Maggot Brain contains arguably the greatest guitar solo in rock history.
 
Quite a bit of talk earlier about Hawkwind. I had loads but it's all on cassette. Within the last year I picked up the earlier set on CD. Grand stuff! I especially enjoy the stuff featuring a young bassist named Ian Kilminster. He left after three, possibly four albums ... no doubt went his own way and formed some other group, or something :)
 
Quite a bit of talk earlier about Hawkwind. I had loads but it's all on cassette. Within the last year I picked up the earlier set on CD. Grand stuff! I especially enjoy the stuff featuring a young bassist named Ian Kilminster. He left after three, possibly four albums ... no doubt went his own way and formed some other group, or something :)
They were a huge part of my late teens early twenties both for the music which was a staple at many parties and encountering them on the festival scene. Most of the albums I had were tape and vinyl and have been slowly replaced by CD and Digital.
 
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