NationStates Jolt Archive

What do you think are the best or most influential albums of all time.
For example, Nevermind by Nirvana was a revolutionary album that changed metal and grunge forever.
Dark Side of the Moon was as unique then as it is now. Imagine how many people have gotten high while listening to DSOTM.

What do you think?

What do you think?

I think people will still be listening to Beethoven when both Pink Floyd and Nirvana are naught but minor historical footnotes for the ethnomusicologists.

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols

'Tis all I have to say.

I'd say that Please Please Me by the Beatles was the most influential.

My personal favourites are The Soft Bulletin by the Flaming Lips and Blues for the Red Sun by Kyuss.

Revolver by the Beatles

I think people will still be listening to Beethoven when both Pink Floyd and Nirvana are naught but minor historical footnotes for the ethnomusicologists.

Very true, but I don't think Beethoven ever released an album. :D

Jaktens Tid by Finntroll

not important or anything, but its still the best band in the world, jaktens tid was their best album, so that makes it the best album ever...

Herbert von Karajan's recording of Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nuremburg

For the catagory of Rock N Roll, the answer to most influencial album ever, is The Beatles "Sgt. Peppers Loney Hearts Club Band."

No other album changed the face of the music scene, and even how albums would forever be recorded, let alone the impact it still has on what an artist can do with a concept made into songs.

No other album has ever had such an impact.

There is no such thing however, as "The Best" album, becuase tatse is subjective to the listener.

I think people will still be listening to Beethoven when both Pink Floyd and Nirvana are naught but minor historical footnotes for the ethnomusicologists.


Beethoven never made any money.

Pink Floyd are filthy rich.

money != talent

money != talent

You know it!

Beethoven never made any money.

Pink Floyd are filthy rich.
Sure he did. But the Secret service never found him....

Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The first 'concept album' and the impetus for such things as Sgt Pepper and Revolver by the Beatles.

http://www.karthagorecords.de/cover/2840.jpg

My Top 3 Favorite Albums

3. Dream Theater - Images & Words
2. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
1. Roger Waters - Amused to Death

Close runners-up are Radiohead OK Computer and Kid A, Scenes From A Memory from Dream Theater, Led Zeppelin IV, and The Joshua Tree from U2.

As I mentioned numerous times before. I like the most.
Pink Floyd - The Wall

Plenty of other good ones in the world, but none of them
comes close.

blue album Weezer.
The wall

I can't believe no-one's mentioned the Beatles 'White Album' yet. How many other records have encouraged psycho cult of personality groups to ritually torture and murder?
The original post did say most influential...


Vote goes for 'Revolver' as well, as it defined a new way of making music.

My personal favourites would be "The Human Equation" by Ayreon, "Silence" by Sonata Arctica, and "Bon Jovi" by Bon Jovi.... I don't think any of them have been particularly influential though. For "most influential" I'd give my vote to a Beatles album, probably Revolver or Sgt Peppers or something.

Any true Beatles fan knows that while Sgt.Pepper is most poular Abbey Road is best. :D
(And on that note...Wish You Were Here > DSotM, though my dad would stick Animals in between)

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells.
It's what Beethoven would have done had he had the magic of computers and electronic instruments too. It's not perfect, it was a one day's work in a recording studio, but at 17yrs old at the time...all I can say is wow. Afterall, Beethoven didn't play all the instruments in his symphony. MO played every single instrument on his album. Later albums could be said to be better, heck he basically redid Tubular Bells as Tubular Bells 2003 as he wished it had sounded like, but he changed the premise of composing. He is the classical composer of our age (hence: "Nuage").

Going on influence, not how I rate these particular albums personally (Though of course, I do love 'em :D)..."The Best" is subjective, but if you look at influence only, these are pretty hard to define...

Black Sabbath - Selftitled/Paranoid

I challenge anyone to find a post-70's metal or hard rock band that doesn't have a little Sabbath in its sound. Not an easy task.

Led Zeppelin - I, IV

They were popular after Led Zeppelin I, but Led Zep IV is the real influental album. They're still influencing the sound of many bands today.

These two are right up there. Ditto for anything by the Beatles, of course.

Also The Clash, selftitled hasn't been mentioned. :)

blue album Weezer.

A very nice album, but not all that influential, really.

Nevermind by Nirvana was a revolutionary album that changed metal and grunge forever.

Yep. While I prefer In Utero and Bleach myself, it was massively influential. Though they really stole the whole idea from Mudhoney :p

I would say probably Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" as well as "Paranoid" would definately be up there. Those two albums influenced me a lot and they have influenced most metalheads out there as well. Most Led Zeppelin albums, Zoso in particular, are also incredibly influential even today. So to answer your question, any of those mentioned above, at least for heavy metal, are the best.

I would say probably Black Sabbath's "Black Sabbath" as well as "Paranoid" would definately be up there. Those two albums influenced me a lot and they have influenced most metalheads out there as well. Most Led Zeppelin albums, Zoso in particular, are also incredibly influential even today. So to answer your question, any of those mentioned above, at least for heavy metal, are the best.

Way to copy my post :p

Way to copy my post :p

Haha, sorry man. I didn't read it until after I had already written my response and posted it. I just saw the question and answered, but noticed afterward while I was scrolling through that pretty much everything I said had already been posted! Ah well, I guess that's what I get for not payin' attention!

Joshua Tree, by U2

Haha, sorry man. I didn't read it until after I had already written my response and posted it. I just saw the question and answered, but noticed afterward while I was scrolling through that pretty much everything I said had already been posted! Ah well, I guess that's what I get for not payin' attention!

It's cool, you obviously have good taste :D

It was just funny by posting it only a couple of minutes after mine it showed that we'd both been thinking the same thing :p

Best album [in terms of how much I like it], I'm going to have to go with "Exile on Main Street."

Best album [in terms of influence], I think I'm going to have to go with the earliest blues recordings in the U.S., stuff like the LoC recordings of Leadbelly or the early-century Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Blind Lemon Jefferson. In terms of influence, pretty much all of American music has a huge debt to these guys and gals. Sure, you might not have Aerosmith without the Stones, or Bon Jovi without Zeppelin; but you don't have the Stones or Zeppelin without Chuck Berry and you don't get Berry without roots blues.

in my lifetime:

Michael Jackson - "Thriller"

Seven smash hits including arguably the top three hits of that year: Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller

Jailbreak, Thin Lizzy

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells.

... It's not perfect, it was a one day's work in a recording studio, but at 17yrs old at the time...all I can say is wow.

...

MO played every single instrument on his album.

Firstly: it wasn't one day's recording, most of part one was recorded in a week long block, whereas the rest of it was recorded piecemeal here and there whenever there was a free space in the studio.

Secondly: he wasn't 17 years old, he was 19. He was born in 1953 and the Lp was recorded in 1972.

Thirdly: he didn't play all the instruments on the LP. Check your sleeve notes -

Flutes: John Field
String Basses: Lindsay Cooper
Drums: Steve Broughton

I have a bad memory. *shrugs*
I don't actually have TB I, my dad has it somewhere on LP and cassette. I prefer TB II & III, Guitars, Five Miles Out, Crises and Discovery myself :p
But I'm sure in TB 2003 it said something about 1 day.

Ok, it wasn't quite a solo effort on that album, but seeing there's something like 30 instruments, removing a couple of those doesn't change much.

"Pants" by The Juice Pigs

"Tommy" by the Who should been mentionned along the same lines as Sgt. Pepper (beatles) and Pet Sounds (Beach Boys).

That being said, I would think that Elvis would have an album in the top 20 of the most influential albums.

But the real influential stuff, from a rock and roll point of view would found in the blues roots. People like Robert Johnson, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. They are the one who are quoted by all the bands mentionned above (Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and even the Clash).

Black Sabbath - Selftitled/Paranoid

I challenge anyone to find a post-70's metal or hard rock band that doesn't have a little Sabbath in its sound. Not an easy task.

True
A very nice album, but not all that influential, really.

Touche
The only person it could have influenced is me otherwise i wouldnt really care about music!

But the real influential stuff, from a rock and roll point of view would found in the blues roots. People like Robert Johnson, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters. They are the one who are quoted by all the bands mentionned above (Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and even the Clash).

Don't forget Huddie Ledbetter. :)


Touche
The only person it could have influenced is me otherwise i wouldnt really care about music!

I only had the fortune of discovering it recently. It's not appreciated enough :)

Queensryche's Operation: Mindcrime
http://www.queensryche.com/releases/operation-mindcrime/background.gif

or
U2's Achtung Baby

http://www.u2.com/music/albumcovers/md_9.jpg


...both bands have had other great albums, but these two are standouts in all that is rock.

Don't forget Huddie Ledbetter. :)



I only had the fortune of discovering it recently. It's not appreciated enough :)
Did you purchase the Original or the 10th Anniversary album?

I loved the Disturbed "Believe" CD. It might not be the best of all time, but I love it!

One of eminem's early albums, because it repealed the notion that rap is only for black people, by setting the record for 1.7million rap albums sold; a record that hasn't been beaten even today.

I would say either PET SOUNDS by the Beach Boys
-Someone else pointed out that it was the first concept album and inspired the Beatles to do Sgt. Pepper's. Both are good points. Never before had an artist spent so much time and energy on creating something so perfect. No song is filler and all fit together.

or

OK Computer by Radiohead
-Another great concept album and again no filler. Started the whole computer rock concept album thing.

Personally, I measure everything by one album: Back in Black by AC/DC. Clearly,they're best album of alltime, without a doubt. Influentially might not have had that much of an impact, but it's the measuring stick personally.

In terms of actual influence, i'd have Rage Against the Machine self titled debut album set the bar for the rest of the decade. Alot of the Rock-Rap stuff we have now is a rip off of early Rage stuff.

Did you purchase the Original or the 10th Anniversary album?

The original...I didn't know there was a 10th anniversary version. What's the difference?

I saw it selling for $10 (half the usual price of CDs) and thought, "i've liked what i've heard", so i bought it, and loved it :D

radioheads ok computer is my favourite, and a few weeks ago it was voted best album by channel four in the UK. hopefully this is the beggining of it getting the recognition it deserves, because it really is amazing.

In terms of actual influence, i'd have Rage Against the Machine self titled debut album set the bar for the rest of the decade. Alot of the Rock-Rap stuff we have now is a rip off of early Rage stuff.

The last point is true, but the rest of your post assumes that rock-rap was the most popular genre of the 90's, which it was not. Grunge rock paved the way for the 90's. Rage (and to a lesser extent, TOOL) were there, but they were on the sidelines compared to grunge bands such as Nirvana. In the words of Jerry Cantrell- "Soundgarden cracked the door, Alice in Chains pushed it open, Pearl Jam and Nirvana blew it off the hinges." RATM were a brilliant band, but they were solely a band, and no genre movement was really attached to them. (for good or bad, depending on your point of view)

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is probably the greatest album of all time, in terms of sound and influence.

One of eminem's early albums, because it repealed the notion that rap is only for black people, by setting the record for 1.7million rap albums sold; a record that hasn't been beaten even today.
Maybe you haven't heard of the Beastie Boys?

Besides, everyone knows the the first white rap song was done by Aerosmith way back in the '70s. "Walk this way" for those who might not know.

Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack". Or perhaps "A Night at the Opera".

in my lifetime:

Michael Jackson - "Thriller"

Seven smash hits including arguably the top three hits of that year: Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller

I just bought the Lp-record of this, for like 3 euros.

The best albums would be
Weezer:Pinkerton and the Blue thing as well. They're influential for sure, then there's all those fine Motörhead records to mention as well. It's your pick, really. :rolleyes:

OK Computer by Radiohead was great, but it wasn't nearly as perfectly structured as Kid A.

On OK Computer, the first half is hard-hitting the whole way through, but on the second half, the only song on the second half that stands out as much as Karma Police or Paranoid Android would be Climbing Up the Walls. (That song is way underrated, by the way.) The album just doesn't end with that *bang* that Kid A does, and the vibe is so much stronger..

the band AKA, self titled album.

OK Computer by Radiohead was great, but it wasn't nearly as perfectly structured as Kid A.

On OK Computer, the first half is hard-hitting the whole way through, but on the second half, the only song on the second half that stands out as much as Karma Police or Paranoid Android would be Climbing Up the Walls. (That song is way underrated, by the way.) The album just doesn't end with that *bang* that Kid A does, and the vibe is so much stronger..

I prefer The Bends to both of those albums. Climbing Up the Walls is one of my favourite Radiohead songs, though :)

Maybe you haven't heard of the Beastie Boys?

Besides, everyone knows the the first white rap song was done by Aerosmith way back in the '70s. "Walk this way" for those who might not know.

The "Walk this Way" REMIX with Run-DMC came out in 1985.

The original was NOT rap.

Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The first 'concept album' and the impetus for such things as Sgt Pepper and Revolver by the Beatles.
This would probably be considered the most correct answer by more music critics than any other album. I think I would agree. I really can't think of a better answer.

A Night At The Opera by Queen

That one's easy. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Cannonball Adderley
Bill Evans
Paul Chambers
Jimmy Cobb
Wynton Kelly

There was no rehersal before this recording. Miles laid out the melodies before they ran the tape. Everything was improvised right on the spot. The album is golden in my eyes. There is no better played piece of music in my opinion.

Maybe you haven't heard of the Beastie Boys?

Besides, everyone knows the the first white rap song was done by Aerosmith way back in the '70s. "Walk this way" for those who might not know.
By the time the Eninem roled around the Beastie Boys hadn't been big in a long time. They're some really talented guys with a lot of great songs, but they've always stuck with a very old-school sound and were hardly part of the rap scene. Enimen was really the first white guy to earn any real respect as a modern rapper.

They're some really talented guys with a lot of great songs, but they've always stuck with a very old-school sound and were hardly part of the rape scene.

Best. Typo. Ever.

Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. The first 'concept album'

I think you'll find that Frank Sinatra got there before the Beach Boys.

Try "Come Fly With Me" and "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning"

The "Walk this Way" REMIX with Run-DMC came out in 1985.

The original was NOT rap.
why?

It sure as hell wasn't singing. It was talking real fast while a music was playing in the background. I consider it the grandfather of rap music.

By the time the Eninem roled around the Beastie Boys hadn't been big in a long time. They're some really talented guys with a lot of great songs, but they've always stuck with a very old-school sound and were hardly part of the rape scene. Enimen was really the first white guy to earn any real respect as a modern rapper.
I do hope you were talking about the Rap sene.

It's not my fault if Eminem was late in coming to the scene. Rap was happening in the '80s with people like Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys. Their very old school sound was the sound of the time. Saying that Eminem was the first white Rap artist to make it big is patently false. Not that I want to deny the succes he had, but he wasn't the first.

Best in my opinion is Revolver by The beatles

Most influential without a shadow of a doubt and something that simply cannot be argued is Sgt.Pepper's lonely hearts Club Band by The Beatles.

Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack". Or perhaps "A Night at the Opera".

:) A Night at the Opera! Yay!

But seriously, don't make me choose... So many great albums. The sad thing is I'm too poor to buy all of them. *Will one day own all Queen and Zep albums*

Throwing Copper by Live is one of my favourites, but while it's an awesome album, it's not up there with Queen or Led Zep in a pure musical sense. Sehnsucht by Rammstein is really brilliant, it just flows really well and all fits together.
Green by REM is kind alike that too, albeit with a totally dofferent vibe.

Best in my opinion is Revolver by The beatles

Most influential without a shadow of a doubt and something that simply cannot be argued is Sgt.Pepper's lonely hearts Club Band by The Beatles.
I disagree. We can and we are arguing about the most influential album. I would say Pet Sounds before Sgt. Pepper.

There seems to be 3 things here that people are discussing as one.

I think the MOST INFLUENTIAL ALBUM was probably "Never Mind The Bollocks"

I think the BEST ALBUM was "Pet Sounds"

And my FAVOURITE ALBUM is "Baader Meinhoff" by Baader Meinhoff.

White Album: The Beatles
Electric Warrior: T. Rex
Ziggy Stardust... : David Bowie
Electric Ladyland: J. Hendrix
Goodbye and Hello: Tim Buckley
Five Leaves left: Nick Drake
John Wesley Harding: Bob Dylan
Country life: Roxy Music
Pure Pop for now People: Nick Lowe
Sweetheart of the rodeo: The Byrds
Exile on Main Strt. , The Rolling Stones
Maggot Brain: Funkadelic
The Idiot: Iggy Pop
For the Roses: Joni Mitchell
Killer: Alice Cooper
Coney Island baby: Lou Reed
Marble Index: Nico
Raw power: The Stooges
Zuma: Neil Young
Rain Dogs: Tom Waits
Dry: PJ Harvey
Larks Tongues in Aspic: King Crimson


...
I left lots outside of the list...There are many, many excellant records out there.

White Album: The Beatles
Electric Warrior: T. Rex
Ziggy Stardust... : David Bowie
Electric Ladyland: J. Hendrix
Goodbye and Hello: Tim Buckley
Five Leaves left: Nick Drake
John Wesley Harding: Bob Dylan
Country life: Roxy Music
Pure Pop for now People: Nick Lowe
Sweetheart of the rodeo: The Byrds
Exile on Main Strt. , The Rolling Stones
Maggot Brain: Funkadelic
The Idiot: Iggy Pop
For the Roses: Joni Mitchell
Killer: Alice Cooper
Coney Island baby: Lou Reed
Marble Index: Nico
Raw power: The Stooges
Zuma: Neil Young
Rain Dogs: Tom Waits
Dry: PJ Harvey
Larks Tongues in Aspic: King Crimson


...
I left lots outside of the list...There are many, many excellant records out there.

Thats a good list, though I'd probably have Hunky Dory not Ziggy Stardust, Berlin not Coney Island Baby and The Black Rider not Rain Dogs. :)

Lamb lies down on Broadway

is this the "most influential album" thread... or the "best album" thread?

because the two are not necessarily one and the same.

peeve of mine:

This has been building up for years... the Grammys nearly always pick the wrong record for Best Album.

I think they shun radio on purpose... the more popular or high-selling an album is, the less of a chance it has of winning Best Album. It's never the album with the most hits on it (i would imagine that hit-density would matter).

Same with best record, best song, etc. The biggest radio hits hardly ever get Best Record or Best Song (or whatever). I think NARAS (Grammy voters) must be made up of old people. Music is owned by the young -- the young know what's hot, hip, cool, etc... the young BUY CDs... every record exec wants to cater to youths... and NARAS ignores them.

is this the "most influential album" thread... or the "best album" thread?

because the two are not necessarily one and the same.

peeve of mine:

This has been building up for years... the Grammys nearly always pick the wrong record for Best Album.

I think they shun radio on purpose... the more popular or high-selling an album is, the less of a chance it has of winning Best Album. It's never the album with the most hits on it (i would imagine that hit-density would matter).

Same with best record, best song, etc. The biggest radio hits hardly ever get Best Record or Best Song (or whatever). I think NARAS (Grammy voters) must be made up of old people. Music is owned by the young -- the young know what's hot, hip, cool, etc... the young BUY CDs... every record exec wants to cater to youths... and NARAS ignores them.
Think of it like this: Does the biggest grossing movie wins the oscar of best movie? No it doesn't.

The Grammy people are more interested in the composition of the songs than in record sales. A song can be a hit on every dance floor but be nothing more than a rythm and a chorus line repeaded over and over. That doesn't make a great song, now does it?

That's why revenue and airplay doesn't come into the decision on best album. That's why popularity shouldn't come into it either. A Bon Jovi album will sell 2 millions copies even if there is only 3 songs on it and none of them are good. Should that album be considered as good because it sold 2 millions copies?

Yes, the NARAS might be snobs who tell people that their preferences are not worth considering, but they are actors of the music industry. They should know what they are talking about. They are the ones who make the records, after all.

You know, I don't think anyone here is qualified to say what is the best album of all time.

Save your opinions for a 'my favorite albums' thread. Leave the best albums of all time subject to professionals.

You know, I don't think anyone here is qualified to say what is the best album of all time.

Save your opinions for a 'my favorite albums' thread. Leave the best albums of all time subject to professionals.

I think the MOST INFLUENTIAL ALBUM was probably "Never Mind The Bollocks"


I doubt that is even the most influential punk album.

You know, I don't think anyone here is qualified to say what is the best album of all time.

Save your opinions for a 'my favorite albums' thread. Leave the best albums of all time subject to professionals.

How can you be a professional or expert in what music is good to listen to? It's a totally subjective thing.

can't beleive nobody's mentioned SClub7 yet...

The "Walk this Way" REMIX with Run-DMC came out in 1985.

The original was NOT rap.
I have to agree.
The first white rap song was the middle of "Rapture" by Blondie.

This has been building up for years... the Grammys nearly always pick the wrong record for Best Album.
I have to agree. They seem to say "Ooh, an older musician/band released an album this year, let's pick it." See Bob Dylan and Steely Dan for examples of this. If I remember correctly, U2 won this past year, which would also put them into this category.

I prefer The Bends to both of those albums.
I have yet to hear something post-Bends from them that didn't suck.

is this the "most influential album" thread... or the "best album" thread?

because the two are not necessarily one and the same.
I agree. The most influential album can't be the best, as, while it can be good, a type or method of doing music is only going to become more perfected as people do it. This isn't saying that the music of this year will automatically be better than that of last year, but the general trend is that music gets better.

I doubt that is even the most influential punk album.

I don't think its the BEST album, but I think it had the most influential effect, especially here in the UK. Without "...Bollocks", punk would not have been as large as it was and without punk...

PS. I personally can't stand the album, but I can appreciate the effect it had on its peers.

How can you say it's not the most influential? It pretty much influenced everyone and his brother. Never Mind The Bollocks had a much bigger effect than all 16 Ramones albums. It even had a bigger effect than The Clash's first two albums (I didn't need to mention their others, because they really didn't have much of an effect).

As for being the best, I personally think it is. Music is a matter of personal taste, so there really is no best album.

Bauhaus - The Skys Gone Out
Metallica - Kill Em All
The Faint - Agenda Suicide
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine

How can you say it's not the most influential? It pretty much influenced everyone and his brother. Never Mind The Bollocks had a much bigger effect than all 16 Ramones albums. It even had a bigger effect than The Clash's first two albums (I didn't need to mention their others, because they really didn't have much of an effect).

As for being the best, I personally think it is. Music is a matter of personal taste, so there really is no best album.

Couldn't agree more! As I said before, I personally don't like it (I'd much rather listen to London Calling), but I cant see how anyone can doubt the effect it had on those around.

radioheads ok computer is my favourite, and a few weeks ago it was voted best album by channel four in the UK. hopefully this is the beggining of it getting the recognition it deserves, because it really is amazing.

Yea, and everyone knows the Channel 4 ones are sooo accurate. I mean, Little Britain beat Monty Python and The Two Ronnies? I don't think so...Just because sketches like Forkandles are mostly word puns they become 'too intelligent.' Bloomin' modern television producers have no idea.

While not the BEST album ever. The most FUN album ever would be American Cheese by Nerf Herder, it's just so fun to listen to!

OK Computer and Kid A, both Radiohead.

why?

It sure as hell wasn't singing. It was talking real fast while a music was playing in the background. I consider it the grandfather of rap music.


Nah... If you want to count that way, what about "Hats off to Roy Harper" from Led Zeppelin III? :D

I have to agree.
The first white rap song was the middle of "Rapture" by Blondie.

Debatable: it is possible that The Magnificent Seven by The Clash manages to pre-empt it: both the LP that it is from and Autoamerican were released the same month, and as you note Rapture features a rap as only party of the vocals, while The Magnificent Seven is entirely rapped, as, for that matter, is Lightning Strikes! also off Sandinista!.

Nah... If you want to count that way, what about "Hats off to Roy Harper" from Led Zeppelin III? :D
"Walk this way" was released before, IIRC

Led Zeppelin IV

How can you be a professional or expert in what music is good to listen to? It's a totally subjective thing.

Because a professional critic knows what to look for in a good album or song. Though there may be a little bit of bias to their preference, overall they know what factors make a great song or album. It could be things that people totally miss.

I also think that when it comes to an average joe like you or me judging the best album in the world, we tend to be TOO subjective. In fact, I submit that EVERYONE here is too subjective. THey judge based on their preferences, when in reality they may not look at music as a whole.

So, I still stand by my statement. Everyone here, myself included, are not qualified to judge what the best album is.

But I suppose if I was to pick one that influenced me the most... it would have to be NIN's "The Downward Spiral". If my friends didn't introduce me to this album, I wouldn't have bothered to listen to music.

The original...I didn't know there was a 10th anniversary version. What's the difference?

I saw it selling for $10 (half the usual price of CDs) and thought, "i've liked what i've heard", so i bought it, and loved it :D
Well if you see this.
The Original came out in 1994 and last year a 10th anniversary album came out with some B sides and some live works.
Im looking to get that and Pinkerton and Malidroit(sp)and the new one.

Rivers Cuomo(sp)is an absolute nut he didnt make an album because he had braces and the last album took so long because he wanted to go to Uni.
He rulz!!!1!!

Because a professional critic knows what to look for in a good album or song. Though there may be a little bit of bias to their preference, overall they know what factors make a great song or album. It could be things that people totally miss.

But they're operating to their own set of criteria which I may not necessarily agree is correct, so therefore they can't be a true authority on what music is good. As I said, it's a subjective thing. For example, i'll pull a name out of a hat...Neil Young. He is rated highly by critics, yet I find him boring to listen to. I can recognise that the man has talent, but stylistically, I find it boring. If I can't enjoy the music, to me, it's not good, is it? Someone else may find enjoyment out of it in a different way, though, so therefore I maintain that it's totally a subjective opinion. (I mean, a lot of the music mags out there rate bands such as Good Charlotte highly...yeah, professional critics know it all, don't they?)

So, I still stand by my statement. Everyone here, myself included, are not qualified to judge what the best album is.


Not just everyone here, everyone fullstop.


Well if you see this.
The Original came out in 1994 and last year a 10th anniversary album came out with some B sides and some live works.
Im looking to get that and Pinkerton and Malidroit(sp)and the new one.

Damn! Well, i'll just have to use..um...legal download sources. Yes. I want to get Pinkerton next, but I heard the new album isn't so good.

Rivers Cuomo(sp)is an absolute nut he didnt make an album because he had braces and the last album took so long because he wanted to go to Uni.
He rulz!!!1!!

Geek musicians are always the best ones :D

Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells.
It's what Beethoven would have done had he had the magic of computers and electronic instruments too.


I dont think that, composing today, beethoven would have changed one note of the Ninth Symphony. He was deaf, in any case, when he composed it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Markreich
Nah... If you want to count that way, what about "Hats off to Roy Harper" from Led Zeppelin III?

"Walk this way" was released before, IIRC

Um... how's that?

Led Zeppelin III: 1970
Toys in the Attic: 1975

(I still don't consider either song to be "rap".)

ah tom jones, and tony christie, the REAL legends of music, and neil sedaka

I would say 'Abbey Road' by the Beatles.

but i would agree with you on Pink Floyd and Nirvana.

Paranoid by Black Sabbath... I don't think there is a song out there that that is more recognizable than Iron Man. I swear, I can hum the opening and I can get at least 5 people around me to start humming it with me in class or almost anywhere for that matter. Ozzy friggin' rules.

Um... Putting Nirvana with the Beatles is like putting Taco Bell with Morton's Steakhouse.

It's absurd.

The band got a lot of mileage because that loser Kobain pulled a Hemmingway. Coward.

My best album is MoP. But it's not all that genre redefining, so...

The last point is true, but the rest of your post assumes that rock-rap was the most popular genre of the 90's, which it was not. Grunge rock paved the way for the 90's. Rage (and to a lesser extent, TOOL) were there, but they were on the sidelines compared to grunge bands such as Nirvana. In the words of Jerry Cantrell- "Soundgarden cracked the door, Alice in Chains pushed it open, Pearl Jam and Nirvana blew it off the hinges." RATM were a brilliant band, but they were solely a band, and no genre movement was really attached to them. (for good or bad, depending on your point of view)

No, i would argue that Rock-Rap was very popular in the 90s, particularly in the second half and to this day. I think of Korn, Limp Bizkit(when they were good) as being pretty popular bands myself. However, you do have a valid point in that Grunge was definately influential. But I think when comes down to it, Rock-Rap has outgrown Grunge and thus, Rage should be considered an influential band, particularly there first album.

Just thought i'd add this but, I've always thought that Grunge was influenced by AC/DC, just a thought myself.

You can not deny Dark Side of the Moon it's rightful place as greatest album ever. Under that would be Jethro Tull, Thick as a Brick. Pure music genius.

Either Machine Head - Deep Purple or Paranoid - Black Sabbath. Though they are not necessarily the albums one would chose from either band, both bands represent pretty much every kind of popular music that came out after the death of hair metal and hard rock in general. Sabbath really pioneered the distorted guitar sound that was their signiture and now a staple of countless bands through out the music world Deep Purple is also recognized as a major influence on the founding of the entire genre of metal.

What do you think are the best or most influential albums of all time.
For example, Nevermind by Nirvana was a revolutionary album that changed metal and grunge forever.
Dark Side of the Moon was as unique then as it is now. Imagine how many people have gotten high while listening to DSOTM.

What do you think?


before i even clicked the link, i read it and said "someone better say DSOTM", i'm the biggest Floyd fan in the universe. and yes DSOTM is teh best album of all time

Um... how's that?

Led Zeppelin III: 1970
Toys in the Attic: 1975

(I still don't consider either song to be "rap".)

Doh!

I made an error. I though Aerosmith was older than that.

However Hats off to Roy Harper is not what I consider talking. Some syllables are extended, Plant is singing the song.

Anyway, we were talking about influence. That's why I mentionned Walk this way as the originator of Rap.

What do you think are the best or most influential albums of all time.
For example, Nevermind by Nirvana was a revolutionary album that changed metal and grunge forever.
Dark Side of the Moon was as unique then as it is now. Imagine how many people have gotten high while listening to DSOTM.

What do you think?

I'd have to go for The Cure's 'Disintegration'.

Never get tired of that one.

There are classics, but that's my one.

Long Live Great Wessex

Doh!

I made an error. I though Aerosmith was older than that.

However Hats off to Roy Harper is not what I consider talking. Some syllables are extended, Plant is singing the song.

Anyway, we were talking about influence. That's why I mentionned Walk this way as the originator of Rap.

Warning!! Warning!! Warning!!

Someone actually ADMITTED they were in error on the forums!!

Warning!! Warning!! Warning!!

All readers with more than 500 posts will have their heads explode due to this FREAK occurance in 5....4....3....2.... :D

I'd have to go for The Cure's 'Disintegration'.

Never get tired of that one.

There are classics, but that's my one.

Long Live Great Wessex

Yep. As uplifting as Sylvia Plath poetry.

mereora linkin park

I think people will still be listening to Beethoven when both Pink Floyd and Nirvana are naught but minor historical footnotes for the ethnomusicologists.


What a coincidence, I think the very opposite will happen.

I'd like to suggest Dark Side of The Moon, but really, no one seems to be influenced by it. Namely because no concept rock will ever be as good as Floyd.

I can't say that Pink Floyd is the most influential, because no one matches their sound. Although to do that would surely be blasphemy. Oh well, no one is as good as Floyd.

Most influential is either Black Sabbath or AC/DC. Everyone seems to take something off of these two bands. Exactly why I don't listen to them, so I couldn't suggest an album.

Pink Floyd- The Wall
Nirvana-Nevermind
U2- The Joshua Tree

and a few others :)

Exile On Main Street. by the Stones.

Damn! Well, i'll just have to use..um...legal download sources. Yes. I want to get Pinkerton next, but I heard the new album isn't so good.

Geek musicians are always the best ones :D
Geek Musicians are the best!
Ill get the new one anyways. :)

Amorica by The Black Crowes. Really people, how can you have a thread about the greatest albums of all time without mentioning the most rock n' roll rock n' roll bands greatest album?

nine inch nails - broken
nine inch nails - downward spiral
radiohead - the bends
radiohead - ok computer

and last but not least...

boards of canada - music has a right to the children (****)

Anyway, we were talking about influence. That's why I mentionned Walk this way as the originator of Rap.

I would argue for Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues or Talking World War III Blues as a white origin of rap before that, or even Guthrie's Talking Union Blues, but then both of them were already borrowing heavily from a black tradition of talking blues which had long been a source of inspiration to white folk musicians. To be honest though, I think to find the real origins of rap you'd be better looking within the black music tradition: take the toasting of Jamaican and other Reggae MCs, for example.

http://porktornado.diaryland.com/images/zipzaprap1.jpg

The commonly recognized "best album ever" is Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles. It surpassed the released shortly before that Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. Something that sent Pete Townsend into a long bout of bedridden depression.

The commonly recognized "best album ever" is Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles.

Ah, yes, but the best-selling LP ever globally is Thriller: make of that what you will... can 51 million plus purchasers really be wrong?

Ah, yes, but the best-selling LP ever globally is Thriller: make of that what you will... can 51 million plus purchasers really be wrong?
yes.

yes.

Quite possibly: but then so too can be the 30 plus million that were fooled into buying The Beatles's LP.

Most Influential Bands
AC/DC
Led Zeppelin
Black Sabbath
Nirvana
Beatles
Pink FLoyd

Favourite Albums
AC/DC - Back In Black
System Of A Down - Any
Deep Purple - Machinehead
Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon
Beatles - One (Best Of)

Tell me who the hell Nirvana has influenced?!?

All those grunge guys, then they mixed with metal and created nu-metal.
I never said It was good that they influenced people just that they did.
Besides, them, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden killed hair metal popularity and for that I salute them

All those grunge guys, then they mixed with metal and created nu-metal.
I never said It was good that they influenced people just that they did.
Besides, them, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden killed hair metal popularity and for that I salute them

That's not being influential, that's being at the right place at the right time.

I firmly believe that had Kobain not killed himself that they'd be as obscure today as Blind Melon or Ned's Atomic Dustbin.

Elephant.

Tell me who the hell Nirvana has influenced?!?

Listen to any modern rock album. You'll figure it out eventually.

Tell me who the hell Nirvana has influenced?!?
Pretty much everyone in rock who came afterward, whether it be with their sound, (see for examples Local H, Hole's 2nd and 3rd albums) or their lyrics (it was uncommon for Nirvana for male singers in rock bands to write lyrics that were personal. Now it's highly common.

I firmly believe that had Kobain not killed himself that they'd be as obscure today as Blind Melon or Ned's Atomic Dustbin.
Perhaps. Dying young and suddenly does tend to get people to focus on you (see Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, etc.)

The Beatles albums are and in a league of their own.. just below the Beatles are The Clash, The Stones, Bob Dylan(closer to Beatles), Velvet Underground, Hendrix and the likes.. For a really great album of the era, checkout Odessey & Oracle(sic) by The Zombies.

Pretty much everyone in rock who came afterward, whether it be with their sound, (see for examples Local H, Hole's 2nd and 3rd albums) or their lyrics (it was uncommon for Nirvana for male singers in rock bands to write lyrics that were personal. Now it's highly common.

Name someone. Really.

I've never heard of Local H. Hole? C'mon! That's his WIFE!!

Pfha. How about The Cure? U2? Or Alice in Chains? Tori Amos? C'mon... Rock has *always* been personal and angsty. ;)

Listen to any modern rock album. You'll figure it out eventually.

Funny. I listen to U2, Queensryche, Velvet Revolver, Iron Maiden, Godsmack, Lincoln Park and Sheryl Crow. No influence at all.

Really. Name ANYBODY making albums that Nirvana influenced. I can hear the echos of the Doors is Velvet Revolver. I can hear Alice in Chains in Godsmack...

The right way to do this is not to go:
"Nirvana influenced somebody."
"Did not!"
"Hole!"

The right way to do this is to go:
"Would Hole exist without Nirvana?"
"Probably."
"Would hole Hole exist without L7?"
"Probably not."

The right way to do this is to go:
"Would Hole exist without Nirvana?"
"Probably."
"Would hole Hole exist without L7?"
"Probably not."
Yes, of course they would have, but they most likely would have continued in the direction of their first album, "Pretty on the Inside" which is completely different than their subsequent albums.

Really. Name ANYBODY making albums that Nirvana influenced.
You want more? the Exies. Everclear. Silverchair and Bush especially. Oleander. Sponge. Veruca Salt...etc.

I'll take Miles Davis' Kind of Blue over any of this overrated rock shit.

Pretty much everyone in rock who came afterward, whether it be with their sound, (see for examples Local H, Hole's 2nd and 3rd albums) or their lyrics (it was uncommon for Nirvana for male singers in rock bands to write lyrics that were personal. Now it's highly common.

Have you ever heard 'The Wall'? :/

You want more? the Exies. Everclear. Silverchair and Bush especially. Oleander. Sponge. Veruca Salt...etc.

Um... I was listening to Veruca Salt and Sponge WAY before Nirvana. (Discovered both in '91.) Sure, Salt *toured* with Hole. But can you tell me how on earth Nirvana influenced them?? Certainly *not* on American Thighs or Victrola...
Sponge is grunge, but they formed before Nirvana hit it big, and I don't hear any real N. influence. That is, no more than I hear N. in Smashing Pumpkins or Ned's Atomic Dustbin. ;) Ditto Bush, IMHO.

I'll agree with Silverchair. But that hardly makes Nirvana the Beatles. ;)

I can't speak for Exies or Oleander, don't know them.

closer-joy division
unknown pleasures-joy division

The right way to do this is to go:
"Would Hole exist without Nirvana?"
"Probably."
"Would hole Hole exist without L7?"
"Probably not."


Hmmmm.... Smell The Magic EP ... hmmm...

The real question isn't whther Nirvana influenced anyone - they certainly did, and I feel as if I've done ound for every one of those shitty bands full of 16 year olds - but whether they influenced anyone interesting or of value.

You want more? the Exies. Everclear. Silverchair and Bush especially. Oleander. Sponge. Veruca Salt...etc.

those are all terrible adult-rock bands with questionable talent...I can hear mr. Cobain turn in his grave. Had he not been cremated.
Well the latest Silverchair album is a very ambitious thing but it has almost nothing to do with Nirvana anyway.

That's not being influential, that's being at the right place at the right time.

I firmly believe that had Kobain not killed himself that they'd be as obscure today as Blind Melon or Ned's Atomic Dustbin.
Which one? Blind Melon or Ned's Atomic Dustbin? They're not exactly the same level of obscurity. Anyway, I was a huge Nirvana fan and didn't realize I was one of millions until after the suicide. I hate to speculate about how they might have continued.

Hmmmm.... Smell The Magic EP ... hmmm...

The real question isn't whther Nirvana influenced anyone - they certainly did, and I feel as if I've done ound for every one of those shitty bands full of 16 year olds - but whether they influenced anyone interesting or of value.
Nirvana's biggest influence was changing the whole rock scene. Watch 5 hours of MTV videos in 1990 then watch 5 hours in 1995. "Hey, what happend to Axel Rose?" The change was largely overdue, and there where many others invloved, but Nirvana really was the catalyst. I suppose they didn't have the kind of direct effect on future music like Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath, but they were still influental.

Which one? Blind Melon or Ned's Atomic Dustbin? They're not exactly the same level of obscurity. Anyway, I was a huge Nirvana fan and didn't realize I was one of millions until after the suicide. I hate to speculate about how they might have continued.

No, but they're close these days. ;)

Most bands where (the vocalist especially) has a self loathing tend to implode. The Doors, Guns N Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots for example. IMHO, it was only a matter of time. They may have reformed into something else (ala Velvet Revolver) but more likely not.

Have you ever heard 'The Wall'? :/
Can't say that I have. What I've heard from Pink Floyd wasn't impressive enough to buy. Have a copy you can lend me?

Um... I was listening to Veruca Salt and Sponge WAY before Nirvana. (Discovered both in '91.)
How odd, VerucaSalt.com says Veruca Salt formed in 1993. Care to retract that statement?

Most bands where (the vocalist especially) has a self loathing tend to implode. The Doors, Guns N Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots for example. IMHO, it was only a matter of time. They may have reformed into something else (ala Velvet Revolver) but more likely not.
Probably not. Some conspiracy theorist postulate that Cobain's suicide note wasn't one at all, and instead was a note of resignation from the band. So, you're right, they'd likely have imploded.

Nirvana's biggest influence was changing the whole rock scene. Watch 5 hours of MTV videos in 1990 then watch 5 hours in 1995. "Hey, what happend to Axel Rose?" The change was largely overdue, and there where many others invloved, but Nirvana really was the catalyst. I suppose they didn't have the kind of direct effect on future music like Led Zeppelin or Black Sabbath, but they were still influental.

That was *all* planned by the music execs ahead of time. They felt that hair metal had gone about as far as it could, and that a shakeup was needed for the non-rap crowd.

When I was in college in 91', I had a roommate named Marc whom had a friend named Betto. (Actually, his name was Mark to, but that got rather confusing when he visited, as there would be 3 Marks in the room at minimum).

Anyway:
He showed up in October with a stack of 5 cds, all pre-release as his old man was a VP at Sony Music. Some had been released, but these were all pre-release copies.
I was a huge U2 & Queensryche fan (still am!), and had never heard of these bands. He had:

Ned's Atomic Dustbin: God Fodder
Pearl Jam: Ten (Epic is owned by Sony)
Smashing Pumpkins:Gish (not sure why he had that one)
Alice in Chains: Sap (Columbia is owned by Sony)
and one other I don't remember.

...hmm. And remember, this is when bands like Warrent and Poison were still in heavy radio rotation.

So, while I will say Nirvana was a band that influenced grunge/music at the time, and they were one of the ones to hit it very big, it's not like they broke first and everyone followed.

The real question isn't whther Nirvana influenced anyone - they certainly did, and I feel as if I've done ound for every one of those shitty bands full of 16 year olds - but whether they influenced anyone interesting or of value.
<Shrug> That depends, do you like any rock band that formed since Nirvana hit it big? If not, then obviously you wouldn't feel that they influenced anyone interesting or of value. If so, name them, and I will tell you if I think they might have been influenced by Nirvana or not.

How odd, VerucaSalt.com says Veruca Salt formed in 1993. Care to retract that statement?

Oops. Meant 93'. Sorry about that.

Oops. Meant 93'. Sorry about that.It's okay. :D But either way, they could have easily been influenced by Nirvana. You don't think the guitar riff from "Seether" sounds Nirvanaesque?

It's okay. :D But either way, they could have easily been influenced by Nirvana. You don't think the guitar riff from "Seether" sounds Nirvanaesque?

Graci.

Somewhat, but it that a genre sound?
Example: Does the (ahem) "music" of the Back Street Boys being so similar to New Kids on the Block mean that the New Kids influenced them, or is it just that the genre is defined by certain (for lack of a better word) requirements?

When they first came out, Shakira and Britney were nearly clones musically. (Some would argue they still are.) But does that mean they're carrying the Debbie Gibson/Tiffany genre torch? Or are they influenced by prior "girl acts"? Judging by how the four are different in hindsight, I go for the genre side.

I'm not saying Nirvana has/had no influence. I'm just saying they're not the Beatles. Best way I can describe it is using my old "United States Fencing Assoc." analogy. Each fencer has a letter rating, from A-E, or U (unclassified). In general, this would tell you what class of fencer he or she was. As & Bs were national and international players.

A= America
B= Britain
C= Canada
D= Denmark
E= Equador
U= Uganda

This comparison was about right to reasonably compare fencers to geopolitical power, something most folks understand.

So, if I were to substitute how influential rock bands were... (note: this does not reflect how much I like 'em, just how influential I think they've been on other acts/the music industry.)

A= Beatles, Elvis, Stones
B= U2, Led Zeppelin, Madonna
C= Metallica, Tina Turner, Chili Peppers
D= Nirvana, Judas Priest, Prince
E= Blue Oyster Cult, Lionel Richie, Smashing Pumpkins
U= 98 Degrees, Dream Theatre, Tori Amos

I think we can all agree on...
Alvin and the Chipmunks - A Chipmunk Christmas.

Alvin? ALVINNNNN!!!!!

60's: MC5 - Kick out the Jams
70's: Exile on Main St. - The Rolling Stones
80's: Warrant - Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinkin' Rich
90's: Pearl Jam - Vs
00's: The Mars Volta - Deloused in the comatorium

Exellent records!

Somewhat, but it that a genre sound?
Example: Does the (ahem) "music" of the Back Street Boys being so similar to New Kids on the Block mean that the New Kids influenced them, or is it just that the genre is defined by certain (for lack of a better word) requirements?

When they first came out, Shakira and Britney were nearly clones musically. (Some would argue they still are.) But does that mean they're carrying the Debbie Gibson/Tiffany genre torch? Or are they influenced by prior "girl acts"? Judging by how the four are different in hindsight, I go for the genre side.
Hmmm. You may have a point, however grunge as a genre is rather small. While it is possible that they weren't influenced by Nirvana, it is more likely than any other grunge band to have influenced them.

I'm not saying Nirvana has/had no influence. I'm just saying they're not the Beatles. Best way I can describe it is using my old "United States Fencing Assoc." analogy. Each fencer has a letter rating, from A-E, or U (unclassified). In general, this would tell you what class of fencer he or she was. As & Bs were national and international players.

A= America
B= Britain
C= Canada
D= Denmark
E= Equador
U= Uganda

This comparison was about right to reasonably compare fencers to geopolitical power, something most folks understand.

So, if I were to substitute how influential rock bands were... (note: this does not reflect how much I like 'em, just how influential I think they've been on other acts/the music industry.)

A= Beatles, Elvis, Stones
B= U2, Led Zeppelin, Madonna
C= Metallica, Tina Turner, Chili Peppers
D= Nirvana, Judas Priest, Prince
E= Blue Oyster Cult, Lionel Richie, Smashing Pumpkins
U= 98 Degrees, Dream Theatre, Tori Amos
I agree with you about ranking Nirvana where you did, but I think you ranked U2 a bit high. :) Here's how I'd rank them:

A= Beatles, Elvis, Black Sabbath
B= Ramones, Motörhead, Dead Kennedys
C= Metallica, Rush, Stones
D= Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna
E= Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Pink Floyd
U= N Sync, Venom, Judas Priest

A= Beatles, Elvis, Black Sabbath
B= Ramones, Motörhead, Dead Kennedys
C= Metallica, Rush, Stones
D= Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna
E= Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Pink Floyd
U= N Sync, Venom, Judas Priest

I think you rank the Dead Kennedys a bit high as far as their musical influence goes - they certainly were a major influence as far as political punk goes, but East Bay Ray's guitar style (basically mutant country and western lines) is infrequently copied. In fact the only band I can think of that actually try to sound like the Dead Kennedys are the Cowboy Killers. I would argue for bands like CRASSS or Minor Threat or Discharge as much more influential bands - each one spawning their own sub-genre (peace punk/SxE/D-beat) within hardcore/punk rock, which the DKs never really did.

I think you rank the Dead Kennedys a bit high as far as their musical influence goes - they certainly were a major influence as far as political punk goes, but East Bay Ray's guitar style (basically mutant country and western lines) is infrequently copied..

True, but that's because his guitar sound is so damn hard to do. I'd copy it to some degree if I could...say, you're a sound engineer...tips? :p

I agree with you about ranking Nirvana where you did, but I think you ranked U2 a bit high. :) Here's how I'd rank them:

A= Beatles, Elvis, Black Sabbath
B= Ramones, Motörhead, Dead Kennedys
C= Metallica, Rush, Stones
D= Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Madonna
E= Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Pink Floyd
U= N Sync, Venom, Judas Priest

I can go with Sabbath as a "B"... and I'd definitely put Madonna above Rush as an influence on the music industry. I have no clue who Venom is. Michael Jackson would be higher, too -- probably a "B". Priest I think has had more of an influence than N Synch... I'd give them the "E" at least.

I know he's not a band but what about Eric Clapton as an influencer? He has made so many different albums (and bands) each with a different style...

I know he's not a band but what about Eric Clapton as an influencer? He has made so many different albums (and bands) each with a different style...

I'd have to give him a "C" at the least, probably a "B".

Okay, I never answered the first question so pardon me if I'm take the discussion back a ways...

Best album - Hysteria by Def Leppard

Too hard to choose... if I had to, however, I'd say Hex Enduction Hour by The Fall.

Close behind:

Sister by Sonic Youth
Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven by Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Discreet Music by Brian Eno
Scrabbling at the Lock by The Ex + Tom Cora