Master of Puppets
I was stunned. Even critics who hated metal were all about that album. To my mind, it was the first metal album where people said, “You have to admit it’s damned good, even if you don’t like the genre.”
Does that make sense? People may not have enjoyed the album, but respected it none the less.
Another amazing thing about that Master of Puppets, it rocketed to popularity in a time where being on Mtv was a must and Metallica said they wouldn’t play that game. We were shocked when they released the video for One, had no idea it was coming. Wondered in at midnight and turned on the Headbangers Ball and, “NOW! The world premiere video of Metallica’s One!”
I still, to this day, get chills when I hear that middle section in Orion. If Cliff hadn’t have died, the world of metal would be incredibly different. ALL of the good material on Justice is written by Cliff at least in some part. The two untouchable members of Metallica, to me, are Cliff Burton, and James Hetfield, the finest rhythm guitar player that has ever lived.
Cliff’s songwriting and Hetfield’s rhythm playing would have produced hundreds more classics. He was like the McCartney of metal. Sucks that Bob Rock had such an indelible mark on Metallica.
ShouldaBeenLars
Time by the Electric Light Orchestra. that period in the late 70s and early 80s where synthesizer music was getting popular but hadn’t fully codified norms yet is chock full of incredible music, and Time was one of those albums while also being the culmination of a lot of the rock and pop that came before it. add an engaging and heartbreaking story and you have a winner
Have you heard the remastered version with additional tracks? Julie Don’t Live Here is especially poignant.
Also, the album Eldorado.
yeah, the 2001 CD remaster was actually the one i grew up with! Julie is also my favorite bonus track. i don’t understand how it’s possible to make something that upbeat and melancholy at the same time but it just works
I was definitely not expecting to see ELO as the very, very first result here but I’m pleasantly surprised.
Much like the other commenter, I’d also add that Eldorado is definitely a strong contender for their best album - arguably for the fact that I’ve never ever listened to an album that came anywhere close to it.
Finally, I’d throw in Discovery + ELO’s side of Xanadu, just for the mere fact that it’s their work featuring not a single weak track, all of them being single worthy and massive hits around the world.
It’s a tie for me
Pearl Jam. (1991). Ten [Album]. Epic Records.
A Tribe Called Quest. (1991). The Low End Theory [Album]. Jive Records.
My fuck, Low End Theory is one of the best albums in history.
You on point, Tip?
All the time
Well, then grab the microphone and let your words rip.
Here’s my thing about ‘Ten’.
I love the first half of this album. It’s some of the best music I know in the genre. High energy, catchy, passionate. But somehow, the second half feels to me like the band ran out of ideas and gas. After ‘Jeremy’ it’s all pretty average, low-energy stuff, with the exception of ‘Garden’.
Porch is a banger for me.
Mezzanine
Risingson makes me feel like im inside a private bdsm dungeon party session in underground germany with my buddy mike
NIИ - The Downward Spiral is the common choice, but The Fragile is a much more complete album. However, my personal favorite is Year Zero.
I would say Pretty Hate Machine is probably the best known. My favorite is Broken. You are probably correct about Downward Spiral being the consensus among the fan base as a whole. What I really like about NIN is that I enjoy all of their albums. Many other bands I like have some that I avoid. Probably my least favorite NIN album is Fixed and it’s still pretty listenable.
Either The Wall by Pink Floyd or In Rainbows by Radiohead
Or The Money Store by Death Grips
Or ænemia by Tool
Or Dirt by Alice in Chains
Or-
Or Currents by Tame Impala
OR WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Bille Eilish
OR Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
OR The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
Around the Fur
A lot of people say White Pony, but Around The Fur is where it’s at.
White Pony is accessible and everyone knows it. Around the Fur has the best snare I’ve ever heard recorded.
That’s a total lie! St Anger had the best snare in history!
This album is dedicated to Lars’ new drum kit.
Ween - Quebec
Favorite band is very tough. It’s probably Ween, and Quebec slightly over The Mollusk for meMmm, my order of favorite Ween albums would be Chocolate and Cheese, Quebec, White Pepper.
But Mollusk has some bangers on it too (Buckingham Green).
Why yes, yes I am down with the brown.
Did you listen to the Deluxe C&C yet? The “new” songs are really great
I have not! Gotta give that a listen, thanks for the heads-up!
It’s a 3 way tie between Back in Black, Led Zeppelin II and Wish You Were Here.
LZ II is a perfect album. But then LZ IV is too… And also Physical Graffiti… It’s hard to pick just one.
Beatles answer: Revolver
Non-Beatles answer: Sunny Day Real Estate - the pink album
Paul’s Boutique
Such a wild record. Great pick!
My Arms, Your Hearse by Opeth.
Edit: tied with BURN, PIANO ISLAND BURN by The Blood Brothers.
Kid A
It’s tough to pick between Kid A and In Rainbows, but I think In Rainbows sneaks by for me.
It’s Kid A for me because not only was that my intro to the band, but also because it was so unexpected when it was released, was hated by a lot of their long-term fans that wanted another guitar centered rock act, and it set the band (and to an extent the genre) in a completely new direction.
One of my favorite things was Thom Yorke, when asked about how he felt about bands that were copying OK Computer said: Good luck with Kid A.
Best is subjective. But my favorite album of my favorite band is Rankarumpu by Korpiklaani. I was bummed to see their previous violin player go on hiatus, but the new violinist brought a new energy to this album. Title track
Dream Theater “Awake” (1994). Extraordinary from the first to the last note. 75 minutes of phenomenal prog metal. They’ve made good and great albums before and after, but they never excelled the pure class and artistry displayed on this album.
Bruce Dickinson “The Chemical Wedding”. I never liked Iron Maiden much, but Dickinson’s solo stuff is a different class. Fresh, creative, varied, energetic. Most of his solo albums are well worth the listen, but “Chemical Wedding” stands out for its high variety and creativity.
