# Albums with all good songs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 15, 2000, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654 "2000-07-15T08:12:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/1 "2000-07-15T08:12:09Z")
I think my favorite albums are those where every song is one you like. While there’s some albums worth it just for a few songs, there’s some that are just a really good bunch of songs. This might exclude some excellent albums, and include some that aren’t quite so, but just those that if a song were picked at random from the album, you’d like it. Then there’s the one-offs, the almost perfect albums. I think I’ll start a thread on those, too,to keep it separate. And I think compilations (those that are picked from hits or released songs, anyway) are sort of cheating, though I guess Soundtracks would be okay. Here’s my list (I’ve confined it to ones I own, though there’s a few I’d like to add soon) : Definite Classics : Pearl Jam - Ten Counting Crows - August and Everything After The best songs weren’t the radio singles, IMHO. U2- The Joshua Tree Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill I seem to be the only one I know who feels this way about it, though. Eagles - Hotel California They Might Be Giants - Flood Actually the album that inspired this thread. It’s hard to get better than this. REM - Automatic for the People Most Beatles albums. The best is Rubber Soul, and almost everything after it fits on this list. Those i really like : Toad the Wet Sprocket - Fear Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run There’s others that are close, but this is the only one I own. Midnight Oil - Blue Sky Mining The first album I ever bought; I bought it for one song only but boy was I glad I got all the rest. James - Laid One of the best moods of any album ever. Radiohead - the bends Not that OK Computer’s bad, I just like this one better. Tori Amos - Crucify EP I don’t know which I find weirder - having an EP on CD, or hearing Tori do “Smells Like Teen Spirit”. Indigo Girls - Swamp Ophelia Although I sometimes get annoyed at the inane mathematics in “Power of Two”. Dire Straits made consistently good albums. Making Movies is my favorite for this list. Chris Isaak produces generally good, listenable stuff, too. The only one that I’d put here is San Francisco Days. And the ones you might not ever have heard of : Hothouse Flowers - songs from the rain “the simple truth can cut through anything” toy matinee - toy matinee Some of my favorite pop-song lyrics ever. Kevin Gilbert is sorely missed. panama jack ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/2 "2000-07-15T08:51:07Z")
Almost every Pink Floyd album (except Atom Heart Mother, fucking hate that one) REM - Automatic for the people Billy Joel’s greatest hits (both discs) Metallica - Black album Ozzy Osbourne - Ozzmosis Jimi Hendrix - Experience A bunch of others that I can’t think of at 4:43 in the AM ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/3 "2000-07-15T08:51:35Z")
Here’s the thread for those albums not quite good enough for this list : [One-off albums](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=30881) And since I used one over there, I’d wouldn’t say B-side and rarety compilations would fall under ‘cheating’. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/4 "2000-07-15T10:03:21Z")
Rumours -Fleetwood Mac Parallel lines - Blondie Eat to the Beat - Blondie Dave Brubeck - Time Out Radiohead - The bends Mavericks - Trampolina Santana - Abraxas Steely Dan - Royal Scam Steely Dan - Aja Elton John - Goodbye yellow brick road Supertramp - Breakfast in America Stevie Wonder - Talking Book Stevie Wonder - Songs in the key of life Allman Brothers - Brothers and sisters Blur - Parklife Buffy Saint-marie - Coincidence and likely stories Hardly a duff track among them. The criteria is pretty tough as I can think of lots of stuff where most of the tracks are good. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/5 "2000-07-15T11:32:22Z")
Back in Black - ACDC 8:30 - Weather Report ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/6 "2000-07-15T12:50:48Z")
City of Angels soundtrack. Sting’s Greatest Hits Simon & Garfunkel Live in Central Park 'N Sync’s No Strings Attached Oh, for pete’s sake, I was just kidding about the last one. ---
**Author:** ![untateve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@untateve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/untateve)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/7 "2000-07-15T12:55:15Z")
abbey road bloodletting–by concrete blonde the wall long black veil–the chieftains ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/8 "2000-07-15T13:51:56Z")
Toad the Wet Sprocket - Dulcinea AND Coil. Fear is 1 off (track 3) Soundgarden - Superunknown Barenaked Ladies - Gordon Stone Temple Pilots - Core Chris Cornell - Euphoria Morning Oasis - What’s the Story (Morning Glory) ```auto Jman ``` ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/9 "2000-07-15T15:01:26Z")
I’ll second The Joshua Tree from the OP, and add: Graceland (Paul Simon) Blood on the Tracks (Bob Dylan) London Calling (The Clash) Rei Momo (David Byrne) Arkansa Traveler (Michelle Shocked) ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/10 "2000-07-15T17:12:26Z")
feideo – And I think Atom Heart Mother is their best, edging out Meddle. Spirit – 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus Bonzo Dog Band – Gorilla Bonzo Dog Band – The Donut in Granny’s Greenhouse (aka Urban Spaceman) Bonzo Dog Band – Tadpoles The Who – Who’s Next The Who – Who Are You Beatles – Abbey Road Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed Queen – A Night at the Opera Kinks – Lola vs. Powerman the the Money-go-round Guy and Dolls soundtrack Annie Get Your Gun (Ethel Merman revival) Greatful Dead – Workingman’s Dead ---
**Author:** ![ThisYearsGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@ThisYearsGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisYearsGirl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/11 "2000-07-15T17:24:18Z")
Led Zep III (Yeah, I know it got terrible reviews and is considered one of their worst albums, but I really like it. “Since I’ve been Loving You” and “Out on the Tiles” are so underrated.) Aladdin Sane–David Bowie (also Lodger) The self-titled Ben Folds Five album Blonde on Blonde–Bob Dylan Moondance–Van Morrison And add my vote to Joshua Tree, the Bends, and Automatic for the People. ---
**Author:** ![Barney111](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@Barney111](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barney111)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/12 "2000-07-15T17:39:39Z")
A few: Bonnie Raitt, Takin’ My Time - Bonnie Raitt Songs From Big Pink, The Last Waltz - The Band Late for the Sky, Saturate, For Everyman, The Pretender - Jackson Browne Who’s Next - The Who So - Peter Gabriel Graceland - Paul Simon Waiting for Columbus - Little Feat Blood on the Tracks, Blonde on Blonde, Infidel - Bob Dylan Land of the Bottom Line, Temporary Road - John Gorka Will the Circle be Unbroken - Dirt Band and friends Sgt. Pepper - The Beatles Astral Weeks- Van Morrison ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/13 "2000-07-15T17:46:39Z")
Graceland by Paul Simon Every Beatles album Ten Summner’s Tales-Sting Police Greatest Hits Brothers in Arms-Dire Straights Band on the Run-Paul McCartney Ram-Paul McCartney Flaming Pie-Paul McCartney The John Lennon Collection Dizzy Up The Girl-Goo Goo Dolls Cloud #9-George Harrison Verticle Man-Ringo Starr ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/14 "2000-07-15T17:54:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jman \* > \*\* > Barenaked Ladies - Gordon > \*\* YAY! BNL! American Pie Soundtrack Third Eye Blind- Third Eye Blind and I’m hoping I won’t get hell for this: New Kids on the Block- Hangin’ Tough ---
**Author:** ![cblackhand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@cblackhand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cblackhand)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2000, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/15 "2000-07-15T18:16:18Z")
These are all the ones I can remember. They Might be Giants - Flood Lincoln Factory Showroom Collective Soul - Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid For Squirrels - Example Tea Party - Splendor Solis Dream Theater - Awake Images and Words Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2000, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/16 "2000-07-16T08:15:36Z")
I agree with a bunch listed here so I won’t repeat them, but one that isn’t listed Styx - The Grand Illusion ---
**Author:** ![Lux\_Fiat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Lux\_Fiat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lux_Fiat)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2000, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/17 "2000-07-16T08:41:34Z")
Besides the ones already listed ( **Ten**!), I must add **In Loving Memory Of…** by Big Wreck. I haven’t heard anything by them on the radio since their one rarely played single (The Oaf), but by crikey, that album is fabulous. It didn’t leave my CD player for like 6 months after I got it. **Fumbling Towards Ecstasy** and **Solace** by Sarah McLachlan, and **Little Earthquakes** by Tori Amos make that cut for me, too, as does pretty much anything by Toad the Wet Sprocket. And **Badmotorfinger** by Soundgarden. Oh, and **Ride the Lightning** and **Master of Puppets** by Metallica. ---
**Author:** ![Cowboy\_Greg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Cowboy\_Greg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowboy_Greg)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2000, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/18 "2000-07-16T08:55:29Z")
Annie Lenox - **Diva** K. D. Lang - **Ingenue** Martini Ranch - **Holy Cow** ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2000, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/19 "2000-07-16T09:18:40Z")
Public Enemy–_It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back_ Beatles–_Rubber Soul; Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band_ ---
**Author:** ![vandal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/858c86/32.png) [@vandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vandal)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2000, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654/20 "2000-07-16T12:44:05Z")
**Garbage** - Garbage **Offspring** - Smash **The Cure** - Galore **Depeche Mode** - Violator And just to reiterate some albums that have been mentioned… **Metallica** - Metallica **Pearl Jam** - Ten **Stone Temple Pilots** - Core [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/albums-with-all-good-songs/25654.md?page=2)