# My thoughts on albums everybody has already heard.(recommendations accepted) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 26, 2013, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217 "2013-08-26T17:18:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/41 "2013-08-27T03:44:15Z")
Anyway if you like clever song-writing howabout **Elvis Costello**? I’m partial to his early stuff in particular _This Year’s Model_ ( 1978 ) and _Armed Forces_ ( 1979 ). Given that it is no surprise that of his more recent output I am most fond of the throwback _When I Was Cruel_ ( 2002 ). Also nobody has suggested any **Talking Heads**. _Remain in Light_ ( 1980 ) I think is still their best studio album, but if I could have just one disc I’d probably stick with the remastered ( and expanded ) double live album _Stop Making Sense_ ( 1984 - remaster 1999 ). I slightly prefer the more guitar pyrotechnic Adrian Belew era, but SMS is just the perfect live album. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/42 "2013-08-27T03:56:45Z")
I find it hard to believe that you actually listened to _The Joshua Tree_ and _London Calling_ from the reactions you posted. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/43 "2013-08-27T04:02:46Z")
> [@Laggard](#): > > Most ACDC up to and including Back in Black was awesome. But boy did they drop off in quality after that. Brian Johnson I think was a worthy replacement for Bon. > > And a big yes to Cheap Trick live at Budokon. Oh, hell yes for Budokan. And can I just say that in promoting Highway to Hell, I actually forgot to mention the song _If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)_. My god, what was I thinking?! 😉 Pretty much the best AC/DC song _ever_ (yeah, I know - YMMV). This is the song I listened to before every test I took in college and grad school. No better way to get pumped. Seriously. ETA: why yes, I actually _got pumped_ before exams, as opposed to, say, a football game or something. Why do you ask? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/44 "2013-08-27T04:29:14Z")
Getting and watching a copy of “URGH: A Music War” would help you a lot, I think. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/45 "2013-08-27T04:55:48Z")
> [@Darth\_Nader](#): > > Getting and watching a copy of “URGH: A Music War” would help you a lot, I think. Good lord, why don’t I know about this? This looks freakin’ amazing and important. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/46 "2013-08-27T04:57:23Z")
I don’t listen to a whole lot of '90’s or earlier music anymore, but a few good albums still in rotation: **Mazzy Star: So Tonight That I Might See** **My Bloody Valentine: Loveless** **Cocteau Twins: Treasure** **Björk: Debut** **Milla Jovovich: The Divine Comedy** ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/47 "2013-08-27T05:09:17Z")
**If I Should Fall From Grace With God** , by The Pogues. An absolute masterpiece. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/48 "2013-08-27T05:09:40Z")
I’ll third _Lovelss_ by My Bloody Valentine (just saw them on Friday - good show!). I’ll also say, if you liked Nirvana, Green Day, etc., that you should listen to the American indie records from the '80s that influenced them: Husker Du - _New Day Rising_ or _Flip Your Wig_ The Replacements - _Let It Be_ (or _Tim_ or _Pleased To Meet Me_ - you can’t really go wrong with any of these) Pixies - _Surfer Rosa_ or _Doolittle_ ETA: I second **Anamorphic** ’s pick, as well. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/49 "2013-08-27T05:25:02Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Good lord, why don’t I know about this? This looks freakin’ amazing and important. Well, until the Ramones thread, I would never have pegged you for a Flipper fan. If you know about both Bob Brozeman and Fipper, you have to see that. There’s more than one version out there, due to licensing, but I’d watch any of them. However, I don’t know about it being a good recommendation here. The bands on it are lot more like the Clash than the Beatles. Ehh, take a chance on it, OP, I doubt you’ll want those two hours back. > [@WordMan](#): > > What is it with **Back in Black**? To be clear: a _great_, totally respect-worthy album. But compared to **Highway to Hell**? With Bon Scott’s lyrics and delivery? Girls’ Got Rhythm? Shot Down in Flames? It doesn’t get any better. > > It’s like comparing Woodstock with Monterey Pop - one is the mainstream, popular breakout - deservedly so - but the other is just that much…better. I totally agree that _Highway to Hell_ is a better record, I think their best was _Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap_. I recommended _Back in Black_ because I think it’s more accessible than their other records. _Highway to Hell_ is pretty much AC/DC being the loudest, biggest, raunchiest version that Bon Scott could muster, _Dirty Deeds_ was the most immature. _Back in Black_ has elements of both, but it’s got it’s deeper moments, too. And hell, OP, go watch _Monterrey Pop_! All of it is absolutely great, even if it’s not all really pop music. And hey, **WordMan** you were the one recommending Jet records! Don’t tell us that _we’re_ the ones wasting the OP’s pocket money. 😃 and on preview: yeah, I have to third My Bloody Valentine’s _Loveless_, hell pick up anything by them, it’s all gorgeous. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/50 "2013-08-27T05:39:51Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > _Back in Black_ has elements of both, but it’s got it’s deeper moments, too. _Dude._ “AC/DC”…“deeper moments”…what!!! 😉 > [@](#): > > And hey, **WordMan** you were the one recommending Jet records! Don’t tell us that _we’re_ the ones wasting the OP’s pocket money. 😃 I am not going to try to claim that Jet is somehow…_deep_ or anything ;). But they are damn satisfying. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/51 "2013-08-27T06:53:25Z")
Bruce Springsteen, “Born in the USA”. It’s one of those records which had so many hits it manages to read like a Greatest Hits - but it’s not. A lot of the songs will be familiar from getting used in other media. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/52 "2013-08-27T08:44:56Z")
For the Metallica, I would have thought Master of Puppets was their classic. Pink Floyd- Dark side of the moon or Wish you were here? Rush - 2112 Eagles - Hotel California Jethro Tull - Aqualung Iron Maiden - Number of the beast The Prodigy - Album for a jilted generation Supertramp - Breakfast in america Fleetwood Mac - Rumours And for Yes I would have put Classic as their big album, and Zappa, I would have not put Absolutely Free as their album (its very unrepresentative of his work), but more Apostrophe/Overnight sensation (two albums one cd). ---
**Author:** ![Myglaren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Myglaren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myglaren)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/53 "2013-08-27T10:02:45Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > A lot of people tell me “I don’t like Andrew Lloyd Webber. except for Jesus Cheist Superstar.” A classic. Ha ha, the only ALW album I own, bought in … god knows when but when it was new. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/54 "2013-08-27T10:08:04Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > _Dude._ “AC/DC”…“deeper moments”…what!!! 😉 > > I am not going to try to claim that Jet is somehow…_deep_ or anything ;). But they are damn satisfying. Well, they were coming back from the death of Bon Scott, that’s what the title track is about. “Have a Drink on Me” is AC/DC actually warning you about the dangers of drinking. As far as meaning in AC/DC lyrics goes, it’s their _Finnegan’s Wake_. But yeah, they’re usually about as deep as a bedsheet. Even in junior high we joked that their songs were all about having sex or killing people, and not much else. If junior high school kids think your music is is two-dimensionally macho, you might be in danger of lampooning yourself. This was when _Back in Black_ was still their latest album. And I don’t dislike Jet because they’re some sort of fakers or something. My anger with Jet is completely based around them my getting my hopes up for an instant that I’m gonna hear an Iggy Pop song that I love, on the _radio!_. Then, it quickly sinks in that nope, it’s Jet, instead. ☹ Of course, it makes even less sense that sometimes in commercials, they are actually using _Lust for Life_ or _The Passenger_ to sell their products. They’re great songs, but I don’t know what using them as a commercial theme says about your product at all. Maybe they hope to warn you that their product is addictive? In fact, OP, if you’re feeling adventurous: Iggy Pop - _Lust for Life_ ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/55 "2013-08-27T10:59:01Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Anyway if you like clever song-writing howabout **Elvis Costello**? I’m partial to his early stuff in particular _This Year’s Model_ ( 1978 ) and _Armed Forces_ ( 1979 ). Given that it is no surprise that of his more recent output I am most fond of the throwback _When I Was Cruel_ ( 2002 ). > > Also nobody has suggested any **Talking Heads**. _Remain in Light_ ( 1980 ) I think is still their best studio album, but if I could have just one disc I’d probably stick with the remastered ( and expanded ) double live album _Stop Making Sense_ ( 1984 - remaster 1999 ). I slightly prefer the more guitar pyrotechnic Adrian Belew era, but SMS is just the perfect live album. Hmmm. It seems I woke up last night, registered under a different username, and sleep-posted. For this had to have been written by me. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/56 "2013-08-27T12:57:45Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > I’ll third _Lovelss_ by My Bloody Valentine (just saw them on Friday - good show!)… He thought London Calling was a bunch of jumbled noise. There is no way this person will like MBV. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/57 "2013-08-27T13:09:57Z")
I don’t think **The Kinks** have been mentioned yet in this thread. This is an omission that must be remedied, so I’ll just link to this old thread: [Kinks albums–which should I get?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=297938) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/58 "2013-08-27T13:38:52Z")
> [@Darth\_Nader](#): > > Getting and watching a copy of “URGH: A Music War” would help you a lot, I think. > > > [@WordMan](#): > > > > Good lord, why don’t I know about this? This looks freakin’ amazing and important. It (_Urgh_\*!\*\* A Music War\*) is/was! If only Miles Copeland would give us the whole thing, > [@](#): > > … It is rumored that three songs from each band were filmed and saved during the editing process and that Copeland has these in storage. There is the potential for a six-hour special edition, possibly containing over 100 songs, should Copeland and Warner Bros. decide to release it later. …[RIGHT][CITE](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urgh!_A_Music_War)[/RIGHT] A lot of it is on [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Urgh!+A+Music+War&oq=&gs_l=). Thank the gods (and my parents better cable subscription) for USA Network’s [_Night Flight_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Flight_%28TV_series%29) which gave me; _Urgh! A Music War_, _Rude Boy_, _Reggae Sunsplash_, _Fantastic Planet_, and a whole lot more! CMC fnord! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/59 "2013-08-27T14:31:47Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Well, they were coming back from the death of Bon Scott, that’s what the title track is about. “Have a Drink on Me” is AC/DC actually warning you about the dangers of drinking. As far as meaning in AC/DC lyrics goes, it’s their _Finnegan’s Wake_. > > But yeah, they’re usually about as deep as a bedsheet. Even in junior high we joked that their songs were all about having sex or killing people, and not much else. If junior high school kids think your music is is two-dimensionally macho, you might be in danger of lampooning yourself. This was when _Back in Black_ was still their latest album. > > And I don’t dislike Jet because they’re some sort of fakers or something. My anger with Jet is completely based around them my getting my hopes up for an instant that I’m gonna hear an Iggy Pop song that I love, on the _radio!_. Then, it quickly sinks in that nope, it’s Jet, instead. ☹ Of course, it makes even less sense that sometimes in commercials, they are actually using _Lust for Life_ or _The Passenger_ to sell their products. They’re great songs, but I don’t know what using them as a commercial theme says about your product at all. Maybe they hope to warn you that their product is addictive? > > In fact, OP, if you’re feeling adventurous: > Iggy Pop - _Lust for Life_ Wait: Have a Drink On Me is a cautionary tale? Coulda fooled me; the lyrics basically just say “let’s get totally bombed” - I just assumed it was them saying that they still wanted to be thought of as macho party guys regardless of how Bon died. Jet sounds like Iggy? Oh, the _Bup Bup bah, Bup Bup ba-da ba-da_ beat. Got it. I still really like the Jet tune. And yeah, folks are throwing out suggestions that don’t seem to fit the OP’s guidance; I tossed out MBV because it fits the timeframe, but acknowledged it is off the main list. I suggested Britpop bands because they seem like right timeframe and sound… ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217/60 "2013-08-27T15:11:39Z")
Maybe I missed them, but really? No Steely Dan or Van Morrison? But Jet makes the list? I’d recommend Aja by Steely Dan, and Moondance by Van Morrison. But all of the albums are fantastic. And one other thing - never, EVER be ashamed of the music you enjoy. Even if it’s Whitney Houston and whoever else you named. The idea of a “guilty pleasure” makes me sick. I listen to everything I can get my hands on, from Blurred Lines to Willie Nelson, and I get something good from all of the music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-thoughts-on-albums-everybody-has-already-heard-recommendations-accepted/667217.md?page=4)