And no-one should compare liking a band, which you’ve liked previous albums of, who release complex and deep albums, with being horrifically kidnapped and forced into compliance.
Spare me - Stockholm Syndrome has passed out of literal meaning into mere metaphor decades ago. When it’s the title of Big Bang Theory episodes and manufactured Swedish pop acts, it’s just an expression now.
A lot of the albums that I love most are ones that were difficult for me to get into, it was worth the time and I’m glad I did so. There were other albums that I tried and I either never got them, or they didn’t stick. Most albums I like on first listen are typically fine albums, but don’t have the staying power.
This is me generalizing about me. YMMV
I more or less seem to agree with the popular consensus on Christopher Cross. Even his big first album had about 4-5 good songs and the rest were weak.
After that, he may have had a song or two here and there, but his music style just isn’t something I’m into. I actually like his voice. It’s not like much out there and I think he is talented, but I think the market and popularity of what he does is just not there.
Neat, but sounds quite dated.
Live Bullet by Bob Seger is very highly regarded. It’s
ranked 26 on Rolling Stone’s “50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time” list.
It captures his band at there very best. Bob was performing for his hometown crowd.
Recorded at Cobo Hall, Detroit in 1975. Seger had more hits in the following years that aren’t on this record.
https://www.discogs.com/master/37619-Bob-Seger-The-Silver-Bullet-Band-Live-Bullet
Amazing thread, hats off to your endurance…
“Everybody has heard…” is a bit generational, but the 80s seem a bit under-represented here. You should check out XTC, who crafted pure post-punk/pop perfection, very interesting and eclectic songwriting and many great albums to go down a rabbit hole to. Here are the best gateway albums…
XTC - “Skylarking”, generally regarded as a masterpiece
XTC - “Oranges and Lemons”, probably their most successful/recognizable pop success, a double album that doesn’t overstay its welcome, a true rarity among double-albums in that regard.
I think the 80s are pretty well represented @GargoyleWB - we’ve got Peter Gabriel’s So, lots of 80s work by other artists that had long careers (Bowie, Gabriel, Police and/or Sting, Billy Joel, and others) but I totally agree that XTC and especially Skylarking are some amazing 80s works that aren’t as popular (maybe outside of *Dear God" and “Peter Pumpkinhead” [which was post 80s]) on playlists.
I might throw a mention of the band Midnight Oil as well, since Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining were favorites of mine in high school / college.
But mostly we’ve been responding to the OP’s specific “what about…?” requets.
One more thing about the 80s, in that it was arguably peak one-hit-wonders, so getting a whole album worth of music that wasn’t a best of is kind of harsh. Although if I wanted to pick ONE album that for me defined the 80s it was the soundtrack to “The Lost Boys”.
Thank you. This might be a good time to update my likes.
Love:
Nightwish
Within Temptation
Sepultura - when Max was in the band
KMFDM - I even moderate their subreddit
Like:
Billy Joel
Alice in Chains
U2
Kamelot
I’m sure quite a bit more, but I’m pressed to think of anything right now.
Christopher Cross
I can confirm, at least in my opinion, that Christopher Cross really kind deserved his drop in popularity. That first album may have had a few good songs, but he does little interesting after that, other than the Arthur Theme, which he did not write.
It’s more than just that his genre/style went away. His albums just…are not all that great and are not catchy.
So I am wondering, did you happen to remember this thread and post this as a bit of a thread bump (which is fine), or did you spend the last three months doing a deep dive on Christopher Cross, listening to most of his work to determine your final opinion on him? Because if it’s the latter, I’m, um, impressed.
Oh, I always remember it. It’s been almost 11 years since I started it.
Yeah, repeating myself from earlier, Christopher Cross’ music doesn’t generally evoke much passion. It’s … pleasant … but most of the songs don’t evoke enough love or hate for it to really register.
Just out of curiosity since you’ve bumped the thread @Mahaloth, what are you listening too now, or what are you thinking of trying out?
Sure, I’ll update a bit. Things I’ve been listening to recently:
Visions of Atlantis - Pirates <–great album, hit after hit. I love it.
Visions of Atlantis - Pirates II <–good album, not quite up to the first one, but still love it
Nightwish - Perfume of the Timeless <–my favorite band and this is their new single. Quite good.
Behemoth - The Satanist <–this album continues to be hailed as great, but I only find it OK.
KMFDM - Let Go <–another favorite band, I’m even the moderator of their subreddit. I think KMFDM is still good, but is honestly losing it a bit. Last couple albums felt like they had 3 good songs and the rest were leftovers from other recording sessions.
An artist I am willing to explore: Eminem
I just listened to his new album: The Death of Slim Shady
Wow, I kind of liked a few songs on this. I knew his first couple songs “My name is” and "Without Me’, but nothing since then.
The new album had me laughing here and there. Almost like a Weird Al album. I am constantly impressed with the rhymes and rhythms.
Would it be recommended I go back and listen to his whole discography?
Do you like Delain at all. I’ve been listening to the three song ep Queen of shadows. Really liking the new line up.
I should probably give them a shot again. I was into them when they were new and then kind of stopped listening to them along the way and was surprised when an almost entirely new lineup continued.
Thanks for the tip.
I hadn’t caught the new Nightwish single, so I’ll have to go dig it up and add it to my Manowar, NIghtwish and Cruxshadows playlist.
So thanks for telling me what you’re up to musically @Mahaloth!
Yeah, Nightwish has a new album in a couple months. Definitely my favorite band. The new single probably isn’t their best song, but I’m a fan and will gladly enjoy any content.
Oh hell yeah, it is the apotheosis of brit pop! But I wouldn’t say it’s an album “everybody has heard of” so not sure it qualifies
If Appetite for Destruction was your thing, 80’s metal seems more up your alley
Quiet Riot - Metal Health
Ozzy - Blizzard of Oz, Bark at the Moon, No More Tears - One from each, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde
Judas Priest - British Steel, Screaming for Vengeance
Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast, Piece of Mind, Powerslave… but Live After Death will really give you a great idea of Maiden.
Scorpions - Blackout, Love at First Sting
Motley Crue - Too Fast for Love, Shout at the Devil then maybe Dr. Feelgood
Dio - Last in Line and Holy Diver, or his Black Sabbath days - Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules
Deep Purple - Machine Head, Shades of Deep Purple
Def Leppard - High and Dry, Pyromania
Megadeth - Peace Sells… but Who’s Buying? and Symphony of Destruction
Anthrax - Among the Living, Spreading the Disease
Slayer - Show No Mercy, Reign of Blood, Seasons in the Abyss
My personal favourite from AC/DC is Let There Be Rock but Highway to Hell or Back in Black are solid. IMHO For Those About to Rock is very underrated.
I am a huge Tesla fan so I’d be curious on what you think of Mechanical Resonance or The Great Radio Controversy.
Rush has several “phases” so it depends on what your tastes are. I would recommend A Farewell to Kings, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures to get a pretty good idea of what they were about.
If KMFDM is your thing then you may want to check out
Ministry - Psalm 69, The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste
White Zombie - Astrocreep 2000, La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One
Rammstein - Sehnsucht