# Recommend Albums by a Particular Artist **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 19, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344 "2006-04-19T19:08:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/21 "2006-04-21T04:08:38Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > But but but … Desire has “Joey” on it. :eek: And it took me ages to figure out it was a loving tribute to Mafia goon “Crazy Joe” Gallo. Not a great song by any means, but it only lowers the album ever-so-slightly in my eyes. A few others King Crimson: “Discipline” Yes: “Close to the Edge” AC/DC: “Highway to Hell” Blue Oyster Cult: “Blue Oyster Cult” The Ramones: “Ramones Leave Home” Rush: “Counterparts” ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/22 "2006-04-21T14:40:04Z")
Lou Reed: Transformer, New York The Smiths: Singles (they had some singles that weren’t on any albums) Echo and the Bunnymen: Ocean Rain By the way, thanks for the Dylan recs, even though I went and got something on my own anyway. I will put Blood on the Tracks on my (mental) to get list. Heck, how about recommending individual songs, too? Let’s say I wanted to check out The Zombies, which one song would be the best to listen to first? ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/23 "2006-04-21T14:51:35Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > King Crimson: “Discipline” > Yes: “Close to the Edge” > AC/DC: “Highway to Hell” > Blue Oyster Cult: “Blue Oyster Cult” > The Ramones: “Ramones Leave Home” > Rush: “Counterparts” Like these picks, but I would have to say Yes, _Relayer_ Blue Oyster Cult, _Secret Treaties_ others Kansas, _Leftoverture_ Alice Cooper, _Love it to Death_ Grand Funk, _E Pluribus Funk_ ---
**Author:** ![Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/24 "2006-04-21T15:22:52Z")
**astorian** —Interesting choice about Yes’s _Close to the Edge_, but I guess it really does make sense. That’s probably the best introduction to the band, even better than the far more popular _Fragile_, which I’d class as the second best. My Yes introduction was _90125_, which is a great album, but it doesn’t give you a great feel for the whole history of the band. I’d say that after _Close to the Edge_ and _Fragile_, a Yes neophyte should pick up _The Ladder_, since they’re probably on their way to fandom. _The Yes Album_ is also worth your twelve bucks (or whatever CDs cost where you live.) For other bands: Jefferson Starship—_Dragon Fly_. Throughout its thirty-some-year history, Jefferson Starsihp has been all over the map. But _Dragon Fly_ is probably their most together album, and it’s got a lot of good stuff on it. Devo—_Freedom of Choice_. This is their big commercial success, and it’s also a great introduction to the band. From this one, move on to _Oh, No! It’s Devo!_ If you’re not tired of them by the time you get to know those two albums, you might be a fan. They Might Be Giants—_Flood_. In this band’s ever-growing catalogue, their third album remains the best, and the best introduction. I have all their albums and I like all their albums, but even after all this time, nothing tops _Flood_, which I think might just be the most perfect album in the history of recorded music. No, scratch that: it _is_. _Flood_ was my introduction to They Might Be Giants, who have been my favorite band for over fifteen years now, and I still think it’s the best possible introduction you could have to them. ---
**Author:** ![zoogirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b9bd4f/32.png) [@zoogirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoogirl)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/25 "2006-04-21T15:23:47Z")
Actually, any Alice Cooper, but try his new one, Dirty Diamonds. It’s a nice mix of styles from quite heavy (Run Down The Devil) to light and soft (a remake of The Left Banke’s Pretty Ballerina) to laugh your butt off funny (The Ballad Of Jesse Jane, Your Own Worst Enemy) to Stones-ish bluesy (Zombie Dance) to outright rocker (Steal That Car). There’s even rap, a collaberation with Xhibit that was originally recorded as a track on the 2004 Olympics albumn, Unity. It’s called Stand, and it’s actually not bad. ---
**Author:** ![Mal\_Adroit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/26 "2006-04-21T15:31:50Z")
**zoogirl** , \*Dirty Diamonds \* is terrific! Startlingly good, I thought, for this phase of his career. sorry, off the OP ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/27 "2006-04-21T16:15:51Z")
David Bowie - [Ziggy Stardust](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AZAUM/qid=1145635326/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (not just his best, but one of the best albums ever) Jimi Hendix - [Electric Ladyland](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002P5U/qid=1145635783/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) Van Morrison - [Astral Weeks](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KAT/qid=1145636086/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) King Crimson - [In the Court of the Crimson King](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065MDRW/qid=1145635591/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) Mothers - [We’re Only in it for the Money](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MIIX/qid=1145635632/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Beatles - [Sgt. Pepper’s](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002UAU/qid=1145635549/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Stones - [Let it Bleed](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006AW2G/qid=1145635679/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Jethro Tull - [Benefit](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NTJK/qid=1145635724/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Pink Floyd - [Atom Heart Mother](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002U9W/qid=1145635836/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174)(!) Deep Purple - [Deep Purple in Rock](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KBA/qid=1145635897/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Oh, yeah. Mustn’t forget: Robert Zimmerman - [Blonde on Blonde](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00026WU8M/qid=1145636016/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/28 "2006-04-21T22:50:41Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > David Bowie - [Ziggy Stardust](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AZAUM/qid=1145635326/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (not just his best, but one of the best albums ever) > Jimi Hendix - [Electric Ladyland](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002P5U/qid=1145635783/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) > Van Morrison - [Astral Weeks](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KAT/qid=1145636086/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) > King Crimson - [In the Court of the Crimson King](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00065MDRW/qid=1145635591/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) (ditto) > > Mothers - [We’re Only in it for the Money](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005MIIX/qid=1145635632/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > Beatles - [Sgt. Pepper’s](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002UAU/qid=1145635549/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > Stones - [Let it Bleed](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006AW2G/qid=1145635679/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > Jethro Tull - [Benefit](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00005NTJK/qid=1145635724/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > Pink Floyd - [Atom Heart Mother](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002U9W/qid=1145635836/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174)(!) > Deep Purple - [Deep Purple in Rock](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000002KBA/qid=1145635897/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) > > Oh, yeah. Mustn’t forget: > > Robert Zimmerman - [Blonde on Blonde](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00026WU8M/qid=1145636016/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-1612833-1362566?s=music&v=glance&n=5174) Tough part about picking one King Crimson album is that each lineup had a totally different sound. I can easily imagine someone loving “Discipline” but dismissing “Court of the Crimson King” as “pompous, pretentious, overblown pseudo-classical rock.” I can also imagine someone loving “Court of the Crimson King” but dismissing some of the Wetton-era stuff as too close to heavy metal. Point is, I could easily pick any of several different KC albums as a masterpiece, but people who like their OTHER phases would think I was nuts! ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/29 "2006-04-22T00:23:23Z")
> [@Talon Karrde](#): > > Let’s say I wanted to check out The Zombies, which one song would be the best to listen to first? Well, _Time of the Season_ is essential, but I’m sure you’ve heard that before. I’d offer up _Care of Cell 44_ for its perfect pop goodness or _Changes_ for the beautiful vocal harmonies. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/30 "2006-04-22T00:24:52Z")
The only one I’d add that hasn’t been mentioned: _Graceland_ - Paul Simon ---
**Author:** ![Emily\_Litella](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emily_litella/32/3370_2.png) [@Emily\_Litella](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emily_Litella)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/31 "2006-04-22T03:07:26Z")
Peter Gabriel: Us Allman Brother Band: Brothers & Sisters The Band: Songs from Big Pink Rolling Stones: Let it Bleed Pink Floyd: Learning to Fly Dylan: Blood on the tracks and Desire are vying for the best, but number 3 would have to be Oh Mercy. (Shhh…I don’t like the Beatles :eek: ) What would you reccommend for: Pearl Jam (besides 10)? ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/32 "2006-04-22T19:26:38Z")
> [@NotMyRealUserName](#): > > What would you reccommend for: Pearl Jam (besides 10)? Hell, I’d recommend “Vs.” (with the animal on the cover) over any other PJ album by far. That’s one of my favorite albums of all time. Some other alt-rock recs: Pixies - Doolittle (Surfer Rosa is great too, but Doolittle is a bit better.) Pavement - Slanted and Enchanted (Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain is another great album but not quite as good.) Radiohead - The Bends (OK Computer is good, but ridiculously overrated.) My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (there’s not much debating this one.) Smashing Pumpkins - Meloncollie and the Infinite Sadness ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/33 "2006-04-22T21:54:40Z")
I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned “Greatest Hits” by (insert artist here). Guess I’m not the only one who detests Greatest Hits albums who aren’t by Journey? ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/34 "2006-04-22T21:55:46Z")
Yield is Pearl Jam’s best album, and in my opinion the best album of the 90s. Note that this album is NOT for Pearl Jam casual fans whose favorite song in the early 90s was Jeremy. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/35 "2006-04-22T21:58:06Z")
> [@fusoya](#): > > I’m surprised nobody’s mentioned “Greatest Hits” by (insert artist here). Guess I’m not the only one who detests Greatest Hits albums who aren’t by Journey? Most Greatist Hits albums have zero flow. I do, however, like The Bangles’ _Greatest Hits_. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344/36 "2006-04-23T15:26:55Z")
I’ll weigh in by echoing what others have said: First choice: “Highway 61 Revisted” 2nd - “Blonde on Blonde” 3rd - “Bringing It All Back Home” 4th - “Blood on the Tracks” 5th - “John Wesley Harding” 6th - “Desire” Other worthy additions: I’m surprised I see no love for “Infidels” here. I think “License to Kill,” Neighborhood Bully, “Sweetheart Like You,” and “Union Sundown” are great tunes. And having Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor on guitars makes for some memorable playing. “Before the Flood” is a live album with Dylan and the Band. It has a great song selection and gives you an idea of the way Bob reworks his old standards for live play. Finally, “Love and Theft” is, in IMHO, the best thing Dylan’s done since “Blood on the Tracks!” A strong statement, to be sure, but I love that album! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-albums-by-a-particular-artist/353344.md?page=1)