# The Essential Music Library: Modern Rock **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 17, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546 "2005-10-17T02:06:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/21 "2005-10-18T04:05:20Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > No separate prog thread. Instead, it’s split between rock and modern rock. If you think the rock thread is short on prog, feel free to add some. Lamb was released in 1974, so it doesn’t fit the time frame. It is hard to classify any Genesis album after 1980 as “essential.” I’ll say _Duke_, from 1980 would be the closest. There are some good tracks on the latter albums, but a bit too much filler for an “essential” albums collection. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2005, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/22 "2005-10-18T04:25:33Z")
No surprise to anyone who knows me, but I’d put **Husker Du** ’s _Zen Arcade_ or _New Day Rising_ (or even _Warehouse: Songs And Stories_) up there. I think both _Pleased To Meet Me_ and _Let It Be_ (each of which have been mentioned) by **The Replacements** should be included. And for **R.E.M.** , I’d go with _Murmur_. Also not mentioned yet (I don’t think): _Psychocandy_ by **The Jesus & Mary Chain** , _Wild Gift_ by **X** , _Underwater Moonlight_ by **The Soft Boys** , _I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One_ by **Yo La Tengo** , _Dig Me Out_ or _All Hands On The Bad One_ by **Sleater-Kinney** , _Emperor Tomato Ketchup_ by **Stereolab** , _Rum, Sodomy and the Lash_ and _If I Should Fall From Grace With God_ by **The Pogues** , _Copper Blue_ by **Sugar** , **Violent Femmes** ’ self-titled debut, _Crazy Rhythms_ by **The Feelies** , _Substance_ by **New Order** , _Rock ‘n’ Roll_ by **The Mekons** , _Upstairs at Eric’s_ by **Yaz** , _16 Lovers Lane_ by **The Go-Betweens** …and more I’m sure will come to me later. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/23 "2005-10-18T05:07:02Z")
Apologizing in advance for any duplications, here’s a few more to consider: The Jam: Sound Effects The Police: Reggatta de Blanc The Pretenders: Learning to Crawl The Feelies: The Feelies Devo: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! The Specials: The Specials The dB’s: Repercussion (although some would pick their debut, Stands for Decibels) The Dead Milkmen: Beelzebubba (or Bucky Fellini) Golden Palominos: Blast of Silence (maybe not the critics’ typical pick, but this one anticipated the alt-country movement) Wire: Pink Flag The Minutemen: Double Nickels on the Dime Squeeze: I dunno. I’ve got three of theirs, all very different compilations, all great… someone needs to nominate a proper album of theirs. Brian Eno/John Cale: Wrong Way Up Massive Attack: Blue Lines Toad the Wet Sprocket: Fear The The: Dusk, Naked Self (although many would choose Mind Bomb) Jeff Buckley: Grace Portishead: Dummy Soundgarden: Superunknown Jellyfish: Bellybutton, Spilt Milk (both, definitely) Southern Culture On the Skids: Dirt Track Date The Go-Betweens: 16 Lovers Lane Squirrel Nut Zippers: Hot Pulp: Different Class Yo La Tengo: I Can Feel My Heart Beating as One Morcheeba: Big Calm Sloan: One Chord to Another The Old 97’s: Fight Songs The Beta Band: The Three EPs (o.k., it’s a bit of a cheat, but their album-albums weren’t as good). The Propellerheads: Decksanddrumsandrockandroll Amy Rigby: Diary of a Mad Housewife Gomez: Bring It On Ween: Chocolate and Cheese Aimee Mann: Whatever, Batchelor #2 Semisonic: The Great Divide The Sea and Cake: One Bedroom Crowded House: Crowded House, Temple of Low Men, and Woodface are all good… anyone feel like narrowing it down further? XTC: arguments could be made for Drums and Wires ('79), Black Sea, English Settlement, and The Big Express, in addition to the aforementioned Skylarking and Oranges & Lemons. D&W was tremendously influential on other artists, though, with its innovative production techniques and “big drum” sound. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2005, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/24 "2005-10-18T05:12:21Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > The dB’s: Repercussion (although some would pick their debut, Stands for Decibels) Both albums are available on one CD now (either as _Stands for Decibels/Repercussion_ or _Neverland_) anyway; I don’t think you can find them separately any more except on LP. Nice picks - can’t believe I forgot the Minutemen and The Specials - but (just to be a geek) The Feelies didn’t have a self-titled album. _Crazy Rhythms_ (my pick) what you meant? Actually, I think you could make a case for any of their albums, depending on what mood you were going for. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/25 "2005-10-18T05:28:05Z")
:smack: Crazy Rhythms it was. I was going from memory on that one and must’ve had a, ahem, senior moment… And I can’t believe I forgot The Mekons – although my favorite of theirs (so far, since I don’t have their entire discography yet) is The Curse of the Mekons. The grain of sand that always works its way into my oyster shell when putting together lists like this is the vexing problem of acknowledging important or interesting artists who, for all the great individual songs they’ve put out, nevertheless released albums of scattershot quality throughout their career. Robyn Hitchcock’s one of those. Ditto for The Woodentops – I debated whether to list Giant or Wooden Footed Cops on the Highway, but neither really stood out in my memory as an album. (But compile their strongest material on one disc… wow!) ---
**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:** [October 18, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/26 "2005-10-18T15:40:25Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > The grain of sand that always works its way into my oyster shell when putting together lists like this is the vexing problem of acknowledging important or interesting artists who, for all the great individual songs they’ve put out, nevertheless released albums of scattershot quality throughout their career. Robyn Hitchcock’s one of those. Ditto for The Woodentops – I debated whether to list Giant or Wooden Footed Cops on the Highway, but neither really stood out in my memory as an album. (But compile their strongest material on one disc… wow!) Yeah, I know what you mean - I was thinking of listing either _Fegmania!_ or _Element of Light_, but then I figured they probably weren’t essential albums to non-fans. Another one I wavered on was the Meat Puppets (maybe _Up On The Sun_?) - much as I loved them, they’re probably not that “important”, and definitely are an acquired taste. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/27 "2005-10-18T15:43:53Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > The grain of sand that always works its way into my oyster shell when putting together lists like this is the vexing problem of acknowledging important or interesting artists who, for all the great individual songs they’ve put out, nevertheless released albums of scattershot quality throughout their career. For artists like that, I think greatest hits compilations are a good pick. Purists might turn up their nose, but screw 'em. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/28 "2005-10-18T15:48:59Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > Semisonic: The Great Divide Hmm. Not bad, but not, IMHO, as good as Trip Shakespeare, from whose ashes they sprang. Trip Shakespeare’s albums, especially _Lulu_, are definitely on my own list of _personal_ essentials, but I don’t know if they’re big enough to justify putting on the Doper List. > [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Another one I wavered on was the Meat Puppets I could get behind you on that. I think they’re at least as deserving as some of the other bands that have been mentioned. ---
**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:** [October 18, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/29 "2005-10-18T17:06:47Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > I could get behind you on that. I think they’re at least as deserving as some of the other bands that have been mentioned. You’re right. I’ll add _Up On The Sun_ (or _Meat Puppets II_) by **The Meat Puppets**. And why not throw in _Fegmania_ by **Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians** while I’m at it? I think it’s at least good to have an idea of what he’s like for a list of modern rock. ---
**Author:** ![Qwertyasdfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ecc23a/32.png) [@Qwertyasdfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwertyasdfg)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/30 "2005-10-28T20:58:03Z")
The Clash - London Calling Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime Pixies - Doolittle, Surfer Rosa Pearl Jam - Vs. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Uncle Tupelo - Still Feel Gone Sublime - 40 oz to Freedom Descendents - Milo Goes to College (maybe that one belongs in the punk thread) At the Drive-In - In Casino Out Rage Against the Machine - self-titled and Evil Empire Smashing Pumpkins - Melloncollie and the Infinite Sadness Metallica - Master of Puppets Green Day - Dookie Sparta - Wiretap Scars Dispatch - Bang Bang ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/31 "2005-10-28T22:57:32Z")
For Green Day, I’d pick **American Idiot** over **Dookie** , but I know lots of people who disagree. Some others: **Ryan Adams** - _Heartbreaker_ **AC Newman** - _The Slow Wonder_ **The Black Crowes** - _Shake Your Money Maker_ **Coldplay** - _A Rush of Blood to the Head_ **Warren Zevon** - _I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Anthology_ **Cowboy Junkies** - _The Trinity Sessions_ **The Decemberists** - _Picaresque_ **Fountains of Wayne** - _Welcome Interstate Managers_ **Guns N’ Roses** - _Use Your Illusion I and II_ and _Appetite for Destruction_ **The Traveling Wilburys** - _Vol 1_ **The Jayhawks** - _Hollywood Town Hall_ and _Rainy Day Music_ **Beck** - _Odelay_, _Sea Change_ and _Guero_ **The New Pornographers** - _Twin Cinema_ or _Mass Romantic_ **Paul Simon** - _Graceland_ **Radiohead** - _OK Computer_ **Robbie Robertson** - _Robbie Robertson_ **Rush** - _Moving Pictures_, _Signals_ **Son Volt** - _Trace_ **Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble** - _Live_, _The Sky is Crying_ **Supertramp** - _Breakfast in America_ **Talk Talk** - _The Colour of Spring_ **The Tragically Hip** - _Fully, Completely_, _Up to Here_, _Road Apples_ **The White Stripes** - _White Blood Cells_, _De Stijl_, _Elephant_ **Wilco** - _Yankee Hotel Foxtrot_ **Aerosmith** - _Pump_ ---
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2005, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/32 "2005-10-31T05:23:14Z")
> [@sleestak](#): > > Well, on the hard rock/metal side you’d have to have: > > Ozzy- Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman, though I think Blizzard came out late 79. No, you had it right. Blizzard came out in 1980, according to [allmusic.com](http://allmusic.com). > [@sleestak](#): > > Metallica- Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets I think if you like heavy metal, you might as well get all of their first 5 albums, they are all awesome. If someone needs a place to start with Metallica, I recommend either _Ride the Lightning_ (for more heavy metal) or _Metallica_ (for a slightly more mainstream effort). > [@sleestak](#): > > Van Halen: Women and Children First. Possibly another album. I don’t like VH so I don’t know what would be the best pick but they gotta be in there somwhere. You’re right, they probably should. Most people would probably say their best efforts are _Van Halen_ or _1984_. > [@sleestak](#): > > Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance As good as that album is, I don’t think you can have that one and not have _British Steel_. I’d also like to add, just on the hard rock/metal side: [ul][li]AC/DC - _Back in Black_ (arguably their most consistent)[/li][li]Motörhead - _Ace of Spades_ (ditto)[/li][li]Pearl Jam - _Ten_ (in addition to _Vs._)[/li][\*]Pantera - _Cowboys from Hell_ and _Vulgar Display of Power_ (Pantera isn’t for everyone, but if you like heavy metal, they deliver in spades - especially on these two albums)[/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/33 "2005-11-02T14:18:28Z")
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses The Happy Mondays - Pills n Thrills n Bellyaches Primal Scream - Screamadelica Verve - A Storm in Heaven, Urban Hymns ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2005, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546/34 "2005-11-17T09:53:36Z")
The other rock thread is more my era. Stylistically, most of these fit that thread more than this one. However, they are all from well past the 1980 cutoff. If, by “essential”, we’re going for the “desert island” idea, I ain’t going without all of these: **Big Head Todd and the Monsters** - Sister Sweetly **Freddy Jones Band** - a mile high live (now defunct. Anyone know what happened to them?) **Gov’t Mule** If I had to pick one it would be the 4 disc Live…With a little help from our friends. Please don’t make me go with just one! (Deja Voodoo is good, too). (and Dose) (and… ah, hell just add 'em all) **Jazz Is Dead** - Great Sky River **Eric Johnson** - Ah Via Musicon **Los Lonely Boys** - Live at the Fillmore or their eponymous first (all they’ve done AFAIK) Did I miss **Dave Matthews Band**? I like Under The Table And Dreaming best. **moe.** - no doy (absolutely essential) gotta have some **Ozric Tentacles** **Phish** - Rift (personal choice. let the flames begin) No love for **Primus**? **Flying Frog Brigade** or **Col. Claypool’s Bucket Of Bernie’s Brains** or **Oysterhead**? Okay, maybe not Oysterhead. **Joe Satriani** - Surfing With The Alien **The Screaming Cheetah Wheelies** - Magnolia (another band no longer around) **Spock’s Beard** - V (modern prog-rock) (come back Neal, things just ain’t the same without you) **String Cheese Incident** - 'Round The Wheel or Carnival '99 or… **Derek Trucks Band** - Out Of The Madness **Widespread Panic** - Bombs & Butterflies [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-essential-music-library-modern-rock/326546.md?page=1)