Best album ever?
I say Electric Ladyland by Jimi Hendrix.

The variety of material on there, from tight three minute pop songs to 20 minute almost ambient tracks, from atmospheric blues, upbeat R&B covers and improvised jazz, to ultra-heavy guitar freakouts....it's all there.

There's something for every mood, and it sounds as fresh to me today as it did when my dad first played it to me when I was a boy.

Tell me another LP that's better and why, please.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:02, 76 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Big Red Car
by The Wiggles.

It's excellotastically fantasterrific.

EDIT trying to think of a serious answer, RATM Battle for Los Angeles, or Soundgarden's Badmotorfinger. Oooh, Black Sunday by Cypress Hill, and of course, the inaugural ...and justice for all.
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:03, Reply)

screamadelica
primal scream. Bobby Gillespie is a tiresome wanker, to be sure, and they've done nothing decent since that record. But what a record! You've got Slip Inside This House, Come Together and Loaded to get you up, then Shine Like Stars, I'm coming down and Damaged to bring you back down again. The bit where the sample starts "We are unified and of one accord" just brings me back to cold spring sunny days when I was younger and everything was going to be alright.
(sirolimus, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:09, Reply)

Anything by The Mars Volta
for all the reasons you mention above only with thirty years of musical evolution and all the lovely modern trickery that goes with it.

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is like Hendrix reborn with a healthy dose of Bitches Brew John McLaughlin and Woodstock-era Carlos Santana thrown in and a politely doffed cap to Sid Barret and David Gilmour.

Cedric Bixler-Zavala sings like Geddy Lee crossbred with the host of the seraphim with all of the improvisational, cut-and-paste madness of William Burroughs.

Their session musicians tend to be the cream of the los angeles progressive/alternative rock movement including John Frusciante and Flea of RHCP.

Utterly, uttterly amazing band.

rafter
baz
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:15, Reply)

Aqua-Aquarium
I don't think an explanation is needed.
( Lisette von Falcon, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:26, Reply)

Music for the Jilted Generation by The Prodigy
A masterpiece for Liam Howlett in my opinion. It took everything that was good about dance music in the 90s and wrapped it up in an hour of lovely, lovely tunes.

It's one of the few albums I like every track on.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:27, Reply)

Hmmm...
Obviously music is a very individual thing, but my definition of a "great album" is one that I can listen to, again and again without skipping any tracks.
( Cawl, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:33, Reply)

@Kaol
This tolerance of individuals taste rubbish needs to be rooted out at the source.

This is why there is so much bad music playing out of mobile phones and on the radio and music television.

No, no - a little more music fascism would go a long way!
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:35, Reply)

Now you get an insight into the Captain's warped mind.
Visions of the Emerald Beyond by The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Not a note wrong, no tracks I can't listen to over and over. Some still give me goosebumps.

Ditto with Straw Donkey by Carter USM. "Anytime anyplace anywhere" - a phenomenal indictment of the drinks industry and the actual effects of alcohol. Truly great lyricists.

Tommy and Quadrophenia by the Who.

Pink Floyd - pretty much all of the stuff after Syd Barrett (he's been sainted as a musical geniuis and an innovative writer - I must've missed THAT meeting).

I live through music but there's not many albums I can say have no bad tracks, the above are just some.
(Captain Placid 24/7 ball gags, brownie mix and clown porn, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:45, Reply)

I don't think Electric Ladyland is even the best Hendrix album!
As with so many people, he was better as a bluesman...

Some picks off the top of my head, from a multitude of genres:

Manu Chao - Clandestino
Billy Cobham - Spectrum
Anything by Big Brother & the Holding Company
Lamb - Lamb
Portishead - Dummy
Massive Attack - Blue Lines
Juana Molina - Tres Cosas
Miles Davies - Bitches Brew
Afro Celt Soundsystem - Anatomic
Gong - Radio Gnome Trilogy
Ernest Ranglin - Below The Bassline
Frank Zappa - Hot Rats, or the first few Mothers albums
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions
Captain Beefheart - Safe as Milk & Trout Mask Replica
Leftfield - Leftism
Led Zeppelin - I & II
John Martyn - Solid Air
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works
Soil & Pimp Sessions - Pimp Master


I could go on all day but actually have some work to do...

I'll probably keep revisiting the list and thinking 'shit, how did I miss that out?' but there'll be a few things there for you all to get your teeth into!

Edit: Cap'n, that Mahavishnu album is good but I much prefer the first two (as you may have guessed from the two albums featuring Billy Cobham I mentioned)
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:55, Reply)

The Bronx - The Bronx II

A dirty record full of raw screamiong power and surprising melancholy.

Top stuff
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 14:56, Reply)

Excellent
Thanks folks - plenty of stuff I don't know and some reminders of classics I've not played for a while...

Being a bit of a wizened hippie at heart I absolutely adore Fish Rising by Steve Hillage and Hawkwind's Warrior on the Edge of Time (for nostalgia reasons)- although conversely It's Alive by The Ramones and their first LP I also regard as almost flawless. And Ace of Spades by the mighty Murtaheed.


EDIT and Back in Black! *has tickets*

I will research some of these and will personally thank those who have furnished me with tips at a later date.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:07, Reply)

Fish Rising
Yes - brilliant album!

Have you got any of the Space Ritual stuff? Probably be up your street as well.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:11, Reply)

*gasps*
I almost forgot Available in All Colours by One Minute Silence. Excellent album, except Norfuckingmality and the title track.
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:13, Reply)

Sam
I have indeed, they're more 'Windy than Hawkwind these days, eh?
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:13, Reply)

best albums?
Well...in no particular order, here's my top 10:

1) Pink Floyd - The Wall
2) Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
3) Metallica - Master of Puppets
4) Pearl Jam - Ten
5) Stevie Ray Vaughan - The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
6) RHCP - BloodSugarSexMagick
7) Guns n Roses - Appetite For Destruction
8) Soundgarden - Superunknown
9) RATM - RATM
10)Lynyrd Skynyrd - Lynyrd Skynyrd
(Chad, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:14, Reply)

Aye, they're a mad bunch of fuckers
I did a few gigs with them a few years ago, naked dancing ladies, two drummers, Nik reading poetry about cosmic orgasms etc...

Brilliant!

Edit: Gogol Bordello - Gypsy Punks Underdog World Strike should go on this list as well, since I've just put it on.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:18, Reply)

No one album stands out sufficiently for me
but I'll narrow it down to:

Leftfield: Leftism. An album I can listen to again and again, it's technically perfect. Every time I listen to it, I notice something new. Notorious for perfectionism, this album is testament to that.

Love: Forever Changes. Utterly brilliant. Every track stands out on its own, but played from start to finish, it's a masterpiece.

The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds. The most uplifting album ever? Possibly. I saw Brian Wilson play most of it live at T in the Park 2007 to a packed Pet Sounds stage. It's beauty encapsulated in musical form.

Also, close behind: Ben Folds Five: Whatever and Ever (Amen). Lyrically I love this, the tunes are toe-tappingly excellent too
( chart cat has an itch, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:20, Reply)

My top 10, in no particular order
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
The Wildhearts - Earth Vs
Refused - The shape of punk to come
VAST - Visual Audio Sensory Theatre
Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris
Tool - Aenema
Machine Head - Burn My Eyes
One Minute Silence - Available in all colours
Peter Gabriel - Shaking the Tree
Mudvayne - LD50
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:21, Reply)

hmm
Leftfield/Leftism
The The/Infected
Manics/Holy Bible
All Faith No More albums
Violator/Depeche Mode
NIN/Pretty Hate Machine/And All That Could Have Been
Nirvana/Unplugged.
U2/Zooropa

Hmm, i do like my loud stuff it seems.

Anyway, all of the above, are close to perfect. In the cases of Zooropa & The Holy Bible -actually perfect.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:22, Reply)

@lab
Not just another story,
not just another filler,
not just another channel thinking trigger happy kiler,
for all the little boys and girls
.......BRAINSPILLLLLLLLLEEEERRRRR
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:24, Reply)

@Labia majora
Youre the only other person I've seen ever mention VAST, love that first album.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:27, Reply)

@Bert
One Minute Silence is one band I sorely regret not seeing when I had the chance. I've had "Pig until proven Cop" on repeat this week ;)

@coke

I love Vast so very much, sadly it seems that they passed a lot of people by.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:30, Reply)

Top 10
as you all did one

this is not in order though

1. Pink Floyd - Wish you were here
2. Pink Floyd - The Wall
3. Pink Floyd - Dark side of the moon
4. Tool - Lateralus
5. Led Zeppelin - III
6. Metallica - varies depending on mood, at the moment Death Magnetic
7. Dream Theater - Train of Thought
8. Monster Magnet - 4-way Diablo
9. Monster Magnet - Dopes to Infinity
10. Monster Magnet - Powertrip

actually had a lot more trouble with this than I expected to...

for added value, bands I really really fucking hate:

1. U2
2. Coldplay
3. U2
4. Manic Street Preachers
5. Babybird
6. U2
7. Coldplay
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:33, Reply)

Kevin Ayers
Joy of a Toy,
The Confessions of Dr Dream
(Herr Doktor Lemminge Is bored, so cheer me up!, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:34, Reply)

No God Says No there, V?
You no likey Take It?

Bands I dislike:

The Killers (usually I avoid music I don't like, but I was stuck in a car with a friend for an hour listening to their latest, shit album. I wanted to make him eat it.)
Oasis
The Pussycat Dolls
Coldplay
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:36, Reply)

DJTrial
Bastard!

Vipros, I love the second list ;)
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:36, Reply)

Good choices chart cat....
Arthur Lee FTW!

It's sad how robotic Brian Wilson is these days isn't it.

Smile was also brilliant, but you can't help thinking it might have been the best album in the history of the world ever if he'd finished it back in the day...
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:37, Reply)

*gets ready to force djtrialprice to eat his smashing pumpkin CD*

( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:40, Reply)

*inserts cock*
*also inserts tabasco sauce*

*tingles*
( Bert Monkeysex is waiting for the mods to delete him, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:41, Reply)

Exactly djtrialprice
I'm impressed with the amount of these lists I relate to though. Obviously we're a similar bunch on here, or maybe the legions of landfill indie (great genre description, although I can't claim credit for it!) fans are in hiding, scared of posting their opinion...

Also, it's a song not an album (don't think he made any albums) but Dark Was The Night, Cold Was The Ground by Blind Willie Johnson deserves a mention, for being possibly the only song ever that can nearly make me cry. Powerful stuff.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:43, Reply)

An album I could listen to over and over?
SOAD - Mesmerise/Self Titled/Toxicity
Metallica - Black Album/S&M
Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power
Chimaira - Resurrection
Papa Roach - Getting Away With Murder
Hoobastank - The Reason
Busted - A Present For Everyone
Slipknot - Iowa
Rammstein - Mutter

Take your pick! (Mocking is acceptable, won't blame any of you for it!)
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:44, Reply)

Bert
there are a bunch of great tracks on God says no, but for consistancy I had to go with the other 3.

Lab: cheers. I get told off for expressing my hatred of things in real life because I do it too much. is nice to be able to get it out on here.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:46, Reply)

MSP and SP
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream is an excellent album - most of what they did afterwards is shit. It is the sound of a very competent set of musicians in absolute unison and understanding rocking their progressive alternative arses off.

Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible is an utterly brilliant album (honorable mention to 'Gold Against The Soul') - most of what they did afterwards is shit.

I never tire of 'The Holy Bible' - it's exciting, it's intense, it's musically proficient if not better, it's sonically ambitious, it's rhythmically groundbreaking.

Unfortunately SP climbed up their own hype (holes) and festered whereas MSP just got old and bought comfortable shoes and khaki pants.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:48, Reply)

urgh
landfill indie. At our works party, i was hitting on HR girl, i know she likes gigs etc. I casually mentioned that I really miss going to loads of gigs etc, her eyes light up and I'm on a roll. I list my favourite gigs, eyes get wider. So, i counter... who do you like going to see.... "Well, Pigeon Detectives, Hoosiers, Scouting For Girls, that sort of thing...."

I can fake some things, but not the look I must have been giving her. It got awkward. I said nothing. We drifted apart.

Landfill indie - is there nothing you cant destroy?
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:49, Reply)

I'm
happy that you are all likeminded. Likeminded people together is a good thing. Its comfortable. Lets shut the doors and not let anyone else in.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:51, Reply)

Antichrist

That is an odd list...

Love Iowa, listening to All Hope is Gone at the moment, love that too.

As for a new love, Cancer Bats - great name great band!
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:51, Reply)

It's an age thing
There are very few new bands that I like, I tend to stick to stuff I got into during my formative years. Unfortunately, not all of those favourites are still churning out albums or tours.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:51, Reply)

Right...

Doolittle - The Pixies
King for a Day, Fool for a Lifetime - Faith No More
Master Of Puppets - Metallica
Mit Gas - Tomahawk
The Bends - Radiohead

There are more, but... Can't think of 'em off hand, work is messing with my brain today.
( Cawl, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:53, Reply)

The Dub Side of the Moon
I know it's a covers album, but possibly the best one ever.

Definitely complements and highlights the brilliance of the original, whilst managing to stand as a superb album in its own right.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:55, Reply)

Dub side of the moon is awesome
I saw easy star allstars perform it a couple of years ago. amazing.

I should add scouting for girls to my shitlist. fuck me, they suck.

Lab: I often think that, but recently I've been listening to some new stuff and enjoying. Vampire Weekend for example is quite pleasant, and The Last Shadow Puppets aren't bad.

Mostly, I fall back to the 70s and listen to Zeppelin, Floyd, Jethro Tull, that sort of stuff, although through the new Metallica album, my love of metal has been revived!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:58, Reply)

Hmmmm
Korn - Debut album
Levellers - Weapon called the Word
Justin Sullivan - Navigating by the stars
Kissaway Trail - S/T
Eskimo Joe - Black fingernails
Killing Joke - Pandemonium

I can't be arsed going in to reason why they are all so good but they are so neeeeerrrrr!!!
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 15:59, Reply)

@Kaol
Mit Gas! Fuckin A. Rape this day. The guitar riff is just out of this world. Still cant figure it out exactly.

And king for a day? Just wow. This IS the best party that i've EVER been to.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:01, Reply)

OK OK OK
Who said "The Levellers"???

Get. Out.

Theres no need for that. None at all.
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:04, Reply)

Also:
Relationship Of Command - At The Drive-In
No Tears For The Creatures - Johnny Truant
Death of a Dead Day - Sikth



EDIT: Mr. Coke, no need to be a judgemental knobber... :p
( Cawl, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:06, Reply)

Vampire Weekend?
Urgh. A mixture of spoilt rich kid landfill indie and rip offs of good African music. Saw them at Glastonbury (in passing...) and they were execrably bad. Not sure why everyone bums them so much, I did listen to the whole album through to try and figure it out and it just made me want to stab them in the face.

(edit: I love being a judgemental knobber :P)

I may go and listen to some Jethro Tull when I get home though, obviously there's still some hope for you Vipros! :D
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:07, Reply)

Top 4 genres whose fans I want to murder
1. Emo
2. Indie
3. Garage
4. 'Gangster Rap'*

*clearly distinct from Hip Hop.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:08, Reply)

If we're being strictly accurate Lab
Hip hop is a cultural movement comprising rap, DJing, graffiti and breaking. Not a type of music. :P

/geek

I take your point though! There's very little of the obvious 'gangsta' stuff I like, I do like some though. I mainly like early to mid 90s East Coast stuff, I prefer the minimal beats.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:10, Reply)

Point taken Sam!
By 'gangster rap' I mean most of the crap that goes on about bling, bitches and popping caps. What happened to good old rapping with a message?

Ahh, Saul Williams, you'll do me proud in these dark times...

Edit: Did I hear Jethro Tull mentioned? My first ever gig was seeing Jethro Tull on their Catfish Rising tour, when I was 9 or 10. Love them!
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:13, Reply)

@kaol
Knobber. I know, but theres something about the crusty fuckers that gets me right wound up.

(Mainly because the girl i loved from afar loved them more than me.)
( I have run out of coke is a little sweaty, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:18, Reply)

Hmm...
Got the Thirst - King Prawn
( Cawl, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:19, Reply)

weapon called the word
class! Forgotten about that. That beats all. Shame they went shit after that tho.
(sirolimus, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:21, Reply)

Levellers
Charles Calthrop - letters from the Underground is AMAZING!

Mr Coke - I have it on good authority that the Levellers love you and want to touch you 'under the bridge'
( SpikeyPickle wishes he was mabazaritchie, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:29, Reply)

Really?
I heard they thought he was a cunt :D

/coat
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:30, Reply)

Sam
I won't apologise for liking Vampire Weekend (at the moment anyway) although I have no doubt that they are rubbish live like most of those bands.

I also won't apologising for think that Don't Stop Moving by S Club is an amazing song.

There are the occasional blips, but mostly you will find that my tastes are unquestionable!
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:35, Reply)

I frequently forget who told me to listen to them
but Clutch are fucking awesome.

I think I'm lucky that I got From Beale St. to Oblivion first though, otherwise I probably wouldn't have stuck with them.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:37, Reply)

I listened to Clutch on your recommendation
Oh dear.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:39, Reply)

not a fan?
some of it is much better than others. From Beale St. to Oblivion is much more bluesy, whereas the older stuff is kind of raw hard rock type stuff
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:43, Reply)

It sounds like Stiltskin
or one of those godawful christian rock outfits who do theme tunes for WWE wrestlers.

Whilst technically proficient, it's just not very clever.

Keep in mind I think ac/dc and status quo sound identical, as in, bloody awful - the stock, aitken and watermans of rock music. Simon Cowell for reluctant bikers.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:48, Reply)

I'm surprised the thread has got this far
with mentions of Hawkwind (woo!) Floyd (double woo!), The Who (woo to the power of woo!) and yet nobody's mentioned The Doors.

Pretentious, yes they could be, but their first and last albums (self-titled and L.A Woman) were absolutely fucking awesome.

I also adore Tom Waits' Rain Dogs, Hooverphonic's Blue Wonder Power Milk and I honestly believe that nothing has been more perfectly and elegantly written than Pet Sounds.

But if I have to pick a favourite, The Who's Tommy does it for me.

An album I hate? Well, apart from the obvious, anything by Oasis, and, sorry to have to say this, but Sgt. Fucking Pepper's Lonely Fucking Hearts Cockdonkey Band.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:50, Reply)

Im not a Beatles fan either
but that first Oasis record kicked arse.

They are yet another band without a second trick though.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:52, Reply)

nice description
there are some clever elements of Clutch, but my enjoyment is mostly limited to the one blues type album.

The Doors: I love the Doors. Who gives a crap about pretentiousness, as long as the music is actually good!

Beatles: I thought I liked the Beatles a lot, then I got hold of a bunch of their albums and realised that I really like maybe 3 or 4 songs, and the rest bore the shit out of me.

Come Together is awesome though
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:53, Reply)

@baz
Yeah, a friend of mine adores Oasis (we have learnt to respectfully disagree) but does admit that their first album was their best by quite a long way.

Lost on me, though.

By the way, thank you for recommending I'Lucifer by The Real Tuesday Weld. I have enjoyed it most thoroughly.

Edit: @Vipros - I'm in a similar position with the Beatles. I could name a couple of songs I quite like, and I hardly think that's enough to qualify them as the World's Greatest Band. Then I got thoroughly pissed off with everybody telling me I was the fucking antichrist for not liking them. Come Together? It's not a bad tune, I love the riff, but I think their delivery of it was lousy. The Aerosmith version, on the other hand, I like.
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 16:55, Reply)

Snoop Doggy Dogg - Doggystyle
is one of the catchiest, most well produced albums of all time.

EVEN if you don't like rap, it's fucking brill.
(Colonel Santiago Introduced surprised kitty to the world., Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:02, Reply)

Aaaghghgnhnhnhnhngngngh
*facepalms*
*headbutts desk*

How the fuck could I forget Tom Waits? We've even discussed him quite a lot on here recently!

Rain Dogs, Swordfishtrombone and the Bone Machine are my favourites I think.

Good shout on the Doors as well. I may be the only person in the world that prefers LA Woman to the eponymous debut. Jim Morrison was a prick but that doesn't matter when you write songs like the Changeling (of course having Ray Manzarek on Hammond helps slightly)

Honourable mention to the Dead as well...

Aargh! I am going to have a spliff and a proper think (I am at home now) and try and remember all the good things that I've forgotten and we need to talk about.

V - no need to apologise, debates are what make things like this interesting! I'm not gonna apologise for my opinion either... I just hate bands whose every song sounds identical.

And (whispered, in case someone hears me) Don't Stop Moving is a shining example of pop production. I hate the tune but it's superbly executed, canny argue with that.

Re. the Beatles, I like the white album and Rubber Soul best. You can't deny their influence even if you don't like their actual songs though, they have to be judged in the context of the times. Obviously Zappa, Sun Ra, Stockhausen et al were doing much more interesting things in 1965 or 66, but they didn't have a fraction of a fraction of the audience of the Beatles. They really helped prepare the popular music ground for a lot of the British white blues that came along afterwards.
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:03, Reply)

@Colonel Santiago
yeah, and The Chronic 2001 by Dr Dre is near flawless.

@Crow, Vipros - Dont you just love recommending things succesfully or hitting on that perfect description - it's part of the reason why folk round these parts are so gosh durn interestin' - shucks!
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:04, Reply)

Sam
I suspect that we would have some interesting debates, over spliffs!

baz: a successful recommendation is always pleasing. I get quite excited about music that I really like and I want to share it with everyone.

For instance, Jose Gonzalez song Heartbeats is a cover of a tune by an electro group called The Knife. I love the original, it's worth having a listen if you like the Jose Gonzalez version and don't hate electro stuff!

the best thing about it is that it made me think "fucking hell jose did a good job covering this song"
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:08, Reply)

@Vipros
why, thank you - sounds interesting - I will give it a listen!
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:09, Reply)

I think we would!
I can talk to anyone who has a genuine passion for music, of whatever kind. It still astonishes me to contemplate the fact that 90% of the population don't feel the same way about music though, they just tap their foot to whatever's on the radio, and buy the X Factor winner's CD when it comes out...

I thought songs on the Jose Gonzales album were really good but the recording of the guitar really annoys me, in a fingernail-on-blackboard sort of way; I wouldn't have chosen such an edgy preamp for acoustic guitar (geek note: I'm willing to put money on the fact it was a Neve 1083 or copy/variation thereof)

The Knife really really aren't my sort of music but I did actually enjoy listening to them when I heard them.

A few more recommendations that I consider essential, in no particular order (mostly just artist names):

Animal Collective
Jaga Jazzist
Anything Matthew Herbert has done, under his own name, Herbert or particularly the Big Band stuff
The United States of America
Battles, especially Mirrored (the drumming!!)
Saian Supa Crew, even if you don't speak French
CSN(&Y)
Linton Kwesi Johnson
Ojos De Brujo
The Insect Trust
The Giant Hogweed Orchestra - think they've only released the one eponymous album. For those above who were professing a love for space rock and fusion.
Gang Starr
John Mayall (with and without the Bluesbreakers)

Off for my next spliff and ruminations, you've got me onto my favourite topic in the world now and there's a danger I won't stop!

Edit (see, told you I couldn't stop): since a lot of you seem to be into the heavy stuff, any doom fans here?

Edit 2: *realises I haven't gone into folk yet. Or funk. Or much electronica*
*removes self from computer*
*disconnects internet*
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 17:59, Reply)

^ Sam
Funny you should mention John Mayall. First gig I ever went to see was the Bluesbreakers at the Albert Hall, with none other than Peter Green's Splinter Group opening for them. Green was sadly suffering the same sort of muppet-in-the-headlights state of mind that Brian Wilson has these days, but even so both bands played an absolute blinder of a set.

However: a lot of his critics have said this, and I'm inclined to agree - whilst his music his great...has he really got the right voice for the blues?

(This question became most apparent to me on a couple of the tracks from Padlock on the Blues, where the late John Lee Hooker is playing second guitar - surely you'd have got Hooker to sing those songs instead?)
(LongJohnBaldry, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 20:05, Reply)

I love Jaga Jazzist
try also the esbjorn svensson trio.

Love LKJ - try also Burning Spear.

I suspect there is no shortage of music Nazis here.

EDIT: Mayall, yes, especially Peter Green era and Peter Green solo and splinter group stuff.
Edit2: Funk and electronica - anything by sly stone - anything by four tet, amon tobin, even luke vibert (wagon christ) is solid
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Tue 20 Jan 2009, 21:48, Reply)

@ Crow
I take your point; I agree he doesn't necessarily have the right voice for 'the blues', but I'd sort of consider that middle class white British R&B to be a different genre, and I think his voice suits that... The Bluesbreakers album with Eric Clapton works well including the vocals I think. I also really like Jazz Blues Fusion.

@ Baz - Yes! Such a shame Esbjorn Svensson died last year... absolutely genius pianist.

I also love all the other stuff you mentioned, Luke Vibert is a personal hero of mine. Check out his Plug and Kerrier District aliases as well if you haven't, even making house (which I generally dislike) his production is absolutely spot on! And that's without getting into all the Aphex Twin/AFX stuff he engineered...
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 9:18, Reply)

Oh god.... I can have just one?
Shortlist:

Clash - London Calling
Neutral Milk Hotel - In an aeroplane over the sea
Muse - Origin of Symmetry
Arcade fire - Neon Bible
Radiohead - Iron lung EP (technicaly not an album)
Belle and Sebastian - Dear catastrophe Waitress (Thanks Kaol for providing enter key based services)
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 9:49, Reply)

Don't worry
I must have mentioned about 50 by now, I could never pick one!

It's a good test for me, ask someone what their favourite film/album/band is, I much prefer people who struggle and stutter and reel off lists of things and eventually answer 'hell, I just don't know!' than people who can instantly answer with a single thing, IMO it shows a greater passion...

Good to see Neutral Milk Hotel getting some love from a few people!
(Son of Sam-i-am We're all as mad as hatters here, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 9:55, Reply)

Illinoise

By Sufjan Stevens, gorgeous record, makes me wish I was in a field on a hot summers day with my eyes closed and box of tunnocks tea cakes to hand.


Alternatively I love chaos AD by Sepultura for less field and picnic based moments.
( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 9:59, Reply)

I know what you mean!
I've never met anyone with a genuinely good taste in music, films or whatever who is actualy able to name just one best album.... and yes, Neutral Milk Hotel need more recognition. I love em at the moment!
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 9:59, Reply)

Oh!
And - Of course - Sons and Daughters - Love the cup
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Wed 21 Jan 2009, 10:21, Reply)