5 Star / Perfect Albums

[luke]

Thing is, I don't see where Radiohead had a tenth of the impact Nirvana did, so I don't feel so bad putting TOOL right there. Hell, I'd say Dirt had more impact than OK Computer. So did Ten.

Not that OK Computer isn't the better album.

[Kensterberg]

As good a record as OK Computer is, Luke's right about its lack of impact, at least here in the States. Now in the UK, where you've got Travis and all those other Radiohead-lite bands, it might be a different story. But weren't most of them already around by the time OKC came out? I think that The Bends was probably more influential in Britain (though I'm guessing here) then OKC was.

In contrast, Nevermind, Ten and Dirt all influenced bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Thinking about it, AIC were hugely influential on American metal bands of the last ten or so years. You can't listen to our rock station here w/o hearing Godsmack and a bunch of other bands who obviously worship at the AIC alter.

[Paul]

luke said:

Thing is, I don't see where Radiohead had a tenth of the impact Nirvana did, so I don't feel so bad putting TOOL right there. Hell, I'd say Dirt had more impact than OK Computer. So did Ten.

Not that OK Computer isn't the better album.

I agree w/ this.

Speaking of all of this 90's music, do you all think 'In Utero' qualifies as a 5 star and/or perfect album?

For you Pearl Jam fans out there, what about 'No Code'?

[Galactus]

kenholzman said:

As good a record as OK Computer is, Luke's right about its lack of impact, at least here in the States. Now in the UK, where you've got Travis and all those other Radiohead-lite bands, it might be a different story. But weren't most of them already around by the time OKC came out? I think that The Bends was probably more influential in Britain (though I'm guessing here) then OKC was.

In contrast, Nevermind, Ten and Dirt all influenced bands on both sides of the Atlantic. Thinking about it, AIC were hugely influential on American metal bands of the last ten or so years. You can't listen to our rock station here w/o hearing Godsmack and a bunch of other bands who obviously worship at the AIC alter.

Even so I'd say Ok Computer was the second biggest benchmark album of the 90's...it runs pretty even with Ten, which was on it's way to being a respectable seller in a time of hair metal (remember it along with Lenny Kravitz were being heralded as the return of Classic rock, not grunge or anything new) when Nevermind fucking smashed it...but also it sold more copies because of Nirvana, PJ wasn't conisdered part of anything really until VS. came out after Dirt and the first STP album. So while Ten made a splash it was for all the wrong reasons, Vs. was bigger album upon release.

I think there are alot of bands that were influenced by Radiohead (both Bends & OKC) sure most of the imitators were in the UK but it brought back a more studied approach to music. More bands felt free to explore again...grunge was alot of things but a period of exploration it was not...but pop and trying to find new ideas in pop starts with Radiohead. I don't think the number of imiators is really a great model of influence, Ok Computer was the new bar. You're new album was "this is our Ok Computer". It was, like when Nevermind came out, a time when bands took a step back and said "Ok now we've got to step up our game".

[Thorngrub]

"No Code" is the most important album from the most important band of the 90s, period.


In a word: seminal

[Galactus]

thorny said:

"No Code" is the most important album from the most important band of the 90s, period.


In a word: seminal

Except for the fact that No Code went and goes largely unnoticed by the industry...fans love becuase it's a great album, but not an important one.

[Thorngrub]

well then, so "importance" is all in the ear of the belistener, huh

[Galactus]

thorny said:

well then, so "importance" is all in the ear of the belistener, huh

No, "good" or "best" is but "important" can actually be measured in some sense.