|
|
Post by maarts on Feb 10, 2007 17:55:53 GMT -5
Wow. Considering how much this band is being discussed here that does surprise me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 18:06:10 GMT -5
There were some problems with this poll, which really skewed the results, IMHO.
First of all, the parameters (which I know I established) were too broad. As I realized when I tried to weigh things out for my own list, it's just too hard to try to weigh the recorded catalogs of such obvious top-tier performers as Bob Dylan, Miles Davis, and the Beatles, let alone try to factor in the merit of other bands. In the end, I had to do an overwhelmingly rock list, because that is what I know best. If I had limited the list to "rock and roll artists" instead of simply "recording artists" then it would have been much easier to assemble a meaningful list, and the results would have been more representative of board tastes, I think.
Which brings us to another issue with this poll: low voter turn-out. I don't think we even had a dozen participants in this poll, hardly a representative sample of the board. Again, I think that the overbroad nature of the question in this go-round really had the effect of stifling discussion rather than prompting it. Unlike earlier polls where practically everyone who was active at the time submitted a list and/or comments and observations on other's lists, this just didn't promote wide-ranging debate.
All that said, I think the results are quite interesting, and I'll repost 'em with a few more of my thoughts later. Might be tonight, might be Monday (I've got plans for tomorrow, sorry guys!).
I thank everyone who submitted a list to this particular project, and encourage everyone to get involved with the current poll, which challenges you to submit your 25 picks for the greatest Side One/Track One cuts of all time. Just like in Hi-Fidelity! So bring out your inner music geek and revel in the joy of the greatest opening numbers ever. (BTW, I expect that the Clash will be much better represented this time around!) ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Galactus on Feb 10, 2007 18:26:38 GMT -5
I didn't turn in a list because quite honestly I have no idea how to start that list. I guess could name my 25 favorite artists but why? It just seemed to me this list had no real context.
|
|
|
|
Post by maarts on Feb 10, 2007 18:33:23 GMT -5
Regardless of parameter that you can set, the results will always be 'skewered' into the bands/artists that have a couple of people here championing them. I don't see them as a defining list, more as common ground for a (slight) majority of people. There's no such thing as a defining list. You can set parameters as tight as you like but you will never get one result in which everyone will be represented.
For me I'm glad to see a couple of bands in the list that I like. In making those lists I just give a few pointers to bands/artists I like- we can take up any sort of discussion from there.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 18:39:55 GMT -5
I didn't turn in a list because quite honestly I have no idea how to start that list. I guess could name my 25 favorite artists but why? It just seemed to me this list had no real context. This pretty much sums up what I see as being the problem with this poll. There just wasn't enough context. It should have been Greatest Rock and Roll Artists or something more specific. maarts -- I think that the big failing of these results is that there wasn't enough input from people. There just weren't enough lists submitted to say that this really "represents" the opinions of the people here. With (for example) the Greatest American Rock and Roll Band there were a bunch of placings that I think caught almost everyone who read that board by surprise. Who knew that we all held Talking Heads in such high esteem -- but there they were. Much as I hate the Doors, I can't deny that most of you don't, and that's reflected in the resulting list. This one just didn't come together in that same way -- and I think I should shoulder the blame for that failing. My research question wasn't properly phrased/targeted to get the answers I was looking for. I'm just trying to draw a few lessons from this one and move on.  |
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 18:41:40 GMT -5
I'm going to repost the list that Melaun compiled here: the comments that follow are also his, BTW.
The 25 Greatest Recording Artists Ever
1. The Beatles – 524
2. David Bowie – 374
3. Bob Dylan – 364
4. Radiohead – 324
5. Pink Floyd – 270
6. R.E.M. – 244
7. Tie: U2 & Miles Davis – 242
9. The Rolling Stones – 240
10. The Who – 218
11. The Smiths – 214
12. Talking Heads – 186
13. Led Zeppelin – 172
14. The Velvet Underground – 170
15. The Cure – 160
16. Tie: Bruce Springsteen & Brian Eno – 156
18. Pavement – 150
19. Stevie Wonder – 148
20. Sonic Youth – 146
21. Smashing Pumpkins – 144
22. The Pixies – 142
23. Nick Drake – 128
24. Johnny Cash – 124
25. Frank Zappa – 114
After that, PJ Harvey, Rush and The Clash are the only ones that came close. I personally can’t believe The Clash didn’t make it. But oh well. Happy to see Pink Floyd, U2 and Led Zeppelin do so well. Hell, they all 3 beat the VU. Didn’t expect that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 18:42:42 GMT -5
I would also like to note that this is the first (and perhaps only) time that Susanna Hoffs has recieved points in one of these polls. Unless I do one on greatest covers in rock ...  |
|
|
|
Post by maarts on Feb 10, 2007 18:52:05 GMT -5
I'd say the next list we should attempt is 'bands I like but probably no one else on these boards does'.
You'd find quite a few people would chime in to disagree.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mary on Feb 10, 2007 18:53:04 GMT -5
Do people really even talk about the Clash much around here anymore? I've hardly mentioned the Clash in years, and I can't remember coming across much conversation about them recently either. Alas, I think many of us have been over-identified with the bands we vociferously championed back on the old boards many moons ago. I still love the Clash but they're just not where my head is lately, and I honestly don't think I've listened to them, except when they come up on a random shuffle, in 3 or 4 years. I know Ken Holzman still adores them and I'm pretty sure Rocky is still a big fan but I haven't really seen either one of them devoting much space to singing their praises.
I think the boards have moved on from the Clash, I really do.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 19:03:43 GMT -5
I'd say the next list we should attempt is 'bands I like but probably no one else on these boards does'. You'd find quite a few people would chime in to disagree. LMAO! This is a great idea. BTW, I think I've raved more about Drive-By Truckers and Pearl Jam in the last six months than I have the Clash. They're still my pick for greatest rock band ever, but I'm in another period where I don't need to listen to 'em every day or anything. (Though I did sort of accidentally listen to Give 'Em Enough Rope today and it sounded great). I think that a bunch of us kind of got labelled as the "Clash Clique" a long time ago, and it's just stuck. BTW, here are the current top ten most played songs on my iPod (which was last reloaded some time in 2005, I think) ... No More Mr. Nice Guy, Alice Cooper, Greatest Hits, 46 Knockin' On Heaven's Door, Warren Zevon, The Wind, 45 Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel, Hit (Disc 1), 40 Love Stinks, The J. Geils Band, Love Stinks, 34 Under Pressure, Queen & David Bowie, Queen Greatest Hits II, 30 Ashes of American Flags, Wilco, Kicking Television: Live In Chicago (disc two), 30 Money (That's What I Want), The Beatles, With The Beatles, 29 "Heroes," David Bowie, "Heroes," 29 Unsatisfied, The Replacements, Let It Be, 29 Beast Of Burden, The Rolling Stones, Some Girls, 29 It's funny, I don't like much Alice Cooper, but I luuuuuuuuuuuv No More Mr. Nice Guy. |
|
|
|
Post by phil on Feb 10, 2007 19:15:06 GMT -5
The Clash ...
You're talking about that "One Hit Album" band ... Right ??
|
|
|
|
Post by Kensterberg on Feb 10, 2007 19:17:14 GMT -5
The Clash ... You're talking about that "One Hit Album" band ... Right ?? Sheesh. Their UK debut was the best selling import record up to that date, London Calling, Sandinista! and Combat Rock all went gold in this country ... how many hit albums do you have to have, Phil? Record for record, they did better on the US charts than Frank Zappa.  |
|
|
|
Post by maarts on Feb 10, 2007 19:24:20 GMT -5
That swings for me the balance in Zappa's favour. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by bowiglou on Feb 10, 2007 19:30:52 GMT -5
never Mary, never..I have listened to the Clash since I bought London Calling upon it's release (then hurridly bought the two prior LP"s + Black Market EP) and have still continued to listen to the Clash for about 27 years now.........they still resonate with me now as much as then Do people really even talk about the Clash much around here anymore? I've hardly mentioned the Clash in years, and I can't remember coming across much conversation about them recently either. Alas, I think many of us have been over-identified with the bands we vociferously championed back on the old boards many moons ago. I still love the Clash but they're just not where my head is lately, and I honestly don't think I've listened to them, except when they come up on a random shuffle, in 3 or 4 years. I know Ken Holzman still adores them and I'm pretty sure Rocky is still a big fan but I haven't really seen either one of them devoting much space to singing their praises. I think the boards have moved on from the Clash, I really do. |
|
|
|
Post by bowiglou on Feb 10, 2007 19:31:27 GMT -5
phil, did you know Frank Zappa is from San Diego.....
|
|
