Post by Kensterberg on Feb 12, 2007 13:02:14 GMT -5
Some random thoughts on Melaun's list ...
1. Wilco - “At Least That’s What You Said” - A Ghost Is Born. OK, if a great album opener is supposed to set up the rest of the record, then this is perfect b/c it nicely summarizes how frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying (and oddly sterile) A Ghost is Born is. Otherwise, it's the worst album opener that Wilco have ever had, and nowhere near a match for "Misunderstood" or "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."
2. Sonic Youth - “Dirty Boots’ - Goo God, I haven't heard Goo since ... shit, I can't remember! I lost interest in SY around about 1995, and while I respect the hell out of them, I don't think I've listened to anything in their catalog since then. "Kool Thing" is probably the only SY track I own right now, and that's just 'cause it's on the old 120 Minutes compilition I've still got.
3. The Verve - “Bittersweet Symphony” - Urban Hymns I hate this song. I might like it a lot more if it weren't for those damn (sampled) strings, but they just bug the hell out me. I have never listened to an entire Verve album b/c of how much I hate this song. My loss, I'm sure.
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Warped” - One Hot Minute Another record I haven't listened to in more than a decade or so. I think that the RHCPs are really on a career peak from Californication through the present (and I was prepared to hate Stadium Arcadium, but (lyrics aside) it really continues the roll they've been on since Frusciante's return). Needless to say, this wouldn't make my list of memorable openers, let alone great ones.
5. The Waterboys - “Fisherman’s Blues” - Fisherman’s Blues Have you ever heard "Chuch Not Made With Hands?" It blows this dingy clear out of the harbor and way out to sea. I've never understood people's fascination with this record, or this song, as Mike Scott has done soooooo many better things. Sorry Don, sorry Melaun, sorry everyone else who loves this phase of their career, but to my ears they peaked on A Pagan Place, made a decent successor with This is the Sea, and should've broken up after that. I'd rather listen to the contemporary World Party albums (which are much, much better!) than anything from this point on in the Waterboys' catalog.
6. Radiohead - “Everything In Its Right Place” - Kid A Radiohead have made some great album openers. This isn't one of them. See also comments on "At Least That's What You Said" regarding how this perfectly sets up a disappointing album.
7. U2 - “Where the Streets Have No Name” - The Joshua Tree One of the all-time perfect album (and show) openers. This was the first track they played when I saw them in '87, and it was pure magic. Still is. But my dog at the time hated this song -- every time it would start-up she'd get upset and go looking for whatever was making those annoying noises. She didn't do that with all U2, but she really didn't like this one.
8. Bob Dylan - “Like A Rolling Stone” - Highway 61 Revisited Up until I was making this list, I probably would've just tossed this off as either number one or number two in this category. One of the all-time classics. Nice choice.
9. Pink Floyd - “Breathe” - The Dark Side Of the Moon Someone had to put this up, and someone will be sure to shoot it down. For now, I'll just say that this is one of the most overrated albums in rock. DSOTM bores me to tears, and has ever since I stopped getting high ... back in 1985 or so! The first cd I ever sold. To a stoner pal, but still, it was the first one to leave my collection. I've never regretted it.
10. Elliott Smith - “Needle In the Hay” - Elliott Smith I've never heard an Eliott Smith song I've really liked. It's pretty safe to say this one wouldn't make me change my mind.
11. Sonic Youth - “Teenage Riot” - Daydream Nation Haven't I already talked about these guys? I remember liking this song, but it's been at least ten years since I've heard it.
12. R.E.M. - “Drive” - Automatic For the People I love R.E.M. I love Automatic for the People. But in terms of great album openers, this one isn't even in their top five. "Feeling Gravity's Pull" -- now THERE'S a great opener (from 1985's Fables of the Reconstruction). It's alright, but "Radio Free Europe," "Begin the Begin," "What's the Frequency Kenneth?" and more are all better.
13. Muse - “Apocalypse Please” - Absolution I just got this from Dolly. Haven't listened to it yet, though.
14. Mazzy Star - “Fade Into You” - So Tonight That I Might See Eh, a band that have always struck me as so insubstantial as to not require hearing. Maybe I'm wrong. Or not.
15. Jane’s Addiction - “Stop” - Ritual de lo Habitual Jane's Addiction ... metal or punk? Either way, Perry Ferrell was still an idiot. Great guitar player, but I can't get past the frontman, or the general air of metal wankery surrounding their work.
16. The Rolling Stones - “Gimme Shelter” - Let It Bleed Here's the only problem I have with this: I like it better as an album closer. It's a great song and all, one of my faves from the Stones, but I never put it early in compilitions, always as one of the final tracks.
17. Rush - “Tom Sawyer” - Moving Pictures For what it is, it doesn't get any better.
18. Led Zeppelin - “Achilles Last Stand” - Presence I hate Led-fucking-Zeppelin.
19. Led Zeppelin - “The Song Remains the Same” - Houses Of the Holy I fucking hate Led-fucking-Zeppelin.
20. Superchunk - "Like A Fool" - Foolish Never heard it.
21. Dinosaur Jr. - “Little Fury Things” - You’re Living All Over Me Oh god, another band who walked the line between wankery and amatuerism -- is it possible to be amateur level wankers? Well, if it is then Dinosaur, Jr. owned that category. Always lots and lots of entrancing guitar, but vocals that even I think were whiny, combined with Mascis' controll compulsion equaled a band that never mattered to me.
22. Bob Dylan - “Tangled Up In Blue” - Blood On the Tracks Bob's other all-time great opener. Love this.
23. The Pixies - “Debaser” - Doolittle Another band I should love, but I've never heard any of their songs that have really resonated with me (including this one). Frankly, I'd rather listen to their big obvious influence (Husker Du) or their great apprentice (Nirvana) than anything the Pixies ever did. Always kind of reminded me of Jonathon Richman fronting Husker Du ... not a pleasant image.
24. U2 - "A Sort Of Homecoming" - The Unforgettable Fire I love U2, but how did this make the list instead of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Zoo Station," "Zooropa" or even "Beautiful Day?" For that matter, "Gloria" from October is better than this piece of murk. Not a bad opener, but from a band who has made so many great ones, I can't see picking this.
25. Bob Dylan - "The Hurricane" - Desire Great song. Too bad the rest of the record sucks.
1. Wilco - “At Least That’s What You Said” - A Ghost Is Born. OK, if a great album opener is supposed to set up the rest of the record, then this is perfect b/c it nicely summarizes how frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying (and oddly sterile) A Ghost is Born is. Otherwise, it's the worst album opener that Wilco have ever had, and nowhere near a match for "Misunderstood" or "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart."
2. Sonic Youth - “Dirty Boots’ - Goo God, I haven't heard Goo since ... shit, I can't remember! I lost interest in SY around about 1995, and while I respect the hell out of them, I don't think I've listened to anything in their catalog since then. "Kool Thing" is probably the only SY track I own right now, and that's just 'cause it's on the old 120 Minutes compilition I've still got.
3. The Verve - “Bittersweet Symphony” - Urban Hymns I hate this song. I might like it a lot more if it weren't for those damn (sampled) strings, but they just bug the hell out me. I have never listened to an entire Verve album b/c of how much I hate this song. My loss, I'm sure.
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Warped” - One Hot Minute Another record I haven't listened to in more than a decade or so. I think that the RHCPs are really on a career peak from Californication through the present (and I was prepared to hate Stadium Arcadium, but (lyrics aside) it really continues the roll they've been on since Frusciante's return). Needless to say, this wouldn't make my list of memorable openers, let alone great ones.
5. The Waterboys - “Fisherman’s Blues” - Fisherman’s Blues Have you ever heard "Chuch Not Made With Hands?" It blows this dingy clear out of the harbor and way out to sea. I've never understood people's fascination with this record, or this song, as Mike Scott has done soooooo many better things. Sorry Don, sorry Melaun, sorry everyone else who loves this phase of their career, but to my ears they peaked on A Pagan Place, made a decent successor with This is the Sea, and should've broken up after that. I'd rather listen to the contemporary World Party albums (which are much, much better!) than anything from this point on in the Waterboys' catalog.
6. Radiohead - “Everything In Its Right Place” - Kid A Radiohead have made some great album openers. This isn't one of them. See also comments on "At Least That's What You Said" regarding how this perfectly sets up a disappointing album.
7. U2 - “Where the Streets Have No Name” - The Joshua Tree One of the all-time perfect album (and show) openers. This was the first track they played when I saw them in '87, and it was pure magic. Still is. But my dog at the time hated this song -- every time it would start-up she'd get upset and go looking for whatever was making those annoying noises. She didn't do that with all U2, but she really didn't like this one.
8. Bob Dylan - “Like A Rolling Stone” - Highway 61 Revisited Up until I was making this list, I probably would've just tossed this off as either number one or number two in this category. One of the all-time classics. Nice choice.
9. Pink Floyd - “Breathe” - The Dark Side Of the Moon Someone had to put this up, and someone will be sure to shoot it down. For now, I'll just say that this is one of the most overrated albums in rock. DSOTM bores me to tears, and has ever since I stopped getting high ... back in 1985 or so! The first cd I ever sold. To a stoner pal, but still, it was the first one to leave my collection. I've never regretted it.
10. Elliott Smith - “Needle In the Hay” - Elliott Smith I've never heard an Eliott Smith song I've really liked. It's pretty safe to say this one wouldn't make me change my mind.
11. Sonic Youth - “Teenage Riot” - Daydream Nation Haven't I already talked about these guys? I remember liking this song, but it's been at least ten years since I've heard it.
12. R.E.M. - “Drive” - Automatic For the People I love R.E.M. I love Automatic for the People. But in terms of great album openers, this one isn't even in their top five. "Feeling Gravity's Pull" -- now THERE'S a great opener (from 1985's Fables of the Reconstruction). It's alright, but "Radio Free Europe," "Begin the Begin," "What's the Frequency Kenneth?" and more are all better.
13. Muse - “Apocalypse Please” - Absolution I just got this from Dolly. Haven't listened to it yet, though.
14. Mazzy Star - “Fade Into You” - So Tonight That I Might See Eh, a band that have always struck me as so insubstantial as to not require hearing. Maybe I'm wrong. Or not.
15. Jane’s Addiction - “Stop” - Ritual de lo Habitual Jane's Addiction ... metal or punk? Either way, Perry Ferrell was still an idiot. Great guitar player, but I can't get past the frontman, or the general air of metal wankery surrounding their work.
16. The Rolling Stones - “Gimme Shelter” - Let It Bleed Here's the only problem I have with this: I like it better as an album closer. It's a great song and all, one of my faves from the Stones, but I never put it early in compilitions, always as one of the final tracks.
17. Rush - “Tom Sawyer” - Moving Pictures For what it is, it doesn't get any better.
18. Led Zeppelin - “Achilles Last Stand” - Presence I hate Led-fucking-Zeppelin.
19. Led Zeppelin - “The Song Remains the Same” - Houses Of the Holy I fucking hate Led-fucking-Zeppelin.
20. Superchunk - "Like A Fool" - Foolish Never heard it.
21. Dinosaur Jr. - “Little Fury Things” - You’re Living All Over Me Oh god, another band who walked the line between wankery and amatuerism -- is it possible to be amateur level wankers? Well, if it is then Dinosaur, Jr. owned that category. Always lots and lots of entrancing guitar, but vocals that even I think were whiny, combined with Mascis' controll compulsion equaled a band that never mattered to me.
22. Bob Dylan - “Tangled Up In Blue” - Blood On the Tracks Bob's other all-time great opener. Love this.
23. The Pixies - “Debaser” - Doolittle Another band I should love, but I've never heard any of their songs that have really resonated with me (including this one). Frankly, I'd rather listen to their big obvious influence (Husker Du) or their great apprentice (Nirvana) than anything the Pixies ever did. Always kind of reminded me of Jonathon Richman fronting Husker Du ... not a pleasant image.
24. U2 - "A Sort Of Homecoming" - The Unforgettable Fire I love U2, but how did this make the list instead of "Sunday Bloody Sunday," "Zoo Station," "Zooropa" or even "Beautiful Day?" For that matter, "Gloria" from October is better than this piece of murk. Not a bad opener, but from a band who has made so many great ones, I can't see picking this.
25. Bob Dylan - "The Hurricane" - Desire Great song. Too bad the rest of the record sucks.
