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#28
Neil Young – After the Gold Rush (1970)
2635.45 points
AM 3000 rank : 45
Appeared on 35 ballots / 68
Fans: schwah # 2, PierO # 2, nicolas # 7, snusmumrik # 13, David # 14, Tim O # 17, Dr. Robert # 20
Moderator:
Looking at the fans and the votes, we have another senior favorite here ! Why it is so, I don’t know... But being an oldie doesn’t stop him from going up and up in the poll trend : # 67 in 2005, # 45 in 2008. We should thank the new seniors 
Nicolas:
What makes it the best Neil young album ? I guess it has to do with the exceptionnal quality of the songs and the frailty of Neil's voice and the instrumental performance. It's the perfect singer-songwriter album : no technical virtuosity, just pure expression. It is simple, mysterious, nostalgic without being depressive, dark in moments, joyful in others, and very, very melodic.
Neil wanted to sound like the records froim the late fifties and early sixties, with a straightforward, country-like approach. That’s why this album was done quickly, between CSNY tours. Neil wrote the songs in his basement then recorded them at once, most of them live in the studio.
Honorio:
It contains (almost) all the Neil Young past, present and future. We have Buffalo Springfield pop (“Only Love Can Break Your Heart” ), C,S,N&Y harmonies (“Tell Me Why” ), aching piano-ballads (“After the Gold Rush” ), spectral country (“Oh Lonesome Me” ), soft-rock (“Don’t Let It Bring You Down” ) and furious rock with lengthy solos (“Southern Man” ). Who could ask for more?
#27
The Who – Who’s Next (1971)
2758.3 points
AM 3000 rank : 33
Appeared on 33 ballots / 68
Fans: Henry # 2, Stephan # 3, Penguin # 3, Rocky Racoon # 4, Harold Wexler # 7, Chevi # 11, Alex D # 14, Jonah # 14
Moderator:
Another highlight of the early seventies, Who’s Next has an impressive record, but no # 1. Anyway, this album seems to have found its right place, for it was # 26 in 2008.
Rocky Raccoon:
The Who is an all-star team of a rock band, and this is their championship record. The most perfectly bookended album of all time.
.
Nicolas:
How to mix power and melody, pop and rock. The Who are six years away from their debut album and they sound like another band, with a great mastery and confidence. They found a unique sound on this album, epic, powerful and ambitious, similar to nothing else. The sound that makes great albums.
BillAdama:
They wrote songs in 1971 which have even more meaning today than back then.
only one is enough (we love u Rune, what would we be without your Eurovision obsession)
Read : Rune # 1, Beans # 4
I often wonder that myself. Good for you that somebody teaches you about real music.
#26
R.E.M. – Automatic For the People (1992)
2762.39 points
AM 3000 rank : 51
Appeared on 35 ballots / 68
Fans: Vgrd # 2, Chris # 6, Dr. Roberts # 7, octopus # 8, Stephan # 9, Toni # 10, Chevi # 13, Vanilla Fire1000 # 14
Moderator:
R.E.M. gets a lot of love in this forum. Both Murmur and Automatic are well ahead of their AM rankings. And our opinion doesn’t vry much with time. In 2005 and 2008, this album was in the twenties too. Only thing with REM that stops them from being higher is the spreading effect between those 2 acclaimed albums.
Honorio :
“Berlin” in the seventies, “Nebraska” in the eighties and “Automatic for the People” in the nineties. Just when they were at the height of its popularity, R.E.M. were bold enough to release an album filled with moody and somber songs, with delicate arrangements and deeply cryptic lyrics. And, although it could be seen a commercial suicide, they succeeded again.
The top 25 is for later
thanks for your support 
only one is enough (we love u Rune, what would we be without your Eurovision obsession)
Read : Rune # 1, Beans # 4
Sorry Beans (ready for next saturday ?)
I choose to believe that it was an unintentional mistake on your part Nicolas
Its going to be a cracking game. Hopefully we will still have something to play for in the return leg next wednesday. Last time we played you guys in Paris, 30000 Irish fans managed to get their hands on tickets which made for a slightly surreal sight for an away game.
Thanks for taking so much time out to post so many results today.
Marquee Moon lower than Rubber Soul again - ridiculous. Looks like another Beatles-dominated top 25 
#25
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)
2762.39 points
AM 3000 rank : 20
Appeared on 34 ballots / 68
Fans: Peter # 1, Jacek # 4, Henry # 4, Chevi # 5, Georgie # 6, Marc # 9, Alex D # 11, Steven # 11, pmickey # 14, Nick # 16
Moderator:
Pink Floyd’s most acclaimed album is the first (so it’s the last) of this top 25. It’s the first time this album is out of the top 20 : # 16 in 2005, # 13 in 2008.
Jackson:
I don't enjoy this as much as I formerly did, when it used to be in my top ten. But I still respect this work for all it accomplished: Dark Side of the Moon remains the most artistically ambitious album that also happens to be a sales blockbuster. "Us and Them" and "Time" are particuarly excellent, both lyrical and sonic achievements.
Nicolas:
This record is probably the one you’d use to test a new hi-fi, but it’s much more than that. Looks like every note was studied, polished to create a perfect object. The musicians worked with the perfectionism of designers. But the best is that this record still conveys emotions and deepness. One of these records that I still enjoy after years and years, and still no song from Dark side would be in my top 100. It works as a whole.
#24
Radiohead – Kid A (2000)
2977.8 points
AM 3000 rank : 78
Appeared on 38 ballots / 68
Fans: John # 2, pop elton # 3, BillAdama # 4, Steven # 6, Jem # 6, Chris # 8, Michael P # 10, Jacek # 11, Michael # 12, Brose # 15
Moderator:
“Kid A”, thanks to the end of decade polls, is one of these records that climbed an impressive number of stairs after Henrik’s last update in AM 3000. It’s a favorite of these polls that tend to acclaim recent music more easily. But in 2008, at # 14, Kid A’s performance was much better. This year, after a tremendous start that had it settle in the top 20, the machine suddenly stalled at midcourse : the last voter to have it in his top 20 (popelton) was the 38th out of 68.
Honorio
Seeing legions of bands mimicking every detail of its previous production (there’s no need to name one, is there? ), Radiohead were forced to find a completely new direction. And they found it in avant-garde, electronica and IDM (Intelligent Dance Music ), depicting a world ever weirder, stranger and more alienated than the world showed in “OK Computer”. And that’s saying a lot.
BillAdama:
Every time I listen to it it grows on me a little. As soon as critics get over their neo-phobia, this will probably rocket up the AM top 100.
Jackson:
Try as I might, I can't deny this as one of the definitive albums of this decade. Creative, daring, strange--Kid A is basically everything the critics have said about it. What gets to me is the sheer emotion of the album, ranging from the loneliness of "How to Disappear Completely" to the apocalyptic uncertainty of "Everything in Its Right Place." On some days, I even find this better than OK Computer.
Sorry Rocky !
It doesn't change a thing, because I counted Purple Rain as your #6. I made the mistake in my post, not in the spreadshit.
(every time somebody corrects one of my post, I fear a mistake but so far, no more recountings !)Now I check every list before posting the "fan" section so at least the big scores are certain. It's while checking your list that I reported the wrong Prince rank on my post.
#23
Love – Forever Changes (1967)
3064.33 points
AM 3000 rank : 47
Appeared on 38 ballots / 68
Fans: EdAmes # 3, Tim O # 8, otisredding # 8, Georgie # 8, Beans “ 10, Harold Wexler # 11, Mark # 14, lagire # 15, Rune # 17, Mitchell Stirling # 18, Snusmumrik # 18, Jackson # 20, Pop elton # 20
Moderator:
This lesser-known 60’s gem’s being 24th could be a surprise if it hadn’t made the top 20 in 2005 (13) and 2008 (17).
Jackson:
Forever Changes is so great not because of its reflection of the music of its era, but rather due to its contrasts with it. In a time where sunny psychedelia was all the rage, Arthur Lee and Love produced an album that was filled with disillusionment and alienation. Sure, it contains bizzare, obviously drug-influenced lyrics that are a hallmark of the genre, but there are more serious, self-aware undertones on this album that set it apart. Combining this with arrangements that expertly integrate acoustics guitars with strings, and you have a true masterpiece of psychedelic music.
Honorio
A cult album, misunderstood and ignored when it was released. At the exact time (1967) and place (California) of hippie splendour there was Arthur Lee, a man who didn’t share that cosmic happiness. “Sitting on a hillside / watching all the people die / I’ll feel much better on the other side”. And he found the right way to express it, with acoustic guitars and strings. But nobody wanted to hear it at the time…
Rocky Raccoon:
This is a beautifully orchestrated album with strings and horns embellishing the acoustic-based pop tunes. An enduring product of the Summer of Love, but under the surface the darkness foreshadows what was to come.
Love – Forever Changes (1967)
3064.33 points
AM 3000 rank : 47
Appeared on 38 ballots / 68
Fans: EdAmes # 3, Tim O # 8, otisredding # 8, Georgie # 8, Beans “ 10, Harold Wexler # 11, Mark # 14, lagire # 15, Rune # 17, Mitchell Stirling # 18, Snusmumrik # 18, Jackson # 20, Pop elton # 20
Moderator:
This lesser-known 60’s gem’s being 24th could be a surprise if it hadn’t made the top 20 in 2005 (13) and 2008 (17).
Jackson:
Forever Changes is so great not because of its reflection of the music of its era, but rather due to its contrasts with it. In a time where sunny psychedelia was all the rage, Arthur Lee and Love produced an album that was filled with disillusionment and alienation. Sure, it contains bizzare, obviously drug-influenced lyrics that are a hallmark of the genre, but there are more serious, self-aware undertones on this album that set it apart. Combining this with arrangements that expertly integrate acoustics guitars with strings, and you have a true masterpiece of psychedelic music.
Honorio
A cult album, misunderstood and ignored when it was released. At the exact time (1967) and place (California) of hippie splendour there was Arthur Lee, a man who didn’t share that cosmic happiness. “Sitting on a hillside / watching all the people die / I’ll feel much better on the other side”. And he found the right way to express it, with acoustic guitars and strings. But nobody wanted to hear it at the time…
Rocky Raccoon:
This is a beautifully orchestrated album with strings and horns embellishing the acoustic-based pop tunes. An enduring product of the Summer of Love, but under the surface the darkness foreshadows what was to come.
The news of today will be the movies of tomorrow. Well said, Arthur Lee.
Moonbeam's hopes and dreams coming true.
#22
The Beatles – Rubber Soul (1965)
3113.19 points
AM 3000 rank : 29
Appeared on 41 ballots / 68
Fans: John # 1, Alex # 3, Peewee # 4, Henry # 9, Brose # 14, Jonathon # 16, Peter # 19, SR # 20
Moderator:
One key figure : 41 ! That’s a record ! Not so many fans who put it in their top 20 (but 3 top 5 scores). This album was partly helped by our shifting from top 100 to top 200 ballots.
Jackson:
It might not be an epic achievement like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or the White Album, but I prefer Rubber Soul to those two simply because it's more consistent and enjoyable to listen to. "Drive My Car" is one of the group's best album-openers, and the quality never really lets up, with the group's first (and some its finest) appeals to emotion in "Nowhere Man," "Norweigan Wood," and my favorite Beatles song, "In My Life."
Honorio
The perfect “bridge” album. Between the funny but slightly trivial Beatlemania and the innovations of “Revolver” and “Sgt. Pepper’s”, “Rubber Soul” was the turning point of a inquisitive and creative musicians who were about to break its limits. But in that exact point they were able to create songs that would serve to explain to an extraterrestrial what is pop music.
#21
Stevie Wonder – Innervisions (1973)
3150.93 points
AM 3000 rank : 41
Appeared on 39 ballots / 68
Fans: sonofsamaian # 2, schwah # 5, BillAdama # 6, Toni # 8, Henry # 8, Honorio # 9, otisredding # 13, SR # 15, Brose # 16, Jon Marck # 19, Midaso # 19
Moderator:
So it is Stevie who stops at the treshold. Innervisions beats its AM score, contrary to Songs in The Key Of life. And it holds its record position in AM polls (it was in the twenties as well in 2005 and 2008, but lower).
Jackson:
When Stevie Wonder tried to write a traditional ballad, like "Visions" or "All in Love is Fair," the results are tedious. But the rest of the album is outright soul/R&B/funk excellence. "Living for the City" is a well-realized anthem, while "Higher Ground" establishes his best groove short of "Superstition." Considering Stevie played virtually all of the instruments on this album, this certainly stands among the all-time best one-man albums.
Honorio
In a word: prodigy. All in Stevie Wonder is prodigious. His prodigious mastery playing almost every instrument on the album, being a particularly gifted vocalist, keyboardist and harmonica player (not forgetting his astonishingly qualities as a drummer!). His prodigious song-writing achieves the paradox of making catchy and easy-listening his intricate and complex harmonies. And his prodigiously clear (inner) vision about social issues and human feelings. Innervisions. It’s impossible to find a more appropriate title.
BillAdama:
The only album in my top 8 that isn't by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, or Radiohead. I don't think anybody's ever done what Innervisions does as well as Stevie Wonder. Accessible without being lame, political without being alienating. Just an incredible album.
Bears : Forever Changes, Marquee Moon
Bulls : After the Gold Rush, Rubber Soul
The big classics are blue chips here, and the critics faves are going down.
Is this poll less and less snobbish ? (just a joke, no offense meant of course)
My internet connection broke down for two days, I only was able to see this at work (and I don't have time at all). I'm really sad for not being able to participate live.
Anyway congrats everyone, an excellent list (although quite predictable as I expected). It seems that all the widely considered great albums are written in stone for us, including our usual quote of 25% Beatles albums in the Top 25.
And great work Nicolas!
I have news for you (I'll try to send you a message on Face if I got the time)
Television – Marquee Moon (1977)
2635.25 points
AM 3000 rank : 25
Appeared on 36 ballots / 68
Fans: Ramone666 # 4, Midaso #4, Harold Wexler #9, Brose # 10, Jonathon # 13, Chris # 14, Rune # 14, otisredding # 15, schwah # 18
Jackson:
For some reason, this is known as a punk album. To me, it's just straight up guitar rock at its most artful. The gorgeous guitar tones on Marquee Moon have yet to be matched, and the complexity of the dual-guitar arrangements put it in a far different class from virtually all other so-called 'punk' bands, many of whom could barely play their instruments.
Another classic that I don´t really get, despite all the praise and its almost sacred status (in some all-time polls it´s even no. 1). But in this case I should´ve. I bought this actually, when it came out. I liked it, but not as much as the first albums by The Sex pistols or The Damned, exactly for the reasons that Jackson stated above, for not sounding Punk enough. More like conventional rock. It´s been a while that I listened to Marquee Moon though, I will give it another spin. I still have the original copy from ´77, now looking all battered and scratched and thus very punky, maybe that´ll help to appreciate it a bit more
