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44. Joy Division
AM Rank: 54
Survivor Rank: 59
Polls Rank: 47
Total Points: 365.23
Appears on: 11 ballots:
Michel (2)
Fred (7)
Mitchell Sterling (12)
Kevin (23)
Penguin (33)
Greg (37)
Moonbeam (40)
Andre (42)
Rune (44)
Vgrd (53)
Jonah (62)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: New Order are further down my list but I had no doubt that their earlier incarnation was going to be closer (lol) to my top ten. While, since Curtis’ suicide at least and certainly in the period after 24 Hour Party People, they have become a ‘cool’ band amongst the hipster set but not even Joy Division Zune players and Unknown Pleasures soles can diminish the power of those two records and few singles they left behind. They are of the few bands in history where every member brings something vital to nearly every song. From the Martin Hannett spacious production, Morris’ propulsive and metronomic drumming, Hook’s rumbling ominous basslines, Sumner’s searing guitar and of course the delivery by Curtis of some of the best lyrics ever written by a young man. Some fucker stole his memorial stone last week from a Macclesfield cemetery but even without the band that would become New Order the single “Love Will Tear Us Apart” remains one of the most perfect final acts in the history of rock music.
Moonbeam: For a long time, I resisted Joy Division because I couldn’t connect with the anger and hopelessness of their lyrics, even if I could not deny the immense power behind it all. However, through time, I grew to love their dejected brand of post-punk, which placed its stamp all over the music scene and has proven its worth by influencing two main generations of musicians. Of all of the great ways that Joy Division impacted music, my favorite would have to be the use of such melodic bass lines. Bliss!
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Closer (5
Unknown Pleasures (141)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Love Will Tear Us Apart (4)
Disorder (179)
Atmosphere (250)
Path to the Top 100:
43. Oasis
AM Rank: 52
Survivor Rank: 94
Polls Rank: 27
Total Points: 370.68
Appears on: 13 ballots:
Toni (3)
Anthony (6)
Mitchell Sterling (20)
Rune (26)
Penguin (27)
Daniel (32)
Andre (41)
Tim (41)
Stephan (42)
Depeche Mode (51)
Dumbangel (64)
Pop Elton (66)
Greg (92)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: There was a time, when as a younger lad, I thought that their first two albums and the b-sides that came out in the 1994-6 was about as exciting as listening to new music could get. It seemed like everyone in the country was in on it as well at least until everyone decide Be Here Now was shit and they started putting out awful records. I certainly found many other exciting things since and no longer regard what they are doing as being at all interesting but even in 2007 hearing Noel play some of the 1994 era b-sides acoustically was a big treat. If I was maybe five years older and could have seen them live during their creative peak then maybe I'd put them higher.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Definitely Maybe (57)
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (67)
Be Here Now (51
Don’t Believe the Truth (864)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Wonderwall (82)
Live Forever (83)
Supersonic (285)
Don’t Look Back in Anger (314)
Morning Glory (597)
Champagne Supernova (649)
Up in the Sky (726)
Path to the Top 100:
42. Joni Mitchell
AM Rank: 46
Survivor Rank: 78
Polls Rank: 32
Total Points: 376.44
Appears on: 12 ballots:
BillAdama (7)
Miguel (7)
Georgie (9)
Sonofsamiam (1
Paul (24)
Fred (25)
Harold Wexler (31)
Vgrd (34)
Kevin (52)
Henrik (65)
Pop Elton (65)
Mitchell Sterling (90)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Blue (53)
Court and Spark (133)
The Hissing of Summer Lawns (237)
Hejira (23
Ladies of the Canyon (721)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Free Man in Paris (360)
River (547)
Blue (944)
Path to the Top 100:
41. The White Stripes
AM Rank: 71
Survivor Rank: 66
Polls Rank: 60
Total Points: 382.29
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Anthony (16)
Rocky Raccoon (1
Rune (23)
BillAdama (24)
Daniel (2
Harold Wexler (30)
Mitchell Sterling (33)
Stammer (35)
Jonah (36)
Kevin (39)
Schleuse (39)
Henrik (45)
Depeche Mode (47)
Toni (49)
Pop Elton (5
Honorio (73)
Fred (94)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Elephant (83)
White Blood Cells (86)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Fell in Love with a Girl (142)
Seven Nation Army (25
My Doorbell (616)
The Hardest Button to Button (836)
Path to the Top 100:
40. PJ Harvey
AM Rank: 61
Survivor Rank: 34
Polls Rank: 35
Total Points: 387.17
Appears on: 18 ballots:
Andre (12)
Pop Elton (13)
Rocky Raccoon (15)
Michel (20)
Harold Wexler (2
Kevin (30)
Moonbeam (31)
Henrik (33)
Tim (36)
Honorio (43)
Sonofsamiam (55)
BillAdama (56)
Vgrd (66)
Mitchell Sterling (83)
Rune (83)
Jonah (84)
Greg (97)
Stammer (97)
Quotable:
Moonbeam: It’s amazing that someone capable of emoting such gritty, raw, jagged pain can also evoke feelings of such serene beauty. She arguably has the most breadth of any of the hailed 90s alterna-chicks, and with White Chalk, she proves that she is as vital as ever. To Bring You My Love and Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea will remain stone-cold classics in my book until the day I die. Word.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
To Bring You My Love (61)
Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea (142)
Dry (359)
Rid of Me (386)
Is This Desire? (59
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Rid of Me (365)
Down by the Water (396)
Henry Lee (612)
C’mon Billy (95
Path to the Top 100:
39. Simon and Garfunkel
AM Rank: 51
Survivor Rank: 39
Polls Rank: 37
Total Points: 388.11
Appears on: 15 ballots:
Miguel (
John (13)
Henrik (14)
Stephan (14)
Daniel (15)
Kevin (33)
Honorio (35)
Michel (40)
BillAdama (51)
Tim (52)
Rocky Raccoon (53)
Paul (56)
Nicolas (59)
Fred (95)
Georgie (96)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Bridge Over Troubled Water (119)
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (302)
Bookends (390)
Live from New York City, 1967 (879)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
The Sound of Silence (93)
America (154)
Bridge Over Troubled Water (232)
Kathy’s Song (500)
Mrs. Robinson (643)
The Boxer (783)
Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall (907)
Path to the Top 100:
38. Steely Dan
AM Rank: 65
Survivor Rank: 77
Polls Rank: 56
Total Points: 390.96
Appears on: 8 ballots:
Fred (1)
Georgie (1)
Harold Wexler (11)
Greg (17)
Henrik (21)
Miguel (27)
Vgrd (3
Honorio (4
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Aja (236)
Pretzel Logic (329)
Countdown to Ecstasy (416)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Deacon Blues (244)
Doctor Wu (292)
Black Cow (555)
Path to the Top 100:
37. The Smashing Pumpkins
AM Rank: 103
Survivor Rank: NA
Polls Rank: 39
Total Points: 394.16
Appears on: 12 ballots:
Penguin (6)
Anthony (
Jonah (
Greg (10)
Pop Elton (10)
BillAdama (37)
Rocky Raccoon (41)
Depeche Mode (59)
Henrik (59)
Lonesome Panda (59)
Daniel (75)
Harold Wexler (79)
Quotable:
Lonesome Panda: More a Single band than an album band to me… but what a bunch of singles ! (worst gig of my life however). Favourite Album: Siamese Dream, Favourite Song: Tonight, Tonight
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Siamese Dream (94)
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (156)
Adore (841)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
1979 (100)
Tonight, Tonight (160)
Today (194)
Disarm (237)
For Martha (422)
Mayonnaise (429)
Hummer (535)
Thirty-Three (854)
Path to the Top 100:
36. Elliott Smith
AM Rank: 194
Survivor Rank: 84
Polls Rank: 45
Total Points: 395.59
Appears on: 12 ballots:
Lonesome Panda (1)
John (2)
Michel (21)
Dumbangel (23)
Harold Wexler (27)
Fred (32)
Rune (32)
Penguin (40)
Kevin (41)
Pop Elton (77)
Honorio (81)
Miguel (93)
Quotable:
Lonesome Panda: Easily my favourite artist ever… I don't know if there is a way to explain it, it is just that mostly anything he has done out of Figure 8 seems made for me. It fits with my mood as well when I'm happy than when I'm sad, the music is so full of emotion than I don't care whether or not I relate to the lyrics, I sometimes do (High times, Twilight, Say Yes, Between the bars in a way...) and mostly don't (even in my favourite song ever Waltz #2)... It can be both a soundtrack of my happy days and a cocoon where to hide myself in hard times. Favourite Album: Either/Or, Favourite Song: Waltz #2
John: Nobody rivals him post 1970.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Either/Or (107)
XO (151)
Elliott Smith (322)
From a Basement on a Hill (554)
New Moon (802)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Waltz #2 (55)
Between the Bars (370)
Angeles (559)
King’s Crossing (871)
Path to the Top 100:
35. Wilco
AM Rank: 101
Survivor Rank: 50
Polls Rank: 54
Total Points: 400.92
Appears on: 13 ballots:
Slush (6)
Andre (7)
Depeche Mode (20)
Kevin (20)
Penguin (21)
BillAdama (22)
Schleuse (24)
Nicolas (27)
Jonah (34)
Harold Wexler (35)
Honorio (59)
Vgrd (83)
Greg (95)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (70)
Summerteeth (427)
Being There (702)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Jesus, Etc. (10
Pot Kettle Black (504)
Heavy Metal Drummer (566)
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (757)
Poor Places (933)
Path to the Top 100:
34. Johnny Cash
AM Rank: 43
Survivor Rank: 16
Polls Rank: 78
Total Points: 431.45
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Nicolas (10)
Stephan (10)
Paul (11)
Rune (11)
Schleuse (17)
Kevin (2
Sonofsamiam (30)
Daniel (37)
Andre (39)
Jonah (46)
Honorio (62)
Greg (64)
BillAdama (66)
Fred (66)
Henrik (73)
Harold Wexler (81)
Mitchell Sterling (93)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
At Folsom Prison (244)
American Recordings III: Solitary Man (617)
American Recordings (850)
At San Quentin (894)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Hurt (176)
Folsom Prison Blues (58
The Mercy Seat (957)
San Quentin (99
Path to the Top 100:
33. Arcade Fire
AM Rank: 278
Survivor Rank: NA
Polls Rank: 48
Total Points: 442.71
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Pop Elton (5)
Penguin (9)
Kevin (12)
Lonesome Panda (13)
Toni (17)
Anthony (20)
Depeche Mode (26)
Harold Wexler (40)
Andre (43)
Jonah (4
Moonbeam (50)
John (66)
Slush (7
Daniel (87)
Stammer (90)
Miguel (96)
BillAdama (9
Quotable:
Penguin: With two phenominal albums, these Canadians have skyrocketed up my artist list. "Funeral" was great and "Neon Bible" was probably just as good. In hindsight, we'll look back at this decade and see two of the top ten albums created by the same band, three years apart. "Funeral" and "Kid A" will probably fight it out for the best album of the decade unless something sublime comes out in the next two years.
Lonesome Panda: I might try to explain why their music is so great, but I think some will do it better than I can… the main reason why they will always keep a special place in my heart is a Tuesday of August 2005, my first festival. I was waiting for one of my favourite bands (Queens of the Stone Age or Foo Fighters, I don't remember) so I was on one of the first rows of the main stage when they appeared. I did not know anything about them and few people on the crowd did. And here it started, the choirs of Wake Up... in about 10 seconds I was totally in it, and that moment remains my favourite memory of a live show, the kick-off of an impressive gig where they seemed like more than a band, at least a family if not somehow a single entity, like a bee swarm or something. The neighborhoods, No Cars Go... yeah best show of my life, like a smack in the face and a relevation : best live show are made by people who litteraly live and sweat their music, not by those who have it all written and prepared (even if well, Hives's gigs are funny, it can not stand the comparison). Favourite Album: Funeral, Favourite Song: Wake Up
Moonbeam: Funeral proved to be a very timely record for me, as it just followed the deaths of my father and grandmother and just preceded the deaths of my other grandmother and my aunt. Their ability to capture the sorrow in such an epic way helped me through many, many difficult days. With Neon Bible, they showed me that they can be relevant to me for other reasons as well, as the majestic swell of “No Cars Go” makes my heart soar. Yes, they are definitely a victim of excessive hype, but damn it, their music matters to me.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Funeral (20)
Neon Bible (579)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) (92)
Rebellion (Lies) (11
Wake Up (130)
Neighborhood #2 (Laika) (269)
Path to the Top 100:
32. Jimi Hendrix
AM Rank: 10
Survivor Rank: 11
Polls Rank: 23
Total Points: 464.82
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Rocky Raccoon (5)
Harold Wexler (9)
BillAdama (10)
Nicolas (21)
Henrik (24)
Georgie (2
Daniel (30)
Honorio (33)
Greg (36)
Schleuse (3
Vgrd (40)
Lonesome Panda (42)
Pop Elton (4
Fred (50)
Kevin (55)
Moonbeam (93)
Paul (95)
Quotable:
Lonesome Panda: My other grower at the moment, I thought he was "just" a guitar virtuoso with not much beside it (like Clapton for instance), but some songs, in particular Are You Experienced, are so perfect and in advance for this age that it reveals that he had every talent a great artist needs. Favourite Album: Are You Experienced? Favourite Song: Are You Experienced?
Moonbeam: Aside from his amazing guitar work, Hendrix stands as one of the greatest songwriters of the 60s in my book. Whether he was adapting an old blues riff or mapping out completely new, brain-busting territory, Jimi always imbued his songs with his spirit. I am a novice to his work, and it is exciting to be in a position to explore it more fully.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Are You Experienced? (2
Electric Ladyland (35)
Axis: Bold As Love (275)
Cry of Love (995)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
All Along the Watchtower (29)
Purple Haze (133)
Burning of the Midnight Lamp (402)
The Wind Cries Mary (512)
Little Wing (590)
Hey Joe (753)
If 6 Was 9 (764)
Crosstown Traffic (825)
Path to the Top 100:
31. Belle and Sebastian
AM Rank: 177
Survivor Rank: NA
Polls Rank: 42
Total Points: 475.25
Appears on: 13 ballots:
Pop Elton (2)
Tim (2)
Dumbangel (11)
Miguel (13)
Slush (14)
Andre (29)
Honorio (37)
John (3
Fred (40)
Kevin (44)
Jonah (50)
Rune (57)
BillAdama (5
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
If You’re Feeling Sinister (76)
Tigermilk (207)
The Life Pursuit (452)
The Boy with the Arab Strap (604)
Dear Catastrophe Waitress (706)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Like Dylan in the Movies (207)
The State I Am in (466)
Seeing Other People (523)
Another Sunny Day (67
Lazy Lane Painter Jane (972)
Path to the Top 100:
Pretty sure Blur is left too. 
That was just my thinking. I think my vote alone ensured they were gonna make the list
i've heard that quote before, though i didn't know it was david lee roth...i wonder if it isn't the other way around, though...lord knows within a year or two of discovering costello & the smiths, i had started wearing black frame glasses, wearing the best version of a pompadour that my hair would allow and i'd gone vegetarian to boot...i think there's some truth in it, though, but maybe even more in its converse; in other words, i think guys with good looks often have a hard time with critics (or maybe guys with good looks just suck at music?? cuz like they haven't been heartbroken as much and don't have as much personal shit to write about? heh, i don't know...anyway). on the other hand, i think good looks can only help a female performer, most critics being straight dudes. but that might not even be the case anymore...
anyway, looking at the top 20 artists, i could argue a certain sex appeal for jagger, bowie, plant, springsteen, prince, elvis, gaye and yorke...but i think the only actually good-looking one might be elvis. would anyone think bowie or prince were attractive if they weren't bowie and prince? (besides moonbeam
)
30. Björk
AM Rank: 68
Survivor Rank: 47
Polls Rank: 31
Total Points: 496.42
Appears on: 16 ballots:
Moonbeam (4)
Pop Elton (4)
Henrik (6)
Honorio (13)
Nicolas (26)
Vgrd (2
Michel (32)
BillAdama (33)
Toni (34)
Tim (40)
Rune (47)
Kevin (49)
John (56)
Sonofsamiam (56)
Mitchell Sterling (72)
Harold Wexler (82)
Quotable:
Moonbeam: Of all of the artists that I enjoy, Björk is without question the one with the purest approach to music. Maybe it’s just the way that I connect to her, but it sounds like she truly injects her whole persona into every note, every microbeat and every melody that emanates from her. Her vision is limitless, and her music is the closest sonic equivalent to hair standing on its end as I can imagine. Vespertine is an absolutely sacred record, and her spirit is such a beautiful thing to behold. Her amazing live show and breathtaking music videos (seriously, she totally owns Madonna and Michael Jackson on the video front) indicate that her music is only one of her amazing artistic outlets, and she is a master of them all.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Homogenic (95)
Debut (111)
Post (13
Vespertine (394)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Bachelorette (191)
Isobel (195)
Hyper-Ballad (265)
Human Behaviour (507)
It’s Oh So Quiet (706)
Hunter (786)
Path to the Top 100:
29. The Cure
AM Rank: 72
Survivor Rank: 63
Polls Rank: 33
Total Points: 514.23
Appears on: 15 ballots:
Moonbeam (2)
Henrik (5)
Greg (6)
Honorio (1
Michel (22)
Pop Elton (22)
Depeche Mode (2
Penguin (30)
Vgrd (31)
Rune (33)
BillAdama (34)
Andre (37)
Lonesome Panda (5
Miguel (5
Slush (100)
Quotable:
Moonbeam: Robert Smith is more influential on the types of songs that I compose myself than any other musician, by far. Those who are happy to pidgeonhole The Cure into mopey goth territory are seriously missing the point, as I have never been exposed to a band with such an amazing emotional palette. Just compare the stark minimalism of the brilliant Seventeen Seconds, in which every single note has a specific purpose and is utilized to maximum effect, with the bombast of the singles on Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or the pop confection of Japanese Whispers. The band built upon its successes throughout its first decade, from the youthful spriteliness of Three Imaginary Boys through the somber “Dark Trilogy” of the hollow Seventeen Seconds, the mournful Faith and the gothic nightmare of Pornography, from the hysterical synth pop ventures of Japanese Whispers to the twisted, psychedelic paranoia of The Top, and finally the perfect pop statements of the tight The Head on a Door and sprawling Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, culminating in the transcendent glory of the inimitable Disintegration. With BloodFlowers, they proved that they could still craft a 5-star album more than a decade later, and their live shows have become an absolute bonanza of excellence. Catch them if you can.
Lonesome Panda: Favourite Album: Disintegration, Favourite Song: Lullaby
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Disintegration (171)
Seventeen Seconds (185)
The Head on the Door (572)
BloodFlowers (576)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
In Between Days (95)
A Forest (213)
Just Like Heaven (223)
Lovesong (35
Plainsong (484)
Lullaby (506)
Pictures of You (975)
Path to the Top 100:
28. Nick Drake
AM Rank: 91
Survivor Rank: 36
Polls Rank: 41
Total Points: 519.58
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Pop Elton (6)
Kevin (
Mitchell Sterling (10)
Anthony (11)
Penguin (15)
Henrik (1
Fred (23)
Georgie (31)
Lonesome Panda (31)
Stammer (33)
Paul (39)
Stephan (50)
Sonofsamiam (52)
Nicolas (5
John (59)
Slush (59)
Honorio (79)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: For me, Nick Drake is yet another artist on my list who didn’t make a bad album for unfortunate reasons. I first got into Drake in 1999 after reading a small article that appeared in Mojo on him. I picked up Five Leaves Left and fell in love with the elegant beauty of “River Man” and all the other atmospheric songs on there be the slightly corny lyrics to “Man in Shed” or the way the strings combine with his vocal on “Way to Blue” or the near elegy for his legacy “Fruit Tree”. Soon after this I read another article on Drake again in Mojo by Ian MacDonald called Exiled from Heaven which inspired me to pick up what would become my favourite, Bryter Later with it’s horns and generally air of exuberance and the downbeat mastery and despondence of Pink Moon and after that the many collections of outtake material. I could write more but you should just read the essay linked.
Penguin: Three absolute classic albums in three years. If anyone had a perfect career, it would be Drake. Tragically, his life would parallel Vincent Van Gogh in too many ways - his work never sold, spiraled into depression, committed suicide, and eventually, posthumously, became famous. "Pink Moon" is a work of tragic and stark beauty; the picture of a man that was close to death. Its peaceful tones hides the tremendous darkness of Drake's final work. If not for Volkswagen, he may still be a complete unknown.
Lonesome Panda: All romantic indie rockers are just continuing what Nick Drake and Big Star created, they have summed up what could be done, and even if some have achieved better (yeah, I'm talking about Elliott again), they are always building their music based on those 2 fundamental basis. Favourite Album: Five Leaves Left, Favourite Song: River Man
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Five Leaves Left (72)
Pink Moon (116)
Bryter Layter (201)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
River Man (79)
Northern Sky (304)
Pink Moon (397)
Things Behind the Sun (399)
Path to the Top 100:
27. Miles Davis
AM Rank: 31
Survivor Rank: 22
Polls Rank: 51
Total Points: 520.52
Appears on: 14 ballots:
Anthony (2)
Sonofsamiam (4)
Paul (6)
Kevin (7)
Michel (13)
Jonah (16)
Honorio (27)
Schleuse (29)
Harold Wexler (44)
Daniel (45)
Vgrd (62)
Slush (65)
Nicolas (6
Henrik (91)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Kind of Blue (19)
Bitches Brew (184)
Sketches of Spain (470)
Miles Smiles (74
Miles Ahead (905)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
So What (190)
Path to the Top 100:
26. Led Zeppelin
AM Rank: 5
Survivor Rank: 18
Polls Rank: 20
Total Points: 546.38
Appears on: 19 ballots:
Daniel (7)
Rocky Raccoon (10)
Georgie (11)
Kevin (11)
Harold Wexler (16)
Stammer (19)
Nicolas (20)
BillAdama (21)
Jonah (31)
Greg (34)
Honorio (36)
Stephan (36)
Pop Elton (42)
Fred (45)
Sonofsamiam (5
Miguel (6
Mitchell Sterling (6
John (80)
Damosuzuki (8
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Led Zeppelin IV (34)
Led Zeppelin II (20
Physical Graffiti (263)
Houses of the Holy (299)
Led Zeppelin I (38
Led Zeppelin III (449)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Stairway to Heaven (25)
Since I’ve Been Loving You (271)
When the Levee Breaks (976)
Path to the Top 100:
25. Tom Waits
AM Rank: 59
Survivor Rank: 29
Polls Rank: 30
Total Points: 552.74
Appears on: 16 ballots:
Nicolas (5)
Greg (7)
Honorio (7)
Kevin (10)
Fred (11)
Slush (13)
Miguel (1
BillAdama (30)
Paul (31)
Sonofsamiam (33)
Henrik (3
Penguin (42)
Andre (47)
Michel (54)
Harold Wexler (77)
Jonah (89)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Rain Dogs (73)
Swordfishtrombones (127)
Closing Time (414)
Bone Machine (551)
Blue Valentine (787)
The Heart of the Saturday Night (834)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Downtown Train (71)
Who Are You (474)
In the Neighborhood (502)
Time (644)
Innocent When You Dream (794)
Path to the Top 100:
24. Blur
AM Rank: 49
Survivor Rank: 53
Polls Rank: 22
Total Points: 564.59
Appears on: 13 ballots:
Slush (1)
Toni (1)
Depeche Mode (2)
Penguin (5)
Schleuse (5)
Mitchell Sterling (13)
Rune (3
Honorio (52)
Fred (60)
Pop Elton (63)
Henrik (7
Jonah (90)
Dumbangel (92)
Quotable:
Slush: My #1 band and I can't really pinpoint why. Well, I can…I just listen to them a lot. Maybe it was the way they pinpointed and saterized the zeitgeist of the 90s, or maybe it was the way they experimented with a variety of generes and actually didn't fail. Blur just created one of the most consistent and enjoyable catalogs of music with very few low points. Or maybe I'm just a self-loathing American and I love bands that take shots at American culture.
Penguin: I was both too young and living in the United States when Blur and Oasis battled for supremacy of Britian. In hindsight, the winner seems obvious to me. Although Oasis is still going and Blur has broken up due to tensions, Blur is still the winner. Oasis never proved that they could adjust their sound for a changing world - a task that Blur accomplished on every album. From the absolute Britpop of "Parklife" to the lo-fi Pavement-like rock of "Blur" to the electronic-tinged "Think Tank", Blur was constantly changing its sound. This act eventually paved dividends beyond critical acclaim - "Song 2", a grunge parody, eventually made it big on the American charts.
Mitchell Sterling: As with Supergrass Blur where a band that hit my radar at a young age. Like “Alright” “Parklife” was a bit of a sing-a-long favourite amongst my ten year old brethren but before that I’d noticed “Girls and Boys.” “The Great Escape” was one of the first albums I owned and I remember looking forward to hearing Blur when it came out. Especially after “Beetlebum” still one of my favourite songs and one that the years have seen me appreciate more and more. It’s often forgotten what a strange departure that album was for Blur, like Radiohead with their forth album three years later, but it’s Parklife that I come back to the most. My favourite Blur song, “This is A Low”, is a sweeping, swelling song that never fails to make me truly appreciate the value and emotion that can be created by music. From their debut of Madchester baggy, through The Kinks aping la-la-la-la period to the grunge / lo-fi and finally art rock period at the turn of the century there isn’t a period that I don’t have some form of fondness for. When you factor in Damon’s work with Gorrilaz and The Good, The Bad and The Queen I might not put them this low.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Parklife (89)
13 (177)
Blur (203)
Modern Life Is Rubbish (256)
Think Tank (474)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Song 2 (15
This Is a Low (170)
Popscene (31
Jubilee (367)
Parklife (379)
Coffee & TV (465)
Country House (652)
Path to the Top 100:
23. Beck
AM Rank: 35
Survivor Rank: 30
Polls Rank: 29
Total Points: 577.37
Appears on: 20 ballots:
John (3)
Jonah (4)
Depeche Mode (6)
Toni (14)
Kevin (15)
Harold Wexler (17)
Rocky Raccoon (26)
Stammer (27)
Pop Elton (32)
Andre (3
BillAdama (45)
Vgrd (51)
Michel (52)
Slush (53)
Henrik (66)
Nicolas (69)
Greg (72)
Daniel (74)
Paul (74)
Dumbangel (97)
Quotable:
John: Even though I've been disappointed with the past releases he still manages to give us 2-3 great tracks every two years or so.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Odelay (31)
Sea Change (129)
Mutations (247)
Midnite Vultures (253)
Mellow Gold (840)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Loser (139)
Lonesome Tears (65
Nicotine and Gravy (686)
Beercan (840)
Nobody’s Fault But My Own (885)
Path to the Top 100:
22. Nirvana
AM Rank: 18
Survivor Rank: 26
Polls Rank: 19
Total Points: 578.15
Appears on: 20 ballots:
BillAdama (6)
Stammer (7)
Depeche Mode (
Harold Wexler (14)
Rocky Raccoon (17)
John (1
Schleuse (19)
Andre (25)
Michel (25)
Honorio (39)
Toni (39)
Rune (41)
Kevin (42)
Miguel (45)
Jonah (47)
Fred (52)
Daniel (59)
Moonbeam (69)
Dumbangel (83)
Henrik (84)
Quotable:
John: No other hard rock band even has come close to being this catchy without being cheesy.
Moonbeam: As is evident from many of my comments, I’m not a big fan of angry, jaded, aggressive music, and therefore was alienated by much of the music of the 90s that, funnily enough, was a call to arms for millions of alienated youth. One act that did grab my attention in a positive way, though, was Nirvana. Somehow, the great songwriting worked its way through my prejudice. “Lithium”, “Come As You Are” and especially “Heart-Shaped Box” are favorites to this day.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Nevermind (15)
Unplugged in New York (96)
In Utero (104)
Incesticide (761)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Smells Like Teen Spirit (11)
Lithium (407)
All Apologies (454)
Dumb (483)
In Bloom (737)
21. Talking Heads
AM Rank: 26
Survivor Rank: 20
Polls Rank: 17
Total Points: 600.65
Appears on: 17 ballots:
Andre (3)
Kevin (5)
Miguel (6)
Michel (6.5)
Toni (7)
Jonah (19)
Harold Wexler (22)
Honorio (24)
Schleuse (27)
John (32)
Rocky Raccoon (32)
BillAdama (3
Moonbeam (52)
Stammer (66)
Mitchell Sterling (75)
Henrik (89)
Slush (9
Quotable:
Moonbeam: Talking Heads were definitely an acquired taste for me, as David Byrne’s vocals were initially a big turn-off. However, through time, the rhythm and the quirkiness changed my perceptions, and I’ve grown to really appreciate them. Speaking in Tongues is the funkiest slice of new wave this side of Prince, and the passionate beauty of “Naïve Melody (This Must Be the Place)” is simply towering. I have a lot more of their catalogue to explore, but their place among post-punk’s elite is well-deserved in my book.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Remain in Light (36)
Fear of Music (164)
Stop Making Sense (206)
77 (364)
Little Creatures (901)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Once in a Lifetime (35)
Psycho Killer (106)
Naïve Melody (This Must Be the Place) (21
Life During Wartime (224)
And She Was (664)
20. Pink Floyd
AM Rank: 21
Survivor Rank: 37
Polls Rank: 12
Total Points: 617.73
Appears on: 21 ballots:
Daniel (3)
Henrik (
Anthony (10)
Penguin (10)
Stephan (16)
Kevin (19)
Jonah (22)
Tim (22)
Honorio (26)
John (27)
Michel (27)
Damosuzuki (35)
Georgie (35)
Greg (42)
Nicolas (50)
Dumbangel (52)
Rocky Raccoon (59)
Miguel (82)
Fred (83)
Mitchell Sterling (86)
Harold Wexler (93)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Dark Side of the Moon (13)
Wish You Were Here (71)
The Wall (109)
Animals (210)
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (211)
Meddle (453)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Echoes (84)
Wish You Were Here (134)
Time (486)
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (56
Comfortably Numb (589)
19. Elvis Costello
AM Rank: 23
Survivor Rank: 17
Polls Rank: 28
Total Points: 663.81
Appears on: 23 ballots:
Toni (4)
Vgrd (6)
Harold Wexler (
BillAdama (13)
Paul (13)
Andre (14)
Honorio (15)
Schleuse (15)
Slush (24)
Sonofsamiam (27)
Fred (2
Greg (31)
Rocky Raccoon (36)
Stephan (45)
Depeche Mode (46)
Henrik (67)
Mitchell Sterling (69)
John (71)
Kevin (80)
Stammer (82)
Nicolas (89)
Rune (92)
Miguel (95)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
This Year’s Model (66)
My Aim Is True (8
Armed Forces (209)
Imperial Bedroom (357)
Get Happy!! (487)
King of America (611)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Red Shoes (322)
(What’s So Funny Bout) Peace Love and Understanding (650)
Oliver’s Army (66
I Want You (680)
Beyond Belief (807)
Alison (883)
I Don’t Want to Go to Chelsea (97
18. The Kinks
AM Rank: 33
Survivor Rank: 13
Polls Rank: 24
Total Points: 665.02
Appears on: 22 ballots:
Paul (4)
Depeche Mode (9)
John (10)
Miguel (10)
Stammer (14)
Damosuzuki (15)
Stephan (17)
Daniel (1
Honorio (23)
Toni (23)
Mitchell Sterling (2
Dumbangel (32)
Georgie (34)
Nicolas (3
BillAdama (40)
Harold Wexler (47)
Fred (59)
Greg (69)
Kevin (70)
Slush (75)
Sonofsamiam (75)
Rune (80)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society (65)
Something Else By the Kinks (144)
Face to Face (350)
Arthur (594)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Waterloo Sunset (7)
You Really Got Me (167)
Shangri-La (403)
Sunny Afternoon (406)
Village Green (537)
Lola (769)
Path to the Top 100:
17. The Smiths
AM Rank: 27
Survivor Rank: 68
Polls Rank: 16
Total Points: 678.51
Appears on: 18 ballots:
Greg (2)
Mitchell Sterling (3)
Michel (6.5)
Honorio (9)
Moonbeam (14)
Andre (15)
BillAdama (15)
Slush (16)
Penguin (17)
Fred (24)
Rune (2
Toni (30)
Henrik (36)
Paul (46)
Tim (55)
Stammer (69)
Vgrd (70)
Pop Elton (72)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: Easily the most influential and important English band since The Beatles.
Moonbeam: I was resistant to them at first because of all of the comparisons to my beloved Cure, but when I actually listened to their music, I was completely swept away. “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me” in particular always knocks my socks off. Johnny Marr’s moody guitars are the perfect match for Morrissey’s rants, and whether the music is stark and simple or lushly filled with effects or backed by grandiose orchestration, it delivers. But what can I say? My Mom was a drama teacher- I was doomed to love The Smiths.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
The Queen Is Dead (16)
The Smiths (186)
Strangeways, Here We Come (297)
Meat Is Murder (645)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (10)
How Soon Is Now? (61)
Bigmouth Strikes Again (163)
The Queen Is Dead (202)
This Charming Man (342)
The Boy with the Thorn in His Side (463)
I Know It’s Over (546)
That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore (622)
Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (796)
Path to the Top 100:
16. Pixies
AM Rank: 44
Survivor Rank: 25
Polls Rank: 14
Total Points: 690.33
Appears on: 19 ballots:
Fred (2)
Stammer (4)
Mitchell Sterling (9)
Schleuse (9)
Michel (10.5)
BillAdama (12)
Tim (15)
Toni (16)
Harold Wexler (19)
Honorio (19)
Slush (23)
Jonah (2
Vgrd (32)
Paul (54)
Henrik (57)
Rocky Raccoon (5
John (77)
Kevin (7
Sonofsamiam (100)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: Pixies are yet another band who were I the right age for I'd be even keener over and could appear in my top three. A band who played encores first and shows in alphabetical order would certainly appeal to me. In fact they remind me with the way the subject matter of songs was completely different to what any other band were singing about of another band still to come who operate outside the mainstream. I've never really been a big fan of Nirvana, I guess it comes with the territory of being able to approach them both at the same time and make a choice. Another act that I'd say never made a bad album, catch me on a different day and I may be signing the praises of their UFO obsessed later period, the steel plectrum tearaway of the first records and the near pop perfection of Doolittle.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Doolittle (12)
Surfer Rosa (51)
Bossanova (270)
Come on Pilgrim (876)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Debaser (20)
Monkey Gone to Heaven (116)
Where Is My Mind? (131)
Gigantic (155)
Here Comes Your Man (364)
Caribou (74
Path to the Top 100:
15. The Clash
AM Rank: 16
Survivor Rank: 15
Polls Rank: 26
Total Points: 716.91
Appears on: 20 ballots:
Schleuse (2)
Slush (5)
Michel (6.5)
Honorio (10)
Mitchell Sterling (11)
Rocky Raccoon (12)
Harold Wexler (15)
Stammer (15)
Tim (20)
Greg (23)
Penguin (24)
BillAdama (31)
Andre (33)
Paul (43)
Depeche Mode (44)
Toni (47)
Nicolas (49)
Kevin (56)
Daniel (77)
Moonbeam (89)
Quotable:
Mitchell Sterling: Still regarded over here as a punk band and in the US as another in the line of rock bands from UK / Ireland that made it between Led Zeppelin and U2. For me the truth lies in the middle of the two. From the visceral thrill of first single “White Riot” and their self titled debut kicking off with “Janie Jones” through the reggae exploration on singles and their b-sides after and work on the colossal double and triple albums of the turn of the decade that took in jazz, rockabilly, disco and anything else they fancied trying their hand at. They also weren't afraid to sing about things they cared about and took it to the extreme of being in debt to CBS putting their money where their mouths were over the prices of their double and triple albums. I know that had I been alive and paying attention at the time they'd have inspired me both musically and politically.
Moonbeam: The main reason that I prefer The Clash to The Sex Pistols is because The Clash seemed to inject a sense of fun into what they did without diminishing their potency. I’m certainly no expert on either band, but the cracking debut album, the sprawling grandeur of London Calling and the funk infusion of Combat Rock divulge an impressive variety beneath the surface that has sparked my interest. I can definitely see them rapidly ascending my list.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
London Calling (7)
The Clash (106)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
London Calling (21)
Spanish Bombs (192)
Train in Vain (219)
Complete Control (401)
(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais (629)
Lost in the Supermarket (645)
Death or Glory (886)
Rudy Can’t Fail (887)
Path to the Top 100:
14. Stevie Wonder
AM Rank: 20
Survivor Rank: 14
Polls Rank: 21
Total Points: 717.67
Appears on: 23 ballots:
Vgrd (2)
Sonofsamiam (5)
Rocky Raccoon (11)
Anthony (12)
Honorio (12)
Nicolas (13)
Moonbeam (15)
Henrik (16)
BillAdama (23)
Georgie (27)
Toni (2
Schleuse (31)
Andre (36)
Mitchell Sterling (3
Fred (39)
Harold Wexler (46)
John (50)
Lonesome Panda (50)
Miguel (60)
Slush (61)
Daniel (69)
Dumbangel (86)
Damosuzuki (91)
Quotable:
Moonbeam: Really, it’s only my own bad taste that is responsible for Mr. Wonder only appearing at number 15 on my list, as such a position certainly does not reflect his talent level. I really have no excuse. “My Eyes Don’t Cry” (my favorite of his songs) is a Detroit anthem, but I was still late to the party, only picking up his classic albums about 5 years ago. Truth be told, I can’t think of many musicians that are more truly, providentially gifted than Stevie Wonder. As for soul music, there is no substitute. Songs in the Key of Life is just about the most uplifting oeuvre of music that I have ever had the pleasure of gracing my ears, and I will finally get the chance to give him his due when I see him in concert next month for the first time.
Lonesome Panda: Favourite Album: Songs in the Key of Life, Favourite Song: Master Blaster
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Innervisions (27)
Songs in the Key of Life (84)
Talking Book (117)
Music of My Mind (663)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Superstition (2
Living for the City (293)
I Wish (55
Higher Ground (653)
Superwoman (663)
Sir Duke (984)
Path to the Top 100:
13. U2
AM Rank: 20
Survivor Rank: 14
Polls Rank: 21
Total Points: 748.26
Appears on: 20 ballots:
Daniel (2)
Penguin (3)
Andre (5)
Stephan (5)
Rocky Raccoon (6)
Toni (13)
Michel (14)
Anthony (15)
Jonah (20)
Henrik (30)
Slush (30)
Depeche Mode (33)
Schleuse (41)
Honorio (42)
Moonbeam (49)
Kevin (62)
Harold Wexler (75)
Pop Elton (89)
Nicolas (91)
Greg (96)
Quotable:
Penguin: If one word is used to describe these guys, it would be "bombastic." That's also where the love-hate type relationship with U2 comes in. I find it strange for people to hate U2 because Bono gives to charity, but to each his own, I suppose. In terms of music, U2, along with Oasis, would be the first two bands I think of when I hear the words "rock band." It's the bombastic nature of these two acts that fits in with the "rock" definition so well - this type of music is all about being over the top. As for the actual quality of the music? It's pretty good as well, with "The Joshua Tree" and "Achtung Baby" showing both sides of U2. While the later work has been rather lackluster, there's still excitement for the release of their next album.
Moonbeam: The funny thing about U2 is that although I never consider them to be a real favorite, they have so many fantastic songs. Not a single one of their albums is in my top 100, and I don’t ever feel a great need to know the ins and outs of every one. However, there’s some weird unspoken sense of comfort that I get from the mere knowledge that a band like U2 is still out there, on top of the world.
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Achtung Baby (37)
The Joshua Tree (55)
War (227)
Zooropa (491)
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (764)
Boy (811)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
One (41)
With Or Without You (105)
Pride (In the Name of Love) (251)
Where the Streets Have No Name (330)
Sunday Bloody Sunday (619)
In God’s Country (715)
The Fly (76
Path to the Top 100:
12. Bruce Springsteen
AM Rank: 6
Survivor Rank: 27
Polls Rank: 8
Total Points: 788.93
Appears on: 21 ballots:
Greg (1)
Nicolas (1)
Slush (3)
Stephan (4)
Penguin (
Honorio (11)
Rocky Raccoon (13)
Kevin (14)
Andre (21)
Harold Wexler (24)
BillAdama (29)
Toni (37)
Daniel (44)
Miguel (46)
Henrik (55)
Jonah (5
Tim (63)
Sonofsamiam (65)
Rune (72)
Vgrd (77)
Fred (91)
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Born to Run (29)
Darkness on the Edge of Town (160)
Nebraska (192)
Born in the U.S.A. (195)
The River (214)
The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle (415)
Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J. (54
Magic (767)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Born to Run (15)
Thunder Road (40)
The River (96)
Jungleland (187)
Valentine’s Day (345)
Atlantic City (455)
Something in the Night (494)
Brilliant Disguise (515)
Incident on 57th Street (734)
Candy’s Room (810)
Bobby Jean (901)
Path to the Top 100:
11. The Who
AM Rank: 8
Survivor Rank: 9
Polls Rank: 9
Total Points: 893.52
Appears on: 21 ballots:
Jonah (2)
Penguin (2)
Stephan (2)
Harold Wexler (5)
Rocky Raccoon (7)
BillAdama (9)
Slush (11)
Rune (13)
Daniel (16)
Stammer (16)
Miguel (17)
Lonesome Panda (1
Nicolas (25)
Honorio (2
Schleuse (36)
Paul (44)
Kevin (46)
Sonofsamiam (47)
Greg (52)
Mitchell Sterling (61)
Fred (86)
Quotable:
Penguin: In some ways, bigger than all other bands. Certainly their sound was; after all, Pete Townshend supposedly lost some of his hearing from both the noise from their shows and the explosives that Keith Moon once detonated in his own drums. To me, Townshend is the epitome of a great writer and innovator - from his pioneering work with his rock operas to the grandiose sound of "Who's Next", Townsend was one of the very best. But every single member of the bad was talented - they had perhaps the greatest rhythm section ever, with Moon and Entwistle, and Daltrey's talent is apparent after listening to "Love Reign O'er Me", considered by some to be the greatest vocal performance ever for rock music.
Lonesome Panda: Favourite Album: The Who Sell Out, Favourite Song: Won’t Get Fooled Again
Albums in the Top 1000 Poll:
Who’s Next (26)
Quadrophenia (137)
Tommy (139)
The Who Sell Out (15
Live At Leeds (282)
The Who By Numbers (410)
The Who Sings My Generation (642)
Songs in the Top 1000 Poll:
Baby O’Riley (3
Won’t Get Fooled Again (65)
I Can See for Miles (97)
My Generation (16
I Can’t Explain (477)
Bargain (587)
Pinball Wizard (624)
The Kids Are Alright (716)
Eminence Front (911)
Behind Blue Eyes (983)
Path to the Top 100:
Well, Moonbeam will be happy about at least one artist in the top ten ... 
5 American acts, 4 British, and 1 Canadian to go.
Yeah, I voted for 1 or 3 of them.
yes, i'm very pleased with Bruce's performance in the poll. much better than i'd dreaded. 
"U2 is like the movie Road To Perdition"
But they're both just so damn good. 