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2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Here we go:




"Nothing really matters much
It's doom alone that counts"






[20] Bob Dylan | Blood on the Tracks | 1975

Points: 3274 | Votes: 27 | AM Rank: 23 | 2009 Poll Rank: 19 (-1)

Biggest Fans: DavidM (7), Harold Wexler (8), Stephan (9)





"Here we are now, entertain us"







[19] Nirvana | Nevermind | 1991

Points: 3283 | Votes: 30 | AM Rank: 3 | 2009 Poll Rank: 17 (-2)

Biggest Fans: Jonathan (1), Chris K (2), ParticleAnalyst (9)





"Look beneath the floorboards
For the secrets I have hid"







[18] Sufjan Stevens | Illinois | 2005

Points: 3304 | Votes: 33 | AM Rank: 110 | 2009 Poll Rank: 43 (+25)

Biggest Fans: Halley P (5), Henrik (5), Nassim (6)





"All these memories lost their meaning
When I think of love as something new"







[17] The Beatles | Rubber Soul | 1965

Points: 3429 | Votes: 32 | AM Rank: 29 | 2009 Poll Rank: 22 (+5)

Biggest Fans: John (1), Pauldrach (1), Halley P (7), Stone (7)





"He tried to vote but to him there's no solution"





[16] Stevie Wonder | Innervisions | 1973

Points: 3687 | Votes: 32 | AM Rank: 42 | 2009 Poll Rank: 21 (+5)

Biggest Fans: Sonofsamiam (2), Marc (3), Schwah (3)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

As much as I enjoy the album, for some reason Illinois doesn't look quite right there.

I really have to listen to those Stevie Wonder records again to see what I'm missing; at the moment I'm not quite sure why he's ranked so much higher than Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield or even James Carr.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Difference between #35 and #18: 382 points.

Difference between #18 and #16: 383 points.

Wow

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Ok, this is the third thread for this poll's results. That's extensive.
Just to remind myself, here's how I saw the final 20:


20. Illinois
19. Blood on the Tracks
18. Doolittle
17. Innervisions
16. Nevermind
15. London Calling
14. Rubber Soul
13. Automatic for the People
12. Funeral
11. Sgt. Pepper
10. Born to Run
9. Blonde on Blonde
8. The White Album
7. Ziggy Stardust
6. Abbey Road
5. Highway 61 Revisited
4. Revolver
3. VU & Nico
2. Ok Computer (wishful thinking)
1. Pet Sounds

I have to agree with Stephan, "Illinois" seems out of place.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

spoilers

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I'm surprised Illinois came this high of course, beating every other 2000s album except Funeral, but I have to say that it's incredibly refreshing. It's nice to see the old club being a little bit rattled.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Zorg
I'm surprised Illinois came this high of course, beating every other 2000s album except Funeral, but I have to say that it's incredibly refreshing. It's nice to see the old club being a little bit rattled.


Indeed! Illinois is higher on my list than any of those other 4, although Innervisions is close.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

20-16

[20] Bob Dylan | Blood on the Tracks | 1975
It was already in the top 20 last year and it iis till there in 2011. But still, if Listyguy hadn't made a point of letting everybody know the remaining albums (I like surprises and I know I'm not the only one here) I wouldn't have thought one second of "Blood On the Tracks" in the top 20. But that's a positive surprise. Blood On.. (my #29) has long been my favorite Dylan album, where he dropped the mask, where he gave up the mysterious lyrics to something a little more sincere after his divorce. Highlights are the opener, Idiot Win, and my 2favorites 'You're A Big Girl", and the mysterious western movie that is "Lily, Rosemary...". NB now my fav Dylan is Highway 51

[19] Nirvana | Nevermind | 1991
A milestone album that defines the 1990s and had the effect of a landslide. SO itdeserves its place here even though I'm not a huge fan (it's my #288. I have to admit that the first song is a masterpiece.

[18] Sufjan Stevens | Illinois | 2005
The result of the 00's poll ? Why not, aan all-time list is always trapped in the space, time and context of its making. And Illinois, my #48 and rising, is a new entry since 2009 in my list. Nothing to say. Fabulous arrangements, great lyrics ("John Wayne Gracy", the other one about the guy who has cancer). At first I was a little repelled by the extended song names (smells indie pretention) but this a great singer songwriter album.

[17] The Beatles | Rubber Soul | 1965
My number 105. 4 left now.

[16] Stevie Wonder | Innervisions | 1973
Very happy for Stevie, even if I prefer "Songs In the Key", whose length was a handicap at this stage of the competition. But nevermind. Stevie was the most able of the soul singers at making numerous great albums, and also to go beyond soul and reach a pop audience; he's extremely gifted in everything he does (singing, composing, playing every instrument) and his vocals carry an amout of emotion rarely seen. Happy that there is at least one album of black music in the top 20. Last time around it was "What's Going On", an album that I find superior to that one, but "Innervision" is more than a great consolation prize.

So the big surprise is finally... no I won't tell it, but finally THAT album was not Born To Run, but another one that is really a... shock

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Wow, Illinois really jumped. That was an album that actually moved down on my list. I think parts of its length are starting to get to me, but I still really love it. I don't think there has ever been another album like it.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Without giving too much away, I'm not that shocked by what I think might be the surprise you are talking about Nicolas. It's not that much of a rise anyway. But, I'll refrain because maybe we're talking about two different albums.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Damn....really hoped Nevermind would beat Funeral.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Some surprises indeed. That's nice. Interesting to see which recent albums are settling in the top of the list.

I am really trying not te read posts like listyguy's. I'm still sorry for that stupid quote in the previous thread.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jonathon
Damn....really hoped Nevermind would beat Funeral.


Me too... Now that it beat THE quintessential '90s album I'm afraid it's gonna break the Top 10.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Nevermind is a great album, I think the ones on the second half are better than some of the hits.

I'm surprised to see Illinois ranked so high even though I ranked it very high myself. It's one of those albums that's great but really should end sooner.

I'm surprised to see Rubber Soul down at #17, but I do believe it's the weakest of the Beatles 'big five', at least in terms of consistency.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

The hits from Nevermind are overplayed, but they're still imo, 4 of the greatest songs of the 90s. The only song I've never liked on that album is "Stay Away".

I may have gone overboard ranking it as my favorite album, but it was the first classic album I ever owned, and I've probably listened to it more than any other album ever. I was also caught up in the 20th anniversary hype, and was rocking the 5 disc boxed set that just came out when I made the list.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jonathon
The hits from Nevermind are overplayed, but they're still imo, 4 of the greatest songs of the 90s. The only song I've never liked on that album is "Stay Away".

I may have gone overboard ranking it as my favorite album, but it was the first classic album I ever owned, and I've probably listened to it more than any other album ever. I was also caught up in the 20th anniversary hype, and was rocking the 5 disc boxed set that just came out when I made the list.
You're favorite album contains a song that you've never liked? That's quite interesting. Do all you're favorite albums have songs that you don't like? Or do the other songs on Nevermind compensate enough for 'Stay Away'?

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

What I find most interesting is that there are two albums from the 00s in the top 20 (and possibly one in the top 10) and only 1 album from the 80s. Even though you could almost count London Calling as an 80s album.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

There are two 80s albums left I'm pretty sure.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

gone.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Oh yeah, you're right. I didn't think the Talking Heads had shown up yet, for some strange reason.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

VanillaFire1000
Just going from the lists people have posted...


No. No. No. I don't have a problem with listing the albums that are left in the countdown - at this point, there aren't any surprises in that regard - but do we need to take away ALL the suspense? VFK, if you read this in time, please remove this post!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

post is gone.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

"Did you hear about this one?"






[15] R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | 1992

Points: 3766 | Votes: 36 | AM Rank: 53 | 2009 Poll Rank: 26 (+11)

Biggest Fans: VanillaFire1000 (4), Stephan (7), Chris K (9)





"Show a little faith, there's magic in the night"





[14] Bruce Springsteen | Born to Run | 1975

Points: 3869 | Votes: 29 | AM Rank: 18 | 2009 Poll Rank: 13 (-1)

Biggest Fans: OtisRedding (2), Nicolas (5), Stephan (5), Stone (5)




"If the Devil is 6, then God is 7"







[13] Pixies | Doolittle | 1989

Points: 4124 | Votes: 35 | AM Rank: 59 | 2009 Poll Rank: 12 (-1)

Biggest Fans: Michel (4), Evan (5), Zorg (5)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

VanillaFire1000
post is gone.

thanks. So my angry post too.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jackson
[15] R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | 1992

Points: 3766 | Votes: 36 | AM Rank: 53 | 2009 Poll Rank: 26 (+11)
Excellent! Even with all the predictions I kinda forgot this was placing so high.

I'm still not sure what "that" album everyone is talking about is. This one? Is everyone talking about the same album? I'm confused.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Yes, Automatic for the People is the puzzling album I've been referring to. Note that I also said that I didn't think most people would be surprised at this outcome, and unless there is an unexpected burst of rage coming from those who didn't support AftP, I think this assumption was correct.

Still, I'm puzzled by this album. Seems like I should like it as a resident of Athens, GA, given that I go to the university R.E.M. was formed at, eat pretty regularly at the restaurant the album was named after, and shop at the record store Peter Buck worked at. This combined with the album's high ranking makes it seem like it should be a slam dunk.

Still, I can't shake the belief that this is R.E.M.'s fourth or fifth album at best, and should have been judged that way upon its release and evaluated as such since then. If I would have guessed where this would have placed before the poll, I would have said in the 40s or 50s, where I could have written it off like others I don't care for in that range like Moondance or Graceland. But ranked up here amongst the true classics, it's hard to ignore this placement.

It's not that I don't see any appeal in the album, but I don't get what it does exceptionally well. Great melodies? Not particularly. Great lyrics? I mean, Blood on the Tracks was five spots lower... Standout songs? Some of these songs fare well in our polls, but none are top 100 mainstays or anything. A great atmosphere? Many might think so, but I find everything a little too restrained and somewhat bland to make this a world I want to revisit again and again. Influence? Don't really see a particularly strong cult of AftP soundalikes coming out after this was released.

I mean, we just ranked this as the second-best album of the 90s. The 90s were a fantastic decade for music, with incredible albums and innovations in electronic music, hip-hop, indie rock, alternative, and post-rock, among others. I just don't see how this fits in above so many other great albums released in that decade, as well as solid albums from earlier in R.E.M.'s career.

Hope to generate some good discussion with this post. Don't mean to bash any fans of the album.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

15-13

All the outsiders are gone.

[15] R.E.M. | Automatic for the People | 1992
THAT album's placement is, indeed, very puzzling. Jackson, you nailed it. Not that I dislike it, it's my #185 and favorite R.E.M. album, a good collectionof songs that are excellent at the most, but no top 20 IMO.
The album got a big number of votes (36, while Born To Run got "only" 29. Well, Gotta ask you the Henry question.

[14] Bruce Springsteen | Born to Run | 1975

[13] Pixies | Doolittle | 1989

Should my wife ran away.
Should my appartment (and especially my record collection and hard drives) go down in flames.
Should my mother smoke grass
Should my kids stop making a mess when they eat
Should Sarkozy nationalize all the banks
Should Moonbeam wear a black & white Molly Hatchet t-shirt

I wouldn't be more SHOCKED to see Doolittle above Born to Run, for the second time in a row.
I never understood the appeal for this mean, ugly, vicious and dissonant record that would pave the way for all this painful 90's rock... But hell, each his own.
At least there are Springsteen fans here !!
PS :here again, the most acclaimed boss album wins (although I, with a number of fans, prefer the more concise and mature Darkness). I'd be curious to know if we elected albums from a given artist that are not that artist's #1 on AM3000.
But Born to Run is my #5, and filled with beautiful epic songs, from Thunder Road (my adolescent song) to Jungleland (this sax solo...). An ode to teenage and freedom, and many songs that are like little movies.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

To me Automatic definitely belongs here, and is one of the greats. One of only 15 albums I've rated 5/5 on RYM.

Great melodies? Definitely, some of the greatest. Great lyrics? Not quite as good as Dylan, I agree, but definitely on par with the best R.E.M.—and thus pretty much anyone—ever did. Standout songs? I would argue so, just in my top 10 for 1991 I have Everybody Hurts (#1 for the year and #4 on my R.E.M. songs list), Drive (#2, #5), Find The River (#4, #6), Man on the Moon (#6, #9) and Nightswimming (#10, #15) and Ignoreland and Try Not To Breathe aren't far behind. Influence? Irrelevant.

Everything just comes together wonderfully, the stars align and it's an album I can listen to endlessly without ever feeling the slightest hint of boredom.

Regarding Doolittle, in hindsight I probably should have ranked that a little lower than #77, because despite the first 7 songs being phenomenal (particularly Debaser, Here Comes Your Man and Monkey Gone To Heaven) the last half gets almost mediocre at times.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jackson


I mean, we just ranked this as the second-best album of the 90s. The 90s were a fantastic decade for music, with incredible albums and innovations in electronic music, hip-hop, indie rock, alternative, and post-rock, among others. I just don't see how this fits in above so many other great albums released in that decade, as well as solid albums from earlier in R.E.M.'s career.

Hope to generate some good discussion with this post. Don't mean to bash any fans of the album.


Automatic is the last step of maturation for the 80s underground. The album is not a starting point of something better or something new, but a final conclusion. It is the album R.E.M. has been building to ever since Document in 87 (primarily through the song King of Birds.) You see more and more songs like that show up in Green and Out of Time, and then Automatic is entirely that. Even the two "rock" songs on the album (Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Ignoreland) are nothing like the edgier, jagged stuff of before (which is what makes the next leap towards Monster seem even more jarring.) When I think of Automatic, the first thing that comes to mind is "crystalline." Its a clean, almost rarified-sounding record. Its lyrics and music are intellectual while populist. Recorded at a time when the next generation of rock groups were exploding, R.E.M. made an album with complexity and maturity not seen since Blood on the Tracks and Rust Never Sleeps. But when Rust says "Rock n' Roll will never die", its talking about the continued sense of youthfulness and rebelliousness found in its music and culture, that you can still be "cool" at this time period in your life. Those two albums about trying to recapture something lost. Automatic says that with age comes maturity and a sense of purpose in your life that makes youth and rebellion seem silly to worry about, and that there is a time when you must leave those emotions behind. Its a record made by adults who worry about adult problems.

The entire record is about the death of friends, loved ones, and a culture. Although unknown to the general public at the time, Michael Stipe was writing about his feelings at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, a few years before retrovirals and proper health diagnosis and management saved millions of lives. 1992 was also a year when corporatism savaged the American underground, partially in effect to R.E.M.'s own mainstream popularity. This album was made to express their own pain on what was being destroyed around them.

So yeah, that is why I love this record.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Automatic rocks and I think I placed it pretty high, but I'd place few of REM's other albums higher. It doesn't have the same energy as their 80's stuff.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

We were talking about the same album Nicolas. It didn't rise that much from the last poll... and with their breakup their might be some nostalgia in that boost as well? Reckoning and Document are far better in my opinion but the AM community in general has always preferred that period REM.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Clean. Yes Automatic is a clean record, like R.E.M's music in general. There's always a moment when you ask yourself "when will they loosen up" but that never happens. It's IMO what R.E.M. would nedd to be a great band. They're a bit too intellectual IMO. But Stipe's a great singer and songwriter, but I'd love his music to be a little more lively and messy at times.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Have you listened to Murmur? I'm not a big fan of Murmur because it's not as "clean" as Reckoning and Document.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

yes, but the problem with Murmur and me was that 80's jangling sound. But as it's been a while since I haven't heard it and as I think I've become (a little) more tolerant, i'll give it a spin

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

BillAdama
Automatic rocks and I think I placed it pretty high, but I'd place few of REM's other albums higher. It doesn't have the same energy as their 80's stuff.


Correct, BillAdama. I could have written exactly the same lines.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

nicolas
yes, but the problem with Murmur and me was that 80's jangling sound. But as it's been a while since I haven't heard it and as I think I've become (a little) more tolerant, i'll give it a spin


Does it really need tolerance? I guess you either like it or not.

It's one of my favourite genres. I simply adore jangle pop!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I think Reckoning and Document would place higher in these polls if more people had heard them. Most (not all) people who have heard those albums and Automatic usually have the opinion that Automatic is the lesser album but still good. I could be wrong. But, Automatic just seems to be the album that everyone has heard due to it's mainstream success.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

John
I think Reckoning and Document would place higher in these polls if more people had heard them. Most (not all) people who have heard those albums and Automatic usually have the opinion that Automatic is the lesser album but still good. I could be wrong. But, Automatic just seems to be the album that everyone has heard due to it's mainstream success.


As a huge R.E.M. fan with a ridiculous love for the majority of their entire 80's and 90's run, I would disagree. Automatic is just special. It's the most haunting and somber album in their catalog, but it's also one of the most poignantly human. It's far more vulnerable than Reckoning or Document. It holds a special place for me, I'm thrilled to see it so high.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I had Automatic at #11, and totally agree with its rank. When I deduced the puzzling album wasn't Remain In Light I imediately thought it could be this one, since it had been out of top 25 last poll.
I also see the album as a clean piece, but not in the empty, something-lacking sense as you're talking about. To me every song is well fulfilled. And I don't consider it so smooth as you're telling. If there are some somber and dragged moments like Sweetness Follows, then you have the brilliance of Monty Got a Raw Deal/Ignorland coming next. And the album is all like this. Some mournful (and also beautiful even if this is not the kind of music I generally go for) songs enhancing even more the heights of tracks like Man on the Moon and The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite. And there's also the atipical ones Drive and Nightswimming, which stand out from every other thing they've done, and sound perfect in such different ways. Musically, the album alternates melancholy and jubilation as few others, while they never turn away from their sense of beauty.
And about the "clean" aspect you were discussing, I've always considered it clean in term of production. It's much better (not over) produced than their other albums, being all the music well polished until being right on the spot for providing the best musical images. It somehow sounds more three dimensional then the majority of the other albums I know, leading to a feeling of deepness, perspective all over it.
I don't have much to explain about why I consider this one my top 15 albums, but the fact that few other discs have led me to such delightful auditions like I've had with this one.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Glad I could inspire some discussion there. I think it's time to move on.




"This is what salvation must be like after a while"





[12] Bob Dylan | Blonde on Blonde | 1966

Points: 4132 | Votes: 35 | AM Rank: 7 | 2009 Poll Rank: 9 (-3)

Biggest Fans: BillAdama (2), Stephan (2), Jonathan (3), Honorio (3)




"He didn't notice that the lights had changed"





[11] The Beatles | Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | 1967

Points: 4317 | Votes: 37 | AM Rank: 5 | 2009 Poll Rank: 11 (No change)

Biggest Fans: Henry (3), Stone (4), Schwah (4)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Wow, I thought "Blonde on Blonde" was a guaranteed top ten. And even more surprising, (I believe) for the first time in the AMF all time albums poll history an album from the 2000's breaks into the top ten!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Count me in the anti-Automatic for the People group. When compared to their best albums, I think it's a lifeless album, and contains some of Stipe's worst vocals. They are striving for a bit of beauty that (and I recognize this is entirely a minority view) I don't think they acheive.

REM had an amazing platform following the only hinted-at success of "Losing My Religion." I will forever be grateful to R.E.M. for that song, even if I find it to wear thin, because it was a signal pointer for alternative bands in the 90's that they could acheive commercial success without dumbing things down. Without casting aspersions on Nirvana, I found that to be a more fruitful and interesting path than the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" path to commercial success.

But R.E.M. seemed to lose something special in the process.

By contrast, there is a power and vitality behind Document, Murmur, Life's Rich Pageant, and the underrated Monster (where the band seems to relish playing against type and grasping for a glam rock crown). I think they lost the plot on Automatic....

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

A few things that make me happy:
- "Automatic" in the top 15
- "Sgt. Pepper" not in the top 10
- "Highway 61" top Dylan album (though I would ratehr it be "BIABH", that's unrealistic)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Big yawn from 11-15, with 2 albums I really dislike, one I'm mixed about and 2 more I have no desire to hear.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Moonbeam
Big yawn from 11-15, with 2 albums I really dislike, one I'm mixed about and 2 more I have no desire to hear.


Are you attempting to put us to sleep as well

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

1 Dylan and 1 Beatles : the top 10 will be a little more diverse (with still 3 Beatles album, but my favorite 3)

Blonde on Blonde is Dylan at his most creative. After releasing 2 major albums in 65, he comes with a double record the next year. I had it at #108 but it deserved top 100 (the middle section of my list was a mess).

Now, Sgt Peppper's.. Except Let It Be (but including Magical Mystery Tour), it's my least favorite album of the post 1965 Beatles. In terms of song quality, it shouldn't even be on my list but it finally ended up at #160 because of the best songs (Little Help, She's Leaving Home, A Day In The Life), and also because of the fun that they had and the unique athmosphere of the record. But it's full of flaws : the production is dated, some songs are among the worst of the band's carreer (Good Morning, Lovely Rita), and the whole thing is uneven.
And there are no major songs : all the great singles they recorded that year (Strawberry, Penny Lane, Walrus, All You Need is Love) are out and will end up on the excellent MMT, and, contrary to the common opinion on this board, I've never considered "A Day In The Life" as a masterpiece but "just" as an excellent song, a Frankenstein of a song, a collage between the Lennon and the McCartney tunes, and with this ridiculous long last note that took them so long to record but finally doesnt serve the album. ButI always thought that it's the Beatles song that sounds the most like indie rock, so it's logical that it's praised by this indie oriented forum. So a little like Thriller or Funeral for the 2000s I put Sgt Peppers in my ballot more for what it stands for ( a decade definer) that for its face value.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

nicolas
Now, Sgt Peppper's.. Except Let It Be (but including Magical Mystery Tour), it's my least favorite album of the post 1965 Beatles. In terms of song quality, it shouldn't even be on my list but it finally ended up at #160 because of the best songs (Little Help, She's Leaving Home, A Day In The Life), and also because of the fun that they had and the unique athmosphere of the record. But it's full of flaws : the production is dated, some songs are among the worst of the band's carreer (Good Morning, Lovely Rita), and the whole thing is uneven.
And there are no major songs : all the great singles they recorded that year (Strawberry, Penny Lane, Walrus, All You Need is Love) are out and will end up on the excellent MMT, and, contrary to the common opinion on this board, I've never considered "A Day In The Life" as a masterpiece but "just" as an excellent song, a Frankenstein of a song, a collage between the Lennon and the McCartney tunes, and with this ridiculous long last note that took them so long to record but finally doesnt serve the album. ButI always thought that it's the Beatles song that sounds the most like indie rock, so it's logical that it's praised by this indie oriented forum. So a little like Thriller or Funeral for the 2000s I put Sgt Peppers in my ballot more for what it stands for ( a decade definer) that for its face value.


Excellent points Nicolas.

If I were creating my list today, Sgt Pepper's would probably be down 3 positions.

I can't stand that last note in A Day In the Life. I agree with the uneven description and also find that this complaint applies to MMT.

While it is a bit light, I don't mind Lovely Rita and I thoroughly enjoy When I'm 64, Getting Better, and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.

I've never been a big fan of Stawberry Fields Forever (at least compared to many others that comment herein), Baby You're a Rich Man, I Am the Walrus, or Blue Jay Way. I would put Your Mother Should Know in the same vein as Lovely Rita.

So, today I still would place Sgt Pepper's in my top ten, but probably in the bottom 5, clearly lower than Abbey Road and very close to (probably just higher than) the White Album.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Moonbeam
Big yawn from 11-15, with 2 albums I really dislike, one I'm mixed about and 2 more I have no desire to hear.


Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Toni
Moonbeam
Big yawn from 11-15, with 2 albums I really dislike, one I'm mixed about and 2 more I have no desire to hear.




At least I think I'll like 4 or 5 out of the top 10!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Despite my high ranking of Sgt. Peppers it's universal acclaim as their best is surprising. A lot of critics credit the studio mastery which in my opinion is now dated especially the stereo techniques used. Plus, I think Revolver was the shining album that showcased Martin's and The Beatles studio work. In terms of songwriting, I think Rubber Soul wins by a landslide and when it comes to musicianship, Abbey Road. So, Sgt. Peppers is a great album but it didn't master anything. I think a lot of modern critics have realized that Revolver was their masterpiece though so that's good. Maybe another generation of critics will finally give Rubber Soul another look as the Beatles best.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

nicolas
the whole thing is uneven.


that's their ckuffing trademark, droog. i REALLY hope At The Bollywood Howl made it into the t5 this time. this list needs more the beatles!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I consider Sgt. Pepper as my favorite Beatles album, so I guess it is up to me to defend it a little bit here. I consider it to be a master stroke of the Lennon/McCartney collaboration. I know that many people here say that Revolver is the "big" step in their songwriting, and I love that record, but Sgt Pepper is where they totally changed their style away from the rock n' roll band they started with and became legends.

I find it actually kind of hard to defend this album right now. More than any other, I think of that album as this "force" or "thing" that just exists.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I don't get this recurring theme of people saying they voted for albums but are disappointed in their ranking. For one, these albums wouldn't be so high if everyone didn't put them there. Also, anything that makes my top 200 is an album I'm happy to see on our list. Illinois placed 162 for me, but I was refreshed to see it at 18. OK Computer fell on my list from 11 at the last poll to 134, but I have no issues with where it ended up placing (that shouldn't be intended or interpreted as a hint to where it placed).

I mean, if you are disappointed/confused by an album's classic status, don't vote for it. There are plenty of other deserving albums out there that need votes a lot more than these.

And I would complain about Sgt. Pepper's high ranking, but that would seem redundant. Despite the seemingly negative sentiment against it this year, it still performed very well, and I have a feeling it will rank around 11 next time as well.

Also, thanks to those that helped Doolittle (my #12) do so well again. I listened to that album again today, and it's still an absolute blast. I love the flow, atmosphere, and amount of ideas contained in such a short running time.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

On to the top 10, which features the highest-ranked album ever from the 2000s in an AM album poll.




"I've got blisters on my fingers!"





[10] The Beatles | The Beatles (The White Album) | 1968

Points: 4478 | Votes: 34 | AM Rank: 14 | 2009 Poll Rank: 7 (-3)

Biggest Fans: Toni (1), Dan M (1), Honorio (2), Jonathan (2)





"I guess we'll just have to adjust"






[9] Arcade Fire | Funeral | 2004

Points: 4501 | Votes: 38 | AM Rank: 34 | 2009 Poll Rank: 16 (+7)

Biggest Fans: Petri (2), Drewcannon3 (2), Nassim (4)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Fine by me. Funeral >>>>>> The White Album

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Abbey Road still in the running for best Beatles album...it probably can't top Revolver though.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Evan
Abbey Road still in the running for best Beatles album...it probably can't top Revolver though.


It should. It's much better (Fred looking for that rodent among the emoticons)...now I found it:

Now if only White Album was made with a medley...it has ten songs or so that would make a great side b with Revolution 9 as the closer. And some badass songs that should have been fronted on side A.

Viva Beatles!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Evan
Abbey Road still in the running for best Beatles album...it probably can't top Revolver though.


These two are the top two (and maybe only two? Don't really remember) Beatles albums on my list.

Also happy about Funeral. Really deserves its status as a modern classic -- it is to the 2000s as what Nevermind was to the 1990s. Plus, it just sounds better than Nevermind.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Guys, look what I've found while revisiting our all time albums poll from 2005, right after Funeral had appeared at #42 (incredibly after 10 months of its release!):

Nescio
I don't think the arcade fire album deserves that place and if this was done 5 years later it certainly wouldn't make the top 100.


Sounds hilarious now...

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

[10] The Beatles | The Beatles (The White Album) | 1968

Just like me ! It was my number 10, but if I made my list now, it would be higher (7 or 8). I think Disc 1 could be in the top 3, especially the suite of songs from "While My Guitar" to "Rocky Raccoon" (I LOVE the latter).
Of course it has its flows (Revolution 9 of course, Don't Pass Me By, Why Don't We do it..., Long long long, etc), but it's a garage sell album. It's like seeing them work live. The great sound engineers were gone because of the terrible athmosphere, and they were on their own. They are stripped from their orange and purple psychedelic clothes, and they are back to basics, like the 50's rocker "Back in the USSR" suggests.

[9] Arcade Fire | Funeral | 2004

Well, it's a great album. A classic ? I don't know, in fact I must have heard it 6 times maximum. But it was on my list at #157. problem with AF albums is I never love all the songs (Wake Up and Haiti are the "weak" ones IMO).

BTW,

Jackson
I don't get this recurring theme of people saying they voted for albums but are disappointed in their ranking. For one, these albums wouldn't be so high if everyone didn't put them there. Also, anything that makes my top 200 is an album I'm happy to see on our list. Illinois placed 162 for me, but I was refreshed to see it at 18. OK Computer fell on my list from 11 at the last poll to 134, but I have no issues with where it ended up placing (that shouldn't be intended or interpreted as a hint to where it placed).

I mean, if you are disappointed/confused by an album's classic status, don't vote for it. There are plenty of other deserving albums out there that need votes a lot more than these.


I don't agree. I love Sgt Pepper's, even if I criticize it. Same goes for Funeral, an album that contains remarkable songs but none I would give a 5 or even a 4.5 star rating (maybe a 4.25 for tracks 1 and 9) . To make my list I used Moonbeam's system, which ranks albums by comparisons, which is the best way to make a list (AM3000 works like that too). So SGt P and Funeral really deserve their rankings, they fought for that . So as in real life, things are more complicated than that. I neversaid I didn't like Sgt Pepper. I just criticized it. You can love someone and complain about him/her. But in the end you wouldn't trade him/her for anybody else. Family is about that.
And I feel more inclined to criticize an album I love than to bash an album I didn't rank. That's why I was longer on Sgt P than on Doolittle.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

[10] The Beatles | The Beatles (The White Album) | 1968

Just like me ! It was my number 10, but if I made my list now, it would be higher (7 or 8). I think Disc 1 could be in the top 3, especially the suite of songs from "While My Guitar" to "Rocky Raccoon" (I LOVE the latter).
Of course it has its flows (Revolution 9 of course, Don't Pass Me By, Why Don't We do it..., Long long long, etc), but it's a garage sell album. It's like seeing them work live. The great sound engineers were gone because of the terrible athmosphere, and they were on their own. They are stripped from their orange and purple psychedelic clothes, and they are back to basics, like the 50's rocker "Back in the USSR" suggests.

[9] Arcade Fire | Funeral | 2004

Well, it's a great album. A classic ? I don't know, in fact I must have heard it 6 times maximum. But it was on my list at #157. problem with AF albums is I never love all the songs (Wake Up and Haiti are the "weak" ones IMO). But powerful ? yes. Epic? yes. Different ? yes.

BTW,

Jackson
I don't get this recurring theme of people saying they voted for albums but are disappointed in their ranking. For one, these albums wouldn't be so high if everyone didn't put them there. Also, anything that makes my top 200 is an album I'm happy to see on our list. Illinois placed 162 for me, but I was refreshed to see it at 18. OK Computer fell on my list from 11 at the last poll to 134, but I have no issues with where it ended up placing (that shouldn't be intended or interpreted as a hint to where it placed).

I mean, if you are disappointed/confused by an album's classic status, don't vote for it. There are plenty of other deserving albums out there that need votes a lot more than these.


I don't agree. I love Sgt Pepper's, even if I criticize it. Same goes for Funeral, an album that contains remarkable songs but none I would give a 5 or even a 4.5 star rating (maybe a 4.25 for tracks 1 and 9) . To make my list I used Moonbeam's system, which ranks albums by comparisons, which is the best way to make a list (AM3000 works like that too). So SGt P and Funeral really deserve their rankings, they fought for that . As in real life, things are more complicated than that. I neversaid I didn't like Sgt Pepper. I just criticized it. You can love someone and complain about him/her. But in the end you wouldn't trade him/her for anybody else. Family is about that I guess.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jackson
I don't get this recurring theme of people saying they voted for albums but are disappointed in their ranking. For one, these albums wouldn't be so high if everyone didn't put them there. Also, anything that makes my top 200 is an album I'm happy to see on our list. Illinois placed 162 for me, but I was refreshed to see it at 18. OK Computer fell on my list from 11 at the last poll to 134, but I have no issues with where it ended up placing (that shouldn't be intended or interpreted as a hint to where it placed).

I mean, if you are disappointed/confused by an album's classic status, don't vote for it. There are plenty of other deserving albums out there that need votes a lot more than these.
I'm with you there, especially the last sentence. Many AMF'ers know very many albums, but still the usual suspects always reappear in he top end of the list. Well, that's fine really, they are classics, alright. But one shouldn't be surprised if a typical classic that one put on, say, #168 ends up being #6 in the final list.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I never said I was disappointed/confused/surprised/shocked by Sgt P's status or ranking. I think it's better to discuss albums than rankings.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

nicolas
I never said I was disappointed/confused/surprised/shocked by Sgt P's status or ranking. I think it's better to discuss albums than rankings.
I wasn't really directed at you Nicolas.

It just feels many posts in general are a bit like that.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

"If you've been trying for years
We already heard your song"






[8] The Clash | London Calling | 1979

Points: 4712 | Votes: 37 | AM Rank: 9 | 2009 Poll Rank: 3 (-5)

Biggest Fans: Zorg (1), Tim E (1), Slick (1)




"Keep your electric eye on me babe"






[7] David Bowie | Ziggy Stardust | 1972

Points: 4808 | Votes: 36 | AM Rank: 16 | 2009 Poll Rank: 8 (+1)

Biggest Fans: Honorio (1), Brad (3), Steve E (5)




"Something is happening here
But you don't know what it is"






[6] Bob Dylan | Highway 61 Revisited | 1965

Points: 4856 | Votes: 39 | AM Rank: 11 | 2009 Poll Rank: 6 (No Change)

Biggest Fans: Stephan (1), OtisRedding (1), Sonofsamiam (4)




Highway 61 Revisited was our number one album as late as halfway through the proceedings.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I haven't heard The White Album yet, so I won't comment other that to say that I imagine I'd like it better than Sgt. Pepper based on what I know.

Funeral really has crystallized as a modern classic, hasn't it? It was very important to me at a tough period in my life. My disappointment with The Suburbs is only so bitter because Funeral shows how far they've fallen, in my view. And while it isn't my favorite 00s album (it's 18 for the decade for me), I am happy that a recent album has made it so high and that it is one I can also enjoy.

London Calling is really excellent and definitely my favorite Clash album. I tend to prefer my punk with a post- prefix or on the more fun side like Ramones and Blondie, but for snarling British variety, The Clash is where to go (after Siouxsie and the Banshees, of course!).

I'm very happy that Ziggy comes in as the top 70s album. As with Funeral, it's not my favorite from the decade, but it's close (9th). It's got such a young, innocent spirit that is just thrilling, and while I prefer Scary Monsters and Aladdin Sane, I can happily accept Ziggy as Bowie's consensus crowning achievement. Plus, "Moonage Daydream" might just be my favorite 70s song.

I was pleasantly surprised with Highway 61 Revisited after the first taste that was Blonde on Blonde. "Ballad of a Thin Man" is really, really good, and could prove to be a gateway into his music if my ears ever can get past the folky singer-songwriter thing.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

No!!!!!!

El Clash Combo! I knew it had done exceptionally well last time, but I'm really shocked that it's gone down by 5! To me it's the perfect album - it's the album that killed punk and set it off down a more mature route. It's so refreshing to know you can be 4 london louts and make one of the most sincere, consistent, hilarious, and touching albums ever. Not having mentioned the songs! SPanish Bombs, Revolution Rock, Lover's Rock, I'm Not Down, Jimmy Jazz, Rudie Can't Fail and of course London Calling will stand to be some of the most amazing songs ever.

David Bowie: My number 9 and really it is a magnificent album. There really isn't a weak track on it - maybe It Ain't Easy but that's really stretching it. It's the epitome of an album bursting with personality, shockingly consistent and with incredible flow. And also, those last three songs stand among the best last three songs ever.

Bob Dylan: My number 23 (about 6 months ago it would've been in the top 10, darn you Moonbeam and your program). Not much to say, as we all know how great an album it is. One of the best opening songs ever, THE best closing song ever and 7 great songs in the middle.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Zorg
No!!!!!!

El Clash Combo! I knew it had done exceptionally well last time, but I'm really shocked that it's gone down by 5!


This forum misses Schleuse.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Good to see the top 10 evolving a bit

The Clash at #8 may surprise some people who expected them higher. Some of the AMers who had it at #1 in 2009 didn't vote this year, maybe that's why. But whatvere, let's talk music.
Another garage sell and a luxury sell. After all those years this album is still growing on me every time I listen to it. I love the title song of course, but also "Guns Of Brixton". The Clash were curious about every kind of music and they broadened their musical universe with this album.
There's rockabilly (the great "Brand new Cadillac"), even disco (Lost in the Supermarket).

Compared with my 2009 list, "Ziggy Stardust" was one of the most spectacular risings, jumping from the 40s to the top 20. I have so many good memories withthis wonderful album. it's kinda perfect (too bad he didn't replace "It Ain't Easy" with "Velvet Goldmine", but still I'm not sure). The songs are magnificent, the production too. Bowie could turn everything to gold. Being a little more of a classic rock fan, my choice goes to Ziggy, the quintescence of the pop rock style.

"Highway 51" is my favorite Dylan : bluesy as hell, raw, full of energy. Dylan takes obvious plesaure in recording his first all-electric album. Ok I can't be toolong because BOTH my kids are sick today so you have the short version.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jackson
Highway 61 Revisited was our number one album as late as halfway through the proceedings.
I was hoping it could make the top 5 this time, holding off either Abbey Road or Revolver, but it was not to be. Really quite curious for the top 5 now.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I am most interested to see how high OK Computer and VU are in the top five. While I appreciate the love others have for these albums, they are my least favorite of the albums remaining. I am guessing and hoping that OK Computer places higher than VU.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Yeah, I'm gonna predict AR, R, VU&N, PS, OKC, but R might overtake VU&N this year.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Never underestimate Pet Sounds

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

By no means was I saying Sgt. Peppers was a bad album- actually it's in my top 10. Also, our voters got it right placing Revolver and Abbey Road above it... I think it belongs above the White Album though and in my opinion, Rubber Soul is their crowning achievement. But either way, I was just talking about the critical acclaim in the past of Sgt. Peppers as the greatest Beatles album.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

I'm surprised both Blonde On Blonde and Sgt Pepper fell out of the top ten. I expected total dominance by the Beatles.

Sgt Pepper has kind of fallen out of my top hundred, though it's still close. It has some great songs on it but the whole 'carnival' feel has started to drive me nuts. The best parts of the albums are the ones that are the least McCartney-tweeish.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

"One and one and one is three"





[5] The Beatles | Abbey Road | 1969

Points: 5098 | Votes: 38 | AM Rank: 20 | 2009 Poll Rank: 10 (+5)

Biggest Fans: Daniel (1), Evan (1), Henry (1)





"Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream"






[4] The Beatles | Revolver | 1966

Points: 5200 | Votes: 41 | AM Rank: 2 | 2009 Poll Rank: 4 (No Change)

Biggest Fans: Nick (1), ParticleAnalyst (2), Daniel (3), Stone (3), Harold Wexler (3), Dan M (3)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Sweet. That's the best I could hope for at this point.

I tried Abbey Road again today and I ran into the unevenness again. It starts out great, Come Together and Something are some of the best songs they have, but then it comes to a (almost literal) screeching halt with song 3, 4 and 5. It starts building again until the genius Here Comes The Sun, my #3 Beatles song, but it collapses on Because and the meandering first few songs of the medley before finishing out quite strong. Just too much filler.

Go Velvets!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Too much filler? I picked Abbey Road as my #1 because it's one of the few albums I've listened to that truly has no filler (to my ears). Because is great and I think the whole medley is incredible, which I guess just goes to show the subjectivity of music.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Evan
Too much filler? I picked Abbey Road as my #1 because it's one of the few albums I've listened to that truly has no filler (to my ears). Because is great and I think the whole medley is incredible, which I guess just goes to show the subjectivity of music.


I agree with you Evan. The one somewhat dimished spot for me would be Octpus' Garden, but even at its lowest point Abbey Road delivers a decent melody and enjoyment. More than I can say for some of tracks on VU's top album, at least for me.

To put these ratings in context I observe that the Beatles albums are still getting great placements 40-45 years after they were released.

While earlier I thought that the placements for these two Beatles albums would be even higher but for the converse effect of the recency factor - as it applies to Forum votes for such older works; it is now clearer to me (thanks to the comments of others herein) that the large number of albums from 1960's throughout our top 20 appears to effectively refute such a notion.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Henry
Evan
Nonetheless, I believe the placements for these two Beatles albums would be even higher but for the converse effect of the recency factor - as it applies to Forum votes for such older works.


Two of the three albums above those Beatles classics were released in 1966 and 1967, so I dont really think recency has had much to do with it. Yes, OK Computer was hailed as a masterpiece immediately but it's held up rather well for about 15 years.

I think it's a pretty great T5.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Stephan
Sweet. That's the best I could hope for at this point.

I tried Abbey Road again today and I ran into the unevenness again. It starts out great, Come Together and Something are some of the best songs they have, but then it comes to a (almost literal) screeching halt with song 3, 4 and 5. It starts building again until the genius Here Comes The Sun, my #3 Beatles song, but it collapses on Because and the meandering first few songs of the medley before finishing out quite strong. Just too much filler.

Go Velvets!


I completely agree with you about tracks 3-5. From "You Never Give Me Your Money" on is the career highlight of the Beatles ("Tomorrow Never Knows" excepted), but these tracks move the album down quite a bit for me. Though I have always felt that "The End" is a little more anticlimactic than it should be.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Impressed by Abbey Road's increase, and is came close to beating Revolver. That would have been a great upset!
Right now I only want to see the Velvets or the Beach Boys demolish OK Computer.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Listyguy
Impressed by Abbey Road's increase, and is came close to beating Revolver. That would have been a great upset!
Right now I only want to see the Velvets or the Beach Boys demolish OK Computer.


I think demolish is bit of hyperbole, #3 is better than any Beatles album did (of course, this is coming from someone rooting for OK Computer).

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Abbey Road is great from track 1 to "Her Majesty'. "Maxwell"'s a pleasant and funny McCa song, and I love the singing on "Oh Darling". Paul had a great time singing that song. But it is true that the second side is perfect. the last medley, from "Golden Slumbers" to the end is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

nicolas
Abbey Road is great from track 1 to "Her Majesty'. "Maxwell"'s a pleasant and funny McCa song, and I love the singing on "Oh Darling". Paul had a great time singing that song. But it is true that the second side is perfect. the last medley, from "Golden Slumbers" to the end is one of the best pieces of music I've ever heard.


Abbey Road is my favorite Beatles album with a large margin, mostly because I feel like it is the only one with no filler. Maxwell might be a little disappointing, but Octopus's Garden is the Beatles most underrated song. I'm not saying it is their best, but it's a wonderful song that deserves more praise than at least half of those which are ranked in AM. (and hey Moonbeam, Ringo is singing, maybe you might dislike his voice a bit less).

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

No Beatles in the top 3? Hallelujah!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Well shit...Funeral beat my number 1,2, and 3 albums...

Oh well, at least it'll never beat them with critics.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Couldn't have imagined worse for the White Album, but at least it still keeps in the top 10, higher than its AM rank.
People generally say it would be better if reduced to a simple disc, but I think exact the opposite. The expanse of that album is one of its best qualities. It's the only time you'll have the chance of hearing 30 awesome (well, 29, cause I don't like Julia) Beatles tracks in a row. I remember my first listening; I hadn't looked at how many tracks were there, although knowing it was a double album. Then there came one great little song after the other, all of them sounding so fresh and imediatly pleasant, so in all the tracks I kept wishing it wasn't the last one. By the end I already knew it was the best album I had ever heard. Some years have passed and I still like all those songs and the album keeps as my #1. Listening to the White Album is the vastest travel you can take in the Beatles world, and strangely the one that most keep you still wanting for more good music. It's the only one of their classics where they are not trying to create something influential or grand. They're just letting the music flow.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Stephan
Sweet. That's the best I could hope for at this point.
Amen for that. Let's see if the the top three will be the same.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Out of 2790 unique albums voted on by 53 AMers, these are our top three.




"What matters to me is what I could be to just one girl"






[3] The Beach Boys | Pet Sounds | 1966

Points: 5452 | Votes: 41 | AM Rank: 1 | 2009 Poll Rank: 2 (-1)

Biggest Fans: Stone (1), Andre (2), Georgie (2), SR (2)





"Watch out, the world's behind you"







[2] The Velvet Underground & Nico | The Velvet Underground & Nico | 1967

Points: 5509 | Votes: 42 | AM Rank: 4 | 2009 Poll Rank: 5 (+3)

Biggest Fans: ParticleAnalyst (1), Drewcannon3 (3), Jonathan (4), Evan (4), Andre (4)





"For a minute there, I lost myself"







[1] Radiohead | OK Computer | 1997

Points: 6020 | Votes: 44 | AM Rank: 13 | 2009 Poll Rank: 1

Biggest Fans: Harold Wexler (1), Chris K (1), Petri (1), Midaso (2), Dan M (2), Nick (2)





Thanks a bunch to everyone who voted and commented. This has been a lot of fun for me, and I hope you guys have enjoyed it to. Maybe next time out, our four-time defending champ will be dethroned.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

OK Computer: No surprises
Jackson: Thank you!


Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Moonbeam
No Beatles in the top 3? Hallelujah!


5 Beatles in the top 17: too much

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Thanks Jackson for all your work !! Could you post the spreadsheet please ? Ask Henrik if you don't know how to do it.

Indie-oriented top 2. But great great albums.

I was secretely hoping that Pet Sounds would win. It was my favorite of the top 3, my #12 and a potential top 10 contender. Like London Calling, it is growing on me with each listen. It is less familiar to me than other classics like the great Beatles, Stones, Springsteen or Stevie albums. But what a wonder ! Totally idiosyncratic in its arrangements, full of beautiful melodies and vocals.

But instead the #2 was the VU & Nico (my #40). A fantastic album indeed ("Heroin", "Venus In Furs", "Waiting For The Man", wow...)and very unique as well in its making. Probably the 60's album that sounds the least like a 60's album (I mean musically not lyrically), but I already said that when it won the 60's poll. I guess it's normal that it should be so high here and today, given the influence it had on the alternative/indie movement. In fact the VU were the first indie band of the rock era !!

As for OK Computer, it is a great victor. I'm not a Radiohead fan/specialist, but this album is their definite masterpiece, because its appeal can go far beyond the indie fans. For instance, with my 1970 ears , I'm not a huge fan of Kid A (too experimental, post rock). I don't listen to it very often but everytime I'm like wow for the athmospehere and the melodies, even if it never will be a top 20 album for me (Yorke's voice and mood is too somber for the hopelessly optimistic in me I guess). I already said that Nevermind was THE ultimate 90's album, but now I know they are 2.

Thanks for this poll. I think the album polls are my favorite moments in AMF, and this time I was lucky (yes) to be at home and not working a lot so I could bother you with my endless posts.

Waiting for the statistics. Good side is we already have the individual lists.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Awesome! Out of those three Pet Sounds used to be highest on my list, but I think that was partially due to it being so high on AM. I'll freely admit that I might have been led by the AM list a little too much in the past. After a few revaluations it's currently sitting at #39 on my list.

I think I've mentioned this before, but OK Computer is one of the albums I've played most despite not liking it very much. Every album poll so far has caused me to revisit it, but this year I'm not gonna do that, enough is enough. I just don't 'get it'.

And that leads me to VU and Nico; something I do listen to with joy regularly. It's such a singular achievement, remarkable every which way you look at it. Climbing steadily throughout these polls, maybe next time it can take #1. The recency effect might kick in, after all! Sorry Henry, couldn't resist.

Finally, thank you Jackson for a great presentation!

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

OK Computer had fallen quite a bit down my list, but I relistened to it after this ranking and remembered why it's so good. It's back in my top 100. There are a lot of reasons why the album works, but for me it's the pristine production. So many elements and sounds are integrated absolutely perfectly and go together so well. As a result the album sounds very unique without sacrificing any melody or accessibility.

Pet Sounds and VU&N are both top 10 albums for me. I re-listened to Pet Sounds for the first time in a while and was impressed at how good the lyrics are. Definitely the most underrated part of that album, if such a word can apply to the AM #1 album. It shows that simplicity in lyrics doesn't mean they can't be insightful and meaningful.

The VU&N is just monolithic. Heroin, Venus in Furs, All Tomorrow's Parties...these songs just sound immense and intense. The songs stand out on VU&N more than pretty much any other album. Even after a few listens you can easily differentiate between them. By mixing truly avant-garde songs with pop songs, the album has a variety and distinct character that make it the classic it is. The VU's next three albums were each pretty much playing off of one aspect of this album.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Great outcome of the Top five. Maybe for some it's becoming boring that OK Computer ends up first (but what a sweep this time!), but I'm definitely fine with it.

I'm also glad with the jump of VU&N within the top five.

Thanks a lot for organising this great poll Jackson! It was really nice to participate and watch the results roll out bit by bit. This was a first time for me here, but definitely not the last.

For now, let's listen to some music until the next poll comes around. :)

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Great job Jackson!!!

Fantastic comments from Nicolas throughout.

While I enjoy Radiohead, I am not one of their dedicated fans.

Nonetheless, I was relieved to see that VU did not climb to the top spot in this poll.

OK Computer has been at the top in our last three polls. That's pretty impressive staying power. I don't see it getting displaced for a few more polls unless there is significant change in the poll participants.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Stephan
The recency effect might kick in, after all! Sorry Henry, couldn't resist.


The recency effect is not in great evidence in the poll results. However, the descent of Kid A in the last three polls could be explained by this effect. In the most recent poll Kid A was at 28, in 2009 it was at 24, and in the 2008 poll it was 14.

Conversely, In Rainbows is moving up in time.

Therefore, in my view the effect that is causing these movements is not properly referred to as the recency effect. Instead, I believe two contrasting effects are being realized and can be better described as the growing/settling characteristic. The settling aspect of this characteristic typically affects albums that are over-rated initially and then settle down to a more reasonable rating over time.

It appears that albums such as VU, In Rainbows and dozens of others are growers for a large number of us participating in the polls and their movement can be reasonably viewed as affected by the growing aspect of this characteristic.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

It's funny talking about a 'recency effect' when the very top of the list is predominantly from 1965-1975.

If anything explains why Kid A declined and Funeral did not, Radiohead went on to make more albums like Kid A, but Arcade Fire has made no other albums like Funeral. If Neon Bible and The Suburbs were as good as Funeral, Funeral would be lower on the list.

People are 'spreading out' their experimental Radiohead votes but not their Arcade Fire votes.

If there is a recency effect, it's really an exposure effect. If 52 people have heard album A and 26 have heard album B, and liked them equally on average, album A will have twice as many points, and we happen to be on a site that points people directly to albums like Funeral.

Maybe there's some 'antiquity effect backlash'. People voting up one or two newer albums because they're used to lists that favor older albums.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Thanks Jackson for the great presentation and everyone who contributed. I must admit that I'm a bit disappointed with OK Computer taking the top spot (again) but what can you do?

I've got a ton of albums I need to listen to thanks to this whole process and I've just started using Moonbeams program (which is excellent by the way!). Hopefully next time I will make a bigger contribution.

Re: 2011 AMF All-Time Albums Poll Results Thread: The Top 20

Jackson... Awesome job and presentation. I have waited until the end to comment but great list compiled by the forum. Though I do not agree with everything, it really gives a great perspective into the musical tastes of 50+ music fans that can give critics and music people a run for their money.

It is things like this that make me happy to be part of this forum each and every day. Keep up the good work and I am more than happy to see 'OK Computer' take the top spot from any of the huge late 60's albums that are so revered.

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