OK Computer named best album of last 20 years

[Grange]

De La Soul changed rap - skits, sampling, etc. It's all about influence and changing the landscape of music

Ya and 2LiveCrew brought out the vulgarity in rap music, but I don't see them on the list.

[Steven S. Dallas]

That's assuming that hearing = influence.

Hearing does equal influence. It's the depth and breadth of the influence that I'm questioning. Only something that you could hear and have absolutely no reaction to is utterly devoid of artistic merit. That doesn't mean that you love it or hate it, or you care who it is by, just that it registers somewhere in your brain. In that sense, I would say that something you hear on the radio a hundred times and absolutely despise is more influential to you than something you hear once and love. Keep in mind that punk music was born as a reaction to overblown, overstuffed schlock rock; I would say that punk music has been fairly successful as a concept and genre (without getting into another argument about what really constitutes punk rock), and it was created as much out of distaste for crappy music as love of good music.

edit: and what do you mean "necessarily defensible"? Of course it's defensible; whether you buy the argument is another thing.

[cj001f]

Only something that you could hear and have absolutely no reaction to is utterly devoid of artistic merit.

For some people that's what music is. Hence my comment on people listening to music that everybody else listens to - it's like air flowing through their lives.

defensible = capable of defending well. A swamp is not a defensible position.

[basom]

Ya and 2LiveCrew brought out the vulgarity in rap music, but I don't see them on the list.

comparing the produciton quality of 3feet and prince paul to as nasty as they wanna be and Mr. Mixx is retarded.

extreamly retarded.

[Tippster]

comparing the produciton quality of 3feet and prince paul to as nasty as they wanna be and Mr. Mixx is retarded.

extreamly retarded.

Yeah, listen to the Wigga and rezpekt, yo!

All art is subjective, thus the title of "artist" must be bestowed by the consumer, not claimed by the producer. Discuss.

[Plakespear]

Where's "Paul's Boutique"?

[Grange]

comparing the produciton quality of 3feet and prince paul to as nasty as they wanna be and Mr. Mixx is retarded.

extreamly retarded.

I never said anything about production quality. However 2LiveCrew did have an impact on rap. The were the first rap band with any success that didn't disquise language about sex and calling women bitches and now look at the music. Then again what the hell do I know I've never liked rap or followed its trends.

[basom]

Then again what the hell do I know I've never liked rap or followed its trends.

that was obvious.

2 live crew had shock value, but your point being 2 live crew should be up there if de la is up there makes no sense in the context of this discussion.

no sense.

i'm obviously a big prince paul fan. i would have bahloone mind state, de la soul is dead, gravediggaz, pyschoanalysis, prince among thieves, and handsome boy modeling school all in the top 40 of all time.

but what the hell do i know.

i am also very disapointed that spiderland only made number 94 on the list.

[Benny Profane]

Ok, ....... show of hands ........, who actually reads SPIN?

And try to imagine what it's like being in the same room for more than a half hour with these "experts". ewwwww

[iceman]

that was obvious.
i'm obviously a big prince paul fan. i would have bahloone mind state, de la soul is dead, gravediggaz, pyschoanalysis, prince among thieves, and handsome boy modeling school all in the top 40 of all time.

Dude to say they're in your personal top 40 favorites is fine of course.

To say that all of those albums are in the top 40 best albums of all time is clearly insane.

From my perspective at least.

[Station]

hmmm. Thats cool with me. Great album regardless of the award. Good mix in the Top 10, though. Everything from Nirvana to Pavement to Public Enemy to the Pixies. Why is it that I cant get past this era of tunes? I havent fallen in love with an album post 93/94.

[Skidawg]

Souds like Blender is due for a "Worst 100 albums of the last 20 years" column.

I thought OK Computer was decent, even though I don't get into that kind of music. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back certainly deserves the #2 slot.

After reading the list and reading SPIN off and on for the last few years, I really don't have a problem with anything on the list.

[bossass]

Appropriate choice.

Radiohead and OK deserves the spot for many reasons, among for simply how versatile they can be while still producing a seemless and cohesive album. For example, "Climbing up the walls" is as dark as a song can get. It's haunting and unexplainably rhythmic at the same time (my vote for best song on the album). It's followed by "No Surprises" which is a simple and straightforward poppy song, despite somber lyrics. It's classic structure they make fit into a very unclassic album and you don't even notice how sort of out of place it is. It also features Jonny Greenwood on the Glockenspiel, a fine example of how talented and multi-faceted a musician he is. He's also the most important guitarist in the last 25 years, yet he spends little time playing his guitar. If you see RH live, jonny has a trunks full of instruments and gadgets he rifles through throughout the show.

Hey MD9, can I get a "holla!"

[DB]

I say these are some key criteria:

• Influence
• Staying power (will people still play it years later)
• Album quality (more than one good song - all good songs)
• Unique approach (e.g. alternate tunings etc...)

That must explain why Celine Dion didn't win.

[Mcwop]

Ok, ....... show of hands ........, who actually reads SPIN?

And try to imagine what it's like being in the same room for more than a half hour with these "experts". ewwwww

I read in for a few years after it came out. It was a good mag then, and blew Rolling Stone away. Now, Spin pretty much sucks.

hmmm. Thats cool with me. Great album regardless of the award. Good mix in the Top 10, though. Everything from Nirvana to Pavement to Public Enemy to the Pixies. Why is it that I cant get past this era of tunes? I havent fallen in love with an album post 93/94.

Station you might need to try some Clutch. Their new album is our today.

Go here for a preview.

It is hard grooving rock - if that is your thing. Their best album was their self titled. The new one sounds great though. They have shown up on a few recent ski movie soundtracks such as Stimulus.

[Grange]

Station you might need to try some Clutch. Their new album is our today.

I never really cared for Clutch until I happened to see them in concert at an outdoor festival. For being in an area with bands from other styles playing I thought they did a great job. They blew all of the other shows away as far as cohesiveness on stage, sound, and enthusiasm. That one show turned me into a fan.

[Tippster]

...To say that all of those albums are in the top 40 best albums of all time is clearly insane.

It's INSANE!!!!!

OOOOoooohhhhh.... (Scary Waving of Hands!)

Hyperbole rawks.

[Mcwop]

I never really cared for Clutch until I happened to see them in concert at an outdoor festival. For being in an area with bands from other styles playing I thought they did a great job. They blew all of the other shows away as far as cohesiveness on stage, sound, and enthusiasm. That one show turned me into a fan.

I had a similar experience - though I did like their first video "A Shogun Named Marcus".

Clutch opened for Sevendust here in Baltimore some years ago, and blew 7dust away. People began walking out in the middle of 7dust's set.

[DaveTV]

Bottom line is that it's subjective - if you asked 50 dif people here to give you their top 20 you would get 50 dif answers..

[meatdrink9]

Hey MD9, can I get a "holla!"

[sheepishly walks up to mic, clears throat]uh...holla...[/sheepishly walks up to mic, clears throat]

Radiohead wins everything these days. Before long they'll be the music on your grandmas ipod and it saddens me. Although, it has taken the general populace nearly 10 years to embrace it. A few weeks ago it was back in the top 20 on amazon as it was winning awards all over the place. Now most of the recent reviews of OKC on amazon say it's "bullshit", "it sucks" etc. From kids who bought based it winning awards. Pretty funny.

I can't wait for the new album. Sounds like they're being pretty experimental in the way this album is recorded. Lots of comparisons about the step between OKC and KidA being made (saying this step into uncharted water feels similar). So excited.

[13]

I can't believe y'all are getting up in arms about whether or not someone's opinion is right/wrong. Yep, it's summer.

[yogachik]

Ok, ....... show of hands ........, who actually reads SPIN?

And try to imagine what it's like being in the same room for more than a half hour with these "experts". ewwwww

I haven't read Spin in forever, but I do read Chuck Klosterman. I really like his writing, have followed his reviews forever, even read his books. He's someone I'd love to have a drink with - for more than a half hour.

Personally, I think the list is really well (in)formed. I like The Bends better than OK Computer, but I believe OK Computer has been more influential and broke new ground. It's funny to watch everyone argue music - but this is nothing. You should see this music industry board that I'm on, particularly when the Hall of Fame nominees (and then, inductees) are announced.

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.

[Plakespear]

Talking about music is like dancing about architecture.

Ten hours have past and Buster hasn't comented on your Zappa quote? I'm shocked!

[skier666]

I could see that....

That album pretty much encompasses almost all aspects of music....from electronic to rock. It continues to sell boatloads, and its not "one of those best selling albums you're embarrassed to own."

[iceman]

Disc One

"Radio Free Europe," R.E.M.

"Going Underground," the Jam

"A Forest," the Cure

"Holiday in Cambodia," Dead Kennedys

"I'm In Love With a German Film Star," Passions

"I Will Dare," the Replacements

"That's When I Reach for My Revolver," Mission of Burma

"Johny Hit and Run Paulene," X

"Just Like Honey," the Jesus and Mary Chain

"Black Celebration," Depeche Mode

"Tell Me When It's Over," the Dream Syndicate

"Hollywood (Africa)," the Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Temptation," New Order

"Ghosts," Japan

"A Song From Under the Floorboards," Magazine

"Oblivious," Aztec Camera

"Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely," Husker Du

"Rise Above," Black Flag

"Back in the Flesh," Wall of Voodoo

"Cattle and Cane," the Go-Betweens

Disc Two

"Message of Love," the Pretenders

"Vienna," Ultravox

"Freak Scene," Dinosaur Jr.

"This Charming Man," the Smiths

"Stigmata," Ministry

"Ways to Be Wicked," Lone Justice

"Wardance," Killing Joke

"Enola Gay," Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark

"Mirror in the Bathroom," the English Beat

"Fairytale in the Supermarket," the Raincoats

"Behind the Wall of Sleep," the Smithereens

"Political Song for Michael Jackson to Sing," Minutemen

"Punk Rock Girl," the Dead Milkmen

"Still in Hollywood," Concrete Blonde

"Love Will Tear Us Apart," Joy Division

"Blister in the Sun," Violent Femmes

"Lake of Fire," Meat Puppets

"Amplifier," the dB's

"When Love Breaks Down," Prefab Sprout

"Goo Goo Muck," the Cramps

"This Corrosion," Sisters of Mercy

"Senses Working Overtime," XTC

Disc Three

"The Cutter," Echo and the Bunnymen

"Pay to Cum!," Bad Brains

"Birthday," the Sugarcubes

"Madonna of the Wasps," Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians

"We Care a Lot," Faith No More

"Teen Age Riot," Sonic Youth

"To Hell With Poverty," Gang of Four

"Fa Ce-La," the Feelies

"Ana Ng," They Might Be Giants

"Swamp Thing," the Chameleons U.K.

"The Mercy Seat," Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

"I Look Around," the Rain Parade

"All That Money Wants," Psychedelic Furs

"Under the Milky Way," the Church

"Rise," Public Image Ltd.

"Kundalini Express," Love and Rockets

"Gravity Talks," Green on Red

"Adrenalin," Throbbing Gristle

"She Bangs the Drum," the Stone Roses

Disc Four

"Monkey Gone to Heaven," Pixies

"Uncertain Smile," the The

"Bela Lugosi's Dead," Bauhaus

"Christine," Siouxsie and the Banshees

"Straight Edge," Minor Threat

"I Want to Help You Ann," the Lyres

"Our Secret," Beat Happening

"Jane Says," Jane's Addiction

"World Shut Your Mouth," Julian Cope

"Running Up That Hill," Kate Bush

"Sex Beat," Gun Club

"Take the Skinheads Bowling," Camper Van Beethoven

"Institutionalized," Suicidal Tendencies

"Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops," Cocteau Twins

"24 Hour Party People," Happy Mondays

"I Want You Back," Hoodoo Gurus

"Suburban Home," Descendents

"A Pair of Brown Eyes," the Pogues

"Jet Fighter," the Three O'Clock

"Moving To Florida," Butthole Surfers

"A New England," Billy Bragg

Should be some Devo, Alex Chilton and Buzzcocks on there for a start. (It's a box set, not anything I picked out, btw).

"I want to help you Ann" by the more-or-less unknown Boston garage legends The Lyres may be my favorite tune on there, check it out if you have a chance.