Favorite album that defines an artist.

**Buster Highmen** · 08-16-2007, 09:49 AM

The Velvet Undergroud defining record for me is 'Loaded'. A really fine piece.
Another Zappa landmark is 'Overnite Sensation', with virtually every track a kickass tune with scathing, hysterical or provocative lyrics.
LZ has always been II for me, burned into my cerebellum during hours of drug sodden listening circa 1970.

**board** · 08-16-2007, 11:15 AM

Metallica - Master of Puppets
Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast
Al DiMeola – Elegant Gypsy
John Coltrane – Giant Steps

Leo Kottke - My feet are smiling (live) two reasons you need a live album to fully appreciate Leo: first he is a bit of a strange cat which only comes off on his in between song banter and this explains a bit about his musical styling. Second he is such an amazing guitar player a live album erases any doubt that one man with an acoustic guitar can really sound like that – no studio tricks!

**MarsB** · 08-16-2007, 03:30 PM

**MadPatSki** · 08-16-2007, 05:37 PM

A few have already been mentioned....from top of mind.

Here are some (mentioned or not).

Not necessarily my favorite from these artistics, but these definines them more.

King Crimson: Larks
Talking Heads: Fear of Music
Yes: Fragile
RHCP: BSGM
Radiohead: OK Computer
Sonic Youth: Daydream Nation
Genesis: Selling England by the Pound
The Smiths: Meat is Murder (although Queen is Dead is a classic)
The Clash: London Calling
David Bowie: Ziggy (however I could be Stations - too many Bowie sounds)
Led Zeppelin : it could be II or I or IV
Peter Gabriel : III
Frank Zappa: Hot Rats
Neil Young: Rust Never Sleeps (or After the Gold Rush, Tonight the Night)
Jethro Tull: Aqualung
The Who: Who's Next
U2: Unforgettable Fire
Jimi Hendrix: Are you Experienced
Joy Division : Closer
The Cure: 17 seconds or Head on the Door, although Disntegration is their success
PJ Harvey: Rid of Me

That's it for now...

**Jer** · 08-16-2007, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by MadPatSki

U2: Unforgettable Fire

This is by far and away my favorite album by U2. However, it was atypical of the U2 sound as a whole and really didn't resemble anything they had recorded before or since.

Blondie - Parallel Lines

**KIRinPNW** · 08-17-2007, 12:07 AM

I think Buster mentioned this but it needs it again

and for anyone that is a fan of John Hartford...

**Jumper Bones** · 08-17-2007, 01:45 AM

**bagtagley** · 08-17-2007, 01:51 AM

To me, BSSM represented the beginning of the repetitive, pop Chili Peppers that we're still hearing. Mother's Milk defined the sound that made the Chili Peppers so badass in the first place. It was a tidy culmination of their early, raw music.

**Ripzalot** · 08-17-2007, 06:33 AM

alice in chains - dirt.

**MadPatSki** · 08-17-2007, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by Jer

This is by far and away my favorite album by U2. However, it was atypical of the U2 sound as a whole and really didn't resemble anything they had recorded before or since.

Blondie - Parallel Lines

Disagree about Unforgetable Fire (yes, great album), but that sound was a precursor and be present in the hugely popular and breakthrough album, Joshua Tree.

I agree about Blondie. Parallel Lines, a classic.

**wi3dzmin** · 08-17-2007, 08:19 AM

**board** · 08-17-2007, 09:25 AM

**MarsB** · 08-17-2007, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by bagtagley

To me, BSSM represented the beginning of the repetitive, pop Chili Peppers that we're still hearing. Mother's Milk defined the sound that made the Chili Peppers so badass in the first place. It was a tidy culmination of their early, raw music.

2nded...

**mrryde** · 08-17-2007, 11:46 AM

**nesta** · 08-17-2007, 11:53 AM

Bob Marley and the Wailers- Rastaman Vibration

**board** · 08-17-2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by mrryde

Come on how can their eponymous debut be the definitive Maiden Album??? Original lead singer Paul DiAnno sucked nard in comparison to Bruce Dickinson who became THE reason they went from a very good pub band to world wide superstardom. I know this is all very subjective but when the definition of the listing is “definitive” I just can’t see how an argument could be made for an album that didn’t contain their most important element…BRUCE !

Btw- Piece of Mind is very good but I still don’t see how it even outshines Powerslave let alone Number of the Beast.

**Jer** · 08-17-2007, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by board

Btw- Piece of Mind is very good but I still don’t see how it even outshines Powerslave let alone Number of the Beast.

Yep. Number of the Beast is Iron Maiden. DiAnno was horrible. He did go one to write "The Piano Man" which was pretty good tho.

**board** · 08-17-2007, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Jer

DiAnno was horrible. He did go one to write "The Piano Man" which was pretty good tho.

Are you fucking kidding me? He has the ASCAP writing credit for THE Billy Joel song??!!!?? Unbelievable?!?!?

**buckethead** · 08-17-2007, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by board

Are you fucking kidding me? He has the ASCAP writing credit for THE Billy Joel song??!!!?? Unbelievable?!?!?

umm. yea board, i think your leg hath been pulled.

actually Killers is a damn good album...while i prefer the dickinson/mcbrain maiden, the killers material was a staple of the later lineups shows for a good while.

powerslave has some fine tunes, but a good deal of filler/recycled mat'l.
piece of mind is a much more solid album start to finish.

**SnowHot** · 08-17-2007, 04:06 PM

ZZTop - Eliminator

**Jer** · 08-17-2007, 04:23 PM

Am I the only one who thinks Paul DiAnno looked almost exactly like Billy Joel?

**thephatkid** · 08-17-2007, 04:34 PM

**mrryde** · 08-19-2007, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by board

Come on how can their eponymous debut be the definitive Maiden Album??? Original lead singer Paul DiAnno sucked nard in comparison to Bruce Dickinson who became THE reason they went from a very good pub band to world wide superstardom. I know this is all very subjective but when the definition of the listing is “definitive” I just can’t see how an argument could be made for an album that didn’t contain their most important element…BRUCE !

Btw- Piece of Mind is very good but I still don’t see how it even outshines Powerslave let alone Number of the Beast.

i read not good, thought the thread was about album art.

Powerslave is the best album IMO. Live after Death is what i find myself listening to most.

FWIW, i really enjoyed Brave New World, these guys still got it.

**Plakespear** · 08-22-2007, 07:36 PM

Public Enemy- "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back"
Beastie Boys- "Check Your Head" I know "Paul's Boutiuque" is the conneseiuer's pick, but CYH really defines the overall Beaste Boys sound.
REM- "Green"
Springsteen- "Born to Run"