The Guardian’s “1,000 Albums to hear before you die” list
Can be found here.
I went through the list to see how many of the albums I already have: about 115 of them. I was surprised by how many “Best of” releases they included in their list—a real cop out, in my opinion. Queen’s Best Of? Really? Come on.
The list is an interesting mix. And I appreciated that they tacked on a few suggestions from readers that they shouldn’t have left out (especially since it got Jackson Browne on the list). But I think they included a lot of current bands that shouldn’t have been on the list. Like the Arctic Monkeys.
There’s a lot of stuff on the list that I do want to hear before I die. I’m hoping to be able to have some time to start on that sooner rather than later, too.
What albums would you put on your list of 1,000 albums people should hear before they die?
Mine would include:
Nick Drake - Bryter Layter (ok, anything, actually)
Screaming Trees - Sweet Oblivion
Alison Krauss - Too Late to Cry
Bad Brains - I Against I
Jeff Buckley - Grace*
Jackson Browne - Late For the Sky
Chameleons - Script of the Bridge*
Husker Du - Candy Apple Grey
Wow, this is hard. * Indicates albums included on the Guardian’s list. Note they included a best of Bad Brains collection, which I find disappointing. They also went with Husker Du’s New Day Rising, over Candy Apple Grey, which I can’t really fault them for. They also chose a different Nick Drake album, which is ok with me—they’re all brilliant.
I didn’t look at the whole list, but: I wish they provided some sort of criteria. What makes an album on that you need to hear before you die? Without that it doesn’t seem like there is much point to arguing. I will say this, though: it does seem to be too skewed to current (last decade) bands.
Some on my list off the top of my head:
*Richard & Linda Thompson - I Want to See the Bright Lights
Tom Waits - Small Change
*Hank Williams - 40 Greatest Hits
Muddy Waters - His Best (1 & 2) (Chess)
*Minutemen - Double Nickel on the Dime
*Minor Threat - Complete Discography
*Slayer - Reign in Blood
Ice-T - O.G. Original Gangster
They include other albums for the three I list without stars.
Comment by Pris — November 30, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
My list would partially include (off the top of my head):
Paul Weller - Wild Wood
Crowded House - Woodface
Lloyd Cole - Don’t Get Weird On Me, Babe
Aztec Camera - High Land, Hard Rain
Comment by gabby — November 30, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
I like Candy Apple Grey better, too, Susan.
Comment by tracy m — November 30, 2007 @ 6:05 pm
Well, at least it’s “hear” before you die, as opposed to “own.” =) Man, that would be one heckuva torrent…
What, they didn’t include (totally obscure but seriously rocking prog rock band) King’s X? Album: Faith Hope Love. Or Gretchen Goes to Nebraska. Must, must.
Ah, those Brits. I hear there’s an Elvis song on their top 40 this week. Along with the Spice Girls.
Greatest Hits albums are a great way to sample a band’s large discography (and make some more money) It’s really just more efficient. =)
Comment by FHL — November 30, 2007 @ 8:16 pm
Mine would be
Tones on Tail - Everything
Love and Rockets - Express
Genesis - Foxtrot
Jane’s Addiction - Nothing’s Shocking
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Jimmie Rodgers - The Yodeling Brakeman
Robyn Hitchcock - Globe of Frogs
Robyn Hitchock - Eye
Paul Simon - Live Rhymin’
The Cult - Love
U2 - Joshua Tree
The Pixies - Surfer Rosa
Lucio Battisti - I Grandi Successi
Ligabue - Ligabue
Litfiba - Pirata
The Uptones - Outback
Comment by Gilgamesh — December 1, 2007 @ 11:39 pm
That’s kind of a cool list. I guess the point was to recommend music that people ought to give a listen to, rather than simply to compile a list of the 1000 best albums. I scanned the list quickly. I think I’ve only actually heard maybe 10-15% of what’s on there, even though I had heard of most of it.
There’s a surprising amount of schmaltzy pop.
Comment by BTD Greg — December 3, 2007 @ 8:57 am