3rd
by Big Star

I hope I'm not committing any form of blasphemy by encouraging this, but considering the fact that Big Star's third album was ultimately abandoned due to lack of interest by the band members, I believe this creates a rather interesting opportunity for us fans to create the track listing however we see fit, in terms of both the amount of songs, and the order. Now, I know what you may be thinking, perhaps it's perfect the way it is, and yes, perhaps that is the case. But we all know there are many different track listings, all trying their best to create that 'flow' all musicians want. Personally, I've found this track listing to be the best (See Below). And with it, I think it ultimately stands as becoming the strongest Big Star album of the lot - that is, of course, if that wasn't already the case.

SIDE ONE:

1. Stroke it Noel
2. For You
3. Nightime
4. Blue Moon
5. Femme Fatale
6. Thank You Friends

SIDE TWO:

7. Jesus Christ
8. Big Black Car
9. Dream Lover
10. Holocaust
11. Kangaroo
12. Take Care

From The Gollux 01/18/2010 20:40 | #8478 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

one of those albums that manages to switch moods through out its 14 tracks and still remain cohesive. The upbeat pop songs are absolutely brilliant (thank you friends) and the moodier tracks (kangaroo)are haunting...but it still flows so well. lately ive been listening to this album more than any other.

From Brad1770 TOP 100 COMMENTER 02/15/2018 00:26 | #208237 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

As a huge R.E.M fan I've had this album and band on my radar for a very long time (R.E.M have cited Big Star as major influencers).I finally got around to checking 3rd/Sister Lovers out and it did not disappoint . I love this album

The version I listened to was the 18 track version on SPOTIFY which included the 14 tracks here on BEA but in a different order plus 'Native Boy' , 'Till The End Of The Day' , Dream Lover' and 'Downs'. Every track on this album bar 'Native Boy ' and 'Downs' (both of which sounded incomplete) was sublime . I particularly loved the more atmospheric moody songs which make up the majority of the album

3 years ago in January 2015 BEA user JasonZaia posted an excellent comment outlining how he interpreted the album track order and inclusion considering Big Star never really completed this album .... please check out his post before reading on . So what I did was to order his suggested track listing on a Spotify Playlist and listened through . What I discovered was this order completely changed the album context making it a wholly moody atmospheric experience with all power pop elements removed, as I said previously I love the moody pieces and I loved this playlist

However I recon some power pop needs to be included to better represent Big Star as whole so as a result I would like to propose MY alternative track listing which leaves off the 3 weakest tracks 'O Dana' / 'Native Boy' & 'Downs'

Side 1
1/ 'Stroke It Noel' ( love this as an opener)
2/ 'Till The End of The Day' ( power pop inclusion)
3/ 'For You'
4/ 'Holocaust'
5/ 'Kanga Roo' (Holocaust and Kanga Roo need to stay together)
6/ 'You Cant Have Me'
7/ 'Thank You Friends' ( nice way to close side 1)

Side 2
1/ ' Kizza Me' ( power pop opener)
2/ 'Big Black Car'
3/ 'Nighttime'
4/ 'Jesus Christ' ( up tempo to break things up)
5/ 'Blue Moon'
6/ 'Dream Lover' ( gorgeous song a MUST inclusion)
7/ 'Take Care'
8/ 'Femme Fatale' ( this cover just seems to work as a closer )

Majestic

85/100

From babyBlueSedan TOP 100 COMMENTER 02/10/2015 02:45 | #134524 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

If you haven't, you should check out the documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me. I enjoyed Big Star before watching it but never really got this album until then. This really is the sound of the band crumbling apart, and songs like Holocaust, Big Black Car, and Kangaroo are some of the most emotional, heart-breaking, schizophrenic songs I've heard. And Thank You Friends is probably the greatest "fuck you" song ever written. It's honestly my least favorite by the band, but they're one of my favorite bands so that's not saying much.

My favorite Big Star record. It strikes the finest balance between pop traditions and melancholy present on their earlier releases.