Best Ever Albums

What album are you listening to? (cont.)

imacgill — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 20:01:59 GMT

Author: imacgill

Posted: 08/31/2026 00:01

Frengers (2003) by Mew

Year Change Notices

albummaster — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 03:28:25 GMT

Author: albummaster

Posted: 08/29/2026 07:28

Album year changes
Year changes from the past 7 days

Quiet Nights by Miles Davis changed from 1964 to 1963 - listed in 15 year chart(s) & 2 decade chart(s)
Nomadness by Strawbs changed from 1976 to 1975 - listed in 4 year chart(s) & 1 decade chart(s)
Southern Horizons by Joe Harriott Quintet & Sextet changed from 1960 to 1961 - listed in 3 year chart(s) & 0 decade chart(s)

Newly suspect albums
Albums flagged as suspect in the past 7 days (excluding future releases). These albums will be deleted from the site after 28 days, unless further information is received:

Three Versions by Kassem Mosse / Simone White (added by dividesbyzero) 3 tracks, total duration = 19:30

Newly merged albums
Albums merged in the past 7 days:

A Haunted Place by KIll Shelter & Antipole (merged into A Haunted Place by KIll Shelter & Antipole)
Covering The Bases by Bronson Arroyo (merged into Covering The Bases by Bronson Arroyo)
II by Denzel Curry X Kenny Beats (merged into II by Denzel Curry & Kenneth Blume)
Role Model Hermit by Mary In The Junkyard (merged into Role Model Hermit by Mary In The Junkyard)

Newly deleted albums
Albums deleted from the site in the past 7 days (appearing in at least one chart):

People by Animal Collective - listed in 3 chart(s)
Mad Butcher by Destruction - listed in 2 chart(s)
Singt Unvergessene Erfolge by Lale Andersen - listed in 1 chart(s)
Colorloss Record by Belong - listed in 4 chart(s)
Single by Os Baobás - listed in 1 chart(s)
Made In PB by Réquiem Para O Circo - listed in 1 chart(s)

Total edits
20,177 edits made on BEA in the last 7 days (594 albums added to the site)
Top 3 editors: @Romanelli (4,599 edits) | @cicadelic (4,252 edits) | @Moondance (3,512 edits)

BEA's first ever week with over 20,000 edits! Thanks to everyone for helping to keep BEA's database as accurate as possible. If you have any info on the suspect albums, or spot any other errors, please provide a correction on the relevant album page (clicking on the relevant icon will take you straight there).

Darkness On The Edge Of Tow by Bruce Springsteen

Johnnyo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 01:57:21 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/29/2026 05:57

Another straight take from the album

Link

Before going for a video for the next one

Psychedelic Basement

Johnnyo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 01:54:54 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/29/2026 05:54

Next up, an absolute classic

Link

Kudos to whoever put this one forward

Albums You Added To Your Collection Today

Johnnyo — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 01:52:08 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/29/2026 05:52

mrmcrook wrote:

In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969) by King Crimson

Running On Empty (1977) by Jackson Browne

Head Injuries (1979) by Midnight Oil

Damned, Damned, Damned (1977) by The Damned

very nice haul

Release Day Eve: Anyone got something they're geeked about?! 🔭�'�

MadhattanJack — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 05:53:08 GMT

Author: MadhattanJack

Posted: 08/28/2026 09:53

Johnnyo wrote:

Thanks for pulling all of this together MHJ. It's a great public service that you are providing

Thanks! One of the main reasons I got involved here in the first place was that I thought it would help me keep up with new album releases, and that seems to have worked, so this is just a way to "give back," I guess. 😄

Then again, if I'm the only one doing this (for now), maybe there's a possibility that people might accuse the site of being biased against new releases from metal, hip-hop, country, jazz, and Tiktok-based AI-assisted hyperpop artists, if only because I'm not really into any of that stuff — at least not enough to track the new releases. (Not that anyone has actually complained.)

Also, I forgot the new album by the Allah-Las (the post-punk/psych instrumentals band from LA), Sirenas. I don't exactly love them or anything, but all their other albums are listed here and their self-titled debut album is ranked at 10,643, so I probably should've mentioned it.

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground & Nico

Johnnyo — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 05:05:46 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/27/2026 09:05

This is a hard album for me to review as it’s so iconic and influential that I find it hard to put into words how ground-breaking it was on release. I might end up using other people’s words to eloquently portray my feelings.

Even by today’s standards this is an “out there” / left field / art rock album so what must the reception have been in the late 1960’s? It’s a daring album with a “I don’t really care whether we sell any albums we are just going to do what we do” attitude. If that was the idea, it succeeded as it was a commercial flop on release. The fact that psychedelic music, for example, Hendrix and Cream were in vogue at the time also couldn’t have helped. Having said that it is one of the most important albums in rock and pop music

The album has an infectious groove that I love. The sound would have been very unconventional at the time and even today, you don’t here much like this around and it’s going to polarise opinion which is a good thing. I hadn’t appreciated until recently that the bulk of the album was recorded over a four-day period, Astonishing.

“The Observer placed it at No. 1 in their list of the "50 Albums That Changed Music" It has been characterized as the original art-rock record, influencing many subgenres of rock and alternative music, including punk, garage rock, krautrock, post-punk, post-rock, noise rock, shoegaze, gothic rock, art punk, and indie rock”
I thought that I’d include a few snippets from reviews at the time for context

"haunting" vocals of Nico and the "powerful" lyrics of the band, calling it a collection of "sophisticated folk-rock" and a "left-fielder which could click in a big way."
"a full-fledged attack on the ears and on the brain"

“'Sunday Morning' has a definite psychedelic hit sound. 'Run Run Run' still is another Underground gem gaining ground."

“not Commercial with a capital 'C' but an experience in sound." (I really like that one!)

In Remembrance Of Those Who Are Gone

JOSweetHeart — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:39:24 GMT

Author: JOSweetHeart

Posted: 08/27/2026 00:39

My newest favorite singer is a huge fan of Dolly Parton. Right here is him singing some of her iconic song for her yesterday. You won't find another singer out there who is more respectful compared to John Foster.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcekkfUhjlL/

God bless you and him always!!!

Holly (a girl who loves him more every day)

P.S. Right here is John singing her Christmas song during one of his shows just before Christmas of last year.

Link

You must listen to the album below you: canon edition

baystateoftheart — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 18:58:51 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 08/23/2026 22:58

1.

Can't Buy A Thrill (1972) by Steely Dan

I started a graduate program this summer, which is taking up most of my spare time out of work... sorry to be posting more sparsely here and not to jump in track-by-track on this one.

This is the second Steely Dan album I've heard after Aja. On their debut, there's not quite as much jazzy sophistication, but they make up for that with a heavy dose of catchiness. Not a single track is filler, and there are memorable pop hooks everywhere. Do It Again and Reelin' In The Years are the only songs I knew going in, but Dirty Work is the one currently stuck in my head. Overall, Can't Buy A Thrill is tightly written, played, and produced; very slick, very West Coast, and very smooth. Combined with the acidic lyricism, it's easy to see why the band are classic/yacht rock legends with a large cult following. The band's attitude and vibe don't really match mine, so I don't think I'm destined to join the cult. But with every song I hear, the more respect I gain for their craft. I'm looking forward to checking out the rest of their discography in time, but (to pull from another influential band from the West Coast) my approach to their catalog will be Walk - Don't Run. Starting at a high 3.5/5, or 70/100 on BEA.

~~~~~

2. This is a great listen:

Força Bruta (1970) by Jorge Ben

~~~~~

3. BEA Overall Chart

317. Aqualung - Jethro Tull
409. Highway To Hell - AC/DC
482. At Fillmore East - The Allman Brothers Band
488. Deep Purple In Rock - Deep Purple
491. For Your Pleasure - Roxy Music
500. The Fat Of The Land - The Prodigy
502. Pretty Hate Machine - Nine Inch Nails
505. The Who Sell Out - The Who
514. Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
532. Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra

My Wishlist (Should I or shouldn't I)

Johnnyo — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:14:36 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/21/2026 08:14

Growers Of Mushroom (1971) by Leaf Hound

Knocked off my wishlist yesterday

Rank 'Em: Ozzy Osbourne

Johnnyo — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 03:15:21 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/20/2026 07:15

Agreed Repo. Nice to be talking all things Sabb / Ozzy again.

I guess because RJD replaced Ozzy, at the time, I really didn't think that Dio's voice worked for Sabb but, looking back, I think that was because he replaced the rock god that was Ozzy. I look back on the Dio albums far more favourably now than I ever did then.

Talking about Dio, I think that

Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (1978) by Rainbow

Is his greatest work. A superb collection of songs, brilliantly preformed by stellar musicians. Still one of my favourite Heavy Rock / Metal albums of all time (Bob Daisley involved here as well of course)

Albums / music that changed my life

Johnnyo — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 07:59:06 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/17/2026 11:59

Skinny wrote:

Romanelli wrote:

@Skinny

Hey, man...good to see you here again! Howya been?

I'm good, Dino - I spent 18 months surveying the dive bars and honky-tonks of Austin, Texas, before upping sticks and heading for Brooklyn 15 months ago.

My wife and I are expecting our first (a boy) in October - though, thus far, she has steadfastly pushed back on my attempts to name him Ornette.

Life is good, although I have far less time to listen to new music than I once did. And even less time, sadly, to talk about it on the internet.

How are you? Keeping well?

Nice choices. Those first four Sabbath albums are unimpeachable.

However, I must say that I much prefer the first Steel Pulse record to anything UB40 ever did.

Thoughts on Felt? Broadcast? Pram? Au Pairs? The unfortunately forgotten Novak?

I'd also chuck Dexy's into the mix, especially those first two albums.

And, on the rap/hip-hop/grime/drill end, obviously The Streets - but, more importantly, I think Provisional License by M1llionz is the best Birmingham album in years and years and years.

And Surgeon is a hero, if you're into that sort of industrial techno.

So many to choose from. Joan Armatrading is a bit of a heroine of mine.

Agree on Steel Pulse being great. The UB40 albums resonated with me at the time.

Swell Maps and Malkit Singh are also great Brummie acts and don't forget The Beat. Oooh and Nick Drake (from Tanworth I know but went to school in Brum)

I feel a whole new thread coming up at some point.

Musical random chat

Johnnyo — Sat, 15 Aug 2026 04:07:44 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/15/2026 08:07

Repo wrote:

https://pitchfork.com/story/brooklynvegan-alt-press-hit-with-mass-layoffs/

Ugh. I'm positively gutted by this. Brooklyn Vegan has been my go to for indie recs ( Bill's Indie Basement in particular) for the last few years.

😢 😢 :cry:

Same here. As the article says, bewildering

Our Country Music Chat

JOSweetHeart — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 23:29:04 GMT

Author: JOSweetHeart

Posted: 08/15/2026 03:29

The new album from Mason Ramsey named Outlaw In Love was released today and he had a hand in writing every song on it. 😄 😄 😄

God bless you and him always!!!

Holly (a girl who loves him more every day)

Podcasts

Skinny — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:42:14 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 08/14/2026 18:42

Bandsplain and 60 Songs That Explain the '90s are personal favourites.

American, Underground

Johnnyo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:48:52 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/14/2026 16:48

Just pulled this out

A Different Sort... (1987) by The Windbreakers

And I think that The Windbreakers qualify for this thread.

Excellent album BTW

Guitar greats (not the usual suspects!)

Johnnyo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:01:30 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/14/2026 16:01

junodog4 wrote:

What everyone else has said... and I'm adding:

J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfo74Lcf9bcQJd2MMq-XBzw

Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy5NOGzY6RpJkwnGjt7eEkg

Absolutely. Love both of these guys. I’m going to have to do far more posts in this thread as so many great guitarists to share

Secrets by Toni Braxton

Johnnyo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:36:30 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/14/2026 09:36

Would I have picked this album to kick off a new group dedicated to Soul and Funk, absolutely not because it really isn’t Soul or funk, it’s in that world of vanilla music that tried to pass itself off as soul but sells in huge quantities for whatever reason. It’s none threatening and safe and I suppose comforting (in a way)

As I said at the start of this tread, I’m a huge Norman Whitfield fan, bands like The Temptations and Undisputed Truth, so the bar is set very high and this album really doesn’t come close to that sort of quality. It really shouldn’t be talked about in the same breath as albums like 1990 or Masterpiece.

I don’t mind smooth and this is a well-produced album but there is really nothing here to hang onto. It’s just all so bland and instantly forgettable.
Having said that, Toni is a talented vocalist with a great range

It’s going to be interesting to see what the listening group make of this, and hopefully the next pick will be a soul or funk album. Some Funkadelic wouldn’t go a miss.

Cover Songs: Side By Side

Johnnyo — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 05:26:54 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/14/2026 09:26

Link

Link

One of my favourite "guitar" tracks of all time and a very good jazz "sax" version from this year.

Love them both in different ways

100 / 100 Songs

Johnnyo — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 09:06:39 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 08/11/2026 13:06

"Some folks are born into a good life, other folks get it anyway anyhow, I lost my money and I lost my wife, them things don't seem to matter much to me now"

One of the cleverest tracks

Darkness On The Edge Of Town (1978) by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce expertly brings together the themes explored throughout the album, lost love, hardships, betrayal and redemption and even hope and unifies them into a single track.

It’s a magnificent song with the slow build-up and then it just bursts into life. A goosebump moment for me every time.

Always gets the crowd going when played live.

Link