Best Ever Albums

Re: Best of collections

RoundTheBend — Sat, 14 May 2016 23:12:53 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 05/15/2016 03:12

Kind of in this same vain...

I'm listening to No Code by Pearl Jam right now and hearing these songs as studio album songs for the first time.

I listened to about half of this album on this live record and it was so much better... as a matter of fact, I think I like this live record better than any Pearl Jam album, which is saying a lot because not only does Pearl Jam have great albums (Ten and Vs. are probably my favorite)... yet this live album includes a lot of stuff across all of their albums and is AMAZING imo.

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8/25/00 – Jones Beach, New York by Pearl Jam

Re: Best of collections

RoundTheBend — Sun, 17 Apr 2016 02:30:13 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/17/2016 06:30

Learned something new about The Smiths from another BEA user.

I was curious about their large amounts of compilations (they have like 2x the compilations than albums).

For The Smith's, I guess there are about 3 compilations that are basically on par with a regular studio album release. You can't find certain songs anywhere else.

Re: Best of collections

RoundTheBend — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 11:54:48 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/16/2016 15:54

Grzywa wrote:

Plus they contain either all or most of his output, so they're more Collected Works than Best Of, really.

Really good points. Some of those best of collections were released as best of and then turn into collected works (like the billie holiday album I posted, if you look at it on Spotify, it has like 3x the songs on it now).

I will also like to say that not every artist has albums worth listening to... but they have GREAT songs. For those types of artists, I'd prefer the best of collection. Even though I've come to really enjoy listening to Exile on Main St. and Some Girls... sometimes I'd prefer listening to Hot Rocks over both of those albums any day. And definitely more than any other Rolling Stones album. They just aren't GREAT album makers... they are GREAT songwriters though.

Re: Best of collections

Grzywa — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 02:48:01 GMT

Author: Grzywa

Posted: 04/16/2016 06:48

alelsupreme wrote:

I mean with Robert Johnson the rule doesn't really apply because compilations are the only way in which his work can possibly be presented.

Plus they contain either all or most of his output, so they're more Collected Works than Best Of, really.

Re: Best of collections

alelsupreme — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 02:44:26 GMT

Author: alelsupreme

Posted: 04/16/2016 06:44

I mean with Robert Johnson the rule doesn't really apply because compilations are the only way in which his work can possibly be presented.

Re: Best of collections

Infinity183 — Sat, 16 Apr 2016 02:41:47 GMT

Author: Infinity183

Posted: 04/16/2016 06:41

Even if there are a few new tracks on a greatest hits compilation, it's still essentially equivalent to an iTunes playlist burned on a CD (or vinyl, if you prefer).

Re: Best of collections

RoundTheBend — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 19:50:59 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/15/2016 23:50

tahranger wrote:

No way, no how. Fuck no.

Compilations are generally put together by some stooge in a record company office, often without input from (or sometimes permission from) the artist. It's a taster...a sampler.

If an artist can only manage, say, one good song per shit album, I don't think putting those good songs together makes an album in the pure sense.

When RS released their 500 Greatest Albums some years back (they've probably re-done it since), they included compilations. From memory, Bob Marley's 'Legend' was in the top 10 or 20. For me, it stuck out like dog balls as not belonging. Apart from the fact it's a 'best of', the man himself had exactly zero input into it (apart from recording the songs, obviously). Sure, as far as compilations go, it's bloody good, but it's not an album as such.

In saying that, I included Kylie's 'Abbey Road Sessions' in a list about half an hour ago. Despite the fact it's all re-recordings, it makes me a hypocrite...but I can live with that.

While I see where this mindset is coming from and actually mostly agree with it...

I have to say... if you don't realize that many artists DON'T have control over what goes on their albums, the album order, or even what their singles are, you are missing part of the picture.

I'm NOT saying all artists are this way. But I remember a friend of mine saying he watched a documentary about John Mayer and his song Daughters and how it wasn't even his choice to release that as his single, but that he was more or less convinced to do so...

Independent artists, well, that's obvious.

And then there's these GREAT collections:

I'd rather listen to this than any album pre-1968 album... but has MANY pre-1968 gems.

Hot Rocks 1964–1971 by The Rolling Stones

I have yet to find my favorite or best Talking Heads studio album... but this gem is a party every time.

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Sand In The Vaseline by Talking Heads

Then there's this...

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King Of The Delta Blues Singers by Robert Johnson

Also for Billie Holliday, I've only found Billie Sings the Blues... but this best of collection has probably the best recordings:

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Lady Day: The Best Of Billie Holiday by Billie Holiday

Re: Best of collections

RoundTheBend — Sat, 9 Apr 2016 23:13:10 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 04/10/2016 03:13

alelsupreme wrote:

I wouldn't say so but shit I'm still gonna include them, especially in cases (Billie Holiday, Hank Williams) where their best isn't on any proper albums.

Even for artists working during the album age, if I love their music but don't think they have any albums as good as their comps (Joy Division) then yeah I'll use a comp.

Re: Best of collections

tahranger — Sat, 9 Apr 2016 19:49:57 GMT

Author: tahranger

Posted: 04/09/2016 23:49

No way, no how. Fuck no.

Compilations are generally put together by some stooge in a record company office, often without input from (or sometimes permission from) the artist. It's a taster...a sampler.

If an artist can only manage, say, one good song per shit album, I don't think putting those good songs together makes an album in the pure sense.

When RS released their 500 Greatest Albums some years back (they've probably re-done it since), they included compilations. From memory, Bob Marley's 'Legend' was in the top 10 or 20. For me, it stuck out like dog balls as not belonging. Apart from the fact it's a 'best of', the man himself had exactly zero input into it (apart from recording the songs, obviously). Sure, as far as compilations go, it's bloody good, but it's not an album as such.

In saying that, I included Kylie's 'Abbey Road Sessions' in a list about half an hour ago. Despite the fact it's all re-recordings, it makes me a hypocrite...but I can live with that.

Re: Best of collections

alelsupreme — Thu, 7 Apr 2016 17:12:44 GMT

Author: alelsupreme

Posted: 04/07/2016 21:12

I wouldn't say so but shit I'm still gonna include them, especially in cases (Billie Holiday, Hank Williams) where their best isn't on any proper albums.

Even for artists working during the album age, if I love their music but don't think they have any albums as good as their comps (Joy Division) then yeah I'll use a comp.

Re: Best of collections

dihansse — Thu, 7 Apr 2016 16:56:26 GMT

Author: dihansse

Posted: 04/07/2016 20:56

I only have a few compilations in my overall chart because there are a few that can't be dismissed like Between Thought an Expression by Lou Reed and Girls! Girls! Girls! By Elvis Costello were the tracks have been chosen by the masters themselves. So I include a number of them and always try to explain in the notes why I took the comps and not individual albums.

Re: Best of collections

Anonymous — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 13:01:26 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 01/09/2013 18:01

I do have a comp on my chart. At #1 in fact, partially cause I didn't really want to decide which album is my favorite and also cause the track in that comp, when all put together, is among the most sublime experiences Ive had when listening to music. Is that wrong? don't think so, partially because it's a personal chart where I don't think rules of any sort truly apply when picking albums. If I helped organize a recognized best-ever albums list, then yes I wouldn't include comps as I think it should stick to promoting the album as an art form. If someone has a favorite comp (and that include anything from classical to early recording artists who flourished before the album took hold, or perhaps just a collection of singles from their favorite band), then I don't at all find their chart or selection of albums somehow incorrect. Obviously though, the question here is if a comp can be considered the same as a specifically chosen set of songs, and that's a little murky. However, I don't see the point of looking down on someone who has the odd comp somewhere in their chart...

Re: Best of collections

Anonymous — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 12:53:36 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 01/09/2013 17:53

Defago wrote:

Link

Could this qualify as one of the "best movies ever"?

I don't think any Bond movie could qualify as the best film ever. This condensation was incredibly awesome though.

Re: Best of collections

Defago — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 12:48:24 GMT

Author: Defago

Posted: 01/09/2013 17:48

Link

Could this qualify as one of the "best movies ever"?

Re: Best of collections

Anonymous — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 12:43:52 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 01/09/2013 17:43

I have 4 compilations on my chart, and that might increase when I update it.

Re: Best of collections

pearljammer13 — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 12:38:59 GMT

Author: pearljammer13

Posted: 01/09/2013 17:38

Happymeal wrote:

100% disagree

Question is, would you hold something against someone for having best of's on their chart, if so, why, if not, why?

Or would you rate the chart low?

I wasn't being serious. I would never hold something arbitrary like that against a person, they can do whatever they please. However if there are multiple greatest hits on a chart I will definitely tend to give it a lower rating. I just don't see how those count as true albums, they are rehashes.

So yeah i'd hold something against a chart, but obviously not against a person.

And yes I'd do Purple so hard.

Re: Best of collections

Anonymous — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 12:28:21 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 01/09/2013 17:28

Happymeal wrote:

100% disagree

So you wouldn't fuck me? I'd fuck me. I'd fuck me hard.

Re: Best of collections

Johnnyo — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 11:32:16 GMT

Author: Johnnyo

Posted: 01/09/2013 16:32

I don't include them in my overall, decade or year charts although I have set up a Best Of / Greatest Hits Custom Chart.

Generally, whether I mark a chart down if they include best of's is down to how many & which artist. Can't mark down a chart with a Robert Johnson comp in it 'cos he never made an album but deserves some recognition on this site.

So, a couple in a chart is OK, any more & I'm probably going to start to score a chart down.

Re: Best of collections

paladisiac — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 11:00:34 GMT

Author: paladisiac

Posted: 01/09/2013 16:00

Happymeal wrote:

100% disagree

Question is, would you hold something against someone for having best of's on their chart, if so, why, if not, why?

Or would you rate the chart low?

i don't think i'd hold it against them or even rate their chart low. it's their decision to include greatest hits, and as another person said, the greatest hits choice is still a reflection of the kind of music they like. I just wouldn't use it for my own charts.

Of course, i have used live albums and soundtracks on my charts, which can be interpreted as greatest hits albums, but only to where (IMO) the live album or soundtrack seems like a "fully conceptualized work" or "unique experience".. The shaky definitions of those two terms change in my head over time.

Re: Best of collections

Anonymous — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 10:32:33 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 01/09/2013 15:32

pearljammer13 wrote:

Listen, Purple. Fuck you.

Fuck best of collections and fuck anyone who uses them in charts, I hate you all.

100% disagree

Question is, would you hold something against someone for having best of's on their chart, if so, why, if not, why?

Or would you rate the chart low?