Best Ever Albums

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2015 13:07:43 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/19/2015 17:07

Want to come back and wrap this up. Others can feel free to ask more questions whenever they please, but that's it from me for now. Thanks Happymeal for your responses, and feel free to use this thread to advertise major updates to your chart.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2015 11:49:27 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/12/2015 15:49

sp4cetiger wrote:

So you would take it a step further and deny that an emo subculture exists at all? I agree with you that individuals will never share all of the same values within a group, but I do think that people sometimes identify themselves as part of a group because of their perception of what that group stands for (accurate or not).

I do think there is/was an emo scene, but that just it wouldn't be affecting the values people involved have. Some people just have similar interests (like music and choice of fashion), that doesn't mean the interests themselves effect what morals they have. Just to clarify, what emo is associated with has changed greatly as far as aesthetics and music goes.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Sun, 10 May 2015 14:24:41 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/10/2015 18:24

Happymeal wrote:

I would say it's mainly about the music (not the scene, but my propensity for the scene begins and ends with the music associated with it), but I would like to add that "emos" are as diverse and nuanced as almost any other subgroup. I'm not a person who likes taking a general view of things. I find viewing each individual case alongside the relevant evidence and then making a conclusion to be most efficient road despite being more difficult to do. The point is that I find it difficult to answer the question about values because not all people who identify or are considered emo possess the same values so it truly depends.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Sun, 10 May 2015 13:34:03 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/10/2015 17:34

sp4cetiger wrote:

I can understand that. When you identify as a particular group it can also influence the way people treat you and it sucks to be pigeon-holed.

I just want to clarify that I don't care about how other people would observe a group I might identify as. Comprehending something as nuanced and large as whole sections of people is not only difficult, but it's up to the person observing the group to understand, not the group itself. However, there has been a fairly irksome movement that is actually gaining quite a bit of momentum attempting to force others into understanding and inclusion which I find to be insane. One should never attempt to force people to do anything that doesn't prevent actual harm (laws for ex. prevent people from murdering as best they can. It's essentially the best measure a society can take without removing agency). I don't enjoy ignorance, but the most someone should do is present one's side and then allow others to make their own conclusion.

sp4cetiger wrote:

Another group you probably don't want to be identified with is "emos". However, given all of the emo-influenced pop punk you listen to, I wonder, how much do you relate to the values that are usually associated with that subculture? Is it just about the music?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Sun, 10 May 2015 10:56:07 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/10/2015 14:56

Happymeal wrote:

The second question is kind of intriguing because I don't identify as anything, at least purposefully or conscientiously. I think identifying with things can be kind of dangerous due to sometimes giving too much into herd mentality. I try not to allow too much to influence my conclusions outside of facts and logic. That doesn't mean I can't like certain things that belong to certain groups or people, it's just that I prefer observing .

I can understand that. When you identify as a particular group it can also influence the way people treat you and it sucks to be pigeon-holed.

Another group you probably don't want to be identified with is "emos". However, given all of the emo-influenced pop punk you listen to, I wonder, how much do you relate to the values that are usually associated with that subculture? Is it just about the music?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Fri, 8 May 2015 15:03:19 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/08/2015 19:03

sp4cetiger wrote:

I've noticed you have three Spanish-language albums in your top 10. Do you speak Spanish? You mention in one of your chart notes that your mother is Colombian. Do you find that you identify more with Latino and Latino American artists than, say, artists of African or European descent?

I speak Spanish, but not fluently. Currently still learning the language and getting used to it, but immediate conversation (as in conversation that happens on the moment talking to people) was never my strong suit because I have difficulty explaining myself quickly. it takes me a few minutes to organize my thoughts. I've never had that trouble with typing or writing, but speaking in a language that I'm not currently a master in otherwise is going to be significantly more difficult to do (sometimes I do it just because people want me to though),

The second question is kind of intriguing because I don't identify as anything, at least purposefully or conscientiously. I think identifying with things can be kind of dangerous due to sometimes giving too much into herd mentality. I try not to allow too much to influence my conclusions outside of facts and logic. That doesn't mean I can't like certain things that belong to certain groups or people, it's just that I prefer observing .

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Fri, 8 May 2015 12:22:43 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/08/2015 16:22

Happymeal wrote:

There's something to be said for living in the moment. Even if an album fails to make the same impact on you in a year or five years, that doesn't mean you can't celebrate it now.

Quote:

However, Hasta La Raiz was essentially a love at first listen type thing.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Thu, 7 May 2015 10:03:47 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/07/2015 14:03

sp4cetiger wrote:

Link

I'm assuming your discovery happened later than 1995, however. How did you discover bands like Our Lady Peace, Everclear, etc.? Who was most influential in guiding you to your current musical tastes?

I would assume I mainly started listening to music constantly sometime between late 2009 and early 2011. I can't remember exactly when, but I essentially fell in love with a game called guitar hero and a lot of the alt rock tracks on there made me listen to more. I was also big into the radio at the time so those were essentially the two sources where my favorites originally came. Everclear was one of the bands I heard on the radio and the other post - grunge bands came after as a byproduct of searching online.

craola wrote:

i've noticed a stark contrast between the music you listen to (or at least what's on your charts) and the music you create. do you have thoughts about what contributes to this?

There are two things I have to say about this. If I had the means, I would be making Jimmy eat world, Gatsby's American dream, saves the day, etc. type pop punk. However, I don't have a group or the money to really record stuff like that. This is why I decided to experiment with stuff. I thought that even if I really wanted to make music like someone else, why not just do something entirely different? So, I decided to use as little influences as possible in my music and see what I could make. I still attempted to do different things with the music based on what I liked, but I mainly just went where I could with it.

Puncture Repair wrote:

I had to do a double take when I saw Hasta La Raíz at number 4. A fantastic album, and a very bold choice seeing as it's only been released within a couple months. Seeing as your chart is primarily rock orientated (which is doing it disservice, this is actually one of the most varied charts on the site), what about this album really struck a chord with you?

I just want to clarify that I think it's not a bold move to put new albums on your overall. I'm part of the camp where anything can strike a chord with you at anytime and if it does, then you should celebrate it. However, Hasta La Raiz was essentially a love at first listen type thing. The first track starts out with one of the best chord progressions I've heard in a while and it sets the singer up extremely well. The reason it's so amazing is how many emotions it cycles through and how it does it. There are extremely fun tracks involved (Mi lugar favorito for example) and then there are more melancholy filled tracks like Hasta la raiz or Yo no te puedo querer. The singing is also very well done and has a good synergy with the music. Also, the singing is really innocent sounding. The lyrical content is very mature and I really love that contrast too.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Wed, 6 May 2015 15:00:13 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/06/2015 19:00

I had to do a double take when I saw Hasta La Raíz at number 4. A fantastic album, and a very bold choice seeing as it's only been released within a couple months. Seeing as your chart is primarily rock orientated (which is doing it disservice, this is actually one of the most varied charts on the site), what about this album really struck a chord with you?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

craola — Wed, 6 May 2015 11:26:48 GMT

Author: craola

Posted: 05/06/2015 15:26

i've noticed a stark contrast between the music you listen to (or at least what's on your charts) and the music you create. do you have thoughts about what contributes to this?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Wed, 6 May 2015 10:29:44 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/06/2015 14:29

In your note on Spiritual Machines, you said,

Happymeal wrote:

People don't enjoy this sort of grunge influenced alt rock as much as I do (Our Lady Peace, Everclear, Blind Melon, etc.), but it always resonated with me ever since I heard the single "Santa Monica".

I remember when I first saw the "Santa Monica" video come up on MTV back in 1995, it struck me right away. It captured the '90s alt rock aesthetic perfecty -- catchy, energetic, and stripped down to a white guy wailing over distorted guitars. It even had the Pixies-inspired soft/loud dynamics that Nirvana used so to such great effectiveness on Nevermind.

Link

I'm assuming your discovery happened later than 1995, however. How did you discover bands like Our Lady Peace, Everclear, etc.? Who was most influential in guiding you to your current musical tastes?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Wed, 6 May 2015 08:31:55 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/06/2015 12:31

sp4cetiger wrote:

Well put.

While we're on this subject, it seems like a lot of the albums on your overall chart aren't on anyone else's charts. Given the differences between your tastes and those of most in the community, do you find BEA to be a useful resource for music recs? Do you have any favorite charts/users you like to draw from?

Whenever I feel like discovering something new, I typically use RYm more oftan than BEA because it has more search settings to utilize, making it easier to actually find shit I want to find. However,, I do sometimes use BEA to find new albums. I think the one user I've received the most from was Bongritsu. Outside of that, I know Mecca introduced me to a few really cool albums and bands. However, it was when I joined where this website in particular came in handy due to my lack of knowledge of music. I discovered a huge amount of albums duriing that time. So I wouldn't say BEA is the best resource, but you can certainly find albums you may love here that you haven't heard before if you search.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 5 May 2015 23:17:39 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/06/2015 03:17

Happymeal wrote:

Why should people listen to it? Well, I explained why I enjoy it and I would hope people have similar standards as me in regards to music, but I can't exactly answer that question. All I know is that I can explain why it's beautifully done and hopefully others will listen and find it as special as I do. And if they don't, that's fine too.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 5 May 2015 15:13:33 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/05/2015 19:13

MrFrogger wrote:

I'm serious. What do you see in these bands, and does that fact that you're one of very few people who still care about their music effect your view of it?

I spoke about Chumbawamba on another forum and I still adhere to why I like that group so much. "Basically, the music they create is catchy as fuck and the lyrical content possesses a fuck you type of exterior to it." I just find everything from the catchy rhythms to A Capella type stuff very engaging. The icing on the cake is the attitude Chumbawamba manages to portray. Now, I'm not stating whether I disagree or agree with the perspective the band members have, but the execution is extremely obtrusive which makes it fun to observe and listen to.

Everclear didn't really become irrelevant after 1998 (they had a big hit during the early 2000's), but the two albums I enjoy a shit ton (so much for the after glow and sparkle and fade) really puts out well written lyricism. The front-man had a knack for good storytelling and it's an added bonus that he managed to really come through with vocals that made the characters he created (which many situations and characters were based on reality so it's essentially him singing about unfortunate events during his life) come to life, which is important for me in music and other entertainment. If a movie had actors that do the part extremely well (whether based on reality or not), chances are you'd like it. That's exactly why I enjoy Everclear's music so much. It's not exactly unique when speaking solely about the music, but it's the sentimental attachment of singer and lyricism that really transcends everything.

Why should people listen to it? Well, I explained why I enjoy it and I would hope people have similar standards as me in regards to music, but I can't exactly answer that question. All I know is that I can explain why it's beautifully done and hopefully others will listen and find it as special as I do. And if they don't, that's fine too.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

MrFrogger — Tue, 5 May 2015 14:58:33 GMT

Author: MrFrogger

Posted: 05/05/2015 18:58

Happymeal wrote:

Lol. I found this to be really funny (unless you're being serious about the question)

I'm serious. What do you see in these bands, and does that fact that you're one of very few people who still care about their music effect your view of it?

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 5 May 2015 13:42:28 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/05/2015 17:42

sp4cetiger wrote:

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

The Moon & Antarctica by Modest Mouse

So your #1 surprised me a little. When I look at all the pop punk on your chart, I would expect a preference for Modest Mouse's later, more melodic albums. How would you rank the rest of their discography and how many of them are chart-worthy? Also, you say in your note that this album makes you feel a kind of "unity". What do you mean by that? Do you mean unity with people in general, or on BEA specifically (because it's a forum regular favorite)?

Up to We were dead would be overall chart worth (excluding Sad Sappy Sucker which is still great). I would put M&A and LCW around the same (though M&A has a small edge over LCw) followed by Long drive and building nothing. Good news, we were dead, sappy sucker, and strangers to ourselves then follow in that order.

Now, the reason M&A has the edge is due to that unity comment. What it's meant to state is that it essentially fills in a piece of myself. Whenever I listen to it, it brings a sort of feeling that makes me feel whole and that's in result of the event that occurred concurrently to discovering music and listening to this album. I've already spoke about this event previously and so I won't necessarily go over it, but I will state that this album in particular has shaped so much of my perspective on a variety of topics that I can't see myself existing as how I am today without it. I'm sure many people have albums that have done this for them, but M&A fills in a huge part of me and I can't love something anymore than I love this.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 5 May 2015 11:39:16 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/05/2015 15:39

Thumbnail. Click to enlarge.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Anonymous — Tue, 5 May 2015 09:49:28 GMT

Author: Anonymous

Posted: 05/05/2015 13:49

MrFrogger wrote:

Everclear. Chumbawumba. Why should someone listen these bands that everyone stopped listening to after 1998?

Lol. I found this to be really funny (unless you're being serious about the question).

secretdad wrote:

The Built to Spill album on your chart, I believe that's the one with the fake preview of the next record? How does that closing track impact your judgment of it? Does it boost the album, or maybe stop it from going higher? Or is it something that you just completely disregard as having no impact on how great all the other songs beforehand are? Because personally I usually stop the album as that's going, but sometimes I do let it play thru and it's a fun little thing and probably makes me think better of it (even if I do normally skip it), but I could also see someone thinking it's the one misstep.

It does very little to change my opinion of the album, but I think it's a hilarious track. It's meant to be funny and I think it executes the humor it's meant to have pretty well. However, being funny isn't exactly why I like the album as a whole so, while it doesn't become detrimental, it doesn't exactly help the album either.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Dingerbell — Mon, 4 May 2015 18:11:17 GMT

Author: Dingerbell

Posted: 05/04/2015 22:11

secretdad wrote:

I too am interested in this answer; I think it's one of the worst things I've ever heard, and easily the worst by a band I love.

Re: Chart Study #5: Happymeal

Tap — Mon, 4 May 2015 17:28:03 GMT

Author: Tap

Posted: 05/04/2015 21:28

The Built to Spill album on your chart, I believe that's the one with the fake preview of the next record? How does that closing track impact your judgment of it? Does it boost the album, or maybe stop it from going higher? Or is it something that you just completely disregard as having no impact on how great all the other songs beforehand are? Because personally I usually stop the album as that's going, but sometimes I do let it play thru and it's a fun little thing and probably makes me think better of it (even if I do normally skip it), but I could also see someone thinking it's the one misstep.