Ok, me being me I keep thinking about Orange Juice and I believe I found a way to explain the decision of the listmaker. To be fair, your comment on them was a big factor that helped me make sense of it. So, it probably has to do with the fact that the theme of the list is not "1001 best albums" but "1001 albums you must hear before you die".
Thus, even though their debut may be their best - in my opinion at least - Rip It Up presents a more unique sound that you are unlikely to encounter anywhere else, while the - as you correctly described it - "perfect janglepop" sound of their debut remained in the spotlight for the next years and there's been some attempts that arguably outdid theirs. I mean, the list features 3 albums by The Smiths - or 2 at least, since Strangeways... is significantly less straightforward and sees them depart from their jangly roots- so those should be enough to cover the basic form of this sub-genre.
Anyway, I guess the bottom line is that both are great.
P.S. I know that no words can provide comfort, especially coming from a random guy on the Internet, but I'm sorry to hear such terrible news. _________________ Bob Dylan Charles Mingus
Wow, I have only seen this thread now Book is absolutely fantastic guide to music and to take on such a project like this makes a fantastic read as well. _________________ More needs and less greed
Yesterday is not you, it is a resource to be looked back on.
Thanks guys. It can be quite jarring to be reminded of the unpredictability of life and how it relates to mortality, especially after the past year.
I had to take a break from this project for a few days to listen to whatever I felt like listening to, which more often than not in 2021 has meant this song from Besnard Lakes incredible album. This song just seems like the perfect synthesis of what I listen to.
Year: 1982
BEA Overall Rank: 888
BEA Year Rank: 12
What the book says: ""Glittering Prize" and the album's other big single, "Promised You A Miracle," encapsulate Simple Minds' ability to craft dazzling and sophisticated pop anthems. Combining a warm romanticism with their blend of new wave pop, the album illustrated just how capable and diverse a songwriting unit Simple Minds was."
My assessment: This is one of those records that I should like but has always just washed over me in the past, leaving very little impression. Listening a bit closer today, the result isn't much different, but I'm definitely enjoying it more than in the past. The songs are rich in atmosphere, and amazing don't sound as dated as a lot of similar music of the time. I just can't help but feel that Simple Minds weren't particularly great songwriters, especially when considering that their most memorable song was written by someone else.
Does it deserve to be in the book?: I don't think so. It's a good record, but I can't help but feel Roxy Music did this all much better
Favorite tracks: Big Sleep, New Gold Dream, Glittering Prize
What the book says: "Based on huge, blasting, repetitive drum and bass patterns, the album's development is organic, a monumental opus of gloom squeezed into 43 minutes. Despite the gloom there is great musicality on offer. Simon Gallup's turned-down bass couples with Tolhurst's monotonous drumming and Smith's deadpan voice create the perfect soundtrack for any aspiring goth, while Smith's lyrics descend into a dark abyss on "Siamese Twins," "The Figurehead," and the title track."
My assessment: From the opening drumbeats to the last second, The Cure masterfully engulfs the listener in a dark mesmerizing atmosphere. The Cure were working within a similar mood and aesthetic to Joy Division, but by the release of Pornography, the band had developed sound that was more nuanced than anything Joy Division had ever done. As brooding as it can be, there's an odd warmth to Smith's desperate wail, which makes for a much different emotional experience than Ian Curtis' cold haunted croon. While Pornography doesn't quite have any standout hits like their later records would, it's a consistently great album in which the cohesion of the album is part of what makes it so special. It's a great example of an album being greater than the sum of its parts.
Does it deserve to be in the book?: Yes. If there was only enough room for one album by the Cure, I'd go with Disintegration but Pornography is equally deserving for its influence and distinct sound.
Favorite tracks: The Hanging Garden, One Hundred Years, Cold
My assessment: From the opening drumbeats to the last second, The Cure masterfully engulfs the listener in a dark mesmerizing atmosphere. The Cure were working within a similar mood and aesthetic to Joy Division, but by the release of Pornography, the band had developed sound that was more nuanced than anything Joy Division had ever done. As brooding as it can be, there's an odd warmth to Smith's desperate wail, which makes for a much different emotional experience than Ian Curtis' cold haunted croon. While Pornography doesn't quite have any standout hits like their later records would, it's a consistently great album in which the cohesion of the album is part of what makes it so special. It's a great example of an album being greater than the sum of its parts.
Well, I finally overhauled my overall chart for the first time in forever. It's still a mess, but probably a better reflection of what I've been listening to, and a wider range of sounds.
I don't have as much time to spend on BEA as I used to, but I do miss many of the incredible members here. If any of you all have any interest in seeing what I've been up to, I've been back to photographing and writing about music. It's been a really revitalizing experience. I've hooked up with a new local online publication called Asheville Stages, where I've interviewed the likes of Chris Gethard, Circuit des Yeux, The Veldt, and Moon Tooth in the past month or so. I've also been photographing and reviewing a bunch of shows for them. You can see some of that here:
I don't have as much time to spend on BEA as I used to, but I do miss many of the incredible members here. If any of you all have any interest in seeing what I've been up to, I've been back to photographing and writing about music. It's been a really revitalizing experience. I've hooked up with a new local online publication called Asheville Stages, where I've interviewed the likes of Chris Gethard, Circuit des Yeux, The Veldt, and Moon Tooth in the past month or so. I've also been photographing and reviewing a bunch of shows for them. You can see some of that here:
That is excellent stuff, Mecca! Glad you're doing well and doing what you love! Of course, miss the "good ol' days" when I'd see you here a bunch, but it sounds like you're doing great out there. _________________ -Ryan
That is excellent stuff, Mecca! Glad you're doing well and doing what you love! Of course, miss the "good ol' days" when I'd see you here a bunch, but it sounds like you're doing great out there.
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Book is absolutely fantastic guide to music and to take on such a project like this makes a fantastic read as well.
