EDIT: I don't know why the HTML tags are being displayed when using Internet Explorer. I took them out completely.  I also don't know why all those albums are being displayed before the list. They were just some other options that I didn't include in the final list. But I deleted them. They aren't anywhere in the edit box.  Strange...

EDIT 2: Nevermind. Possibly. They aren't being displayed right now. But they were gone then came back before so I'll leave the note...

Ok, Tim.I made you a list of recommendations.This was a kind of tough list to make, though, because the criterion I went by was so vague.The only kind of music I’m sure you like is progressive rock and anything I could recommend in that area I’m positive you’ve heard.To make things a little more complicated, I don’t know what it is exactly that you like about progressive rock.Is it the virtuosity with the instruments? Is it the obscurity of your favorite bands? Is it the ambitions? Is it that you view it as on the avant-garde? It’s probably a combination of all those options.Also, I’m not sure how willing you are to stretch outside your comfort zone.Personally, I’m at home with what some might call ‘indie rock’, but anything is fair game.

So.I scanned through my collection and I decided to pick ones that met the following criteria:

1)Could be called ‘avant’.It doesn’t have to change the way you view music, but it couldn’t be found on the radio either.Unless you’ve got an amazing independent radio station I guess…

2)Must be at least relatively obscure.It’s my on a limb guess you’re the type that has at least a small gut reaction (intentional or not) against anything that is fairly popular.

3)Different from what you’re used to.Don’t worry, as much as I love them, you won’t find any of the sugary songs of Stephen Merrit (Magnetic Fields, 6ths) or Frank Sinatra here. However, on about all of my picks, instrumental proficiency takes a back seat.

I wasn’t sure whether or not you like psychedelic music, so I decided that you do (or would).I also decided that you would like novelty and strangeness.Also, I did not make these picks to provide you with an introduction or a guide to anything.This is just a list of a fairly wide variety of music I think you might like.

Many of these albums are huge in many circles, but I’m not sure what you’re aware of so I’ll include them.

And one more thing, none of the music on my laptop was included.All that’s on there is about half the stuff I’ve downloaded over the past two or three months, so you’re not missing much.But I’m certain there were several obscure classics or 2004 albums you would like.

15) Dead Can Dance – Serpent’s Egg

I don’t have this album yet, but it’s been on my to get list for a couple years now. It was out of print for a bit I think, but it came back while ago.The MP3s I have from it are amazing, especially Host of the Seraphim.The song Chant of the Paladin was actually the soundtrack to a nightmare I had the first time I listened to it.Though I don’t know much about this group, I’m pretty sure Dead Can Dance were big on ancient texts and interpreting ancient music.

14) The Smoke – The Smoke

My favorite thing to do on Soulseek is to go chat room hopping and find somebody who has a bunch of stuff I’ve never heard of, and then just download a random album or two.The biggest gem I’ve stumbled on, beating even my South Korean rap collection, is The Smoke’s 1968 self-titled psychedelic masterpiece.This is surely one of the best albums that have yet to be re-issued on CD.The Smoke were high on something recording this, that’s for sure.If you actually want to buy this album, the cheapest you’re going to get it is for about 60 or 70 on E-bay when someone puts it up.I’ve had it on my wishlist for a few months now and have been waiting for it to sell cheap.You’ll also have a very hard time finding it on a P2P program. If you really want to hear it, just message drpenguin5 in Soulseek.If you don’t use it, it’s the best P2P program ever.

13) Thomas Brinkman – Tokyo + 1

This is my favorite electronic album of 2004 so far.I’m far from an expert on electronic music, but if you’re looking to get into the genre from an avant angle, Tokyo + 1 doesn’t seem like a bad place to start.Every single sound used was recorded in walking down the streets of Tokyo, so the intellectual criteria is met.And the sounds are arranged into beats, so the music remains fun as well.Rearranging field recordings is hardly that strange anymore, but Thomas Brinkman is a talented guy and he pulls it off exceptionally well.This would sound much better walking down a city street than sitting in front of a computer though…

12) GZA – Liquid Swords

This is my favorite rap album.There’s no other reason I’m recommending this.You won’t find another “mainstream” rap album that weaves names from Machiavelli’s The Prince with Biblical figures.

The understanding, it gave me mental freedom
I even learnt Caucasians were really the Tribe of Edam
The white image, of Christ, is really Cesare Borgia
and the second son of Pope Alexander
The Sixth of Rome, and once the picture was shown
That`s how the devils tricked my dome
I prophesized to save a man, but no one gave a damn
for my nation - the seed of Abraham
Blessed with the tongue of Hebrew
Now we`re strung on needles, and some are plungin evils
So study and be wise in these days of darkness

11) Scott Walker – Tilt

I still need to buy this album… If you’re willing to listen to this, chances are that you’ll be genuinely moved.Whether it’s from frustration, depression, or awe would depend on what kind of person you are I guess.I consider Tilt to be more ‘out there’ than anything I’ve heard.I don’t think that any music sounds weird anymore, but this would be the closest thing.Scott Walker was in a boy band in the 60s (Walker Brothers).Once you hear this, I don’t think I’ll need to say any more.

10) Nico – Desert Shore

I can’t believe I forgot this album on my 70s list.I’ve had it downloaded for about a year and a half now, but I just found and bought a copy on CD on Sunday (only $6.00).About the music…hmmm…Nico has a deep, monotone voice.Her songs are dark, strange, and much more indebted to her European upbringing (and her sick, twisted mind) than anything that was popular at the time.

9) Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea is my personal favorite album.I’m sure I’ve talked about it more than enough here over the past year, though.

8) Godspeed You Black Emperor – Lift Your Skinny Fists

They sound like a rock orchestra, I guess…

7) Harry Partch – Delusion of the Fury

You might have heard of this guy.Partch was an American composer in the mid-20^th century.He invented and built himself all the instruments he wrote songs for.

6) The Flaming Lips – The Soft Bulletin

This is pop music that I think will be more palatable to your ears.

5) Secret Chiefs 3 – Book of Horizons

Secret Chiefs 3 is Mr. Bungle without Mike Patton.Book of Horizons is currently right near the top of my favorite 2004 albums.I would love to make a silent film that goes along with this music.You must at the very least hear Welcome to the Theatron Animatronique…

4) Sigur Ros – Aegetis Bryun

A progressive Icelandic band who were all the rage back in 01 when this album was finally distributed in America.There’s a good chance you’ve heard of these guys, but maybe not.

3) Supersilent – 6

Supersilent are one of the most respected improv (used as a genre) bands in the world. If I were to redo my 2003 list I made a few months ago, this would be in the top 5.I had heard it months before making the list, but it never connected with me.I went back to it in March or so, with slightly broader tastes, and couldn’t believe I had missed this.Supersilent, if you haven’t heard of them yet, are on the Norwegian label Rune Grammafon…one of my favorite labels in the world (it's a pity nothing from them has secured distribution in the US yet...as far as I know).If you like this, which I think you really will, and want to hear more RG bands, just ask, cause I’ve sampled most of their catalogue.

2) My Bloody Valentine – Loveless

The best guitar album ever… Took two years to make… Bankrupted their label… blah blah blah …. All I could say about Loveless would just be repeating what thousands have said before me.

1) Van Morrison – Astral Weeks

I didn’t spend much time on selecting this list. I never even bothered to scan the external hard drive that houses all my MP3s. I just skimmed the Pfork list then the list that I made for my last post, and tried to remember any others. Of course, I didn’t include anything I haven’t listened to completely.  So even though I have several tracks from most canonical albums, only ones I have are eligible. That’s why before the real list, I’ll do a Top 70s Albums I Still Need to Hear.

-----Need to Hear-----

1) Tim Buckley – Starsailor

2) Television - Marquee Moon

3) Nick Drake – Bryter Laytar

4) Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street

5) David Bowie – Low

6) Anything by Magma

7) Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks

8) Leonard Cohen – Songs of Love and Hate

9) Gang of Four – Entertainment

10) Ramones – Rocket to Russia

11) King Crimson - Red

12) David Bowie – Diamond Dogs

13) Faust – IV

14) Iggy Pop – Lust for Life

15) Sly and the Family Stone – There’s a Riot Going On

The 70s is the most underrepresented decade in my collection to begin with, so my lack of effort certainly won’t help making this interesting. Pretty much every choice is standard and if I were to see this list I’d yawn and move on. But hey, my knowledge about 70s albums isn’t nearly as deep as it is for what’s been going on the past few years. In fact, any other decade would be much more interesting than this.  But I actually don’t think it’s that I haven’t heard enough to make an interesting list, it’s just that all I’ve heard, for the most part, are canonical albums. 

But maybe since about all of my choices are really popular, perhaps I’ll get some comments!

As much as I hate this rule, on this list and this list only I’m going to set a limit to one album per artist. Normally I find this annoying…you should just choose your favorites…but I have to do it as a handicap of sorts. Otherwise the vast majority of this list would be made of Pink Floyd / David Bowie / Big Star / Neil Young since I really haven’t heard that many albums from the 70s.

Just thinking of something…I don’t think I’ve heard many albums from the 70s, but if I revealed the number of albums I actually have heard, that’d probably be dozens more than most people have heard total…I’m such a geek! And I love it.

Edited in after I finished writing this: I wish I would have spent more time remembering albums since I forgot several of my favorite albums, all of which were much less predictable.  Nico’s Desertshore is the most notable ommision.  It would have placed at #4 or #5 possibly.

I’ll keep the comments as short as I can. Some day I’ll take these comments seriously and actually put some effort into them…

My Favorite Albums of the 1970s

20) Elvis Costello – My Aim Is True

          This is so much better than This Year’s Model.  Another close call was Harry Nilsson’s Nilsson Schmilsson, which I luckily found a copy of on vinyl for only .99 cents.  A few weeks later it was finally reissued on CD.

19) Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

         As an album, Born to Run would be beat at its own game at least twice over the coming years by Jim Steinmen, Todd Rundgren, and Meatloaf with Bat Out of Hell and by the Boss himself with Darkness On the Edge of Town.  However, the two standout tracks, Thunder Road and Born to Run, would never be equaled as paeans to teenage emancipation. Both of those tracks deserve to be considered for the top of a Best Rock Song Ever list.  Credit should be given where credit is due, and the E-Street Band are the folks that pull Born to Run up from merely “pretty good”.  Whoever plays the sax interludes is brilliant. Does anyone here know who it is by any chance? The All Music Guide lists three different sax players in the E-Street Band, so I have no idea who to credit for my favorite parts.

18) Derek and the Dominoes – Layla

         Without a doubt, this is Eric Clapton’s shining moment.  The only reason this album isn’t in the top ten is the unnecessary length. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to listen to the whole album in one sitting.  How to make it perfect: trim Keep On Growing, Have You Ever Loved a Women, and Tell the Truth a few minutes, take out Key to the Highway completely (or at least make it a short interlude of sorts), then end with Layla.  Thorn Tree in the Garden is a great song, and while I can appreciate what they were trying to do by placing it at the end, Layla would be the perfect ending for the album.  Besides being one of the most epic and climactic songs ever recorded, the jamming for the last half is the perfect bittersweet combination of despair and newfound hope. The best songs here are some of the best heartbreak music there is.

17) Creedence Clearwater Revival – Cosmos Factory

         The second best American band of the 60s released their greatest album just after the decade turned over. John Fogerty never sounded more convincing than on Who’ll Stop the Rain.  And Creedence never jammed better than on Heard I Through the Grapevine.  Many of my favorite Creedence songs are here: Lookin Out My Backdoor, Travelin Band, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Long As I Can See the Light… If Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, Green River, Fortunate Son, Have You Ever Seen the Rain, and Down on the Corner were included, this might be the greatest album ever.  Oh wait, there is an album where all those songs and more can be found. It’s called Chronicle.  And anyone who doesn’t think it’s the greatest compilation you can buy needs to open their ears.

16) The Beatles – Let It Be

         Placing a Beatles album on a list, or even talking about one, is no easy task.  They remain so pervasive, so dominating, so enduring that it’s hard to see just what it is that you like…or even if you like them at all.  Let It Be is viewed by many to be one of their weaker albums, and I think I can agree with that to a certain extent. As a whole, it doesn’t approach Abbey Road or The White Album and song for song it can’t touch anything else they did after 65 except for Magical Mystery Tour.  But each the three main Beatles contribute one song that stands head and shoulders above almost everything else. Paul had the title track, John had Across the Universe, and George had I Me Mine.  Two of Us is a personal favorite as well.  Plus, it’s the Beatles!

15) Joni Mitchell – Blue

         Joni Mitchell virtually invented the grating, psuedo-bluesy style of playing found in coffee shops across the country. It’s almost impossible to listen to this album due to the thousands of sub-par imitators that have followed in her wake.  Thankfully, the songs on Blue are so strong that they continue to overcome any clichés or preconceptions you might bring.  She was still young when Blue was recorded, and her voice was still amazingly beautiful.  It’s a shame what smoking did to her over the coming decades…

14) The Who – Who’s Next

         Ummm, like this is such a cool album dude.  Brain fart…

13) David Bowie – Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust

         Just thinking about everything Bowie accomplished between 1970 and 1980 is mind blowing.  It might just be the greatest run in rock n roll, though I can hardly choose whether or not I agree yet since I only have four or five of his albums from then.  He released more than a dozen albums in one decade, and nearly all of them were some of the best the era had to offer.  Even more amazingly, many of his records during this period were not only innovative and pervasively influential, they actually all but created new forms and genres.  It’s nearly impossible to select a favorite Bowie album since they’re all so excellent and diverse.  1980’s Scary Monsters is my personal pick so far, but it’s not eligible here.  I’ve yet to buy any of his Berlin trilogy, Low, Heroes, and Lodger (I only download new albums) and since these are generally regarded as his masterpieces this pick is all but meaningless.  Station to Station is excellent and possibly better, but I reckon it’s strictly a fall/winter album and I’m just not in the mood for it right now. Most consider Ziggy to be Bowie’s glam rock masterpiece (though many lean toward the follow-up Aladdin Sane), and it truly is a killer album. 

12) Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers

         Kieth Richards is the man.  You should have heard him just around midnight.

11) Meatloaf – Bat Out of Hell

         Surprisingly, it seems like one of the albums people are most pissed that Pitchfork left off their list is Bat Out of Hell.  One day Meatloaf will be cool again…assuming he ever was…and the world will be a much better place.  The interplay between the instruments on the title track alone make this an essential album.  For 10 minutes, Todd Rundgren’s flashy fretwork, Jim Stienman’s hypnotic piano, and Meatloaf’s 400 pound voice achieve what every rock band aspires to. 

Haha…I talked about how stellar the interplay between instruments is on a Meatloaf album!  That’s even more BS than everything else I write.

10) Gram Parsons – Gram Parsons

         A great country album from ex-Byrds member.  Introduced the world to Emmy Lou Harris. This self-titled debut is even better than the mighty, much ballyhooed Grievous Angel. 

9)   Neil Young – After the Gold Rush

         I still really need to hear On the Beach.  Now that it was just issued on CD for the first time a few months ago I finally have that chance.  But until then, After the Gold Rush is my favorite Young, with Tonight’s the Night a clooose second.

         In my mind, Neil Young WAS the 70s.  Any 70s list without one of his albums isn’t worth much.  I’m listening to this album right now and really wondering why I only placed it at #9.  Surely music this good wasn’t bettered more than 2 or 3 times.  Oh well, I don’t feel like changing it. 

8)   Big Star – Third/Sister Lovers

         If you’re the rare type that’s curious about things, this has the potential to be life-changing music.  I wonder what my reaction would have been had I heard Kangaroo or Stroke It Noel (OMG! Download!) a few years ago.  I got this album just last December, however, and all it did was meet my sky-high expectations.  Third/Sister Lovers actually isn’t a real album.  It was never finished.  A decade later a label put together a track list and released what Big Star had recorded.  However, the fractured, incomplete feel is perfect for the dark, desolate hopelessness of the music.

7)   Van Morrison – Moondance

         This was the first “classic rock” album that I got.  I don’t know why, but something about the music really connected with me.  Even enough to bypass the ridiculous prejudice that most young people have that anything made more than a decade ago which isn’t Zep, Floyd, or Sabbath sux.  Sadly, the more I hear and the more I listen to Van Morrison’s “other” canonical album, 68’s Astral Weeks (possibly the very greatest album ever cut) the less I like Moondance.  That’s not to say Moondance is bad…far from it…the first half is perfect bliss…it just isn’t holding up as well as I initially thought.  I don’t know whether this is a good or bad thing, but writing this just makes me want to hear Astral Weeks yet again.  *clicks on #3 Sweet Thing*  Yep, I can’t go back to Moondance.  I don’t even know if I can finish this list!  If you haven’t heard of Astral Weeks (there were no singles) and you have an open mind about music, you must hear it somehow.  Hell, even WVU’s newspaper gave Astral Weeks a special review one issue to explain how perfect it is.  Now I want to do a 60s list just to talk about this album! Maybe next time…

6)   Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon

         I would bet that 70% of the people reading this blog already love this album.  The rest have already made up their minds about their position on it.  It’s obvious what mine is.

5)   Bulent – Benimle Oynar Misin

         This is the one album on this list that is not just an odd pick, but criminally obscure.  Yes, criminally.  The world’s distribution system needs to be put in jail due to the fact this album was just released in America for the first time months ago and with almost no fanfare.  Wow this is a stupid comment… Anyway, ummm, Bulent were a Turkish band that recorded a brilliant album.  I would lazily describe them as a Turkish Brytar Layter-era Nick Drake. Supposedly, this is recognized as a landmark record in Turkey.  Hopefully someone with a bit of influence will review this in America and people will finally get to hear this masterpiece.

4)   The Velvet Underground – Loaded

         Loaded is usually dismissed in comparison the three legendary albums The Velvet Underground cut in the 60s.  That’s a shame because it’s almost certainly one of the five best pure rock n roll albums out there.  Some songs on Loaded virtually define rock music for me.  I had this at #1 initially, but I changed it for some reason.  The top four here are all interchangeable depending on my mood.

3)   Nick Drake – Pink Moon

         Any doubts that Nick Drake deserved to be included among the greatest guitar players of his era were certainly put to rest when people finally got around to hearing Pink Moon (I think it finally went platinum recently).  All of Pink Moon is simply Nick Drake with his acoustic guitar (and a sparse piano on the title track).  There’s no over-dubbing, editing, or anything.  Contrary to the full, complex sound, Nick Drake is the only person playing.  The record was recorded in just two days.  He just went in the studio and laid down the tracks.  I think I remember reading that most of the songs, possibly all, are first takes.  Simply amazing.

2)   Led Zeppelin – IV

         Jimmy Page was the king of killer riffs, and Black Dog, the opener for IV, has THE Riff.  Few songs cram as much intensity into 3:40 as Rock n Roll.  There’s probably not a more popular rock song or a better guitar solo than Stairway to Heaven.  Going To California is a personal favorite, though it might be because it was one of the few I didn’t know completely before even getting the album.  When the Levee Breaks is the heaviest Zep got.  Oddly enough, the more I listen to this album, the more I like it.  I’m thinking it’s because each listen further recontextualizes it away from the crap that surrounds it on “classic rock” radio.  Every spin somehow makes it sound more fresh and new. 

1)   The Clash – London Calling

         This was about the only album I listened to from February until May my junior year of high school.