Best songs from the worst albums?
December 21, 2009 9:54 AM Subscribe
What are the best songs from the worst albums by otherwise-respected bands?
I'm thinking of making a mix out of good songs from reviled or otherwise forgotten albums by known bands. I also accept good songs from bands who had been considered to have been long past their prime.
Bonus points for when said reviled albums are from versions of the band that are not even considered respectable, such as the Yule-led version of the Velvet Underground on Squeeze.
I'm thinking of making a mix out of good songs from reviled or otherwise forgotten albums by known bands. I also accept good songs from bands who had been considered to have been long past their prime.
Bonus points for when said reviled albums are from versions of the band that are not even considered respectable, such as the Yule-led version of the Velvet Underground on Squeeze.
"Better Man" from Pearl Jam was the best track from Vitalogy, which was a huge difference from their previous two albums. This was the album where everyone started scratching their heads, going, "huh?" and marked where the band started heading straight downhill.
This was also the last contribution from drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who was fired shortly thereafter. Jack Irons and others performed some of the tracks on the album, with Irons taking over full time. Abbruzzese had himself taken over from at least two previous drummers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:11 AM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
This was also the last contribution from drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who was fired shortly thereafter. Jack Irons and others performed some of the tracks on the album, with Irons taking over full time. Abbruzzese had himself taken over from at least two previous drummers.
posted by Cool Papa Bell at 10:11 AM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
That is a fucking funny question.
I'm going to go with Tempus Fugit from Yes's Drama, which is distinguished primarily by being without Jon Anderson!
posted by e.e. coli at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
I'm going to go with Tempus Fugit from Yes's Drama, which is distinguished primarily by being without Jon Anderson!
posted by e.e. coli at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
Response by poster: Answering my own question:
"Bluejeans & Moonbeams," off of Bluejeans & Moonbeams by Captain Beefheart. What was probably, at the time, a deluded attempt at soft-rock commercial success now sounds like well-executed weirdo pop.
"Sleepless," off of Three of a Perfect Pair by King Crimson. The best Talking Heads track the Talking Heads never made. It's deeply 80s and has little to do with what made King Crimson charming to begin with, but it's a fun track in and of itself.
"Louise," off of Squeeze by Velvet Underground (minus original members of the band). When you look at this as a forgotten solo record by a 23-year-old in the 70s, this song finds its place.
"Obsession," off of Outside the Gate by Killing Joke. Outside the Gate is one of those rare terrible albums that's exactly as terrible as people think it is, but this strong, punchy New Wave bit is probably where Jaz and company had originally intended their album to go.
"Billy Gnosis," off of Into the Unknown by Bad Religion. I'm not sure where Bad Religion thought they were going with this album, but it was an interesting detour. I'm not sure about the boogie-rock tempo, but this is great driving music.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
"Bluejeans & Moonbeams," off of Bluejeans & Moonbeams by Captain Beefheart. What was probably, at the time, a deluded attempt at soft-rock commercial success now sounds like well-executed weirdo pop.
"Sleepless," off of Three of a Perfect Pair by King Crimson. The best Talking Heads track the Talking Heads never made. It's deeply 80s and has little to do with what made King Crimson charming to begin with, but it's a fun track in and of itself.
"Louise," off of Squeeze by Velvet Underground (minus original members of the band). When you look at this as a forgotten solo record by a 23-year-old in the 70s, this song finds its place.
"Obsession," off of Outside the Gate by Killing Joke. Outside the Gate is one of those rare terrible albums that's exactly as terrible as people think it is, but this strong, punchy New Wave bit is probably where Jaz and company had originally intended their album to go.
"Billy Gnosis," off of Into the Unknown by Bad Religion. I'm not sure where Bad Religion thought they were going with this album, but it was an interesting detour. I'm not sure about the boogie-rock tempo, but this is great driving music.
posted by Sticherbeast at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
Oh, and when you're done, please post your work to MeFi Projects.
posted by e.e. coli at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by e.e. coli at 10:35 AM on December 21, 2009
The best song on Run-DMC's Crown Royal is 'Queens Day.'
posted by box at 10:43 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by box at 10:43 AM on December 21, 2009
"Do It Again" is some great late Kinks off the wholly unremembered 1986 LP Word of Mouth.
"Pet Name" is a nearly perfect track from They Might Be Giants' 1996 Factory Showroom, probably not a record people would call their worst, but certainly many people had lost interest by this time.
posted by escabeche at 10:52 AM on December 21, 2009
"Pet Name" is a nearly perfect track from They Might Be Giants' 1996 Factory Showroom, probably not a record people would call their worst, but certainly many people had lost interest by this time.
posted by escabeche at 10:52 AM on December 21, 2009
From "Famous Monsters" by the post-Danzig Misfits:
Descending Angel
Helena
From the generally panned "Heavy Petting Zoo" by NOFX:
Whatever Didi Wants
From "Pressure Chief" by CAKE:
End of the Movie (this sub-two-minute song is imo one of their best tracks from any album)
From "Hammered" by Motorhead (released 20 years after their heyday):
Walk a Crooked Mile
I don't know if solo albums by band members count, but Mike Ness from Social Distortion did a terrible solo album called "Cheating at Solitaire" with one excellent song on it:
The Devil in Miss Jones
Likewise, Lars Frederiksen of Rancid launched a side project called "Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards" in 2001 which released a pretty bad self-titled album with two really good tracks on it:
Campbell, CA
Dead American
posted by 256 at 10:56 AM on December 21, 2009
Descending Angel
Helena
From the generally panned "Heavy Petting Zoo" by NOFX:
Whatever Didi Wants
From "Pressure Chief" by CAKE:
End of the Movie (this sub-two-minute song is imo one of their best tracks from any album)
From "Hammered" by Motorhead (released 20 years after their heyday):
Walk a Crooked Mile
I don't know if solo albums by band members count, but Mike Ness from Social Distortion did a terrible solo album called "Cheating at Solitaire" with one excellent song on it:
The Devil in Miss Jones
Likewise, Lars Frederiksen of Rancid launched a side project called "Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards" in 2001 which released a pretty bad self-titled album with two really good tracks on it:
Campbell, CA
Dead American
posted by 256 at 10:56 AM on December 21, 2009
I suppose the Beach Boys' "Kokomo" fits this description well enough. If you consider Magical Mystery Tour to be a real Beatles album (I don't) and if you consider "Strawberry Fields Forever" to actually be a part of it (I don't), then that could count as well.
posted by Gotham at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by Gotham at 11:15 AM on December 21, 2009
Tattoo You by the Rolling Stones was put together from a mish-mash of studio work, and is generally not well thought of by casual fans, but everyone can sing along with the chorus of Start Me Up.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 11:17 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by 1f2frfbf at 11:17 AM on December 21, 2009
"Bastille Day" from Caress Of Steel by Rush
posted by elmer benson at 11:26 AM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by elmer benson at 11:26 AM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
The Who's 1981 Face Dances doesn't get much respect (their first studio album post-Keith Moon's death), but the track "Don't Let Go the Coat" has held up pretty well over the years.
posted by 5Q7 at 11:31 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by 5Q7 at 11:31 AM on December 21, 2009
"All Of My Love" from In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin. Name one other song from that album that is ever played anywhere.
Likewise, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" from Presence
posted by spicynuts at 11:36 AM on December 21, 2009
Likewise, "Nobody's Fault But Mine" from Presence
posted by spicynuts at 11:36 AM on December 21, 2009
"Life Is Real (Song for Lennon)" on Hot Space by Queen. (Album also contains "Under Pressure" but I don't consider it part of the album's original tracks.)
posted by monospace at 11:43 AM on December 21, 2009
posted by monospace at 11:43 AM on December 21, 2009
Response by poster: "Bring it On" off of Nocturama by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. A great, tight, witty single off of nobody's favorite Nick Cave album.
"Fletcher Memorial Home," off of The Final Cut, by Pink Floyd. The whole album is a bit underrated, although it is mostly regarded as a tense and peculiar Roger Waters solo album.
"Get On Top," off of Greetings From LA by Tim Buckley. The link goes to a (superior) live version, but even the studio cut from the original album works well as a fun blue-eyed funk song.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:46 AM on December 21, 2009
"Fletcher Memorial Home," off of The Final Cut, by Pink Floyd. The whole album is a bit underrated, although it is mostly regarded as a tense and peculiar Roger Waters solo album.
"Get On Top," off of Greetings From LA by Tim Buckley. The link goes to a (superior) live version, but even the studio cut from the original album works well as a fun blue-eyed funk song.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:46 AM on December 21, 2009
The Osmonds' Crazy Horses. One awesome fucked up song amidst their entire career of awful Mormony pop bullshit.
posted by hamsterdam at 12:03 PM on December 21, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by hamsterdam at 12:03 PM on December 21, 2009 [3 favorites]
"Maxine" from Ghostface Killa's Bulletproof Wallets album. Not a standout Wu album, and the worst in Ghost's career, but one of the best Wu songs and Ghost/Rae songs ever.
posted by kensington314 at 12:14 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by kensington314 at 12:14 PM on December 21, 2009
Wilco's Sky Blue Sky is sorta boring, but there are a few really good songs. "Impossible Germany" sticks out for me.
posted by kensington314 at 12:15 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by kensington314 at 12:15 PM on December 21, 2009
The classic example may be "This is England" from Cut the Crap by the Clash. This is a great song on an unforgivably bad record by a band that was barely the Clash anymore.
posted by kensington314 at 12:17 PM on December 21, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by kensington314 at 12:17 PM on December 21, 2009 [2 favorites]
If you are of the mind that Death of a Ladies' Man is a bad Leonard Cohen album, "True Love Leaves No Traces," "Iodine," and "Paper Thin Motel" may still grab you.
posted by kensington314 at 12:19 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by kensington314 at 12:19 PM on December 21, 2009
This is out of my pay grade, but I'd bet someone could ID a pretty great Dio-era Black Sabbath song.
posted by kensington314 at 12:20 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by kensington314 at 12:20 PM on December 21, 2009
On the Kinks, that song "Come Dancing" from later in their career is a good listen.
Also I would just like to go on record supporting Gotham's statements about Magical Mystery Tour.
posted by kensington314 at 12:23 PM on December 21, 2009
Also I would just like to go on record supporting Gotham's statements about Magical Mystery Tour.
posted by kensington314 at 12:23 PM on December 21, 2009
Do solo artists count, if they more or less worked with the same band members throughout their career? If so, I nominate "Bring Me the Disco King," off of David Bowie's last album, Reality. (Not the remix with Maynard James Keenan, but the original version that just has Bowie on vocals, Mike Garson on piano, and Matt Chamberlain on drums.)
posted by Prospero at 12:28 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by Prospero at 12:28 PM on December 21, 2009
"Better Man" from Pearl Jam was the best track from Vitalogy.
This is nonsense. Corduroy? Last Exit? Spin the Black Circle? Tremor Christ? Not for You?
Back on topic: "Supernova" from Liz Phair's Whip-Smart.
"Won't Be Home" from the Old 97's poorly reviewed Drag it Up.
"Electrolite" is like a gift at the end of the poorly reviewed (but unfortunately dismissed) R.E.M. album New Adventures in Hi-Fi. In the same vein, "Hope" is an urgent, confusing, beautiful standout on the critical disaster Up.
posted by purpleclover at 12:29 PM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
This is nonsense. Corduroy? Last Exit? Spin the Black Circle? Tremor Christ? Not for You?
Back on topic: "Supernova" from Liz Phair's Whip-Smart.
"Won't Be Home" from the Old 97's poorly reviewed Drag it Up.
"Electrolite" is like a gift at the end of the poorly reviewed (but unfortunately dismissed) R.E.M. album New Adventures in Hi-Fi. In the same vein, "Hope" is an urgent, confusing, beautiful standout on the critical disaster Up.
posted by purpleclover at 12:29 PM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
"Dead Man in My Bed" is a phenomenal song from Nick Cave's Nocturama.
posted by kensington314 at 12:34 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by kensington314 at 12:34 PM on December 21, 2009
The Rolling Stones:
"Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" from Goat's Head Soup
"Hand Of Fate" from Black and Blue
"She's So Cold" from Emotional Rescue
> Bonus points for when said reviled albums are from versions of the band that are not even considered respectable...
I've never met anyone who would agree with me, but I think each of the albums The Pogues did without Shane McGowan have some good songs:
"Once Upon A Time" and "Tuesday Morning" from Waiting For Herb
"How Come" and "Living In A World Without Her" from Pogue Mahone
> "All Of My Love" from In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin. Name one other song from that album that is ever played anywhere.
I'm not sticking up for that album, but "In The Evening" gets played on classic rock radio all the time.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:42 PM on December 21, 2009
"Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" from Goat's Head Soup
"Hand Of Fate" from Black and Blue
"She's So Cold" from Emotional Rescue
> Bonus points for when said reviled albums are from versions of the band that are not even considered respectable...
I've never met anyone who would agree with me, but I think each of the albums The Pogues did without Shane McGowan have some good songs:
"Once Upon A Time" and "Tuesday Morning" from Waiting For Herb
"How Come" and "Living In A World Without Her" from Pogue Mahone
> "All Of My Love" from In Through The Out Door by Led Zeppelin. Name one other song from that album that is ever played anywhere.
I'm not sticking up for that album, but "In The Evening" gets played on classic rock radio all the time.
posted by The Card Cheat at 12:42 PM on December 21, 2009
"You Fool No One" from Deep Purple's Burn (Deep Purple mark III) and
"This Time Around / Owed to 'G'"from Deep Purple's Come Taste The Band (Mark IV)
Both great albums if you ask me, espcially Burn, but you'll never hear any Deep Purple later than 'My Woman From Tokyo' played anywhere.
Spicynuts: "Fool in the Rain" is another track from In Through the Out Door that gets played on the radio now and again. I'm partial to 'Carouselambra' myself.
posted by usonian at 1:16 PM on December 21, 2009
"This Time Around / Owed to 'G'"from Deep Purple's Come Taste The Band (Mark IV)
Both great albums if you ask me, espcially Burn, but you'll never hear any Deep Purple later than 'My Woman From Tokyo' played anywhere.
Spicynuts: "Fool in the Rain" is another track from In Through the Out Door that gets played on the radio now and again. I'm partial to 'Carouselambra' myself.
posted by usonian at 1:16 PM on December 21, 2009
"So Sad About Us" from The Who's A Quick One. (Which also contains "A Quick One, While He's Away", obviously, if you want to count that, too. But I wouldn't, since the Live at Leeds version is so much better.)
"Army" from Ben Folds Five's The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.
Personally, I'd also vote for "Paranoid Android" from Radiohead's OK Computer, but I guess that's pretty far from being a universally-reviled album...
posted by equalpants at 1:37 PM on December 21, 2009
"Army" from Ben Folds Five's The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.
Personally, I'd also vote for "Paranoid Android" from Radiohead's OK Computer, but I guess that's pretty far from being a universally-reviled album...
posted by equalpants at 1:37 PM on December 21, 2009
I disagree with the Pearl Jam example offered above; however, their 6th album, Binaural, was a huge hunk of shit with the exception of two songs : Thin Air and Nothing As It Seems.
posted by mannequito at 1:38 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by mannequito at 1:38 PM on December 21, 2009
Creep or Thinking About You off Radiohead's Pablo Honey. Even the band hates that album, but those two songs are pretty good (obviously Creep is the famous track).
posted by axiom at 1:52 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by axiom at 1:52 PM on December 21, 2009
Response by poster: "Beginner's Luck," off of Hombre Lobo by Eels. The album has been getting middling-to-sour reviews, but this is one of the catchiest and most optimistic Eels songs I've heard in a good while.
"Dead Guy," off of Filth Pig by Ministry. When this album first hit the streets, you'd think that Al Jourgensen had literally, physically, personally pissed in every fan's individual Cheerio bowl, but it's aged well since then. Besides, this track is sort of funky, in a stompy way.
"Aliens," off of Return of Dr. Octagon by Dr. Octagon. Kool Keith has disavowed this album and so did most of his fans, but this is a catchy single worthy of any other of his officially-sanctioned albums.
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2009
"Dead Guy," off of Filth Pig by Ministry. When this album first hit the streets, you'd think that Al Jourgensen had literally, physically, personally pissed in every fan's individual Cheerio bowl, but it's aged well since then. Besides, this track is sort of funky, in a stompy way.
"Aliens," off of Return of Dr. Octagon by Dr. Octagon. Kool Keith has disavowed this album and so did most of his fans, but this is a catchy single worthy of any other of his officially-sanctioned albums.
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2009
If you consider Magical Mystery Tour to be a real Beatles album (I don't) and if you consider "Strawberry Fields Forever" to actually be a part of it (I don't), then that could count as well.
Well, it also has "Penny Lane," "The Fool on the Hill," "I Am the Walrus," and "All You Need Is Love." So, it's actually a pretty great album -- hardly the Beatles' "worst."
(I'm assuming you mean the American version. While I generally agree with your implication that the American Beatles albums that are different from the British versions aren't "real" albums since the British versions are the ones that best represent the Beatles' artistic vision, I would make an exception for Magical Mystery Tour since there is no equivalent British album -- the British version has only 6 songs.)
I'd say the Beatles' worst album is Beatles for Sale, and the best songs are "I'll Follow the Sun," "No Reply," and "Every Little Thing." More famous but not quite as good (IMHO) songs from that album are "I'm a Loser" and "Eight Days a Week." I also have a soft spot for "What You're Doing," but I admit that's a pretty obscure/insignificant one.
Prince's The Gold Experience is inferior overall but includes the famous "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and the non-famous but also good "Shy."
I'd say Radiohead's worst album (after their immature Pablo Honey) was Amnesiac, and the best song is "Life In A Glasshouse." Close behind would be In Rainbows; the best songs are "All I Need" and "Nude."
posted by Jaltcoh at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2009
Well, it also has "Penny Lane," "The Fool on the Hill," "I Am the Walrus," and "All You Need Is Love." So, it's actually a pretty great album -- hardly the Beatles' "worst."
(I'm assuming you mean the American version. While I generally agree with your implication that the American Beatles albums that are different from the British versions aren't "real" albums since the British versions are the ones that best represent the Beatles' artistic vision, I would make an exception for Magical Mystery Tour since there is no equivalent British album -- the British version has only 6 songs.)
I'd say the Beatles' worst album is Beatles for Sale, and the best songs are "I'll Follow the Sun," "No Reply," and "Every Little Thing." More famous but not quite as good (IMHO) songs from that album are "I'm a Loser" and "Eight Days a Week." I also have a soft spot for "What You're Doing," but I admit that's a pretty obscure/insignificant one.
Prince's The Gold Experience is inferior overall but includes the famous "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and the non-famous but also good "Shy."
I'd say Radiohead's worst album (after their immature Pablo Honey) was Amnesiac, and the best song is "Life In A Glasshouse." Close behind would be In Rainbows; the best songs are "All I Need" and "Nude."
posted by Jaltcoh at 2:11 PM on December 21, 2009
Michael Jackson's "Butterflies", off of his otherwise-reviled 2001 release Invincible is among the best work he'd ever done, long after his insanity had put most casual fans off. Well worth a listen.
posted by anildash at 2:19 PM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by anildash at 2:19 PM on December 21, 2009 [1 favorite]
For Ministry, I'd go with Revenge from With Sympathy.
posted by ktrey at 2:26 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by ktrey at 2:26 PM on December 21, 2009
Lou Reed's Berlin is a pretty divisive album, with seemingly a slight majority on the "hate" side of the fence, but no matter how you feel about the album "Caroline Says I" is one the best songs that ever came out of Lou Reed.
posted by invitapriore at 2:57 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by invitapriore at 2:57 PM on December 21, 2009
Make Believe is Weezer's worst album (when the last of the hold-out fans said "No, that's it, I'm really not buying another one of their albums, this time I mean it!"), and Perfect Situation is the best song on that album.
posted by team lowkey at 4:19 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by team lowkey at 4:19 PM on December 21, 2009
Prince's Batman marked the end of his great run of 80s albums from 1999 through Lovesexy. And it has only one good song on it. But it's one of my favorites. A let's-get-it-on ballad called "Scandalous".
posted by Joe Beese at 4:26 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by Joe Beese at 4:26 PM on December 21, 2009
Also: Metallica's "The Unforgiven II", from ReLoad.
posted by Joe Beese at 4:30 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by Joe Beese at 4:30 PM on December 21, 2009
Re-Act-Or and Trans seem ot be generally regarded as the worst Neil Young albums, though I don't really understand why.
From Trans my favorite is Transformer Man. Not what you think of when you go for the Neil Young, usually.
From Re-ac-tor I liked "Op-er-a Star", but apparently I'm the only one because it's not on Youtube.
posted by cmoj at 4:36 PM on December 21, 2009
From Trans my favorite is Transformer Man. Not what you think of when you go for the Neil Young, usually.
From Re-ac-tor I liked "Op-er-a Star", but apparently I'm the only one because it's not on Youtube.
posted by cmoj at 4:36 PM on December 21, 2009
I may get shot for this, but I'd say working Man was the only memorable song off of Rush's first album, and when I first heard Hocus Pocus by Focus, I RAN to get the 8 track. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. Also as a huge Sabbath fan, I say Jonny Blade stood way out from the rest of the weird stuff on Technical Ecstacy
posted by Redhush at 4:43 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by Redhush at 4:43 PM on December 21, 2009
From Alkaline Trio's newest (mainstreamed) album, I'd say Calling All Skeletons and Love Love, Kiss Kiss are the only decent songs. It was bad enough they've left the label to return to their original sound, from what I've read.
I'd say Vitology is a good example of this. While there are a good number of great songs, including the ones mentioned above (Corduroy, Better Man, Spin the Black Circle) a lot of the album is intentionally obtuse, especially towards the end. Given that Not For You (the first single, if I remember) can come off as a giant "fuck you" to new listeners, the album is not exactly what people expected. Wasn't that the band trying to ratchet their fame down a bit, to get away from those expectations? I'm sure there's a Rolling Stone thesis out there on the subject.
The last couple albums have been pretty decent, though.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:03 PM on December 21, 2009
I'd say Vitology is a good example of this. While there are a good number of great songs, including the ones mentioned above (Corduroy, Better Man, Spin the Black Circle) a lot of the album is intentionally obtuse, especially towards the end. Given that Not For You (the first single, if I remember) can come off as a giant "fuck you" to new listeners, the album is not exactly what people expected. Wasn't that the band trying to ratchet their fame down a bit, to get away from those expectations? I'm sure there's a Rolling Stone thesis out there on the subject.
The last couple albums have been pretty decent, though.
posted by Ghidorah at 5:03 PM on December 21, 2009
The Ramones "The KKK Took My Baby Away", from Pleasant Dreams (although the whole album is a guilty pleasure of mine)
posted by melorama at 5:33 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by melorama at 5:33 PM on December 21, 2009
Elvis Costello's "The Other Side of Summer", from the consistently awful Mighty Like A Rose.
posted by melorama at 5:48 PM on December 21, 2009
posted by melorama at 5:48 PM on December 21, 2009
The Who's 1981 Face Dances doesn't get much respect (their first studio album post-Keith Moon's death), but the track "Don't Let Go the Coat" has held up pretty well over the years.
Wut? Surely you mean "You Better You Bet"? Or "Eminence Front" on It’s Hard?Likewise, "Let My Love Open the Door" from Pete Townsend's Empty Glass?
Then:
"Under Pressure" is originally off Hot Space which is otherwise a not-great Queen album.
"Clint Eastwood" from that first Gorillaz disc.
"Last Junkie on Earth" from The Dandy Warhols Come Down
"Dream Police"
posted by nicwolff at 11:48 PM on December 21, 2009
Wut? Surely you mean "You Better You Bet"? Or "Eminence Front" on It’s Hard?Likewise, "Let My Love Open the Door" from Pete Townsend's Empty Glass?
Then:
"Under Pressure" is originally off Hot Space which is otherwise a not-great Queen album.
"Clint Eastwood" from that first Gorillaz disc.
"Last Junkie on Earth" from The Dandy Warhols Come Down
"Dream Police"
posted by nicwolff at 11:48 PM on December 21, 2009
For everyone who gave up on Alanis Morissette after Jagged Little Pill, there's a song on her album Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie that's a bit wonderful. It's called "Joining You."
posted by grrarrgh00 at 10:14 AM on December 22, 2009
posted by grrarrgh00 at 10:14 AM on December 22, 2009
'God Must Be A Boogie Man,' on Joni Mitchell's Mingus.
posted by box at 10:42 AM on December 22, 2009
posted by box at 10:42 AM on December 22, 2009
'Find a Way,' on A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement.
posted by box at 10:52 AM on December 22, 2009
posted by box at 10:52 AM on December 22, 2009
The Rolling Stones:
"Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" from Goat's Head Soup
Great song but there's not much moss on Star Star (Starfucker) either, or 100 Years Ago, Dancing with Mr. D, Silver Train, Can You Hear the Music, even Angie if you haven't already heard it a million times.
The only real fault with Goats Head as far as I can see is that it followed Exile on Mainstreet (a nigh on impossible album to top) and dared to have a perhaps overly "soft" mega-hit single. Song for song, it's certainly a stronger offering than the next two Stones albums (It's Only Rock'n'Roll and Black and Blue), which isn't to slag them. They've got their moments, just not as many.
On other hand, there's Under Cover of the Night from Undercover ...
posted by philip-random at 9:40 PM on January 1, 2010
"Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)" from Goat's Head Soup
Great song but there's not much moss on Star Star (Starfucker) either, or 100 Years Ago, Dancing with Mr. D, Silver Train, Can You Hear the Music, even Angie if you haven't already heard it a million times.
The only real fault with Goats Head as far as I can see is that it followed Exile on Mainstreet (a nigh on impossible album to top) and dared to have a perhaps overly "soft" mega-hit single. Song for song, it's certainly a stronger offering than the next two Stones albums (It's Only Rock'n'Roll and Black and Blue), which isn't to slag them. They've got their moments, just not as many.
On other hand, there's Under Cover of the Night from Undercover ...
posted by philip-random at 9:40 PM on January 1, 2010
I've just made the mistake of listening to Neu! 4 (semi-official 80's recordings released in Japan only a decade later) and this thread came to mind - 'Wave' (which appears twice in different forms) can almost stand alongside their 70's output, but I would pay money to have the very existence of the rest forever wiped from my mind.
posted by anagrama at 4:22 PM on January 6, 2010
posted by anagrama at 4:22 PM on January 6, 2010
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posted by scarykarrey at 10:05 AM on December 21, 2009