What albums do you consider 'perfect'?
May 20, 2008 1:48 PM   Subscribe

I'm looking for a list of perfect albums...

I know this turned up on either MeFi or AskMe a year or more ago, but all my searching and Google-fu hasn't turned it up.

What was posted originally was a link to an article about albums that are 'perfect', meaning that every track from beginning to end is worth listening to, and you never skip a track while listening to it. This turned into a discussion of MeFites own 'perfect albums'.

I'm converting from a driver-to-worker to a busing-to-worker in about four weeks and I figure now is the time to expand my musical horizons and fill up my iPod. I'd appreciate a link to the original post if it can be found and/or a new additions to the list.

Thanks!
posted by WinnipegDragon to Media & Arts (15 answers total)

This post was deleted for the following reason: posted previously - really it's the exact same question -- jessamyn

 
Best answer: Here
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:51 PM on May 20, 2008


Best answer: Oh, also note bwilms kindly compiled a list of all the suggestions in that thread in a comment near the bottom.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 1:53 PM on May 20, 2008


Air - Talkie Walkie
Jewel - Pieces of You
Sloan - Twice Removed
Sloan - One Chord to Another
posted by Salvatorparadise at 1:55 PM on May 20, 2008


Tool - Lateralus
Pink Floyd - The Final Cut
Bob Marley - Kaya / Babyon by Bus
posted by Roach at 2:00 PM on May 20, 2008


Almost forgot.....

Paul Simon - Graceland
posted by Roach at 2:00 PM on May 20, 2008


Best answer: A related MeCha thread.
posted by grabbingsand at 2:00 PM on May 20, 2008


My previous answer.

also:

The Shiners - Bonnie Blue Can't seem to get that one off rotation these days.
posted by marxchivist at 2:02 PM on May 20, 2008


Townes Van Zandt - Our Mother the Mountain. From the cover to the haunted voice and (perhaps silly) accompaniment, just perfect picture of the man.
posted by notsnot at 2:02 PM on May 20, 2008


Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
posted by electroboy at 2:04 PM on May 20, 2008


Problem is, it's still going to depend greatly on your taste in music.
A great deal of the (many, many) albums I have and listen to, I reckon fit into that criteria, far too many to list for sure.

But I'll throw some in...

The Mars Volta - most any album, but Bedlam in Goliath is the one I'm listening to a lot at the moment. Always perfect, and so full of variation that I feel you can't go wrong, but, somehow, not to everyone's taste!
The Cat Empire- self titled or Two Shoes. Both just perfect, so much fun, with a real mix of vibes from across the world.
Kroke - Trio. A stunningly perfect klezmer album.
One of the Queens of the Stone Age albums, not sure which, but not Songs for the Deaf which is imperfect in the second half.
Something by Tom Waits.
Youngblood Brass Band - Is That a Riot (I think) - awesome hophop/jazz/brass band album.
Balkan Beat Box - self titled.
Amadou and Mariam - Dimanche a Bamako - for some Manu Chao produced Mali goodness- fantastic summer album!
Sublime - self titled - a true classic.
Mark Lanegan - most any of his albums, though if you're not that into folk, Bubblegum is the best bet.
If you are into folk - anything by Crooked Still is just wonderful. And Bellowhead for some English folk.
Jaune Toujours - Brusk.
Think of One - again, any of them really, though NAFT/NAFT 2 are very good.
And most any of the Morphine stuff.
I'll also mention, Saul Williams - Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust if you like something heavier/hiphop. Oneof my albums of last year, and also System of a Down - Mesmerize and Hypnotize.

I could go on and on and on, since, as I say, most of the things I listen to are things that don't have a weak track on them.
posted by opsin at 2:05 PM on May 20, 2008


Graceland absobloodylutely.

Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Madonna - Ray of Light
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 2:07 PM on May 20, 2008


Vampire Weekend
Panda Bear Person Pitch
Arcade Fire Neon Bible, Funeral
LCD Soundsystem Sound of Silver
posted by minicloud at 2:08 PM on May 20, 2008


Oh, also note bwilms kindly compiled a list of all the suggestions in that thread in a comment near the bottom.

That list shows how pointless this kind of question is as anything other than a "quick, name your favorite album!" opportunity. It's all a matter of taste.
posted by mkultra at 2:09 PM on May 20, 2008


Aesop Rock- Labor Days
posted by nameless.k at 2:12 PM on May 20, 2008


The post DevilsAdvocate links to mentions The National - Alligator. I just wanted to second that. Their latest, Boxer, is also incredible.
posted by autojack at 2:17 PM on May 20, 2008


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