Jan 16, 2024 3:59:12 GMT System said:

25

Paranoid
Black Sabbath
(1970)

I’m aware I give out 10/10s like they are going out of fashion as an unaccredited guy just posting on PW but even the most jaded of music critics give this a 10/10.

Not only is the band credited as helping start a whole genre with their debut of the same name, this album is also incredibly influential and you not only hear its influences to this day but its contents. You’ll hear Iron Man or War Pigs in a film and not only do you not bat an eye (no pun intended) but it’s awesome.
For me my favourite on this album full of incredible tracks is Electric Funeral Fire, just an incredible atmospheric track.

Absolutely timeless album, even 54 years after its release it doesn’t sound dated whatsoever. Another masterclass in its genre.

Rating
10/10

It’s not the coolest answer to the “What is Sabbaths best album” question because of the overplayed commercial hits, maybe the awful album cover, but damn when you really compare it song for song it really is the most complete Black Sabbath album. I personally prefer Volume IV and really love the atmosphere of their first one. But can’t deny this is them at their peak and a perfect album.

20

Trout Mask Replica
Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band
(1969)


I’ve listened to some out there stuff before, I’ve even listened to all of Lou Reed’s Metal Machine Music and Merzbow’s Pulse Demon. So I try to keep and open mind with everything I listen to but even with the warning this was a challenging album I was still not prepared. This makes Death Grips look like AC/DC as far as an experimental sound goes. The vocals are as raspy as Tom Wait’s & instruments all over the place.

This hands down the strangest album I’ve ever heard in my life. All emotions and thoughts to this body of work were felt: this is the worst thing I’ve ever heard/this is a masterpiece. Despite sounding disjointed this album is actually meticulously planned from start to finish if I read the reports correctly then the vocalist could hardly hear the music in another room hence the vocals not being in sync. Out of all the weird stuff on this album the clips of the musicians talking in the studio detracting my enjoyment of this album the most.

This isn’t on Spotify nor Apple Music so I had to rely on someone’s YouTube upload so I don’t have a track by track breakdown not that’s is ever clear which track is which or what’s happening next.

I’ll give this album credit it’s a very bold artistic vision and I’ve never heard anything like it, for better or for worse. Very curious to hear anyone’s else’s thoughts on this if they’ve ever listened to it or if you want to enter at your own risk:




Rating
5/10

Jan 17, 2024 2:28:33 GMT System said:

Very curious to hear anyone’s else’s thoughts on this if they’ve ever listened to it or if you want to enter at your own risk:

Tried. Didn't get very far. Assumed I had been trolled.

I noticed this one ain't numbered. Maybe we've been HAD!

No but for real 30 seconds in I'm like

19

Tommy
The Who
(1969)

I love concept albums, and I’ve seen this recommend countless times so I figured this would be right up my alley and thankfully I was right. A fantastic rock opera in double album form following the difficult life of Tommy.

Plot synopsis from Wikipedia for those interested

SPOILER: Click to show

British Army Captain Walker goes missing during an expedition and is believed dead ("Overture"). His wife, Mrs. Walker, gives birth to their son, Tommy ("It's a Boy"). Years later, Captain Walker returns home and discovers that his wife has found a new lover. The Captain kills the lover in front of Tommy. Tommy's parents coerce Tommy into believing he did not see or hear anything. Tommy begins to disassociate and becomes deaf, dumb and blind to the outside world ("1921"). Tommy now relies on his sense of touch and imagination, developing an inner psyche ("Amazing Journey/Sparks").[4]

A quack claims his wife can cure Tommy ("The Hawker"). Tommy's parents are increasingly frustrated that he will never find religion in the midst of his isolation ("Christmas"). Tommy's parents neglect him, leaving him to be tortured by his sadistic "Cousin Kevin" and sexually abused by his uncle Ernie ("Fiddle About"). The Hawker's drug-addicted wife, "The Acid Queen", gives Tommy a dose of LSD, causing a hallucinogenic experience that is expressed musically ("Underture").[4]

As Tommy grows older, he discovers that he can feel vibrations sufficiently well to become an expert pinball player ("Pinball Wizard"). His parents take him to a respected doctor ("There's a Doctor"), who determines that the boy's disabilities are psychosomatic rather than physical. Tommy is told by the Doctor to "Go to the Mirror!", and his parents notice he can stare at his reflection. After seeing Tommy spend extended periods staring at a mirror in the house, his mother smashes it out of frustration ("Smash the Mirror"). This removes Tommy's mental block, and he recovers his senses, realising he can become a powerful leader ("Sensation"). He starts a religious movement ("I'm Free"), which generates fervor among its adherents ("Sally Simpson") and expands into a holiday camp ("Welcome" / "Tommy's Holiday Camp"). However, Tommy's followers ultimately reject his teachings and leave the camp ("We're Not Gonna Take It"). Tommy retreats inward again ("See Me, Feel Me") with his "continuing statement of wonder at that which encompasses him".[4]

On top of not only having a really interesting premise the music was also fantastic with underture and pinball wizard being my personal favourites but everything else on the album was great. Brilliant stuff.

Rating
10/10

18

Dusty in Memphis
Dusty Springfield
(1969)

Like George Elliot I think I can be forgiven for thinking Dusty Springfield was a man, imagining him as a country singer type like System’s Sr’s least favourite singer, Slim Dusty. I’ve heard son of a preacher man several times before but didn’t know the artist name.



Instead I was treated to the beautiful voice of the woman Dusty Springfield in a very relaxing and beautiful album. Normally I like albums with more energy and find chill albums rather sleepy but this was an exception.

A great album to just lay back and relax to, nothing overly complicated and a breezy 33 minutes.

Rating
10/10

Jan 17, 2024 2:31:32 GMT Baker said:

Jan 17, 2024 2:28:33 GMT System said:

Very curious to hear anyone’s else’s thoughts on this if they’ve ever listened to it or if you want to enter at your own risk:

Tried. Didn't get very far. Assumed I had been trolled.

I’ve listened to it after reading about it. Apparently they all lived in a house together and were kept poor, starving, and on drug by the Captain.

17

Beggar’s Banquet
The Rolling Stones
(1968)

This remaster is an improvement over the last album I listened to but I still can’t get into this band as it just comes across as generic rock. Which I acknowledge is unfair as they paved the way for many bands but nothing really stands out to me and when it does it’s in a bad way as the end of the album because some odd folk sounding mess.

A slight improvement over the last album but not by much.

Rating
4/10

16

The Kinks
are the Village Green Preservation Preservation Society
The Kinks
(1968)

A quirky whimsical take on a genre I haven’t been a huge fan of, a lose concept album focused on concerns of European and American culture taking over the UK. To be honest, that concept didn’t really come across upon first listen but I didn’t love this enough to re explore it.

The opening track is hilarious and out there as is Phenomenal Cat and Animal Farm but there a lot of misses weighing the album down. Still a better approach than the plain Jane sound I’ve heard of similar LPs though.

Rating
5/10

15

Astral Weeks
Van Morrison
(1968)

Man I loved this album as much as Van Morrison loves Covid conspiracies. Only song I’ve heard of his is Brown Eyed Girl as far as I’m aware. Just a great singer-songwriter album. Astral Weeks the opening track is great as are Cyprus Avenue and Ballerina but it’s an all around fantastic listen. Some odd vocalshere and there and the album ends on a bit of an abrupt dud but that’s my only gripe with it.

Rating
9/10

14

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
(1967)

Great soul album with beautiful instrumentals and amazing vocals on side a, just one problem. It’s hard to hear, even with the volume turned all the way up. This was a lossless version of the original (as far as I know) played through a stereo so wasn’t the fault of the equipment or source. I know I sound like goldilocks after the complaints about the loudness of the Rolling Stones remaster but somewhere between a wall of noise and parts of it being inaudible.

Side b improves this a little bit but sadly the tracks aren’t as good after dr.feel good.
Nonetheless outside of the production is a pretty good listen.

Rating

7/10

13

The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground & Nico
(1967)

I always see this on best album cover lists which could be another thread entirely.


Very Taboo by 1960’s standards, said album explores sexual themes and drug abuse.
While not as experimental as something as insane as Trout Mask Replica. Which side not I’m offended I was accused of a troll job, not on the albums same but more so that I think I’d do a much better job of trolling rather than giving warning an album is weird as can be.

Anyway back to this, I was already a fan of Lou Reed so that help boost my enjoyment and Nico’s vocals deliver also. The closing track European Sun was the only track on this I didn’t care for on an otherwise groundbreaking and brilliant album.

Rating
9/10

Am I the only one who just clocked that it's been going from newest to oldest? :lol: 

Jan 19, 2024 1:35:09 GMT System said:

13

The Velvet Underground & Nico
The Velvet Underground & Nico
(1967)

I always see this on best album cover lists which could be another thread entirely.


Very Taboo by 1960’s standards, said album explores sexual themes and drug abuse.
While not as experimental as something as insane as Trout Mask Replica. Which side not I’m offended I was accused of a troll job, not on the albums same but more so that I think I’d do a much better job of trolling rather than giving warning an album is weird as can be.

Anyway back to this, I was already a fan of Lou Reed so that help boost my enjoyment and Nico’s vocals deliver also. The closing track European Sun was the only track on this I didn’t care for on an otherwise groundbreaking and brilliant album.

Rating
9/10

I love I'm Waiting for the Man.

Jan 19, 2024 1:50:22 GMT @admin said:

Am I the only one who just clocked that it's been going from newest to oldest? :lol:

Damn, I completely missed that.

12

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Beatles
(1967)

Much like Thriller, this albums reputation proceeds itself and it deserves every accolade it gets. A great fun ride from start to finish and the sound mixing is incredible, one of the best produced albums I’ve ever heard.The title track, Lucy in the sky with diamonds and with a little help from my friends were my favourite tracks but the whole album was awesome.

Outside of how great the album sounds it had a phenomenal impact on society and music history that exists to this day.

Rating
10/10

11

Are you Experienced?
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
(1967)

Ok so there’s multiple versions of this album with varying track listing.
Keep in mind with these older albums this is back in the LP days and only so many songs could fit unless you release a double LP. Which is good for me as a lot of these albums are short and tend not to have filler. But also a problem when different tracks were hits in the uk but not in the US and vice versa.

There is a CD version of this but I wanted to review as originally intended so i just went with the UK version. I’ll do a separate thread but deluxe editions have been the biggest hindrance in getting through this list.

I’m not into psychedelic music nor can I play the guitar or really recognised the difference between a good and a masterful guitar player. So this album wasn’t really for me. I liked Fire, Foxey Lady and Third Stone from the Sun but this just wasn’t to my tastes that much.

Rating
4/10

Jan 19, 2024 1:35:09 GMT System said:

While not as experimental as something as insane as Trout Mask Replica. Which side not I’m offended I was accused of a troll job, not on the albums same but more so that I think I’d do a much better job of trolling rather than giving warning an album is weird as can be.

I wasn't referring to you. The Captain Beefheart troll guy was from like 15 years ago. Long before I had ever heard of PW.

Jan 19, 2024 23:20:14 GMT Baker said:

Jan 19, 2024 1:35:09 GMT System said:

While not as experimental as something as insane as Trout Mask Replica. Which side not I’m offended I was accused of a troll job, not on the albums same but more so that I think I’d do a much better job of trolling rather than giving warning an album is weird as can be.

I wasn't referring to you. The Captain Beefheart troll guy was from like 15 years ago. Long before I had ever heard of PW.

Man I need to re-read my posts, so many typos.
Gotcha, all good I wasn’t serious about being offended .

Anyway 10 albums to go 🥳

Jan 19, 2024 1:50:22 GMT @admin said:

Am I the only one who just clocked that it's been going from newest to oldest? :lol: 

I've been desperately trying to figure out the list System is referring to.

I thought it may be the highest acclaimed albums as per a particular music magazine or critic or musician from each decade in order of release date, but can't find a source online to match the list.

10

Forever Changes
Love
(1967)

An album that manages to have a level of variety while having a cohesive genre and brilliant lyrics. As soon as you think of 60s and 60s music you think of hippies, peace and Love.

Which this Love album is actually critical of, so cool to see this perspective amongst all the other 60’s albums. Alone again Or, andmoreagain, the red telephone and the old man were my favourites with the second half of the album having a slight lull as expected with side B.

Also crazy what happen to the lead singer Arthur Lee

SPOILER: Click to show

In late 1996, Lee was sentenced to 12 years for the negligent discharge of a firearm. California's three strikes law meant Lee was forced to serve a prison term, having previously served two years in jail for arson, and having been charged with various drug, driving and assault offenses.[16]

Lee denied that he had fired the gun, and visiting fan Doug Thomas who had denied involvement when the police responded later confessed to the deed. A year-delayed analysis of a gunpowder residue test conducted on Lee produced a negative result. Had he pleaded guilty, Lee would have been sentenced to nine months in jail, instead he chose a jury trial and was convicted. His sentence was pronounced at 12 years in prison.

While in prison Lee refused visitors and interviews. "I thought I would beat this case, so why would I want to broadcast it? This has been so humiliating to me."[17]

Former bandmates Bryan MacLean and Ken Forssi both died while Lee was incarcerated, ending any speculation as to a full-fledged Love reunion.

On December 12, 2001, Lee was released from prison, having served 5½ years of his original sentence. With the trial prosecutor having been found guilty of misconduct, a federal appeals court in California reversed the charge of negligent discharge of a firearm.[18]

- wiki

Overall a great listen.

Rating
8/10

9

Freak Out!
The Mothers of Invention
(1966)

This is cited as not only one of the first rock concept albums but one of the first double albums in rock music too. Zappa produced Trout Mask Replica so that should give you a sign what this album is like.While not as out there it’s still a weird goofy album, which didn’t win me over.

I liked Zowie Wowie and trouble every day and that’s about it, the last two tracks were particularly grating.

Rating
2/10

Jan 20, 2024 3:42:27 GMT System said:

9

Freak Out!
The Mothers of Invention
(1966)

This is cited as not only one of the first rock concept albums but one of the first double albums in rock music too. Zappa produced Trout Mask Replica so that should give you a sign what this album is like.While not as out there it’s still a weird goofy album, which didn’t win me over.

I liked Zowie Wowie and trouble every day and that’s about it, the last two tracks were particularly grating.

Rating
2/10

I like “Hungry Freaks, Daddy” a lot. Zappa is pretty hit or miss with people. Freak Out was a big inspiration on Paul while making Sgt Peppers.

8

Revolver
The Beatles
(1966)

The Beatles for me are the music equivalent of a book you dreading have to read in school turning out to be actually good when you read it on your own years later.
We’d watch documentaries in school and while interesting watching old guys in suits talk about the Beatles and pronounce it in an annoying moist way didn’t really sell me on them. Before this the only Beatles song I could tell you I liked and knew was yellow submarine, which appears on this album.

Much like Sgt Pepper this is brilliant, I didn’t care for the closing track but that’s only complaint. Apple Music has great write ups on a lot of these albums as well as lossless versions, idk if it’s Australia only but PlayStation have a 6 month trial for it at the moment.

A bit more straightforward and less experimental than Sgt Pepper so I can see why many people list this not only as their favourite Beatles album but their favourite album of all time.

9/10

7

Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
(1966)

Like Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, the sign of a great album is its featured/parodied in commercials. These ads were on constantly when I was younger:



I’ve seen this pop on countless best albums lists and have seen people cite this as their favourite album (someone on PW I believe too?) so I’m probably going to disappoint and say I don’t have too much to say. If anyone loves this album I’m interested in your thoughts and elaborating more.

It was an album of enjoyable tracks and interesting lyrics especially as the album progressed, I just wasn’t made for these times being the best example and the earlier tracks being more traditional songs.

Nothing as good as this though:



Rating
7/10

Been looking at it all wrong after consulting page 1. It isn't a goat list, simply one of those "listen to these before you die fam".

I have my guess for what number one will be. Not going to post it so I don’t potentially ruin anything.

Jan 20, 2024 21:51:12 GMT Gyro LC said:

I have my guess for what number one will be. Not going to post it so I don’t potentially ruin anything.

DM me and I’ll let you know, same goes with anyone else that wants to guess. (Except Sandylea)🤷🏻‍♀️

6

Otis Blue
Otis Redding/Otis Redding Sings Soul
(1965)

My introduction as to who Otis Redding was.

Commonly referred to as simply “Otis Blue”, this is mostly a cover album. That being said Satisfication is the only track I recognised as a cover and I was amazed to learn that Otis wrote Respect originally (covered on the Aretha Franklin album earlier in the list).

This was still a good listen with Otis’ powerful unique voice coming across in all tracks. I always imagined him as an older man singing these tracks, sad to know he died in an aeroplane crash at the age of 26.

Change gonna come, down in the valley and wonderful world were my favourite tracks. Still hard to rate a cover album particularly high, for example I liked the songs on APC’s eMOTIVe but I’d still put their original work much higher.


Rating
7/10

5

Bringing it all Back Home
Bob Dylan
(1965)

Huge improvement over the last album I listened to, while some tracks still have the same dreariness Blood on the Tracks did this was overall much more of a fun and lively record. Bob Dylan’s 115th dream was hilarious, the opener subterranean homesick was great and on the road again was highly enjoyable.



Rating
8/10

4

Live at the Apollo
James Brown and the Famous Flames
(1963)

Other than when I got sun poisoning I don’t think I’ve ever felt as white as the day sandylea and I went on the Harlem walking tour (beautiful houses and cool to see Alexander Hamilton’s house)

Which finished near the famed Apollo theatre, which this live album was recorded at in 1962. Other than I feel good, papa’s got a brand new bag and it’s a man’s,man’s,man’s world I’m pretty unfamiliar with Brown’s work.

This album seems to much more of a documentation of a stellar performance of hitting out of the park, as you tell by the extremely hyped (and at times Ear-peircing)
crowd. So the energy is definitely there and it’s a fun album but I think this may have been much more enjoyed by the people in attendance.

Rating
6/10