Saturday Music Thread

Posted on 05/02/2009 at 3:31 pm by Bob Cesca

John Cole got me thinking about perfect albums. I only have one qualification for this honor: that every song is strong. No weak spots. No filler. So off the top of my head, here are five examples of perfect albums.

The Flaming Lips – “The Soft Bulletin”
The New Pornographers – “Challengers”
Death Cab for Cutie – “Narrow Stairs”
Rush – “Snakes & Arrows”
U2 – “Achtung Baby”

Add your lists in the comments. Remember: this isn’t a “greatest albums” list. These are perfect albums in which every song is equally superior.


More…Fleetwood Mac – “Rumors”Metallica – (black album)Pearl Jam – “Ten”Prince – “Purple Rain”Foo Fighters – “There Is Nothing Left To Lose”Pink Floyd – “Animals” (One of Cole’s perfect albums)The Beach Boys – “Pet Sounds”

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  • http://www.xkcd.com/ ∇•B=0  Silly Ratfaced Git  ∇•D=ρ

    Brian Eno – Here Come the Warm JetsKing Crimson – Lark’s Tongues in Aspic

  • Michael in Brooklyn

    Tough criteria. These came to mind.Tom Waits – Frank’s Wild YearsElliott Smith – Figure 8Van Morrison – Astral WeeksWeezer – Pinkerton

  • http://tarackian.deviantart.com J M Ashby

    Weezer – The Blue album(only name for it) it was their first albumEvery song is great and memorable. I’ve had 4 hard copies of it since 1994 because me and friends and my brother listened to it so many times it scratched to death.

  • http://handoverfist.blogspot.com/ Paul

    Although Snakes & Arrows is a great album, I find some low points – and this is coming from a huge Rush fan – so I constantly wrestle with what I would listen to most start to finish… (Thanks for steeling Rumours from me) On with my list…Rush – Moving PicturesMike Oldfield – IslandsRik Emmett – AbsolutelyBoston – BostonMeatloaf – Bat Out Of Hell (1)

  • Curly Lasagna

    Mr. Cesca -I absolutely love the New Pornographers, but I place “Twin Cinema” over “Challengers.” Every song is an absolute joy.I would add:Elvis Costello – “This Year’s Model” (so many perfect albums, it’s very tough to choose just one)Wilco – “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot”The Rolling Stones – “Exile On Main Street”Nine Inch Nails – “Pretty Hate Machine”Nick Lowe – “Jesus Of Cool”Warren Zevon – “Warren Zevon” (see the Costello remark above)Bob Dylan – “Highway 61″Now you’ll have me thinking of more all day……….

  • http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/bird/flamingo/honolulu/flamingo01.jpg veralynn

    I can only think of one that is perfect, IMO.Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moonis anyone really surprised? lol I didn’t think you would be

  • Frazer

    I totally agree about the Soft Bulletin–may be their only perfect album. To the list, I add:Joni Mitchell–Court and SparkThe triumvirate of perfect indie albums from 1984: Let it Be by the Replacements, Zen Arcade by Husker Du, and Double Nickels on the Dime by the Minutemen.Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth.Tanglewood Numbers by the Silver Jews.Rope-a-dope by Antietam.Love reading all these–thanks, Bob!

  • http://www.sixtyftsixin.com fightoffyourdemons

    Off the top of my head:Brand New: The Devil and God are Raging Inside MeNine Inch Nails: The Downward SpiralDeath Cab for Cutie: Transatlanticism (though I’d listen to debate on the last few songs)Arcade Fire: Neon BibleI agree with Curly on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and J M on the Blue Album as well.

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    Yes, definitely Achtung Baby by U2andIn Utero by NirvanaAppetite for Destruction by GNRHEY, I want to put in a plug for Dan Auerbach’s new album. It is titled “Keep It Hid.”Everytime I read or write that title I want to add “DEN” to the end of the last word, but whatever.

  • http://www.bobcesca.com Bob Cesca

    Curly — Twin Cinema is excellent, but Challengers is tighter. It’s their Soft Bulletin.

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    Oh, you added more…Yeah, definitely Purple Rain by PrinceTen… hmmm.. I love every song except “Jeremy.” I fucking hate that song, and I remain seated when they play it live… hate the video, hate the lyrics, hate that it’s devoted to a little brat”Yield” is probably my favorite Pearl Jam album.

  • LittleThunder

    Doobie Brothers–Stampede

  • jenski42

    I have but one to add:Radiohead – OK Computer

  • Drummer Doug

    Wow, that’s tough. I immediately started listing my favoritealbums, but then I had to reevaluate based on your criterion ofNO BAD SONGS. It seems that most of my favorites have at leastone song on them that I usually skip, so this list is small.

    I would add:

    The Alan Parsons Project: "The Turn of a FriendlyCard"
    Asia’s first album, "Asia"
    Bob Seger’s "Against the Wind"
    and the soundtrack to the movie "Get Shorty"

    And here’s a fairly esoteric one: Kitaro’s "AstralVoyage"

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    Two embarassing omissions from yours truly:Raw Power by Iggy and the StoogesLust for Life by Iggy Popand two dark horses that aren’t necessarily considered classics:Fever to Tell by The Yeah Yeah YeahsaaaandGorillaz by GorillazThat last album never gets its due because it’s mostly playful, but you hear riffs and beats from it on almost every TV and radio show imaginable.Damon Albarn= musical genius

  • mattpddm03

    Bob Dylan – Blood on the TracksElvis Costello – My Aim is TrueSteely Dan – AjaWilco – Summerteeth & A Ghost is Born (I’m with you Curly on YHF, until Reservations, other wise they would’ve had three in a row).

  • JackDanieL

    Paul Simon – Graceland(Where do I pick up my prize? )

  • thruwithbuzz

    Steely Dan – “Aja”Donald Fagen – “The Nightfly”Tom Petty – “Fullmoon Fever”Neil Young – “After the Gold Rush”Bruce Springsteen – “Darkness on The Edge of Town”

  • Kat

    Jeff Buckley – GraceAnd I second the nominations of U2 “Achtung Baby” and Metallica (the black album).

  • LoewLife

    Metallica – “Master of Puppets”Iron Maiden – “The Number of the Beast”Slayer – “Reign in Blood”Lamb of God – “As the Palaces Burn”

  • http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/bird/flamingo/honolulu/flamingo01.jpg veralynn

    Automatic for the People-REM

  • http://www.osborneink.com Matt Osborne

    MG: “Jeremy” isn’t devoted to a brat, it’s about children acting out when it’s the only form of expression that seems to get attention. Columbine explained before Columbine happened.

  • Elizabeth

    I’m showing my age..Elton John – “Tumbleweed Connection”

  • thespacecowboy

    A lot of people listening to some good music around here! Thought I’d throw in a couple of quintessential jazz albums in too.Olivia Tremor Control – Black Foliage: Animation MusicPavement – Wowee ZoweeMiles Davis – Kind of BlueBrian Eno – Another Green WorldFila Brazillia – Luck Be a Weirdo Tonight

  • thespacecowboy

    Also meant to include…John Coltrane – Giant Steps

  • SharksBreath

    I’ll cover the HipHop perfect albums.Boogie Down Productions Krs I-Criminal Minded.By All Means Necessary.Public EnemyIt Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold us Back.2Pac – All Eyes on Me.MakaveliDr Dre – The Chronic.The Beastie Boys – Licensed to IllNas: It Was WrittenIllmaticNotorious B.I.G., Ready to DieRaekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Snoop Doggy Dogg, DoggystyleGhostface Killah, Supreme Clientele

  • http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/bird/flamingo/honolulu/flamingo01.jpg veralynn

    ok I will probably be blasted for this, but here goesDixie Chicks-Taking the Long WayI do not normally like country, but I wanted to show some support for them so I bought this cd. It was worth the money. Plus, I got to tell bushco to suck it all at the same time! Talk about bonus.

  • http://homepage.mac.com/wildlifeweb/bird/flamingo/honolulu/flamingo01.jpg veralynn

    I would also have to addThe Who-Who’s NextVan Halen-Van HalenLed Zeppelin-IIand agree withPearl Jam-tenFleetwood mac-RumoursGuns and Roses-AppetiteStones-Exile

  • Canaris

    Riot-Fire Down Under (it’s hard rock, but one of the finest examples of the genre ever put on vinyl)David and David-Welcome To The Boomtown (best album of the 80′s, easily)

  • wallygator

    Bad Company-Bad CompanyAerosmith- Get Your Wings

  • Elliott

    I nominate mostly stuff from before my time, including some concurrences:Beach Boys – Pet SoundsBob Dylan – Highway 61 RevisitedRolling Stones – Let It BleedThe Beatles – Abbey RoadThe Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour (for my money, their most underrated album)The Band – The BandVan Morrison – Moondance (although, once you’ve heard the Last Waltz version of “Caravan,” there’s no going back)Bob Dylan – New Morning (another unrecognized great)Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the MoonI could go on with a whole fuckin’ page of perfect and near-perfect albums, and I know a hell of a lot more that are complete genius but have that one song that I always skip over (number nine…number nine…)…but I have this thing to live – it’s called a “life.”

  • Hugh Jass

    You guys are both wrong about the New Pornographers: Electric Version is their most perfect album.Other picksSupersuckers – La Mano CornudaJanes Addiction – Either album, I can’t decideSlayer – Reign in BloodBeastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique

  • http://emsique.blogspot.com emsique

    Isn’t taste subjective?Genesis-Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayPink Floyd-Dark Side of the MoonRadiohead-Kid APrimus-Frizzle FryAllman Brothers-Live at Filmore East and the re released version with the Eat a Peach live stuff is even better.

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    Columbine explained before Columbine happened.Posted by: Matt Osborne at May 2, 2009 5:54 PMI rest my case.Brats.Jeremy is based on, I believe, a Texas brat who unloaded on his school.Those fuckers don’t deserve a song.Cae closed.

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    *Case

  • http://www.sigzone.blogspot.com MG

    I just used wikipedia. It claims that it is actually based on a Texas kid who committed suicide. Wah, wah.

  • shogan

    Beach Boys – Pet SoundsThe Beatles – RevolverKind of Blue – Miles DavisAnd one from this era:Yellow House – Grizzly Bear

  • Seedspeed

    Some inspired choices – especially glad to see the Supersuckers represented. How about…Doolittle – The PixiesHow Will the Wolf Survive? – Los LobosEverything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today – Slobberbone (hunt this one down, folks!)In Outer Space – SparksWho’s Next – The Who (even Entwistle’s song is great!)Imperial Bedroom – Elvis CostelloTen – Pearl Jam (really? refusing to stand when they play it live? THAT’S where you draw your line in the sand?)Southern Rock Opera – Drive-By TruckersThat’s my list, anyway.

  • Kilgore Trout

    The Clash – London Calling (The only band that matters!)

  • thruwithbuzz

    Here’s some more:Little Feat – Dixie ChickenJeff Beck – WiredStevie Ray Vaughn – Couldn’t Stand the WeatherLed Zeppelin – I, II, III, Physical Graffiti & Presence

  • thruwithbuzz

    I forgot one I just listened to last night: Alice in Chains – Dirt

  • Teaflax

    Man, eclecticism is dead, it seems.Yes – Close to the EdgeSquarepusher – Hard Normal DaddyElbow – The Seldom Seen KidMomus – The Poison BoyfriendMr. Bungle – CaliforniaAnd five more not canonized by traditionalists;It Bites – Once Around the WorldJellyfish – Spilt MilkNick Drake – Bryter LayterThe Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride to the PharcydeArt of Noise – The Seduction of Claude Debussy

  • Dr. Squid

    Carcass – HeartworkOpeth – Blackwater ParkJello Biafra and Mojo Nixon – Prairie Home InvasionThe Black Album is about two songs too long.And as a rule, if the Pitchfork crowd’s opinion of a band is, “ZOMG how can you not like _____? You’re completely stupid if you don’t like ____!” _____ is crap. Examples: Pavement and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

  • joshua Wilson

    Rush – Exit Stage Left

  • ceu

    Jackson Browne – Late for the Sky (actually, his first 3 albums)Billy Joel – TurnstilesJesse Colin Young – Song for JuliI’m old.

  • rogect8

    Apparently veralynn and I have similar taste in music. The two I could think of are:Dark Side of the Moon (my favorite of alltime)Automatic for the PeopleI’ve also gotta second shogan’s choice of Revolver. It’s so godamn awesome that I’m willing to call it ‘perfect’ in spite of yellow submarine. Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper’s deserve consideration as well, but have at least 2 ‘skip over’ tracks each.

  • Guest

    Do they have to be rock artists’ albums?Emmylou Harris – “Angel Band”The Carpenters – “A Song for You”Carol King – “Tapestry”

  • JackDaddy

    Veralynn:I absolutely, completely agree!! The songs are great even without the back-story.My contributions:Loretta Lynn’s “Van Lear Rose”Shaw-Blades’ “Influence.” Tommy Shaw of Styx and Jack Blades of Night Ranger covering their fave songs from their youth — although this CD might not be allowed because all the songs were ALREADY great before they ever recorded them.Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck “The Sparrow Quartet”

  • Tusz

    Gotta agree on a few I saw in there. Kind of Blue, Soft Bulletin, Challengers, a couple others. I’d include:Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain (difficult to just pick one of them)The Grateful Dead – American BeautyJohn Coltrane – A Love SupremeYo La Tengo – I Can Hear the Heart Beating as OneAndrew Bird – The Mysterious Production of EggsBelle and Sebastian – If You’re Feeling Sinister

  • SDgoat1

    Glad to see DBT’s – Southern Rock Opera get some mention – a double perfect album no less!I’d add:John Hiatt – Walk On, Bring the Family(hell almost all his albums are excellent from start to finish)Beatles – White Album (yes Revolution #9 included)Little Feat – Waiting for Columbus (another perfect double)Johnny Cash – Live at Folsom PrisonFrank Zappa – Joe’s Garage Acts I – IIIKudos to Iron Maiden’s – Number of the Beast – one of this old metal heads favoritesJudas Priest’s Sad Wings of Destiny is also excellent from start to finish and under appreciated

  • don’tlookbackinanger

    miles davis: kinda bluemark eitzel: 60 watt silver liningpj harvey: drycaptain beefheart: safe as milknick drake bryter layterelvis costello: spikebill evans: portrait in jazzcat power the greatestdj cam: mad blunted jazz-THANKS to all for the many recs.

  • shane

    “Who’s Next” – The Who”Blood on the Tracks” – Dylan”American Idiot” – Green Day”Songs For Swinging Lovers” – Sinatra

  • J0hnGalt

    Beck – GueroRolling Stones – Exile on Main StreetPink Floyd – Wish You Were Here & MeddleBeatles – Abbey RoadRadiohead – Kid A & OK ComputerElton John – Tumbleweed ConnectionBlack Crowes – Southern Harmony & Musical CompanionTom Waits – Frank’s Wild Years

  • virgil

    challengers is like 80% filler, it’s literally the worst new pornographers album

  • Klaus

    Dimmu Borgir – In Sorte DiaboliDef Leppard – SlangIron Maiden – Piece of Mind, PowerslaveMelechesh – DjinnPushmonkey – PushmonkeyTartanic – Uncivilized

  • Klaus

    Forgot to add – I totally concur with Pearl Jam’s “Ten” on the list.I’d also have to throw in:Stone Temple Pilots – Core

  • http://www.introspectiveliar.blogspot.com lulu

    Not to be critical, but women musicians don’t seem to be in abundance here. I agree with Court & Spark and Tapestry. Not having Carole King, Joni Mitchell & these two albums on the list would be a sin.I’d also add:Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little PillThe Police – SynchronicityThe Waifs – Up All NightJames Taylor – Hourglassand no list is complete without:Lucinda Williams – Sweet Old World

  • http://zirgar.blogspot.com/ ZIRGAR

    Well, here’s my two cent’s worth:The Flaming Lips: Transmissions from the Sattelite Heart and Yoshimi Battles the Pink RobotsGrant Lee Buffalo: Mighty Joe MoonPink Floyd: Dark Side of the MoonPixies: Surfer Rosa and DoolittleRadiohead: Kid A and The BendsAlice in Chains: Jar of FliesInterpol: Turn on the Bright LightsRoxy Music: Siren and Avalon

  • Mark

    Public Enemy: It Takes a Nation of MillionsStevie Wonder: InnervisionsU2: Rattle and HumBob Marley: Legend

  • thruwithbuzz

    Sdgoat1, Waiting for Columbus is the Little Feat album I was thinking of.

  • http://cousinavi.wordpress.com cousinavi

    Oscar Peterson – Night TrainTom Waits – Heart of Saturday NightJJ Cale – (insert Cale album title here…there are no bad JJ Cale songs)Billy Cobham – Spectrum

  • Seedspeed

    A late addition – there have been a number of U2 albums mentioned, except what is for me their most perfect: The Joshua Tree.Sure, it’s an easy pick, and it’s probably been left off some lists because it’s too obvious… but dammit, it’s like listening to a greatest hits album, in a good way.Same with The Cars first album.And I’d have included The Police’s Synchronicity if it weren’t for that damned Andy Summers song.

  • http://www.newsonthemarch.net brentblah

    Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over The SeaThe Beatles – RevolverRadiohead – Kid ABen Folds Five – Whatever and Ever AmenArcade Fire – FuneralThe Decemberists – Castaways and Cutoffs

  • 24hourjack

    i guess im kinda late but here goes…wire-”pink flag”neko case-”fox confessor brings the flood”pixies-”doolittle”metallica-”ride the lightning”beach boys-”pet sounds”arcade fire-”the funeral”the misfits-”walk among us”the misfits-”earth a.d.”built to spill-”perfect from now on”

  • johnnyeye

    Chuck Berry- “The Great Twenty Eight”.Rock & Roll’s DNA in one collection.

  • Lesley

    T. Rex – Electric Warrior

  • http://www.thenewwearsoff.com Kyle

    The Doors – LA WomanSublime – SublimeI am hurt and disappointed that my fellow Cescans have forgotten The Doors (I would also argue for Strange Days if “Horse Latitudes” weren’t on the album).

  • incredulous72

    Ha! I love these lists; very eclectic indeed.Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah BandLed Zeppelin IVMichael Franks:”The Art of Tea”"Sleeping Gypsy”"Passionfruit”Minnie Riperton “Perfect Angel”

  • http://www.jpweightlossblog.com How I Lost Thirty Pounds in Thirty Days

    Hi, good post. I have been thinking about this issue,so thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely be coming back to your blog.

  • Chad

    depeche mode, violator

  • Frazer

    Okay, Purple Rain and Automatic for the People definitely belong here, and sorry I forgot them. Tumbleweed Connection is a pretty good addition too, but I quibble a bit because “Burn Down The Mission” is by far the best song, so they’re not all quite equally excellent. I will quibble with Tusz on the Yo La Tengo album choice, and also note YLT isn’t necessarily the best band to consider for this, since their records can be wildly inconsistent. I think their most consistent and second best is the most recent “I Am Not Afraid of You, and I Will Beat Your Ass” (best. title. ever.) but my favorite is still Electr-o-pura. I Can Hear the Heart is a fine record, but the long instrumental (mandatory for a YLT record) sucks, plus it’s ten minutes of suck, and EOP has only two short lousy songs. Plus it has “Blue Line Swinger,” which is one of the best rock songs ever recorded.

  • Brooklyn

    Aimee Mann – Bachelor No. 2Superdrag – Head Trip in Every KeyGeorge Harrison – All Things Must Pass

  • Guest

    incredulous72:I was JUST TODAY singing Michael Franks’ “Sunday Morning Here With You” to my sweet husband in celebration of a delicious (albeit rainy) Sunday morning.:-)

  • http://imaginistaphoto.blogspot.com/ Imaginista

    veralynn – you and I apparently have the same music collection.I’m totally late to the party but here’s my list:Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders From Mars – BowieCountdown to Ecstacy – Steely DanCrime of the Century – SupertrampLed Zep – IIDark Side of the Moon – PFScarlet’s Walk – Tori AmosAbbey Road – Beatles10 – Pearl JamFumbling Towards Ecstacy – Sarah McLachlinCloser to Fine – Indigo GirlsAutomatic for the People – REMSeal – Seal (2nd one from 1994)

  • Jason B.

    I used to own a independent music store, but that business is almost dead and gone.I could rattle off these kind of albums for days.if any of you have not heard these albums I suggest you seek them out and enjoy.The Clash “London Calling”Ben Harper “Fight For Your Mind”Morphine “Cure For The Pain”Medeski, Martin & Wood “Combustication”Blind Melon “Blind Melon”