This isn't so much about what you think the greatest album ever is or why you feel that way. It's more about how you come to the conclusion. Recently, I've seen mention of Loveless as the greatest and Funhouse as the second best ever.

I'm not singling out the choices based on their musical or artistic merits. I'm sure this will devolve into that sort of thing, and that's fine, but it's not really the intent.

What I'm curious is how one single work can stand unchallenged at the top of the heap. Personally, I couldn't possibly choose and stick to one album as the Number One Greatest Album Ever of All-Time. I have relatively smallish collection of albums that I can always count on to pull me in and surround me with 45-65 minutes of pure enjoyment every time, but each is valuable on its own and separate from the others.

I also don't proclaim any single work to be the greatest movie, book or painting. Even on a lighter note, I'm not sure it's possible to single out the greatest baseball or football player of all time.

So for those of you who do have All-Time Greatest Albums, how do you come to that conclusion? Do you ever think that your choice my slip from the top spot, only to be replaced by a newer or even an older album? Any other thoughts or insight you might want to add, go for it. This is just for fun.

Just FYI, I'm not one of those who wallows in the Greatest vs. Favorite argument. To me they are the same. Revolver may have opened a lot of doors, but I don't really like to listen to it, so it doesn't go on the top.

Hop On Pop

Queensryche "Operation: Mindcrime"

(insert Obner chuckles here)

Only record I have ever owned that I have never gotten sick of or taken time off from...

I have an urge to hear it every single day although I don't.
Since it's rlease in 1987, I have probably averaged at least 2 listens per week over the last 18 years.

that is even over OK Computer, which sometimes I give a month or 6weeks off in between listens.

I think you have to make the distinction. Double Nickels On The Dime by the Minutemen is my favorite album hands down, but it's far from the greatest album ever made.

I see your point, but what would you say the greatest is?

For me, I need to have categories within things that are defined as 'greatest', because I only know how to deal with absolutes.





Unless it has to do with morals.





Of course, no one has ever said to me, "Dude, faithfulness is the number one greatest moral of all time. Especially the wicked drum solo."




But I guess it could happen.

I'm not too far away from that.

And I think this thread addresses that distinction really well. When you are aware that sentimentality determines what you like, separating good from favorite becomes really easy.

Favorite: Sugar - Copper Blue (love it, always have, also an ode to my brother's influence in music taste)

2nd favorite and most frequent nomination for best: DJ Shadow - Endtroducing... (set a new standard for what sample-based music in any genre is capable of, and cross-genre is a big deal for me)

wu-tang.

That's mine, too!

I agree that favourites are sentimental; I've never had one singular number one forever album, although I've had tons of 'favourites' that still remain so, stuff like White Light/White Heat. Exile on Main St. will always be one of my practical favourites because it's a cool ass fucking record but some tend to be faves for their time travelling qualities. They're generally time-stamped and associated with a slew of memories and affective moments. Who here can't hear one certain album without thinking of someone you were with when it was playing? I've got a bunch of favourite albums that are like that.

I don't think I ever suggested that one of my favourites are among the 'greatest' albums of all time. Although I have argued that certain songs are perfect.

I love how no one will answer this seriously. Or is it that with all of all powers, there is the one, ultimate post, that we simply cannot make?

Or is it that people are to afraid that they'll get torn a new one?

Personally, I refuse to comment during an ongoing investigation.

I'll try.
1) Indie albums need not apply. It has to have a cultural effect that exceeds the music industry.
2) It has to stand up to the time test. Yes, I love this now but will I love 2 years from tomorrow. This is where the line between favorites and greatest gets blurred.
3) Does it sound dated? Is it as relevant today as it was when it came out?
4) Personal choice. What kind of records do I think define rock? Does said album fit into my context of rock n roll.

The greatest changes for me as I relisten and reinterpet albums from a certain club in my collection.

My favourite album is White Light/White Heat by The Velvet Underground as I'm sure you're all sick of me reminding you.

The reason for this is quite simple. Every song knocks me on the seat of my pants every single time.

The Wedding Present "George Best".

This record grabbed me from the first listen and hasn't let go for nearly 20 year.

Gedge's audible breath at the opening of "Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft" helps make this record. There are no weak tracks, and I can bounce with ease from considering one to another my favorite.

I can think of a handful of albums that are as consistent, but none as good. On top of its musical merits, the album came out at a perfect time for me, freshman year at college, and became a staple on my radio show. I've made it a point to see the band whenever they were in town, and they've rarely disappointed live. Nowadays, when they play any of the old GB tracks, its always the highlight of the show.

The record sounds as fresh to day as it did in the '80's.

Well, at least your ignoring both my posts and my PM. Good marks for consistency.

If your answer is that ANY Beatles album is the gresatest album of all time, then fuck you. I love the Beatles too, but this is a cop-out.

Of course I really really want to commit basically the same sin and say Nevermind. For no good reason other than it is just all good. It just sounds good, feels good, looks and even smells good to me.



I don't care if it's too polished. I don't care if you say some producer wrote all of the songs and played all of the instruments. I don't even care that I don't really listen to it that much.

Nevermind is just the album that defines rock to me, and rock in turn defines what is so great about SOUND.

Is that what you meant KungFU?

I could just say 'I can't pick the greatest' or 'I don't know greatest means' or 'there is no greatest; each little flower is special in its own way' but I would be lying. Nevermind is simply the greatest album of all time, and is better than anyone else's favorite, or greatest, or whatever. So there. I know it's lame but its true and you know it.

Fuck you all in advance for your (well-deserved) malicious tauntings.

i am nothing if not consistant... or maybe i'm something... or, i don't know. what was i saying?

I wasn't going to taunt you initially, but you're just huffing and puffing too hard. The reason many of us won't pick THE GREATEST is because there a lot of fucking perfect or nearly perfect records and to place Nevermind on top of the heap is just ridiculous. My first thought is expand your fucking record collection before making vast profundities. I love Nevermind, but Something in the Way removes it from the 'greatest' pile for me. I probably would have argued this for the greatest at some point, it was almost certainly one of my favourites, but since you want us to be honest and everything, it just ruins the fucking record. And that pretentious hidden track tacks it down another peg or two.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I was probably going too far. Just a couple of notes, though, for the record:

1. My greatest album is better than yours.
2. I have plenty of records too - but Nevermind is the greatest.
3. If you have a better suggestion, name it. Then the two greatest contenders of all-time will have a show-down, Obner style. Mine will win.
4. I forgot about the hidden track. New rule: Hidden tracks don't count.

1. Nevermind is not better than White Light/White Heat or Exile on Main St. End of story.
2. Fair enough.
3. See the Velvet Underground's first four albums, it's no contest. Nevermind is great pop, but for serious, academic discussion of a great record, consider the VU or maybe the Stooges' Funhouse. Even fucking COBAIN would agree with me.
4. If it's on the album, it counts.

My personal favorite album is Dinosaur Jr's Where You Been (Dino's at the top of all of my lists, pretty much).

The greatest album ever? Trying to be totally objective, I'd have to say Pink Floyd's The Wall. I love concept albums that are actually concepts and I think this one has a really interesting story, great songs that blend well together in the order they appear on the record, and are from a great band.

Song flow is absolutely crucial in determining a great album for me. I'd put OK Computer really high on the list for this reason as well. There are records with lots of great songs but few in which the songs fit together to make a great "album."

Other contenders:
The Who - Tommy
The Who - Who's Next
Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Beatles - Sgt. Peppers

Now we're getting somewhere. My NEVERMIND will take on your VELVET UNDERGROUND AND NICO, WHITE LIGHT/WHITE HEAT, ARCHETYPES, and (self-titled?). Oh, and FUNHOUSE.

Whichever one wins will henceforth be known as the greatest album of all time.

That hidden track isn't on the original pressing of the album, only the pressing after it became a surprise success. So count it or don't count it - its existence isn't going to alter anybody's opinions on Nevermind.

<--- not very list oriented. On any given day I couldn't tell you my top 5 albums or movies or books or whatever. I generally just split things into "worthwhile" and "not worthwhile", with the huge majority of everything falling under the latter heading.

They all suck.

Edit: except for anything done by VU and The Stooges.