I didn't know whether to put the year on Ariel Pink's albums as the year he released them on CD-R, or the year they got wide release on an actual label. I decided to go with the latter, because that's how most people will know them better.

I wasn't aware he had any sort of solo career. What can you tell me about it?

np: Television, "Elevation"

If/When we do genres, you think we should put in a Greatest Hits/Compilation/Box Set category?

I'm with Billzebub in the wariness of rating a compilation alongside an album. It can be similar to comparing the NFL 75th Anniversary team with the 2004 Steelers. Steelers had a helluva run, but Big Ben ain't no Johnny U.

At the same time, there are some compilations that may be all you want from an artist, and the ratings might help you sort out whether it's worth it or not. Say, 40 Licks or Neil Young's Decade.



np: Television, "Prove It"

one thing these charts are doing for me is reminding me of albums i've wanted for a while but had forgotten about

As far as the compilation/greatest hits issue, I think they are valid for the charts in some cases.

1.If a comp is really the easiest way to hear an artists work-Chuck Berry(The Great 28
2.If they are acknowledged classics in their own right-Buzzcocks(Singles Going Steady)
3.If for an overwhelming amount of people they were the first introduction to an artists work-Bob Marley(Legend)

Of course, I'm willing to hear opposing viewpoints.

Steve

I agree with this completely and believe their inclusion is a good thing, but if I'm looking to venture into say, Warren Zevon territory and I see I'll Sleep When I'm Dead I may not realize that's an anthology. At the same time, if I know I like a handful of Buzzcocks tracks but don't need the entire discography, having Singles Going Steady labled as a comp I'm more likely to just pick it up rather than sifting through the ratings of individual albums.

Also, I prefer not to pick up a compilation or anthology as a first venture into an artist if I'm unfamiliar with them, though others may differ, and this just helps to clarify.

his solo "career" spanned the album.. I cant really say anything other than weird.. stoned and weird.. the review at allmusic is pretty spot on

With Rick James, no less. Hmm.

i added a deerhoof album & kasey chambers.

anyone else?

added some beulah & m.ward

What about Hot Rocks? One of the only Stones albums I own besides Exile & Tattoo You.

Lambchop - I Hope You're Sitting Down, Hank, How I Quit Smoking, Thriller, What Another Man Spills, Nixon, Tools In The Dryer, Is A Woman, Aw Cmon/No You Cmon.

added:

Lift to Experience - The Texas-Jerusalem Crossroads

You may already know this but I think it may be a common misperception people have about that album...Singles Going Steady isn't a comp in the sense of being a career spanning greatest hits, pulling best songs off each album. Its a collection of singles and b-sides, all but 2 of which never made it on to another Buzzcocks album. So you can decide that Singles is all you need, but in my opinion, you'd be doing yourself a big disservice. For my ears, the best songs off of Another Music in A Different Kitchen and A Different Kind of Tension are better than the best songs off Singles, even if A Different Kind of Tension isn't as consistent in quality. I think I probably would actually rate Another Music in A Different Kitchen above Singles.

I just added both those albums along with more by Bill Fay, Gram Parsons, The Stranglers, The Undertones, the New Year, Squeeze, The Plimsouls, Paul Siebel, Chris Bell, Colin Blunstone, John Cale and others I'm sure I'm forgetting.

for the love of god, get their albums.

Just added some more Can, Sonic Youth, Fugazi, some Racebannon, and some more Wire just for the Senator.