ATC Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 ... according to about.com 1. The Beatles Essential Album: Revolver With record sales estimated at more than a billion worldwide, no other band had a greater influence on the course of rock music. 2. Pink Floyd Essential Album: Wish You Were Here They had one of the flashiest stage shows of any band, but their music gained its most fame being used in movies. 3. The Who Essential Album: Who's Next One of the first, most successful, and longest lasting "power trios," this group was innovative both musically and technically. 4. Rolling Stones Essential Album: Sticky Fingers The original "bad boys" of rock, they are among the most durable bands, recording and touring with few breaks since they began in 1961. 5. Led Zeppelin Essential Album: Led Zeppelin IV Their Stairway To Heaven is believed to have received more radio airplay than any other song in history, even though it was never released as a single. 6. Eagles Essential Album: Their Greatest Hits Another of rock's longest-lasting acts, their 1976 greatest hits album is the biggest selling album of all time. 7. Grateful Dead Essential Album: Anthem Of The Sun One of San Francisco's first "flower power" bands, their fan following is nearly as strong today as it was when the group disbanded in 1995. 8. Jefferson Airplane / Jefferson Starship Essential Album: While Bathing At Baxter's Pioneers of the Psychedelic Rock genre, they were in the vanguard of the counter-culture of the '60s and '70s. 9. The Doors Essential Album: The Doors In spite of a short life and limited discography, they became one of rock's most popular and influential groups. 10. Moody Blues Essential Album: Days Of Future Passed With the exception of a few years in the mid-70s, this progressive/psychedelic group has toured and recorded since 1964. 11. Fleetwood Mac Essential Album: Rumours After numerous personnel and musical style changes, their 1977 Rumours album is still among the top ten best selling albums ever. 12. AC/DC Essential Album: Back In Black This pioneering hard rock/heavy metal group has sold an estimated 100-million albums worldwide. 13. Boston Essential Album: Boston When their first album was released in 1976, it was the highest grossing debut album ever seen up until that time. 14. Cream Essential Album: Wheels Of Fire The group existed for less than three years but staked its place as one of the first and most enduringly popular of rock's "power trios." 15. Def Leppard Essential Album: Hysteria Futuristic instrumentation and vocal harmonies have kept them near the top of the all-time best selling album lists for a quarter of a century. 16. The Byrds Essential Album: The Byrds' Greatest Hits Aomng the pioneers of Folk Rock, their popularity in the mid-60s rivaled that of the Beatles. 17. Aerosmith Essential Album: Toys In The Attic Originally written off as Rolling Stones imitators, the group has consistently produced multi-million-selling albums for 30+ years. 18. Santana Essential Album: Abraxas This groundbreaking Latin Rock group timed the release of its first album to coincide with a highly successful performance at Woodstock in 1969. 19. Blood Sweat & Tears Essential Album: Blood Sweat & Tears Virtually a small orchestra, this group established a milestone in rock history with its large horn section and jazz-blues orientation. 20. Van Halen Essential Album: 1984 One of the most innovative and influential heavy metal groups of the late '70s, the group continues to perform some 30+ years after its inception. 21. ZZ Top Essential Album: The Best Of ZZ Top The self-proclaimed "little ol' band from Texas" was one of the earliest influences in Southern Rock, and continues so, three decades later. 22. U2 Essential Album: The Joshua Tree Ireland's best known rockers have been a successful fixture on album charts and in concert venues since their formation in 1976. 23. Allman Brothers Essential Album: Eat A Peach The success of their unique fusion of hard rock, blues, jazz, and classical music has secured this group's immortality. 24. Journey Essential Album: Greatest Hits Its jazz-flavored progressive rock sound has been a fixture in the rock scene since 1973. 25. Traffic Essential Album: John Barleycorn Must Die This group had far greater success with albums than with singles, and thrived in spite of numerous personnel changes and long breaks. Interesting list... Here's my top ten. 1. The Marshall Tucker Band 2. Jethro Tull 3. Bob Dylan 4. Pink Floyd 5. The Outlaws 6. The Charlie Daniels Band 7. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils 8. Crosby, Stills, & Nash 9. Buffalo Springfield 10. Poco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 ... 3. The Who Essential Album: Who's Next One of the first, most successful, and longest lasting "power trios," this group was innovative both musically and technically. Yes yes yes!! I'll write a fan letter to about.com right now. I'm only a bit frustrated about the power trio. Good list! Didn't expect to see Blood Sweat and Tears on there, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 This is a boring list. Who here hasn't heard these bands or even owns all their back-catalogue? There should be a published list out there of "The Best 25 Bands You Have Ignored Or Have Not Heard." Hmph. Looks like I found something in vein to what I'm referring to: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36736/Top_100_Albums_of_the_1980s If you can get past the indie dilettantes, there's some good stuff included in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Well, obviously there's nothing new on that list, but that's what you would expect from a Top 25 list, wouldn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I don't know the source (about.com... are they a search engine or something?), so I don't know what to expect. This is actually more like "top 25 Rock Bands" and they didn't include anyone from the 90s... as if time stopped at 1982 (ironically, they did not include Elvis Presley, so the 50s are a total blank as well). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 (edited) Elvis Presley is not a band. I don't think the source matters. This is your average Top whatever band list. Move some bands up and down a bit, but 90% of them will always be present, and more contemporary bands are seldom included. Which isn't a bad thing, in my eyes. Of course if you've got a list by a magazine like New Musical Express, they'll have Arctic Monkeys and the Strokes and such in their top ten, but that's something different again. Edited September 7, 2006 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTallOne Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 This actually one of the better and I think more accurate lists that I have ever seen. Although I personally think the Beatles are not #1, but there is no denying their influence on rock. U2 should be higher, but I am glad that The Who and Pink Floyd are ahead of the Rolling Stones (who I dislike) and Led Zepplin (who just don't rank high on my list, even though I like them). This is also one of the first lists that give the Grateful Dead the credit they deserve, because they are normally ignored on most lists I've seen. I am also suprised (and glad) the Moody Blues show up on the list at all, especially that high. This is definentaly a pretty radical and unconventional list, but I like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Yeah, that's what I think too. Some surprises, but good ones, and similar to what I would have said/written. I don't like that Led Zeppelin are so high on most lists (like some of their stuff, but they're very definitely overrated), so I'm happy about their rank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 The source does matter. As you stated, "If it was this-or-that" music magazine, the list would be different. If it was pitchfork media, I'd expect to not have heard almost half the junk they list. If it was Rolling Stone magazine, I'd expect it to be about Rock. If it was Blender, they include some new bands and artists, etc. The fact this list omits artists just because they don't belong to a band makes the list even more boring: No Elvis, No Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Billy Joel (i.e. artists who would certainly make a general top list of top 40 Pop Rock). And where are the womyns? No Blondie, Garbage, and The Pretenders? This is why it's a boring list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Well, as I said, this is your average list (mostly, I don't want to contradict myself and my earlier post, and let's forget about the source for a moment), so I'm not surprised that there are no women on there. I'm sorry to say that I don't think any womens' band would fit on that list either, but I guess that has to do with my taste in music. I don't think you can say it's a boring list because there's no artists (solo) on it--it's a band's list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Yeah, I changed my mind back there. It's not a boring list at all - it's a very boring list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I'm not even going to ask you what makes it a very boring list in your opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 I'm not even going to ask you what makes it a very boring list in your opinion. Hehe. Yes, because I've already said why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 And I still don't agree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 That's kool and the gang, man. Another tought crossed my mind, "There is no HEART in this list!" I mean that literally and metaphorically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_s_1987 Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Their top five is the same as mine, except in a different order. Also, I have to point something out. If a list like this doesn't contain any bands that you wouldn't expect, then it is supposedly "boring", whereas if it does contain a band that you wouldn't expect, it would be labelled "controversial" or "weird". You just can't please everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATC Posted September 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 about.com has a section on their website dedicated to classic rock. The only problem with what they have to say is that they are very biased upon popularity and not making decisions according to what music is creative, or influential, or anything that didn't jive well with the corporate world even though it was highly accepted by the general public. They do try to take into account how a group made an impact to the musical scene, but other than that it's pretty much based on popularity. For instance, I feel Jethro Tull should be on that list and bands like ZZ Top and Def Leppard don't belong nearly as high as they are ranked (if you go no the website, you can actually see the top 50). But, it's not my opinion, and I just opened it up for discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Their top five is the same as mine, except in a different order. Also, I have to point something out. If a list like this doesn't contain any bands that you wouldn't expect, then it is supposedly "boring", whereas if it does contain a band that you wouldn't expect, it would be labelled "controversial" or "weird". You just can't please everyone. There are plenty of exciting and popular bands that should have made the "top 25": Guns 'N Roses instead of Def Leppard, for instance. Rush instead of something like Boston. Nirvana, even! Easy, easy pickin' there. I wouldn't think of choosing The Pretenders, Blondie, Heart, Garbage, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, et al. as "controversial" in the least - just giving credit where credit is due. It would show some good taste for the popular stuff. By looking at this top 25, it makes me think white noise has more sonic flavour since this list is 25 same flavours for "boring." This list is on cruise control and the speed setting is [boring]. If this list got any more boring it would be used as a general anesthetic. The only way I'd read another "top 25" from about.com would be in terms of the top 25 things I don't want about.com to make a "top 25" list out of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_s_1987 Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 There are plenty of exciting and popular bands that should have made the "top 25": Guns 'N Roses instead of Def Leppard, for instance. Rush instead of something like Boston. Nirvana, even! Easy, easy pickin' there. I wouldn't think of choosing The Pretenders, Blondie, Heart, Garbage, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, et al. as "controversial" in the least - just giving credit where credit is due. It would show some good taste for the popular stuff. By looking at this top 25, it makes me think white noise has more sonic flavour since this list is 25 same flavours for "boring." This list is on cruise control and the speed setting is [boring]. If this list got any more boring it would be used as a general anesthetic. The only way I'd read another "top 25" from about.com would be in terms of the top 25 things I don't want about.com to make a "top 25" list out of. Actually, I would agree with any of the Gunners, Nirvana or Rush being in that top 25. However, I don't personally think these bands are any more exciting than most of the ones in the list - but that's just my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 This actually one of the better and I think more accurate lists that I have ever seen. Yes, I agree with you. Not my fave bands but to be fair, it´s not bad. I would add some bands and take away some others but that´s just me, so anyways, it´s a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth-Angel Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Yeah, I changed my mind back there. It's not a boring list at all - it's a very boring list. I would say more a predictable list, than a boring one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malakin Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 This list has a pretty large basis in album sales and innovation. You may think Boston doesn't belong on that list, but their debut album is generally considered a turning point in the music industry. No one ever had a debut album that big before, and I mean that financially as well as sonically, they really pioneered arena rock anthems with that album. Rush has always been a good band, they're musically talented, they make lots of good music, but honestly, they've never achieved that status of being "huge" like these other bands. Garbage? Please, they've NEVER been that big. They're a radio staple when they have a single, but that's it. Heart? Heart were never pioneers of anything. They had a few good Zeppelin sounding singles in the 70's, and turned into pop "we sound like everyone else now" in the 80's, they don't belong on any list of this kind. The Pretenders, Blondie, Joan Jett, sure, they all sell lots of albums (or did once upon a time) but never with great consistency, they all had their moments to shine, but otherwise were flashes in the pan. Guns 'n Roses don't belong on that list either because of their own inconsistencies. The bands on this list all put out album after album of not only big selling albums, but also albums that were relevant to the time. Guns 'n Roses did that twice. Appetite and Use Your Illusion. Otherwise they put out dismal material, and were infamous for showing up hours and hours late to concerts, if they even showed, and generally made a mockery of their own careers. The only band mentioned to not be on there that I can agree with so far in this whole thread is Nirvana. I'm not a huge Nirvana fan, I have Nevermind, and I'm content with that, but it's hard to disagree with the impact they had on music in their short time together. You have to look at these lists with it in the back of your mind that these aren't necessarily the "greatest" bands, but that they are based on impressions garnered from album and single sales, stamina in the marketplace, influence on newer bands, that sort of thing. You can say that Led Zeppelin's overrated all you want, but you poll 100 rock bands today and ask them who their influences are, and I guarantee you that 99 of them say Led Zeppelin within 30 seconds. They changed so many things about how rock and roll music was recorded, performed, packaged... Their influence is undeniable. And now I've typed far too much and need to go read something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 (edited) I also noticed four of those bands have as an "essential album" a "best hits" compilation. That says little about the "consistency" of their actual albums. I'd definitely take out at least half of the bands in this list and place: - Steely Dan (many times better than anything Santana could muster) - Roxy Music - The Velvet Underground - Queen - Bon Jovi - T. Rex - Metallica - Rush - Blondie - The Cars (or Cheap Trick) - The Ramones Edited September 8, 2006 by Guest delete Hanoi Rocks from the list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daslied Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I also noticed four of those bands have as an "essential album" a "best hits" compilation. That says little about the "consistency" of their actual albums. I don't agree with that statement at all. I didn't look to see which bands you were referencing (which may be a key thing ), but anybody could have a greatest hits album. The Beatles have tons, but you can't really argue against the consistency of any of their albums (especially Rubber Soul and those that followed). A band could have 10 great albums, but you could easily pick one or two highlights from each to make such a compilation. Sure, little thought is put into making most of these compilations (other than the fact that the production is ridiculously cheap compared to a new album), but I'm just nitpicking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Yes, but in a top list of anything, if you want to refer to consistency of output the last thing you want to do is place a compilation of their work to say they're consistent. For all we know, the best hits compilation compiles the hit singles and leaves off the filler material they don't want to talk about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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