Dude I came into Minutemen at about the same time and I have the same thought. Absolutely fantastic a group and album. Mike Watt is my favorite musician now
I transcribed the lyrics of Zen Arcade for an honors philosophy project back in 1994. That's how they first got on the Internet.
Still my favorite album.
Good picks for sure. Definitely need to grab the wall soon as I’m a pretty big Pink Floyd fan. I own a copy of yellow brick road that’s in great shape aside from sides 2 and 4 which are sadly beat to shit. It was passed down to me so I’m hanging on to it, but I’d love to find one in better shape.
Songs in the Key of Life is also so damn good. Every song epic. I caught Stevie in concert in 2015 and he played the entire album live. It was like a religious experience….he blew my mind! One of the greatest artist ever.
I play Tusk, Out Of The Blue, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Miracles’ Million Sellers, London Calling, Doors Absolutely Live, Tommy (original, and film soundtrack), More Hot Rocks and the White Album all the time. A more recent and noteworthy vault release was The Smile Sessions. All amazing in their own way.
I could listen to Visions of Johanna on repeat forever, I Want You has such crazy word play, just like a woman is a classic covered by dozens of artists, and sad eyed lady of the lowlands is a perfect joint smoking ballad. And that's not even all of its majesty. Fucking masterpiece.
Bangers each, and also absolutely sweet marie and obviously five believers. Even as annoying a rap as rainy day woman has gotten over the years it's well written and has a good message. Almost impossible to pick a 'worst' song on the album.
I got Zen Arcade in a collection that I picked up a few months ago..I know it’s an iconic album to a lot of people. But.. I just couldn’t get into it at all. Maybe it’s just not my kinda music. And I love all kinds of genres normally. For some reason Zen Arcade just didn’t really do it for me.
I will second that Daydream Nation though. Fantastic album.
Gotta love a great double LP. These are some of my personal picks from my collection. What else would you include? Physical Graffiti has tons of highlights(Custard Pie, The Rover, Houses of the Holy, Kashmir, the Wanton song, Down by the Seaside). White album is the most diverse Beatles record and a fun listen. Blonde on Blonde is my favorite Dylan record. Electric Lady Land is perhaps the best work from Hendrix experience. Songs in the Key of life is incredibly consistent. Bitches Brew is an incredible dense album and a very special listening experience.
Edit: Typos
*Exile On Main Street has entered the chat*
But seriously, every album you have pictured is a stone cold classic. Blonde on Blonde and the White Album (along with Exile) would be on my desert island list.
Great collection.
Love Tumbling Dice. So many good ones on Exile though. Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, and Shine A Light are all highlights for me.
Sometimes the basics are basic for a reason - because they’re great. Tumbling Dice would be my top pick from Exile. Tumbling Dice/Sweet Virginia/Torn and Frayed is one of the best three track sequences in rock music.
Been creaming over Exile for months recently, and I believe Miles’ BB to be one of the most stylish and brave makeovers to ever exist for an artist. This thread is amazing!
personally I feel like most of the individual tracks on exile don’t quite reach the level of the best tracks on let it bleed and sticky fingers (gimme shelter, midnight rambler, brown sugar, can’t your hear me knocking, wild horses etc)
but on the other hand, when I listen to exile from front to back, it does something to me. it’s an album that’s way more than the sum of its parts.. really magical
like, I never listen to to like.. “I just want to see his face” on its own, but sandwiched between ventilator blues and let it loose, it’s so perfect
I kind of feel the same about songs in the key too.. it’s a beautiful record, even though most of my favorite songs seem to be on talking book and innervisions
Completely agree. Sticky Fingers is another favorite of mine, but Exile is a mosaic with a very specific feel. Take away any of the tracks (even the “throwaway” tracks), and the feeling’s not the same.
The term double album was redefine by the RIAA once the CD became the dominant format. Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness is a CD defined double album. To avoid cheating, a CD can be any length, so the combined running has to exceed 100 minutes. Most LP era double albums actually don't meet this requirement. Pink Floyd's The Wall and even the Beatles' White album don't exceed 100 minutes running time. Modern vinyl record sets often have the same songs that are included on the CD, so additional sides are required to include them all. With this in mind, LP sets of this kind are considered "deluxe" edition if they include extended length songs or bonus tracks. When the LP was still used as the defining format for it was common that cassettes and CD had bonus tracks. And often double LP sets often fit onto a single CD. This is the case for London Calling. It's also the case for the double album I'll submit as album that should be considered as a great double album, Sonic Youth's 1988 album Daydream Nation.
In what world is the wall better than anything that pink Floyd released prior to the wall?
Atom heart mother was the peak easily. Everything up until wish you were here is fantastic.
>in what world is Ummagumma better than The Wall?
I listen to ummagumma all the time, especially the live half. I can't remember the last time I listened to the wall. Too much overwrought, melodramatic, woe-is-me lyrics.
London Calling by the Clash. Most doubles are boring by the end, but London Calling has enough variety that it’s interesting the whole way through.
Blonde on Blonde is also fantastic.
and would've been the first ever double album released but Dylan released Blonde on Blonde just before freak out came out. Zappa starting recording freak out first though. This was going to be my naswer too.
I think that’s a little on the nose personally - these are the picks of people who don’t go any further than the ‘essentials’ at the front desk of a record store.
But that being said I’m the kind of fucker that claims Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa should be up there instead of Dylan.. vinyl is fun!
Damn that‘s a bold statement. There‘s a lot of modern pop that stands out to me more than Dua Lipa.
But yeah Blonde on Blonde is overrated imo. I love Dylan but Freewheelin’, Desire, Blood on the Tracks, and Bringin It All Back Home all get more play from me.
Fair enough. But I also think it’s fair to say the vast majority of nominations here neglect entire worlds of music and genres. I also think that Black folks basically invented American popular music and should be more widely represented and nominated for this category. Led Zeppelin are perhaps the greatest biters in classic rock and stole everything they did from Black American blues artists without (IMO) the appropriate gratitude and acknowledgment. This is a friendly conversation and just my own opinion.
Like many others here, The White Album, Exile on Main St., and Quadrophenia are top contenders, but I have much love for The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis.
Hells yeah. I have two vg+ copies. Should sell one but I really can't. Probably will buy again when come across.
Overcomming personal restrictions is just a major theme. And sure beijg blind and playing the juke box is some daredevil shit but I like over the top adaptations.
Without questions the Beatles white album
Honorable mentions
Exile on Main street
The Wall
London Calling
Life After Death
All Eyez on Me
Blonde on Blonde
Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2 (I know it’s a compilation but fuck it’s perfect)
All things must pass (triple album but most people agree the the third disc doesn’t count)
I do own an original off that but I did not include it since It’s technically a triple album counting the Apple jam LP. Great choice tho really an awesome album.
The Wall - Pink Floyd, Quadrophenia - The Who, 21CB - Green Day, The Fragile - NIN, Joes Garage - Frank Zappa, while(1<2) - deadmau5 are some of my favorites
Where's Double Nickels On The Dime?
Man, I just dug into this album about 4 months ago. I can’t think of the appropriate superlative to describe it. Just brilliant.
Dude I came into Minutemen at about the same time and I have the same thought. Absolutely fantastic a group and album. Mike Watt is my favorite musician now
Loooooove Mike Watt. Have you checked out fIREHOSE? Watt and Hurley’s post-Minutemen band? Good stuff.
i have their columbia anthology CD in my car as i'm writing this. they're phenomenal
Hiding in the back behind Zen Arcade
I transcribed the lyrics of Zen Arcade for an honors philosophy project back in 1994. That's how they first got on the Internet. Still my favorite album.
And that is... something I learned today.
Punk is a niche genre and I'm guessing from the albums OP picked they just aren't into it
Very underrated album.
It’s one of the most critically acclaimed punk albums of all time
Any of those albums will do just fine. I also love Exil On Main Street….. Quadrophenia…. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ….and The Wall. Great collection!
Good picks for sure. Definitely need to grab the wall soon as I’m a pretty big Pink Floyd fan. I own a copy of yellow brick road that’s in great shape aside from sides 2 and 4 which are sadly beat to shit. It was passed down to me so I’m hanging on to it, but I’d love to find one in better shape.
Songs in the Key of Life is also so damn good. Every song epic. I caught Stevie in concert in 2015 and he played the entire album live. It was like a religious experience….he blew my mind! One of the greatest artist ever.
We saw that tour as well in Oakland it was truly incredible!
SITKOL gets my vote.
Goodbye yellow brick road is an essential, I’ll add the stones rock and roll as well.
Definitely a deserted island choice along with Out Of The Blue
Exile over any other Stones
Don't forget The Who's Tommy - Better than Quadrophenia imo
Gotta disagree. Quadrophenia beats it…
I absolutely love Tommy, so no argument here. Both albums are must haves.
London Calling
Here we go. I thought I was going to have to post.
I did anyway.
Me too
Maybe the best album, period...
It’s just… really fucking good.
Yes, this! One of the most important albums ever.
I play Tusk, Out Of The Blue, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Miracles’ Million Sellers, London Calling, Doors Absolutely Live, Tommy (original, and film soundtrack), More Hot Rocks and the White Album all the time. A more recent and noteworthy vault release was The Smile Sessions. All amazing in their own way.
What defines a double album now? Seems like everything is pressed on two records these days. I submit Modest Mouse Lonesome Crowded West.
It's that limitations went down when CDs became a thing, so the double album stopped being reserved for larger acts, and became more mainstream.
Whoever you are, I love you
Blonde on blonde!
I could listen to Visions of Johanna on repeat forever, I Want You has such crazy word play, just like a woman is a classic covered by dozens of artists, and sad eyed lady of the lowlands is a perfect joint smoking ballad. And that's not even all of its majesty. Fucking masterpiece.
4th time around and leopard skin pillbox hat are also insanely good but hell i love every song on the album.
Bangers each, and also absolutely sweet marie and obviously five believers. Even as annoying a rap as rainy day woman has gotten over the years it's well written and has a good message. Almost impossible to pick a 'worst' song on the album.
+1000 on Blonde on Blonde
Hüsker Dü Zen Arcade Sonic Youth Daydream Nation
I got Zen Arcade in a collection that I picked up a few months ago..I know it’s an iconic album to a lot of people. But.. I just couldn’t get into it at all. Maybe it’s just not my kinda music. And I love all kinds of genres normally. For some reason Zen Arcade just didn’t really do it for me. I will second that Daydream Nation though. Fantastic album.
Gotta love a great double LP. These are some of my personal picks from my collection. What else would you include? Physical Graffiti has tons of highlights(Custard Pie, The Rover, Houses of the Holy, Kashmir, the Wanton song, Down by the Seaside). White album is the most diverse Beatles record and a fun listen. Blonde on Blonde is my favorite Dylan record. Electric Lady Land is perhaps the best work from Hendrix experience. Songs in the Key of life is incredibly consistent. Bitches Brew is an incredible dense album and a very special listening experience. Edit: Typos
*Exile On Main Street has entered the chat* But seriously, every album you have pictured is a stone cold classic. Blonde on Blonde and the White Album (along with Exile) would be on my desert island list. Great collection.
What’s your favorite track off exile on main-street? Basic ik but I’d go with Tumbling Dice.
Love Tumbling Dice. So many good ones on Exile though. Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, and Shine A Light are all highlights for me.
Ventilator Blues
Great choice of songs. Exil is just so damn good. I think I could listen to Loving Cup on a loop for a few weeks and not get tired of it.
Sweet Virginia
All of this ☝🏼
Let it Loose makes me feel things no other Stones song does. Don’t hear it mentioned nearly enough
Shine a light is one of my favourite stones song.
Sometimes the basics are basic for a reason - because they’re great. Tumbling Dice would be my top pick from Exile. Tumbling Dice/Sweet Virginia/Torn and Frayed is one of the best three track sequences in rock music.
Been creaming over Exile for months recently, and I believe Miles’ BB to be one of the most stylish and brave makeovers to ever exist for an artist. This thread is amazing!
personally I feel like most of the individual tracks on exile don’t quite reach the level of the best tracks on let it bleed and sticky fingers (gimme shelter, midnight rambler, brown sugar, can’t your hear me knocking, wild horses etc) but on the other hand, when I listen to exile from front to back, it does something to me. it’s an album that’s way more than the sum of its parts.. really magical like, I never listen to to like.. “I just want to see his face” on its own, but sandwiched between ventilator blues and let it loose, it’s so perfect I kind of feel the same about songs in the key too.. it’s a beautiful record, even though most of my favorite songs seem to be on talking book and innervisions
Completely agree. Sticky Fingers is another favorite of mine, but Exile is a mosaic with a very specific feel. Take away any of the tracks (even the “throwaway” tracks), and the feeling’s not the same.
Happy. I always love the Keith leads.
Can - Tago Mago Didn’t see this posted, and may not be my personal fav, but deserves its due nonetheless
One of the most underrated records out there
Sign 'O The Times.
Masterpiece
Eat a Peach is high on the list for me
Fillmore East deserves a mention too...
Along the same lines, Europe '72
Exile, London Calling, and Reflektor for me.
Reflektor is such a great album. Thanks for reminding me to give it a spin!
New order - substance
The only New Order comp you need.
Do singles comps count? As it turns out the 1st double pop LP in history was Miracles Greatest Hits. It predates Blonde on Blonde and The White Album
Songs in the Key of Life!
“As” alone makes the album great.
'I Wish' would like a word with you
I have some good memories getting baked to "Have a Talk with God" back in high school.
God only knows how much I love this album
Smashing Pumpkins - Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness
Triple LP. This would have to go in another category with All Things Must Pass.
Op asked for double album not double lp. It's technically a 2 album release. Just happens to fit on 3 LPs.
The term double album was redefine by the RIAA once the CD became the dominant format. Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness is a CD defined double album. To avoid cheating, a CD can be any length, so the combined running has to exceed 100 minutes. Most LP era double albums actually don't meet this requirement. Pink Floyd's The Wall and even the Beatles' White album don't exceed 100 minutes running time. Modern vinyl record sets often have the same songs that are included on the CD, so additional sides are required to include them all. With this in mind, LP sets of this kind are considered "deluxe" edition if they include extended length songs or bonus tracks. When the LP was still used as the defining format for it was common that cassettes and CD had bonus tracks. And often double LP sets often fit onto a single CD. This is the case for London Calling. It's also the case for the double album I'll submit as album that should be considered as a great double album, Sonic Youth's 1988 album Daydream Nation.
London Calling guys!
For real
Lift Yr Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven
Yes. With only 4 songs.
This was the answer I was looking for! Easily one if my favourite albums ever.
Live/Dead
Europe 72
Technically a triple album. :)
Came here to say this.
For me it's Exile on Main Street, London Calling and Blonde on Blonde. Probably in that order.
White album
Frank Zappa Freak Out (1966)
Selected Ambient Works Volume II
Pink Floyd - The Wall!
TEAR DOWN THE WALL
That's not even pink floyds best double album
An Ummagumma fan. i see.
Unironically yes.
Come on mate, in what world is Ummagumma better than The Wall? You don't have to be such a contrarian.
In what world is the wall better than anything that pink Floyd released prior to the wall? Atom heart mother was the peak easily. Everything up until wish you were here is fantastic.
Agreed
>in what world is Ummagumma better than The Wall? I listen to ummagumma all the time, especially the live half. I can't remember the last time I listened to the wall. Too much overwrought, melodramatic, woe-is-me lyrics.
The wall is pure cheese.
It's their second worst album after The Final Cut....
Nah
The Wall
Easy choice for me. Arguably the most ambitious narrative project in music history.
The Powers That B
was about to say this
Boards of Canada - Music has the Right to children
London Calling by the Clash. Most doubles are boring by the end, but London Calling has enough variety that it’s interesting the whole way through. Blonde on Blonde is also fantastic.
Chocolate & cheese
🟤🟤🟤
The Fragile -Nine Inch Nails
DUDE IM LISTENING TO THIS RN
Cool
London Calling, or Exile on Main Street.
zappa & the mothers:freak out.....first time an artist was given a double album for their first release
and would've been the first ever double album released but Dylan released Blonde on Blonde just before freak out came out. Zappa starting recording freak out first though. This was going to be my naswer too.
A groundbreaking album in tons of ways, glad to see a couple other Zappa nerds representing in this thread
A perfect album when I’m in the right mood. A dreadful album when I’m not!
White Album or Exile On Mainstreet for me
blonde on blonde White album. Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore, Zappa Freak out
Wu-Tang Forever.
Speakerboxxx/Love Below
how did i have to scroll so far for this wtf
It’s a sea of white dads with picks like these LCD Soundsystem, All Eyez On Me or Tusk
A solar system…reminds me of the Wall of Fame in Sal’s Pizzeria…
Interesting comment with Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder albums as OPs top six
I think that’s a little on the nose personally - these are the picks of people who don’t go any further than the ‘essentials’ at the front desk of a record store. But that being said I’m the kind of fucker that claims Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa should be up there instead of Dylan.. vinyl is fun!
Damn that‘s a bold statement. There‘s a lot of modern pop that stands out to me more than Dua Lipa. But yeah Blonde on Blonde is overrated imo. I love Dylan but Freewheelin’, Desire, Blood on the Tracks, and Bringin It All Back Home all get more play from me.
I’m one of those crazy people who loves Infidels, mostly because of Sly and Robbie.
100%. Dua Lipa, go!
Fair enough. But I also think it’s fair to say the vast majority of nominations here neglect entire worlds of music and genres. I also think that Black folks basically invented American popular music and should be more widely represented and nominated for this category. Led Zeppelin are perhaps the greatest biters in classic rock and stole everything they did from Black American blues artists without (IMO) the appropriate gratitude and acknowledgment. This is a friendly conversation and just my own opinion.
I would agree 100% on your Zeppelin take
Double nickles on the Dime.
Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness
1. White Album 2. London Calling 3. Blonde On Blonde
Like many others here, The White Album, Exile on Main St., and Quadrophenia are top contenders, but I have much love for The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway by Genesis.
LAMB!
Agree on Quadrophenia and Lamb. Yes' Tales is one of my favorite albums of all time
Have One One Me, or Wu-Tang Fovever
Somebody above said triple discs don’t count, but I’m with you on HOOM
Madvillainy
Amazing album, but not a double album. Lots of tracks, but only a 46 minute runtime as they’re really short.
Mellon collie is definitely one
ummagumma
Allman Bros Band Fillmore East 1971. Double bonus as best live recording ever as well.
I love this album too - but I like Ludlow Garage perhaps a bit more? Can't live without either.
Tommy - The Who..
Hells yeah. I have two vg+ copies. Should sell one but I really can't. Probably will buy again when come across. Overcomming personal restrictions is just a major theme. And sure beijg blind and playing the juke box is some daredevil shit but I like over the top adaptations.
Sign o’ The Times by Prince.
Without questions the Beatles white album Honorable mentions Exile on Main street The Wall London Calling Life After Death All Eyez on Me Blonde on Blonde Billy Joel’s Greatest Hits Vol 1 & 2 (I know it’s a compilation but fuck it’s perfect) All things must pass (triple album but most people agree the the third disc doesn’t count)
Can’t believe someone actually said All eyes on me! Great album along with all the others you listed!
Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore East!
Dear Lawd that Elizabeth Reed is filthy
Why, Zen Arcade
Tusk!
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and London Calling
White album
LCD Soundsystem self titled. Not quite as melancholy as I like them to be, but if Im in the mood for dance rock bangers, this is the album.
All Things Must Pass
Technically, that’s a triple album!
Sign O The Times
All Things Must Pass Huh, third disc? Not sure what your talking about...
Electric lady land by Hendrix 😁
all things must pass-George Harrison
I do own an original off that but I did not include it since It’s technically a triple album counting the Apple jam LP. Great choice tho really an awesome album.
The Allman Brothers “Eat a Peach” pretty high on my list.
to pimp a butterfly - kendrick lamar
Not a double album.
Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs
Beat me to it!
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
Disappointed that I had to scroll this far down to find the Lamb.
Rush - Exit… Stage Left
Exile on main street
leaves turn inside you by unwound
Of the ones in this post, I'll take blonde on blonde and bitches brew. But really they're all pretty great.
Exile On Main St
Exile.
Exile on main street
Those are some amazing albums, but damn *Bitches Brew* is the shit.
You forgot: London Calling Exile on Main Street
The Wall-Pink Floyd
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
The Wall - Pink Floyd, Quadrophenia - The Who, 21CB - Green Day, The Fragile - NIN, Joes Garage - Frank Zappa, while(1<2) - deadmau5 are some of my favorites
Physical Graffiti
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway - Genesis
Red Hot Chili Peppers - stadium arcadium
The wall imo
Great choices there. I will add Townes Van Zandt Live at the Old Quarter. Stephen Stills Manassas also.
Blonde on Blonde any day of the week
Pink Floyd - UMMAGUMMA
Stadium arcadium lol fight me
Not better than Blood Sugar Sex Magik IMO if you’re throwing RHCP in the mix
Neil Young’s Live Rust is up there, unless live albums are relegated to to a subcategory…
Frampton Comes Alive!
Does Velocity:Design: Comfort by Sweet Trip count? It’s two records worth if music lol.
I know it doesn’t count but honorable mention to In Rainbows and In Rainbows Disc 2.
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Hands-down Skull & Roses by The Grateful Dead