Cliché poll: Ten Albums You'd Bring With You To The Moon

This is for all non-EC or peripheral-EC topics. We all know how much we love talking about 'The Man' but sometimes we have other interests.
Chrille
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Cliché poll: Ten Albums You'd Bring With You To The Moon

Post by Chrille »

I run into this poll everywhere and it has probably been asked before on these boards, but I havn't seen it and people have probably changed their minds about it now, so here goes:

If you were told you were going to be placed on the moon (or on a deserted island somewhere, whichever you prefer ;) ) alone, what ten albums would you bring with you?

Some rules:
No best of compilations, live albums or boxes, however collections of single-only releases like New Order's or Joy Divisions Substance albums are fine.
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Jackson Monk
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Post by Jackson Monk »

Today....

Get Happy - EC
London Calling - Clash
Weightlifting - Trash Can Sinataras
Some Fantastic Place - Squeeze
Grand Prix - Teenage Fanclub
Surf - Roddy Frame
Andromeda Heights - Prefab Sprout
White Album - Beatles
Wild, Innocent, E-street - Bruce Springsteen
Grace - Jeff Buckley
corruptio optimi pessima
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Post by selfmademug »

To my knowledge, SUBSTANCE is not a singles-only compilation, more of a best-of-plus-some compilation. And I think the exclusion of best-of's and live records is absurd, so I am blowing it off!! I think it should be any record that was released as a stand-alone (i.e., not exclusively part of a box set). So, having boss-ily flouted the rules, here are my ten:

1. Joni Mitchell - Shadows and Light
2. Bjork - Homogenic
3. David Bowie - Heathen
4. Jeff Buckley - Grace
5. Beatles - Let It Be (heresey, I know!!)
6. EC - KOA
7. Frank Black - Teenager of the Year
8. Kate Bush - The Dreaming
9. Smiths - Hatful of Hollow
10. ELO - A New World's Record (!!yes really)

Runner up that I can't include b/c it's new, but a serious contender: Arcade Fire - Funeral
Chrille
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Post by Chrille »

afaik, New Order's Substance is actually a singles-only compilation, the 3 or so tracks that are also available on their studio albums are album versions, while these are single versions.

Also, I think excluding best of compilations and live albums is more interesting because it's too easy just picking best of compilations by your favourite artists. For example, I could easily include The Cure's Staring at the Sea singles compilation, but none of their studio albums are even close to making it. ;)

Here's my current list:

EC - Get Happy
The Clash - London Calling
David Bowie - Scary Monsters
King Crimson - Red
Peter Gabriel - Melt (aka 3)
Tom Waits - Swordfishtrombones
Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure
Smiths - The Queen Is Dead
New Order - Substance
Bruce Springsteen - Darkness On The Edge Of Town
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ReadyToHearTheWorst
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Post by ReadyToHearTheWorst »

EC - KoA
The Who - Who's Next
The Beatles - Revolver
Neil Young - Unplugged
Ella Fitzgerald - Duke Ellington Songbook
John Martyn - Solid Air
The Clash - London Calling
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Elvis Presley - The Sun Sessions (does that break the rules? no matter)
Ash - 1977


Of course, it'll be v. different tomorrow 8)
"I'm the Rock and Roll Scrabble champion"
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miss buenos aires
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Post by miss buenos aires »

EC- Imperial Bedroom
Pulp- Different Class
Cat Power- You Are Free
Sleater-Kinney- The Hot Rock
Elliott Smith- either/or
Yo La Tengo- I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One
Pavement- Slanted and Enchanted
Billy Bragg & Wilco- Mermaid Avenue
PJ Harvey- Rid of Me
Belle and Sebastian- The Boy with the Arab Strap
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BlueChair
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Post by BlueChair »

In no particular order:

1. Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
2. The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies
3. Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks
4. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Imperial Bedroom
5. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
6. Joni Mitchell - Hejira
7. Otis Redding - Otis Blue
8. The Band - Rock of Ages
9. Elliott Smith - XO
10. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
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Post by selfmademug »

Chrille wrote:afaik, New Order's Substance is actually a singles-only compilation, the 3 or so tracks that are also available on their studio albums are album versions, while these are single versions.
I've asked Otis to give us a definitive answer on this, cause I am curious.

In any case, If I were really going to that desert island and there was a collection of greatest hits worth taking, I would, but usually there isn't, is there?? I only fight this because Joni's Shadows and Light is a bit of a GH and a live record to boot. But it captures her at the peak of her writing and performing powers-- it was essentially her tour after the release of Hejira--and frankly if I could only bring ONE record, that would be it.
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Mike Boom
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Post by Mike Boom »

Sister Lovers - Big Star
Electric Warrior - T Rex
Either/Or - Elliott Smith
Tusk - Fleetwood Mac
Every Picture Tells A Story - Rod Stewart
Smile - Brian Wilson
Blonde On Blonde - Bob Dylan
Abbey Road - The Beatles
Laughing Stock - Talk Talk
Five Leaves Left - Nick Drake
echos myron like a siren
with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
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Mike Boom
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Post by Mike Boom »

P.S
Substance is a collection of singles , some 12" mixes and some songs even re-recorded for the album.
echos myron like a siren
with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
selfmademug

Post by selfmademug »

Mike Boom wrote:P.S
Substance is a collection of singles , some 12" mixes and some songs even re-recorded for the album.
So none of those classic versions I heard on the radio (before the release of SUBSTANCE) of Bizarre Love Triangle, Perfect Kiss, Blue Monday, etc., were on their respective LP releases in that form? Well, color me ignorant (though hardly for the first time!).

Anyway, it seems a stupid distinction for whether or not I'd bring a record to a desert island, so my list stands!
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Mike Boom
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Post by Mike Boom »

Well you might have heard the 12" mixes on the radio I guess...
Anyway, it seems a stupid distinction for whether or not I'd bring a record to a desert island, so my list stands!
Haha Good for you!
:)
it was essentially her tour after the release of Hejira
Not picking on you or anything Muggy, just an being anal retentive - there were a couple of albums between Hejira and Shadows and Light - Mingus and Don Juans Reckless Daughter, some songs of which are on Shadows and Light.

If you love Shadows and havent already got Don Juan I can heartily recommend it , its fantastic and a way underrated Joni album - my favourite of all her records - especially Talk to Me, which contains the immortal couplet -
"I didn't know I drank such a lot,
'Till I pissed a tequila-anaconda
The full length of the parking lot"

:)
echos myron like a siren
with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
selfmademug

Post by selfmademug »

Not to worry, I am eminently pickable-on-- there are very few topics, if any, on which I'm expert!

I *do* have DJRD but have got it only in the past few years, and probably have not spent as much time with it as it deserves, (and I will use this as an occasion to remedy that) and yes of course I should've recalled that some of my fave tracks on S&L hail from DJRD. I learned them out of order so it's all a muddle for me....

And of course it makes sense that S&L would be after that as well as Mingus. It's just that phrasing that she takes on (which I always assume is hugely influenced by Mingus himself) and that group of musicians (Becker, Pastorius, Metheny, Alias, Mays, etc. ) that just rocks my world. I got a promo copy of the double LP from my DJ boyfriend in 1981 (I think) who didn't want it, and it proved to be about the most pivotal record I've ever had.

Anyway, despite my usual half-assed expertise, I recommend it with all my heart and both ears.
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King Hoarse
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Post by King Hoarse »

My God, just ten is too difficult! But, in no particular order, and off the top of my head:

The Weakerthans - Reconstruction Site
Bob Dylan - Hard Rain (if the rules are applied, Oh Mercy)
Richard Thompson - Two Letter Words (if rules, Mock Tudor)
Dexys Midnight Runners - Don't Stand Me Down
Daniel Johnston - Fear Yourself
Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
Nina Simone - Sugar In My Bowl (if rules, Nina Simone & Piano)
Elvis - Get Happy!!
Lou Reed - Berlin
Ron Sexsmith - Other Songs

runners-up:
Frank Black - Show Me Your Tears
the Ramones - It's Alive! (if rules, End Of The Century)
Tom Waits - Bone Machine
the Pogues - If I Should Fall From Grace With God
Loudon Wainwright III - Career Moves (if rules, More Love Songs)


...or maybe I should take the one on my avatar, so I could brag to any potential washups.
Last edited by King Hoarse on Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Mike Boom
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Post by Mike Boom »

Yeah, they are a great band , especially love Jaco's playing both on Don Juan and Shadows and Light - definitely a great album - I love that bit at the beginning - the sound montage with bits from Rebel Without a Cause and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
echos myron like a siren
with endurance like the liberty bell
and he tells you of the dreamers
but he's cracked up like the road
and he'd like to lift us up, but we're a very heavy load
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BlueChair
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Post by BlueChair »

BlueChair wrote:In no particular order:

1. Nick Drake - Bryter Layter
2. The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies
3. Bob Dylan - Blood On The Tracks
4. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Imperial Bedroom
5. Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
6. Joni Mitchell - Hejira
7. Otis Redding - Otis Blue
8. The Band - Rock of Ages
9. Elliott Smith - XO
10. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
Not sure why live albums wouldn't apply, but since Rock of Ages isn't allowed I will replace it with Neil Young's After The Gold Rush
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bobster
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Post by bobster »

Well, the rules prohibit me from including the Bacharach compiliations or Dionne Warwicks/Bacharach or Smokey Robinson compiliations I'd be wanting to bring, with most of those albums being out of print and therefore never owned by me (or not owned by me lately, considering my infamous vinyl depleltion incident of the 1980s!)...well, that's actually a help, I suppose....

In no order whatsoever and just based on my mood of today....

Revolver/The Beatles
The Threepenny Opera/Any recording
Songs in the Key of Life/Stevie Wonder
Nillsson Sings Newman/Harry Nillson
Blood & Chocolate/EC
Painted from Memory/EC & BB
London Calling/The Clash
The Rodgers & Hart Songbook/Ella Fitzgerald
The Cole Porter Songbook/Ella Fitzgerald
The History of the United States, Pt. 1/Stan Freberg

Boy, am I an old fogey....
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alexv
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Post by alexv »

today's choices, reflecting a disturbing tendency towards the lighter and older side of things:

Imperial Bedroom--EC
Areito--Juan Luis Guerra
Marshall Cranshaw- MC
Charlie Parker with Strings--CP
Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers--SC
What's Going On-- Marvin Gaye
Squeeze-- East Side Story
Ella Fitzgerald sings the Cole Porter Songbook--Ella
Amigos Mios-- Mercedes Sosa
After Midnight Sessions--Nat King Cole
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Post by senior_service »

London Calling - The Clash
Imperial Bedroom - EC
Bringin' It All Back Home - Bob Dylan
Love and Theft - Dylan
Catch a Fire (Deluxe Edition) - Bob Marley & the Wailers
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
Rubber Soul - The Beatles
Skylarking - XTC
How Will The Wolf Survive? - Los Lobos
Exile on Mainstreet - Rolling Stones
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lawngnome
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Post by lawngnome »

Imperial Bedroom
Armed Forces
Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Young Americans
Station to Station
Pinkerton
Purple Rain
Low
Transformer
The Idiot

close:
Peel Slowly and See
Heroes
Lodger
Emancipation
Maladroit
KoA
Juliet letters
LittleFoole
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Post by LittleFoole »

....in no particular order......

Queen II - Queen
The Wild, The Innocent, And The E Street Shuffle - Springsteen
London Calling - Clash (nice to see this on so many lists 8) )
Get Happy - EC
Metaphysical Graffiti - Dead Milkmen
Ramones - Ramones
Slow Turning - John Hiatt
From The Cradle - Clapton
"the White Album" - Beatles
Nighthawks At The Diner - Tom Waits (...yeah, yeah, it's a live album, but cannot help it - this would be a must have for me....and if y'all won't let me bring it along, then I'll swap it for Small Change - Waits, as well)

This list good for a limited time only - subject to change without notice ;)

Hmmmm, forgot to include More Songs About Buildings and Food - Talking Heads....dang, what to leave behind ??? :|
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Who Shot Sam?
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Post by Who Shot Sam? »

It's an interesting question. The moon is a cold, desolate place. I would want music with some depth as I sit on the edge of a crater contemplating Earth. So here's my "lunar music" list:

Radiohead - OK Computer
Eels - Blinking Lights And Other Revelations
M. Ward - The Transfiguration Of Vincent
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme
Bjork - Vespertine
Brian Eno - Ambient 4: On Land
Joni Mitchell - Blue
Talking Heads - Remain In Light
XTC - Apple Venus, Vol. 1
David Bowie - Low

I love a lot of the music others have listed - especially the Dylan, EC and Beatles selections, but they all seem very "terrestrial" to me.

Or am I just trying to be contrary?
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lawngnome
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Post by lawngnome »

damn, I totally forgot Beatles and Radiohead... meh, it was 1am. how about I just take my Dell DJ to save space?
invisible Pole
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Post by invisible Pole »

Very difficult, but at this moment these come to my head :
Billy Bragg & Wilco - Mermaid Avenue
The Housemartins - The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
Squeeze - East Side Story
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper
Aztec Camera - High Land Hard Rain
New Order - Technique
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead
Ron Sexsmith - Retriever
Pixies - Doolittle
Elvis – King Of America and Blood & Chocolate

Ooops, that’s 11 :wink: :lol:
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LittleFoole
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Post by LittleFoole »

invisible Pole wrote: The Housemartins - The People Who Grinned Themselves To Death
Have never heard the Housemartins, but that's a great album title 8) there've been more than a few times in my checkered past that I felt I might grin myself to that point, or within an inch of said point ;)
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