mixedmedia

I did a search of this forum and didn't come up with another thread even similar to my premise here, but I apologize if I missed something.

By "fully-realized" I mean albums that are seemingly perfect. Where every element from song selection to arrangement to production down to the playing order has come together to create an experience that is greater than the sum of its parts. Not necessarily concept albums, but not excluding them either. I've compiled a list of my favorites:

The "Albums That Changed Your Life" thread is what spurred me to start thinking about this. It was fun to think back and remember the albums that opened your mind and expanded your appreciation of music. And just like that thread, this is not necessarily a request for your favorite albums (although this list certainly contains most of my favorite self-contained albums). But for your own opinion on albums that transcended the bounds of a "good collection of songs" to become the Fully-Realized Album.

I don't want to place any steadfast rules on this, but if we could avoid greatest hits, live albums or compilations and stick to original studio albums I think it would be more interesting. But by all means, if you have any of these you would like to include, please do, and explain why you think they should be included.

Hope this makes sense to someone else but me.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Daniel_

OK - Great thread idea, MM.

Here's my list (several overlaps with yours it seems):

Allman's - Peach
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Barenaked Ladies - Maybe You Should Drive
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Beatles - Abbey Road, Revolver, Let It Be, Sgt Pepper
Eric Clapton - Slowhand, 461 Ocean Blvd
Counting Crows - August and Everything After
Cream - Disraeli Gears
Derek & The Dominoes - Layla etc
Dire Straits - Dire Straits, Love Over Gold
Ian Dury - New Boots and Panties
Eagles - Hotel California, One Of These Nights
ELO - Out Of The Blue, A New World Record
Emerson Lake and Palmer - Pictures at an Exhibition
Fairport Convention - Liege and Lief
Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours, Heroes are Hard to Find
Genesis - Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead
Guns & Roses - Apetite for Destruction
George Harrison - Cloud 9
Iron Maiden - 7th Son
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Don McLean - American Pie
Meatloaf - Bat out of Hell
Metallica - Ride the Lightning
The Mission - Gods own Medicine, Children
Muse - Absolution, Black Holes & Revelations
Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
Nirvanah - Nevermind
Pink Floyd - Animals, Dark Side of the Moon, Meddle, Wish you were Here
The Police - Ghost in the Machine
Polyphonic Spree - The Begining Stages
Queen - Day at the races, Night at the Opera
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks
Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends, Sounds of Silence
Carly Simon - No Secrets
Paul Simon - Graceland, Hearts & Bones
Sisters of Mercy - First & Last & Always, Floodland
Snow Patrol - Final Straw
Spock's Beard - Snow
Springsteen - Born in the USA
Ringo Starr - Ringo
Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega
Jeff Wayne - War of the Worlds
Yes - 90125, Close to the Edge


I have WAAAAYY too much music...

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

mixedmedia

Impressive list, Daniel.

Music appreciation is soooo sek-say.

I know I have a bunch more just bubbling under the surface. I can feel it. Thanks for participating!

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Daniel_

I just scrolled through my media player and wrote down the best ones. There's others

I was looking at tit thinking we need a "Best Debut Album" thread, and a "Best Live Album" thread too.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

Leto

Hmmmm... I know the thread is young, but I'm surprised that The Moody Blues haven't been mentioned yet. I think that most people would go with Days of Future Past as the seminal choice from Justin & co, but What about A Question of Balance & On a Threshold of a Dream?

Daniel, a really good list, but I don't think that the Sex Pitsols ever fully realized their album.

Huzzah for ELO's New World Record, Genisis and Meatloaf. I would also submit that Silly Love Songs from Wings would count.

jimk

london calling - the clash
who's next - the who
raw power - the stooges

__________________
raw power is a guaranteed o.d.

raw power is a laughin' at you & me

-iggy

Daniel_

Silly Love Songs was a single from "Wings at the Speed of Sound", which as a whole is let down by a couple of tracks (for god's sake, there's a track where Linda sang!).

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

Halx

If you are interested in EBM (Industrial you can move to) then these are a few picks that have been the most fulfilling to listen to.

mind.in.a.box - Lost Alone
mind.in.a.box - Dreamweb
Two albums that make up an ongoing story, which is a surreal reflection of the world. Even if you don't like the music, the bigger picture is impressive enough. It just happens that the individual songs are brilliantly made.

Solitary Experiments - Advance Into Unknown
A full album of powerful songs that are mesmerizing to listen to.

Theatre of Tragedy - Musique
I call this album "The every day album." Not because I listen to it every day, but because it talks about every day things in a unique way, which is something pop music could take a lesson from.

Absurd Minds - The Focus
This album never stops. Every time I listen to it, I never choose a single song out of it, I just listen to the whole thing because its all good.

Dubok - Technicolor
Chilled out electro. Curiously adept for a one-off.

In Strict Confidence - Holy
A culmination of personal revelation and musical maturity by a great industrial group.

Project Pitchfork - Daimonion
Easily this band's best work, in my opinion.

Rotersand - Truth is Fanatic
Fans of Pink Floyd will enjoy this... assuming they also like this genre.

Theatre of Tragedy - Aegis
Not electronic in any way. All I have to say to describe this album is this: Death metal. Opera singer. Olde English.

__________________
You have found this post informative.
-The Administrator
[Don't Feed The Animals]

Daniel_

Just to provide a reciprocal link, take a look at this thread I made: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...93#post2181793 about debut albums.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

Glory's Sun

I know I can come up with a huge list but the only one I can think of at the moment is

Dave Matthews Band--Stand Up

Under the Table and Dreaming was a well put together album but I think Stand Up shows all the talents of the band and showcases the actual musical talent of all members.

I'll have to compose a list and come back to this thread. Great idea MM and great lists from all!

Leto

Ya you're right. San Ferry Ann. Strangely I miss that album, somebody actually stole it.

Bill O'Rights

On purpose?!?

__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

Leto

go figure.

God of Thunder

Barenaked Ladies - Maroon
KISS - Destroyer
Van Halen - Women and Children First
Van Hagar - Balance
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band - Live Bullet (I know you said no live albums, but this some of their best work. To really appreciate the Silver Bullet Band, you have to see them live, and this album proved that.)
Duran Duran - Seven and the Ragged Tiger
Huey Lewis and the News - Sports
Journey - Escape
Steely Dan - Aja
The Police - Synchronicity
Def Leppard - Pyromania

__________________
I reject your reality, and substitute my own

-- Adam Savage

mixedmedia

I just noticed that you included Ghost in the Machine, Daniel. I thought I was the only one so enamored of that album.

And I am adding to my list, as well.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Xazy

Wow impressive lists! I realize there are a few I have to look up.

Moskie

I dig your music, Hal. Good choices. There's a couple there I haven't listened to, thanks for the recommendations.

I feel obligated to put The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails on this list. Every beat and layer of every song on that album seems perfect to me. And I'm tempted to put The Fragile on here as well....

Some other random ones that I'm betting wouldn't get on this list otherwise...

Wumpscut - Boeses Junges Fleisch (Evil Young Flesh). The songs on this album cover such a great range for me. Fear, anger, sex appeal, beauty, sadness. And he does a fantastic job of using half English, half German lyrics. Some are dance-floor friendly, and the rest are just beautiful to listen to.

Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar. This album did what it set out to do without making any mistakes along the way. All the tracks have their place in the album. I really liked it when I was younger, and this thing still kicks ass all the way through.

It's an EP, but Sin, Sex & Salvation, by KMFDM vs. Pig has the best examples of two of my favorite groups. The tracks on there are flawless (with one skippable track, but whatev.)

On more: Kiss the Goat by the Electric Hellfire Club. Never has satanism been so amusing.


I'm surprised no one's mentioned Tool. Their fans swear by their albums.

__________________
Greetings and salutations.

mixedmedia

Thanks, Hal, for those selections. I don't know any of them, lol, but you have piqued my curiosity to be sure. I'm going to check a few of them out.

and I added Moondance by Van Morrison to my list and the only artist entered twice on my list thus far, Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan.

...nope, I lied, I just added Rubber Soul by The Beatles, as well.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Derwood

Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Sigur Ros - Aegetis Byrjun
Radiohead - OK Computer
Beastie Boys - Check Your Head
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dreams

Plus many you guys already listed

__________________
"You can't shoot a country until it becomes a democracy." - Willravel

Daniel_

It was one of the first albums I ever stole.

Christmas 1980, I was given "Dirk Wears White Sox" by Adam and the Ants (my parents realised that I liked the then current album and didn't realise that Dirk was more punk - I was astonished by how different it was, and loved it). Same year they gave my (older) brother Ghost in the Machine - he wasn't that fussed, and I loved it, so I nabbed it.

So that christmas (aged 10) I got two albums - one talked about the size of God's knob ("The Day I Met God" - Adam and the ants), and the other said that the National Front were cunts ("Rehumanize Yourself" - The Police).

Subversive stuff.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

Seer666

Hum, no one mentioned Savatage, Edge of Thorns yet. Mind blower of an album.

__________________
Bad spellers of the world untie!!!

I am the one you warned me of

I seem to have misplaced the bullet with your name on it, but I have a whole box addressed to occupant.

Leto

so what is the context of the National Front?

absorbentishe

Well, one of my favs... and a few I can think off the top of my head

Rush, 2112 (it's a concept album, but it's soooo good)
Stone Temple Pilots, Core (debut but awesome through and through)
Beastie Boys, Pauls Boutique (well some others could go here too)
Judas Priest, Screamin for Vengence

I'll have to find the others worthy of mentioning.

roachboy

elaine radigue: adnos (unbelievable.)
luc ferrari: electronic works (acousmatrix 3)
morton subotnik: silver apples of the moon

john coltrane: a love supreme, interstellar space
eric dolphy: out to lunch
andrew hill: point of departure
john carter: dance of the love ghosts
art ensemble of chicago: fanfare for the warriors

dj/rupture: minesweeper suite

brian wilson: smile

there are more, but i cant think of them right now.
i'll probably add more as my brain recovers from a couple too many maredsous.

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite

mixedmedia

The only ones of this list I'm familiar with are Dolphy, Coltrane and Brian Wilson...but I will definitely check some of these others out...always open to new musical enchantments.

Paul's Boutique is on my list, too.

and you're right, 2112 is awesome.

Thanks for joining in!

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Daniel_

They are (were) an ultra right wing pseudo-fascist British Nationalist group that were big in the late seventies.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

Bill O'Rights

I see a lot of good nominations here...John Coltrane, Miles Davis, The Beatles, Meatloaf, The Who, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Queen...the list goes on and on. Excellent picks.

But, for me...the one truly fully-realized album is...


The envelope, please...


Artie Shaw-The Gramercy Five Sessions.

__________________
"I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

"Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus

It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

pig

I've been quitely ruminating on this one for a while. I think I'm going to abstain from a really long list. Maybe I'll add more as they come. I would say:

Jonathan Edwards - Jonathan Edwards
James Taylor - Mudslide Slim
Phish - Junta, Lawnboy
John Hartford - Aereo Plain


I know you said you wanted to avoid live albums m2, but if I was going to pick a DMB album, I'd have to go with

Dave Matthews Band - Live at Redrocks. Two disc set with a bunch of their older material, great performances all around. If I had to go studio, I think I might actually go Remember Two Things.

maybe more later...

__________________
You don't love me, you just love my piggy style

dc_dux

I dont see enough of the great women albums here.

A few of my faves, mostly on the mellow side:
Eva Cassidy - Songbird
Bonnie Raitt - Nick of Time
Phoebe Snow - Phoebe Snow
Carole King - Tapestry

__________________
"The perfect is the enemy of the good."
~ Voltaire

mixedmedia

I'm going to add Speaking in Tongues to my list. While it's not my favorite Talking Heads album, per se (although I do love it), I think it qualifies. The musical theme, production and progression of songs fit the bill.

Plus, I am playing it this morning, it's the first time my 7-year-old has heard it and she thinks its the most incredible thing she's ever heard. She just can't stop moving her feet. This is so wild!!, she says.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Daniel_

My daughter (6 3/4) went overboard the other day when I played Emerson Lake and Palmer's Live version of the Peter Gunn theme...

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

skinnymofo

Soundgarden - Superunknown
the whole cd could be made into a singles collection, but at the same time blend together to make a musical orgasm

FoolThemAll

Ran through my collection, and I think these all fit the description:

A Perfect Circle - Mer de Noms
Anathallo - Floating World
Ani Difranco - Reprieve
Arcade Fire - Funeral
Badly Drawn Boy - The Hour of Bewilderbeast
The Beatles - Abbey Road
Beck - Sea Change
Bjork - Homogenic
Brian Wilson - SMiLE
Bright Eyes - Fevers and Mirrors (the whole, though not great, exceeds the sum of its parts)
Failure - Fantastic Planet (ditto)
Fiery Furnaces - Blueberry Boat
Great Lakes Myth Society - Great Lakes Myth Society
Iggy Pop - American Caesar
Mew - and the Glass Handed Kites
Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die?
Radiohead - Kid A
Radiohead - OK Computer
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Tom Petty - Wildflowers
Tool - Lateralus (didn't like Aenima)
The Wrens - The Meadowlands

__________________
I wonder if we're stuck in Rome.

Daniel_

I'm embarassed to admit that I forgot to add SMiLE to my list.

Thanks for reminding me.

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

kutulu

One thing I will downplay is production. Some bands have the luxury of a megamillions corporation behind them that can afford to make every sound perfect and others just don't have that opportunity. Here are my contributions:

Clutch - self-titled
Death - Human
Faith No More - Angel Dust
Fear Factory - Demanufacture
Megadeth - Rust in Peace
Metallica - Master of Puppets
Ministry - Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed & the Way to Suck Eggs
Mr. Bungle - Disco Volante
Pantera - Vulgar Display of Power
Sentenced - Amok
Sepultura - Chaos AD
Slayer - Reign in Blood
Tool - Lateralus

mixedmedia

Yes, I agree but with the stipulation that good production never means over-production.

And I was thinking over the weekend that I should have included Kid A, but then I forgot to.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

Daniel_

Kid A's good.

Also re-descovered "Blood On The Tracks" this weekend!

__________________

╔═════════════════════════════════════════╗
Overhead, the Albatross hangs motionless upon the air,
And deep beneath the rolling waves,
In labyrinths of Coral Caves,
The Echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand;
And everthing is Green and Submarine
╚═════════════════════════════════════════╝

mixedmedia

I LOVE that album. Can never get enough of it. The opening strain of Tangled Up in Blue sends me every time. I don't really have a compact list of favorite albums, but if I tried to do so, that album would most likely capture the number one spot.

__________________
Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce

pig

if you dig blood on the tracks or tapestry, do yourself a favor and get the jonathan edwards album i mentioned above. you've heard "sunshine" before (sunshine go away today, i don't feel much like dancing....). i'm not saying its the worst song on the album necessarily, but it's far from the best. and if you like harmonica play - jonathan edwards could wail. that album is just fucking solid.

edited for redundant-ness

__________________
You don't love me, you just love my piggy style

roachboy

a few more lovely things.

tom waits: nighthawks at the diner; alice
nurse with wound: the sylvie and babs hi-fi collection
muslimgauze: hand of fatima; dome of the rock

old favorites that i forgot about before:

television: marquee moon
pere ubu: dub housing
xtc: drums and wires


i am not sure that indian classical recordings would count in this sweepstakes, but there are three that i am beyond taken with:

pandit ram narayan: in concert at the salle gaveau, paris
pandit v.g. jog: classical violin
pandit pran nath: morning raga

the last one is simply beyond belief. i dont know what else to say about it: pran nath had such command of his voice that in some ways he seems not to quite be of this dimension at all. i imagine that hearing recordings is not the wholesale brain rearrangement experience that seeing him would have been, but he died a while ago and i never got the chance.
so there's this record.
damn.

__________________
a gramophone its corrugated trumpet silver handle
spinning dog. such faithfulness it hear

it make you sick.

-kamau brathwaite