The Top Five Desert Island CD Thread

This is mostly a cut-and-paste from something I posted on the DC forums about a year ago. I thought it was something that could gain some traction here.

If/when you've read this and watched the clips, you'll need to come up with your own five CD's. Don't rush it, think on it, and if you can, dig up a Youtube clip or two.

I mean it now, I'd like to hear what your choices would be. I'm gonna try to seek out some of what you post and give it a listen. I have an idea for an epic Beat poem about gamers and the Internet, so you'd best cooperate now before my poetry hurts someone. . .that's right, threats of literary reprisals! I totally went there.

My personal top five, in no particular order:

Everyone Knows This is Nowhere, by Neil Young
Neil's an odd character, having dabbled in most every musical form known to man. From CSN & Y to his electronic phase with "Trans", to his everything-old-is-new-again stint as the Godfather of Grunge, Neil has decades of material to draw from. The CD I chose is a blend of country, folk and rock. Not a bad song from start to finish, but the last four tracks: "Down by the River", "The Losing End", "Running Dry", and "Cowgirl in the Sand" represent 30 minutes of audio awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36sesl7DCH4...feature=related


Boston
The best-selling #1 debut album to that date, Boston's eponymous release has to be one of the defining albums of the 70's. Tom Schulz's patented (literally) fuzzy guitar, songwriting and all-around genius combined with Brad Delp's vocals to define Arena Rock. I suffered from a Boston hangover dating to the mid 80's, but having been clean since then, I'm able to appreciate their work anew, albeit responsibly. Don't ask me not to Rock and drive, though. 🙂

More than a Feeling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AlzsP4jN1E...feature=related

Tom Schulz remembers Brad Delp
http://www.gonnahitcharide.com/walkon/content/view/199/1/


Bat Out of Hell, by Meat Loaf
A big, fat, beefy, sweaty guy with his heart on his sleeve, belting out his very soul for all to
hear. Jim Steinman's operatic lyrics and music, Todd Rundgren's production and alternately growling, then soaring guitar work, and Meat's testosterone-laden vocals combine to form the perfect storm of Arena Rock. I heard on a documentary that no one wanted this album; that in fact, it sat finished in the can for more than a year. The person being interviewed said, "I think new record companies were formed for the express purpose of turning it down." Finally, someone took a chance and, as of September 2006, nearly 22 milion copies were sold. Platinum times 22. The next time you wonder why you can't find good new music to listen to, remember this. If you ever meet a record exec, kick him in the huevos once for me. . .at least once. . .unless it's the guy that signed The Loaf. . .then don't.

Bat Out of Hell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvoSBKlpCqY


Life is a Lemon(actually, this is from Bat out of Hell 2, but the above link isn't live, and I wanted a live performance represented)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0_GEHXpi78


Nilsson Schmilsson, by Harry Nilsson
How to describe this? I don't know that I can without cribbing notes off someone else's review, but here goes: A great but dead vocalist, Harry spent much of the 70's gorked on drugs, and hanging out and recording with the likes of John Lennon & Ringo Starr. "Nilsson Schmilsson" was his most commercially successful effort. Well-known tracks included "Coconut", "Without You", and the track that, to me, most resembles his life: "Jump into the Fire", a seven minute song of hard-driving rock music excess. Some people are front-men, some people are singers. . .Harry was a VOCALIST with a gifted instrument. It's said he didn't like performing live, but here's a clip from a movie with some of his friends remembering him.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmmwMx06Pg8

Coconut. Different recording from the album, but Harry mimes the song while in a gorilla outfit. I told you he was gorked on drugs. 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbgv8PkO9eo

Fleetwood Mac - The Dance
It's hard to pick just one Fleetwood Mac CD. "Rumors" immediately springs to the top of the list, but, but. . .the Dance! How can you go away and never again hear Lindsey Buckingham's live rendition of "I'm so Afraid"? His ringing guitar. . .and the deceptively slow beat. . . never before has a song so slow rocked so very, very hard. Such a sparse, powerful arrangement, such unadulterated vocal angst, such clean, precise guitar made of 110% pure win! What? What do you mean, there can't be more than 100%? Lindsey LAUGHS at that statement, and bending the laws of mathematics to his will, cranks it to 111%! You heard right: Lindsey Buckingham's guitar goes to one hundred and eleven.

You can't go without it. Nope. Can't be done. In fact, any five albums you pick, I'll automatically throw out one and add "The Dance". . .even if you've already listed it. You'll thank me. 🙂

The intro in this clip is cool, but a bit slow at the start. It's an elephantine, bombastic titan of Rock, so it's gonna take awhile to get moving. . .Lindsey may bend mathematics to his will, but like Scotty, "He cannae change the laws of physics!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6mce3LdkyA

Now, pick yours. C'mon, give with the CD's, and maybe post a bit about what makes it so great. A few Youtube links would be cool also. . .just sayin'. Don't forget about the Beat poem waiting in the wings. . .

On a whim, I did a Google search. It's truly frightening. As a great philosopher once said, "The Simpson's already did it." Never fear, I enjoy a challenge. 😀
http://www.hanselman.com/blog/DOTCOMMONABe...tHanselman.aspx

This is going to require too much effort for me to do at work with links and all, but I'll start with a list and edit it latter to add some links.

oh, and there is no way that I could limit it to just five. I probably couldn't limit it to 10 even if I really thought about it....

The Minutemen - Double Nickels on a Dime
The Jayhawks - Hollywood Town Hall
Uncle Tupelo - No Depression
Buffalo Tom - Let Me Come Over
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico
Hüsker Dü - Warehouse: Songs and Stories
Dropkick Murphys - Live on St. Patrick's Day From Boston
NOFX - Punk in Drublic
Bouncing Souls - Live!

I could take this one album and I would be satisfied with it by itself. The only way I wouldn't like this CD is if it were so scratched it wouldn't play. I'd then go buy 2 copies and leave one sealed in case it happened again. Between the Buried and Me are some of the most amazing musicians playing in unison this world has ever seen. The are the Beatles of Metal.


Me First and The Gimme Gimmes "Ruin Johnny's BarMitzvuh" My favorite album on the face of the planet. These guys are awesome. Good Times.


I don't really care for this style of breakdown metal, but this album is one of my favorites. I don't remember how I came by it, but I like it.


NoFx "The Best Songs Ever Written (By Us)" This album has kept me company since 2003, and even though my taste keeps changing, I can always pop this CD in for a law breakin good time.


now for the fifth... drum roll please!!!


HITS FROM THE BOW by Arsonists Get all the Girls!!! 🙂(

FTW

lolol

I'll wait until Sarge posts more to reply to his selections, but thanks for taking the time, Sarge.

Ninjai, I was enjoying the "Between the Buried and Me" tune right up until the cookie monster vocals started. 🙂

I brutalized "Me first and the Gimme-Gimmes" the last time Sarge posted them. Sarge, I'm gonna go ahead and apologize for being so harsh the last time. Ninjai, assume I was just as harsh with my opinion this time, and I'll get back to you with an apology later. 🙂

Something from Wikipedia:

In August 2006 Me First and the Gimme Gimmes were scheduled to play three dates at PNC Park after Pirates games, but after they got booed on the first night, the next two nights were canceled. They were to play along with fireworks during the post-game "Skyblast" shows.

The ppl scheduling that show did NOT know their audience. . .not surprising, since at the time, it was readily apparent that no one in the Pirates organization knew a DAMN thing.

NoFX - "Linoleum" - I listened to the whole thing! 🎉

Arsonists Get all the Girls?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrRuMCQEKc
🙂
Thanks for broadening my horizons a bit. I appreciate it. I think more folks around here will like your selections than not.

My comments on your videos 🙂
I love boston. They were the first real rock that I listened to. Foreplay/Longtime still one of my top 5 favorite songs. Never listened to TOO much fleetwood mac, but I had The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac/Reprise, on my Zune for a long time. Would listen to it on occasion. Meat Loaf and Guns and Roses. I went through a phase where that's all I'd listen to. and I'm only 20.. :S lol. I don't know the other ones 🙂

WHO CAN FORGET THE ZEP!?!?!


Here are some videos of the band, sans vocals. The first is the solo from "White Wall". My favorite song from my favorite band. That is the drummer from the band recording the track over the song "Prequel to the Sequel" parts 1 and 2

DocJon wrote:Thanks for broadening my horizons a bit. I appreciate it. I think more folks around here will like your selections than not.

Lol, I'm glad you were able to finish one 🙂
Between the Buried and Me has a lot of talent, I think way too many people get turned off by the vocals to appreciate the talent. I used to be the same way. I hated screaming vocals, and i kinda weened myself onto it by accident. As a guitarist, it would almost be a sin to not look past the screaming to the music.

You didn't say anything about ion dissonance.
You won't find anything good on youtube or anything. Listen To the Song named 101101001 w/e binary


roflmao
cookie monster has a new competitor

Man I could never complete this. 5 CD's????
Wow.....

I do know a few I would want I guess..

My favorite group above all is Pink Floyd and "The Wall" is my favorite album so that is a given 🙂
I could never get sick of listing to this. I would also list DSOTM etc.. as well but lets try to keep separate groups.

Taking a hint from DocJon; FleetWood Mac's "The Dance" DVD is one of my most watched DVD's. It is REALLY GREAT! So the CD would be cool to have.

U2's "Joshia Tree" is just excellent.

Some AC/DC.. best of I guess since I like a lot of their stuff, read all 🙂
Have to have some solid heavy rock in there.

Lets see.... one more huh.... I also like Meat Loaf a LOT..... Man so many.......

I am going to go a bit different and would say Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms." I really love Mark Knopfler and his stuff is just so damn..good...
I am however going to go with their CD "On Every Street" instead. I just really love this CD an I think it is just different enough to go with.. This is so close though.
This CD featured the late great drummer Jeff Porcaro. I know it was not as successful as other ones but it has a few hits I just love. "Calling Elvis," "Heavy Fuel."

I could have started listing lots of really rockin stuff like Tool etc.. but I was going for a bit of different...

Damn this is WAYYY too hard.... 🙂

It's easier if you equate them to something. A mood, a fragrance, a remembrance of someone past, or a change of season.

Floyd, Darkside - The Who - The Guess Who - Steppenwolf

Something by Three Dog Night or America for more mellow times.

Would have to re- master. 'greatest hits' albums then kinda sucked.

I'm working on my list. I can't make this short. 😛

5, I am not sure I can do 5... I have way too much ADD for only 5

In the past, I might have gone with "Brothers in Arms" and "Wish You Were Here", or Van Morrison's "Moondance". They're great CD's, and if I wanted more of a variety, I probably would have gone with at least one of them, maybe replacing "Boston" or "Nilsson Schmilsson,". I figured I'd keep things a bit on the upbeat side, though, since I'll be, you know, on a desert island. Listening to "The Wall" while you are actually at risk for going insane might not be the best idea. 🙂 An AC/DC's greatest hits CD might be worth thinking about, but in the end I'd probably pass in favor of something else. Van Halen's greatest hits would probably win out over AC/DC, for me.

I like Lexx's idea of thinking about music that's more than just great music, but also means something to you on a personal level. Much of the music I listed before, and above, probably fits that description.

DocJon wrote:I like Lexx's idea of thinking about music that's more than just great music, but also means something to you on a personal level. Much of the music I listed before, and above, probably fits that description.

This reminds me of a thread on another forum that I saw a while back that tried to get people to post their "Life Soundtrack" about important events/times/places. I'll find it and post it up....

In No Particular Order

Live - Mental Jewelry
Back in my freshman year of college, I would come home from school on Friday Night,
go straight to work at Wally world, then after a late close, watch MTV's
120 Minutes. This new band called Live was the Buzz Clip and it really
made me want to move and jump and hell, even dance.

Take any preconceived notions about the band Live and throw them out the
door. These guys were hungry and this music shows passion that
everything afterward lacks.

Beauty of Gray

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMvyD9e1A30...feature=related

Pain Lies On The Riverside

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sw_IAjqP8s4...feature=related

Operation Tyranny

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLIXreoy2S4...feature=related

Metallica - Master of Puppets

As a teenager, I was trying to find my place in life. Some of the kids
on my bus sat in the back with their big old boomboxes blasting
Metallica. Eventually, we became friends and through music I found my
place as a teenager in the world. Music was the key to my ability to
cope with all the pressures I felt as a teenager. It's hard to pick any
one Metallica Album, but if I was forced to choose just one, it would be
Master of Puppets. The power of this album is incredible. This is the
album that every fan wishes they would make again.

Welcome Home (Sanitarium) - This song summed up all my teenage angst.
It's haunting, it's hollow, it's mine. A buddy and I use to sit in the
back of Chemistry class and sing this song over and over. It was the
best D I ever earned. H30, See, I even learned something....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WElvEZj0Ltw

Master of Puppets - At 15, I had 2nd row to Metallica's And Justice For
All concert. I was literaly 5 feet from the bassist, Jason Newstead.
They start to play this song and the whole entire arena turns into one
single fist pumping in the air in unison. Every eye was on Metallica and
every voice was singing so loudly that we started to drown out
Metallica. I looked Jason straight in the eyes, he looks back and gives
me the most evil grin I have ever seen. It was at that moment that I
realized how powerful music was. They had complete control over
everyone. I look around me and realize that if they told us to kill each
other, we would have done it without hesitation. They had 10,000 people
mesmorized. I've never been so moved before in my life like that moment.
It still gives me chills to this day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z-hEyVQDRA

Disposable Heroes - This just rocks. It's everything a Metallica song
should be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUQz_eTe4kg


Candlebox - Far Behind

During the height of the grunge phase, a lesser known Seattle band
started making their way in the world. Signed by Madonna's Maverick
Label, they were suppose to be the next Pearl Jam. They never attained
those heights, but for me, this album was everything I loved about music
in the mid 90's. Again, like Live's Mental Jewelry, this album shows a
hunger and passion for Music that you usually only see in a debut album.
I saw them 4 or was it 5 times and I even had the fortune of getting to
meet them in person after one of the shows. I still have my copy of this
CD autographed by the whole band. It still rocks.

Far Behind - This song was the best of the best of this album. I broke
up with my college girl friend and listened to this song over and over.
To this day, well it brings up memories that hurt in a good kind of way.

Youtube video's won't play. Must be a DMCA.

Far Behind Voodoo Child - There is an awesome rendention of Jimi
Hendrix's Voodoo Child mixed right into the
middle of the song. There are a few Youtube video's of live performances,
but they just don't do this song justice. Rather than post them, I thought
I would just mention it.

Depeche Mode - Music For The Masses

This one will probably suprise many of you. At 17, I worked for Hastings
Records in the mall. It was a cool gig and really opened my eyes up to
the fact that there were all types of music and each one had it's good
and bad elements. Well, all except Jazz. Jazz sucks. 😛 I digress. One
of the 20 somethings I worked with was this GQ model looking guy who
happened to be gay. Not in a Parie kind of way either. He just broke up
with his boyfriend during our christmas rush and we had a really late
close. He played this album over and over. At first I was pissed, but
after about 5 spins, I realized I actually liked the album. I wore the
tape out and even bought the CD. Yea, it was a lot of strange gay
references, but I've never been much on words, but rather the music.


U2 - The Joshua Tree

Ok, this one gets a little sad. When I was 15, my grandmother went
into the hospital with heart problems. It was right before christmas
and all she could think about was how she did not have time to get
the grandkids christmas presents. So, she gave my aunt some money
and told her what to get each one of us for christmas. My present
was U2's The Joshua Tree. My grandmother passed away on Dec 23rd.
With or Without You has a whole different meaning after something
like this. It's been a long time since I've listened to this album,
but that doesn't mean I've stopped liking it. In fact, it was the first
CD I bought when I got a player. That CD is over 15 years old and in
perfect shape.

On a funny note, I had also asked for Ozzy Osbourne's Speak of the Devil.
Now that would have been awkward.

Thinking back over this post, I want to say a few things. Music has
always been such a big part of my life. It's the reason I spent 6 years
working in radio, even when I had to wear the stupid mascot suit in 110
heat. Music defined not who I am, but what I am. It was involved in
every aspect of my life. These 5 albums are more than music. They hold
a special place in my life. I've lost that. The music on the Radio
sucks. The music videos on television sucks. The music industry turns out
garbage. It's left a very empty spot in my soul. Man, I really wish the
music had not died.....

Bump. Never heard anything on this....

It's cool to hear how you associate music with certain events in your life. That can be dangerous - associating music with an ex, for example, is a good way to ruin that music. On the flip-side, a song can bring back some great memories.

The tunes themselves aren't doing much for me, but I'm feeling pretty crappy right now, so I'm not really feeling open to new music. I'll give 'em another chance later.

No one has mentioned the Spice Girls yet...

LIVE is a GREAT group. I have seen them several times. They are from York PA, not that far from the Burgh 🙂
I have all of their CD's and play some of their stuff on the drums for practice.

I'm a big fan of Live, but Mental Jewelry was just an incredible album. Their hunger was very apparent in that album. I never saw them in concert. I wish I had.