I was having a lazy conversation this afternoon with last night's Skillz bubble boy and all-around good guy Riggstad when I randomly mentioned that I was listening to a truly classic album by one of my favourite bands ... U2's Joshua Tree. I made the (somewhat grandiose, but defensible) claim that he coudn't name a better rock album that had been put out since its release on March 9, 1987. Riggs didn't refute my claim directly, but he said that Aerosmith's Pump (1989) was plenty good. Pshaw! I said.
I offered to take Joshua Tree against the field. Riggs hesitated to take the bet, at any stakes, so we need to figure out what the betting line should be, and the top contenders to dethrone the champion.
All opinions welcomed.
NB. It's no coincidence that my first car died but a few days after my Joshua Tree tape got mangled after years of constant use.
11 comments:
What is the criteria for defining greatness? Who will decide? If you have a Limp Bizkit fan then you may as well arbitrate to Tim Donoughy.
What is the criteria for defining rock albums?
I think Joshua Tree can probably be beaten, but this is subjective at best.
But under any rubric, friggin' PUMP???? Riggs, you can't bring a banana to a gun fight.
hahaha.. all I said was pump was a good album as well.
and this is soooo subjective that any tori amos fan will take umbrage with Joshua Tree as well.
Hell I can see Al going with Prong!
For once I have to agree with PL.
Although the following albums aren't too bad:
Appetite for Destruction (not sure of release date)
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (also by U2)
The Marshall Mathers LP
I am sure i could think of more given some time ...
PS Riggs is a buttplug ...
Fuel/Lawyer/Goat you ignorant sluts...
If we are talking best album since 1987.
Nirvana - Nevermind.
Lithium, Breed, Teen Spirit.
Nuff said. Kicked Michael Jackson off the charts and started the beginnings of the recognition of Seattle Grunge.
done , done and done.
and if you want proof...
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5938174/the_rs_500_greatest_albums_of_all_time/1
BALLGAME!
SHIP IT!
Fine, I think I'll need to step in here. We are chatting about this while playing the Dookie. Yep, nothing better to do.
The Joshou Tree was the first CD I ever owned. It was brand new, if you need to know how old I am. I even saw that U2 tour. Nice show.
Appetite For Destruction changed the rules entirely and seriously needs to be considered in the ROCK album category.
Pearl Jam - Ten, another contender. Made rock cool again.
Nirvana - Nevermind; changed everything.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (2 votes) - Blood Sugar Sex Magic & Stadium Arcadium
Rage Against the Machine - their debut.
Still working on more, but I don't think taking the field is such a great idea ;-)
I'll still take Joshua Tree against the field, but maybe I should get some slightly favourable odds. -)
Yah, I'll take a bunch of those suggestions and then some.
Pearl Jam - Ten
Nirvana - Nevermind
Metallica - The Black Album
G'N'R - Appetite For Destruction
Hell, an argument for Green Day's American Idiot could be made as it's a great concept album, but I wouldn't put it quite in the lofty reaches as the others (Joshua Tree included). Then again, I think U2 is tremendously overrated.
Nevermind wiped away all the hair bands and shitty metal that came before it like a giant asteroid exterminating the dinosaurs... for that alone, we salute Nirvana.
Although U2 is a much better live show. But we're not talking about that now.....
You're forgetting the best album of the past twenty years -- the debut album of Third Eye Blind.
Let the flaming begin ...
Joshua Tree. Period. Discussion over.
Tori fan. Aerosmith fan.
Third Eye who? ;)
Post a Comment