214 replies to this topic

[mrdannyg]

Alright, here's the deal. I grew up listening to my older brother's grunge crap, and my dad's Joan Baez and Peter, Paul and Mary, and my tastes are somewhere in the middle. I listened to nothing except a mainstream classic rock station for years.

So I have a set of music I really like, but would like to expand it. My favourite bands include Jethro Tull, Rush, Yes, The Who, Guess Who, Zeppelin, Stones, Allman Brothers, etc.

In this thread, I will ask you to recommend albums by certain bands that I'd like to know more about. The recommendation should include a reasonable cross-section of their music, and/or hopefully be their 'best.'

Of course, feel free to recommend whatever you like, but that's what I'm asking. I'm happy to hear things like "Judas Priest? Screw that, listen to Slayer instead. _____ is their best album"

Just been reading the Best Guitarist thread, so for now, I'd appreciate recommendations for Slayer, Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Deep Purple.
Thanks!

[HollywoodAFD]

KISS

Go for Alive and Alive II--those are the best
Destroyer is good but if you get the Alive versions...you get the best of that album.
Double Platinum has good tunes but for some reason the tracks are just so dull and flat.

Avoid all the solo albums and anything that doesn't contain the original 4.




footnote: I saw them in concert a few years ago with Ted Nugent and they still rock for old guys.

[mrdannyg]

I don't really want to like Kiss, but I'll give them a shot. If anyone recommends Metallica, I hate you.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[BigDMcGee]

Slayer: Reign of blood

RATM: RATM ( their first self titled album. I'm an ironic fan of theirs, but even "real" fans would probably call it their strongest.


For band recomendations, I'd throw out T. Rex-Electric Warrior

King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King, Red and Starless and bible black


And skip kiss, they are terrible.

[HollywoodAFD]

I don't really want to like Kiss, but I'll give them a shot. If anyone recommends Metallica, I hate you.

Thanks for the recommendation!

Start with KISS Alive II "God of Thunder".... if the Peter Criss drum solo doesn't make the hair stand on the back your neck....maybe they aren't for you.
Gene sings that one and he can't sing for crap but the guitar work and drum solo is pretty awesome.

Best overall song on the album is "I want you"

[HollywoodAFD]

Slayer: Reign of blood

RATM: RATM ( their first self titled album. I'm an ironic fan of theirs, but even "real" fans would probably call it their strongest.


For band recomendations, I'd throw out T. Rex-Electric Warrior

King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King, Red and Starless and bible black


And skip kiss, they are terrible.

I only mentioned KISS because the bands he said he liked were all "old school"...
for some fresher stuff...try out VAMPIRE WEEKEND... listening to some of that now while watching Florida play

[BigDMcGee]

I only mentioned KISS because the bands he said he liked were all "old school"...

I understand. Which is why I recommended T. Rex and King Crimson, who are from that era, but good, and not played on the radio much.

[Sick Boy]

The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium (although you probably wont like it its more progressive rock)

[HollywoodAFD]

From that era....another oldie but goodie is ZZ Top Fandango and Eliminator.

I saw them warm up for the Stones many years ago...great stuff.

Of course the best bang for your buck is the 92 release of Greatest Hits.

I cant really chime in on their latest stuff... RANCHO TEXICANO appears to be a "greatest hits" but I don't know if it's a LIVE version or not.

[mrdannyg]

Slayer: Reign of blood

RATM: RATM ( their first self titled album. I'm an ironic fan of theirs, but even "real" fans would probably call it their strongest.


For band recomendations, I'd throw out T. Rex-Electric Warrior

King Crimson - In the court of the Crimson King, Red and Starless and bible black


And skip kiss, they are terrible.

Thank you. T Rex and King Crimson are good ones I wouldn't have thought of.

Start with KISS Alive II "God of Thunder".... if the Peter Criss drum solo doesn't make the hair stand on the back your neck....maybe they aren't for you.
Gene sings that one and he can't sing for crap but the guitar work and drum solo is pretty awesome.

Best overall song on the album is "I want you"

Sorry. I really do appreciate the recommendation, but I'm really not sure I can listen to a drum solo from a guy wearing kitty makeup. I wish I could...just can't quite get there.

The Mars Volta - Deloused in the Comatorium (although you probably wont like it its more progressive rock)

Progressive is good, I'll give it a shot. I know Rush and Yes are borderline, but I can get into weirder stuff, though not totally weird.

Missed the quote, but I've tried ZZ Top before, just couldn't get into them.

Any Zappa recommendations?

[BigDMcGee]

Any Zappa recommendations?

Zappa is one of the hardest things to recommend in the world, because his albums are so diverse. Off the top of my head, I'd say Freak out, Hot Rats, We're only in it for the money ( a sgt. Pepper's satire), joe's garage. That's probably a good overview of his work. My personal favorite's are waka/jawaka and the grand wazoo, which are jazzier albums.

[BigDMcGee]

Also a random recommendation... the first two Queen albums, Queen and Queen 2 are really good. They are more prog and art rocky than their later albums ( which are also good, imo, but more eclectic).

[HollywoodAFD]

Can't go wrong with some STYX... maybe Paradise Theater or Grand Illusion.


Good rec on the Queen albums.... listened to one of those on the way to set Wednesday.

[ajs510]

Just been reading the Best Guitarist thread, so for now, I'd appreciate recommendations for Slayer, Pantera, Rage Against the Machine, Deep Purple.
Thanks!

+1 for the original RATM album, which is amazing, but also give a listen to The Battle of Los Angeles which is also incredible. Evil Empire is a great album, but if you're just getting started on Rage it isn't recommended to start there, apart from a couple songs (Bulls on Parade and People of the Sun) you have to be very into them to appreciate it. "Sleep Now in the Fire", "Freedom", "Killing in the Name", "Know Your Enemy", "Guerrilla Radio", "Testify", "Bombtrack", basically every single song from those two albums is awesome. Listen LOUD.

You should also definitely give Audioslave a listen if you haven't already heard most everything they did, great band that went away too soon. "Cochise", "Show Me How to Live", "Doesn't Remind Me", "Your Time Has Come", and many other great songs. Start with Cochise, their first single and a perfect introduction to their music.

As far as Pantera goes, I would personally start with Vulgar Display of Power and go from there in deciding if they're for you or not. "This Love", "Walk" and "Fucking Hostile" are great songs to get you started.

[BigDMcGee]

Here's another recommendation..

http://www.pandora.com/#/stations/create/

[mrdannyg]

Also a random recommendation... the first two Queen albums, Queen and Queen 2 are really good. They are more prog and art rocky than their later albums ( which are also good, imo, but more eclectic).

Agreed. Queen is definitely one of my favourites. One of the few bands that I like pretty much anything.

Can't go wrong with some STYX... maybe Paradise Theater or Grand Illusion.


Good rec on the Queen albums.... listened to one of those on the way to set Wednesday.

Sadly, I already like Styx too, but I'll give those a listen.

+1 for the original RATM album, which is amazing, but also give a listen to The Battle of Los Angeles which is also incredible. Evil Empire is a great album, but if you're just getting started on Rage it isn't recommended to start there, apart from a couple songs (Bulls on Parade and People of the Sun) you have to be very into them to appreciate it. "Sleep Now in the Fire", "Freedom", "Killing in the Name", "Know Your Enemy", "Guerrilla Radio", "Testify", "Bombtrack", basically every single song from those two albums is awesome. Listen LOUD.

You should also definitely give Audioslave a listen if you haven't already heard most everything they did, great band that went away too soon. "Cochise", "Show Me How to Live", "Doesn't Remind Me", "Your Time Has Come", and many other great songs. Start with Cochise, their first single and a perfect introduction to their music.

As far as Pantera goes, I would personally start with Vulgar Display of Power and go from there in deciding if they're for you or not. "This Love", "Walk" and "Fucking Hostile" are great songs to get you started.

I'm pretty sure I'll get into RATM once I hear some albums. I love the little I've heard. I also downloaded some 'top solo' songs, which included Walk and ****ing Hostile, so this will be on the playlist.

Audioslave - I know Cochise. Whenever it comes on I think I should listen to more...then I hear the background singing on the chorus, and they completely lose me there. Gives a poppy edge to the whole song. I youtube'd a couple more songs, and they definitely seem to lean on the pop side more than rock. Is that a wrong impression?


On another note, I just put on some Pantera, who I basically know nothing about. Had to turn it off 30 seconds in to take a call. I wander into the washroom and see that the front of my hair has spiked up a little on each side - looked exactly like little devil horns. Awesome.


Really appreciate all the recommendations. In case anyone is wondering, I am on public transit for more than an hour a day, so I'll have plenty of time to listen to this stuff. Looking forward to reporting back.

[mrdannyg]

Here's another recommendation..

http://www.pandora.com/#/stations/create/

Dear Pandora Visitor,

We are deeply, deeply sorry to say that due to licensing constraints, we can no longer allow access to Pandora for listeners located outside of the U.S. We will continue to work diligently to realize the vision of a truly global Pandora, but for the time being we are required to restrict its use. We are very sad to have to do this, but there is no other alternative.

We believe that you are in Canada (your IP address appears to be 96.30.133.33). If you believe we have made a mistake, we apologize and ask that you please contact us at pandora-support@pandora.com


Damnit.

[ajs510]

Audioslave - I know Cochise. Whenever it comes on I think I should listen to more...then I hear the background singing on the chorus, and they completely lose me there. Gives a poppy edge to the whole song. I youtube'd a couple more songs, and they definitely seem to lean on the pop side more than rock. Is that a wrong impression?

Nope, pretty astute judgment. RATM definitely has a harder edge and for the most part Soundgarden does as well, but I like Audioslave a lot personally. If you ever get a chance to watch their Live in Cuba DVD, it's truly an incredible show.

[slink]

Don't know if you tried old ZZTop, but just about everything before Eliminator is pretty good, slower, less produced, and more bluesy.

AC/DC Bon Scott. Just good rock n roll boogie.

Let There Be Rock, Powerage.

Brian Johnson: Back in Black (obv) plus Ballbreaker and Razor's Edge

Lynyrd Synyrd? Yes!

[HollywoodAFD]

Sorry. I really do appreciate the recommendation, but I'm really not sure I can listen to a drum solo from a guy wearing kitty makeup. I wish I could...just can't quite get there.

LOL.... understood.

But kitty make-up aside... this is a bad arse solo
Peter Criss