The Top 5 Retro Reviews I Want to See

As a general rule, AT&T’s DSL internet service sucks. I know this because I am plagued by slow connections and (as South Park noted this week) that damned blinking orange light. Erin, who writes out Retro Reviews here on Audio Overflow, also has AT&T internet. So when the time came for her to post her Retro Review yesterday, wouldn’t you know it, her internet started to suck it up. But rather than make an entire post explaining why her review isn’t up yet, I’ve decided to make this week’s Top 5 Friday related to the issue at hand. That way, I not only get to explain the absence of said review, but I get a totally sweet introduction paragraph out of it! So the following list is a list of Retro Reviews that I want to see written on Audio Overflow. Keep in mind, this isn’t an upcoming schedule, or orders for Erin to follow, just a list.

#5: Atom & His Package: Redefining Music – An odd choice, yes, but one that I think would be humorous to see Erin tackle. For the uninitiated, Atom & His Package is a now defunct one-man, synth punk band. It’s all fairly humorous music, with songs that are either silly, funny, or on serious subject matters – but all of it is actually pretty decent. Take, for example, the song “If You Own the Washington Redskins, You’re a Cock,” which is about racism in sports team names like the Braves, Indians, or Redskins. Atom makes some good points, noting that if we’re going to allow that, we might as well have the “Carolina Negros” and the “New York Kikes.” Ouch! I’d totally love to see this one get reviewed.

#4: Nirvana: Bleach – Bleach was Nirvana’s first album, released on the indie label, Sub Pop. As such, only the really die hard fans have heard it. I’m not one of those people. I happen to find Nirvana severely overrated, and I think people often overlook the technical flaws of the band and focus more on the commercial and cultural impact that the band had on music. I’d like to see a review that focuses on the band’s music prior to their big breakout! Is it as good as their other stuff? Is it good at all without the nostalgia factor added in? These are questions that should be answered, mostly because I’ve never heard it myself.

#3: Michael Jackson: Thriller – The 25th anniversary edition of this album was released a few months ago, which probably would’ve been a perfect time to review it. Still, I’m interested to see how the best selling albums of all time hold up today. There are some definite hits that will probably never die; like “Thriller,” “Beat It,” or “Billie Jean.” But was this an album that thrived on it’s singles, or one that deserves the above-mentioned title? Is there anything to this one besides those three songs? Does it even matter? A retro review on this one would be awesome.

#2: Creed: Human Clay – Creed was the shiz. No doubt about it! I remember being in high school when the song “What If” came out and everybody was all over it. My sister’s boyfriend was totally in a band that performed this song at the school talent show. It was awful, and at the time I thought to myself that it didn’t do the original justice. About a decade later, I can safely say that the original didn’t even do itself justice. Creed sucks soooo hard! How did we ever enjoy this crap? There are no urgent questions that need to be answered like the above two albums, I just sometimes like to see an album get torn to shreds. That being said, I’m just glad I’m not the one that would have to review it – ’cause then I’d have to listen to it all over again. Not cool.

#1: The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – Widely considered to be the greatest album of all time, this one seems like a natural choice for the #1 pick on this list. But there’s more to it than that; namely that I have just never been able to get into The Beatles. Strange, I know, considering my adoration for indie pop, which is heavily influenced by the band. But still, it’s just never done it for me. Sgt. Pepper’s has some classic songs, and is without a doubt, the oddest CD that The Beatles ever put out. I have no intention of listening to it any time soon. But if Erin reviews it and gives it a score that’s an 8 or higher, ok…I’ll bite. Your play, Erin.

The Top 25 Alternative Rock Albums (Albums 5-1)

So after 4 weeks of counting down Audio Overflow’s Top 25 Alternative Rock Albums, we’ve finally made it to the Top 5. Be sure to let us know what we should have added and what we should have taken off.

#5. Our Lady Peace: Happiness Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch (1999)
Erin says: “A lot of the songs on this album are really unique and I truly get into them. I believe that Our Lady Peace’s uniqueness is what makes their music so entertaining and memorable. The majority of the songs on this album definitely fall into that category. “

Cale says: “This was one of the first albums that I can remember liking all the way through. Each song on it is fantastic and passionately performed by the band. They have not matched the heights reached on this album since.”

#4. Bush: Sixteen Stone (1994)
Erin says: “When I first saw the movie “Fear”, I remember thinking, “I want this soundtrack”, when someone next to me said, “just buy Sixteen Stone”. Well, I never did, but that never stopped me from listening to, singing to, and respecting the many wonderful works of Bush. Gavin Rosdale’s voice is one of my favorites and seemed to almost embody the concept of alternative rock…Or at least every 16 year old girl’s stereotype.”

Cale says: “Totally agree with Erin on that one. Gavin’s voice truly makes this album what it is. The amount of quality songs contained on it is nearly unparalleled in the genre. Still, if it weren’t for Gavin, I doubt anyone would’ve ever heard of this band.”

#3. Nirvana: Nevermind (1991)
Cale says: “I think that for the most part, Kurt Cobain is one of the most overhyped vocalists of all time. When it’s all said and done, he was downright terrible at vocals. Still, Nirvana was a band that started a music revolution, and Nevermind was truly ahead of its time.”

Erin says: “Well it’s no big secret that Nirvana is not one of my favorite bands…so why would I nominate them for the top 25? Well it’s simple. Grunge is one of the subgenres commonly associated with alternative rock and since Nirvana was a HUGE turning point away from hairbands of the 80’s, I respect them and this album. If not for this album (and this is heavily debated) I believe that music today would be entirely different. They were pioneers in the music industry…definitely innovators.”

#2. Pearl Jam: Ten (1991)
Jill says: “”Alive” was and always has been one of the most stiring songs ever. It’s the benchmark for a deep, dark story and I never took the chorus for anything inspirational. Sometimes being alive can be such a burden. “

Erin says: “Just awesome! There’s a reason why most alternative stations still play a good majority of “Ten’s” songs on the radio. They are still great songs over a decade later! I can’t think of one song on this album that I hate. I really feel like Pearl Jam and this album take home the prize for being the most unique.”

#1. Live: Throwing Copper (1994)
Cale says: “Words cannot accurately describe the greatness of this album. It came out when I was in middle school, and I have revered it highly ever since. “Pillar of Davidson” is one of my all-time favorite sing along songs and “Lightning Crashes” still sends chills down my spine. The greatness of Throwing Copper is only heightened by the sad truth that Live was never able to put together an album as solid as this ever again. But if there was an album on this list that deserved to be considered the greatest Alternative Rock album of all time, I’m happy it could be this one!”

Erin says: “If you’ve read my retro review on this album, then you already know my opinion. If you don’t like it, you probably don’t have ears. Throwing Copper is capable of stirring up many thoughts during it’s course of play time. I have yet to listen to it and not have an overwhelming appreciation of their talent. Definitely my favorite alternative album!”