Desert island artists

[gasteropod]

Some workmates were trying to choose the top 10 bands'/artists' back catalogues they'd want to have with them if they were stranded on a desert island, what are yours? I'll have a go with the following (in alphabetical order), but I'm going to make it 12 because it's my favourite number :

Björk
The Blood Brothers
Captain Beefheart
Faith No More
Kate Bush
Modest Mouse
Mr. Bungle
Pinback
Pixies
The Shins
The Smiths
Why?

I've probably missed off something vital, but it's always with the same with lists like these. Let's see yours!

[Shingster]

No specific order:

The Band
Bob Dylan
Counting Crows
Jackson Browne
Loreena Mckennitt
Metallica
Pearl Jam
Randy Newman
Ryan Adams
Tom McRae

[Markgway]

I'm a greatest hits kinda guy....

[gasteropod]

Mental! I'm the complete opposite and only listen to albums, rather than songs on a playlist or whatever.

[luckystars]

I'm mostly the same gastero, however I like certain hiphop artists too , and most of them rarely make albums that play well as a whole.

For the list I'd go for (off the top of my head disclaimer):

Beck
Femi Kuti
The Flaming Lips
Huge Masekela
The KLF
Kurupt
Marvin Gaye
Morrissey
Radiohead
Steely Dan


Selection based on stuff rich and varied enough to never get bored of

[Markgway]

I wouldn't say it was "mental" exactly... but yeah we are polarised. I like compilations. There are also only a handful of artists I would buy more than one album of. Usually I like one - maybe two -singles from them but wouldn't want to listen to the filler. There are always exceptions. I think REM are a good album band.

[gasteropod]

Morrissey
Radiohead

Radiohead almost made my list, and do you prefer Morrissey's solo stuff to The Smiths??

[luckystars]

I like all his stuff but if I was restricted to just The Smiths, I'd miss out on You Are the Quarry

[Markgway]

I have Last of the Gang to Die as a CD single.

[gasteropod]

I have You Are the Quarry but think it's a bit pedestrian. I've ordered Ringleader of the Tormentors though because it's only £2.99 on HMV (even the 2-disc), and I'm listening to Viva Hate on Spotify. Which is your favourite Morrissey album, luckystars?

[Godzooki]

Ryuchi Sakamoto
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye
Nas
Joe Hisaishi
Kanye West
Lupe Fiasco
Common
Nobuchika Eri
Jill Scott

[bradavon]

I prefer to pick a specific album than an entire back catalogue. Few artists I own their entire catalogue. Anyway, no specific order too:

1. The Cranberries - No Need To Argue - Truly Magical. Raw, Powerful, Outstanding
2. Lene Marlin - Playing My Game - It perfectly captures teenage angst, that we all went through at one time or another. It also really reminds me of my youth too.
3. James Taylor - Hourglass - James Taylor what a excellent artist. A true return to form.
4. Nobody Knows: The Best of Paul Brady - It's a Greatest Hits but I presume they're allowed, it also perfectly sums up Brady's career.
5. The Graduate Soundtrack - I so adore this film and this is in large part due to the outstanding work by Simon & Garfunkel. I toyed with including a Great Hits but this gives the list a Film connection too.
6. Shania Twain - Come On Over - One of the true highlights in POP. It's such so god damn fun.
7. Nelly Furtado - Folklore - Easily Furtado's best work. Lyrical, Raw and Powerful. I so hope one day Furtado will return to her more powerful edgier work, than the POP (which I still like) she sings today.
8. The Corrs - Talk On Corners - The album that took The Corrs mainstream, still easily their best work.
9. The Eagles - Hotel California - Perfect Rock! Especially the title track "Hotel California".
10. Jeff Wayne's - The War Of The Worlds - What can be said that hasn't already been said? A true Masterpiece and boy does it sound incredible remixed into SACD Surround Sound. When I was a kid, myself and my sister were scarred shit less of this, today I adore it.

and do you prefer Morrissey's solo stuff to The Smiths??

I've never got why Morrissey is so popular, he's also struck me as a pretentious twat. I don't know much of his/The Smith's work though.

[gasteropod]

Since when has 'pop' been an acronym?

[romerojpg]

Apart from a few on Brads list, I dont own any CD by anyone else on anyone lists :bounce:

[bradavon]

Since when has 'pop' been an acronym?

Huh?

Apart from a few on Brads list, I dont own any CD by anyone else on anyone lists :bounce:

Which ones?

I'm certainly not saying it is the case here but these sorts of lists tend to be full of what "people are expected to like" and "what is considered cool".

[romerojpg]

The Cranberries - No Need To Argue - I like it, but not their best. Her solo albums (new one just out) are nothing close to her group work sadly.
Lene Marlin - Playing My Game - I own it I think, a few good songs, but the albums not good it has to be said overall.
Shania Twain - Come On Over - liked it back in the day, now its cringe worthy stuff, if fun.
Nelly Furtado - Folklore - amazing album.
The Corrs - Talk On Corners - again amazing album both Sharon and Andrea have new solo albums out now.

and as for what people are expected to like or cool, stuff that. I hate idiots who follow bands becuase they are cool etc.. or becuase they get in the charts high etc..

Too many artists are inconsistent also, some good work, some awful etc.. Radiohead for instance have some stunning work out, wonderful songs, but also release plenty of average and lesser songs for me. Or even Kate Bush, some really great songs, but a massive amount of awful ones on her albums, the last album of hers I got there was not even 1 good song on it.

Then there are aquired tastes with odd voices like Morrissey + The Smiths etc.. and Bob Dylan, you either get him or you dont, I detest his voice and I dont think he can sing in any way at all, it like having someone strangle a rat.

Still unlike films we just like what we like in Music, we are very different thats for sure.

[bradavon]

The Cranberries - No Need To Argue - I like it, but not their best.

I'd be interested to hear which album you like best? I have them all. This is their best IMO, followed by "Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?". They got quite a lot heavier after NNTA, which I still like but not as much.

Her solo albums (new one just out) are nothing close to her group work sadly.

You reckon? Her first album sounds very much like the latter work of The Cranberries, plus Dolores O'Riordan's voice is always so recognisable. Do you have her latest album? If so, how? It's not released for another week. Bootleg I'm guessing.

Lene Marlin - Playing My Game - I own it I think, a few good songs, but the albums not good it has to be said overall.

For me it's perfect, even if I'll agree it sounds like an album from the period it was released (i.e - not contemporary).

Shania Twain - Come On Over - liked it back in the day, now its cringe worthy stuff, if fun.

WOW! Couldn't disagree more. From "The Woman in Me" onwards. I love all her stuff.

Nelly Furtado - Folklore - amazing album.
The Corrs - Talk On Corners - again amazing album both Sharon and Andrea have new solo albums out now.

We'll agree here. Andrea Corr's album was poor though, sadly weak song after weak song most disappointing and Sharon's album isn't out yet. I cannot even find it listed anywhere, why? Because it "will be out by Christmas":

http://www.sharoncorr.com/forum/viewtop ... 0&start=30

According to her website they've not even finished recording it yet. The first "single" will be out next week. It's a big step for Sharon though, almost always only singing backing previously. Andrea Corrs next album is "still in the works".

I hate idiots who follow bands becuase they are cool etc.. or becuase they get in the charts high etc..

Agreed on the first part but the second only works because people are actually buying it in the first place.

Too many artists are inconsistent also, some good work, some awful etc..

Agreed, some artists manage to do it again and again

I cannot believe I forgot "Alanis Morrisette". I'd struggle to pick a favourite album though, it's all excellent (except for, "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" maybe).

[grim_tales]

I can't decide what my artists would be I don't actually own that many albums per se. I could say what music though.
Sinatra
Elvis
Simon and Garfunkel
Some Beatles has to be there
Early-mid period MJ (I'll Be There, Beat It, Shake Your Body, Billie Jean, Thrilller etc)
Judith Durham and The Seekers (The carnival Is Over, A World of Our Own, Colours of My Life, It's Hard To Leave, Let Me Find Love)
Bill Withers (Ain't No Sunshine, Lean On Me, Lovely Day)
Even today Judith still has a beautiful voice

[romerojpg]

Plenty of old school, sit back and listen music Grim most people will like many of them, even if they dont own them.

[bradavon]

Which The Cranberries is your fave Romero?

[Markgway]

Since when has 'pop' been an acronym?

Like Brad, I also own these...

Lene Marlin - Playing My Game
The Corrs - Talk On Corners

and have a greatest hits of The Cranberries.

Surprised to see so much love for boring Bill Withers.

[grim_tales]

I have an album of Dire Straits
Like stuff like Sultans of Swing and Romeo and Juliet though
My mum has Billy Joel I think and Rod the Mod.

[gasteropod]

Or even Kate Bush, some really great songs, but a massive amount of awful ones on her albums, the last album of hers I got there was not even 1 good song on it.

Which album?

[Shingster]

Surprised to see so much love for boring Bill Withers.

I just bumped him for Tom McRae, can't believe I forgot to include him in the list, it's his music I listen to most!

[bradavon]

Gas? -

Since when has 'pop' been an acronym?