The 90s Album Draft

[Panfilo]

I asked crimen and castigo to come up with the draft order but he logged off. So I decided to pick names out of a hat. Hopefully you guys don't mind. Alright then the draft order:

1)bojendyk
2) Karl K
3) SirManchester
4) Dr. Know
5) sch2383
6) Toon³
7) Quango
8) ForeverRed
9) taosjohn
10) Panfilo
11) kopiteinkc
12) nancyb
13) Uppa 90
14) GringoTex
15) Michael K.
16) JeremyEritrea


Rounds 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 will go 16 to 1. So, JeremyEritrea will draft twice at the end of the first round. 10 rounds total.

Rules:

1) Albums must have been originally released on or after 1/1/1990.
2) Albums that sample pre-1990 albums are allowed.
3) No greatest hits albums and the only compilations that are allowed must inlcude all original releases.
4) Every genre is fair game.
5) PM the next drafter once you post your pick.
6) 6 hours to make your pick.
7) While discussing other people's picks, please don't mention any undrafted albums/songs/bands. If you do, I'll edit them out of your post. Once a band/album/song is drafted though, it's OK to mention them.
8) As a courtesy, if you are going to be unavailable for an extended period of time, please try to PM a few proxy picks to someone not involved in the draft so they can draft for you. It's not a rule but just a suggestion that'll keep it moving.
9) The winner will be the person who receives the most votes from their fellow drafters at the end. Everyone will submit first, second and third place votes. Five points for first, three for second and one for third.

Places to find links for mp3 files:

The Hype Machine
elbo.ws
mp3 Finder

[bojendyk]

I'm going to start with the most prectable choice that could have been made:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000003TA4.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

This isn't actually even my favorite Nirvana record--that honor goes to Bleach, and I may even prefer ** ***** (which is a much, MUCH better sounding recording). But clearly, this was the record that defined the 90s.

Before it was released, Nirvana put out a cd-ep for "Smells Like Teen Spirit." My brother and I were already huge fans of the band because of Bleach and the stunning "Sliver"/"Dive" single, so we headed to the Cellophane Square in downtown Bellingham (where we were staying for summer) to pick it up. We hadn't heard it yet, of course, because it had been released that day. Sadly, Cellophane had already sold their few copies. When we asked the clerk behind the counter when they could expect more copies, he excitedly offered to let us listen to the store's copy. We declined, but think about what I just said here: record store clerks are notorious snobs; instead of being protective about his favorite music, this guy felt such excitement that he wanted to share it with us.

We hit another record store kitty-corner from Cellophane and bought a copy there. Needless to say, even though Cobain et al. had copped *** ******' "*******," it blew us away. When Nevermind finally hit the shelves, Rolling Stone awarded it a dismissive three-star review--a review that didn't even mention "Teen Spirit." (To put this in perspective, Rolling Stone later handed five stars to a **** ****** solo record that I would defy any of you to remember.) It was clear to my brother and me that we had just heard a tide-changing song.

There's no need to link to any tracks from this record, because you all already own it, but I'm going to throw up a live version of "On a Plain," simply because it's one of my two or three favorite Nirvana songs ever.

u2v8-l0S7dE

[Quango]

This isn't actually even my favorite Nirvana record--that honor goes to Bleach, and I may even prefer ** ***** (which is a much, MUCH better sounding recording). But clearly, this was the record that defined the 90s.


I think it suffers from its over-exposure. Bleach is not nearly as good musically, but it is so underlooked that it feels fresher than Nevermind. Plus, it has Floyd the Barber.

[Karl K]

Guess that means I'm up...this has happened fast!

OK, give me a minute or two while I think....

[bojendyk]

I think it suffers from its over-exposure. Bleach is not nearly as good musically, but it is so underlooked that it feels fresher than Nevermind. Plus, it has Floyd the Barber.

You're right about overexposure, but the album still has plenty of "deep tracks" that I could listen to over and over again.

I love Bleach entirely, and you're correct that "Floyd the Barber" rules.

[Karl K]

For my first pick in the draft I select

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea from Neutral Milk Hotel. Released 1998.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/516DZMQ1MGL._AA240_.jpg

Not just one of the great records of the 90s, but one of the great records of the last 30 years.

Inspried by Anne Frank, but also about memory, loss, life and death. There is no Sufjan Stevens without Jeff Mangum. Sufjan is carrying on the mantle of Jeff Mangum.

Here is a great acoustic version of "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea." There are complaints about Mangum's voice -- that he warbles, and is off tune. But in this performance he is totally in control.

Very simple. Very poignant. Very powerful.

You need to go directly to you tube to view it.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRMtQs_bXq4

uRMtQs_bXq4

[sch2383]

For my first pick in the draft I select

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea from Neutral Milk Hotel. Released 1998.

Well ******** you. I had hope it'd drop to me at 5.

[SirManchester]

I'm going to start with the most prectable choice that could have been made:

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000003TA4.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

While it was a predictable first pick, (one which I would have probably made anyway, it was my first pick in the album draft last year) it's still a fantastic choice. I know you prefer the other album, most die hard Nirvana fans do (I love it) but Cobain's song writing was never as good as this. Territorial pissings is still one of my three go-to songs when I'm pissed.

You're perhaps the one poster here who's as fascinated with the "Seattle" scene as me, so cheers.

[SirManchester]

First of all, music in the 90's was so diverse, so while hundreds and hundreds of choices are available, I'm going to limit myself to only hard rock or alternative rock albums.

And with that I am taking the other pinnacle of 90's music.

Ten - Pearl Jam

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0000027RL.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

I don't think much needs to be said about this album, much like Nevermind. Alive is still one of my top ten favorite songs of all time.

[Dr. Know]

http://www.mygmusique.com/PHP2/jaquettes/legende/Radiohead_-Ok_Computer_(1997).jpg

Not even my favorite Radiohead album but it's importance and influence cannot be overlooked. I'll make a complete write-up later on.

[Uppa 90]

*crosses 3 of my top 10 off... *

all standard, but understandably so...

[Karl K]

First of all, music in the 90's was so diverse, so while hundreds and hundreds of choices are available, I'm going to limit myself to only hard rock or alternative rock albums.

Looking over my collection quickly as I contemplated my first pick, I think I may do the same -- thought there were some interesting electronic artists who came onto the scene.

I will definitely follow my self-imposed rule that I used in the Current Music Draft thread -- I will not select an artist who has already been chosen.

[SirManchester]

I'm going to post some videos corresponding to my album.

Alive
e_LQU2-GOXY

Black
Vi2x28FEwCo

Porch (Acoustic)
y2kouqn-kYg

[Quango]

Radiohead_-Ok_Computer_(1997)

Best album of the 90's. Q

[bmurphyfl]

1) Nevermind - The only way you could have screwedup this pick is if you hadn't taken Nevermind. Just the fact that it knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the charts makes itworthy ofbeing the first pick. Well done.

2) In the Aeroplane - Another excellent pick. Everyone wnats to make another album like this but never manages to hit the levels of passion, intimacy and orchestration that this album does. Certainly a top pick.

3) Ten - An album that hasn't aged well. It was quite a splash when it first cameout but quickly sounded tired and boring as the mid-90's unleashed a cornacopia of exciting guitar rock albums. Worthy of being a fourth to sixth round pick tops.

4) OK Computer - While not my cup of tea, I appreciatewhat they are doing and the album's place in history. Good first round pick.

It's nice to not participate in one of these and just sit back while lobbing uninvited comments into the fray.

[bojendyk]

Looking over my collection quickly as I contemplated my first pick, I think I may do the same -- thought there were some interesting electronic artists who came onto the scene.

I will definitely follow my self-imposed rule that I used in the Current Music Draft thread -- I will not select an artist who has already been chosen.

I've been debating to self-impose a rule on myself, too: I may draft only albums from Washington (either one).

[sch2383]

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ff/4b/fbacb2c008a045d73dc94010.L.jpg

I'm not sure what to say about this album. It has dark subjects (a failed superman, spider bites, scientists losing track of humanity) set to some joyous music that mixes in traditional instruments, electronicae remixes, and a whole lot of synth. It is also damn hard not to listen to more than a few tracks without getting a giant smile on your face. And I'll refer you to the webcomic Questionable Content (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=141) for more on this album.

Race for the Prize:
RVzkRQH8z-Y

Waitin' for a Superman
As2IDxv-2N4

[The Double]

The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/ff/4b/fbacb2c008a045d73dc94010.L.jpg

I'm not sure what to say about this album. It has dark subjects (a failed superman, spider bites, scientists losing track of humanity) set to some joyous music that mixes in traditional instruments, electronicae remixes, and a whole lot of synth. It is also damn hard not to listen to more than a few tracks without getting a giant smile on your face. And I'll refer you to the webcomic Questionable Content (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=141) for more on this album.

Race for the Prize:
RVzkRQH8z-Y

Waitin' for a Superman
As2IDxv-2N4

If I was in this draft, that probably would've been my first pick.

[Karl K]

2) In the Aeroplane - Another excellent pick. Everyone wnats to make another album like this but never manages to hit the levels of passion, intimacy and orchestration that this album does. Certainly a top pick.

As I mentioned, I think Sufjan Stevens is carrying on the Jeff Mangum tradition, and pretty much succeeding. But he may be the only one.


It's nice to not participate in one of these and just sit back while lobbing uninvited comments into the fray.

Look forward to seeing your upcoming lobs!!

[bojendyk]

In the Aeroplane and The Soft Bulletin are two records that I can admire but that I don't especially enjoy. I mean, they're very good records, but I've never felt compelled to own them. I hear a lot of Aeroplane in the Arcade Fire, who, strangely, I like quite a bit. Perhaps I should revisit these records.

Ten never really appealed to me, although I like some of later Pearl Jam. What's remarkable about this record is that it captured the sound of five guys who clicked on their very first rehearsal. Before this record came out, some of the local stations played tracks from PJ's demo tape (I believe they were still called Mookie Blaylock by then); that, in and of itself, is remarkable--when was the last time you heard a demo on the radio? Also remarkable is that PJ recorded the demo immediately after they formed (literally within weeks). So although I'm not a fan, it interests me how five people can complement each other so perfectly that a couple of jam sessions yielded several completely formed songs.

I think OK Computer is pretty solid, though I haven't listened to it in quite some time.