It was me, I got into them from watching a Hockey Guy YouTube video where he talked about Bill Barilko. Probably the only American who listens to them. Pissed I never found out about them earlier. RIP Gord
Yeah they’re massive in Canada, but it’s so interesting how nearly no one knows about them in the US even though they’re a better version of some bands of that era, IMO
This is addressed in the documentary I mentioned. I am personally glad they never really made it big in the US. Made being an American Hip fan special, and kept them in the smaller, more intimate venues when they toured here.
American. I lucked out discovering them in NYC during the Fully Completely tour. For the record, you could tack on Trouble at the Henhouse and Poets to their run.
You could put the artists into groups and create a playlist for each category. Done that way the playlists could be released over time, instead one huge playlist that takes forever.
Diver Down: multi-platinum (Us festival nets them the biggest single payday for a band ever)
(somehow Ed squeezes in help for MJ's Thriller in here)
1984: Diamond (10-15 million copies sold)
The multi-platinum albums in the middle have no solid numbers anymore (they were each at 2-3 million copies back in the late 1990s, which is the last time I know of that anyone paid to get real, updated numbers). I'm sure all of these numbers are much higher now. Plus, this run changed rock and metal forever, rescued us from Disco, and made MTV way more entertaining (hello, Hot for Teacher)!
Fair enough. I guess that’s why fans obsess on those two today — they don’t get the same talk (but they did get same sales and recognition then, like in Fast Times and Better Off Dead).
I would not say, “no band or artist has ever produced four truly great albums in a row,” and then exclude those who have done six objectively-verified great albums in a row.
That’s an easy six. If you don’t count Black Rider in 93 because it's music for a play, next is Mule Variations (1999)—another banger. Or even just his first four albums work, too, depending on what style you dig.
Aerosmith’s first four, also:
Aerosmith (1973)
Get Your Wings (1974)
Toys in the Attic (1975)
Rocks (1976)
I love the shit out of Arctic Monkeys and Ryan Adams both, but don’t think either quite make it. Shockingly, neither Tom Petty nor the Doors get there for me, either.
Full Moon Fever - Into The Great Wide Open - Wildflowers - Echo would be an *amazing* four-album run, but the She's The One soundtrack (not terrible, just no match for the others) is stuck in there.
Also, remember when Tom Petty did a whole soundtrack for an Ed Burns movie? That was weird.
100% on board with the Tom Petty love, but the run is also probably disqualified by Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers being ‘solo’ albums and Great Wide Open/Echo being Heartbreakers albums. Largely a distinction without a difference, but happened because of the whole ‘bands have a hard time working together over a long time frame’ thing that is one of the roots of the 4-album question.
Although on the other hand, Petty was also part of the two Travelling Wilburys albums during that period. Talk about being at an artistic peak…
I don't care for either of the DiAnno albums, but for sure TNotB through Seventh Son are tip-top albums all. That era of Maiden has aged better than most 80's metal.
Agreed on Metallica: I'd give them five, including the Black Album, which I think is excellent from start to finish even if it's a departure from the progressive thrash sound of AJFA. If only Hell Awaits or Divine Intervention were any good, Slayer would make the cut; alas. And Megadeth was uneven: Peace Sells, Rust in Peace, and Countdown were all excellent, but SFSGSWTF.
The haters are nothing more than metal hipsters who want nothing to do with something once it becomes popular. I contend the only maaaaybe-bad song on the album is Sad But True. It's definitely a stripped-down, well-produced Metallica that is very different from their early stuff, but why would I want them to record the same basic album again? I don't need another MoP: I already have that album.
Load, Reload, and St. Anger weren't bad because they were different: they were bad because the music sucked.
I have to disrespectfully disagree. And Justice 4 All was the album in which the rest of the band decided to humiliate Jason Newstead and cut his bass out of the mix. Also, no list with metal bands can be credible if it excludes Tool, as they haven't made a bad album, or even a mediocre one.
Tool have released five studio albums, with a boxed set (containing live songs, remixes, a cover) in between. This would not violate the rules you set out, correct?
For an exact four album set I'd have to choose
Aenima
Lateralus
10,000 Days
Fear Inoculum
I adore their first studio album Undertow and while it's a great set of metal songs, it doesn't encapsulate the singular sound they began to refine with Aenima.
I recommend to you a deep dive when you're, say in a contemplative mood.
The Salival versions of Pushit and Third Eye are transcendant. The No Quarter cover is amazing. Aenima is so fucking dark like Jimmy and Stinkfist. Lateralus feels like a rebirth and an awakening. If the song Lateralus doesn't make you tear up when you really listen to it you may not be alive.
Master is mine, visceral melodic, intense. They were running on all cylinders. It's not that I don't like Justice, it's just it's hard to listen to and not think about the internal strife that was behind the recording. They were in a bad place. Take for instance VH Diver Down. A great album but knowing that Eddie wasn't happy with it changes the feeling for me.
I love it here❤️
Made it in a Fif article! Day is made.
Hehe, x2!
This is so rad! Thanks for compiling this, Welch. And well done, Fifdom!
Shoutout to whoever offered up The Tragically Hip. Solid documentary on Canada's finest just dropped on Amazon Prime for anybody who's interested.
It was me, I got into them from watching a Hockey Guy YouTube video where he talked about Bill Barilko. Probably the only American who listens to them. Pissed I never found out about them earlier. RIP Gord
Yeah they’re massive in Canada, but it’s so interesting how nearly no one knows about them in the US even though they’re a better version of some bands of that era, IMO
This is addressed in the documentary I mentioned. I am personally glad they never really made it big in the US. Made being an American Hip fan special, and kept them in the smaller, more intimate venues when they toured here.
Great point. Can sometimes be what you hope for with some of your favourite bands.
Lots of hip fans from Buffalo NY!
If you’re American, it’s awesome you even know who they are
American. I lucked out discovering them in NYC during the Fully Completely tour. For the record, you could tack on Trouble at the Henhouse and Poets to their run.
The thing I’ve heard is the Canadian expats would buy up all the tix before the locals
Can we do a March Madness style tournament for this?
So many great bands and tunes!
Also, I just remembered this band’s four album run:
Faith No More:
The Real Thing (1989)
Angel Dust (1992)
King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime (1995)
Album of the Year (1997)
This could be one monster "Fifth Column" Spotify playlist.
Was thinking about taking one song from each album, but even then it's ... just too much.
Plus they're *albums*. They're supposed to be listened to fully through!
Matt you should really start a separate music podcast, would definitely listen
Might do things around here now and then; obviously at least a small audience for it.
Like choosing between children 😬
You could put the artists into groups and create a playlist for each category. Done that way the playlists could be released over time, instead one huge playlist that takes forever.
Concur. And then how would one decide which song? I get anxious just pondering it...
Again, where's the love for the Van Halen six-pack? The best run in all of rock history. Just look at the numbers:
Van Halen 1: Diamond status (10-15 million copies sold)
Van Halen 2: multi-platinum (solo world tours start here)
Women and Children First: multi-platinum
Fair Warning: multi-platinum (every guitar player's fave)
Diver Down: multi-platinum (Us festival nets them the biggest single payday for a band ever)
(somehow Ed squeezes in help for MJ's Thriller in here)
1984: Diamond (10-15 million copies sold)
The multi-platinum albums in the middle have no solid numbers anymore (they were each at 2-3 million copies back in the late 1990s, which is the last time I know of that anyone paid to get real, updated numbers). I'm sure all of these numbers are much higher now. Plus, this run changed rock and metal forever, rescued us from Disco, and made MTV way more entertaining (hello, Hot for Teacher)!
HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY "FOUR"????
Yeah, pick. It’s a spectrum. Like guitar: 1-4. Like partying: 3-6. Hate pop culture? 2-5. It’s like a buffet for four-album runs.
My problem is that I have never loved Fair Warning / Women & Children, so that gums up the run, much as I adore what's around 'em.
Fair enough. I guess that’s why fans obsess on those two today — they don’t get the same talk (but they did get same sales and recognition then, like in Fast Times and Better Off Dead).
I would not say, “no band or artist has ever produced four truly great albums in a row,” and then exclude those who have done six objectively-verified great albums in a row.
Also, I'm way below 60.
How did we miss Tom Waits?
Blue Valentine (1978)
Heartattack and Vine (1980)
Swordfishtrombones (1983)
Rain Dogs (1985)
Frank’s Wild Years (1987)
Bone Machine (1992)
That’s an easy six. If you don’t count Black Rider in 93 because it's music for a play, next is Mule Variations (1999)—another banger. Or even just his first four albums work, too, depending on what style you dig.
Aerosmith’s first four, also:
Aerosmith (1973)
Get Your Wings (1974)
Toys in the Attic (1975)
Rocks (1976)
I love the shit out of Arctic Monkeys and Ryan Adams both, but don’t think either quite make it. Shockingly, neither Tom Petty nor the Doors get there for me, either.
Full Moon Fever - Into The Great Wide Open - Wildflowers - Echo would be an *amazing* four-album run, but the She's The One soundtrack (not terrible, just no match for the others) is stuck in there.
Also, remember when Tom Petty did a whole soundtrack for an Ed Burns movie? That was weird.
She's the One is my favorite from the bunch!
100% on board with the Tom Petty love, but the run is also probably disqualified by Full Moon Fever and Wildflowers being ‘solo’ albums and Great Wide Open/Echo being Heartbreakers albums. Largely a distinction without a difference, but happened because of the whole ‘bands have a hard time working together over a long time frame’ thing that is one of the roots of the 4-album question.
Although on the other hand, Petty was also part of the two Travelling Wilburys albums during that period. Talk about being at an artistic peak…
The Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell is all over the Petty solo albums, though.
He also co-wrote “The Boys of Summer” and recently toured with Fleetwood Mac when Lindsey Buckingham was fired. What an interesting career he’s had.
Bjork's first 4 (and the "Dancer In The Dark" one):
Debut
Post
Homogenic
Selmasongs
Vespertine
I would also say Deerhoof comes close in their period from 2003-2008. Really underappreciated live band.
Tori Amos: 👠🎹
Little Earthquakes
Under The Pink
Boys For Pele
From The Choirgirl Hotel
This was fun to read, blessings for taking the time to put it together.
Did anyone mention The National? Can't believe I didn't think of them till now.
Alligator; Boxer; High Violet; Trouble Will Find Me or you could go Boxer through Sleep Well Beast
And I would swap Fear Fun for the Chloe album for Father John Misty, but that's just me.
Can’t believe I forgot about The National as well
I don't care for either of the DiAnno albums, but for sure TNotB through Seventh Son are tip-top albums all. That era of Maiden has aged better than most 80's metal.
Agreed on Metallica: I'd give them five, including the Black Album, which I think is excellent from start to finish even if it's a departure from the progressive thrash sound of AJFA. If only Hell Awaits or Divine Intervention were any good, Slayer would make the cut; alas. And Megadeth was uneven: Peace Sells, Rust in Peace, and Countdown were all excellent, but SFSGSWTF.
The Black album is widely known by the thrashers as the sell out album though…
The haters are nothing more than metal hipsters who want nothing to do with something once it becomes popular. I contend the only maaaaybe-bad song on the album is Sad But True. It's definitely a stripped-down, well-produced Metallica that is very different from their early stuff, but why would I want them to record the same basic album again? I don't need another MoP: I already have that album.
Load, Reload, and St. Anger weren't bad because they were different: they were bad because the music sucked.
I have to disrespectfully disagree. And Justice 4 All was the album in which the rest of the band decided to humiliate Jason Newstead and cut his bass out of the mix. Also, no list with metal bands can be credible if it excludes Tool, as they haven't made a bad album, or even a mediocre one.
I was also surprised to see Tool was missing. Not a bad one in the bunch.
I think Tool was nominated, but not in a four-album chunk, and I didn’t know them enough to choose.
Tool have released five studio albums, with a boxed set (containing live songs, remixes, a cover) in between. This would not violate the rules you set out, correct?
For an exact four album set I'd have to choose
Aenima
Lateralus
10,000 Days
Fear Inoculum
I adore their first studio album Undertow and while it's a great set of metal songs, it doesn't encapsulate the singular sound they began to refine with Aenima.
I recommend to you a deep dive when you're, say in a contemplative mood.
The Salival versions of Pushit and Third Eye are transcendant. The No Quarter cover is amazing. Aenima is so fucking dark like Jimmy and Stinkfist. Lateralus feels like a rebirth and an awakening. If the song Lateralus doesn't make you tear up when you really listen to it you may not be alive.
Their exclusion almost caused me to unsubscribe. Tool should be included with a five album run. They only release gold, no matter how long it takes.
Tool is existential. Anyone that doesn't like them has basically stepped on my snek.
Fair. The Newsted tale is a sordid one. They really fucked him over. Rolling Stone actually wrote an article about music one time which covered it. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/metallicas-and-justice-for-all-album-what-happened-to-bass-715079/
This may be true, but even sans bass, ‘Justice’ is still my favorite from them.
Master is mine, visceral melodic, intense. They were running on all cylinders. It's not that I don't like Justice, it's just it's hard to listen to and not think about the internal strife that was behind the recording. They were in a bad place. Take for instance VH Diver Down. A great album but knowing that Eddie wasn't happy with it changes the feeling for me.
Torche rules. Shout out Mike Huckabee and Gutfeld.
Bill Evans:
Portrait in Jazz
Explorations
Sunday at the Village Vanguard
Waltz for Debbie
Debby*