Pop can be a specific genre or just “popular” music in general. In this case, “popular” music refers to music liked by the masses who can’t read sheet music and don’t know music theory, so it excludes genres like jazz, classical, and even avant-garde music (each of which can also be broken down into sub genres as can pop). It’s like listing the top 100 books for people who can’t read.
That's an interesting list. With these kind of things it's hard to be objective in terms of distinguishing between "these things are my favourites" and "these things are the greatest"
An other excellent one! Perhaps my second favourite after Atom Heart Mother.
A couple of my students from this spring will be quite happy as they identified themselves as proud "Swifties" during introductions during orientation. Unfortunate that celebrity culture seems to muddy judgment of artistic talent (like Beatlemania). Nothing wrong per say mind you, people like what they like.
Indeed, being wildly popular with young people and having talent are not mutually exclusive. The Beatles are perhaps the greatest and most influential band of all time (they absolutely are in my mind). Their combined talent was immense yet when they played Shea Stadium folks couldn’t even hear the music over the screaming teenage girls. Swift is both talented and popular as well and is no flash in the pan either. She’s released music steadily for almost two decades now and has proven staying power. Popularity-wise she’s definitely ‘The Beatles’ of her generation. Talent-wise, well I don’t know that the fab four will ever be topped, but that’s no knock on Swift nor is it exclusive to her. After all, there can only be one GOAT.
I find Folklore quite dull tbh. 1989 is pure pop genius tho. In any event Swift seems to be the closest thing we currently have to the voice of a generation - certainly so for young women. My daughter is obsessed with Taylor Swift (and Billie Eilish for that matter).
Well, Folklore's vibe is VERY different from 1989. But artistically, the critics all say Folklore is a more impactful album in terms of lyricism and storytelling, putting Swift in the same class as Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
I've bet £10 that one of DJ Khaled's magnum opuses will be number 1.
The fact that people can argue over which album should be first for inclusion is another clear indication that she deserves a spot and will get at least one. There aren’t exactly a plethora of artists where the choice wouldn’t be obvious. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Van Halen, Elton John, and Green Day are others where arguments could be made over which album of that artist most deserves a spot. That’s good company to be in.
The groups/artists you mentioned all created historically influential albums. Green Day's American Idiot was controversial but was definitely just about the most important album for that band.
THIS is why a feat like what Apple is trying to achieve with this mission will never float.
Porcupine Tree are amazing! I haven’t listened to them in a few years, forgot how awesome their music is. Thanks for the reminder!
Totally true, it’s very hard to say that my favorites aren’t among the best - even if the rest of the world disagrees.That's an interesting list. With these kind of things it's hard to be objective in terms of distinguishing between "these things are my favourites" and "these things are the greatest"
FWIW I think Joy Division *might* belong in the top 100 - Unknown Pleasures seems to the JD album which people hold in highest regard - even though I prefer Closer.
In no particular order this is my favourite 10:
Glenn Gould - Bach Partitas
Neil Young - After the Goldrush
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
REM - Lifes Rich Pageant
Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess
Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always
New Order - Low Life
Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
The Clash - London Calling
Ask me tomorrow and you'd get a different list
In any event, any top 100 *must* include the following artists to be remotely credible IMO:
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Duke Ellington
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Donna Summer
The Beatles
Velvet Underground
Kraftwerk
Public Enemy
Aphex Twin
Jimi Hendrix
Neil Young
Pixies
Metallica
Prince
The Smiths
This is clearly not an exhaustive list
I have to say that I really didn’t want to like her, simply because I didn’t know anything about her other than that I couldn’t avoid hearing her name everywhere. I was lured into her fandom(!) after she sang a duet with Brandon Urie of Panic at the Disco, and I really liked it and thought she was adorable and fun, and has a lovely voice. Then I listened to a few of her albums—and artists who are composers and lyricists rate highly in my book—and I found that she makes some very moving and heartfelt music, along with her beautiful voice. She definitely should have an album on the list—I couldn’t say which one I think is best, as I haven’t listened to all of her work.
Also, even though I do believe in the artist’s vision for an album, I’ll usually have favorites from several different albums. Though if I really do like an artist, I’ll either love the entire album or not love it.That's an interesting list. With these kind of things it's hard to be objective in terms of distinguishing between "these things are my favourites" and "these things are the greatest"
FWIW I think Joy Division *might* belong in the top 100 - Unknown Pleasures seems to the JD album which people hold in highest regard - even though I prefer Closer.
In no particular order this is my favourite 10:
Glenn Gould - Bach Partitas
Neil Young - After the Goldrush
Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express
REM - Lifes Rich Pageant
Miles Davis - Porgy and Bess
Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Sisters of Mercy - First and Last and Always
New Order - Low Life
Tom Waits - Rain Dogs
The Clash - London Calling
Ask me tomorrow and you'd get a different list
In any event, any top 100 *must* include the following artists to be remotely credible IMO:
Miles Davis
John Coltrane
Duke Ellington
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Billie Holiday
Donna Summer
The Beatles
Velvet Underground
Kraftwerk
Public Enemy
Aphex Twin
Jimi Hendrix
Neil Young
Pixies
Metallica
Prince
The Smiths
This is clearly not an exhaustive list
