not that i'm the first to say this but i has to be Bakesale, my introduction to seBADoh.
― Bee OK, Saturday, 12 July 2008 03:21 (sixteen years ago) link
trembling blue stars 'alive to every smile'.
― keythkeyth, Saturday, 12 July 2008 03:46 (sixteen years ago) link
"Severe Exposure, featuring the 12". That was SFS at their peak..."
Man... that's a great record. But I really think it's the two after that (Paranormalized, and Law of Ruins) where they really got out from under the Jesus Lizard-isms and got way more Krauty/weird/original/awesomest.
― Nate Carson, Saturday, 12 July 2008 05:06 (sixteen years ago) link
tough call,i too went with my favourite over the best,,,,,SDRE.
― drone/a/sore, Saturday, 12 July 2008 05:16 (sixteen years ago) link
rembling blue stars alive to every smile
alma
― Bee OK, Saturday, 12 July 2008 05:20 (sixteen years ago) link
I think Severe Exposure was way more Half Machine Lip Moves than Goat. I love that whole album down to the goofy "Baker St." rip-off on the 12".
― drench, Saturday, 12 July 2008 05:43 (sixteen years ago) link
this is so hard
― Surmounter, Saturday, 12 July 2008 05:48 (sixteen years ago) link
for me,
Congregation vs. Frigid Stars vs. Earth 2 vs. Bunny Gets Paid
― stephen, Saturday, 12 July 2008 06:44 (sixteen years ago) link
I prefer Severe Exposure. But I totally agree that the second half of SFS' career is better than the first (even though I'm a fan of that stuff, too). This band will eventually get its due as the forefathers of damn near every fusion of noise, punk, post-hardcore, krautrock and dance beats since 2000. These guys were referencing DAF WAY ahead of the curve.
Turning fey for a minute, My top 20 would probably include either the first or second Beachwood Sparks record.
There are certain bands that recorded for Sub Pop that were way better live, I think. The Fluid comes to mind. They were just devastating.
― QuantumNoise, Saturday, 12 July 2008 11:22 (sixteen years ago) link
The Fluid's Glue 12" is a pretty good record. Most of their other stuff doesn't really do it for me though. Never saw them live.
― Colonel Poo, Saturday, 12 July 2008 11:42 (sixteen years ago) link
No Tad + no Billy Childish = fuck this list.
― unperson, Saturday, 12 July 2008 13:08 (sixteen years ago) link
buh-bah-buh-bah-buh-bah-beat happening.
― tommytannoy, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Bakesale duh
― stevienixed, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:35 (sixteen years ago) link
Out of that list? Codeine for its single minded, quiet, snail paced, lethargic rage.
New Year's is my favourite but really the whole lot is one big pathetic sigh. It's great. If I had the guts I would love to put it on at the next fucking BBQ I am invited to.
They even looked anaemic and depressed in their bleak black and white photos. Perfect name too
― Fer Ark, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:45 (sixteen years ago) link
New Year's was a cover wasn't it? Don't think I;ve ever heard Seam's original or maybe it just didn't leave a mark on me as I thought I had all of their stuff. Another fine band
― Fer Ark, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:49 (sixteen years ago) link
I just realized... I'm surprised the first Band of Horses record isn't on the Pfork list. Those guys went nuts for that record, I think it ended up in their top ten of 2005(?) or very very close.
― stephen, Saturday, 12 July 2008 18:30 (sixteen years ago) link
Man, I'd really love to vote for Codeine, but Superfuzz Bigmuff is the elephant in the room here. If the Velocity Girl album had been Copacetic, I just may have had to go with that.
― Pillbox, Sunday, 13 July 2008 01:27 (sixteen years ago) link
Question for anyone who'll answer: What's missing from this list? As in, what belongs on a 'Sub Pop Top 20 Albums' list that's not actually here? We've mentioned a few alternate albums from bands that made the list -- what about bands that are missing entirely?
― stephen, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:17 (sixteen years ago) link
Nirvana, for "negative creep" and "love buzz"
― nicky lo-fi, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:20 (sixteen years ago) link
x-post
My top 20 would include Beachwood Sparks, Elevator to Hell and Mark Lanegan.
― QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:31 (sixteen years ago) link
And quite possibly godheadsilo.
― QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link
xpost Mark Lanegan OTM, that guy's put out several totally awesome records on sub pop.
― stephen, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link
speaking of Lanegan... my top 20 would include the Gutter Twins album, which came out this year. utterly soulful and captivating and in places brilliant. and Lanegan's vocals sound fantastic.
― stephen, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:33 (sixteen years ago) link
He's a phenomenal singer and serious talent.
― QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:36 (sixteen years ago) link
Tad A-Frames Kinski Steve Fisk Steve Jesse Bernstein Pigeonhed Wolf Eyes Satchel Pissed Jeans
collections: Radio Birdman Michael Yonkers
That's just top of my head. I'm sure there are tons more.
― Mackro Mackro, Sunday, 13 July 2008 05:55 (sixteen years ago) link
The Grifters, with arguably their worst output . Scud Mountain Boys and Pernice Brothers?
― Fer Ark, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:09 (sixteen years ago) link
The two Jennifer Gentle albums on Sub Pop rule too.
― jonathan - stl, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:10 (sixteen years ago) link
on a side note but related:
Sub Pop Captures the Space Needle!
― Bee OK, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:31 (sixteen years ago) link
Red Red Meat with Bunny Gets Paid: Taxidermy Blues in Reverse, Sad Cadillac, Chain Chain Chain, Rosewood, Wax, Voltz + Glitter, Idiot Son...
and about Bakesale - one of Lou Barlow's weaker outputs that gets way too much hype. I don't see what's great about this album at all.
― CaptainLorax, Sunday, 13 July 2008 18:25 (sixteen years ago) link
Missing personal faves for me would include: Velocity Girl - Copacetic (as mentioned upthread); Jale - Dreamcake; Pond's first album; The Fluid - Glue / Roadmouth; (and though I know it'll never get the respect it truly deserves, not even on ILX) The Jesus & Mary Chain - Munki
― Pillbox, Sunday, 13 July 2008 22:42 (sixteen years ago) link
I agree. I think Lou misses Gaffney's edge on this one.
― QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 22:47 (sixteen years ago) link
Should be on the list: Tad's Salt Lick (even better than God's Balls), Thee Headcoats' Heavens To Murgatroyd, Even! It's Thee Headcoats, the Billy Childish compilation I Am The Billy Childish and the Radio Birdman compilation (don't remember the title).
― unperson, Sunday, 13 July 2008 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link
I'd like to've seen "Sound of Water" by St Et but I'd've voted Bleach anyway. Other choices Woods, Earth 2
― Niles Caulder, Monday, 14 July 2008 10:53 (sixteen years ago) link
BAKESALE!
ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding
― Mark G, Monday, 14 July 2008 11:08 (sixteen years ago) link
Mudhoney vs. Nirvana vs. Codeine
But my favourite album on the whole label I think is either Codeine's The White Birch or Rein Sanction's Broc's Cabin, which is like this huge beautiful forest of a record, but somehow it doesn't show up on anyone else's map.
― NickB, Monday, 14 July 2008 11:37 (sixteen years ago) link
voted superfuzz, but love Bakesale and When We Were Trees by Beachwood Sparks and Tad's God's Balls and The Practice Of Joy Before Death by Pond a huge amount as well.
― stevie, Monday, 14 July 2008 12:17 (sixteen years ago) link
torn between mudhoney and earth 2. this wouldn't be difficult if steven jesse bernstein's album was on the list.
agree that they picked the wrong six finger satellite album. I'd go with severe exposure but I can understand the love for law of ruins.
in related news, 6fs is back together and playing providence next month.
here are a bunch of early live sets from a sub pop fest in 92, including codeine and 6fs: http://www.bradleysalmanac.com/2008/07/live-mp3s-celebrating-sub-pops-20th.htm
― Edward III, Monday, 14 July 2008 15:30 (sixteen years ago) link
how are those Fastbacks and spinanes records?
― Zeno, Monday, 14 July 2008 15:34 (sixteen years ago) link
the spinanes record is v v good
― Edward III, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:04 (sixteen years ago) link
i'm gonna say that "Overcome By Happiness" by the Pernice Bros. is better than any of these records. But ummmm if I'm gonna vote, I guess it's going to be Iron & Wine.
― tylerw, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:09 (sixteen years ago) link
CODEINE!!!
-- Steve Shasta, Friday, July 11, 2008 4:36 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Link
― sleep, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:13 (sixteen years ago) link
Oh, Inverted World
― zeus, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:35 (sixteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.
― ILX System, Friday, 18 July 2008 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link
Shins. Better than any of the grunge acts.
― Geir Hongro, Saturday, 19 July 2008 09:36 (sixteen years ago) link
I'm going with Superfuzz by a nose over Bleach. I might have voted for these if they were there or at least they are Sub Pop records I really liked.
Red Red Meat - Jimmiewine Majestic This is by far my favorite album they did.
Mudhoney - s/t
Six Finger Satillite - Severe Exposure or Law of Ruins The Pidgeon is a good EP. These two are way better IMHO.
The Grifters - Ain't My Lookout
― earlnash, Saturday, 19 July 2008 18:44 (sixteen years ago) link
Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.
― ILX System, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/noodle_vague/tigger_neww.jpg
― Noodle Vague, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:06 (sixteen years ago) link
jim otm
― Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:08 (sixteen years ago) link
oh my god the shins?? you people are fucking crazy. i would vote that as one of the worst.
― stephen, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:15 (sixteen years ago) link
lives were changed
― Euler, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:15 (sixteen years ago) link