What's the *BEST* album on Pitchfork's Sub Pop 20 staff list?

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We've made a lot of lists here at Pitchfork but few of them were as difficult as narrowing our favorite albums in Sub Pop history to 20 choices. For one thing, despite the label's rise during its self-proclaimed "grunge years," it has become a wildly diverse imprint, a celebration of the depth and breadth of North American indie rock over the past three decades. Not surprisingly then, there was little consensus on which SP records were the best. To celebrate additional releases from the label, on Monday more than 20 of our writers will each present a few words about a record or Sub Pop artifact that's meaningful to them but that didn't make the cut here.

Poll Results

OptionVotes
The Shins: Oh, Inverted World [2001] 29
Mudhoney: Superfuzz Bigmuff + Early Singles [compilation of previously released material; 1990] 15
Nirvana: Bleach [1989] 11
Sebadoh: Bakesale [1994] 10
Earth: Earth 2 [1993] 9
Codeine: Frigid Stars [1990] 8
Afghan Whigs: Congregation [1991] 8
Sleater-Kinney: The Woods [2005] 7
Sunny Day Real Estate: Diary [1994] 7
Wolf Parade: Apologies to the Queen Mary [2005]6
The Vaselines: The Way of the Vaselines [compilation of previously released material; 1992] 4
Iron and Wine: The Creek Drank the Cradle [2002] 3
Velocity Girl: ¡Simpatico! [1994] 3
Beat Happening: You Turn Me On [1992] 3
The Spinanes: Manos [1993] 3
Comets on Fire: Blue Cathedral [2004] 3
Fastbacks: Zücker [1993] 2
Red Red Meat: Bunny Gets Paid [1995] 2
Six Finger Satellite: The Pigeon Is the Most Popular Bird [1993] 0
Green River: Rehab Doll / Dry as a Bone EP [1988/1986; re: 1990] 0


stephen, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:00 (fifteen years ago) link

Earth 2

would give it to the Vaselines but seems kinda unfair including what is essentially a reissue

Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:04 (fifteen years ago) link

polls very much in character

J0rdan S., Friday, 11 July 2008 20:06 (fifteen years ago) link

i voted for my favorite which is not the same as the best.

chicago kevin, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:07 (fifteen years ago) link

no A-Frames Black Forest No Credibility

stuck between blue cathedral and superfuzz big muff.
although six finger satellite was dope i just haven't heard it in forever.

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:08 (fifteen years ago) link

Whoa Spinanes! Yes, that is quite the record. Good call, PF.

kenan, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:11 (fifteen years ago) link

it's kinda lame that S-K is on there just cuz that album happened to be on sub pop

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:13 (fifteen years ago) link

BAKESALE!

roxymuzak, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:13 (fifteen years ago) link

Aren't there a few like that, though, M@tt?

roxymuzak, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:13 (fifteen years ago) link

SDRE, not sure if it's the best, whatever that means, but I love that record

Euler, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:14 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost

yeah i don't know all these records but i certainly wouldn't say the woods is even top 3 for a S-K record

M@tt He1ges0n, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:18 (fifteen years ago) link

Superfuzz Bigmuff, but I almost went w/ Velocity Girl

milo z, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:22 (fifteen years ago) link

oh wait, that's the worst VG album, n/m

milo z, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:23 (fifteen years ago) link

hi we're pitchfork, guess our age!

kenan, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:24 (fifteen years ago) link

http://thenastyboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/chris-hansen.jpg

J0rdan S., Friday, 11 July 2008 20:29 (fifteen years ago) link

Bakesale

kornrulez6969, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:29 (fifteen years ago) link

hi we're anyone on ilx, guess our age

roxymuzak, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:29 (fifteen years ago) link

it's either You Turn Me On or Manos

Mr. Que, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:31 (fifteen years ago) link

BAKESALE!

-- roxymuzak, Friday, July 11, 2008 3:13 PM (Friday, July 11, 2008 3:13 PM) Bookmark Link

that was my choice as well.

chicago kevin, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:31 (fifteen years ago) link

You Turn Me On vs Manos vs Earth 2.

Bill in Chicago, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:33 (fifteen years ago) link

hi we're anyone on ilx, guess our age

aw, man. That obvious, huh?

kenan, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:33 (fifteen years ago) link

I.am.old.

Bill in Chicago, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:34 (fifteen years ago) link

Sunny Day

Chelvis, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:34 (fifteen years ago) link

xpost I need you to have a seat over here.

kenan, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:35 (fifteen years ago) link

CODEINE!!!

Steve Shasta, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:36 (fifteen years ago) link

surprised the fastbacks made the list.

mizzell, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:36 (fifteen years ago) link

it's kinda lame that S-K is on there just cuz that album happened to be on sub pop

It's definitely not fair; it's like putting John Coltrane in a poll with all of Lawrence Welk's saxophonists.

Formerly Painful Dentistry, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:41 (fifteen years ago) link

lolz I totally almost voted for the Codeine but then I doublechecked the list

Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:44 (fifteen years ago) link

yeah how dare they put an album that was released on Sub Pop on a list of albums that were released on Sub Pop...?

some dude, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:45 (fifteen years ago) link

SDRE is my favorite album on that list. But my Sub Pop 20 has some pretty weird shit on it, I guess.

(Arlo - "Up High in the Night," first Beachwood Sparks album maybe, Steven Jesse Bernstein's spoken word album, Zumpano, maybe Scud Mountain Boys. And if re-issues count; shit, the Radio Birdman collection... etc. etc.)

Savannah Smiles, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:46 (fifteen years ago) link

oh wait, that's the worst VG album, n/m
No way the one after that sucked big time!

Did the Sub Pop Vaselines comp come out before or after the All The Stuff And More comp?

Colonel Poo, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:49 (fifteen years ago) link

still enjoy: The Creek Drank the Cradle, Superfuzz Bigmuff + Early Singles, Bakesale, Oh, Inverted World, The Woods
liked but never listen to: Congregation, Zücker, Rehab Doll / Dry as a Bone, Manos, The Way of the Vaselines
never heard: Frigid Stars, Blue Cathedral, Earth 2, Bleach, Bunny Gets Paid, The Pigeon Is the Most Popular Bird, Apologies to the Queen Mary
sold: You Turn Me On, Diary, ¡Simpatico!

Voting Mudhoney.

dad a, Friday, 11 July 2008 20:59 (fifteen years ago) link

very fond of frigid stars, bleach, blue cathedral, superfuzz bigmuff and way of the vaselines

latebloomer, Friday, 11 July 2008 21:03 (fifteen years ago) link

Earth followed by the Vaselines followed by Nirvana followed by Mudhoney followed by me not caring much about the rest of these records (although I do own Sebadoh and Beat Happening or at least I did once.)

Alex in SF, Friday, 11 July 2008 21:04 (fifteen years ago) link

15 albums from 1988-1997, 5 albums from 1998-2008

vaselines

abanana, Friday, 11 July 2008 21:06 (fifteen years ago) link

torn between Bleach and Superfuzz

dmr, Friday, 11 July 2008 21:10 (fifteen years ago) link

bakesale over superfuzz, vaselines felt like cheating

balls, Friday, 11 July 2008 21:40 (fifteen years ago) link

codeine.this record is a diamond

Zeno, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:00 (fifteen years ago) link

velocity girl

adam, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:05 (fifteen years ago) link

had no idea the codeine record was well-loved. at the time, I didn't know anybody else who even knew who they were. I still get "d for dishes..." stuck in my head from time to time

Shakey Mo Collier, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:10 (fifteen years ago) link

black forest otm

mookieproof, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:11 (fifteen years ago) link

I enjoy The Postal Service, but somehow I'm happy to not see them here.

billstevejim, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:13 (fifteen years ago) link

15 albums from 1988-1997, 5 albums from 1998-2008

With good reason.

billstevejim, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:15 (fifteen years ago) link

I enjoy The Postal Service, but somehow I'm happy to not see them here.

It's alright, they've been heavily featured IN EVERY SINGLE OTHER ARTICLE about Sub Pop 20 I've seen.

jon /via/ chi 2.0, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:22 (fifteen years ago) link

close call but I went with Frigid Stars

Mackro Mackro, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:22 (fifteen years ago) link

(although it was originally released on Glitterhouse, but whatevs)

Mackro Mackro, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:22 (fifteen years ago) link

CODEINE!!!

-- Steve Shasta, Friday, July 11, 2008 8:36 PM (1 hour ago) Bookmark Link

ian, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:34 (fifteen years ago) link

that's the worst VG album, n/m

Milo, you must be one of approximately 4 people in the universe who think Gilded Stars and Zealous Hearts is better than Simpatico

nabisco, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:34 (fifteen years ago) link

Note: I kinda like that opinion, but could not possibly bring myself to share it.

nabisco, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:46 (fifteen years ago) link

more like sub-par 20, but 6fs ftw. shame there's no 'SMELL THE MAGIC'. sa blast

yungblut, Friday, 11 July 2008 22:52 (fifteen years ago) link

for me,

Congregation vs. Frigid Stars vs. Earth 2 vs. Bunny Gets Paid

stephen, Saturday, 12 July 2008 06:44 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

No Tad + no Billy Childish = fuck this list.

unperson, Saturday, 12 July 2008 13:08 (fifteen years ago) link

buh-bah-buh-bah-buh-bah-beat happening.

tommytannoy, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:27 (fifteen years ago) link

Bakesale duh

stevienixed, Saturday, 12 July 2008 14:35 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

Nirvana, for "negative creep" and "love buzz"

nicky lo-fi, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:20 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

And quite possibly godheadsilo.

QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:32 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

He's a phenomenal singer and serious talent.

QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 03:36 (fifteen 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?

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 (fifteen years ago) link

The Grifters, with arguably their worst output .
Scud Mountain Boys and Pernice Brothers?

Fer Ark, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:09 (fifteen years ago) link

The two Jennifer Gentle albums on Sub Pop rule too.

jonathan - stl, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:10 (fifteen years ago) link

on a side note but related:

Sub Pop Captures the Space Needle!

Bee OK, Sunday, 13 July 2008 06:31 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

I agree. I think Lou misses Gaffney's edge on this one.

QuantumNoise, Sunday, 13 July 2008 22:47 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

how are those Fastbacks and spinanes records?

Zeno, Monday, 14 July 2008 15:34 (fifteen years ago) link

the spinanes record is v v good

Edward III, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:04 (fifteen 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 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

Oh, Inverted World

zeus, Monday, 14 July 2008 16:35 (fifteen years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

ILX System, Friday, 18 July 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link

Shins. Better than any of the grunge acts.

Geir Hongro, Saturday, 19 July 2008 09:36 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

ILX System, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:01 (fifteen years ago) link

jim otm

Herman G. Neuname, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:08 (fifteen 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 (fifteen years ago) link

lives were changed

Euler, Saturday, 19 July 2008 23:15 (fifteen years ago) link

I totally would have voted for Green River, had I voted. Guess I should have. Amazed they got no votes.

xhuxk, Sunday, 20 July 2008 00:02 (fifteen years ago) link

i can't believe that The Shins won on ILM and by double the vote of the next closes band. amazing.

reading this thread i thought SeBADoh or maybe Nirvana was going to win. The Shins?

Bee OK, Sunday, 20 July 2008 04:06 (fifteen years ago) link

don't get me wrong as i love The Shins but they aren't the best, IMO.

Bee OK, Sunday, 20 July 2008 04:08 (fifteen years ago) link

<3

J0rdan S., Sunday, 20 July 2008 06:49 (fifteen years ago) link

you guys really thought you weren't going to pay for the white album poll?

poortheatre, Sunday, 20 July 2008 11:20 (fifteen years ago) link

seBADoh

The stickman from the hilarious "xkcd" comics, Sunday, 20 July 2008 11:23 (fifteen years ago) link

Hahahahahahaha!

Niles Caulder, Sunday, 20 July 2008 12:56 (fifteen years ago) link


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