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

this is so hard

for me,

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

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.

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.

No Tad + no Billy Childish = fuck this list.

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

Bakesale duh

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

x-post

My top 20 would include Beachwood Sparks, Elevator to Hell and Mark Lanegan.

And quite possibly godheadsilo.

xpost Mark Lanegan OTM, that guy's put out several totally awesome records on sub pop.

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.

He's a phenomenal singer and serious talent.

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.

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

The two Jennifer Gentle albums on Sub Pop rule too.

on a side note but related:

Sub Pop Captures the Space Needle!

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.

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

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.

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).

I'd like to've seen "Sound of Water" by St Et but I'd've voted Bleach anyway. Other choices Woods, Earth 2

BAKESALE!

ding ding ding ding ding ding
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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.

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.

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

how are those Fastbacks and spinanes records?

the spinanes record is v v good

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.

CODEINE!!!

-- Steve Shasta, Friday, July 11, 2008 4:36 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark Link

Oh, Inverted World

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Shins. Better than any of the grunge acts.

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

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v165/noodle_vague/tigger_neww.jpg

jim otm

oh my god the shins?? you people are fucking crazy. i would vote that as one of the worst.

lives were changed

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

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?

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

<3

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

seBADoh