5 Major Label Exceptions

[bitterfruit]

Being on a major doesn't mean a record has to suck. It's the philosophy and intent that sometimes sucks.

Cake being on Capricorn is not that much different than GBV's attempt to reach a wider audience with TVT.

Anyway, name 5 major label releases that you enjoy that are exceptions to the normal Creed and Staind vein. But if you enjoy that shit, go for it.

Consider the following:

1. Released between 1980 and 2003.
2. Artist cannot be named twice in one list.
3. Spoon's "Series of Sneaks" finally counts.
4. Record must be on a major.


Here are 5 that I favor:

1. NWA - Straight Outta Compton
2. Beastie Boys - Check Your Head
3. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
4. The The - Dusk
5. The Smiths - The Best of the Smiths, Vol. 2


By the way, check out Phil Collins on the
Ruthless Records (http://www.ruthlessrecords.com/home.htm) website. It's weird.

[vesper]

Spoon, A Series of Sneaks (Elektra, 1998)
Built to Spill, Perfect From Now On (Warner, 1997)
Junior Senior, D-D-Don't Don't Stop the Beat (Atlantic/Crunchy Frog 2003)
Prince, Purple Rain (Warner Broad., 1984)
Smashing Pumpkins, Siamese Dream (Virgin, 1993)

Not sure about the date on that Spoon album because I have the re-issue. I suppose I feel silly for putting it, as I assume that most people will have that on their list. But, whatever, I can't deny it either. I don't know if I'll still heart that Junior Senior album in 10 years, but it is excellent fun right now. Prince, I'm dead fucking serious about. "Let's Go Crazy" is my pre-party jam, not to mention the kick off to almost every dance-mix I ever bother making. Siamese Dream is the album that really got me into music, there ya go.

-edit to add-

Okay, shit, how did I forget?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Fever to Tell (Interscope, 2003)

in my top 5 for the year.

[tinobeat]

I've gotta run to work, but I'll put up one:

Royal Trux - Sweet Sixteen

I don't even know how that amazing mess passed through all checkpoints before getting released by Virgin..

[Squall91]

Some (or most) of the releases on my list are cliche, but screw it, don't give a shit.

1. Radiohead - OK Computer
2. Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
3. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
4. Sonic Youth - A Thousand Leaves
5. Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen (yes, I love BFF and Ben's solo material as well)

[Funk]

Originally posted by bitterfruit

1. NWA - Straight Outta Compton
3. Dr. Dre - The Chronic


These were both indie releases. True, The Chronic was on Interscope, but this release was distributed through Priority, not Interscope's benefactor at the time, Atlantic. Priority didn't have major label involvement until years after the release of Straight Outta Compton.

Yr whole list premise is silly. Unless you live and breathe indie rock and eschew everything else, there's been far too many great albums released on major labels in the last 23 years to limit it to five. Hip hop alone couldn't be contained to such a low number.

[Futureman]

Spoon, A Series of Sneaks
Radiohead - OK Computer
Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
Sonic Youth--Daydream Nation
Trail of Dead, Source Tags & Codes

[blah]

funk, your (skuz plz, yr) "argument" is silly, get off the serious tip. the reason for such a list is that most majors put out crap far more than they do decent stuff (just like the indies but w/ more money such that they could have avoided doing so if they wanted). the other reason is b/c it's just for fun i.e. step off and what not yo. top lists are silly but fun... deal w/ it and settle down. otherwise all that's left to do is pretend nwa was something more than a backstreet boys congolomeration gangsta-style.


hello pixies nervarna etc etc

[bitterfruit]

Originally posted by Funk
These were both indie releases. True, The Chronic was on Interscope, but this release was distributed through Priority, not Interscope's benefactor at the time, Atlantic. Priority didn't have major label involvement until years after the release of Straight Outta Compton.

Yr whole list premise is silly. Unless you live and breathe indie rock and eschew everything else, there's been far too many great albums released on major labels in the last 23 years to limit it to five. Hip hop alone couldn't be contained to such a low number.

Good catch on the distro thing. But who cares about the silliness? I was just looking for a little stimulation.

[Paul Davis]

Mercury Rev - Deserter's Songs
The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
(The above masterpieces will be forever linked together in my mind, therefore I will count them as one)
Wilco - Summerteeth
Teenage Fanclub - Songs From Northern Britain
Ween - Chocolate And Cheese
PJ Harvey - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

[kgwang]

Beck "odelay"
Weezer "pinkerton"
Nirvana "in utero"
Built to Spill "keep it like a secret"
BF5 "whatever and ever amen"

[otto midnight]

Originally posted by bitterfruit
I was just looking for a little stimulation.

might i suggest a bare hand and a hot stove?

[moonshiner]

Albums by the Beatles, Nirvana (post Sub Pop) and R.E.M. (post I.R.S.) come to mind.

And I'll toss in Daydream Nation and OK Computer to make it 5.

[Salman]

Originally posted by moonshiner

And I'll toss in Daydream Nation

Daydream Nation was released on an indie, doofus.

Nice to see you're alive though.

[moonshiner]

Originally posted by Salman
Daydream Nation was released on an indie, doofus.

Nice to see you're alive though.

Oops! Er, I meant...Goo!

PS: What's up sexy.

[cyann&ben]

not everything on majors is crap,
not everything from indies is good.

just cuz its underground doesn't mean it hasn't sold out. just take a look at the entire metal scene. we rock therefore we are stars. of course there are exceptions. dont be a tool.

radiohead - all of 'em damnit.
tori amos - little earthquakes (if you say anything about that, i'll crucify you.)
weezer - it's weezer for gods sake...
BFF - forever and ever amen. "call to see if paul could score some weed!"
yaz - upstairs at erics !!
shanaya twain - just kidding.

[MusicMissionary]

Radiohead - all
Tool - all
Bjork - all
The Pixies - all
Does Norah Jones count? Blue Note is a one-off...

[cyann&ben]

wow i totally forgot about bjork.

i second that.

[Ladt]

Originally posted by cyann&ben


weezer - it's weezer for gods sake...
BFF - forever and ever amen. "call to see if paul could score some weed!"


Good calls.

[lenny]

breeders- last splash
teenage fanclub- bandwagonesque
blur- parklife
walt mink- el producto
Radiohead- anything they have done and will ever do!:)

[Ladt]

Manic Street Preachers - Everything Must Go
Weezer- Pinkerton
BFF- WEAEA
Flaming Lips- The Soft Bulletin
Blur- Parklife.

[wut wut]

on the "top 5 indie releases" people were listing the pixies too.

awhhhhflda;jklw;jfklewjfkwehf????????????????????? ???

[TheSadDebaser]

moonshiner


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