PFM's top 100 albums of the 70's.

[Futureman]

So what say ye?

Just a few comments: I was happy to see that they did not over-rate Pink Floyd. And some of the albums they included in their top 25 are what I would have chosen as well. But no Aja (Steely Dan)? And the Miles Davis albums they featured in the list are no doubt important as far as *Miles Davis* is concerned, but I question whether they *all* belong in the top 100.

Anyway, an interesting and fun list.

[vesper]

I didn't think there were many surprises as far as album choice was concerned. Apart from the predictable top 10 (and I don't think that I'm knowledgeable of the 70s at all), the ordering was the only surprise. As is the case with most pfm lists, the most interesting part was the back half.

I hoped the Modern Lovers, Roxy Music, Future Days, Marvin Gaye, and More Songs About Buildings and Food would have placed higher, but whatever. I'm still stunned that no Pere Ubu made the list. And I was pulling for more Serge Gainsbourg, as well as The Contortions' Buy the Contortions and Brigitte Fontaine's Vous et Nous.

[earl grey]

i think these lists naturally end up being pretty safe. individual writers might pick some obscure records, but when you combine lots of lists chances are the big hits will rise to the top. (probably why the back half seemed more interesting.)

stylus once did a poll like this where they asked writers for their top 20 (or so) and compiled everything, but then threw out the top 100 and wrote up 101-200 - so you get more random picks. cool idea.

[Patrick]

Funny that "PFM" next to "'70s" should mean Pitchfork Media.

Patrick

[TheSadDebaser]

Did they skip No New York?

Anyway, as for Miles Davis, I haven't heard Tribute to Jack Johnson but On the Corner and Bitches Brew definately fit in there. Awesome records.

I was kind surprised as I've never even heard of that Bowie album somehow. Maybe I know some songs off of it? Ah, well. Have to get some Bowie records.

[pabost]

I was disappointed that they didn't include the first two Big Star albums. Otherwise, I found the list pretty informative and interesting. I want to pick up that Congas record. Oh, and the list persuaded me to order some Fela Kuti from Scratch.

[vesper]

The absence of No New York wasn't surprising to me. I doubt many of their writers even own copies (wasn't it a limited run?).

What does really irk me is the complete absence (better say "dismissal") of country. Only 2 people voted for Red-Headed Stranger for christ's sake!!

[vesper]

Originally posted by earl grey
i think these lists naturally end up being pretty safe. individual writers might pick some obscure records, but when you combine lots of lists chances are the big hits will rise to the top. (probably why the back half seemed more interesting.)

I should amend my first post to say "As is the case with most best of lists..."

[Funk]

Originally posted by vesper
The absence of No New York wasn't surprising to me. I doubt many of their writers even own copies (wasn't it a limited run?).

Considering Starsailor by Tim Buckley is on there, I think possessing a copy isn't high on criteria for nominating an album.

No New York was on on Island sub-label, and was in-print long enough to become a mid-line title in the mid-1980s, so it's not that obscure.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Originally posted by Funk
Considering Starsailor by Tim Buckley is on there, I think possessing a copy isn't high on criteria for nominating an album.

No New York was on on Island sub-label, and was in-print long enough to become a mid-line title in the mid-1980s, so it's not that obscure. I bought No New York cheap in the 80s. I also own Starsailor and, though I like both, Starsailor gets a lot more spins (the absence of Teenage Jesus & The Jerks has a lot to do with it).

Overall, I thought they managed to pick a lot of great stuff. I wouldn't agree with Low as the best album of the decade but, then again, I haven't heard it since it came out (I think I taped it off the radio but lost the tape). It's certainly a better list than that new "100 Best British Albums" list with The Stone Roses beating out The Beatles and a ton of other bands I'd much rather listen to for best UK (rock?) album of all time.

[TheSadDebaser]

Teenage Jesus and the Jerks are actually my favorite band on No New York and the only band whose own disc I've purchased. Although that also has to do with never having personally seen a copy of a James Chance or D.N.A. disc.

[Miss Tasty Princess]

Originally posted by TheSadDebaser
Teenage Jesus and the Jerks are actually my favorite band on No New York and the only band whose own disc I've purchased. Although that also has to do with never having personally seen a copy of a James Chance or D.N.A. disc. I really tried to like them but I just couldn't do it (and I love noisy music). I do have a (much) later Lydia Lunch album that I enjoy but a lot of that has to do with Mr. Rowland S. Howard.

[johansen smith]

I hope whoever Pitchfork paid to redesign their site spends that check wisely, it'll probably be the last designing job they'll get for a while. it's virtually unbearable.

[earl grey]

Originally posted by johansen smith
I hope whoever Pitchfork paid to redesign their site spends that check wisely, it'll probably be the last designing job they'll get for a while. it's virtually unbearable.

all those banners make me dizzy.

[tinobeat]

Originally posted by johansen smith
I hope whoever Pitchfork paid to redesign their site spends that check wisely, it'll probably be the last designing job they'll get for a while. it's virtually unbearable.

Its actually pretty impressive how they push the envelope of illegibility with every new redesign. When the tan design was revealed, (a year ago maybe?) I though it was obtuse and messy, but it would be nice to go back to something so neat after this new one. Its like that every time.

though looking at old ones, it seems they're never *that* uncluttered:

http://web.archive.org/web/20001205083200/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/

http://web.archive.org/web/20020124145855/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/

this one looks nice:
http://web.archive.org/web/20020725141235/http://pitchforkmedia.com/

this one too, not so bad:
http://web.archive.org/web/20030211233600/http://pitchforkmedia.com/

either way, yeah, the new redesign? not so nice, but probably a lot nicer than what they'll change it to in a year or so, I'll wager.