It’s a long time since the mid-70s, which is probably the time I first heard The White Album. It’s always puzzled me why it regularly tops polls as the Fabs’ best piece of work. For me it lacked the poppiness of Revolver and the sheer chutzpah and cohesion of Sgt. Pepper. Until recently. Maybe it’s the new remix by Giles Martin, maybe it’s just because I’ve not actually sat and really listened to it for a while….but suddenly it clicked. It’s a truly wonderful piece of Fabness, the band at the peak of their imaginative powers.
See also, Born to Run. It’s been a blind spot for me for many years. All that overblown sax playing and strangulated vocals just hadn’t ever made it work for me. It sounded contrived, lacking the integrity of Darkness on the Edge of Town or Nebraska. And yet, I’ve recently listened again in another moment of epiphany, and boy is it good!
So come on, which albums, or indeed artists, have been a blind spot for you for years on end, suddenly to be revealed as a masterpiece?
Now where did I put that copy of Exile on Main Street?
It took me ages to warm to Madness’ The Liberty of Norton Folgate. Fantastic, late career masterpiece after viewing them as mainly a singles band.
I had no interest in Kirk Brandon’s Spear of Destiny in the 80s (their major label period) but in the last couple of years, it’s clear to me that they’re one of the greatest rock bands of this century. THIS century. Kirk is peaking NOW, not then. ‘Tontine’ (2018) is a masterpiece.
But they operate in a silo – very little available outside of Kirk’s website / direct to fans operation, very little available to hear/sample as audio on YouTube or other platforms. Being involved in the archive end of the music biz, I’ve tried for a while to interest his manager in a 2000-2025 box set or even a ‘best of’ of this period, licensed to a label with wider visibility, but there doesn’t seem to be the interest. As a fan, it’s a terrible shame – so much amazing (to my ears) music just not being heard be masses who would likely love it, but I can’t waste time forever trying to persuade artists / their representatives of the bigger picture value in engaging – on a one-off project, with music ‘already paid for’ – with a third party label to reach masses of the unconverted.
Nothing from the two albums since ‘Tontine’ are on YouTube. Here’s the mighty ‘Medievalists’ from it:
Good to see you are moving to the good side. Where to put Exile? I suggest on your turntable. That was certainly one that took some time for me, another one would be Low, yet another would be John Wesley Harding
Does the White album regularly top Fabs polls? I think these days the consensus seems to be Revolver or Abbey Road. I prefer it to the latter for sure.
You mentioned Nebraska, and that was an album that didn’t really click for ages. I think it was because it followed three classics in Born to Run, Darkness and the River and was just so…well…different I suppose. Then we got Born in the USA and it got largely forgotten…until relatively recently. And the new reissue confirms it was a real blind spot – a brilliant album and now a favourite.
For me, at the time, Nebraska was the first of his albums that I really took a shining to from the first time of hearing; everything I’d heard up until then was just way too busy for my ears, with production all over the shop. The simplicity of Nebraska meant I was listening to the songs, rather than what I heard as a horribly crammed competition for attention.
The Beatles is an album that is especially cursed with lesser tracks that are to be endured while waiting for the best ones. This is an issue with most of their albums to a greater or lesser extent. Some say that it shows their ability to be diverse and work in many styles. I would say it is a weakness that lets albums down somewhat. I’ve always seen the value in the best of the White Album but I can’t see myself having a revelation and rating every song.
I have come to ‘get’ Steely Dan, Roxy Music (early albums) and Lana Del Rey (first album) some years after release so never say never in some cases.
I think the “lesser” tracks on the White album (btw it was black on 8 track) are all part of it’s rich tapestry. As a wise person once said (this is not a personal response) “It’s the bloody Beatles White Album, shut up!”
The thing is, everyone has a different opinion on the “lesser” tracks. We’d all create our own unique Single White.
Yes.
I would make it a triple:
Add the following as sides 4 and 5, side 6 is the old side 4:
Hey Jude
Lady Madonna
Junk
Child of Nature
The Inner Light
Sour Milk Sea
Goodbye
Not Guilty
Step Inside Love
What’s the New Mary Jane
The Shite Album (thanks to Twang)
A Beginning
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da (take 3)
Yer Blues
Piggies
Rocky Racoon
Don’t Pass Me By
What’s The New Mary Jane
Martha My Dear
The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill
Helter Skelter take 2 edited
Not Guilty
Wild Honey Pie
Revolution 9
😁
Is that you, George?
I’m OK with Yer Blues, Martha, Helter Skelter, Rev 9. Some things are a bit underwhelming like Back In The USSR, a bit mild for a rocker. Blackbird’s not my cup of tea so much.
@allium-salium Back In The USSR too mild? It’s Chuck Berry FFS!
Blackbird? Beautiful
Back in the USSR is top-drawer Beatles! I found out much later that it was a joke directed at the Beach Boys. Also, there’d have been no Silver Machine without it.
Yes a lot of people would agree. There’s a run of rocking McCartney album openers. Drive My Car is more of a swinging groove than BITU, Taxman has more bite and power, Sgt Pepper is ideal as an opener. BITU is good but not as good as those others I would say. I wouldn’t get rid of it but mild is the word.
…and it’s not as good as Silver Machine…
(ducks and runs for cover)
Of course it isn’t *joins Fitter in shelter*
No it isnt. McCartneys too wholesome I think.
Taxman is a Harrison song though..!
Of course thats why its the best one
but guitar solo is Mac.
Much as they were great their attempts to “rock” are generally pretty feeble.
To be fair, what we’d call “rock” music now, the hard or heavy variety, didn’t really exist in 1968, or was just taking off. They did their best, though.
Mmm Jumpin’ Jack Flash came out in May, the example. I mean rock n roll too. I know BITU was a Beach Boys send up which may explain it.
Mmm Jumpin’ Jack Flash came out in May, for example. I mean rock n roll too. I know BITU was a Beach Boys send up which may explain it.
I think The Kinks showed how its done. I mean the aggression and energy. Also The Who of course. There are examples of acts who let rip from 68 and earlier.
I’m still proud of that!
I would replace What’s The New Mary Jane with George Harrison’s Circles.
There’s no convert more irritating than a recent convert. I agree. The lesser tracks are essential parts of the album. Even the filler is killer, as no one probably said.
It’s my Christmas Morning album while I do some dinner prep. I play all of it – no skips – and it’s always wonderful.
Trout Mask Replica — probably not an album anyone can have a casual relationship with. You really have to work at it but when/if it clicks, it becomes essential. First time I heard it, I thought, “What is this shit?” But I learned to love it. Not sure this sort of thing can happen in the age of streaming — listening seems too passive an experience and geared up to serve short attention spans.
Blistering Barnacles! Me too!
And me. Took me 35 years to come around to TMR.
Back in the day I had no interest in George Michael’s albums when he was putting them out. I liked some of the singles, but that was about it. I recently picked up most of his albums cheap on CD and, I’m becoming a fan. Older in particular is an excellent record, and to be honest I don’t think I would have been ready for it if I had bought it at the time. Sometimes a record will find its way to you.
The album I have tried and failed to get into, having bought it both on cassette and CD now is For Your Pleasure. I like them, though I lean towards the post-late 70s comeback stuff. But I’ve basically given up with FYP. Do the Strand is great, though.
Dream Home? Outstanding highpoint, Shirley?
Yup, Do The Strand, Editions of You and Dream Home are wonderful. Can’t get on with the rest.
Beauty Queen, Grey Lagoons, The Bogus Man… let’s face it, that album’s a bloody masterpiece!
Well I have moved through the Bowie canon over the years, starting off aged 16 with Lets Dance as that was on the radio. Then Ziggy Stardust. Then Young Americans (I know!). Then Low. Moving steadily upward like a killer whale breaking the surface was Station to Station, which is now top dog.
I’ve said it before but STS is a high point in Western cilvilisation.
I stole this bon mot but whenever I give Trout Mask Replica or Bitches Brew (I own the first, borrowed the latter from the music library) another chance every so often, it always tickles me and is accurate to my mindset.
“85. Husker Du – Zen Arcade
When I was striving to be hip and cutting edge, I learned this was the record to have. The first time around, it sounded rather like an unlistenable mess. But I was determined and sure that repeated listenings would reveal depth and profound insight. The tenth time around, it still was an unlistenable mess. ”
(The article was ‘overrated LPs to chuck out if you bought them’
http://chalkhills.org/articles/Jaguaro20020309.html
Re: Husker Du – Zen Arcade
Oh, come on, now. “Pink Turns to Blue” is really good.
And I certainly won’t be going along with that article and “removing from my collection immediately” all the following albums:
Combat Rock
Nevermind
Hunky Dory
The Boatman’s Call
Physical Graffiti
Heaven Up Here
Time Out
Heaven or Las Vegas
Dark Side of the Moon
Out of Time
Grateful Dead – ALL RECORDINGS
Violent Femmes
What utter tosh some folk put on the information superhighway. Is this what we have come to in the information age? Our children should be protected from this vacant gibberish.
“We would like to offer you and the rest of the world nothing more than the gift of good taste, which some people can feel threatened by.”
What appalling hubris! What appalling grammar! Who are these arbiters of good taste?
(If you’re interested, it was the comment on Coltrane’s Giant Steps which had me reaching for my gun…)
C’mon guys, the whole article is tongue-in-cheek seriousness ( eg “the gift of good taste”) and for me rather well written.
A quick scroll reveals I would agree with at least 50% of the selections, there are some real stinkers in there I bought purely on reviews, peer pressure and an overwhelming desire to be perceived as cool – I’m looking at you, Trout Mask Replica.
The Boatsman’s Call is a well written and performed mature collection of songs that thoughtfully address themes such as love and faith.
I just prefer the racket they made on albums like Henry’s Dream and The Good Son.
I would have amended their comment to “Just about any post Let Love In Cave belongs on this list”. The post Birthday Party thing is just a poor attempt at NME-style “cooler than thou” pose.
Anyway, how could they deliberately omit The Firstborn is Dead? Cutting their nose off to spite their face…
The Mothers of Invention… when I ditched the entire dire 1980s versions (what was Frank thinking of?… what a waste of his time apart from anything else) for their restored equivalents after his death.
Of course, they’re fantastic.
Bob Dylan … for years I thought a “Best Of” was enough (a feeling confirmed by the only other Dylan album I owned Blonde On Blonde – I’m still not sure that is the masterpiece people say it is).
And then I heard Blood On The Tracks, and then Highway 61 Revisited, and then John Wesley Harding, and then the Dylan Train hit, and many many more fine albums came along
I thought that The Kinks were a (magnificent) singles act for quite some time, later I realised (at least) the following were all very good to great albums:
Face to Face
Something Else
Village Green Preservation Society
Arthur
Lola
Muswell Hillbillies
not forgetting Everybody’s in Show-Biz
You are correct
For the longest time I had the idea in my head that Dylan was ‘difficult’, then a magazine cover mount of cover versions got me into the songs leading me to investigate the real deal.
I bought ‘The Model’ as a kid, ‘Autobahn’ when a bit older, loved them both, but never considered Kraftwerk one of ‘my’ bands until quite recently when a friend urged me to get a copy of ‘Trans Europe Express’ at a record fair. Ahh… NOW I get it.
A great example. TEE was the first Kraftwerk album I paid full attention to – on the strong recommendation of a friend, and he was right.
Back to the Fab Four. An album I can’t remember buying and rarely play is the American version of Magical Mystery Tour – with all the singles on side 2.
But I have been playing it recently in the new house, different stereo set up and room acoustics. There’s some so so stuff as per the White Album but gee the sound is fantastic. The brass especially just jumps into the room.
And that’s without a remix!
That’s easily my favourite Beatles album. and I know it isn’t a real Beatles album, but it’s still easily my favourite Beatles album.
I’m a long way from being the biggest Beatles fan on this site, but even I have to admit they had one hell of a 1967.
Almost as good as Celtic’s 1967.
I remember stacking the EPs on the record player along with Hello Goodbye, in that way I got I Am The Walrus twice.
The album always sounds ‘wrong’ to me because of the order of the tracks being different.
Back when I was young, dumb and contrary I would tell everyone at Uni that you didn’t need Dylan because Neil Young was better. This was early 90s when NY was working through Freedom, Ragged Glory, Weld, Harvest Moon, Unplugged, Sleeps with Angels. Dylan not so much. So at the time it was a fair, if not very deeply thought out argument – basically I’d never listened to Dylan.
Then I met my now-ex wife and she had a few Dylan odds and sodds, greatest hits probably, and Dylan brought out Time Out of Mind. I had my first proper listen of BD and I started to wonder. NY relased Mirrorball, Broken Arrow and it only got worse from there. So, full flip flop.
So now that I’m older, dumb and contrary I would tell everyone, if anyone was interested, that you only need a limited amount of Neil Young because Bob Dylan is better.
In 30+ years I’ve gone from thinking NY was god and BD a bloke with an acoustic guitar who can’t sing, to thinking that NY is an interesting character who has produced some very good stuffon occasion but also an awful lot of crap for too long, while, Bob, basically is actually God (if you ignore the Christmas album and the odd clunker from the 80s.)
What’s your take on the recent gigs? I have only heard the concerts described in terms also used to capture the majesty of the “Your Party” conference.
I haven’t seen Bob in a decade or more. He was great then, even if in an unappealing venue. He doesn’t come round this way that often now and I’ve never been able to get tickets since. I would love to see his Rough and Rowdy Ways tour though.
I’ve never seen Neil and likely never will now. I had tickets to see him with the now entirely defunct Booker T and the MGs about 20 years ago in London but he had a dicky tummy or something. I was gutted.
Going by Glastonbury reviews for eg I suspect NY would be the better experience today. And for full disclosure I think if I had to choose a live album between the two it’d be Weld. Still prefer Bob though.
Bob is a bit like The Emperor’s New Clothes live I think these days. No one is prepared to really slag him off because they are so glad he is still out there. I haven’t seen him since 2017 though when he was still partly doing the Great American Songbook, couple of songs were great and I had front row seats (affordable in those days)
Neil is (almost) as good as ever in my opinion. Shows I saw in 2024 and 2025 (with 2 different bands) were excellent and 2 almost completely different setlists.
And I was at the first Brixton gig before he got sick 20 years ago. For about an hour I was thinking it was the best gig I had ever seen, then it fell off quite a bit, maybe he was getting sick already?
So i was reading that first para going .. ok … then you say you haven’t seen him since 2017 !
He morphs with every tour.
His current habit of hiding behind the piano and lyric folder is unsettling but he is continuing to improvise so I hope to see him one more time.
Shirley Bassey. The 12 years she spent signed to United Artists were definitely her purple patch, and the four albums she made between 1970 & ’72 with Johnny Harris as her MD are really, really, funky.
I heard Spinning Wheel on the radio in the summer, while out on a litter pick, and it clicked.
If I’d had to hazard a guess at artists appearing on this thread it would have taken me a long time to get to the lovely Shirl. Good on yer!
I’ve had a lovely summer & autumn working my way through a vast catalogue (not all of which is great, tbh) and all at charity shop prices. Most expensive LP was 3 quid I think.
This is what we want. I’m a big fan of MOR square-core. I see it as a British suburban form of country and western. Full of drunkenness and infidelity in the new-build semi-detached houses, guilty drives in Volvos, and regrettable flirtations at a Berni Inn dinner-dance. George Jones? Pshaw. Give me Matt Munro any day.
I was never a NME reader, always preferring the slightly less po-faced, more amusing, MM. And I stopped caring about other peoples’ opinion of my music tastes by the time of my finals (I wish I’d stopped a lot sooner, tbh).
Oddly, Offspring The Younger (20), is currently on a massive Frank Sinatra binge. Nothing to do with me, guv, honest.
I played my lads a variety of Frank Sinatra Capitol albums when they were going through their (not his) metal phase, and they never objected.