You are here: Home/Forum/ Roger Waters is back. The greatest trio of linked albums ever made is The Wall, The Final Cut and The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.
Roger Waters is back. The greatest trio of linked albums ever made is The Wall, The Final Cut and The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.
Bowie’s Berlin trilogy? Bob’s ‘big hair and drugs’ trilogy? Richard and Linda’s albums Bright Lights, Pour Down Like Silver and Hokey Pokey?
Granted, none of those were intended to be trilogies, but then I don’t think the Floyd / Waters ones were either. I’m happy with any of them, including The Wall and so on, but that would be the last ‘of those ‘trilogies’ I would reach for.
And facetiously Steven Merritt managed his trilogy all at once. So I think probably the answer is no. I did do a thread on triple albums in the dim and distant past, and The Clash, George Harrison and Joanna Newsom all produced a trio I’d rather listen to than certainly the last two of Rog’s
Joanna Newsom – not content with torturing us with single albums of screeching she decides to prolong the punishment with a triple whammy of shite. Sorry not for me. OOOAA.
I do love all three of those albums. He certainly ploughed his own furrow with them. Intense, philosophical, navel-gazing, honest, heartfelt, disturbing. My favourite of the three is The Final Cut.
Agreed – it’s interesting to hear on The Wall box set the material recorded in those sessions that ultimately ended up on the other two albums in one form or another –
and by the way, the more Bargepole listens to the new one, the more he likes it!
I love The Final Cut, probably my favourite Floyd album, but as far as Roger’s solo stuff goes then look no further than Amused To Death…it really is superb. As for trio’s it’s Hunky / Ziggy / Aladdin for me ( or Station / Low / Heroes !! )
Pornography/Disintegration/Bloodflowers gets my vote for the best trilogy of albums, particularly as Disintegration is the actual best album of all time by anyone ever.
What larks! Scott -Scott 3 was already the greatest trilogy before – anticipating the deranged scribbling of future internet crackpots – Mr Engel hammered home the point by releasing Scott 4.
Pretty appalling too that the “Hitch Hiking” cover was released as late as the mid 80s, when Rodge was in his forties and might have been expected to know better…
How about Beggars Banquet/Let It Bleed/Sticky Fingers?
They all share the same blueprint. There is the smutty rocker (Stray Cat Blues -> Live With Me -> Bitch), the ancient blue’s cover (Prodigal Son -> Love In Vain -> You Gotta Move), the one with the stretched-out musical interlude (Sympathy For The Devil -> Midnight Rambler -> Can You Hear Me Knocking), the country song (Dear Doctor -> Country Honk -> Dead Flowers), the clunky social verité (Jigsaw Puzzle -> You Can’t Always Get What You Want -> Sister Morphine), the agreeably shambolic (Parachute Woman -> Let It Bleed -> Sway) and the real jaw-dropper (Street Fighting Man -> Gimme Shelter -> Moonlight Mile).
Ah you edited. That’s more of a formula than a linked theme. I find BB and LIB somewhat similar in execution, but Sticky Fingers is shinier and sleaker, also coming after a relatively long break (and a record label change).
There’s a difference between 3 consecutive albums and 3 linked by a theme, that’s why I can’t think of too many examples. Low, Heroes and Lodger are called the Berlin trilogy, but only one was completely recorded there, obviously the first 2 are similar in theme, but Lodger is just another Bowie album that happens to have Eno on it.
Consecutive albums, just about.
New band, probably* his best ever.
New record label, DiscReet.
Some outpouring, if you like this kind of stuff.
And about to be followed by Lather.
Ain’t half been some clever bastards.
Ladies and Gentleman: Zappa/Mothers
Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
Apostrophe (‘) (1974)
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)**
One Size Fits All (1975)
*Definitely, OOAA
**Oh alright, disregard this one as it’s live.
Thegp says
The last 2 are a bit heavy going though no?
dai says
Well what are the competitors? I can’t comment too much because just getting through The Wall is an almost impossible task. Dreadful album.
Gatz says
Bowie’s Berlin trilogy? Bob’s ‘big hair and drugs’ trilogy? Richard and Linda’s albums Bright Lights, Pour Down Like Silver and Hokey Pokey?
Granted, none of those were intended to be trilogies, but then I don’t think the Floyd / Waters ones were either. I’m happy with any of them, including The Wall and so on, but that would be the last ‘of those ‘trilogies’ I would reach for.
aging hippy says
Sailin’ Shoes / Dixie Chicken / Feats Don’t Fail Me Now – The Healthy Lowell Trilogy. By the Last Record Album his influence began to dim.
moseleymoles says
And facetiously Steven Merritt managed his trilogy all at once. So I think probably the answer is no. I did do a thread on triple albums in the dim and distant past, and The Clash, George Harrison and Joanna Newsom all produced a trio I’d rather listen to than certainly the last two of Rog’s
SteveT says
Joanna Newsom – not content with torturing us with single albums of screeching she decides to prolong the punishment with a triple whammy of shite. Sorry not for me. OOOAA.
Moose the Mooche says
The idea of a J N triple album actually made me chuckle. She’s got that middle-aged male rock fan demographic nailed.
Arthur Cowslip says
I do love all three of those albums. He certainly ploughed his own furrow with them. Intense, philosophical, navel-gazing, honest, heartfelt, disturbing. My favourite of the three is The Final Cut.
Bargepole says
Agreed – it’s interesting to hear on The Wall box set the material recorded in those sessions that ultimately ended up on the other two albums in one form or another –
and by the way, the more Bargepole listens to the new one, the more he likes it!
Iggypop1 says
I love The Final Cut, probably my favourite Floyd album, but as far as Roger’s solo stuff goes then look no further than Amused To Death…it really is superb. As for trio’s it’s Hunky / Ziggy / Aladdin for me ( or Station / Low / Heroes !! )
fitterstoke says
At the risk of being a contrarian, can I suggest that Atom Heart Mother / Meddle / Obscured by Clouds is the peak Of Floyd or associated solo albums?
And, at the risk of being predictable, Godbluff / Still Life / World Record is the finest trilogy I know….
Vulpes Vulpes says
The memories of a man in his old days, are the dreams of a man in his prime.
fitterstoke says
…you have the môt juste, VV….
dai says
Don’t think I can find 3 consecutive ones I like but post Syd I would go with Meddle, Animals and WYWH..
Gary says
I’d go for Dark Side, Obscured, WYWH.
newpathstohelicolin says
Pornography/Disintegration/Bloodflowers gets my vote for the best trilogy of albums, particularly as Disintegration is the actual best album of all time by anyone ever.
fitterstoke says
Nah….surely Seventeen Seconds / Faith / Pornography?
moseleymoles says
The Cures first four have a shout as the best quartet of linked albums ever
Sewer Robot says
What larks! Scott -Scott 3 was already the greatest trilogy before – anticipating the deranged scribbling of future internet crackpots – Mr Engel hammered home the point by releasing Scott 4.
Pretty appalling too that the “Hitch Hiking” cover was released as late as the mid 80s, when Rodge was in his forties and might have been expected to know better…
minibreakfast says
Best trilogy, you say?
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p773/minibreakfast/Worst-Album-Covers-Mrs-Mills_zpsyhjv5krw.jpg
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p773/minibreakfast/mrs_mills_albums-07_zpsfz4zxpz5.jpg
http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p773/minibreakfast/mrs-mills-tribute-2_zpsy3vvrwww.jpg
minibreakfast says
I think you’ll agree, it’s all there.
Uncle Wheaty says
A trilogy with Mrs Mills would be a night to remember!
Moose the Mooche says
Sometimes I think those fellows in the Art of Noise video had the right idea.
minibreakfast says
Whut?
Moose the Mooche says
Oh of course. You’re simply far too young to remember this.
minibreakfast says
Ooh, it’s a health and safety nightmare!
One the greatest records ever, but I’d never seen that vid before. Must have been shown after my bedtime.
Moose the Mooche says
It was on Max Headroom, at 6.30 in the evening.
So yes.
count jim moriarty says
Well done Wheaty – the title of this thread is the funniest thing I’ve read in weeks.
Arthur Cowslip says
The greatest trilogy, you say? Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge, Ommadawn. BOOM.
Tiggerlion says
Everything Must Go/Circus Money/Sunken Condos.
We all go to seed if we live long enough, you know.
Tiggerlion says
How about Beggars Banquet/Let It Bleed/Sticky Fingers?
They all share the same blueprint. There is the smutty rocker (Stray Cat Blues -> Live With Me -> Bitch), the ancient blue’s cover (Prodigal Son -> Love In Vain -> You Gotta Move), the one with the stretched-out musical interlude (Sympathy For The Devil -> Midnight Rambler -> Can You Hear Me Knocking), the country song (Dear Doctor -> Country Honk -> Dead Flowers), the clunky social verité (Jigsaw Puzzle -> You Can’t Always Get What You Want -> Sister Morphine), the agreeably shambolic (Parachute Woman -> Let It Bleed -> Sway) and the real jaw-dropper (Street Fighting Man -> Gimme Shelter -> Moonlight Mile).
dai says
Ah you edited. That’s more of a formula than a linked theme. I find BB and LIB somewhat similar in execution, but Sticky Fingers is shinier and sleaker, also coming after a relatively long break (and a record label change).
dai says
There’s a difference between 3 consecutive albums and 3 linked by a theme, that’s why I can’t think of too many examples. Low, Heroes and Lodger are called the Berlin trilogy, but only one was completely recorded there, obviously the first 2 are similar in theme, but Lodger is just another Bowie album that happens to have Eno on it.
Declan says
Consecutive albums, just about.
New band, probably* his best ever.
New record label, DiscReet.
Some outpouring, if you like this kind of stuff.
And about to be followed by Lather.
Ain’t half been some clever bastards.
Ladies and Gentleman: Zappa/Mothers
Over-Nite Sensation (1973)
Apostrophe (‘) (1974)
Roxy & Elsewhere (1974)**
One Size Fits All (1975)
*Definitely, OOAA
**Oh alright, disregard this one as it’s live.
Declan says
Those 3 albums Hendrix did are also “linked”.
Greatest trio candidate without doubt.
Are You Experienced? (1967)
Axis: Bold As Love (1968)
Electric Ladyland (1968)
fitterstoke says
Surely this is the greatest trilogy…..