Top 5.

[el badman]

Broaden your music taste, my friend, you won't regret it.

My top 10 90's:

- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Nirvana
- Foo Fighters
- Aerosmith
- Blind Melon
- Oasis
- Pearl Jam
- Alice in Chains
- REM
- They Might Be Giants

Yeah, this is quite an original and unexpected list indeed...

[TheMC5]

Why does anyone like AC/DC? They've been writing the same damn song for 30+ years. Also, they are seriously over-rated as musicians. "Thunderstruck" was one of the first songs I ever learned how to play on guitar, like 2 months after I picked it up. And I'm no virtuoso, let me tell you that.

Anyway, just cause I'm bored, here's my top 5's, in no particular order:

BANDS
Neutral Milk Hotel
Okkervil River
Wilco
Boredoms
Bonnie "Prince" Billy

ALBUMS
TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
Okkervil River - Black Sheep Boy + Appendix (technically an album and an EP, but they're part of the same narrative arch. Black Sheep Boy Appendix acts as just that, an appendix to the album, which is based on the life of troubled, heroin-addicited folk troubadour Tim Hardin)
Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Boredoms - Vision Creation Newsun
The Unicorns - Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?

MOVIES
Dogville
Me and You and Everyone We Know
This Is Spinal Tap
The Royal Tennenbaums
Lost Highway

BASKETBALL PLAYERS
Michael Jordan
Hakeem Olajuwon
Wilt Chamberlain
Larry Bird
Steve Nash

TV SHOWS
Arrested Development
Twin Peaks
Six Feet Under
The Simpsons
Home Movies

BOOKS
1984 - George Orwell
Snow - Orhan Pamuk
Guns, Germs, and Steel - can't remember author's name right now
On the Road - Jack Kerouac
A History of God - Karen Armstrong

[Joe']

Broaden your music taste, my friend, you won't regret it.

My top 10 90's:

- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Nirvana
- Foo Fighters
- Aerosmith
- Blind Melon
- Oasis
- Pearl Jam
- Alice in Chains
- REM
- They Might Be Giants

Yeah, this is quite an original and unexpected list indeed...

That "Broaden your music taste" doesn't necessarily mean "listen to Indie or unknown bands".
It's more like a "drop all the MTV shit and start listening to the bands that seriously care about music".

And people like AC/DC because it's kickass, period.

Their music isn't excessively repetitive like you think. Every band has their trademark, in their case it's Bon Scott's/Brian Johnson's voice and the typical fat Gisbon sound.

You probably think Pink Floyd's songs are all the same because of that dreamy atmosphere, or that RHCP's songs are all the same because of those funky bass lines.

[el badman]

That "Broaden your music taste" doesn't necessarily mean "listen to Indie or unknown bands".
It's more like a "drop all the MTV shit and start listening to the bands that seriously care about music".

Good point, but times have changed too. In the early 90's, all these bands that you've listed were pretty much on heavy rotation on MTV...Okay, MTV has changed quite a bit since that (for the extremely worse as far as I'm concerned), but still...
I was just pointing out that your list, while valid, isn't particularly "risky", not that it necessarily has to be, but as a music junkie, that's certainly not "broadening your tastes" IMO.

And people like AC/DC because it's kickass, period.

Because some bands are classics doesn't mean they're particularly talented beyond their peers. I've never understood how anyone could like AC/DC either, if you compare them to stuff you can find nowadays, they're very much unimpressive, legends or not.

[TheMC5]

And people like AC/DC because it's kickass, period.

Their music isn't excessively repetitive like you think. Every band has their trademark, in their case it's Bon Scott's/Brian Johnson's voice and the typical fat Gisbon sound.

You probably think Pink Floyd's songs are all the same because of that dreamy atmosphere, or that RHCP's songs are all the same because of those funky bass lines.

I like the leap of faith you made there. Seriously, AC/DC's homogeneous sound extends beyond the singer's voice(s) and the so-called "fat Gibson sound". Check the tempos, the rhythms, the structure, hell even the chord progressions on so many of their songs is exactly the same. There is ZERO variety from that band, whereas Pink Floyd, who I like, by the way, have dabbled in many different sounds/styles (do you really think the Syd Barrett stuff is extremely similar to the post-Syd output, for example?), as have RHCP (check their 80's shit, when they were actually good).

[J@3]

Why does anyone like AC/DC? They've been writing the same damn song for 30+ years. Also, they are seriously over-rated as musicians. "Thunderstruck" was one of the first songs I ever learned how to play on guitar, like 2 months after I picked it up. And I'm no virtuoso, let me tell you that.

People who say this sort of stuff always follow it up by listing a bunch of completely obscure bands no one's heard of as their favourites. Not a huge acca dacca fan personally but still.

[TheMC5]

Why does anyone like AC/DC? They've been writing the same damn song for 30+ years. Also, they are seriously over-rated as musicians. "Thunderstruck" was one of the first songs I ever learned how to play on guitar, like 2 months after I picked it up. And I'm no virtuoso, let me tell you that.

People who say this sort of stuff always follow it up by listing a bunch of completely obscure bands no one's heard of as their favourites. Not a huge acca dacca fan personally but still.

Well, they aren't all that obscure. Watch a Volkswagen commercial in the near future, you'll probably hear a Wilco song off their new album. TV on the Radio actually had a video on rotation on MTV a few months ago. I almost guarantee you'll be hearing quite a lot from Okkervil River in the near future. And Boredoms, well they recently held a free 77 drummer extravaganza in Central Park (I think it was Central Park, anyway, it was near the Brooklyn Bridge) in New York, on July 7th (07/07/07, see?). It was called 77 Boardrum, and it was no small event, my friend. An estimated 100,000 people saw that show live from the park, the bridge, and anywhere they could.

So obscure might not be the right word. Maybe "not mainstream" would be more appropriate.

[Lean]

They've been doing that for 30+ years but they still kick. Now we have lame bands.

[Silas]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.... so they say. They're continually making millions off those songs, no need to do anything different. Maybe they feel that they'd tarnish their record by making new things.

[Joe']

(do you really think the Syd Barrett stuff is extremely similar to the post-Syd output, for example?), as have RHCP (check their 80's shit, when they were actually good).

It's obvious the Syd Barrett stuff ain't similar to the post-Syd Barrett stuff. He was the main member of Pink Floyd at the time. He was Pink Floyd.

Not to mention the fact that those were the early days (1965-69) and the band's sound wasn't definitive yet. It was still developing.
In fact it wasn't until 1973 that Pink Floyd found success.

AC/DC's sound didn't change because Bon Scott wasn't really the main piece. He could be replaced. And that's what they did. They replaced him and the output was a 21x platinum album.

When you say "as have RHCP (check their 80's shit, when they were actually good)", you're contradicting yourself.
Their songs were actually all very very similar in the 80's and they weren't a good band. Not until 1989 when 'Mother's Milk' hit the stores.

They didn't have a good guitarist, they didn't have a good drummer, Anthony was full of crap and I have the feeling Flea's bass lines were actually recycled in every song.

The only good RHCP song I can think of from that period is probably 'True Men Don't Kill Coyotes'.

[shadowgrin]

Simply put:
People like it why change it.

If AC/DC enjoys what they're doing while making millions for the last 30 years and a lot of people like them for it, who's complaining?
(Probably "not mainstream" bands who couldn't make millions of dollars, silly bands, they're probably poor.)

[TheMC5]

Man, I love the populist arguments. So awesome. Let's look, at, oh, Shania Twain, for example. Highest selling female artist (I use the term loosely) of all time. Does that mean she's any good? Or Harry Potter? Best selling book series of all-time, does that mean it's the best? Is it some kind of literary masterpiece? No, so let's step back from these populist arguments for a moment here and actually examine AC/DC's output. I can't understand why they needed to release any more than 2 or 3 albums, since it's all the fucking same.

And as for RHCP, you do know that John Frusciante was their original guitarist, right? So how they had a crappy guitarist then, but not now, doesn't make much sense to me. In the 80's, their songs had energy and conviction, which is necessary because they aren't particularly great songwriters.

Anyway, I'm done with this. I didn't mean to get into a huge argument about AC/DC. Lots of people like them, and that's fine. I was simply expressing my lack of understanding as to why that is. So, back to top 5's, people!



EDIT: Also, Lean, I warned you man. now I have to put a hit out on you.

[shadowgrin]

I see where you're coming from but things don't have to be the "best" to be appreciated or liked. If it makes people feel good, then they'll appreciate it whether what they like is the best or not.

For example:
I would love to have a monkey that can ice skate. It may not be the best monkey when compared to a monkey that can type a Shakespearean work of art but the ice skating monkey makes me laugh so I want it more than the author monkey.

If the monkey has natural blue color, that would fucking rule.

edit: shakespearrrrrean...damn bard.

[TheMC5]

Word, and ice skating monkey would kick ass! And I totally agree, things don't need to be perfect for them to be enjoyable, but arguing something's merit based on popularity is a big faux pas.

[Joe']

Man, I love the populist arguments. So awesome. Let's look, at, oh, Shania Twain, for example. Highest selling female artist (I use the term loosely) of all time. Does that mean she's any good? Or Harry Potter? Best selling book series of all-time, does that mean it's the best? Is it some kind of literary masterpiece? No, so let's step back from these populist arguments for a moment here and actually examine AC/DC's output. I can't understand why they needed to release any more than 2 or 3 albums, since it's all the fucking same.

And as for RHCP, you do know that John Frusciante was their original guitarist, right? So how they had a crappy guitarist then, but not now, doesn't make much sense to me. In the 80's, their songs had energy and conviction, which is necessary because they aren't particularly great songwriters.

Anyway, I'm done with this. I didn't mean to get into a huge argument about AC/DC. Lots of people like them, and that's fine. I was simply expressing my lack of understanding as to why that is. So, back to top 5's, people!

Sorry but I felt the need to reply.

Okay, so, AC/DC's "output". You don't understand why they had to release more than two or three albums.

Simple answer: as everyone said, people liked those albums, they decided to come up with more of that stuff.

Big deal. EVERY band does that nowadays. No one gives a shit. Why bash AC/DC? They're still one of the best bands ever.

As for RHCP: No, I'm sad to be the one to tell you this, but John Frusciante wasn't their original guitarist. John was thirteen in 1983, when the band formed; I'm pretty sure he was still taking guitar lessons.

John joined the Chili Peppers in late 1988 after Hillel Slovak OD'd.

In the 80's, all their songs had was energy and conviction. It was pure funk mixed with rap and hard rock at times. It was anarchist music.
They lacked technique, tone and lyrics. Three elements that are indispensable to get a good output.

And you may want to re-think the "they aren't particularly great songwriters" statement after listening carefully to their 90's albums and John's solo albums.

[TheMC5]

And you may want to re-think the "they aren't particularly great songwriters" statement after listening carefully to their 90's albums and John's solo albums.

No, no I don't.

And you're right. I forgot about Hillel Slovak. I had the timeline messed up in my head. I thought Frusciante was the original guitarist, was then kicked out for drug use, and replaced by Slovak, who then had an OD, and was replaced by Dave Navarro.

But enough of this. You like AC/DC. I don't. You like RHCP. I don't. It's all good.

[[Q]]

uh i did a "top 10" assignment for a website-making class at school. i decided to do a top 10 songs of the 90's list and here goes. i based it mostly off of radioplay and sales, and tried to remove as much of my own bias towards R&B & rap as possible:

Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men- One Sweet Day. If i'm not mistaken, this song still holds the record for most weeks at #1 with about 16. two of the top acts of the 90s combine their talents.
Whitney Houston- I will always love you. memorable chorus. and whitney dominated the early 90s before he went on that crack with bobby brown.
Boyz II Men- End of the Road. Boyz II men was 90's R&B. period. their clean-cut image made them popular among the mainstream too.
Celine Dion- Because You Loved Me. Celine played third fiddle to Whitney & Mariah in the 90s.
Ace Of Base- The Sign. Wasn't that great of a song, imo but it was a classic 90s song people will always remember.
All-4-One- I Swear. probably the most popular 90s R&B song not done by Boyz II Men. One of the many copycat acts that followed the Boyz.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-Tha Crossroads. Classic Bone Thugs. This was when they were at their best.
Los Del Rio- Macarena. Yes, I hate this song with a passion, but I gotta give it up to the two old Mexican guys that took the country by storm for months on end.
Britney Spears- Baby One More Time. Was Britney's best hit. I don't like this song either, but it paved way for the type of music and a new genre of "pop" music to come.
Elton john- Candle in the wind 1997. I added this one because of the sheer number of sales it had worldwide. however, after i turned in my assignment, I felt this one should be dropped because it was pretty much a remake of his old song and it cashed in on the death of Princess Diana.

[Oznogrd]

Top 5 Reasons Why I havent Posted in a very long time
1. With my summer I was travelling places like Brazil and had less free time than i do during the year (go figure)
2. World of Warcraft (now have a level 70 rogue that is a monster of PvE)
3. Women
4. Apathy on the video game scene outside of WoW
5. My buddy left his PS2 here and Guitar Hero took over...

Top 5 songs I cant seem to stop listening to or escape
1. Sublime-Date Rape
2. Ram Jam-Black Betty
3. Lustra-Scotty Doesnt Know (still unsure why this song never gets old)
4. Irish Drinking Song-Fuck You I'm Drunk
5. that damn song by Flyleaf, i forget what its called, however this one has to do with my radio stations sucking

[maceo24]

]Top 5 Rock/Punk:
---------------------
The Get Up Kids
Audio Karate
Bayside
Saves The Day
Alkaline Trio

Honorable Mention: Motion City Soundtrack, Franz Ferdinand, Finch

Not anything against you man, but that's a terrible, terrible list. Really, really awful.
I mean, that's not even Rock & Roll, not of the crappiest. That's pure Pop ala post-1998 Blink 182.

Broaden your music taste, my friend, you won't regret it.

Anyway, here's my Top 5 of Music, subdivided into decades.

My top 5 50's:

- Elvis Presley
- Chuck Berry
- Chet Atkins
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Johnny Cash

My top 5 60's:

- Creedence Clearwater Revival
- The Beatles
- The Rolling Stones
- The Who
- The Yardbirds

My top 5 70's:

- AC/DC
- Aerosmith
- Led Zeppelin
- Pink Floyd
- Yes

My top 5 80's:

- Queen
- Bon Jovi
- Guns N Roses
- AC/DC
- Aerosmith

My top 10 90's:

- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Nirvana
- Foo Fighters
- Aerosmith
- Blind Melon
- Oasis
- Pearl Jam
- Alice in Chains
- REM
- They Might Be Giants

Just read this, to be honest, these bands are more sentimental favorites to me. I didnt get hip to that style of music till a friend I worked with at a summer camp wouldnt stop playing it in the car. Its not the best I'll be the first to admit, but listening to those songs while getting hammered with your friends for nearly 5 years will leave a special place for them. Bayside is decent, the sound is pop/punk mostly but there are some really good songs from them. Look up "Dont Call Me Peanut". Really good stuff.

And Saves the Day is local for me, so..

[Joe']

Bayside is actually pretty decent. Ten times better than all the other bands you listed. I'd dare to say they're Alternative, not Pop-Punk, like the other bands.

I can't stand Saves The Day, though. They're Emo. Nuff said.

My top 5 60's:

- Creedence Clearwater Revival
- The Beatles
- The Rolling Stones
- The Who
- The Yardbirds

I'd like to replace The Yardbirds with The Doors. Just recently got to know their music better and I must say I'm in love with it.

[Indy]

My top 5 favorite city skylines:

1.) Chicago- I'm biased, because I live and grew up here. I see it every day, but it still amazes me.




2.) Hong Kong- One of my favorite cities, the skyline is quite a sight.




3.) New York City- I'm not sure if NYC or Hong Kong is bigger, but I'm pretty sure those are the 2 largest. New York's is just stunning.




4.) Indianapolis- I know, I know. It is quite small, but I have quite a soft spot for this city, and even though there are many less buildings then the other cities on this list, I just love the way it is put together.




5.) Seattle- Mostly because I think the Space Needle is the coolest building in the world.

[Sauru]

well indy, out of your 5 i like seattles the best, mainly cause of the mountain in the background. great pic that is

[---]

Here's My Top 5:

1. Chicago, Illinois - Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center seperated by skyscraper after skyscraper. It's a very wide skyline, yet still looks so dense with buildings. When I think of Chicago, I think of those two massive black skyscrapers - I remember seeing them in a book and always wanting to go to Chicago. The lake adds to the skyline, as does the park (Millenium park I think it's called?). Not to mention there is a bunch a new skyscrapers in the works for Chicago, including the proposed 115 story (tallest in the US) Chicago Spire.



2. New York, New York - Before the World Trade Center was destroyed, it was the most impressive skyline in the world. They're gone now, but New York is still skyscraper central, and is home to two of the best looking buildings in the world - The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building. The skyscrapers and bright lights of Manhattan are too good to drop out of the top two. When I think of skylines, I think of New York City.



3. Singapore, Singapore - One of the coolest looking skylines in the world. I love the curved waterfront look with the buildings hugging the edge of the land. Every building looks perfectly placed and all are well designed. I love the light color of the buildings, looks quite futuristic in contract to a classic skyline like Chicago. It looks like a floating platform dotted with lit-up skyscrapers.



4. Hong Kong, China - The only reason this skyline doesn't beat out Singapore and New York is because I'm not familiar with the staples of the skyline. When I see a picture of the Chrysler Building, I automatically think Manhattan and everything that comes with it. When I see a picture of the Sears Tower, I imagine the cold Chicago winter with the lakefront lit up by the bright lights of the Loop. Hong Kong is damn impressive and looks great, but the familarity isn't there for me.



5a. Auckland, New Zealand - This is my biased pick. I've never been out of the country, and big cities are one of my interests, so I was very happy when I finally got to see Auckland. Auckland is home to the massive SkyTower, which at 328 meters (taller than the Chrysler Building) dwarfs any other building in the area. If Auckland added a couple big time buldings here and there, it would really rank up there as it's surroundings are as good as any cities, eg. the hundreds of sail boats, water front, harbour bridge, etc.



5b. Seattle, Washington - I remember being at my cousins house one night, I must of been 10-11 years old, and walking into the lounge to see a movie called "Sleepless In Seattle" playing on TV. I took no notice of it until I saw a view of the Seattle skyline at night, and just started watching. I ended up watching the rest of the movie and don't remember a thing about it except that Seattle looks amazing. Everything is perfectly placed, with the Space Needle right there in the middle infront of a backdrop of massive skyscrapers. Arguably the best looking city come nightfall.



EDIT: Indy, I've researched Chicago pretty extensively since it's one of the places I would want to live if I ever got work in the US. Just out of curiosity, which area do you live in?

[TheMC5]

Seattle is sweet, like most of the pacific northwest, because you get the two most awe-inspiring geological formations: mountains, and the ocean (I guess the ocean isn't really a formation, but I couldn't think of another word).

[Silas]

Oh yeah, everyone likes Seattle! It's great to wake up in the morning and go out onto your porch and see Lake Washington, with the Space Needle and Seattle skyline.