[Joe Bloggs]

If there is a genre called 'Classic Rock', sorry for my poor terminology--I'm referring to albums in the Rock genre that have made it to Classic status, or the eternal Hall of Fame

I've just bought Nevermind by Nirvana today, and a U2 collection album--'The Best of 1980-1990'. Who to turn to next? Led Zeppelin? If so what album? Who else?

 

[Fortune]

Joe,

It obviously depends on your taste. I personally really enjoy Jethro Tull's Aqualung on my system. It sounds very good and has a good variation of tempo, energy and acoustic, electric mix. Remastered Pink Floyd, Yes, Traffic's Low Spark of High Heeled Boys or Shootout at the Fantasy Factory are also some of my favorites.

 

[PC Corp]

how about Queens' "Classic Queen" and "Greatest Hits?"
Oh, Nevermind is one of my all time favourites.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Golden Earring - 'Moontan'

Completely underrated album.

 

[markl]

The WHO. Their most acclaimed album is "Who's Next". This was a state of the art rock recording in early 70s. There are some fabulous re-masters circa 1995 I think. Get those.

Do you like drums? Of course you do, every red-blooded American rock-lover does. The Who had the greatest Rock 'n Roll drummer of all time, Keith Moon. Townsend describes him as their "lead drummer"! Believe it!

If you want a "best of" get My Generation. But that will just whet your appetite and you'll be compelled to get more albums.

For a change of pace, I'd suggest Nick Drake, a late 60s/early 70s folk artist who died tragically. Get the best of "Way to Blue". This is the one recomendation I know people will always love. Nick Drake is not (yet) a house-hold word, but it's a slam dunk no-brainer. Very influential artist. Beautiful, delicate, haunting folk music.

Van Morrison Moondance and Astral weeks are great, too. I've got many more if you want.

markl

 

[kelly]

Compilations suck.

Some of my favorite classics:

The Who - Live At Leeds (remastered double cd out now)
Led Zepplin - Physical Grafitti
Pink Floyd - Animals
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors
Eric Clapton - Slowhand
Cream - Disraeli Gears
Deep Purple - In Rock
Deep Purple - Machine Head
Aerosmith - Toys in the Attic
Black Sabbath - Vol. 4
Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced?
Jimi Hendrix - Live at Ladyland
Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
Queen - News of the World
Beatles - Beatles (aka The White Album)
Styx - The Grand Illusion
Billy Thorpe - Children of the Sun
Sammy Hagar - Three Lock Box
Van Halen - Women and Children First
The Police - Synchronicity
Peter Gabriel - So
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
Yes - 90125
Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
Rush - 2112
Rush - Permanent Waves
David Bowie - Let's Dance

I can name more, if you like.

The real classic bands, in my opinion, have at least one good album in which they really hit their stride and did their best work on every track on the album. The true classics are the ones who did this and simultaneously collided with popularity. Taking a Greatest Hits album over a true classic album betrays they historic value of these classic albums to me.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Thanks everybody

Another question: if you are like me and don't know most of the names listed here, how would you get acquainted with the bands, know more about their style and reputation, and in general take steps towards deciding which bands' albums to buy?

I also find it easier to get involved in the music if I know something about the people who played / sang / made it...

 

[markl]

www.allmusic.com. The BIBLE.

markl

 

[Joe Bloggs]

404 error

The Bible's been stolen

 

[markl]

Try now.

 

[arnett]

Joe Bloggs,

check out www.allmusic.com and then head over to www.cdnow.com to hear 30 second sound samples.

 

[mkyy]

Try this

http://www.q4music.com/buyersguides/...1000010244AF85