Articles

bensteinsmoney's top albums (overall)
1. OutKast - Stankonia (560) 2. Modest Mouse - Good News for People Who Love Bad News (498) 3. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (416) 4. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (374) 5. Sly & The Family Stone - Fresh (370) 6. De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising (369) 7. Daft Punk - Alive 2007 (354) 8. The Beatles - Let It Be (350) 9. Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago (309) 10. The Beach Boys - Smiley Smile (297)

While the Fantasy Festival is fun 15 artists is too restricting so this is how it would really be.

Legends Stage

Lou Reed
Patti Smith
Joni Mitchell
Bob Dylan
Led Zeppelin
Neil Young
The Rolling Stones
The Beach Boys
The Doors
Billie Holiday
Nina Simone

Future Legends Stage

Sonic Youth
Tori Amos
Cat Power
Björk
Tegan and Sara
Radiohead
Bright Eyes
Death Cab for Cutie
Rufus Wainwright
Bat for Lashes
Neko Case
Beck
Amy Winehouse
PJ Harvey
Erykah Badu

New Weird America Stage

Vashti Bunyan
Devendra Banhart
Six Organs of Admittance
Joanna Newsom
CocoRosie
Iron & Wine
Antony and the Johnsons
Spleen
Born Heller
Animal Collective
Lightspeed Champion
My Brightest Diamond
Scout Niblett

D.A.N.C.E Stage

Donna Summer
Róisín Murphy
Patrick Wolf
M.I.A.
Justice
Basement Jaxx
Simian Mobile Disco
School of Seven Bells
Santigold
Calvin Harris
Tiësto
LCD Soundsystem

Banding Together (Band Stage)

Bloc Party
Kasabian
Blonde Redhead
Bon Iver
Grizzly Bear
Metric
Love
Final Fantasy
Joy Division
The Cardigans
The Decemberists
Bombay Bicycle Club
Sigur Rós
Camera Obscura
The Arcade Fire
The Fiery Furnaces
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Placebo
The 5,6,7,8's
CSS
Fleet Foxes
Florence + The Machine

One Lonely Girl (Female Solo Stage)

St. Vincent
Alela Diane
Lykke Li
Maria Taylor
Jill Scott
Martha Wainwright
Nerina Pallot
Françoise Hardy
Vienna Teng
Fiona Apple
Chrisette Michele
Norah Jones
Feist
Peaches
Camille
A Fine Frenzy
Regina Spektor

Never Forgotten Stage

Elliott Smith
Jeff Buckley
Laura Nyro
Nico
Aaliyah
Marvin Gaye
Jimi Hendrix
John Lennon

In my opinion, these are the fifty best albums of all-time. I will address a few issues before you feel the need to leave posts about them.

1. Yes, this list will dominated by The Beatles (as well as other English rock bands).
2. Also, I am aware of the relatively limited number of genres which will be present.
3. If you are going to criticize my list, I have just one request: Name some albums to which I should listen. I'd love to hear your favorite albums, so I can listen to them, too. I want to listen to as many good albums as possible. Thank you.

With that being said, these are - in descending order - the 50 best albums in music history.

50. Blood Sugar Sex Magik - Red Hot Chili Peppers
49. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Bob Dylan
48. Urban Hymns - The Verve
47. Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols - Sex Pistols
46. LET IT BLEED - The Rolling Stones
45. Surrealistic Pillow - Jefferson Airplane
44. Please Please Me - The Beatles
43. Parklife - Blur
42. Unknown Pleasures - Joy Division
41. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan
40. Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones
39. Face To Face - The Kinks
38. All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
37. The Doors - The Doors
36. Nevermind - Nirvana
35. Electric Ladyland - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. Forever Changes - Love
33. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
32. Different Class - Pulp
31. Disraeli Gears - Cream
30. Led Zeppelin IV - Led Zeppelin
29. Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
28. The Bends - Radiohead
27. Are You Experienced
26. BEGGARS BANQUET - The Rolling Stones
25. The Joshua Tree - U2
24. Beatles for Sale - The Beatles
23. The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths
22. (What's the Story) Morning Glory? - Oasis
21. Blood on the Tracks - Bob Dylan
20. Led Zeppelin II - Led Zeppelin
19. Hounds of Love - Kate Bush
18. The Dark Side Of The Moon - Pink Floyd
17. Definitely Maybe - Oasis
16. Abbey Road - The Beatles
15. Something Else By The Kinks - The Kinks
14. Imagine - John Lennon
13. Exile on Main Street - The Rolling Stones
12. The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground
11. Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan
10. London Calling - The Clash
9. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
8. The Beatles - The Beatles
7. OK Computer - Radiohead
6. A Hard Day's Night - The Beatles
5. Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
4. The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
3. Revolver - The Beatles
2. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon
1. Rubber Soul - The Beatles

First, make a list of your top-20 artists overall. Then, for each of these artists, add the 7 most similar artists to your list. Delete any duplicates, count up the number of entries on your list and this will give you some idea of how eclectic your listening habits are. A score of 7 represents an extremely unvaried musical taste while a 140 represents an extremely varied one.

-

I used my three month charts, since they're better:
1) The Beatles
2) The Beach Boys
3) disney
4) legend of zelda
5) Nine Inch Nails
6) The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
7) Pretty Balanced
8) Cloetta Paris
9) Poe
10) Android Lust
11) Hilary Duff
12) Marilyn Manson
13) E.S. Posthumus
14) Elton John
15) The Dresden Dolls
16) Sarah McLachlan
17) Crystal Castles
18) Garbage
19) The Birthday Massacre
20) Emilie Autumn

-

01. The Beatles
- George Harrison
- Paul McCartney
- John Lennon
- Ringo Starr
- Paul McCartney & Wings
- Wings
- The Rolling Stones
(7)

02. The Beach Boys
- Brian Wilson
- Dennis Wilson
- Jan & Dean
- The Byrds
- The Zombies
- The Kinks
- The Turtles
(7)

03. Disney
- Alan Menken
- Amy Adams
- Pocahontas
- Samuel E. Wright
- Mary Poppins
- Disney Chorus
- Judy Kuhn
(7)

04. Legend of Zelda
- Koji Kondo
- Chrono Trigger
- Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai, Toru Minegishi, Koji Kondo
- Zelda
- Nintendo OST
- Z.R.E.O. Team
- The Legend of Zelda
(7)

05. Nine Inch Nails
- Modwheelmood
- Trent Reznor
- Tweaker
- Black Light Burns
- Halo 33
- Puscifer
(6)

06. The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble
- The Mount Fuji Doomjazz Corporation
- Bohren & Der Club of Gore
- Dale Cooper Quartet & The Dictaphones
- Kammerflimmer Kollektief
- Povarovo
- Somewhere off Jazz Street
- Contemporary Noise Sextet
(7)

08. Pretty Balanced
- Harlequin Jones
- Vermillion Lies
- Katzenjammer Kabarett
- HUMANWINE
- Sophe Lux
- Jill Tracy
- Revue Noir
(7)

08. Cloetta Paris
- Sally Shapiro
- Friday Bridge
- Marsheaux
- Gentle Touch
- Tiger Baby
- Le Sport
- Zeitgeist
(7)

09. Poe
- Tori Amos
- Liz Phair
- Nina Gordon
- Charlotte Martin
- Veruca Salt
- Tracy Bonham
(6)

10. Android Lust
- Collide
- Chiasm
- Ayria
- Angelspit
- Switchblade Symphony
- Razed in Black
- Pzychobitch
(7)

11. Hilary Duff
- Lindsay Lohan
- Ashley Tisdale
- Aly & AJ
- Vanessa Hudgens
- Miley Cyrus
- Haylie Duff
- Ashlee Simpson
(7)

12. Marilyn Manson
- Marilyn Manson & The Spooky Kids
- Rob Zombie
- Rammstein
- Deathstars
- John 5
- Korn
(6)

13. E.S. Posthumus
- Globus
- Immediate Music
- Corner Stone Cues
- X-Ray Dog
- Two Steps From Hell
- Bond
- Harry Gregson-Williams
(7)

14. Elton John
- Billie Joel
- Rod Stewart
- The Doobie Brothers
- Phil Collins
(4)

15. The Dresden Dolls
- Amanda Palmer
- Rasputina
(2)

16. Sarah McLachlan
- Natalie Merchant
- Jann Arden
- Jewel
- Paula Cole
- Chantal Kreviazuk
- Tara MacLean
- Shawn Colvin
(7)

17. Crystal Castles
- You Love Her Coz She's Dead
- HeartsRevolution
- Kap Bambino
- Klaxons
- Crystal Castles VS Uffie
- Bondage Fairies
- Late of the Pier
(7)

18. Garbage
- Angelfish
- No Doubt
- The Cardigans
- Republica
- Auf de Maur
- Hole
- The Cranberries
(7)

19. The Birthday Massacre
- Helalyn Flowers
- I:Scintilla
- Dope Stars Inc.
- Jack Off Jill
(4)

20. Emilie Autumn
- Hannah Fury
- Zombie Girl
(2)

Total: 121/140

If you like The Beach Boys and/or Nintendo music, and have a Facebook, you should add the page I just made. The plan is to cover the wholePet Sounds album using almost nothing but MIDI, Micro Korg/MIDI controllers, 8-bit samples, Nintendo-ish VST files and Beach Boys vocal tracks. I may add in other instruments later to fill out the sound. I have some cool guitar ideas for Sloop John B that shouldn't take away from the Nintendo-ishness of it. We'll see though!


heroes and fill-ins

Tinted Windows - Tinted Windows






The supergroup’s debut (and only?) album turned out to be a fun little record. It’s like a trip back in time, all breezy and retro. Reminds me of The Beach Boys and That 70s Show with some hot Taylor Hanson flavour.

There are exquisite singers in this world and Taylor is one of those singers with his soulful delivery and strong, distinctive tone colour. He elevates these songs from simply good to something great. Catchy, hooky and perfect for summer. I like Messing With My Head, Dead Serious, Back With You, Without Love, We Got Something, Nothing to Me,... heck, I like all the songs.

8/10


Tracklist

Kind of a Girl
Messing With My Head
Dead Serious
Can't Get A Read On You
Back With You
Without Love
Cha Cha
We Got Something
Nothing to Me
Doncha Wanna
Take Me Back
New Cassette (bonus track)




One question, Taylor - not that I don't enjoy your new musical endeavours, but when the friggin' hell is Hanson going to release a new album??? Less baby-making and more music-making, please! I miss you guyses, together, you know... being Hanson.
Btw, I really love the way he looks in here – all soft and... round? Hahaa...

1. What's your favorite song by 15?
(Janet Jackson) Definitely Go Deep, it is in my opinion one of the best R&B tracks of all time.

2. How did you get into 20?
(Michael Jackson) My mother was really into his music, and obviously the excessive plays from my childhood have made a lasting impression.

3. Who is your favorite member in 1?
(Fleetwood Mac) Stevie Nicks. I know it's cliché, but anyone who can write songs that beautiful and have such a prominent stage presence and keep the audience entranced with just the slightest gaze deserves to be a favourite.

4. What’s your favorite lyric bit by 29?
(Midlake)
'Bring me a day full of honest work,
And a roof that never leaks
I'll be satisfied.'

In context of the song, these lyrics are magical.

5. Have you ever seen 22 live?
(Dave Matthews Band) That would be a no.

6. What's your favorite album from 10?.
(Madonna) This is like asking me to pick a favourite child! I'm going to say Erotica, for the sheer fact I used to play it all the time when I was younger.

7. Do you own any merchandise from 3?
(Stevie Nicks) Just CDs.

8. What is a good memory you have of 7?
(Bat for Lashes) Walking along the beach near where I live listening to Two Suns just after it was released. The album fit the landscape so perfectly.

9. Is there a member of the same age as you in 2?
(Tori Amos) She was thirty years ago!

10. When did you first get into 8?
(Peter Gabriel) When I was going through my Kate Bush phase last year, I discovered she'd sang on a few tracks with him. I downloaded them, loved his voice and then checked out 3. I was hooked, and here we are today.

11. Who likes 4 along with you?
(Kate Bush) Quite a few of my friends like her, actually. Between me forcing them to endure her and loads of artists proclaiming her to be their main influence, she's became much more popular again than she was even a year and a half ago.

12. Which song did you first hear from 16?
(Suede) Saturday Night, because I found out Keeley Hawes was in the video. Love her, love the song.

13. What song made you fall in love with 5?
(Lindsey Buckingham) Go Insane.

14. Which song do you not like by 18?
(Cocteau Twins) There's none that I know of that I dislike. Perhaps I don't know enough of their work?

15. Why do you like 14's songs?
(Bryan Ferry) His voice is perfection, and they remind me of my childhood.

16. Where did you first hear 6?
(Roxy Music) Probably on some Sunday when I was tiny. My mother loves them, and they were the soundtrack to ironing days. (On another note, creepy coincidence with the above question, huh?)

17. How long was 19 a singer before you liked them?
(David Bowie) Only thirty-five years or so, not that long, ha.

18. Does 13 have a song that gives you a bad memory?
(Vanessa Carlton) Her songs are too pretty to give me bad memories.

19. When did you get into 17?
(Heart) I don't know, last summer?

20. How long have you been into 9?
(The Cure) About three and a half years.

21. If 11 had a concert 300 miles away, would you drive there to see them?
(Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) Due to the fact I worry that Tom Petty might die soon, I'd say a definite yes.

22. How many CDs do you own of 12?
(Buckingham Nicks) They've never released a CD, only a LP. Unless the album gets released on CD which I highly doubt, it'll probably always be none.

23. Does 21 have a song that makes you cry?
(Siouxsie and the Banshees) Yes! The Last Beat of My Heart never fails to get me emotional.

24. Does 27 have a song that makes you happy?
(Sarah McLachlan) Into the Fire brings a smile to my face, most definitely.

25. Does 23 have a song that makes you smile?
(Paramore) Misery Business for pure nostalgia.

26. What's the last song you've listened to from 28?
(Björk) Venus As A Boy, and I do love that song.

27. Is there a song by 32 that you've listened to more than 30 times?
(Kings of Leon) As my iTunes has only been going since August on this laptop, it doesn't say but I remember I definitely played Knocked Up over thirty times.

28. What is a song from 50 that you've only listened to once?
(New Order) There's a few.

29. Is there a song you are sick of hearing by 24?
(Don Henley) Not really, because he isn't played often unless I deliberately listen to "Oldie" radio stations.

30. What song got you into 40?
(Pink Floyd) I've no idea, I'm wanting to say Comfortably Numb but I can't be entirely sure.

31. What is your favorite single by 25?
(Tegan and Sara) I have no idea what's been released as singles and what hasn't.

32. If 49 hated you, what would you do?
(Destiny's Child) I'd be slightly upset, because that would mean Beyoncé hates me, and as I love her, I'd feel like a right cock.

33. What would you say if 42 or one of the members from 42 asked you out?
(Whitney Houston) Even though I'd be creeped out, particularly as I'm straight and she's about the same age as my mother, I'd definitely say yes. It's Whitney fucking Houston!

34. Would you care if 41 had a boyfriend/girlfriend?
(Eagles) Not really. They're all old enough to be my grandparents, although Don Henley was a handsome man.

35. Who has the best voice in 46?
(Prince) As it's just Prince, he is the voice of the music. And I love it.

36. Do you think 26 is/are good looking?
(Fiona Apple) She is beautiful, in a porcelain-doll way. My only qualm is that sometimes she looks too thin. That's not really my problem anyway though, is it?

37. How many times have you listened to your favorite song by 36?
(Journey) This is easy - Wheel In The Sky.

38. How many CDs do you own of 30?
(The Smiths) Just the one, which is Strangeways, Here We Come.

39. Is there a song from 38 that makes you mad?
(Lily Allen) Not really.

40. Which member from 31 do you want to see go solo? If 31 is only one artist, what would you do if they joined a group?
(Demi Lovato) I don't really want her to join a group, I like her voice on its own.

41. What does your favorite song from 48 remind you of?
(Patrick Wolf) The Childcatcher reminds me of my old Spanish lessons, discussing with my friend how creepy yet good this song was.

42. Did you hate 43 at first?
(Joni Mitchell) No, she's a legend! It took me a little while to "get" her, though.

43. Does your best friend also listen to 33?
(Beyoncé) Yes, who doesn't listen to her?

44. Do you think your parents would like 37?
(Amy Winehouse) They both like her, my mother especially.

45. Does 47 have a song that makes you want to dance?
(Blondie) Well, come on. Who hasn't danced to Heart Of Glass at some point in their lives?

46. Have you ever seen 34 in person?
(The Beach Boys) Of course not.

47. Do you like 44's name?
(Hole) It has rude connotations and is pretty simple, but definitely sums up the group.

48. Is there someone in 45 that you want to go out with?
(Ladyhawke) I wouldn't go out with Pip, but I'd like her to give me her hair.

49. Do you know anyone that hates 39?
(Christine McVie) No, because not many people disassociate her from Fleetwood Mac. If they hate Fleetwood Mac (i.e., my stepdad) then they probably would.

50. Have you ever danced to a song from 35?
(PJ Harvey) Her songs aren't danceable, really. Unless you count grunge style mosh-pits. So, no.