The Joy of Lists
I love lists. Not only are they beneficial toward setting goals they also allow one to take stock in the various tangents within a situation. Listing out my events for the day allows for great satisfaction when achieving goals. The act of crossing an event off of a list is so cathartic to me that I find myself addicted.
That being said, it’s time for a few top 5 lists that have nothing to do with goals, or the act of crossing off events. I just needed a good way to start this one. So, I think I will begin with a musical version of my top 5’s. Why 5? Why not? It’s easy. The lists will all countdown to the number one and most special thing.
Here we go.
TOP 5 BANDS OF ALL TIME:
5. Pink Floyd/Wilco (Tie)
4. Dire Straits
3. Phish
2. Genesis
1. My Morning Jacket
It was very, very hard to put MMJ 1st. Genesis has been the leader of the pack since I remember hearing music as a young child. But, they have been inactive for so many years and MMJ are simply the best thing out there right now so they are Numero Uno for now at least. I think also important to note that Pink Floyd and Wilco are an even tie for me. I don’t want to put too many ties up on these lists, but I had to in this case. The Beatles aren’t up there either. It’s pretty obvious to pick them. The way I feel about that situation is thus: The Beatles will always float around my top 5, I can’t therefore put them on any list. Sometimes they are number 1. Sometimes 4 thru 2.
TOP 5 BANDS OF THE LAST 5 TO 10 YEARS (Noobies):
5. Snow Patrol
4. Death Cab for Cutie
3. Thirteen Senses
2. The Shins
1. My Morning Jacket
The Shins are closing in on number 1. Watch out Jim.
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME:
5. Animals (Pink Floyd)
4. Selling England by the Pound (Genesis)
3. OK Computer (Radiohead)
2. It Still Moves (MMJ)
1. A Trick of the Tail (Genesis)
A very tough one. 3 more Genesis albums could easily make this list (Duke, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Foxtrot). I’m also very much in love with Hollywood Town Hall by the Jayhawks.
TOP 5 SONGS OF ALL TIME:
5. The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)
4. Echoes (Pink Floyd)
3. The Divided Sky (Phish)
2. Steam Engine (MMJ)
1. The Cinema Show (Genesis)
This was very hard. The top 3 I’ll stick by until Jim writes another Steam Engine. Honorable mentions should go to: Out of this World (Marillion), Crowded in the Wings (The Jayhawks), Entangled (Genesis), Ashes of American Flags (Wilco), Heart of the Sunrise (Yes), Saint Simon (The Shins).
TOP 5 GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME:
5. David Gilmour
4. Eric Clapton
3. Trey Anastasio
2. Mark Knopfler
1. Steve Howe
No brainers for me. Steve’s got the best tone I’ve ever heard. He’s also probably the most versatile in the group. And his guitar kicks anybody’s ass.
TOP 5 DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME:
5. Pick Withers
4. Patrick Hallahan
3. Jon Fishman
2. John Bonham
1. Phil Collins (duh right?)
Say what you want about Phil, go ahead I don’t care. A lot of drummers put Phil up there high on their lists. There’s a reason, he brought the drums out front as main instrument on stage and in the studio. Have you ever heard Brand X, his side project in the 70’s? Well go buy an album and listen to that tasty drumming. John Bonham is predictable, but he’s a monster and very influential on my list. Patrick is a lot like Bonham and I think I play a lot like Patrick myself. Pick is the softest tastiest drummer of all. He never crashes those cymbals, just a soft touch.
TOP 5 BASS PLAYERS OF ALL TIME:
5. Tina Weymouth
4. Paul McCartney
3. Mike Gordon
2. Chris Squire
1. Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford is the most underrated bass player of all time. He gets overshadowed by the drums and the keyboards. But if you can concentrate on some of his lines, they are pretty crazy. Even on a simple pop tune like Just a Job to Do, he plays very fat and funky. But go further back toward the Lamb, especially The Colony of Slippermen and you’ll really hear the master at work.
MY DESERT ISLAND PICKS:
5. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
4. Ok Computer (Radiohead)
3. Afraid of Sunlight (Marillion)
2. On Every Street (Dire Straits)
1. A Trick of the Tail (Genesis)
If I had to pick 5, I pick these because they all retain their value after repeated listenings. That’s very important. They are also all very textured albums with several themes.
That’s what I have for now. I’m sure I’ll regret a lot of what I put up there. I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting things like, oh I don’t know, The Soft Bulletin by the Flaming Lips and a bunch more prog stuff. Oh well. Anybody got their top 5’s ready for public consumption? Bring it on.
We’ll do film next.
Love,
Dee
That being said, it’s time for a few top 5 lists that have nothing to do with goals, or the act of crossing off events. I just needed a good way to start this one. So, I think I will begin with a musical version of my top 5’s. Why 5? Why not? It’s easy. The lists will all countdown to the number one and most special thing.
Here we go.
TOP 5 BANDS OF ALL TIME:
5. Pink Floyd/Wilco (Tie)
4. Dire Straits
3. Phish
2. Genesis
1. My Morning Jacket
It was very, very hard to put MMJ 1st. Genesis has been the leader of the pack since I remember hearing music as a young child. But, they have been inactive for so many years and MMJ are simply the best thing out there right now so they are Numero Uno for now at least. I think also important to note that Pink Floyd and Wilco are an even tie for me. I don’t want to put too many ties up on these lists, but I had to in this case. The Beatles aren’t up there either. It’s pretty obvious to pick them. The way I feel about that situation is thus: The Beatles will always float around my top 5, I can’t therefore put them on any list. Sometimes they are number 1. Sometimes 4 thru 2.
TOP 5 BANDS OF THE LAST 5 TO 10 YEARS (Noobies):
5. Snow Patrol
4. Death Cab for Cutie
3. Thirteen Senses
2. The Shins
1. My Morning Jacket
The Shins are closing in on number 1. Watch out Jim.
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF ALL TIME:
5. Animals (Pink Floyd)
4. Selling England by the Pound (Genesis)
3. OK Computer (Radiohead)
2. It Still Moves (MMJ)
1. A Trick of the Tail (Genesis)
A very tough one. 3 more Genesis albums could easily make this list (Duke, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Foxtrot). I’m also very much in love with Hollywood Town Hall by the Jayhawks.
TOP 5 SONGS OF ALL TIME:
5. The Long and Winding Road (The Beatles)
4. Echoes (Pink Floyd)
3. The Divided Sky (Phish)
2. Steam Engine (MMJ)
1. The Cinema Show (Genesis)
This was very hard. The top 3 I’ll stick by until Jim writes another Steam Engine. Honorable mentions should go to: Out of this World (Marillion), Crowded in the Wings (The Jayhawks), Entangled (Genesis), Ashes of American Flags (Wilco), Heart of the Sunrise (Yes), Saint Simon (The Shins).
TOP 5 GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME:
5. David Gilmour
4. Eric Clapton
3. Trey Anastasio
2. Mark Knopfler
1. Steve Howe
No brainers for me. Steve’s got the best tone I’ve ever heard. He’s also probably the most versatile in the group. And his guitar kicks anybody’s ass.
TOP 5 DRUMMERS OF ALL TIME:
5. Pick Withers
4. Patrick Hallahan
3. Jon Fishman
2. John Bonham
1. Phil Collins (duh right?)
Say what you want about Phil, go ahead I don’t care. A lot of drummers put Phil up there high on their lists. There’s a reason, he brought the drums out front as main instrument on stage and in the studio. Have you ever heard Brand X, his side project in the 70’s? Well go buy an album and listen to that tasty drumming. John Bonham is predictable, but he’s a monster and very influential on my list. Patrick is a lot like Bonham and I think I play a lot like Patrick myself. Pick is the softest tastiest drummer of all. He never crashes those cymbals, just a soft touch.
TOP 5 BASS PLAYERS OF ALL TIME:
5. Tina Weymouth
4. Paul McCartney
3. Mike Gordon
2. Chris Squire
1. Mike Rutherford
Mike Rutherford is the most underrated bass player of all time. He gets overshadowed by the drums and the keyboards. But if you can concentrate on some of his lines, they are pretty crazy. Even on a simple pop tune like Just a Job to Do, he plays very fat and funky. But go further back toward the Lamb, especially The Colony of Slippermen and you’ll really hear the master at work.
MY DESERT ISLAND PICKS:
5. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
4. Ok Computer (Radiohead)
3. Afraid of Sunlight (Marillion)
2. On Every Street (Dire Straits)
1. A Trick of the Tail (Genesis)
If I had to pick 5, I pick these because they all retain their value after repeated listenings. That’s very important. They are also all very textured albums with several themes.
That’s what I have for now. I’m sure I’ll regret a lot of what I put up there. I’m pretty sure I’m forgetting things like, oh I don’t know, The Soft Bulletin by the Flaming Lips and a bunch more prog stuff. Oh well. Anybody got their top 5’s ready for public consumption? Bring it on.
We’ll do film next.
Love,
Dee
posted by DeesKnees at 10:48 AM
10 Comments:
I'm a list lover myself. The thing is, I have lists going all over the house. Then I have to put organizing all of my lists on my to do list. But I really do love the satisfaction of crossing off accomplishments.
ohh, I am a list lover too. Have you read "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby? it's based on the types of lists you have written. check it out, might be something you'd like.
Jen,
I saw the movie. I didn't realize it was a book. I wasn't really a big fan of the movie. But perhaps I will look into the book.
Dee
who is jen?
Why don't you ask her. She's got her own blog.
who's anonymous???
You need to listen to more jazz.
Eth,
I do listen to jazz. But I don't have enough knowledge do categorize albums or artists.
Perhaps I will make a list of what jazz I do know and like.
Why don't you share your top 5's?
Dee
I should and I've tried but it never turns out right.
Eth,
Things of this nature are very subjective. You can always change your mind. The idea is to harness a conversation. If you were to put up a list, I'm sure if anything, I'd have something to say.
So...Do it.
Dee
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