It is, except that it sounds like it was recorded many years before ATMP in regards to the production. The entire records sounds so tired and dull production-wise, especially the drums. Not at all the same standard as for example I Life For You or If Not For You on ATMP.
I adore Discovery, it's close to perfection, pop at its finest for me. I remember my pops having the vinyl and the gatefold mesmerised me. I do prefer it to Out Of The Blue, but each to their own, and that's what it's all about 🙂
I prefer it to Ziggy that I think is a very good LP but overrated IMHO! Aladdin Sane is heavier and deeper. 'Cracked Actor is awesome. Also DSOTM is the better though WYWH is very very good but clearly a lesser achievement. Just as Sgt Peppers these days is underrated and 'Shabby Road' their most overrated LP. Lennon called it, 'the sound of a band dying' and as usual I agree with John. He called Let it Be 'garbage', and that is not far wrong as it is clearly their weakest full LP. 1969 was NOT the Beatles year .They were finished with their last truly great LP 'The White Album'. True genius there. 1968 was the last year the Beatles mattered, Love 'Hey Bulldog' as well. Only the two Georges were at peak performance on Shabby Road. His two songs were great but even the other two songs I like are not John's most original, That being 'Come together' and Because'.The rest is 'saved' by Mr Martin's sonic genius as he camouflages those half done ditties into a coherent pleasant sound experience but the LP as a whole is over ripe and tedious. Compared to Sgt Peppers it is CRAP! I can't listen to it anymore. Much prefer other songs left off these half assed LPs, that being 'Old Brown Shoe', 'Don't Let me Down', 'The Ballad of John and Yoko'. And John songs like 'Cold Turkey'. If they had been put on 'Let it Be' instead of the frankly twee folk stuff it would have been a pretty good LP even for them instead of the soul sucking dirge it is. Again only Lennon's 'Across the Universe' is a still listen to for me. 'The Long and Winding Road' is a wrist slitter for me. It makes you want to put on AC /DC just to cleanse the palate!
Wow I have to say..I really liked Empire burlisique...nice to hear you mention the Elton John song ticking ..I remember him singing that song ( it was the jump up tour) it was great ..,he opened the show with empty garden .and after the song Yoko and Sean walked on stage..it was Madison square garden..great show..
I understand the magnitude of Parallel Lines, but I always preferred Eat to the Beat. Debbie's vocal performance on the entire album is magnificent, especially on Union City Blue and Dreaming (well, Dreaming is dreaming). Nice list, John
I'm a big fan of Aladdin Sane - First time I played it I didn't like it, but now I play it more than Ziggy. And I also LOVE the cover of 'Let's Spend the Night Together'. But I think maybe I got turned onto that after seeing the cinema re-release of the final spiders concert. Anyway, it's fighting for my spot as favourite Bowie album with Ziggy and Hunky Dory.
Great video! A note on Tusk: Lindsey Buckingham was obsessed with doing things totally different after Rumours obviously. Christine McVie was dating Dennis Wilson at the time and Lindsey was very curious how Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys followed up Pet Sounds (a similar artistic success to Rumours) and was actually allowed to listen to the Smile tapes, being the first person outside of the inner Beach Boys circle to do so.
Tusk..... excellent choice. Though hearing the single “Tusk” for the first time in 1979 was quite a shock. I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t that.
Aladdin Sane is a piece of pure genius. Bowie at the top of his game. It is better than Ziggy by far. Listen to the Piano again and again...you are probably listening to a cheap RCA vinyl. Listen to a good Remaster...
demonsbutterfly , i find that over the years i have preferred Aladdin to Ziggy as i have heard the Ziggy album maybe too many times , tbh the Green label pressing of Aladdin is just as good as a first orange uk RCA !
I was always surprised at Billy Joel’s consistency? He may not have been “great” but he was always “very good”, avoiding boom and bust peaks and troughs.
Love how you look at albums like a fan. And not a you tube reviewer that goes on and on. Good stuff. Sum thoughts Empire burlisique needs a remaster. Take off the horrible synth and drum machine. At the core lay a good album. Pipes of piece also suffers from 80's productions.. You could have added Queen's the Game followed by their clunker Hot space. On the come down list.
Dylan's canon is rich pickings for all three categories, I'd say. To name a few... Comedown = Red Sky, Something lacking = Fallen Angels, Result! = Desire (and most of the 60s albums)
i thoroughly enjoy your videos. I'm 48 and a definitely a big 'metal' guy, but I also have room in my heart for most of the music you posted in this video. In my age bracket, if you had parents that enjoyed music(who didn't?!), many of these bands were the sort of backdrop/soundtrack to my life. I collect a lot of bands, but Sabbath(and everything related) to an extreme level. I find your videos thoughtful and informative. You avoid the loudmouth shenanigans(which can be very entertaining, but sometimes at the cost of clearly discussing the content at hand), and when I find myself craving a mellow, well executed bit of music discussion, increasingly more often i find myself landing on one of your videos. Thank you for the information and entertainment.
hi john interesting as usual on your follow up albums after to say disgree with the bowie summary aka aladdin sane to ziggy stardust, ziggy without doubt is a masterpiece however disgree with aladdin sane been ziggy 2 and a dismiss it, yes we have our differnt views, aladdin was another one of davids greats its a tougher and raunchier than ziggy, not better but up there, watch that man is a great opener for me outstanding tracks like panic in detroit , time, lady,cracked actor, lady grinning soul are great, plus the totally excallent drive in saturday is bowie @ the top of his game. a worthwhile follow up jhn for me. defend aladdin sane everytime outstanding album and its inconic album cover...brilliant.
I have to agree with you, Paul, though John Heaton has a point with the cover: 'Let's spend the night together' I'm not that keen on 'Time' either, but it has grown on me ; ). The rest of the tracks are amazing. I think the biggest disappointment as a follow up for Bowie was 'Lodger' after 'Low' and 'Heroes'
@@keddw I love Lodger and Aladdin Sane far more than Ziggy. 'Time' is an absolute classic as is cracked actor. Super heavy!. More interesting to me. Ziggy is thin sounding and very teeny bopper shallow stuff. I much preferred Hunky Dory and then Aladdin Sane. More passionate with better songs IMHO! I also found the Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' turgid, dull, stuffed with filler and it finished my Pink Floyd fandom after 13 years of obsession. It has five good songs on a double album that are horribly overplayed. The film was loud, cliched, dreadful and the lyrics were tiresome, repetitive and frankly stupid. (We don't need no education' Yes you bloody well do, all of us do and a lot more of it too! Ignorance and lazy thinking is the curse of the modern Age). I HATE the Wall and everything afterwards. Roger Waters ego and self obsession is monstrous. Hiring the brilliant now dead Richard Wright, an original member, as a studio hire is typical of this 'White Jesus'. Like Bono and Bob Geldorf, Awful commercial political pandering! Even though I agree with his stance on Assange and Palestine, He is no Lennon who I respect immensely as he SACRIFICED for others, the homeless, weed legalization, against police brutality, racism, sexism and was probably killed for his heroic defense of humanity, peace and love!
Hi John. As always I enjoy your videos. As you pointed out Pink Floyd followed their biggest succes, Dark Side of the Moon, with Wish You Were Here, which is still my favorite Floyd album.
I remember being in college, and my friends girlfriend, who happened to be African American, said of Stevie’s “Secret Life If Plants” album, soon after it came out , “You can’t sing to it, You can’t hum to it, You can’t dance to it, You can’t do anything to it!” lol ... I admit that I didn’t know what to make of it at first - but as they say, hindsight displays it’s charms..
I loved ' Secret Life of Plants', at the time, and still do. Don't forget that it was a film sound-track, but it does have some wonderful compositions and sound effects from a young genius who had had an astonishing decade of original albums. Spot on re Pink Floyd : a pinnacle time in the history of popular music.
I agree 100% that "Tusk" is a great album (one of my all-time album favorites as well, it's a masterpiece!) and even better than their other great album "Rumours". I was also lusting after the signed version that was on the wall behind you! Great video. 👍
I agree with Eric Clapton, a big letdown after 461. The one that always bothered me was neil young's hawks and doves. It was a poor follow-up to rust never sleeps. John, if you haven't done them yet, can you review the solo beatles dvd's. That would be a good one. Thanks for another good video.
It's quite difficult to make 4 in a row great albums but I think that Jethro Tull also succeeded with: Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung and Thick As A Brick. 100% in agreement that Wish You Were Here surpasses Dark Side Of The Moon but I prefer Crime of The Century to Crisis? What Crisis? I know that Out Of The Blue is one of your favourite albums but for me, E.L.O.'s masterpiece is: A New World Record. Interesting topic you've chosen for this video. Well done!
I absolutely appreciate that you take great pains to ensure that people understand you are merely expressing your personal opinions and preferences. So, no umbrage taken here, I assure you. But I feel I just have to put forward a different view of Aladdin Sane, which will forever evoke powerful, unique memories for me, coming as it did at that crucial early age when my tastes began to change. I don't think Aladdin Sane is any way 'Ziggy Mark 2', because it just doesn't sound or feel like Ziggy at all and is just so much darker and, er, coked up and fucked up. It's probably my favourite Bowie album of all. It would probably have to be in my list of top 5 favourite albums of all time (if I were ever to compile such a thing, which presently I haven't the motivation to do and probably never will). For me, the whole of the first 'side', plus 'Time' and 'The Prettiest Star' at the start of 'Side two', add up to seven great Bowie songs on the trot. 'Watch that Man' is a joyous, raucous invitation to the party while 'Aladdin Sane' with its dizzying, duelling pianos and Bowie's voice, like sweet air in cooling glass, is superb. The remaining tracks on 'Side one' are pure, addictive, rock-pop classics. 'Time' is full-on dirty, uplifting and simultaneously deranged, while 'The Prettiest Star' is sweet and aching. Things pause briefly to be just OK with 'Let's Spend the Night Together' (though I heard Bowie's version first and still prefer it to the Stones' version, as it is just an OK song by anyone) before letting loose the incurable earworm infection 'Jean Genie' and then cooling it all down with the mesmerising 'Lady Grinning Soul', which always makes me think of someone wading out into silky black water. So, there you go. That's my take on Aladdin Sane. Get back in your box Ziggy, you sweet little extraterrestrial wannabe. You want aliens and freaks? Try the States in the 1970s.
I think most Doors fans would agree with me in rating their second album, Strange Days, almost as highly as or equal to their first, which was one of the great rock debut albums of all time.
I love your channel. I recommend you buy Inxs kick. Brilliant album start with. X another great album. Listen like thieves. Great start for. Inxs music
Interesting subject. Here's a few : Good -1. Candy-o follow up to the Cars 2. Armed Forces follows up This Year's Model - Elvis Costello 3. London Calling follow up to The Clash. Bad- 1.Sometime in NY City follows Imagine - Lennon. 2. Gaucho follows Aja - Steely Dan 3. Little Creatures follow up to Speaking in Tongues- Talking Heads
From my collection, I would add as equally good follow-ups to great albums: The Doors "Strange Days" following their debut album. The Band's 2nd album following "Music from the Big Pink." Of course, there is the run of Stones albums Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street. That would be an interesting topic. Bands with the longest run of great albums. A follow-up that is really good, but maybe lacking something is Hendrix's Axis: Bold as Love following Are You Experienced. Biggest let down for me is maybe CCR's Pendulum following Cosmo's Factory.
I am with you on everything here John . Tusk , Wish you were here are the equal of Rumours & Dark Side . Crime of the Century is a near perfect album so not sure if Crisis is quite as good , Caribou I really like but it doesn't hit the amazing quality of Yellow Brick Road. Alladin Sane has some great songs , Jean Genie & Drive in Saturday particularly but Ziggy is the seminal album. Mind you Aladin Sane probably just pips it on iconic album covers! BTW Tusk is one of my very favourite albums , people forget that its one of Christines strongest albums for song writing.
Love your picks... completely agree on Supertramp, as well. Wondering if you've heard XTC? Seems like they would be right in your wheelhouse. Absolutely brilliant pop... and a run of amazing albums unmatched by anyone not named The Beatles... Drums And Wires -> Black Sea -> English Settlement ...then a couple of really underrated albums (Mummer & The Big Express) followed by 25 O'Clock (Dukes of Stratoshphear with the greatest 60s tribute of original material ever) -> Skylarking -> Psonic Psunspot (another brilliant Dukes album) -> Oranges And Lemons -> Nonsuch -> Apple Venus Vol. 1 (After a SEVEN YEAR Strike against their record label)... Unmatched brilliance.
This one is quite controversial. Houses Of The Holy which I would put as a strong effort but wasn't on the same par as Led Zeppelin IV which was a mammoth, also a follow up to LZ III which was on the same standard.
Thank you, John. I completely agree with you about "Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants" and "Pipes of Peace". "Songs in The Key of Life" was my first record. I remember being blown away when "I Wish" was debuted on the radio. My parents bought me "Songs in The Key of Life" shortly thereafter. When "Secret Life of Plants" came out, I was shocked at how bad it was compared to "Songs in The Key of Life". In hindsight, it's not as bad as it seemed at the time. Stevie did perform live in support of "Secret Life of Plants" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and I saw the show. It was my first concert. My only clear memory is someone came out before the start of performance to ask the audience not to smoke marijuana because it made Stevie ill.
Totally agree with Tusk and also Wish You Were Here and Crisis What Crisis are worthy follow ups (don't know the other two albums in this group that well). Aladdin Sane is (IMHO) also a good follow up to Ziggy. Also had great expectations of the Secret Life of Plants and like the overture and one song on it (the venus fly trap), but it's for me too a let down on the predecessor. And as you already mentioned, lots of other examples are possible.
1. I love Bowie's cover of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' 2. "Eat to the Beat" I like more than "Parallel Lines" which was strident at times. You didn't mention my fav. track 'Dreaming' 3. Totally agree on "Tusk" being better than "Rumors" Most people rate The Who's "Quadrophenia" as a top album (I think it's slightly overrated), overlooking the follow-up "The Who by Numbers" but I love that album.
Lindsay was very much into the production on 'Rumors' as well as 'Tusk'. He caught a lot of flack from the record heads because it wasn't another 'Rumors' and didn't sell as well. In fact, it sold great but, yes, no where near as much as 'Rumors'. But because of the diminished sales, it was considered a commercial failure. Strange. Most other bands would be considered extremely fortunate to sell as many units as 'Tusk' did. But I think there was a lot of behind the scenes friction between Lindsay and the record company. Lindsay wanted to record it at a studio the band had built and the record company said 'No'. They still recorded it at a studio not sanctioned by the record company but the record company still charged the band for studio time. Kind of a skunky thing to do, IMO.
Leaving the Beatles out of it, as you did, I'd say that Led Zeppelin had the best strike rate of back to back classics. I'd rate their first six albums at five stars each. The Stones had a sensational run of five from Beggars Banquet to Exile on Main Street (including Get Your Ya Ya's Out) -- was not a fan of Goat's Head Soup as a whole myself, but many rate it, so that could qualify as six for some. The Who's five from The Who Sellout to Quadrophenia was excellent (including, of course, Live at Leeds). Black Sabbath started incredibly strongly, I'd say five in a row there too. Elvis Costello's first five were all pretty fine. I can't think of too many other bands who could boast five or more back to back classics. Queen fans would probably make an argument for their albums, but I'm only a casual Queen fan, so I can't really comment there, but they'd definitely be in the mix. I've enjoyed all six Arctic Monkeys albums immensely, but Suck it and See was ultimately a bit below par, and Humbug was not as brilliant as the remaining four, but they're the best modern equivalent that I can think of. They've kept evolving, which is cool.
We all have our opinions. I appreciate Johns serious take on all of this even if I don’t agree. I liked Aladdin Sane but it wasn’t Ziggy. Couldn’t agree more, because I was there at the time, with The Life of Plants....
A couple of my superb followups would be Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album (their white album) followed by Rumours. I always feel the self-titled album gets short shrift because of the monster Rumours album. The Crosby, Stills, & Nash debut album followed up with the CSN&Y classic, "Deja Vu" and then the Stone's album "Let It Bleed" followed with "Sticky Fingers." My biggest disappointment was the U2 album "Zooropa" which was the followup to "Achtung Baby." Stay safe and healthy, John!!
If I was to pick a Beatles example, and yes they had to stick something out for Xmas as that's how things were back then AND they were exhausted, but would it be fair to consider Beatles for Sales a disappointing follow up to A Hard Day's Night? After an album of 13 self written tracks, none of them filler, to include 6 covers (many of them averagely performed) was a step backwards. Add in the slightly tired performances too.
Agree For Sale is their weakest album and a disappointment after Hard Days Night . A few good originals and then a load of covers which they had been doing for years and filler , the back half of the album the main culprit. They recorded it in a rush and it shows
I liked Eric Clapton's "There's One in Every Crowd" and I like almost as much as "461 Ocean Boulevard" (not a huge fan of "461 Ocean Boulevard" though). I loved Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" too.
I bought the remastered CD of Quitest moments and I was blown away by it. Then, I got Crisis, and apart from the short and sweet intro track and Sister Moonshine, i consider it a weak release. Crisis is also a contender, imho, for the most depressing album cover ever.
Just caught up with this one! Hard to disagree with choices! I as a Clapton fan was disappointed with There’s one in Every Crowd. I have warmed to it over time though. Heard it said side one and side two should have been switched! Also he recorded some better tracks not included here! I struggled with Venus and Mars by Wings some great songs on it but some clunkers too! Magneto and Titanium man being one Spirits of Ancient Egypt being another!
MJ- personally, Off the Wall was the last album i liked from him. i once melted Thriller and Air Supply Lost in Love together to make a plant holder... and i'll take Stevie Wonder over MJ any day...and over ELO... I agree with the Bowie/Aladdin Sane - i agree that Wish You Were Here was more pleasing than Dark Side. i actually do not like the Wall as much as Animals, or Final Cut. I agree that Tusk was a step up...
Love your stuff. Have to disagree with you about Caribou though. Pinky and I've seen the saucers are stand-out tracks, up there with Elton's very best.
Blue Oyster Cult... _Secret Treaties_ through _Spectres_ ! Ghost... _Opus Eponymous_ through _Meliora_ ! And...Ennio Morricone... _A Fist Full Of Dollars_ through _Once Upon A Time In The West_ ;)
Wish You Were Here is a brilliant album and disappointed some because it was not another Dark Side of the Moon; the very reason why I love it. For me Hergest Ridge was a big come down from Tubular Bells. He just didn’t try with it, the cover looked cheap and nasty and many of the pressings were awful too. He did far better with later albums with Five Miles Out being one of them. The pressing was better until I dropped a plug on it.
Definitely not your generation, nor mine actually as I'm older than you, but I'd mention Ed Sheeran. He's the only 21st century artist I've been able to get into. Of his first 3 albums everyone is better than the last. His 4th studio album, Compilations #6 took me a while to get into but now I like it very much.
a different angle on topic: how to have fun and avoid injury? what's the logistic and unclaimed? being able to get through with living? different plausible answers
Caribou was definitely the biggest disappointment for me after GYBR. then he puts out another masterpiece Captain Fantastic, and then once again follows it up with (in my opinion) a horrible album Rock Of The Westies. but everything else between 70 - 75 was superb.
Aladdin Sane is not the greatest Bowie album, but it is so different from Ziggy Stardust. The piano by Mike Garson brings avant-garde into rock $ roll and the space-alien narrative is exchanged for absolutely vile Hollywood scandal. (Also, the Bowie version of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' is better than the Stones', prove me wrong)
He should have added Wings “At The Speed Of Sound” as a follow up to “Venus And Mars” as a disappointment, in spite of the 2 massive hit singles it contains because the non McCartney songs occupy a significant portion of the album and drowning it in mediocrity.
clapon wa great in the 60 s after derek n dominios ,eric clapton produced only shit albums till the very day,,,i am wonder how jimi hemdrix would made it into to the 70s
I prefer "London Town" to "Wings at the Speed of Sound" but then I also like "Press to Play" more than many of his albums and Macca doesn't even like it.
Fleetwood rates "Tusk" as his 2nd favorite after "Then Play On." I think Mac came up with a better follow-up than their main competitor, the Eagles. The "Hotel California" follow-up, "The Long Run," was good, but nowhere near as adventurous as "Tusk."
Tobingtons obviously his words were disgusting but if you watch the recent Clapton documentary that’s on BBC iPlayer it shows just what a wreck he was at the time with all the alcohol, he was blackout drunk almost all of the time and had extreme problems with his mental health. It’s a good watch if your interested in clapton. It doesn’t ruin the music for me because I know he was barely in control, he had just heard a racist on the television and in his drunken state spouted out that rubbish. Feel free to disagree!!!
Living in the Material World is a pretty good follow up.
It is, except that it sounds like it was recorded many years before ATMP in regards to the production. The entire records sounds so tired and dull production-wise, especially the drums. Not at all the same standard as for example I Life For You or If Not For You on ATMP.
My favorite follow up to a great album is the stunning Black Sea by XTC followed up by the wonderful English Settlement.....
I adore Discovery, it's close to perfection, pop at its finest for me. I remember my pops having the vinyl and the gatefold mesmerised me. I do prefer it to Out Of The Blue, but each to their own, and that's what it's all about 🙂
Aladdin Sane is a masterpiece.
I prefer it to Ziggy that I think is a very good LP but overrated IMHO! Aladdin Sane is heavier and deeper. 'Cracked Actor is awesome. Also DSOTM is the better though WYWH is very very good but clearly a lesser achievement. Just as Sgt Peppers these days is underrated and 'Shabby Road' their most overrated LP. Lennon called it, 'the sound of a band dying' and as usual I agree with John. He called Let it Be 'garbage', and that is not far wrong as it is clearly their weakest full LP. 1969 was NOT the Beatles year .They were finished with their last truly great LP 'The White Album'. True genius there. 1968 was the last year the Beatles mattered, Love 'Hey Bulldog' as well. Only the two Georges were at peak performance on Shabby Road. His two songs were great but even the other two songs I like are not John's most original, That being 'Come together' and Because'.The rest is 'saved' by Mr Martin's sonic genius as he camouflages those half done ditties into a coherent pleasant sound experience but the LP as a whole is over ripe and tedious. Compared to Sgt Peppers it is CRAP! I can't listen to it anymore. Much prefer other songs left off these half assed LPs, that being 'Old Brown Shoe', 'Don't Let me Down', 'The Ballad of John and Yoko'. And John songs like 'Cold Turkey'. If they had been put on 'Let it Be' instead of the frankly twee folk stuff it would have been a pretty good LP even for them instead of the soul sucking dirge it is. Again only Lennon's 'Across the Universe' is a still listen to for me. 'The Long and Winding Road' is a wrist slitter for me. It makes you want to put on AC /DC just to cleanse the palate!
@@vladdrakul7851 yes. I agree. Aladdin Sane is a stronger album.
Wow I have to say..I really liked Empire burlisique...nice to hear you mention the Elton John song ticking
..I remember him singing that song ( it was the jump up tour) it was great ..,he opened the show with empty garden .and after the song Yoko and Sean walked on stage..it was Madison square garden..great show..
John, I would LOVE to sit down and talk music with you for hours.... RK
Hi John! Another great and interesting video. Thanks for all your hard work. Keep on keeping on, and have a nice summer!
I understand the magnitude of Parallel Lines, but I always preferred Eat to the Beat. Debbie's vocal performance on the entire album is magnificent, especially on Union City Blue and Dreaming (well, Dreaming is dreaming). Nice list, John
I always thought ETTB was their best album , my fave anyway ,great band.
I'm a big fan of Aladdin Sane - First time I played it I didn't like it, but now I play it more than Ziggy. And I also LOVE the cover of 'Let's Spend the Night Together'. But I think maybe I got turned onto that after seeing the cinema re-release of the final spiders concert. Anyway, it's fighting for my spot as favourite Bowie album with Ziggy and Hunky Dory.
Great video! A note on Tusk: Lindsey Buckingham was obsessed with doing things totally different after Rumours obviously. Christine McVie was dating Dennis Wilson at the time and Lindsey was very curious how Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys followed up Pet Sounds (a similar artistic success to Rumours) and was actually allowed to listen to the Smile tapes, being the first person outside of the inner Beach Boys circle to do so.
that's interesting , didn't know that , That's all for everyone always reminds me of the Beach Boys
Discovery by ELO was a great follow up, I think it's an easy album to listen to and enjoy
Tusk..... excellent choice. Though hearing the single “Tusk” for the first time in 1979 was quite a shock. I don’t know what I was expecting but it wasn’t that.
Love your work John
Aladdin Sane is a piece of pure genius. Bowie at the top of his game. It is better than Ziggy by far. Listen to the Piano again and again...you are probably listening to a cheap RCA vinyl. Listen to a good Remaster...
demonsbutterfly , i find that over the years i have preferred Aladdin to Ziggy as i have heard the Ziggy album maybe too many times , tbh the Green label pressing of Aladdin is just as good as a first orange uk RCA !
I was always surprised at Billy Joel’s consistency? He may not have been “great” but he was always “very good”, avoiding boom and bust peaks and troughs.
Love how you look at albums like a fan. And not a you tube reviewer that goes on and on. Good stuff.
Sum thoughts
Empire burlisique needs a remaster. Take off the horrible synth and drum machine. At the core lay a good album.
Pipes of piece also suffers from 80's productions..
You could have added Queen's the Game followed by their clunker Hot space. On the come down list.
Dylan's canon is rich pickings for all three categories, I'd say. To name a few... Comedown = Red Sky, Something lacking = Fallen Angels, Result! = Desire (and most of the 60s albums)
John wonderful presentation and reasoning yet again, your knowledge and research into these videos is outstanding. Thank you !!
i thoroughly enjoy your videos. I'm 48 and a definitely a big 'metal' guy, but I also have room in my heart for most of the music you posted in this video. In my age bracket, if you had parents that enjoyed music(who didn't?!), many of these bands were the sort of backdrop/soundtrack to my life. I collect a lot of bands, but Sabbath(and everything related) to an extreme level.
I find your videos thoughtful and informative. You avoid the loudmouth shenanigans(which can be very entertaining, but sometimes at the cost of clearly discussing the content at hand), and when I find myself craving a mellow, well executed bit of music discussion, increasingly more often i find myself landing on one of your videos.
Thank you for the information and entertainment.
hi john interesting as usual on your follow up albums after to say disgree with the bowie summary aka aladdin sane to ziggy stardust, ziggy without doubt is a masterpiece however disgree with aladdin sane been ziggy 2 and a dismiss it, yes we have our differnt views, aladdin was another one of davids greats its a tougher and raunchier than ziggy, not better but up there, watch that man is a great opener for me outstanding tracks like panic in detroit , time, lady,cracked actor, lady grinning soul are great, plus the totally excallent drive in saturday is bowie @ the top of his game. a worthwhile follow up jhn for me. defend aladdin sane everytime outstanding album and its inconic album cover...brilliant.
I have to agree with you, Paul, though John Heaton has a point with the cover: 'Let's spend the night together' I'm not that keen on 'Time' either, but it has grown on me ; ). The rest of the tracks are amazing. I think the biggest disappointment as a follow up for Bowie was 'Lodger' after 'Low' and 'Heroes'
@@keddw I love Lodger and Aladdin Sane far more than Ziggy. 'Time' is an absolute classic as is cracked actor. Super heavy!. More interesting to me. Ziggy is thin sounding and very teeny bopper shallow stuff. I much preferred Hunky Dory and then Aladdin Sane. More passionate with better songs IMHO! I also found the Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' turgid, dull, stuffed with filler and it finished my Pink Floyd fandom after 13 years of obsession. It has five good songs on a double album that are horribly overplayed. The film was loud, cliched, dreadful and the lyrics were tiresome, repetitive and frankly stupid. (We don't need no education' Yes you bloody well do, all of us do and a lot more of it too! Ignorance and lazy thinking is the curse of the modern Age). I HATE the Wall and everything afterwards. Roger Waters ego and self obsession is monstrous. Hiring the brilliant now dead Richard Wright, an original member, as a studio hire is typical of this 'White Jesus'. Like Bono and Bob Geldorf, Awful commercial political pandering! Even though I agree with his stance on Assange and Palestine, He is no Lennon who I respect immensely as he SACRIFICED for others, the homeless, weed legalization, against police brutality, racism, sexism and was probably killed for his heroic defense of humanity, peace and love!
Top notch. John Heaton nails it!
Hi John. As always I enjoy your videos. As you pointed out Pink Floyd followed their biggest succes, Dark Side of the Moon, with Wish You Were Here, which is still my favorite Floyd album.
Nice list!
I remember being in college, and my friends girlfriend, who happened to be African American, said of Stevie’s “Secret Life If Plants” album, soon after it came out , “You can’t sing to it, You can’t hum to it, You can’t dance to it, You can’t do anything to it!” lol ... I admit that I didn’t know what to make of it at first - but as they say, hindsight displays it’s charms..
yes that Carr & Tyler remark (about McCartney’s first solo album) can be brought out and used on many an occasion Thomas!
I loved ' Secret Life of Plants', at the time, and still do. Don't forget that it was a film sound-track, but it does have some wonderful compositions and sound effects from a young genius who had had an astonishing decade of original albums. Spot on re Pink Floyd : a pinnacle time in the history of popular music.
Superb John I’m on my way.
Nice job John. This was a great segment.
I agree 100% that "Tusk" is a great album (one of my all-time album favorites as well, it's a masterpiece!) and even better than their other great album "Rumours". I was also lusting after the signed version that was on the wall behind you! Great video. 👍
I agree with Eric Clapton, a big letdown after 461. The one that always bothered me was neil young's hawks and doves. It was a poor follow-up to rust never sleeps.
John, if you haven't done them yet, can you review the solo beatles dvd's. That would be a good one.
Thanks for another good video.
Nice idea John, good that you had Tusk in the 'good' list.
It's quite difficult to make 4 in a row great albums but I think that Jethro Tull also succeeded with: Stand Up, Benefit, Aqualung and Thick As A Brick. 100% in agreement that Wish You Were Here surpasses Dark Side Of The Moon but I prefer Crime of The Century to Crisis? What Crisis? I know that Out Of The Blue is one of your favourite albums but for me, E.L.O.'s masterpiece is: A New World Record. Interesting topic you've chosen for this video. Well done!
I think A Passion Play was another great album!
I absolutely appreciate that you take great pains to ensure that people understand you are merely expressing your personal opinions and preferences. So, no umbrage taken here, I assure you. But I feel I just have to put forward a different view of Aladdin Sane, which will forever evoke powerful, unique memories for me, coming as it did at that crucial early age when my tastes began to change.
I don't think Aladdin Sane is any way 'Ziggy Mark 2', because it just doesn't sound or feel like Ziggy at all and is just so much darker and, er, coked up and fucked up. It's probably my favourite Bowie album of all. It would probably have to be in my list of top 5 favourite albums of all time (if I were ever to compile such a thing, which presently I haven't the motivation to do and probably never will).
For me, the whole of the first 'side', plus 'Time' and 'The Prettiest Star' at the start of 'Side two', add up to seven great Bowie songs on the trot.
'Watch that Man' is a joyous, raucous invitation to the party while 'Aladdin Sane' with its dizzying, duelling pianos and Bowie's voice, like sweet air in cooling glass, is superb. The remaining tracks on 'Side one' are pure, addictive, rock-pop classics.
'Time' is full-on dirty, uplifting and simultaneously deranged, while 'The Prettiest Star' is sweet and aching. Things pause briefly to be just OK with 'Let's Spend the Night Together' (though I heard Bowie's version first and still prefer it to the Stones' version, as it is just an OK song by anyone) before letting loose the incurable earworm infection 'Jean Genie' and then cooling it all down with the mesmerising 'Lady Grinning Soul', which always makes me think of someone wading out into silky black water.
So, there you go. That's my take on Aladdin Sane. Get back in your box Ziggy, you sweet little extraterrestrial wannabe. You want aliens and freaks? Try the States in the 1970s.
Thanks for your comment....always interesting to hear peoples' views!
So with you on the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk love love
I think most Doors fans would agree with me in rating their second album, Strange Days, almost as highly as or equal to their first, which was one of the great rock debut albums of all time.
I love your channel. I recommend you buy Inxs kick. Brilliant album start with. X another great album. Listen like thieves. Great start for. Inxs music
For me ,those are three amazing records , I will be listening to those for years to come.
Interesting subject. Here's a few :
Good -1. Candy-o follow up to the Cars
2. Armed Forces follows up This Year's Model - Elvis Costello
3. London Calling follow up to The Clash.
Bad- 1.Sometime in NY City follows Imagine - Lennon.
2. Gaucho follows Aja - Steely Dan
3. Little Creatures follow up to Speaking in Tongues- Talking Heads
_Get happy!_ follows up _Armed forces._
London Calling followed Give 'em Enough Rope.
Very interesting list! Comedown for me would be David Bowie following Scary Monsters with Let's Dance, despite the latters massive success.
yes i nearly included that! but i don’t even own a copy of Let’s Dance!
@@johnheaton5667 i don't either, but Let's Dance is the only Bowie album my sister liked, so i heard it rather a lot back in 83!
Let's Dance was the first Bowie album I bought in my early 20s and its still one of my favorites.
From my collection, I would add as equally good follow-ups to great albums: The Doors "Strange Days" following their debut album. The Band's 2nd album following "Music from the Big Pink." Of course, there is the run of Stones albums Beggars Banquet, Let it Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main Street. That would be an interesting topic. Bands with the longest run of great albums.
A follow-up that is really good, but maybe lacking something is Hendrix's Axis: Bold as Love following Are You Experienced.
Biggest let down for me is maybe CCR's Pendulum following Cosmo's Factory.
Right on, although I hated Exile.
I am with you on everything here John . Tusk , Wish you were here are the equal of Rumours & Dark Side . Crime of the Century is a near perfect album so not sure if Crisis is quite as good , Caribou I really like but it doesn't hit the amazing quality of Yellow Brick Road. Alladin Sane has some great songs , Jean Genie & Drive in Saturday particularly but Ziggy is the seminal album. Mind you Aladin Sane probably just pips it on iconic album covers! BTW Tusk is one of my very favourite albums , people forget that its one of Christines strongest albums for song writing.
I'm pleased that you rate _Crisis? What crisis?_ as better than _Crime of the century._ I've always thought that since they were released.
Cheers on "Tusk". I am in 100% agreement. Thought it was great in 1979 but was in the minority then. Took people a long time to appreciate it.
Love your picks... completely agree on Supertramp, as well.
Wondering if you've heard XTC? Seems like they would be right in your wheelhouse. Absolutely brilliant pop... and a run of amazing albums unmatched by anyone not named The Beatles... Drums And Wires -> Black Sea -> English Settlement ...then a couple of really underrated albums (Mummer & The Big Express) followed by 25 O'Clock (Dukes of Stratoshphear with the greatest 60s tribute of original material ever) -> Skylarking -> Psonic Psunspot (another brilliant Dukes album) -> Oranges And Lemons -> Nonsuch -> Apple Venus Vol. 1 (After a SEVEN YEAR Strike against their record label)... Unmatched brilliance.
This one is quite controversial. Houses Of The Holy which I would put as a strong effort but wasn't on the same par as Led Zeppelin IV which was a mammoth, also a follow up to LZ III which was on the same standard.
Thank you, John. I completely agree with you about "Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants" and "Pipes of Peace". "Songs in The Key of Life" was my first record. I remember being blown away when "I Wish" was debuted on the radio. My parents bought me "Songs in The Key of Life" shortly thereafter. When "Secret Life of Plants" came out, I was shocked at how bad it was compared to "Songs in The Key of Life". In hindsight, it's not as bad as it seemed at the time. Stevie did perform live in support of "Secret Life of Plants" at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and I saw the show. It was my first concert. My only clear memory is someone came out before the start of performance to ask the audience not to smoke marijuana because it made Stevie ill.
I agree with you john. As much as love dark side of the moon. Wish you were here is better in my opinion. Great video
Totally agree with Tusk and also Wish You Were Here and Crisis What Crisis are worthy follow ups (don't know the other two albums in this group that well). Aladdin Sane is (IMHO) also a good follow up to Ziggy. Also had great expectations of the Secret Life of Plants and like the overture and one song on it (the venus fly trap), but it's for me too a let down on the predecessor. And as you already mentioned, lots of other examples are possible.
1. I love Bowie's cover of 'Let's Spend the Night Together'
2. "Eat to the Beat" I like more than "Parallel Lines" which was strident at times. You didn't mention my fav. track 'Dreaming'
3. Totally agree on "Tusk" being better than "Rumors"
Most people rate The Who's "Quadrophenia" as a top album (I think it's slightly overrated), overlooking the follow-up "The Who by Numbers" but I love that album.
I totally agree regarding the first 3. However, I particularly rate much of 'Who's Next'.
Bowie should have put All the young dudes or the sax version of John, I'm only dancing in place of Let's spend the night together on Aladdin Sane.
100% agree with you regarding Wish You Were Here. Dark Side was Floyd's first really consistent album but was surpassed by the follow up.
Dark Side was Floyds best album and easily so.
And Animals was better than WYWH. The only Floyd album which, to me, wasn't better than the one before(going right back to SoS) was The Final Cut.
I agree Wish You Were Here is better than Dark Side. Crisis Crisis is also great. Great video.
You're right on with Tusk. They took a lot of risks with the songs, especially with Lindsey Buckingham's contributions, and made a real work of art.
Lindsay was very much into the production on 'Rumors' as well as 'Tusk'. He caught a lot of flack from the record heads because it wasn't another 'Rumors' and didn't sell as well. In fact, it sold great but, yes, no where near as much as 'Rumors'. But because of the diminished sales, it was considered a commercial failure. Strange. Most other bands would be considered extremely fortunate to sell as many units as 'Tusk' did. But I think there was a lot of behind the scenes friction between Lindsay and the record company. Lindsay wanted to record it at a studio the band had built and the record company said 'No'. They still recorded it at a studio not sanctioned by the record company but the record company still charged the band for studio time. Kind of a skunky thing to do, IMO.
Leaving the Beatles out of it, as you did, I'd say that Led Zeppelin had the best strike rate of back to back classics. I'd rate their first six albums at five stars each.
The Stones had a sensational run of five from Beggars Banquet to Exile on Main Street (including Get Your Ya Ya's Out) -- was not a fan of Goat's Head Soup as a whole myself, but many rate it, so that could qualify as six for some. The Who's five from The Who Sellout to Quadrophenia was excellent (including, of course, Live at Leeds). Black Sabbath started incredibly strongly, I'd say five in a row there too. Elvis Costello's first five were all pretty fine. I can't think of too many other bands who could boast five or more back to back classics. Queen fans would probably make an argument for their albums, but I'm only a casual Queen fan, so I can't really comment there, but they'd definitely be in the mix.
I've enjoyed all six Arctic Monkeys albums immensely, but Suck it and See was ultimately a bit below par, and Humbug was not as brilliant as the remaining four, but they're the best modern equivalent that I can think of. They've kept evolving, which is cool.
Houses of the Holy is a major come-down from Led Zeppelin IV
We all have our opinions. I appreciate Johns serious take on all of this even if I don’t agree. I liked Aladdin Sane but it wasn’t Ziggy. Couldn’t agree more, because I was there at the time, with The Life of Plants....
Radio Ethiopia was a great follow up to Horses
A couple of my superb followups would be Fleetwood Mac's self-titled album (their white album) followed by Rumours. I always feel the self-titled album gets short shrift because of the monster Rumours album. The Crosby, Stills, & Nash debut album followed up with the CSN&Y classic, "Deja Vu" and then the Stone's album "Let It Bleed" followed with "Sticky Fingers." My biggest disappointment was the U2 album "Zooropa" which was the followup to "Achtung Baby." Stay safe and healthy, John!!
If I was to pick a Beatles example, and yes they had to stick something out for Xmas as that's how things were back then AND they were exhausted, but would it be fair to consider Beatles for Sales a disappointing follow up to A Hard Day's Night? After an album of 13 self written tracks, none of them filler, to include 6 covers (many of them averagely performed) was a step backwards. Add in the slightly tired performances too.
Agree For Sale is their weakest album and a disappointment after Hard Days Night . A few good originals and then a load of covers which they had been doing for years and filler , the back half of the album the main culprit. They recorded it in a rush and it shows
Dennis Osborne IMO let it be is a weaker and more exhausted album
Although it's a great album in its own right, I have to somehow agree with you on this.
@Mika Mäyräkorva I'm a Loser is also a great track as well.
@Mika Mäyräkorva I'm a Loser is also a great track as well.
You follow up “ East “ with “ Circus Animals “ and “ Living in the Seventies “ with “ Ego is not a Dirty Word “. Now that’s quality.
I don’t think anyone can beat Def Leppard for their first four records. That was an outstanding run.
I think queen had five in a great albums maybe six sheer heart attack right through jazz. k
David Maholchic , Try Queen 1 to Jazz !
I’ll give you 3...
Rush:
Permanent Waves
Moving Pictures
Signals
I liked Eric Clapton's "There's One in Every Crowd" and I like almost as much as "461 Ocean Boulevard" (not a huge fan of "461 Ocean Boulevard" though). I loved Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" too.
I got Imagine - signed by Alan White.
I love Wish You Were Here. I too prefer it to Dark Side of the Moon.
I bought the remastered CD of Quitest moments and I
was blown away by it. Then, I got Crisis, and apart from the short and sweet intro track and Sister Moonshine, i consider it a weak release. Crisis is also a contender, imho, for the most depressing album cover ever.
Just caught up with this one! Hard to disagree with choices! I as a Clapton fan was disappointed with There’s one in Every Crowd. I have warmed to it over time though. Heard it said side one and side two should have been switched! Also he recorded some better tracks not included here! I struggled with Venus and Mars by Wings some great songs on it but some clunkers too! Magneto and Titanium man being one Spirits of Ancient Egypt being another!
good.review.john.how.about.tears.for.fears.seeds.of.love.follow.up.to.songs.from.the.big.chair
MJ- personally, Off the Wall was the last album i liked from him. i once melted Thriller and Air Supply Lost in Love together to make a plant holder... and i'll take Stevie Wonder over MJ any day...and over ELO... I agree with the Bowie/Aladdin Sane - i agree that Wish You Were Here was more pleasing than Dark Side. i actually do not like the Wall as much as Animals, or Final Cut. I agree that Tusk was a step up...
Love your stuff. Have to disagree with you about Caribou though. Pinky and I've seen the saucers are stand-out tracks, up there with Elton's very best.
All subjective, I know, but I’ve got to disagree with you about There’s One In Every Crowd. I’d choose it over 461 any day, especially side two.
Totally agree with Tusk being included here
I think you missed an ordinary follow up, the eagle's "long run" was not even in the same ballpark as "hotel California "
Blue Oyster Cult... _Secret Treaties_ through _Spectres_ !
Ghost... _Opus Eponymous_ through _Meliora_ !
And...Ennio Morricone... _A Fist Full Of Dollars_ through _Once Upon A Time In The West_ ;)
Lynryrd Skynryd's first two albums are their best. With Second Helping probably being better than the first record.
Discovery is fantastic! Out of the Blue (although featuring some of ELO's best) had some weak moments. Discovery is far tighter.
Wish You Were Here is a brilliant album and disappointed some because it was not another Dark Side of the Moon; the very reason why I love it. For me Hergest Ridge was a big come down from Tubular Bells. He just didn’t try with it, the cover looked cheap and nasty and many of the pressings were awful too. He did far better with later albums with Five Miles Out being one of them. The pressing was better until I dropped a plug on it.
No velvet underground big star ? Lol
Definitely not your generation, nor mine actually as I'm older than you, but I'd mention Ed Sheeran. He's the only 21st century artist I've been able to get into. Of his first 3 albums everyone is better than the last. His 4th studio album, Compilations #6 took me a while to get into but now I like it very much.
comments got deleted unknown of how
or who
a different angle on topic: how to have fun and avoid injury? what's the logistic and unclaimed? being able to get through with living? different plausible answers
@@aubreynesbitt ...or why.
Caribou was definitely the biggest disappointment for me after GYBR. then he puts out another masterpiece Captain Fantastic, and then once again follows it up with (in my opinion) a horrible album Rock Of The Westies. but everything else between 70 - 75 was superb.
Agree Captain Fantastic one of his best albums Rock of the Westies a massive let down
Aladdin Sane is not the greatest Bowie album, but it is so different from Ziggy Stardust. The piano by Mike Garson brings avant-garde into rock $ roll and the space-alien narrative is exchanged for absolutely vile Hollywood scandal. (Also, the Bowie version of 'Let's Spend the Night Together' is better than the Stones', prove me wrong)
No Stones?
probably should have had Exile as a superb follow up to Sticky Fingers!
@@johnheaton5667 I'll look forward to part 2 then!!!
I’ve always enjoyed Wish You Were Here more than Dark Side Of The Moon. Personally I find Momentary Lapse to be more proper Floyd than Final Cut
He should have added Wings “At The Speed Of Sound” as a follow up to “Venus And Mars” as a disappointment, in spite of the 2 massive hit singles it contains because the non McCartney songs occupy a significant portion of the album and drowning it in mediocrity.
I actually like pipes of peace more than tug of war, so I disagree :)
clapon wa great in the 60 s after derek n dominios ,eric clapton produced only shit albums till the very day,,,i am wonder how jimi hemdrix would made it into to the 70s
London Town, biggest let down in my lifetime. Hey, but two, almost 3 in a row is incredible. Who Are You also a terrible follow to Who By Numbers.
Nah. i'll take london town over pipes of peace any day
@Phil Uppercut i agree.. good points. Though i must say the archive remaster did fix some of the horrible 80's productions.
I prefer "London Town" to "Wings at the Speed of Sound" but then I also like "Press to Play" more than many of his albums and Macca doesn't even like it.
Rudolph Guarnacci , If you think Who are yous bad try, the awful albums , Face Dances and Its Hard !
Fleetwood rates "Tusk" as his 2nd favorite after "Then Play On." I think Mac came up with a better follow-up than their main competitor, the Eagles. The "Hotel California" follow-up, "The Long Run," was good, but nowhere near as adventurous as "Tusk."
You had me until Blondie.
Nah, he's dead on. Two great and INFLUENTIAL albums.
This guy is as exciting as a fart in a mitten
santana 3 is even better than abraxas
What do you think of Eric Clapton’s racist outburst on stage in Birmingham? It ruins the music for me
Tobingtons obviously his words were disgusting but if you watch the recent Clapton documentary that’s on BBC iPlayer it shows just what a wreck he was at the time with all the alcohol, he was blackout drunk almost all of the time and had extreme problems with his mental health. It’s a good watch if your interested in clapton. It doesn’t ruin the music for me because I know he was barely in control, he had just heard a racist on the television and in his drunken state spouted out that rubbish. Feel free to disagree!!!
A brilliant documentary!!! Well worth a watch