Which band/artist has the most consistent discography?

smokedeels · 10-12-2010 03:13PM

Shellac, those lads keep things trim. Four class albums in 18 years and sporadic live shows, never accouncing a "hiatus" it's just how they roll and because of it they've rarely put a foot wrong.

Note: It's also possible that they recorded everything in 1993 and have been releasing the fruits bit-by-bit since. If they did, that was some year.

DaDartle · 10-12-2010 03:15PM

Sleater-Kinney

and of course the obligatory Radiohead's, Pavement's, etc..

Birneybau · 11-12-2010 09:11PM

El Pr0n wrote: »

Geniuses who produce truly great music don't steal music off other people. I'm sure you know the whole Talk = Computer Love.

Im sure that was acknowleged and not stolen.

Slightly tongue in cheek I'll go for the La's...
Radiohead too.

S.M.B. · 11-12-2010 09:55PM

smokedeels wrote: »

Shellac, those lads keep things trim. Four class albums in 18 years and sporadic live shows, never accouncing a "hiatus" it's just how they roll and because of it they've rarely put a foot wrong.

Note: It's also possible that they recorded everything in 1993 and have been releasing the fruits bit-by-bit since. If they did, that was some year.

Playing a small London date on new years day after a slot with Sonic Youth the night before.

Will be back home for christmas so won't be going though.

rcaz · 11-12-2010 10:21PM

Birneybau wrote: »

Im sure that was acknowleged and not stolen.

That doesn't make it any less lazy/artistically invalid.

Carl Sagan · 11-12-2010 11:16PM

Radiohead. Their discography in order is like evolution.

scientific1982 · 14-12-2010 05:34PM

Nirvana, alice in chains and soundgarden.

ElasticMan · 20-12-2010 07:29PM

The correct answer here would be The Fall/Tom Waits/Sonic Youth/The Beatles/Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds/The Smiths (although it's not that hard to be consistent for four albums).

An incorrect answer would be 'Radiohead'. Go listen to Can, Neu!, Faust, Talking Heads, Magazine, Pink Floyd and then tell me if they're so innovative.

I have nothing against Radiohead, but the God-like status they've attained is a bit ridiculous. They're a good, not great band with some good songs and a lot of duff ones. Someone saying 'The Beatles were like the Radiohead of their generation' on page 2 made me laugh. And cry. Simultaneously.

rcaz · 21-12-2010 02:42AM

ElasticMan wrote: »

The correct answer here would be The Fall/Tom Waits/Sonic Youth/The Beatles/Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds/The Smiths (although it's not that hard to be consistent for four albums).

An incorrect answer would be 'Radiohead'. Go listen to Can, Neu!, Faust, Talking Heads, Magazine, Pink Floyd and then tell me if they're so innovative.

I have nothing against Radiohead, but the God-like status they've attained is a bit ridiculous. They're a good, not great band with some good songs and a lot of duff ones. Someone saying 'The Beatles were like the Radiohead of their generation' on page 2 made me laugh. And cry. Simultaneously.

There are no right and wrong answers.

This thread isn't about innovation, it's about consistency. And Radiohead have produced consistently great albums since Pablo Honey.

Anyone can rip anyone off, yes, and Radiohead took a lot of influence from a lot of people. But not anyone can write a song as well as Radiohead can, and not anyone can sew together so many different influences so convincingly.

Also, you forgot Autechre, DJ Shadow, Kraftwerk, Miles Davis, Penderecki, The Pixies, Television, Captain Beefheart... Point is, everyone steals everyone else's sound off somebody. That doesn't matter, what matters is the ability to derive a sound you like, and then use it to make great songs, well-written pieces of music that evoke feelings and ideas, move emotions and hold attention. If you don't think Radiohead do that, fine.

And by your logic, shouldn't one listen to Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band immediately disqualify Tom Waits from your list of 'correct' answers? And a few listens to guys like John Cage and Glenn Branca should surely discredit Sonic Youth.

I'm a huge Radiohead fan, but I agree with you they can be overhyped a lot of the time. I still think they're one of the best bands ever, just not necessarily with the same intensity and for the same reasons as others.

One thing that really annoys me is when someone makes such a point of taking apart a really widely-respected hyped-up band and then references The Beatles as the real band to take note of. I used to be really anti-Beatles for a good while because of that thinking, but I've relatively recently decided to give them a fair go, with the help of some mates who know what I'm into, and are weening me onto them album-by-album based on what they think would work best for me. I'm into it. I still can't stand Help! or Hard Day's Night or Yellow Submarine though. They're a great band, obviously, and they did a lot of things first, but innovation (as you seem to be so preoccupied with it) isn't the most important thing in a band. I think there are better bands, and I'd argue that Radiohead are one of them, based on my own taste, of course. I prefer Radiohead's uses of tonalities and time signatures, and the way they split instruments up in their arrangements. But I'm way more well-listened with Radiohead than I am with The Beatles, so maybe that might change. It's all taste after all. No right and wrong

If you've nothing against Radiohead, why would you completely ignore the well-established point of a thread just to have a go at them? And if you absolutely must ignore a thread full of reasonable suggestions and discussion to make a ridiculous point with very little substance, at least do your homework first.

ElasticMan · 21-12-2010 05:24AM

El Pr0n wrote: »

There are no right and wrong answers.

This thread isn't about innovation, it's about consistency. And Radiohead have produced consistently great albums since Pablo Honey.

Anyone can rip anyone off, yes, and Radiohead took a lot of influence from a lot of people. But not anyone can write a song as well as Radiohead can, and not anyone can sew together so many different influences so convincingly.

Also, you forgot Autechre, DJ Shadow, Kraftwerk, Miles Davis, Penderecki, The Pixies, Television, Captain Beefheart... Point is, everyone steals everyone else's sound off somebody. That doesn't matter, what matters is the ability to derive a sound you like, and then use it to make great songs, well-written pieces of music that evoke feelings and ideas, move emotions and hold attention. If you don't think Radiohead do that, fine.

And by your logic, shouldn't one listen to Captain Beefheart and The Magic Band immediately disqualify Tom Waits from your list of 'correct' answers? And a few listens to guys like John Cage and Glenn Branca should surely discredit Sonic Youth.

I'm a huge Radiohead fan, but I agree with you they can be overhyped a lot of the time. I still think they're one of the best bands ever, just not necessarily with the same intensity and for the same reasons as others.

One thing that really annoys me is when someone makes such a point of taking apart a really widely-respected hyped-up band and then references The Beatles as the real band to take note of. I used to be really anti-Beatles for a good while because of that thinking, but I've relatively recently decided to give them a fair go, with the help of some mates who know what I'm into, and are weening me onto them album-by-album based on what they think would work best for me. I'm into it. I still can't stand Help! or Hard Day's Night or Yellow Submarine though. They're a great band, obviously, and they did a lot of things first, but innovation (as you seem to be so preoccupied with it) isn't the most important thing in a band. I think there are better bands, and I'd argue that Radiohead are one of them, based on my own taste, of course. I prefer Radiohead's uses of tonalities and time signatures, and the way they split instruments up in their arrangements. But I'm way more well-listened with Radiohead than I am with The Beatles, so maybe that might change. It's all taste after all. No right and wrong

If you've nothing against Radiohead, why would you completely ignore the well-established point of a thread just to have a go at them? And if you absolutely must ignore a thread full of reasonable suggestions and discussion to make a ridiculous point with very little substance, at least do your homework first.

Well first of all, I didn't read all of your essay there since it was far, far too long and uninteresting to read in a thread like this. And no I made a point not to mention people like Captain Beefheart, John Cage or Glenn Branca since this is meant to be an 'Alternative and Indie' section, so I was limiting myself to artists who could fall under that category. And I don't care what 'annoys' you, why would I? I'm already bored of typing back to you so I'll leave it at that. Thanks for your interest though

Android 666 · 21-12-2010 11:03AM

ElasticMan wrote: »

Well first of all, I didn't read all of your essay there since it was far, far too long and uninteresting to read in a thread like this. And no I made a point not to mention people like Captain Beefheart, John Cage or Glenn Branca since this is meant to be an 'Alternative and Indie' section, so I was limiting myself to artists who could fall under that category. And I don't care what 'annoys' you, why would I? I'm already bored of typing back to you so I'll leave it at that. Thanks for your interest though

So somebody calls you up on a point you made and you won't read it? Are you too busy pouting?

I can take or leave Radiohead tbh but El Pron made an interesting counter argument to your original post. It seems like you were merely indulging in a bit of point scoring by showing off your knowledge of Krautrock. Also one of the bands who you say has the most consistent discography, The Fall, has constantly acknowledged its debt to Krautrock, going as far as recording a song called 'I am Damo Suzuki'. Also to say that The Fall has one of the most consistent discography is very odd considering that they've had pretty dodgy records sprinkled through their discography.

rcaz · 21-12-2010 12:11PM

ElasticMan wrote: »

Well first of all, I didn't read all of your essay there since it was far, far too long and uninteresting to read in a thread like this.

That's fine. If you're not interested in having a discussion, why post on a discussion forum?

ElasticMan wrote: »

And no I made a point not to mention people like Captain Beefheart, John Cage or Glenn Branca since this is meant to be an 'Alternative and Indie' section, so I was limiting myself to artists who could fall under that category.

But you mentioned CAN, Neu!, and Faust? Why? We're talking about an alternative/indie band, so surely we should talk freely about their influences? But that would ruin your argument, I suppose.

ElasticMan wrote: »

And I don't care what 'annoys' you, why would I?

I never suggested you should care what annoys me, but you got your tactless half-baked beef out for the sake of (what I thought was) discussion, so there's mine. I think it supports my argument too. But you're not interested in reading that so who cares?

ElasticMan wrote: »

I'm already bored of typing back to you so I'll leave it at that. Thanks for your interest though

Get over yourself.

funkyjebus · 21-12-2010 12:16PM

pearl jam. simple.

ElasticMan · 21-12-2010 10:24PM

El Pr0n wrote: »

That's fine. If you're not interested in having a discussion, why post on a discussion forum?

But you mentioned CAN, Neu!, and Faust? Why? We're talking about an alternative/indie band, so surely we should talk freely about their influences? But that would ruin your argument, I suppose.

I never suggested you should care what annoys me, but you got your tactless half-baked beef out for the sake of (what I thought was) discussion, so there's mine. I think it supports my argument too. But you're not interested in reading that so who cares?

Get over yourself.

No I wasn't looking for a discussion. If I was looking for a discussion I would have addressed someone directly in an attempt to spark a discussion, I was merely stating my opinion. But unbeknownst to me I'd be attacked by a couple of Radiohead fanboys. See this is a big problem I have with Radiohead, not the fact that they can be shockingly mediocre sometimes, it's the hysteria surrounding them that no one can state an opinion about them without being attacked. What is it that makes you feel the need to stick up for them? If someone decided to state a opinion against one of my favourite bands, I wouldn't feel the need to go on the attack. Are you so egotistical that you expect everyone to have exactly the same opinion about them as you do? Our differences are what make the world go round. I merely believe that Radiohead aren't as good as they're made out to be, and I'd like to be able to state that opinion without being attacked by a couple of outraged fans. Is that alright with you? Or does it go against your idealistic world where everyone worships Radiohead and everything they do?

And to the other guy, no I wasn't trying to 'display my knowledge of Krautrock'. If I wanted to do that I would have named Agitation Free, Harmonia, Klaus Schulze or something =]. I was just naming a few bands that Radiohead lifted their sound from, the ones you named were alright too.

rcaz · 22-12-2010 03:09AM

ElasticMan wrote: »

No I wasn't looking for a discussion. If I was looking for a discussion I would have addressed someone directly in an attempt to spark a discussion, I was merely stating my opinion. But unbeknownst to me I'd be attacked by a couple of Radiohead fanboys. See this is a big problem I have with Radiohead, not the fact that they can be shockingly mediocre sometimes, it's the hysteria surrounding them that no one can state an opinion about them without being attacked. What is it that makes you feel the need to stick up for them? If someone decided to state a opinion against one of my favourite bands, I wouldn't feel the need to go on the attack. Are you so egotistical that you expect everyone to have exactly the same opinion about them as you do? Our differences are what make the world go round. I merely believe that Radiohead aren't as good as they're made out to be, and I'd like to be able to state that opinion without being attacked by a couple of outraged fans. Is that alright with you? Or does it go against your idealistic world where everyone worships Radiohead and everything they do?

And to the other guy, no I wasn't trying to 'display my knowledge of Krautrock'. If I wanted to do that I would have named Agitation Free, Harmonia, Klaus Schulze or something =]. I was just naming a few bands that Radiohead lifted their sound from, the ones you named were alright too.

If you're not looking for a discussion, why are you on a discussion forum?

You weren't attacked by me because I'm a Radiohead fanboy. You were engaged by me because your argument lacked so much logic (you still haven't noted that you took this thread up completely incorrectly).

Surely that paragraph where I said I agreed with you W.R.T. Radiohead being overhyped would display that I wasn't a senseless Radiohead fan? Surely all the discussion W.R.T. Radiohead's influences and techniques I attempted to engage you with (which was ignored) would show that I was interested in a reasonable discussion on music instead of a mindless fanboy argument?

I don't feel any need to stick up for Radiohead, and I can't see how you'd take that from my post. You made a ridiculous post, completely off the topic of this thread, full of self-importance (in case you've forgotten, your whole post reeked of "I know more than you" attitude - if you don't think it did, I'd like to see your argument), and I thought it was worth debating.

I don't see how you could accuse me of being egotistical from our posts here. I'm interested in good musical discussion, I don't care what aspects of music we're talking about. I didn't think your post was very well-put together and I thought it was worth arguing over. You don't seem to be very interested in having a decent argument though.

I don't think I ever incited that everyone should 'worship Radiohead', or that everyone should have the same opinion as me. You provided a very half-baked and ill-informed argument against Radiohead, and I countered. You've yet to counter any of my arguments, you're just attacking me and my arrogant traits that you've invented. That's a fallacious argument.

Also, I like how, in your last paragraph, you've tried to display your knowledge of Krautrock even further.

fruvai · 23-12-2010 06:20PM

ElasticMan wrote: »

The Smiths (although it's not that hard to be consistent for four albums).

Most bands can't manage 4 good albums

seachto7 · 24-12-2010 04:02AM

Pearl Jam have been pretty consistent since they started. Sure there are some albums that are better than others, but I don't think they released any rubbish albums. Each had their moments. I don't dislike any of them, but prefer some over others.
Even their B sides album is as good as anything they released as an album...

Soundgarden were consistent. I thought they got better as they went.

Is there any band who has released classic after classic album though...

Saaron · 25-12-2010 05:49PM

Arctic monkeys
Caspian
Celeste
Decapitated
Deftones
ELECTRIC WIZARD
God is an astronaut
Opeth

:rolleyes:

lordgoat · 25-12-2010 09:34PM

ElasticMan wrote: »

Well first of all, I didn't read all of your essay there since it was far, far too long and uninteresting to read in a thread like this. And no I made a point not to mention people like Captain Beefheart, John Cage or Glenn Branca since this is meant to be an 'Alternative and Indie' section, so I was limiting myself to artists who could fall under that category. And I don't care what 'annoys' you, why would I? I'm already bored of typing back to you so I'll leave it at that. Thanks for your interest though

Lose you ****ty attitude. If someone has the decency to repsond to your crappy high horsed post the least you should be able to do is read it and make a form a decent response.

You also mentioned the pop band the beatles didn't make a bad album why would you bring them into an alt/indie forum? And The Fall have put out some terrible ****. And Waits's frequent musically challenging whimsys can irritate the most ardent fan at times.

I await your next epsiode in name dropping pedantry. But remember to play nice, i'd hate to have to get my mod hat on christmas.

El Pron 4-0 Elastic

ValJester · 30-12-2010 02:01AM

fruvai wrote: »

Most bands can't manage 4 good albums

Especially considering that their extensive body of non-LP tracks is predominantly excellent and frequently brilliant.

Earthhorse · 03-01-2011 07:33PM

Kinda surprised Dinosaur Jr haven't been mentioned yet. Loads of material, loads of line ups but they've been pretty consistent throughout their career.

Rollo Tamasi wrote: »

Have Pearl Jam released a bad album in 20 years?

I'm a huge Pearl Jam fan but no way would I say they've been consistent. First five albums are great but then there's a definite drop in quality. The new material isn't awful but it's nowhere near the heights of their early stuff.

SilverScreen · 03-01-2011 11:23PM

Earthhorse wrote: »

Kinda surprised Dinosaur Jr haven't been mentioned yet. Loads of material, loads of line ups but they've been pretty consistent throughout their career.

Wouldn't be too sure about that. Their first 3 albums are great but they kinda dropped off a bit after that, although Green Mind wasn't too bad. The only album that comes anywhere close to the holy trinity of Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me and Bug is their last album Farm.

Notorious · 03-01-2011 11:24PM

ValJester wrote: »

The Smiths.Not a weak track on 4 albums. I even like Golden Lights.

I agree with the Smiths. The only track of theirs I don't like is "Some girls are bigger than others".

Earthhorse · 03-01-2011 11:46PM

Zero1986 wrote: »

Wouldn't be too sure about that. Their first 3 albums are great but they kinda dropped off a bit after that, although Green Mind wasn't too bad. The only album that comes anywhere close to the holy trinity of Dinosaur, You're Living All Over Me and Bug is their last album Farm.

Which only goes to show how subjective this thread is.

To my mind there is little to choose between Bug, Without a Sound, Green Mind and Beyond but I find Farm a little uninteresting.

iangobl · 06-01-2011 03:09AM

I dont think Foot Fighters have put out a bad album yet. Although that is coming from a fan so I could be blinded by my idolization for Dave Grohl

Stompbox · 06-01-2011 04:30PM

Dunno how I forgot about this earlier but Damon Albarn has maintained a remarkable consistency over the course of his career. From 7 fantastic Blur albums to the three Gorillaz records, with healthy snatches of The Good, The Bad and The Queen and his work with Mali Music thrown in for good measure, this man's musical output has been unwavering in it's quality.

loyatemu · 06-01-2011 05:22PM

Sweet wrote: »

Dunno how I forgot about this earlier but Damon Albarn has maintained a remarkable consistency over the course of his career. From 7 fantastic Blur albums to the three Gorillaz records, with healthy snatches of The Good, The Bad and The Queen and his work with Mali Music thrown in for good measure, this man's musical output has been unwavering in it's quality.

yeah, he's turned out to be the surprise package of the 90s. Leisure and The Great Escape are a bit ropey but the way he's managed to adapt and evolve while other "Britpop" artists have fallen away is very impressive.

Dr.Winston O'Boogie · 06-01-2011 09:01PM

In fairness its probably the most pointless question ever. Everyone will have a different opinion and there will be no definitive answer. And then you will get people up in arms if you name someone "mainstream" or "obvious".

But its obviously The Beatles.

ordinary_girl · 08-01-2011 01:30AM

Elbow. Every album they've released (4 so far) is progressively better than the last, and when they release their 5th album I hope this trend will continue. They haven't released one bad album, all the songs are so emotive and captivating.

lalee17 · 08-01-2011 01:37AM

God Is An Astronaut don't have a bad album.

Red Hot Chili Peppers, apart from 'One Hot Minute'.

Smashing Pumpkins mostly have good albums.

Same for The Cure.

Which band/artist has the most consistent discography?

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