Another Side One Track One Challenge
This is right out of High-Fidelity: the ever-popular side one track debate.
NPR has rekindle this game of the best side one track one in the history of rock albums. Here’s their lists of the greatest album-openers ever.
Me? Here’s my top ten in chronological order. Pardon the obviousness of any of these selections.
- Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”/Let It Bleed (1969)
- Led Zeppelin, “Whole Lotta Love”/Led Zeppelin II (1968)
- Rush, “2112 Overture”/2112 (1976)
- Clash, “London Calling”/London Calling (1979)
- Dire Straits, “Telegraph Road”/Love Over Gold (1982)
- Guns ‘N Roses, “Welcome to the Jungle”/Appetite for Destruction (1987)
- Nine Inch Nails, “Head Like a Hole”/Pretty Hate Machine (1989)
- Stone Roses, “I Wanna Be Adored”/The Stone Roses (1989)
- Tragically Hip, “Courage”/Fully Completely (1992)
- Oasis, “Rock’n’Roll Star”/Definitely Maybe (1994)
I’m sure there plenty of younger albums worthy of this list, but you know how it is with old favourites, right?They just become more special with each passing year.
What’s your top ten opening tracks?
Arcade Fire – Black Mirror – Neon Bible
Beastie Boys – Rhymin’ & Stealin’ – License to Ill
Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock – Siamese Dream
There are just sooooo many!
Here is my own personal Top 10 List of what I think should be on that list.
And yes, I am a tad biased in my choices, but, who isn’t?
In chronological order, from #10 – #1, with #1 being my personal favorite, here is the list with the band, song name & studio record…
10) Iron Maiden – Aces High (Powerslave)
9) Battery – Metallica (Master of Puppets)
8) Copperhead Road – Steve Earle (Copperhead Road)
7) Clenching The Fists of Dissent – Machine Head (The Blackening)
6) Freewheel Burning – Judas Priest (Defenders of the Faith)
5) If I Should Fall From Grace With God – The Pogues (If I Should Fall From Grace With God)
4) War Pigs – Black Sabbath (Paranoid)
3) London Calling – The Clash (London Calling)
2) Blitzkreig Bop – The Ramones (Ramones)
1) Angel of Death – Slayer (Reign In Blood)
Only Shallow – Loveless (My Bloody Valentine)
Many indeed, off the top of my head the first 2 Weezer albums (My Name Is Jonas, Tired of sex), Metallica–And Justice for All (Blackened), Slayer’s Hell Awaits and Reign in blood.
You have to give mention as well to Hells Bells from AC/DC Back In Black.
Planet Claire – B-52s
Phasors On Stun – Black Noise
Back In The Saddle – Rocks
Roadrunner – Modern Lovers
I Will Follow – Boy
Bridges and Balloons – Milk Eyed Mender
Caribou – Come On Pilgrim