Top 10 Albums That Every Music Snob Name Checks

As anyone who’s seen the film High Fidelity can already attest, record snobs can be quite an unruly bunch, writes Gibson's Jonah Bayer. They tend to favor obscure vinyl to mainstream releases and can get pretty darn haughty if you ask them for a copy of the latest, say, Beyoncé disc. (Not like I’d know that firsthand or anything.) Below is a list of albums that you might want to familiarize yourself with before your next trip to the record store. It may even help you pick up that cute indie-rock chick who works there.

Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band’s Trout Mask Replica

When your album is produced by Frank Zappa and there’s a guy wearing a fish mask on the cover, you know it’s got to be strange sounding. Released in ’69, Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band’s Trout Mask Replica is a mix of blues, free jazz, and avant-garde rock. Guitarist Bill Harkleroad, who goes by the name Zoot Horn Rolo, plays his guitar like he’s never had a formal lesson, and almost 40 years after Trout Mask Replica’s release his guitarwork still sounds completely insane. The album isn’t so much an enjoyable listening experience as it is mandatory music history homework, but just think of all the cool points you’ll score.

Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde

The final album before Bob Dylan’s career-altering motorcycle crash isn’t just the first double album in rock history, it’s also one of Dylan’s most iconic albums to date and features songs like “Rainy Day Women # 12 & 35” and “I Want You.” Dylan’s voice can be challenging to some listeners, but that’s exactly what makes it a favorite among record clerk elitists.

Fugazi’s Repeater

Music snobs love Fugazi for their DIY ethics, everyman attitude, and anti-corporate agenda. But, politics aside, Fugazi’s guitar-driven music epitomizes rock critic buzzwords like “angular.” Oh, it also doesn’t hurt that guitarists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto did time in Minor Threat and Rites of Spring, two of the most influential underground punk acts of all time.

The Mars Volta’s Amputechture

Punk rock and progressive rock are both favorites of music enthusiasts, but no one has managed to marry those two genres quite like the Mars Volta. While many fans favor the band’s more accessible debut De-Loused in the Comatorium, the truly discriminating favor the more experimental Amputechture, which features “songs” that hover around the 10 minute mark.

Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot was deemed so inaccessible by Reprise Records that they refused to put it out (Nonesuch, another label under the same umbrella, later released it), but that David versus Goliath backstory is what ultimately endeared the album to record store clerks everywhere. Wilco didn’t abandon their alt-country background altogether, but Yankee Hotel Foxtrot served to introduce fans to the electronic flourishes and experimental songwriting that would define their next release.

Aesop Rock’s Labor Days

If there’s one thing music snobs like, it’s hip-hop. No, not the gangster rap that you see on TV, but artists of the independent ilk—Aesop Rock being at the top of the heap. With a vocabulary that would perplex most English majors, this MC’s third album, Labor Days, has forever raised the bar for hip-hop.

The Moldy Peaches’ The Moldy Peaches

Do you like albums that sound like they were recorded in a basement? Then you’ll love the debut disc by lo-fi duo the Moldy Peaches because that’s actually where it was recorded. While Moldy Peach Kimya Dawson has achieved some acclaim as of late by having her music included in the film Juno, hipsters will insist that they liked her better before she went solo.

Belle & Sebastian’s The Boy With The Arab Strap

Belle & Sebastian have two things going for them: the indie-pop act was name checked in High Fidelity and they’re included on the Juno soundtrack. But above all, Belle & Sebastian are British, thus fulfilling the anglophile obsession of most vinyl completists. The Boy with the Arab Strap may not be the band’s best-selling album, but the album title name checks another indie band (Arab Strap, duh), making it extra credible.

Cat Power’s Moon Pix

Cat Power’s Chan Marshall is tailor made for the thick-rimmed glasses sect. First off, early in her career she faced a debilitating battle with alcoholism and stage fright, making her live shows infrequent and uncomfortable. Additionally, her 1998 album Moon Pix was recorded with members of the Dirty Three and released on Matador Records, the same label that brought you Belle & Sebastian and Pavement. Actually, speaking of Pavement...

Pavement’s Slanted & Enchanted

If there’s anything music snobs detest, it’s selling out to society and getting a real job (which is why most of them work in coffee shops, record stores, or book shops). The debut album from the indie rock act Pavement was deemed “slacker rock,” and from frontman Stephen Malkmus’ wry vocals to the haphazard song arrangements, this legendary album embodies the high-brow arty aesthetic more than any other album on Earth. Hey, even the most cynical snobs love guitar solos.

Thanks for the info to Gibson.com.

Comments

[atc228]

i guess if i think it sucks and is annoying for me to listen to then it is actually a great album...i never knew that... i guess i just have terrible taste i suppose.....

dot. dot. dot.

[Shabalaba]

News?

[Shabalaba]

Oh its by Gibson, should have gessed

[E V H 5150]

Yeah... I'm gonna have to disagree on this one. I would much rather crank Surfing With the Alien or Van Halen I than any of these records. This is just another movement by old white guys in suits telling us, "This is what good music is so you should listen to it". I listen to what I like. And personally, I hate punk, electronica, and I just don't understand Avante Garde. It's cool to be different, but that shouldn't be the only thing that sets you apart.

[kfilly20]

what about " in an aeroplane over the sea"

[doctorums]

belle and sebastian are scottish

[Burpbelly]

I guess all those bands use Les Pauls or something then?

The only album up there that I've heard is the Mars Volta, although my dad has that Captain Beefheart one stashed away somewhere

[atc228]

Burpbelly wrote:

...although my dad has that Captain Beefheart one stashed away somewhere

as i feel it should be...

[DaveGilmour1189]

i heard of wilco (although im from chicago and damn near everyone worships them).

I'll agree with EVH 5151, ill stick with my Joe Satriani and Van Halen records

[Ataxia]

I really despise lists like this, infact I take a dislike to most lists that are formulated in some way or another to demonstrate a musical taste///genre.

Still, I brought Captain Beefheart a couple of years back to see what the fuss was about. I've listened to it several times, each time bearing only a few songs before retreating back to my comfort zone. But finally it cracks, wonderful album even if you cannot see past the musings of Mascara Snake! Good to see Aesop mentioned, poetical and lyrical mastermind of strung-together words. I can spend an entire day trying to figure out what he just said ... Hmm...

[wiggyisgreat]

sweet, I actually have all those albums :p: Love most of them

[Jakinov]

I want to be different..... like all the other different people out there.

[Jondy]

what the hell is he talking about?

[Anty 7]

I have Labor Days!
excellent, but definately not my favourite hip hop album.

but like every list, it's extremely flawed, I was expecting some Jazz (Jarrett, Monk, Metheny...) and more obscure rock.

this is mostly indie rock

[webbtje]

Where's Fall Out Boy? (jokes, of course).

Sorry, but I don't own any of those, and don't really intend to, especially as Gibson is the one who's ordering me to.

[InLimbo11]

Nope, I'm a bit of a music snob, and i quote about 100 different albums before them, except maybe trout mask replica, but a lot more albums come before those

[Nebblacktip]

As far as this list seems to eb concerned, these are the albums you should listen to if you want to pretend you're hip with the indy crowd. If you're a Santriani, Van Halen fan, you're probably not too worried about this list. I've heard most of these albums, and the only one I really like is Repeater (And 13 songs is a better album anyway,) but I'm a sucker for Ian McKAye's music, and have been for years.

Anyway, if you really want to impress the record store clerks, talk about an Album they either haven't heard of, or is super obscure. Don't be a poser and get your indy cred form a list ^.^

[ShredderOmega]

Wow, I've heard of one of those bands and they're terrible... guess I'd better stick with hot metal chicks over cute indie chicks... -_-;

[frusciante39]

those albums are all amazing, but then again i'm an indie music snob lol

but anglophile means you like english things not British, and belle and sebastian are scottish
x

[Chewy120]

never heard any of thiz music and im not interested in listing

[str84ever]

I have Fugazi's repeater its a great album.

[barangatang]

AESOP ROCK!!! haha i never thought i'd live to see the day that my favorite lyricist would be mentioned on ug!!!

Seriously, though. Aes is a genius.

[WhiteStripesIII]

Only one there I've got is Repeater..

[axis56]

we might hate these gibson articles

but obviously their tainted money is what funds UG

and if it aint
ive lost faith in this site

[stardogchampion]

doctorums wrote:

belle and sebastian are scottish

Which means they're British...

[Coverge]

amputechture is voltas LEAST experimental album

[Regular_Guy]

I like articles like this. Instead of talking about a bunch of very well known artists, they talk about some stuff that most people aren't as familiar with, giving me an opportunity to hopefully find some good music that I haven't heard before.

[slann101]

good job, rip off gibsons newsletter

[Son_of_Kyuss]

Me too. Maybe some people would actually learn something about song-writing and different ways to reach people through music. Of course the Van Halen & Metal kids arn't going to listen to Pavement, but sh*t, maybe if you actually took the time to understand why someone might like these records you might LEARN SOMETHING. Amputechture isn't the best Volta out there, but it's got some great tracks on it, "Viscera Eyes" and "Asilos Magdalena" are awesome. Amputechture was a very experimental for Volta because they did something a little more accessible, and when you're in an experimental band, THAT IS EXPERIMENTING. When has volta written a solo acoustic song before Amputechture? All I'm trying to say is, the focus of the article is about why people listen to these albums when everyone rips on them. It's not about what you like, it's about learning what people like about something, so personal a taste aside, dive in the deep end once in a while and figure out why someone might actually want to listen to Captain Beefheart instead of Dragonforce or Joe Satriani.

[Dirtydeeds468]

Aesop Rock is great, and Labor Days is an excellent album...although I almost prefer None Shall Pass.

Both are really, really good though.

[jharv23]

pavement and wilco are pretty awesome. and aesop is pretty great too.

[Rodders]

There are some good albums on there - Pavement, Fugazi, Mars Volta, Captain Beefheart, Belle + Sebastian... Bob Dylan...

[Son_of_Kyuss]

Fugazi is more punk than 90% of bands out there because the focus is all on the music, everything else they do wouldn't be around if it wasn't for the music. They actually do a valiant job of expanding what musicians can call punk too instead of just listening to the Sex Pistols, playing power chords exclusively and getting wasted. It turns out Fugazi brought punk back to where it should be: ABOUT THE MUSIC!

[SL!!!]

Shabalaba wrote:

Oh its by Gibson, should have gessed

Yeah..haha.


Man, Amputechture is The Mars Volta's worst album. Their best was easily Frances the Mute, which also had songs over ten minutes. Actually all the songs are over ten minutes but one, and so the two longest ones are broken into five or four pieces each. It plays like a movie, and it's glorious. I'm glad Fugazi was on there though.

[SL!!!]

Son_of_Kyuss wrote:

Fugazi is more punk than 90% of bands out there because the focus is all on the music, everything else they do wouldn't be around if it wasn't for the music. They actually do a valiant job of expanding what musicians can call punk too instead of just listening to the Sex Pistols, playing power chords exclusively and getting wasted. It turns out Fugazi brought punk back to where it should be: ABOUT THE MUSIC!

Word. And Refused. Top two punk bands of all time imo. The music is too conservative, those two bands broadened it, and it's good to remember that everything changes.

[RwsIce9]

E V H 5150 :
Yeah... I'm gonna have to disagree on this one. I would much rather crank Surfing With the Alien or Van Halen I than any of these records.

Exactly.. SWTA is one of my favorite albums of all time. I find it hard to believe how easy it must be these days to get yourself a record contract.. Apparently the requirement of being musically talented is no longer a requirement..lol

[Son_of_Kyuss]

Wow, Dinely, get a soul...All these shred heads at the beginning just talk about how they don't "understand" Avant-Garde or Indie or Punk. IT'S ALL MUSIC AND MUSIC DESERVES A CHANCE. I'm of the Lemmy Kielmeister Philosophy: There are 2 kinds of music, music you like and music you don't like. Everyone's talking about how they "don't listen to music to be different" and "I like what I like". Well maybe other people hear music in a different way then you and need something MORE than what's been pouring out of classic rock radio for the last 30 years. I think the term Indie in reference to music as a genre is total bullsh*t too, Indie stands for independant, which is a business stance telling people whether the music is independantly funded or not. Pavement and Wilco are just bands that play rock music. It's almost as bad as the term "emo", like what kind of music has no emotion in it? Arn't there more emotions that exist beyond depression? What about passion? I'm not about to listen to stuff just so people can think I'm cool or badass, everyone hears it differently. The whole point of the article is for you people to get off your a$$ and outside of comfort zone and realize there's more out there than what's on the cover of Guitar World.

[Son_of_Kyuss]

and Rwslce 9, sounds like you define talent as how many scales someone knows or how fast they can play guitar rather than what they can say with their instrument.

[Son_of_Kyuss]

It just sounds like everyone here would rather just hear music you can learn from a book rather than music you learn from how it makes you feel.

[rokket2005]

It doesn't seem so much a list for music snobs as much as it is a bunch of buzzwords for indie hipsters.,,,,,except for captain beefheart of course,,

[Son_of_Kyuss]

*rather than music you from because of how it makes you feel or how a certain song hits you

[Son_of_Kyuss]

Indie Hipsters?...Mars Volta is on Universal Records...Bob Dylan was on Colombia for Blonde on Blonde and Beefheart had Zappa behind him, and Zappa's major.

[gallagher2006]

Er...What

[ShredderOmega]

Son_of_Kyuss has it down, but I still don't like this music (y) Progressive, Industrial, Classical, Punk, Rock and Metal... I personaly think I can be forgiven for my dislike of Indie music...

[pdq13]

I hope shes a fan of cooking gigantic meals and penis worship also because thats the only way I'd sat and listen to that shit for more than thirty seconds at a time!

[eastern_riffs]

lol this list is a joke.i mean,why the hell would i want these albums?and its definitely not getting me a cute music store clerk cuz she probably doesn't know them either.

not that i'm dissing those albums or whatever,but yeah,i'm not looking for them,no.

[Rainmaker27]

metal is where it's at

[bmarlatt1685]

Other than Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, the list really sucks. I can understand people wanting to listen to something different, but when they get into this that's all that's good and worth listening to mentality, that's what I have a problem with. I agree with Son of Kyuss by the way, but I'm of the Zakk Wylde philosophy... There's either great music like Zeppelin, Beatles, Metallica, Hendrix, and then there's crap like Britney, N'Sync and anything popular today.

[BloodOnOurHands]

bmarlatt1685 wrote:

Other than Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, the list really sucks. I can understand people wanting to listen to something different, but when they get into this that's all that's good and worth listening to mentality, that's what I have a problem with. I agree with Son of Kyuss by the way, but I'm of the Zakk Wylde philosophy... There's either great music like Zeppelin, Beatles, Metallica, Hendrix, and then there's crap like Britney, N'Sync and anything popular today.

Talk about having double standards. You don't like one kind of music because its listeners have a this-is-all-that's-good-mentality, but then you go on about how there's two kinds of music; good and bad? Your reasoning makes no sense.

The reason why this list is good is because it's diffrent from the stuff people on UG normally listen to. How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

[Ferrarone]

why is the news by gibson?!

[funkbass369]

i like all these bands....

=(

[Rainmaker27]

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.

[Jondy]

Rainmaker27 wrote:

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.

metalheads are close minded? we've combined our music form with practially every other genre of music in existence and have embraced ideals that the rest of society rejects. We are willing to try an experiment with music, even if it sucks, we'd rather try something different for the sake of being different, than just play the same ****ing shit over again. Just how is this close minded?

[BloodOnOurHands]

Rainmaker27 wrote:

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.

And that is also why metal remains stagnant. I'm not going to come here and say that metal sucks, because it's all a matter of opinion, but a lack of new influences is also the reason why a lot of metal bands sound generic.

[rygun091]

kfilly20 wrote:

what about " in an aeroplane over the sea"

good choice.


very good stuff.

[Yawsbass]

I own one album here, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Does that make me 1/10th of a snob, or do I have to tout it as legend first?

[guitarkid2113]

I like yankee hotel foxtrot. My dad has it.

He's told me to listen to Captain Beefheart, but I can' seem to find it anywhere.

[Spankey]

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.


metalheads are close minded? we've combined our music form with practially every other genre of music in existence and have embraced ideals that the rest of society rejects. We are willing to try an experiment with music, even if it sucks, we'd rather try something different for the sake of being different, than just play the same ****ing shit over again. Just how is this close minded?

Many metal heads are closed minded, and they are usually morons... The ones that will only listin to a couple bands becaue they are popular, like Slipknot.

I listin to a lot of metal it's my passion; stoner, doom, sludge, death, speed, thrash metal and so on, but I love classic rock and I'm a huge blues fan and jazz as well, even some classical music.

Much of the metal I listin to has many blues, jazz or Classical aspects to it. Stoner metal is the blues, just heavily distorted. Much death metal has jazz influences such as, Death and Cynic. And death metal bands like Necrophagist have classical aspects to them.

True heavy metal is the most diverse music out there.

And about the list, thats pretty stupid. I thought they were talking about old vinyl. I have never heard a snob go on about most of these bands, some good stuff though. Amputechture is a great album

[b r y a n]

I love how approx. 0 people god the tongue-in-cheek nature of this article. I found it amusing. Cheers.

[b r y a n]

*got

[Sid McCall]

Slanted&Enchanted= one of my favorite albums EVER. Same with the Peaches and Dylan. Great list!

[jplay5]

amputechture is the really the worst, i really love bedlam in goliath though

[Dirtydeeds468]

People that tout themselves as 'uber-troo metalheads' usually ARE:

a) Idiots

b) Not really "metalheads" at all.

I listen to an assload of the stuff and I'm a "regular" in the metal forum, and I can safely say the 90 percent of the kind of idiocy you'll see in there (and in this column) comes from people who are just Metallica and Pantera fanboys trying to look like metal music aficionados. (and failing epicially in the process)

[axeslinger0u812]

Son_of_Kyuss wrote:

Me too. Maybe some people would actually learn something about song-writing and different ways to reach people through music. Of course the Van Halen & Metal kids arn't going to listen to Pavement, but sh*t, maybe if you actually took the time to understand why someone might like these records you might LEARN SOMETHING. Amputechture isn't the best Volta out there, but it's got some great tracks on it, "Viscera Eyes" and "Asilos Magdalena" are awesome. Amputechture was a very experimental for Volta because they did something a little more accessible, and when you're in an experimental band, THAT IS EXPERIMENTING. When has volta written a solo acoustic song before Amputechture? All I'm trying to say is, the focus of the article is about why people listen to these albums when everyone rips on them. It's not about what you like, it's about learning what people like about something, so personal a taste aside, dive in the deep end once in a while and figure out why someone might actually want to listen to Captain Beefheart instead of Dragonforce or Joe Satriani.

I love VH and Satch, but I also own a few of the cd's on this list, and particularly like Fugazi. while it's true, I didn't get Pavement, Aesop is amazing, as is Dylan and Wilco. Not everyone fits into little cubby holes of stereotype. which is why sterotypes are retarded.

[NorCalLos]

bmarlatt1685 wrote:

Other than Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, the list really sucks. I can understand people wanting to listen to something different, but when they get into this that's all that's good and worth listening to mentality, that's what I have a problem with. I agree with Son of Kyuss by the way, but I'm of the Zakk Wylde philosophy... There's either great music like Zeppelin, Beatles, Metallica, Hendrix, and then there's crap like Britney, N'Sync and anything popular today.

Zakk's just mad because no one likes him or any of his bands anymore.

[RHCP94]

Slanted & Enchanted, Labor Days, Blonde On Blonde, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Trout Mask Replica, and Repeater are the one's I own. All great. I thought Xiu Xiu would've been on here for "Fabulous Muscles" and Sonic Youth for "EVOL".

[BloodOnOurHands]

[quote]axeslinger0u812 wrote:

Son_of_Kyuss wrote:

Me too. Maybe some people would actually learn something about song-writing and different ways to reach people through music. Of course the Van Halen & Metal kids arn't going to listen to Pavement, but sh*t, maybe if you actually took the time to understand why someone might like these records you might LEARN SOMETHING. Amputechture isn't the best Volta out there, but it's got some great tracks on it, "Viscera Eyes" and "Asilos Magdalena" are awesome. Amputechture was a very experimental for Volta because they did something a little more accessible, and when you're in an experimental band, THAT IS EXPERIMENTING. When has volta written a solo acoustic song before Amputechture? All I'm trying to say is, the focus of the article is about why people listen to these albums when everyone rips on them. It's not about what you like, it's about learning what people like about something, so personal a taste aside, dive in the deep end once in a while and figure out why someone might actually want to listen to Captain Beefheart instead of Dragonforce or Joe Satriani.

I love VH and Satch, but I also own a few of the cd's on this list, and particularly like Fugazi. while it's true, I didn't get Pavement, Aesop is amazing, as is Dylan and Wilco. Not everyone fits into little cubby holes of stereotype. which is why sterotypes are retarded.
[/quote]
"Not everyone" is a minority, unfortunately. Honestly, a big majority of the so-called metalheads I've met have been really elitist and have refused to even try whatever music I've suggested, even when it's as adjacent to metal as hardcore punk. It frustrates me, because there is more to music than just one genre and I believe that anyone could learn to like music that isn't the one you usually listen to.

[desdin0va]

Yeah, people shouldn't be polarized between embracing each of these records simply for their indie points or outright hating them and "just sticking to Van Halen". I have three of the albums on here (Labor Days, Repeater, and Amputechture) and I love them all. But, as it happens, I'm wearing a Van Halen 2003 tour shirt as we speak. I could think of about 100 more underground releases as it is, but this list is pretty decent.

[highwaysalmon]

Glad to see Bob Dylan on the list. Incredible song writer. I recommend everyone listen to 'Blood On The Tracks' album at least once before you die.

Ive been wanting to check into Captain Beefheart for a while now due to my love for Frank Zappa. I'll certainly be picking some of there stuff up now.

[kevinm4435]

I find the lack of Sonic Youth and Radiohead disturbing.

[recliner33]

Dirtydeeds468 wrote:

People that tout themselves as 'uber-troo metalheads' usually ARE:

a) Idiots

b) Not really "metalheads" at all.

I listen to an assload of the stuff and I'm a "regular" in the metal forum, and I can safely say the 90 percent of the kind of idiocy you'll see in there (and in this column) comes from people who are just Metallica and Pantera fanboys trying to look like metal music aficionados. (and failing epicially in the process)

I agree with you. I listen to alot of metal, but I don't like to consider myself a metalhead because I don't fit myself into the stereotype at all. Plus I listen to other kinds of music as well.

[dantheman123]

i own 2 of those cds.. repeater and amputechture.
both good cds!

[Antwan_the_Swan]

hmm
i am sorry this list does not suck at all.
Captain Beefheart- Great band
Dylan- Legend
Fugazi- Great Band
Aesop Rock- Amazing
Mars Volta- Incredible

end of.

[South-of-Heaven]

I've never heard any of these albums being name dropped

[Gus Pablo]

I find it kind of interesting the kind of response an article about 'music snob' music gets from the guitar snobs on UG. Seriously, guys... no need to bash all this and remind us all what a big Satriani/VH fan you are. If you're opposed to people name-checking albums like this, doesn't really give you reason to start name-checking your own.

But on a more related note... I don't love Amputechture, as I feel they were trying too hard to be exclusive and unlistenable. Say what you will, but I much prefer deloused. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a genious album, and while anything Aes makes is magic, I kind of like Float and NSP over Labor Days. Boy with the Arab Strap is a fantastic album, but Pavement's made better than S&E.

[Geordie Walker]

If Fugazi (the last punk band on this planet) and Wilco are snob, I'm VERY proud of being snob.

[aliceinnirvana]

I'm really only familiar with Bob Dylan, Mars Volta, and of course FUGAZI. Fugazi is hands down one of my favourite bands ever. They have been a great influence on me. A true punk band. If anyone wants to get into them first get 13 Songs, that's the album name. That's the first cd I listened to of theirs. It starts off with "Waiting Room," one of their best songs, imo. Such a memorable bass line, too. Not all of these bands suck, give it a chance, but if you have then whatever. We all like what we are going to like. Can't change it.

[fattypumbaa]

Well I Completely Agree With Dylan He Is The Greatest Thing Ever Best Jew Since Jesus But Not Really Familiar With Anything Else

[Cobalt Blue]

since when is Dylan obscure?

recliner33 wrote:

Dirtydeeds468 wrote:

People that tout themselves as 'uber-troo metalheads' usually ARE:

a) Idiots

b) Not really "metalheads" at all.

I listen to an assload of the stuff and I'm a "regular" in the metal forum, and I can safely say the 90 percent of the kind of idiocy you'll see in there (and in this column) comes from people who are just Metallica and Pantera fanboys trying to look like metal music aficionados. (and failing epicially in the process)
I agree with you. I listen to alot of metal, but I don't like to consider myself a metalhead because I don't fit myself into the stereotype at all. Plus I listen to other kinds of music as well.

me too, enjoy metal, not a metal head...

everybody I know who calls them selves a 'metal head' annoys the shit out of me when I talk to them about music because they'll argue about genre's and sub-genre's "Yeah thats not Metal! thats hard rock alternative!"etc... this just the people I know or all metal heads?

[rockybo]

Fans of Aesop Rock should check out Sage Francis, P.O.S., the Crest, and everyone on Doomtree

[LewisMasonx]

kfilly20 wrote:

what about " in an aeroplane over the sea"

Quoted for utmost truth. Amazing album.

[freshtunes]

The Aesop Rock, Dylan, and Wilco records are great.

[GuitarHero0715]

I own the Mars Volta one.

What I dont understand is why people like to search for obscure albums. I mean, the reason bands get famous is because they happen to have alot of fans that think they're good, right? And a band is good because alot of people like them, its not based on their talent or obscurity, its based on if it sounds good to the listener.

[phantom1]

I own most of these and they're good albums if you're willing to take the time to get into them.

[longhornchad200]

I can't wait for The Mars Volta to have their "Black Album" Where they realize they need to simplify things so it's not hard to listen to the full album multiple times.

I mean I like them, they write some great stuff it's just after a while you gotta bring it down some.

[Tmor586]

aesop is amazing, all his stuff is brilliant.

[Dirtydeeds468]

GuitarHero0715 wrote:

What I dont understand is why people like to search for obscure albums. I mean, the reason bands get famous is because they happen to have alot of fans that think they're good, right? And a band is good because alot of people like them, its not based on their talent or obscurity, its based on if it sounds good to the listener.

People like to search for obscure artists and albums often times because they find the mainstream or popular artists who are getting the most attention bland or uninspired.

The problem with some of the really, really big names in music is that they become, literally, their record label's bitch. The label ends up having so much control over the sound of the music that all artistic integrity is lost and it mostly just sounds like generic garbage.

These obscure, underground artists, however, are completely on the opposite end of the spectrum. They are free to pursue their own sound, and they don't have to get the 'go-ahead' by some faceless label to say what they want in their music.

tl;dr - popularity does not equal quality

[jahyarain]

Gus Pablo wrote:

I find it kind of interesting the kind of response an article about 'music snob' music gets from the guitar snobs on UG. Seriously, guys... no need to bash all this and remind us all what a big Satriani/VH fan you are. If you're opposed to people name-checking albums like this, doesn't really give you reason to start name-checking your own.

agreed. and speaking of name-checking, is yours in reference 2 one Horace Swaby?

[areyouabadfish2]

haha, i own almost all of these. great stuff

[InVaZi0n]

I'm a HUGE fan on Pantera...what's your point...?

Dirtydeeds468 wrote:

People that tout themselves as 'uber-troo metalheads' usually ARE:

a) Idiots

b) Not really "metalheads" at all.

I listen to an assload of the stuff and I'm a "regular" in the metal forum, and I can safely say the 90 percent of the kind of idiocy you'll see in there (and in this column) comes from people who are just Metallica and Pantera fanboys trying to look like metal music aficionados. (and failing epicially in the process)

[walkon123123]

Not a bad list, but most self respecting music snobs would probably also have

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
The Velvet Underground & Nico - self titled
The Jesus & Mary Chain - Pyscho Candy
Pixies - Doolittle

...and coincidentally they're all great!

[abwell]

Fuck the mars volta, any "music snob" would be embarrassed to say they listen to them

[HolySmoke]

Jakinov wrote:

I want to be different..... like all the other different people out there.

lmfao exactly

[jshizznit]

i love fugazi...

and aesop rock

and bob dylan lol

and the mars volta

[noahray]

where is "human" by death? MASTERPIECE

[smileyface]

atc228 :
i guess if i think it sucks and is annoying for me to listen to then it is actually a great album...i never knew that... i guess i just have terrible taste i suppose.....

dot. dot. dot.

Yeah, I guess you do.

I don't really see what the point to this is. What constitutes a music snob? People who like good music? People who consider music to be an artistic form of expression?

[brush200400]

how stupid? the list is right, but the opening paragraph is about opposite. music snobs are often not into mainstream.

[GoodCharlotte92]

FUGAZI!!!!!

[Moonman13]

Funny...i love high fidelity. Great Movie.

[Dirtydeeds468]

InVaZi0n wrote:

I'm a HUGE fan on Pantera...what's your point...?Dirtydeeds468 wrote:

People that tout themselves as 'uber-troo metalheads' usually ARE:

a) Idiots

b) Not really "metalheads" at all.

I listen to an assload of the stuff and I'm a "regular" in the metal forum, and I can safely say the 90 percent of the kind of idiocy you'll see in there (and in this column) comes from people who are just Metallica and Pantera fanboys trying to look like metal music aficionados. (and failing epicially in the process)

Must I restate it?

Obviously I don't think that everyone who likes Pantera is a moron (TGST is a good album) but I did say that the majority of the idiocy in the metal forum and in situations like this where self-proclaimed 'metalheads' are bashing other music comes from people whose metal music selection is comprised almost solely of Metallica and Pantera.

[StinkyShoes]

so...not experimenting is experimenting for an experimental band, not being more experimental, since thats expected I guess.

[GuitaPlaya]

GuitarHero0715 wrote:

I own the Mars Volta one.

What I dont understand is why people like to search for obscure albums. I mean, the reason bands get famous is because they happen to have alot of fans that think they're good, right? And a band is good because alot of people like them, its not based on their talent or obscurity, its based on if it sounds good to the listener.

This has to be the dumbest comment of the year so far. Especially the part where you say "a band is good because alot [sic] of people like them." If popularity determined how good a musical act is, then the Jonas Brothers would probably be the greatest band in the world. How good a band is SHOULD be based on their talent. Nobody's ever heard of most of my favorite bands because their music is difficult to listen to. It requires you to actually think while you listen to it which is something that most people are too dumb to do. And last thing, how is a band suppose to get popular if people only listen to popular music?

[psilocyndreams2]

why is the mars volta on there? a lot of music snobs are pitchfork media bitches, and pitchfork absolutely despises the mars volta.

[Da Guitar Masta]

I own the Mars Volta one and the Wilco one, never heard of any of the others though. The Mars Volta and Wilco are both amazing!

[SandyPilgrim]

Uh... I've been called a music snob, but, with the exception of Fugazi, I'll name drop millions of other bands first before those.

[nosaj89]

I don't agree on the whole "metal is stagnant" thing.
i havn't listened to metal since the early 90's and got back into it with bands like mastadon, lamb of god, and 3 inches of blood. also people who like aesop rock should check out anticon, sage francis, buck 65, sixtoo, and the shape shifters.

[Iliemyfaceoff]

I quite like these records. Moldy Peaches for instance area very unique band. Upon first hearing them it was quite refreshing to hear song writing of such a simple qualty be so great "We sure are cute for two ugly people." Is a great great great line.

[ChordMonger]

the mars volta is nothing compared to ATDI
Fugazi are great
and why are they ripping on Pavement?? Pavement are awesome!

checked.

[bmarlatt1685]

BloodOnOurHands wrote:

bmarlatt1685 wrote:

Other than Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, the list really sucks. I can understand people wanting to listen to something different, but when they get into this that's all that's good and worth listening to mentality, that's what I have a problem with. I agree with Son of Kyuss by the way, but I'm of the Zakk Wylde philosophy... There's either great music like Zeppelin, Beatles, Metallica, Hendrix, and then there's crap like Britney, N'Sync and anything popular today.
Talk about having double standards. You don't like one kind of music because its listeners have a this-is-all-that's-good-mentality, but then you go on about how there's two kinds of music; good and bad? Your reasoning makes no sense.

The reason why this list is good is because it's diffrent from the stuff people on UG normally listen to. How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?

Double standard my ass. What I meant was people that are snobbish about just one genre. Like people that are into underground indie music, but then say piss on everything else. When I say "good and bad" music I'm talking about music that expands more than one area of rock genre.

[Ez0ph]

Well the Bob Dylan, Mars Volta, and Moldy Peaches are cool. I dont kno about the rest of this list

[Ethorf]

i happen to like alot of this list, and am in a hardcoreprogressivegrind funk band, whaddya know, and im quite the music snob, if you don't like the list, why are you posting? just because its not shredding guitar masturbation doesnt mean it doesnt have musical merit or value.
ps. check my band www.myspace.com/exkathedra

[Ethorf]

do any of you people actually make music? its a hell of a lot more fun than arguing about bands you dont like. anda little more satisfying too

[SweetFancyMoses]

I love every single one of these albums. End.

[Nargenfargen]

Everyone should seriously check out Belle & Sebastain if they don't alread know them. And they are SCOTISH.

[fatmanman]

Dylan kicks the shit out of thrash and van halen any day.

[C-C Beatroot]

doctorums wrote:

belle and sebastian are scottish

I was going to say that
Also the "Arab Strap" they refer to is the sex... toy thing, not the indie band!

[Regression]

Rainmaker27 wrote:

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?


Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.

I listen to alot of metal, but I don't limit what I listen too due to that. I like heaps of genres of music, why, because I think there is a lot of good music outside of metal. Two of my favourite music artists make music which bares almost no similarties to metal.

[Matt_1213]

the point of this article was to show how ridiculous the whole thing was, quoting the most obscure bands and acting sophisticated because you know a band the other person does not, no matter HOW HORRIBLE THEY ARE.

But then again, everyone is so damn serious here the humour was lost and its just turned into another 'i-know-a-more-obscure-band-than-you' fest. Can't we all just out our incredibly bloated, music-supremist ego's in the cupboard for one moment and laugh when someone posts something obviously tongue in-cheek :-S

It's a list of albums that stereotypical muso ponces rattle off when they want to look clever - anyone querying the content of it is kind of missing the point...

checked

[Eladamri]

Regression wrote:

Rainmaker27 wrote:

How many metalheads have even tried to listen to Pavement, Belle & Sebastian or Aesop Rock?


Probably not many because they like what they listen to to, and will listen to what they want. It's a known fact that metal heads are close minded, I'm a metal head and I'm very close minded, but that's how I want to be, so I'm going to stay close minded.

I listen to alot of metal, but I don't limit what I listen too due to that. I like heaps of genres of music, why, because I think there is a lot of good music outside of metal. Two of my favourite music artists make music which bares almost no similarties to metal.

Totally man. Anyone who is proud of being close minded is a total tool. Sorry but it is true. My MP3 player just took me from Pantera to The Veils. And I consider myself a metal head.

[kaptink]

SL!!! wrote:
Man, Amputechture is The Mars Volta's worst album. Their best was easily Frances the Mute, which also had songs over ten minutes. Actually all the songs are over ten minutes but one, and so the two longest ones are broken into five or four pieces each. It plays like a movie, and it's glorious. I'm glad Fugazi was on there though.

Yeah the first two were the groups best. No real music snob would even rank amputechture.


Also no Beta band?

[smb]

These records are far from obscure or music snobbery. It's major label stuff!

[Korzack]

Wait... I don't know ANY of those albums. Don;t even know a couple of those bands. Its' like they've just picked a few obvious names (Dylan), a few modern things - ensuring they conveniently play Gibsons, naturally, and passed them off as all-timers. PR at its' thinnest and simplest. This from the same company who thought making the Reverse flying V a regular guitar is a good idea, so now EVERYONE can own a guitar that looks like a f'cking Mouse Cursor... jesus

[blackflag49]

Sweet, I have 4 of those.

Captain Beefheart, Fugazi, Aesop Rock and The Mars Volta.

[Maverick49]

stardogchampion wrote:

doctorums wrote:

belle and sebastian are scottish


Which means they're British...

Forgive them, for they know not what they do, you see most Americans have loose grasp of geography. Therefore, in the US lexicon 'English' and 'British' are interchangable whereas 'Scottish' is regarded as a completely different entity, despite being part of the British Isles and hence you can quite accurately refer to Scots as being 'British' (although most Scots I know would hate being called that...) Oh and while I'm on the subject, there is no such thing as a 'British accent' as this accent would have to include English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh and countless other regional dialects and would sound very odd indeed...
Peace out.

[sevenchurches]

I have one of those albums

Therfore I am not the ultimate loser

Repeater is brilliant

[sevenchurches]

They should've put some Mogwai, Explosions in the Sky or Red Sparrows. Lol anyone read QC???

[Seymore190]

I would have put TMV's "De-Loused" on this list before Amputechture, but that's not to say that I dislike Amputechture. I think people don't give that album enough of a chance, and I am personally pretty fond of it.

[MAYNARD]

Radiohead's Kid A and Amnesiac are missing.

This article has nothin to do with an album bein good or bad. It's albums that "hip" music fans always talk about. I think they left a few more off.

Surfer Rosa-Pixies
Moon and Antarctica-Modest Mouse
Is This It-The Strokes

[PopIsNotDead]

Check it out, these guys are totally messin' with the guy that wrote this.

http://blog.burstlabs.com/2008/jonah-bayer-speaks-t he-truth-about-music-snobs/

[Kegan]

I recently bought the soundtrack to Juno, and the moldy peaches certainly have their own sound. I'd like to check out more of their material.

It's nice to see 'Yankee Hotel Foxtrot' on the list, but where is The Velvet Underground's 'White Light / White Heat' or 'Marquee Moon' by Television? I'm not entirely surprised that A Band of Bees weren't on the list, but it would have been cool to see 'Free the Bees' or 'Octopus.'

[Kegan]

I don't think this article only refers to artists who use Gibson guitars.
I'm fairly sure Wilco primarily used Fender Jazzmasters on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

[whitebluesboy]

I feel lame for owning almost all these albums

[gr33nday1946]

doctorums wrote:

belle and sebastian are scottish

being scottish is being british...

[wildchild6660]

fugazi's 13 songs is better than repeater IMO