CCM’s top 500 albums (blog)

Some of you might enjoy reading this blog. I definitely disagree with the author at many points, but he’s helped me find some great stuff. 

https://ccms500bestalbums.wordpress.com/

I read through the original list, it's well done.

Black Rider wrote:I read through the original list, it's well done.

I thought you might appreciate his #1 pick.

It appears that I have a bit more reading and listening to undertake...

I can't remember what it was. I remember the site being clunky, hard to navigate in, looks like it still is.

Black Rider wrote:I can't remember what it was. I remember the site being clunky, hard to navigate in, looks like it still is.

It was the 77’s self-titled.

Here’s his top 10:

10. Charlie Peacock: Lie down in the Grass
9. Steve Taylor: Meltdown
8. Resurrection Band: Colours
7. Daniel Amos: Alarma!
6. Randy Stonehill: Welcome to Paradise 
5. Keith Green: For Him Who Has Ears to Hear
4. Mark Heard: Victims of the Age
3. U2: The Joshua Tree
2. Larry Norman: Only Visiting This Planet
1. The 77’s: s/t

Pethead wrote:

Black Rider wrote:I remember the site being clunky, hard to navigate in, looks like it still is.

That's an understatement! Still good material, though.

It's his site and he's pretty inclusive but his top 10 was pretty narrow style wise.

I like the albums he has in his top 10, but my top 10 would definitely look different. Sometimes I’d have the same artist, but a different album.

77s would be there and a different Steve Taylor album maybe but that's it.

I gotta be honest. I love the 77's but the '87 self titled is way over rated. It starts out really strong but falters in the middle before ending flat. Pray Naked was a much better record. Also the 77s were on Exit records (an imprint) and U2 were on Island - so they weren't "on the same label." Also, if it weren't for The Joshua Tree, the label would have gone bankrupt and the 77s wouldn't have gone big anyway.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! There's no bad songs on the self titled, repent of your heresy. They were on Island but it turned out to be a distribution only thing which I remember Mike saying they were promised more but then U2 hit. Is what it is.

I’d say Pearls before Swine is too long, but it’s not a bad song.

Pethead wrote:I’d say Pearls before Swine is too long, but it’s not a bad song.

I never like I Could Laugh.  Just couldn't get into it.

Black Rider wrote:Whoa, whoa, whoa! There's no bad songs on the self titled, repent of your heresy. They were on Island but it turned out to be a distribution only thing which I remember Mike saying they were promised more but then U2 hit. Is what it is.

They were on Exit records which was an imprint of Island and they did handle distribution.  The label was about to go bankrupt.  Because they didn't have the money to distribute Joshua Tree, U2 had the opportunity to walk away.  Instead they took the planned double LP and released Joshua Tree as we know it today.  They also loaned Island the money to distribute it.  When it hit big, the label had to drop everything and push it just so they wouldn't fold.  When all was said and done, the label gave U2 the rights to all their master recordings as a thank you.  This is why U2 went '80 to '00 with a Greatest Hits release.  They didn't want to until 2000 or so when they release the '80 to '90, '90 to '00, and U218 Singles albums to finish their contract and give them more power renegotiating their contract.  

I just don't think the 77's '87 album was that great.  I think Pray Naked and Drowning were far better albums.