Moderately Acclaimed 3 (MA3) - Round 1.1

[Brad]

Time to kick this thing off!

Below are the match-ups for this week.
Vote for your favorite.
Anyone may vote, provided they have listened to both albums!

Comments not required, but certainly encouraged.

And here we go:

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven vs. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go vs. Urge Overkill - Saturation
4. Built To Spill - You In Reverse vs. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

Happy listening!

[Greg]

Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

[Jirin]

Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists... (#441)
Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy (#490)

Dr Octagon - Dr Octagonecologyst 7/10
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication 7/10

I love the kind of rap where they're just having fun instead of boasting about violence or hype-building. Dr Octagon narrowly edges a solid rock album.

The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go? 9/10
Urge Overkill - Saturation 6/10

Remember when pop stars could sing on their own? And the producers paid more attention to pop craftsmanship than just marketing images?

Built To Spill - You In Reverse 5/10
The Chameleons - Script Of The Bridge 4/10

I like the Depeche Mode vibe from the Chameleons' vocals, but I don't think it jives well with the excessive echo and the gloomy minimal guitar. Abstaining from this one. (And probably any one where I neither like nor hate either).

[Henry]

1. Houses of the Holy wins over Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
I really enjoyed the Godspeed You! Black Emperor album and will look forward to listening to it again.

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication wins over Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
No present interest in ever listening to Dr. Octagon again.

3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go wins over Urge Overkill - Saturation
Thanks for the Urge Overkill nomination. I certainly enjoyed listening to the Saturation songs and look forward to more listens.

4. Built To Spill - You In Reverse vs. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge - no vote yet, perhaps later.

[Nassim]

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven vs. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
Among my favorite albums, there are albums I don't know how people can not love (I'm not sure this is proper English...), Lift Yr. Skinny Fists is not among them, I really see why people would find it boring or even annoying but for me it is a trip that no matter how often I make, I still can't seem to predict and that's pretty great. The 4th movement does not work for me as much as the 3 first, but that still makes for a wonderful 1 hour ride.
On the other hand Houses of the Holy is great but it's no LZ I or IV.
"Things have changed you see, they don't sleep on the beach anymore"

2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
I love Around the World and Californication, and if it was a matter of opener/closer Californication would win hands down. Unfortunately despite a few good songs, I don't enjoy what is in between that much.
On the other hand Dr Octagon has a cinematographic quality through all the album that makes you go through the weakest songs smoothly and makes a great emphasis on the highlights (Blue Flowers and I'm Destructive for me)

[Brad]

1. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
Ugh, I hate doing this, but as great as the Godspeed LP is (top 3 of decade?), it runs up against a powerhouse in Houses Of The Holy. Godspeed was my pick, so know that this is agonizing for me (especially as the first match of the first round!).
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
I'm not a huge RHCP fan, but I was pleasantly surprised at how consistent this album is, and more pleased that it lacked that "over the top-ness" that seems to plague most of the Pepper's releases. Very much enjoyed Dr. Octagon as well - agree with Jirin's statement above concerning the attitude. Very close match.
3. The Supremes - Where Did Or Love Go
Even the non-hits are top-notch on this one. Not as thrilled by Urge Overkill... some decent tunes, but not timeless like The Supremes.
4. Built To Spill - You In Reverse
Another of my picks- I think this, like Godspeed, is one of the great epic albums of the 00's. Clearly not a universal view, but the tension, anticipation, and release on nearly every song never fail to move my heart. OK with The Chameleons, but not really in the same class for me.

Thanks!

PS - how do you bold? yes I'm old.

[Gillingham]

PS - how do you bold? yes I'm old.

Put [ b ] in front of the part you want to be bold and [ / b ] after it. Without the spaces in between.
Alternatively, you can select the text you want to be bold and press the B just above the left corner of your 'post a reply-field'.

[Brad]

Thanks!

[Henrik]

1. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy

The first half of "Static" is GREAT, but the rest of "Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven" is just melodies suitable for recorder beginner training that's been covered in noise.

[Jackson]

Godspeed You Black Emperor wins the first matchup. Though "Over the Hills and Far Away" is one of Led Zeppelin's best songs, I've never particularly enjoyed their albums as a complete experience.

For those who like Lift Yr Skinny Fists, try out the album that inspired it, Sountracks for the Blind by the Swans. It's got the same eerie vocal samples, mindblowing crescendos, and daunting length, but is much more of a varied and complete experience.

Swans - The Sound

[Brad]

For those who like Lift Yr Skinny Fists, try out the album that inspired it, Sountracks for the Blind by the Swans. It's got the same eerie vocal samples, mindblowing crescendos, and daunting length, but is much more of a varied and complete experience. Swans - The Sound

Thanks Jackson - will check this out ASAP.

[Evan]

1. Houses of the Holy

Maybe I just have a short attention span.

2. Californiacation

I'm surprised by how much I was turned off by Dr. Octagon.


I will vote for the other two later.

[Henry]

1. Houses of the Holy

Maybe I just have a short attention span.

2. Californiacation

I'm surprised by how much I was turned off by Dr. Octagon.


I will vote for the other two later.

Perhaps you share my view that I have no present interest in listening to Dr. Octagon again.

[sonofsamiam]

1. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

[VanillaFire1000]

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

Godspeed will always win over Zeppelin. Especially the album considered the weakest of the classic period.

I never listened to Dr. Octagon before this competition. Wow, this is a damn good album. I would probably take some RHCP singles over it, but as a total package I pick it.

Even with that much chaff found on early Motown albums, the Supremes KILL. Just hit after hit.

And then we have a great post-punk album. I went searching for songs to listen to and I thought it sounded incredibly modern and forward thinking. Or that could be how bands are just copying early 80s post-punk for the past 10 years.

[Kingoftonga]

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven vs. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy

This was a tough one. I dislike "D'yer Maker," but the high points of Houses more than make up for it - "The Song Remains the Same," "No Quarter," and "The Ocean" are all Zepp at the top of your game. Lift Yr. Skinny Fists is epic in its own way, but too long to entirely hold my interest through all four movements.

2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication

Californication has better individual tracks than Dr. Octagonecologyst - the title track, "Scar Tissue," "Other Side," "Parallel Universe." But it also has "Purple Stain," which might be the worst song RHCP ever recorded. Dr. Octagonecologyst is more solid all the way through, and has the added bonus of having one of the few rap skits to ever make me laugh out loud ("Oh, shit, there's a horse in the hospital!").

3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go vs. Urge Overkill - Saturation

Where Did Our Love Go is an excellent example of superbly crafted pop, and I can acknowledge it is better constructed than Saturation, which can be uneven. However, I have such good memories attached to Saturation that I can't help but enjoy it more (I happened to nominate this one). I listened to the album nonstop while driving from the east coast to the west coast of the United States one summer, camping and backpacking along the way, so now whenever I hear it I think of freedom, the open road, and the endless possibilities of road tripping.

I'll try and vote on Bracket 4 if I have the time...

[Henrik]

3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
I used to have this album in my top 100. Still great. Saturation is good but not more. Their popular cover from Pulp Fiction clearly towers it.

4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge
The lack of critics lists including the classic post-punk album "Script of the Bridge" is one of two big mysteries of our time. It's not even bubbling under because of the actual appearances. I have added it because I'm convinced it will appear in future lists. Some day. The other mystery is why (of all bands) The Chameleons isn't the most mentioned band in Interpol reviews. Just listen to "Here Today". Built To Spill's "You In Reverse" is also underrated and have one of the best openings with "Goin' Against Your Mind" and "Traces".

[Stephan]

Week 1: A return of the Stephan style and I'm also gonna hand out four trophies that will transfer as soon as the album is bested. I've already listened to all the albums in competition so I will also look ahead now and then. For example, the first week includes an album that takes a trophy it will not give up throughout the entire tournament.

1. Godspeed You Black Emperor! - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven! (Best Album Trophy)
2. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge (Best New Discovery Trophy)
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
4. Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy (Best Loser Trophy)
5. Built To Spill - You In Reverse
6. Urge Overkill - Saturation
7. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (Best #8 Trophy)

[Listyguy]

I vote for "Houses of the Holy".
For the second straight moderate tournament, my number one pick is in the first matchup. Unfortunately, I won't have enough time to listen to the album opposing my other pick this week, "Californication".

[Nassim]

4. Built to Spill - You in Reverse

The first 3 songs of Script of the Bridge are brilliant but my interest fades after that and the voice is sometimes gritting. You In Reverse is no Perfect From Now On but there is something in Built to Spill's sound that often reach me, so quite a tough choice but I vote for Doug Martsch and co

[antonius]

1. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy

Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven: it's a jamsession, I think.

Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy: Not their best record, but it's got reggae (D'yer Mak'er), a Beastie Boys sample (The Ocean), atypical Led Zeppelin songs (No Quarter, The Rain Song), typical Led Zeppelin songs (Dancing Days, Over the hill and far away), and a funk experiment (The Crunge)

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication

Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
Its main flaw is that the rapper has nothing to say. But the beats are consistently good. "I'm destructive" is great.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
Pleasantly surprised by Californication. All of a sudden I seem to know the songs "Californication", "Otherside", "Scar Tissue" and "Road Trippin" from the radio, and I seem to like them. I still can't get into their nonsense songs, though.

3. Urge Overkill - Saturation

The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
When I hear them sing, I think "that's old" and that's not what you're supposed to think when you hear a song. Also too light for me. I would probably not have liked this even in the sixties.

Urge Overkill - Saturation
I have a feeling that a lot of the charm of this album comes from the production.

4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

Built To Spill - You In Reverse
Does nothing for me. Some nice jams.

The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge
This has the same problem as the Supremes record: it sounds like a record of its time, 1981. On RYM someone compared with Interpol, but I don't hear it. After hearing it a couple of time, it kind of "sticks".

[Brad]

Great participation so far... keep 'em coming!
I'm going to close out Round 1.1 in about 22 hours (Monday 10am EST) so plenty of time left.

[Honorio]

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven vs. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy
2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst vs. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go vs. Urge Overkill - Saturation
4. Built To Spill - You In Reverse vs. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

My votes in blue...
Sorry, Brad, no time for comments. But I really enjoyed a lot the listening (really surprised by "Californication", not a big fan of the band but some of the songs are outstanding).

[Michel]

1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go
4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge

[Brad]

Round 1.1 is now over.
Here are the results:
Total Voters = 16

1. Led Zeppelin - Houses Of The Holy defeats Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Lift Yr. Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven 9-7
2. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst defeats Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication 7-5
3. The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go defeats Urge Overkill - Saturation 10-3
4. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge defeats Built To Spill - You In Reverse 8-2

Round 1.2 up shortly!