I feel your pain. A few of us are collaborating on top 100 albums of each decade from the 60s-2010s. When you stack up the best of the best, it really does turn into hairsplitting cuz it’s just all-time bangers against each other.
For me, I had a friend in college record a couple of their albums on a tape for me -- which I listened to many times, and continue to associate with him.
(I also remember, before I really knew who they were, my debate coach in high school singing "Dead" at some point and it seemed wonderfully odd)
I'm in for this 100%. Looking forward to the votes and your breakdown of your agreement/disagreement with the results.
And for me personally, I'd be curious to know how you came up with the seeding. There are a few bands in here that are obvious, and some I've honestly never heard of. If anything, I hope to gain some new insights on bands that clearly are good enough to be among the 32 subjectively best bands of the decade that some of us might be discovering for the first time.
Yes. I was hoping this tournament would shed some light on these bands. I figure the matchups will likely include faceoffs between the bands' greatest hits, just to give me a reference point.
And for someone who peaked in my alt-music love in the mid '90s, and who was an alt-rock college radio DJ in the late '90s, I'm stunned I have no idea who those bands are...
Wilco AND Uncle Tupelo... but no Son Volt? Well, I see where your loyalties are. Just kidding. Great brackets! I can't wait to see how it all shakes out. Cheers!
The one band that didn't make it that I would argue should be on the list is They Might Be Giants ("It's a brand new record for 1990.")
I think that's a fair criticism. This was a tough one to put together. It meant leaving out some good bands. Thanks for the note though.
I feel your pain. A few of us are collaborating on top 100 albums of each decade from the 60s-2010s. When you stack up the best of the best, it really does turn into hairsplitting cuz it’s just all-time bangers against each other.
That sounds like an amazing, but daunting project. Excited to see the results.
Yes, there are always going to be tough cuts.
FWIW, I really love TMBG. The Flood reunion tour was my last show before lockdown.
That's fantastic.
For me, I had a friend in college record a couple of their albums on a tape for me -- which I listened to many times, and continue to associate with him.
(I also remember, before I really knew who they were, my debate coach in high school singing "Dead" at some point and it seemed wonderfully odd)
It's great when a band brings a direct connection with a person from the past. I also love that you had a debate coach who was a TMBG fan.
Full nerd disclosure, I got some of my teammates on my HS Quiz Bowl team into 'Lincoln'.
Without a doubt, their best output was in the 1990s, and it's not even close.
I'm in for this 100%. Looking forward to the votes and your breakdown of your agreement/disagreement with the results.
And for me personally, I'd be curious to know how you came up with the seeding. There are a few bands in here that are obvious, and some I've honestly never heard of. If anything, I hope to gain some new insights on bands that clearly are good enough to be among the 32 subjectively best bands of the decade that some of us might be discovering for the first time.
Great project idea!
Thanks, Matt. Should be fun. The seeding was very tough and is certainly imperfect, but it should be fun.
Out of curiosity, which ones are new to you?
Spiritualized, Uncle Tupelo, Teenage Fanclub, Jayhawks, Silver Jews, Ride, Slowdive, Stereolab
Are you planning to dig into any of these? If so, Stereolab is a great place to start.
Yes. I was hoping this tournament would shed some light on these bands. I figure the matchups will likely include faceoffs between the bands' greatest hits, just to give me a reference point.
And for someone who peaked in my alt-music love in the mid '90s, and who was an alt-rock college radio DJ in the late '90s, I'm stunned I have no idea who those bands are...
It'd be sweet if this helped expand your musical horizons, Matt. Hope you can find some new favorites.
That's why I love this music community on Substack. I've learned a lot, and I'm grateful for everyone's efforts to teach me something new.
Always a pleasure doin’ business with you, Matt!
Thank you, sir. Check is in the mail.
lol. Poor Spiritualized.
This should be fun to watch shake out!
Hope this is as fun as I imagine it will be. And yeah, that 32 seed was gonna have it tough no matter who it was.
Wilco AND Uncle Tupelo... but no Son Volt? Well, I see where your loyalties are. Just kidding. Great brackets! I can't wait to see how it all shakes out. Cheers!
Thanks so much for that lovely comment, Rabid. That means a lot. It's a pleasure to have you here. Thanks for being a part of things.