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Any Prolific Music Artists with a Near-Perfect Discography?

posted 2 years ago by HarveyManFredSin (4877)
30 replies | jump to latest

I can't think of any. As much as I love David Bowie, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Kate Bush, Talking Heads, The Clash, CHIC, Hall & Oates, The Jam, and The Police, for example, all of them have released at least a couple of stinkers or also-ran singles. Stevie Wonder had a good run until the mid-80s, when he came out with the terrible "I Just Called to Say I Love You." Honestly, and I'm ashamed to say this, but I think the musical artist who had the greatest run of gem-after-gem, at least until the mid-90s, when he descended into saccharine twaddle, is Michael Jackson (whatever else one may think of him).

Off the Wall, Thriller, Bad, and most of Dangerous, is filled with classic songs (although a large part of that is attributable to Quincy Jones, who also pretty much had a flawless midas touch throughout the 70s and 80s, although, save for a few singles, he's regarded more as a producer than a solo artist).

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

What's the qualifications for "Prolific?" Given that The Clash only had 6 real albums....

Mission of Burma. (only 5 real albums)
Rush
Loscil
Explosions in the Sky
Lanterna

[–] HarveyManFredSin (4877) 2 years ago

6 albums is very prolific, and yes, The Clash were pretty consistent for the most part.

When I say 'prolific', I'm discounting artists that had say only one or two albums before disappearing. The Clash may only have lasted a few years (well, technically a decade, which is longer than many bands), but they left a very significant legacy.

[–] ShogunofYonkers (78608) 2 years ago

Good list of great bands, I thought of The Police immediately.

I’d add Iron Maiden, they have been nailing Metal music for nearly fifty years!
No bad songs by them.

Up The Irons!

[–] CKid (3842) 2 years ago

I can think of one.
Since you asked for a "Near-Perfect Discography" rather than an Absolutely Perfect one, I shall answer with ...
Bruce Springsteen

I love his albums with The E Street Band as well as his solo albums, the two with the replacement band which were released on the same day (Human Touch and Lucky Town) and the one with the (Seeger) Sessions Band.

And of course, nothing beats his live concerts, which I have seen over 200 times. I first saw him in concert at Avery Fisher Hall in NYC back in 1974, and most recently on February 1st of this year where the current tour began in Tampa, Florida.
That's 49 years of incredible live shows.

[–] FilmBuff (7437) 2 years ago

The only two that come mind immediately are The Beatles and The Smiths.

[–] AndyKing1967 (39867) 2 years ago

I would go out tonight, but I haven’t got a thing to wear.

[–] HarveyManFredSin (4877) 2 years ago

The Smiths is a good shout, as much as I loathe what Morrissey has become (and, tbf, even *he* was putting out a few banging solo albums in the years immediately following The Smiths' demise). Of course, it helps that although The Smiths were fairly prolific, they only lasted about five years, and so never had the chance to get stale.

[–] AndyKing1967 (39867) 2 years ago

Motörhead

Any *Prolific* Music Artists with a Near-Perfect Discography?

Any Prolific Music Artists with a Near-Perfect Discography?