Posted on 11/29/2025 7:15:06 PM PST by DoodleBob
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We can nitpick, but overall I agree with this list.
Hey I liked Led Zeppelin III. And Houses of the Holy too. Was never too wild about Van Halen. No questioning Eddie Van Halen’s artistry but their lyrics are about as deep as a puddle. Of course one could argue hey, it’s only rock and roll and it ain’t supposed to be deep.
Bon Jovi and Boston? No.
I’m pondering the definition of “hard rock” as used here. Maybe I am just old, but Boston? Hard rock? I guess, if you define it as using distortion on a guitar.
Hysteria should be on this list. Despite the writers dumping all over it in the Pyromania write-up, the Leps pulled off the rare feat of not only having back to back diamond albums, but marketing them to two different sets of audiences, thus defining a soundtrack for many people throughout the entire decade. I agree Pyromania is a better album, but Hysteria is not far behind.
I recently started looking at Van Halen lyrics when playing their songs. They NEVER published the lyrics on their albums.
Yep…some of the lyrics are puddle deep.
But I never liked them for their lyrics, for the most part. Van Halen was America’s Zeppelin, except with a better guitarist and backing vocals.
My fav Zep album is Presence, so who am I to quarrel with your LZ3 comment?
bump for later
I never liked much of it.
I’m not a big DL fan, but you are right. That Pyromania’s follow up was even BIGGER was an incredible feat, especially since Rick Allen lost his arm and had to relearn how to play drums on an electronic kit and use his feet vs left arm.
Side1 is a masterpiece.
Side one
No. Title Length
1. “Women” 5:42
2. “Rocket” 6:37
3. “Animal” 4:04
4. “Love Bites” 5:46
5. “Pour Some Sugar on Me” 4:27
6. “Armageddon It” 5:24
Side two
No. Title Length
1. “Gods of War” 6:37
2. “Don’t Shoot Shotgun” 4:26
3. “Run Riot” 4:39
4. “Hysteria” 5:54
5. “Excitable” 4:19
6. “Love and Affection” 4:37
Total length: 62:32
The first Van Halen album with Sammy Hagar had the cut “Best of Both Worlds.” I thought it was the best song on the album.
No Who’s Next?
Meat Loaf Bat Out of Hell is a better #14 than Bon Jovi, which is pop not rock and roll. And it sold far more albums.
Sadly, the Who’s albums didn’t rack up massive sales.
They sold 21 million albums. That’s big, but not as big as others: https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=awards_by_artist#search_section
Who’s Next was certified triple platinum in 1993.
As much as I enjoyed both bands, I agree.
I didn’t realize the first side was that good. Musically, I always thought Gods of War was a great song, as long as you could overlook the ‘80’s anti-war message. Also, Bryan Adams’ Waking Up the Neighbours should be on here as well. Another Mutt Lange inspired masterpiece.
Since when are Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, and Nirvana “hard rock”? Someone needs lessons.
Back in Black should be #2, an album full of classics & stadium anthems
Kind of surprised no Rush either honestly.
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