Board 8 > Rank the Tracks 111: Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up the Girl (+ The Smiths results)

(+) Yeah! (+)

neonreaper's week:
Silversun Pickups - Carnavas
vs.
Enya - Watermark
vs.
XTC - Nonsuch

Great_Paul's week:
Sabaton - The War to End All Wars
vs.
Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky
vs.
Prozzak - Saturday People

Previous results can be seen here:
https://board8.fandom.com/wiki/Rank_the_Tracks
https://board8.fandom.com/wiki/Rank_the_Tracks_Set_2
https://board8.fandom.com/wiki/Rank_the_Tracks_Set_3

The rules:
1. Listen to the album in full
2. Rank every track on the album
3. For the results, there will be a curve at the top of each list; two additional points between #1 and #2, and one additional point for the next two ranks. This way, the songs that really stick out to someone get an edge that is not immediately negated by someone else putting it lower. In the case of Demon Days, someone's 15th track will get 1 point, 14th 2 points, 4th 12 points, 3rd 14 points, 2nd 16 points, and 1st 19 points. For albums with greater than 15 tracks, everything ranked below #15 will be given 0 points and the scale for the top 15 will be the same as a 15-track album. For albums with more than 20 tracks, you only have to list your top 15 (with 16-20, I still like having the average rank listed)
4. If you want to include comments for individual songs, I will compile them in the results
5. The results will be posted at the beginning of the next topic
6. The deadline to vote is Sunday, April 23 at 4:00 PM Central Time; the future week poll will close earlier, when I am putting up the next topic
7. You can sign up to be added to the user cycle (a new user will be added to the end of the current cycle as long as there are four weeks remaining) - the next person on the list will choose 3 albums which the other users will vote on for the next topic.
7a. To ensure people are being given an actual choice, the three nominated albums must be by different artists. You can otherwise stick to a similar sound or era.
7b. The tiebreaker for these polls will be whichever is listed first in the poll options - make sure to deliver the results in order of your own preference (which will hopefully have the added benefit of influencing people toward your first choice if they can't decide).
7c. I have added a tiered vote structure - the least popular album will be removed and its backup votes distributed to the other two entrants.
8. Starting with the next cycle, every four weeks will be a competitive week where those listed choose a single album to face off against others.
9. Skits and tracks under 40 seconds will be excluded from the rankings unless argued otherwise

Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up the Girl track list:
1. Dizzy
2. Slide
3. Broadway
4. January Friend
5. Black Balloon
6. Bullet Proof
7. Amigone
8. All Eyes on Me
9. Full Forever
10. Acoustic #3
11. Iris
12. Extra Pale
13. Hate This Place

Current cycle:
4/23: Raetsel_Lapin's bonus (Grimes - Art Angels)
4/30: neonreaper
5/7: Great_Paul
5/14: jcgamer107
5/21: Giggsalot/MetalmindStats/rwlh
5/28: ChichiriMuyo
6/4: BlueCrystalTear
6/11: rwlh
6/18: NFUN
6/25: HBJDubs/firefdr/NFUN
7/2: StifledSilence
7/9: MaxGalactica

Future cycle:
7/16: MetalmindStats
7/23: HBJDubs
7/30: Raetsel_Lapin
8/6: competitive week
8/13: Steiner
8/20: Snake5555555555
8/27: Jesse_Custer
9/3: competitive week
9/10: ZaziGuado
9/17: firefdr
9/24: Johnbobb
10/1: competitive week
10/8: VeryInsane
10/15: FoolFantastic
10/22: Seanchan
10/29: competitive week
11/5: Giggsalot
11/12: RyoCaliente
11/19: darkx

Enya - Watermark > Silversun Pickups - Carnavas > XTC - Nonsuch

Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky >Sabaton - The War to End All Wars > Prozzak - Saturday People

Things I learned on a first listen of Dizzy Up the Girl:

• This has most of their big hits, with the exception of Name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQOBUrRaPU0
• The Goo Goo Dolls had been around for a decade before this album broke big.
• They are still actively making albums today!
• There's another singer in the band, who must be pissed none of his songs made the radio.
• A lot of those "other singer" songs are really pop-punk sounding.

I went into this thinking, for the larger group of rankers, this might end up in that So Long Astoria tier of "fine but nothing special". Now, I don't think that'll necessarily be the case because the singles here are very strong, and they'll anchor this one further up. But it caught me completely off guard when Singer #2 had 4-5 songs on this album. Had NO idea!

Also, ever since this album got selected, I've had Broadway ear worming in my head, so nice to finally listen to it again for the first time in a long while.

Its very fascinating seeing the work split between the two singers live. I didnt actually realize how much material of theirs he sang until I went to their concert as a teenager. Very sad he didnt get any singles though, I agree. I can understand why, since this albums singles are so strong. But they could have tossed him a bone after those ran their course at least.

Silversun > Enya > XTC

Silversun > XTC > Enya

FOTC > Sabaton > Prozzak

I shit you not, before this album listening group, I was briefly in another (with people that were super inactive, it kinda sucked because of the like 12 people in the group, only like 3 regularly participated) but in the time that group lasted (maybe 35 albums) we did Sabaton's previous album, The Great War

It was awesome and if Sabaton wins for that week, I highly, highly recommend listening to The History Version of the album because it makes it so much better

Oh oops forgot the other one.

Conchords > Sabaton > Prozzak

1. Black Balloon
2. Iris
3. Full Forever
4. Bullet Proof
5. January Friend
6. All Eyes on Me
7. Extra Pale
8. Slide
9. Broadway
10. Amigone
11. Hate This Place
12. Dizzy
13. Acoustic #3

What I expected: the singles to dominate my list

What I got: a very pleasant surprise of an album

This album came out while I was in middle school. I got it for the sake of spamming the singles and thats pretty much what I did with it. I listened to the whole thing once or twice back then and didnt think it was bad or anything. But my prevailing thought was why is the other dude singing? I softened my stance a bit when I saw them live a few years later, but it was still interesting to me how many tracks the other guy sang on. None of them ended up on the radio, which is both understandable and also a shame because theyre quite good.

Black Balloon and Iris took the top spots quite easily, as I expected. I would say those are the bands two best songs, and perhaps even two of the best songs of the 90s. But as I listened to the rest, I was surprised to see Slide and Broadway drop lower and lower. They are good songs, but I found myself really getting into the other material. This was especially true for the other guys stuff. Those songs added a nice variety to the album.

Silversun Pickups
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9-zQxkco2w

I'll skip over the personal reasons for picking Silversun Pickups for the most part. I dug into them with Better Nature (my fave SSP album) and was pleasantly surprised by how good the band is. I didn't think much of Lazy Eye when it came up on Rock Band 2. I missed out - they have some really good arrangements and atmosphere. Many of their songs aren't just catchy; they feature a lot of little sound elements that surface after repeated listens. I think their albums after Better Nature haven't been as good as their earlier material, but I do highly recommend their first 4 LPs.

11 tracks 55 minutes

Enya
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XADqpiLCsM

Long time board 8ers might recall that Luster Soldier and I once bonded over mutual love for Enya. I think Enya is not an easy artist to rank, but I did want her to show up in these topics as a nomination. Similar to SSP, I didn't nominate my favorite Enya album, instead going for the one that more people probably care about. Shepherd Moon is my favorite, if you're curious :)

XTC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y-wbDRvp9Q

I highly recommend this band. They cram a lot into quirky little pop songs. Their early stuff is a sort of punk that I don't love, but their albums Nonsuch, Skylarking, and the Apple Venus albums (not on spotify) are essential.

(originally this nomination list was Silversun Pickups, Interpol, and Spoon for trivia buffs)

Sabaton > Flight of the Conchords > Prozzak

Silversun Pickups > Enya > XTC

Dizzy
Iris
Extra Pale
Acoustic #3
Slide
Black Balloon
Bullet Proof
All Eyes on Me
Full Forever
Broadway
Hate This Place
January Friend
Amigone

Watermark > Carnavas > Nonsuch

The War to End All Wars > Saturday People > I Told You I Was Freaky

Enya - Watermark > Silversun Pickups - Carnavas > XTC - Nonsuch

Sabaton > Prozzak > Flight of the Conchords

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas > XTC - Nonsuch > Enya - Watermark

1: Slide
2: Broadway
3: Black Balloon
4: All Eyes on Me
5: Acoustic #3
6: Iris
7: Bullet Proof
8: Amigone
9: Full Forever
10: Dizzy
11: Hate This Place
12: Extra Pale
13: January Friend

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas > Enya - Watermark > XTC - Nonsuch

Flight of the Conchords - I Told You I Was Freaky > Sabaton - The War to End All Wars > Prozzak - Saturday People

Given the example songs, I find myself disappointed that I must choose between Enya & Silversun... I may have to look into whichever album loses on my own, if I ever find the time.

Slide
Black Baloon
Iris
Dizzy
Broadway
All Eyes on Me
Hate This Place
Bullet Proof
Acoustic #3
Full Forever
Amigone
Extra Pale
January Friend

Everything happens so much

I hope to have the Smiths results up tonight, sorry

The Smiths - The Queen is Dead results

The participants sorted by deviation from final results:
FoolFantastic (10)
Raetsel_Lapin (12)
MaxGalactica (16)
neonreaper (18)
RyoCaliente (20)
HBJDubs (22)
Johnbobb (22)
Seanchan (28)

General Album Comments

FoolFantastic: It's unfortunate Morrissey turned out like that, because the actual music of The Smiths does such a perfect job of capturing (queer) wistfulness. This album feels relatively short, yet it constantly switches gears from denser moments like the title track to pure pop rock such as The Boy With the Thorn in His Side. There's a clear divide between my top 6 and the bottom 4, but I still find myself singing along to Frankly Mr. Shankly every time I listen, which is probably once every couple months. This was one of the first albums I discovered when I started listening to albums in full, and it has remained a constant member of my all-time top 10 ever since. It's hard to overstate how much this meant to me back when I was coming out of the closet.

And, yes, There is a Light That Never Goes Out is one of my go-to karaoke songs because I am a brooding, overdramatic fop.

Seanchan: I was expecting this to be moody, melancholy album that I wouldn't like. And yet again this album cycle, I come away pleasantly surprised! I wasn't doing super close listening but I did pick up on some of the angsty-ness and melodrama. More importantly for myself, I found this instrumentally upbeat and super listenable.

RyoCaliente: Songs that saved my life, part one (three?). The ultimate outcasts' album, still. But it's not emo. The music, and the wit and humour displayed in the lyrics make The Smiths more than just a depressing band (even though they can perfectly be that).

MaxGalactica: Good album. No huge standouts, but I liked every track here. Lots of great acoustic guitar work. Top 5 I'd consider a tier higher than the bottom 5.

Seanchan: After 2 more listens, I'd say that I enjoyed this but it's not a favorite.

HBJDubs: Nothing really sticks out to me, but other than the bottom two the album is pretty good all around

neonreaper: Sorry if its too late, still wanted to rank cuz its a good album

The Queen is Dead track ranking

10. Vicar in a Tutu (Track #8)
Score: 16 (Average Rank: 9/10)
Biggest Fan(s): Seanchan (#5)
Biggest Detractor(s): RyoCaliente, Raetsel_Lapin, Johnbobb, neonreaper (#10)

RyoCaliente: I like it more than before, but it's still my least favourite off the record.

9. Never Had No One Ever (Track #4)
Score: 30 (Average Rank: 7.25/10)
Biggest Fan(s): Raetsel_Lapin, HBJDubs (#4)
Biggest Detractor(s): MaxGalactica, Seanchan (#10)

RyoCaliente: Underrated, but I've always really liked this one. When you walk without ease, I love that opening line.

8. Frankly, Mr. Shankly (Track #2)
Score: 34 (Average Rank: 7.25/10)
Biggest Fan(s): Johnbobb (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): FoolFantastic, HBJDubs (#10)

RyoCaliente: Lots of lyrical fun here.

7. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (Track #10)
Score: 36 (Average Rank: 6.63/10)
Biggest Fan(s): RyoCaliente (#3)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin, Johnbobb, neonreaper (#9)

RyoCaliente: Growing up (and to this day still I suppose) I was always a Morrissey kid. I loved Marr's guitar playing, but in my mind I always more the vocalist, the frontman, putting himself on display for everyone. Morrissey sings well on Some Girls, but this is the one Smiths song (aside from the instrumentals) where he's almost completely superfluous to the song; Marr comes up with pure musical wizardry here. The guitar is just stupendous.

6. Cemetry Gates (Track #5)
Score: 51 (Average Rank: 5/10)
Biggest Fan(s): Seanchan (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): RyoCaliente (#7)

RyoCaliente: I adore this track, but it's probably a bit simpler than the other ones rated above.

5. The Boy With the Thorn in His Side (Track #7)
Score: 55 (Average Rank: 4.75/10)
Biggest Fan(s): RyoCaliente, Johnbobb (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): Seanchan (#8)

RyoCaliente: My favourite of the middle pop-songs. It's just got such a nice flow to it.

4. The Queen is Dead (Track #1)
Score: 61 (Average Rank: 4.5/10)
Biggest Fan(s): HBJDubs, neonreaper (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Raetsel_Lapin (#8)

RyoCaliente: Maybe the best opener to an album ever. I love the ferociousness of the drums, I adore the lyrics, and I love the outro as well.

3. I Know It's Over (Track #3)
Score: 65 (Average Rank: 4.25/10)
Biggest Fan(s): RyoCaliente, MaxGalactica (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): Seanchan (#9)

RyoCaliente: A complete, bone-chilling breakdown, every single time.

2. Bigmouth Strikes Again (Track #6)
Score: 71 (Average Rank: 3.25/10)
Biggest Fan(s): FoolFantastic, Raetsel_Lapin, MaxGalactica (#2)
Biggest Detractor(s): RyoCaliente (#6)

RyoCaliente: I honestly probably like Cemetry Gates more; I've just overplayed Bigmouth over the years that it has dulled my appreciation for it. But for this ranking I did try to really listen to the track, and the complexity of the guitar and other instruments just make it that I really can't put it any lower than this.

1. There is a Light That Never Goes Out (Track #9)
Score: 77 (Average Rank: 3.13/10)
Biggest Fan(s): FoolFantastic, Raetsel_Lapin, Seanchan (#1)
Biggest Detractor(s): MaxGalactica (#8)

RyoCaliente: THE track. This is one of the first songs I really actively listened to, probably the oldest track that I heard that I still listen to. Will always have a special place in my heart.

man how many times now has my #1 been the last place of at least one other ranker. It feels like it happens quite a bit

The first time I heard Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others was on the Best of The Smiths and I was so baffled that of any songs they had available, that was the one they went for

Johnbobb posted...

man how many times now has my #1 been the last place of at least one other ranker. It feels like it happens quite a bit

The first time I heard Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others was on the Best of The Smiths and I was so baffled that of any songs they had available, that was the one they went for

I mean, the lyrics are silly, but you could easily consider the music to be Marr's magnum opus.

This is late-90s pop rock alright

Iris
Black Balloon
Slide
Broadway
Acoustic #3
Dizzy
Hate This Place
Bullet Proof
Amigone
All Eyes on Me
January Friend
Extra Pale
Full Forever

https://youtu.be/HzjNAnEfvxc

New Black Math video

1. Iris
2. Black Balloon
3. Slide
4. All Eyes on Me
5. Full Forever
6. January Friend
7. Broadway
8. Hate This Place
9. Dizzy
10. Acoustic #3
11. Extra Pale
12. Bullet Proof
13. Amigone

Big fan of this album. I liked pretty much every song here. Iris and Black Balloon are both especially fantastic. Was a bit surprised by Robby Takac's vocals, but his songs weren't bad. Hard to beat Rzeznik's voice though.

Enya > Silversun Pickups > XTC
Sabaton > Conchords >Prozzak

Iris
Slide
Dizzy
Black Balloon
Acoustic #3
All Eyes On Me
Hate This Place
Extra Pale
Bullet Proof
Full Forever
Broadway
Amigone
January Friend

I don't think the other singer is very good. With that said, the top songs on the list are really great, Iris in particular being an all-time karaoke favorite

1. Broadway
2. Slide
3. Iris
4. Black Balloon
5. Dizzy
6. Acoustic #3
7. Bullet Proof
8. All Eyes on Me
9. Extra Pale
10. Full Forever
11. Hate This Place
12. Amigone
13. January Friend

FoolFantastic posted...

This is late-90s pop rock alright

A very succinct way of describing this album. It never becomes terrible but it does fall off fairly hard after the singles. And those singles got overplayed so hard back then that hearing them now, I was at first excited, then by the third listen I was like "okay, I'm good for another 20 years". Also, the "other" singer's songs just feel so out of place compared to the rest of the album.