Thanks to the 41 participants who voted in Round 2! Like any 2nd Round, there were a number of upsets, some close match-ups and a smattering of blow-outs. Below includes an in-depth recap of each "game" and some editorial remarks. Check back soon for the Sweet 16 match-ups, including audio clips!
Check out the revamped bracket here [PDF]
Region 1
The first match-up was a tough one between Abbey Road and Joshua Tree two epic albums very fond to many of us in our youth. Despite many comments reflecting the toughness of this match-up, the well-intentioned Bono, together with the musicianship of The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr kept the tournament's top seed on track for a Final Four appearance.
In an incredibly close battle, Built to Spill Kept it Like a Secret as the only remaining "indie" (e.g., mid-major) record to make it to the Sweet Sixteen with a 1-point victory over Dave Brubeck's Time Out, despite Paul Desmond's ultimately confident alto work. Disappointment reigned supreme as this result erased the possibility of a Dave Brubeck - Thom Yorke/Johnny Greenwood crazy time signature battle (as Radiohead's Ok Computer also frequently uses "made-up" time signatures).
In a 2nd round 3-11 match-up Pink Floyd cruised to victory over Miles' Bitches Brew in a drug-induced haze. Unless you were alive in the 1960s, Sun Cleaners staff DO NOT recommend listening to "Welcome to the Machine" and "Pharaoh's Dance" in the same sitting.
This next result might shock the world (or at least the 20 people who read this!)… In the biggest upset of Round 2, Jimi Hendrix's guitar solo on "Machine Gun" touched out Led Zeppelin's classic, IV. Not to take anything away from Jimi, the staff feels that IV is an incredible album, and that some (sub) conscious antipathy towards Led Zeppelin (or Robert Plant's voice) influenced the result. However, it is clear that John Bonham was at no fault!
Band of Gypsys, like Bill Clinton in '92, only managed to win a plurality with the new don't care / don't know option. The Tournament Steering Committee is actively evaluating the inclusion of this option in additional rounds.
Region 2
While Billy Corgan's shaved head gained some early momentum, Highway 61 remained the second #1 seed to advance to the Sweet 16. Many liked both albums, but noted it was ironic that such "unique" voices were grouped in the 2nd round match-up.
In a classic 5-4 match-up, John Coltrane's Love Supreme escaped Ill Communication with a last-second vote from an anonymous participant.
Astral Weeks cruised over Modest Mouse's early album The Lonesome Crowded West.
In another close match-up 1968 (The Band's Music from Big Pink) again reigned supreme in a close battle with Thelonious Monk's Underground (1967). Take that 1967! Okay, people – who has actually listened to that album? Sun Cleaners staff originally purchased that LP because it had an "Awesome cover" (and was only 10 bucks). It is a good album, but we seriously doubt that nearly 40% of participants have listened to that album. Perhaps we underestimate the erudition of our social group.
Region 3
With crazy time signatures in tow, Radiohead cruised to victory over Pet Sounds. Given their vast pop credentials, staff feel that The Beach Boys may not have gotten a fair shake. If you have a library card check this album out, you may like what you hear. Also, Elton John likes it and it has a really long Wikipedia page… However, Ok Computer was clearly the favorite album of the Region, destroying the Beach Boys like Nixon beat George McGovern in 1972. As an aside, that is probably the first time anyone has compared Radiohead and Richard Nixon in the same metaphor.
Jamaica, Jamaica! The youngest Marley son ("Jr Gong") squeaked past the Greatest Rapper Alive with a very very close victory.
Jamaica lost momentum as the Talking Heads groundbreaking 1980 album, Remain in Light cooly left the Cool Ruler in it's dust. Has anyone seen the the "Once in a Lifetime" video, it is awesome! Check it out below.
1980s Music Video Break
Region 3, continued
One Sun Cleaners staff member (not Colin) had a rough time with the Graceland-40 oz to Freedom match-up, but he was clearly the only one, as Graceland won a super-majority. Imagine a world where schools could get the same level of support....
Region 4
“Rappinin is [not] what's happening.” The results of the first match-up of the 4th region were a little tough for the staff to take. In a big upset, Kurt Cobain threw his guitar (In Utero) into the air and instead of hitting Krist Novoselic it literally landed on RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and Ol' Dirty Bastard (RIP). Nirvana's 1993 album jumped to an early lead and earned a place in the Sweet 16 (incidentally, the lowest seed to advance [#9]).
Marvin Gaye knows What's Going On as Arcade Fire got little love, though some participants were puzzled by our selection of Neon Bible over Funeral. Our defense...we just like it better (no pretentious defense).
Exodus beat the Ramones with surprising and calm ease. In the last match-up of the Round, Miles' Kind of Blue beat Pearl Jam's Ten.
In an interesting piece of Sun Cleaners Tournament trivia, after only brief examination, it appears that John Coltrane is the only performer to be featured on more than one album in the Sweet 16 (Love Supreme & Kind of Blue).
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Round Two - Voting Now Open!
The Round Two questionnaire has been posted. It will only take 3 minutes.
Click here to complete
Some of the most intriguing match-ups include Joshua Tree vs. Abbey Road, The Black Album vs. Welcome to Jamrock and The Ramones vs. Exodus. Remember that every vote counts!
Review the Bracket Here [PDF]
Click here to complete
Some of the most intriguing match-ups include Joshua Tree vs. Abbey Road, The Black Album vs. Welcome to Jamrock and The Ramones vs. Exodus. Remember that every vote counts!
Review the Bracket Here [PDF]
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Round 1 Recap...
Thanks to everyone who voted! There were a number of very close contests, including a few upsets. Below you will find a recap of each region.
Here is a copy of the bracket [PDF].
Region 1
Joshua Tree cruised to a quick lead over Houses of the Holy, while Abbey Road dismantled Johnny Cash's American III: Solitary Man. Time Out beat Warren Zevon's Excitable Boy in a classic 12-5 upset. Not many people were familiar with the reggae artists represented, as Built to Spill's 1999 classic Keep it Like a Secret handily handled Culture's harmonic Two Seven's Clash.
No contest between Wish You Were Here and Young Criminal Starvations League, though we want to remind participants that the competition is for “best album” not “best song.” Led Zeppelin rounded out the region by cruising to victory over the Abyssinians, though one participant noted, “...I love that Abyssinians album, but IV was really influential to my life. Damn you for making me pick!”
Region 2
Two overtime battles were the highlight of Region 2. The first close match-up between Modest Mouse and Dr. Dre was hotly debated throughout the region. At the end of regulation the two albums were tied 27 a piece, with a Mario Kart race determining the winner (Lonesome Crowded West over The Chronic on Bowser Castle [N64] in a no-holds-barred winner takes all Waren Zevon death match).
More shockingly, Thelonious Monk came from left field with his Underground album to tie The Score at 26 votes. Mario beat Yoshi on Grumble Mountain to secure the 15-2 upset over the 6x Platinum Fugee's masterpiece! The committee believes that skits might have had something to do with the result....Damn skits!
Region 3
On the Beach Boys – Blue Scholars 8-9 match-up one participant effusively pointed out, “This match up does not get me excited...I think I'd rather watch Princeton vs. Harvard in women's golf.” It should be noted that it is the stated policy of Sun Cleaners that women's golf is awesome. “Jr Gong” relied heavily on nepotism by pulling off a last-second victory over Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Jamaica continued to represent in Region 3 as the “Cool Ruler” squeaked out a 3 point victory over Screaming Trees, the neo-psychedelic grunge standouts.
Another incredibly close match-up was the L.A. Challenge: 40 oz to Freedom vs. All Eyez on Me. Many of the younger respondents had a rough time with this match-up; though many participants were avidly derisive of Sublime, “Sublime sucks ass (x3).” Paul Simon closed out the bracket with an easy victory over Elvis Costello, but we would be remiss not to note that a number of respondents felt very loyal to Declan.
Region 4
Getting tired here...36 Chambers escaped an upset by 16-seed Soundgarden, while Nirvana cruised to victory over Dark Side of the Moon. Consensus seems to be that people like Dark Side t-shirts, but not the album... GZA didn't get much love in a tough first round match-up against Arcade Fire. It looked like a blowout early, as Marvin Gaye cruised to an early 11-0 lead. We thought of putting Don Henley et al out of their misery before they made it closer than the score looked.
Punk over trip-hop in an 11-6 upset of Ramones over Portishead (Dummy). The Jamaica challenge wasn't much of a challenge as the most famous non-compilation reggae album of all-time destroyed the dub classic despite frequent reverb, delay, and melodica solos on King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown. Pearl Jam's Ten cruised to victory over Band of Horses with surprising ease, while the jazz classic Kind of Blue didn't give YLT much of a shot. One particularly astute respondent noted, “We get it. You guys like miles Davis.”
Here is a copy of the bracket [PDF].
Region 1
Joshua Tree cruised to a quick lead over Houses of the Holy, while Abbey Road dismantled Johnny Cash's American III: Solitary Man. Time Out beat Warren Zevon's Excitable Boy in a classic 12-5 upset. Not many people were familiar with the reggae artists represented, as Built to Spill's 1999 classic Keep it Like a Secret handily handled Culture's harmonic Two Seven's Clash.
No contest between Wish You Were Here and Young Criminal Starvations League, though we want to remind participants that the competition is for “best album” not “best song.” Led Zeppelin rounded out the region by cruising to victory over the Abyssinians, though one participant noted, “...I love that Abyssinians album, but IV was really influential to my life. Damn you for making me pick!”
Region 2
Two overtime battles were the highlight of Region 2. The first close match-up between Modest Mouse and Dr. Dre was hotly debated throughout the region. At the end of regulation the two albums were tied 27 a piece, with a Mario Kart race determining the winner (Lonesome Crowded West over The Chronic on Bowser Castle [N64] in a no-holds-barred winner takes all Waren Zevon death match).
More shockingly, Thelonious Monk came from left field with his Underground album to tie The Score at 26 votes. Mario beat Yoshi on Grumble Mountain to secure the 15-2 upset over the 6x Platinum Fugee's masterpiece! The committee believes that skits might have had something to do with the result....Damn skits!
Region 3
On the Beach Boys – Blue Scholars 8-9 match-up one participant effusively pointed out, “This match up does not get me excited...I think I'd rather watch Princeton vs. Harvard in women's golf.” It should be noted that it is the stated policy of Sun Cleaners that women's golf is awesome. “Jr Gong” relied heavily on nepotism by pulling off a last-second victory over Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! Jamaica continued to represent in Region 3 as the “Cool Ruler” squeaked out a 3 point victory over Screaming Trees, the neo-psychedelic grunge standouts.
Another incredibly close match-up was the L.A. Challenge: 40 oz to Freedom vs. All Eyez on Me. Many of the younger respondents had a rough time with this match-up; though many participants were avidly derisive of Sublime, “Sublime sucks ass (x3).” Paul Simon closed out the bracket with an easy victory over Elvis Costello, but we would be remiss not to note that a number of respondents felt very loyal to Declan.
Region 4
Getting tired here...36 Chambers escaped an upset by 16-seed Soundgarden, while Nirvana cruised to victory over Dark Side of the Moon. Consensus seems to be that people like Dark Side t-shirts, but not the album... GZA didn't get much love in a tough first round match-up against Arcade Fire. It looked like a blowout early, as Marvin Gaye cruised to an early 11-0 lead. We thought of putting Don Henley et al out of their misery before they made it closer than the score looked.
Punk over trip-hop in an 11-6 upset of Ramones over Portishead (Dummy). The Jamaica challenge wasn't much of a challenge as the most famous non-compilation reggae album of all-time destroyed the dub classic despite frequent reverb, delay, and melodica solos on King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown. Pearl Jam's Ten cruised to victory over Band of Horses with surprising ease, while the jazz classic Kind of Blue didn't give YLT much of a shot. One particularly astute respondent noted, “We get it. You guys like miles Davis.”
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Welcome, Rationale & Methods
First, welcome. The Sun Cleaner's Staff has always enjoyed making lists. Now we are bringing our love of lists to the broader public...
Music is one topic discussed in excruciating depth. Music is important to people. We thought it would be fun to create a list of "our" (read: Sun Cleaners Staff) favorite albums of all time. We thought it would be more fun to have you vote in a Album Tournament. The format is quite similar to the NCAA tournament.
Now, a moment of defense. This list was created by Sun Cleaners Staff and may not reflect your personal opinions or favorite albums. We encourage you to take an opportunity to think about your favorite music, and perhaps leave a comment or note so that we can listen to it, and consider it for future endeavors. There are also many albums the the Sun Cleaners Staff love that were not included - THE EXCLUSION OF A CERTAIN ALBUM DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ALBUM IS NOT APPRECIATED BY SUN CLEANERS STAFF. We encourage you to leave comments on the survey.
You may also ask yourself why the Pulp Fiction OST or Al Green's Greatest Hits are not included... All of the albums in the present tournament are studio albums or live alums with 100% original material. We are planning on doing a soundtrack sub-tournament in the coming months.
Below follows a detailed description of our quasi-empirical quantitative methods, only the most avid methodologist (not Methodist) should read on....You've been warned.
Sun Cleaners staff created eight arbitrary music categories based on genres and types of music that we waste our lives listening to. We then created a list of 8 albums within each category. The rationale for this method was to insure that a wide variety of genres were included in the tournament. For example, we didn't want 7 Wu-Tang albums and 18 Bob Dylan albums, how fun is that?
After creating the initial list we decided it would be a good idea to sleep on it, so we could identify any oversights. This helped us identify a few critical albums. After adjusting the list, each staff member broke the albums into octiles (quartiles x 2). The "best" albums received a score of 1 and the "worst" a score of 4.5 with intervals of 0.5. The data were then joined together, and the mean score was calculated. A random number generator was used to address ties. Stata code available by request. This method was used to create a "bracket" with four regions, each with 16 albums. Albums were seeded 1-16 within each bracket, a one seed being the higher rated album.
Music is one topic discussed in excruciating depth. Music is important to people. We thought it would be fun to create a list of "our" (read: Sun Cleaners Staff) favorite albums of all time. We thought it would be more fun to have you vote in a Album Tournament. The format is quite similar to the NCAA tournament.
Now, a moment of defense. This list was created by Sun Cleaners Staff and may not reflect your personal opinions or favorite albums. We encourage you to take an opportunity to think about your favorite music, and perhaps leave a comment or note so that we can listen to it, and consider it for future endeavors. There are also many albums the the Sun Cleaners Staff love that were not included - THE EXCLUSION OF A CERTAIN ALBUM DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ALBUM IS NOT APPRECIATED BY SUN CLEANERS STAFF. We encourage you to leave comments on the survey.
You may also ask yourself why the Pulp Fiction OST or Al Green's Greatest Hits are not included... All of the albums in the present tournament are studio albums or live alums with 100% original material. We are planning on doing a soundtrack sub-tournament in the coming months.
Below follows a detailed description of our quasi-empirical quantitative methods, only the most avid methodologist (not Methodist) should read on....You've been warned.
Sun Cleaners staff created eight arbitrary music categories based on genres and types of music that we waste our lives listening to. We then created a list of 8 albums within each category. The rationale for this method was to insure that a wide variety of genres were included in the tournament. For example, we didn't want 7 Wu-Tang albums and 18 Bob Dylan albums, how fun is that?
After creating the initial list we decided it would be a good idea to sleep on it, so we could identify any oversights. This helped us identify a few critical albums. After adjusting the list, each staff member broke the albums into octiles (quartiles x 2). The "best" albums received a score of 1 and the "worst" a score of 4.5 with intervals of 0.5. The data were then joined together, and the mean score was calculated. A random number generator was used to address ties. Stata code available by request. This method was used to create a "bracket" with four regions, each with 16 albums. Albums were seeded 1-16 within each bracket, a one seed being the higher rated album.
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