And Then There Were 16 - Round 2 Recap

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).