Well, they got some things right.
The Ramones self titled album is number one, the Clash with their self titled album is number two. The Sex Pistols, Gang of Four, and The Stooges are also in their top five.
"Nevermind" by Nirvana is their choice for number ten. It's an outstanding album of course, but it's grunge, not punk. Sure, the two genres have a lot in common-but this album is not punk. It doesn't have the raw aggression of punk-it's too apathetic in some songs. Gen X is about "eh" and while punk can be apathetic, punk is known for having an edge in a totally different style.
The New York Dolls self titled album is in at 15, and I'd put them much higher. The case could easily be made that they were the most influential glam rock band of all time, but they are quite punk. Like the column says, they had an "aggressive, sloppy, androgynous and loud" style. All of that is correctly associated with punk.
"Dookie" is number 18. It's clearly the best album by Green Day, for sure. It is not my favorite album by a long shot, and Green Day isn't my favorite band either, but I would probably place this there too. I'd put number 22 (Bikini Kill, The Singles) before Green Day though. Bikini Kill is the best female led punk band of all time, and it's just flat out one of the best punk bands of all time, for sure.
Minor Threat can fight the power better than anyone. This hardcore straight edge band was the grandaddy of the DC punk scene. They aren't as well known as I'd like them to be. Number 27 is their "Complete discography".
Number 37 is a misfire. Blink-182 is pop punk and it's very good pop punk-but it doesn't belong on a list of the fifty greatest punk albums of all time. It's much too, well "pop-ish". Sort of like a frat boys idea of what punk is.
Finally, number 40 is "Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables". Um, no. The Dead Kennedys were the first political punk band many of us ever heard. Their songs are "hardcore" but they aren't pure comedy. In fact, some would argue that the Dead Kennedys are laughing at those who don't take them seriously. This album belongs in the top ten. Maybe even top five.
Most startling omissions: No Operation Ivy or Rancid. Wow.
Of course, I didn't talk about all 40 selections. I probably will mention the overwhelmingly majority of these bands eventually, but I only briefly read that article. Ever since Rolling Stone got busted lying about "A Rape on Campus' I've been on a RS strike. Sad too, because it use to be my bible.
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