Favourite album opener?

Started by KingOfSomeIsland, March 03, 2007, 16:54:44

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what is the best opening song for an album?

10:15 Saturday Night
1 (1.5%)
The Holy Hour
2 (2.9%)
One Hundred Years
4 (5.9%)
Shake Dog Shake
5 (7.4%)
In Between Days
0 (0%)
The Kiss
10 (14.7%)
Plainsong
27 (39.7%)
Open
10 (14.7%)
Want
6 (8.8%)
Out Of This World
1 (1.5%)
Lost
2 (2.9%)

Total Members Voted: 68

Hero

Plainsong wins everytime :-D

But, lyrically "It doesn't matter if we all die" really puts everything into perspective. If thats how an album starts, you know its going to be amazing (or make you suicidal depending on your state of mind  ;) )

For a concert Plainsong or Shake Dog Shake.

silversand


Pita

Quote from: Hero on February 08, 2008, 23:01:45
But, lyrically "It doesn't matter if we all die" really puts everything into perspective. If thats how an album starts, you know its going to be amazing (or make you suicidal depending on your state of mind  ;) )

Completely agree! so, I voted for One hundred years... I like Plainsong very very much, but always makes me cry  :oops: that's why I prefer it at the end of an album
No one ever knows or loves another...

mint car

Plainsong or Want... both I like  :smth023
[i]...sleep sweet child the moon will change your mind...[/i]

crowbi_wan

I really dig The Holy Hour.  That bass  line is just a killer way to open a show.  But then I don't think I'd care to hear it as the opener of a pop set, you know?  The opener should set the tone for the rest of the concert.   

Steve

I went for The Kiss.
It's got "opener" written all over it.
Cheers
Steve
I know tomorrow's going to taste like cake
http://www.balatonfured.hu/en_index.php

Carnage Visor

Oh come now, 100 Years got such a low vote! :eek:

I think it's the strongest opening. When I start off an album, all I want to hear is a kickass rock-out tune...it lets you know what the album is all about. If you start an album with a lame song, the listener is like, "Harumph, this album is boring. I have no patience for the rest of it." (Of course thats an exaggeration)

My second choice for best opener would have to be The Kiss or Shake Dog Shake, as they too are strong songs, and I much prefer (quote quote) gothic Cure songs rather than the poppy ones.

It doesn't matter if we all die...what a great start to an album. It's like, "ALL HOPE LOST! MAN DOWN!"

revolt

The Cure have never opened their albums with a weak song.
Even 'A Reflection' - which is missing from this poll ( why?  :smth011 ) - is perfect for what it is, a short atmospheric piece to set the mood for the whole 'Seventeen Seconds' album.

Of the songs mentioned, I have always thought that 'Out of this World' is the least great, because it sounds somewhat tired and plodding. Still it's not by any means a bad song, and if you take into consideration that the whole "Bloodflowers" album conveys this feeling of tiredness, of "the fire is almost out", than in this context OOTW is probably a perfect opener.

Overall, 'One Hundred Years' is my favourite song of those (it's my second favourite Cure song, by the way) but it is so overwhelming in its aggressiveness that I can't help feel that it is less than a perfect opener. Because, after all, 'Pornography', dark as it is, is more of a moody album than a blast fest.
A similar problem could be mentioned regarding great openers like 'Want' or 'Lost': they create a very strong feeling that just isn't fulfilled in the rest of the respective albums.

So, considering both "song quality" and "adequacy as an opener in its specific context", I would say that 'Plainsong' and 'The Holy Hour' are possibly the best openers in their catalogue.
Even though I'm thinking right now that 'The Kiss' could also be considered the best one: it's overwhelming, alright, but unlike OHY it actually starts moderately, the drums and keyboards creating a sparse mood before the soaring guitar solo begins. And if you remember that KMKMKM is kind of an emotional rollercoaster, with constant mood swings between songs, than 'The Kiss' might very well be a perfect way to prepare you for the ride...

Trust...

Vanilla smile and a gorgeous strawberry kiss x

Cold Colours

"Shake Dog Shake" without a doubt is my favorite Cure album opener.  "Open" or "The Kiss" would be a close second.  SDS and Open always have me shouting along with the lyrics by the time they come to a close.  Both are a blast to sing out loud.  The Kiss is a great song but the lack of lyrics lowers it in my esteem.  I love the lyrics that are there (which are also fun as hell to holler along to), I simply wish there had been more of them.
[i]Follow me to where the real fun is[/i]

othervoices

Plainsong is a superb opener album and concert... underneath the stars will become a challenger for the top spot if the album version is as good as it is live.

Most supprising opener that I've seen was shiver and shake at Finsbury Park in '93

mint car

Quote from: othervoices on July 09, 2008, 20:02:50...underneath the stars will become a challenger for the top spot if the album version is as good as it is live...

hmmm... Underneath The Stars is excellent opener I think. I hope that I will hear this song on concert sometimes ;)
[i]...sleep sweet child the moon will change your mind...[/i]

rubcure

Plainsong without a doubt... I still shiver when I remember 2 of my favourites shows... México 05sep04 / México 21oct07 :smth041 and both started with this beautiful song...  :smth023 
[center][size=10pt][font=arial][color=black]"...and the way the rain comes down hard is how i feel inside..."[/color][/font][/size][/center]

japanesebaby

Quote from: mint car on July 09, 2008, 21:04:34
Quote from: othervoices on July 09, 2008, 20:02:50...underneath the stars will become a challenger for the top spot if the album version is as good as it is live...

hmmm... Underneath The Stars is excellent opener I think.

'underneath the stars' has been added to the options now, go vote. ;)
Ay, in the very temple of Delight
Veil'd Melancholy has her sovran shrine

mahood

i will be the 97,7% human, 2,3% what else who votes "lost".
just to give the credit this great song deserves.
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