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It has got to be the Beatles. There was nobody like it before them and there will be noone else like themever!
It's not unusual for an artist to have a single great album, nor is it rare for someone to have several strong releases over a career. But what are the three greatest <I>consecutive</I> releases by a single group or artist?
I would have to say Permanent Waves, Moving Pictures, and Signals by Rush. To witness the progression of this band over this certain time was truly remarkable. These three albums I believe really had shown what the band was capable of. Yes, they weren't as popular as Floyd, Van Halen, the Eagles, or Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few, but I just can't think of anyone else that has accomplished more on a musical level. From a rock'n' roll perspective anyway.
Amazing, how you guys already know it's the three "albums" you selected by The Beatles. The succession of these three releases established the Beatles as true artists and rock as an art form. It really opened the door and gave license to many different musical directions in rock. A few years later, the "White Album" completely blew the hinges off the door!
Medusa You Are The Music.....We're Just The Band Hotwire Although Hotwire was sans Glenn Hughes it was the height of Dave Galley and Dave Holland's work. There were so many good bands from the 70's that many never got the coverage or recognition due to lack of reviewers to go around. Trapeze may have been one of the finest classic rock bands ever assembled!
That's an easy one for me. Without a doubt, it has to be The Miles Davis Quintet, circa 1956. This fabulous all-star group consisted of Miles Davis (tp) John Coltrane (ts) Red Garland (p) Paul Chambers (b) Philly Joe Jones (d) and was recorded by the great Rudy Van Gelder. The three recording are: -Relaxin with the Miles Davis Quintet, Workin with the Miles Davis Quintet, and Steamin with the Miles Davis Quintet. It just doesn't get any better than this!
I'm going to add the stipulation that the three releases be as different from each other as possible, to demonstrate maximum artistic range, reach, and risk. The winner is therefore, Radiohead: The Bends, OK Computer, and Kid A. And yes, these are roughly analogous to those three Beatles albums.
A Tribe Called Quest: People's Insinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm, The Low End Theory, and Midnight Marauders. Three tremendous albums from a genre defining group. If I was on a desert island, I'd wish for a boat with these three albums in the stereo!
I'll grant you that the Beatles albums you listed are great, but in reality, I rarely listen to them. My gems are these by Genesis: Foxtrot, Selling England By the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. How about Frank Zappa: Freak Out, Absolutely Free, Lumpy Gravy, We Are Only In It For the Money, or is it Hot Rats, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Weasels Ripped My Flesh? All these get much more play for my mileage.