Their masterpiece is...

[toomanyhatz]

Name a non-first-division band that has one song that you truly love. Say why if you want to. 

Some to get you started...I'll elaborate later.

Siouxsie and the Banshees' masterpiece is...
Elliott Smith's masterpiece is...
Ornette Coleman's masterpiece is...
Judy Collins' masterpiece is...

[DarknessFish]

Is first-division in terms of popularity or in terms of your opinion? I shall contribute later, when I have youtube access.

[Deleted]

I like Dazzle, but 'Fireworks', from the same period and using a similar musical palette, is better - more dynamic, more exciting.

[fonz]

Was a big SatB fan, and got both these when they came out. Dazzle I loved at the time, but it doesn’t really go anywhere.

Fireworks is super. It might have been the first SatB record I bought. A non-album track , that I think, got missed off the greatest hits records- maybe it was on the second.

Now, a superlative track to slay all pretenders, would be ‘Swimming Horses

m.youtube.com/watch?v=3PVj594JR5M

[~ / % ? *]

possibly a nice poll option here to see if Siouxsie (and others) are first/second division

[Sneelock]

The Asylum Choir is certainly a "non first division" band.

"Welcome to Hollywood" is they masterpiece.

[toomanyhatz]

May 19, 2020 9:55:52 GMT DarknessFish said:

Is first-division in terms of popularity or in terms of your opinion? I shall contribute later, when I have youtube access.

I meant in terms of popularity, but to quote Sampson in Romeo and Juliet, take it in what sense thou wilt. 

[Sneelock]

[toomanyhatz]

Ironically (as I'm not a big Cure fan), my favorite Siouxsie period does seem to be the period with Robert Smith as a full-time member.

Unless someone wants to start a side discussion, I am hoping this doesn't turn into a discussion about a) Siouxsie exclusively or b) who is a first-division artist and who isn't.

[osgood]

I'd say this fits the bill on both accounts. The whole album is great IMO and stands heads and shoulders above the rest of their output, at least to my knowledge. But this song is a real standout from it, and I have no shame in calling it a masterpiece.

[Deleted]

May 19, 2020 22:43:19 GMT toomanyhatz said:

Ironically (as I'm not a big Cure fan), my favorite Siouxsie period does seem to be the period with Robert Smith as a full-time member.

That's just perverse. The McGeogh era is the best. I can see some may prefer the early Morris/McKay line up, although, for me, they were a little one dimensional as a band then, but Smith? Get out of here.

[fonz]

May 20, 2020 10:26:50 GMT @madcyril1 said:

May 19, 2020 22:43:19 GMT toomanyhatz said:

Ironically (as I'm not a big Cure fan), my favorite Siouxsie period does seem to be the period with Robert Smith as a full-time member.

That's just perverse. The McGeogh era is the best. I can see some may prefer the early Morris/McKay line up, although, for me, they were a little one dimensional as a band then, but Smith? Get out of here.

I would tend to agree with you G. What I find incredible is that over a 7 year recording career (basically, The Scream to Tinderbox) they went through 4 guitarists, who all brought something different to the table. They were brilliant. For a time they were top of my first division.

[~ / % ? *]

Banshees UK certifications show 10 Silver albums, 2 Gold albums, 2 silver singles, all but two certifications have not been updated since 1983 (which should still put them first division in the UK).

[Deleted]

May 20, 2020 12:19:49 GMT ~ / % ? * said:

Banshees UK certifications show 10 Silver albums, 2 Gold albums, 2 silver singles, all but two certifications have not been updated since 1983 (which should still put them first division in the UK).

I would guess Hatz is thinking of the canon and critical reputation.
The Banshees critical reputation has really ebbed and flowed over the years. From 79 to 82 they were music press darlings and considered one of the most important post-punk bands and had a huge alternative following, but by the mid eighties had become an almost forgotten band. I remember having a conversation with John, who's a few years younger than me, and he said he and his friends never even thought of them as being an important band in any way. I do get the impression there's been a real resurgence of interest in the last ten years though and their star is rising again.

[~ / % ? *]

May 20, 2020 13:05:52 GMT @madcyril1 said:

May 20, 2020 12:19:49 GMT ~ / % ? * said:

Banshees UK certifications show 10 Silver albums, 2 Gold albums, 2 silver singles, all but two certifications have not been updated since 1983 (which should still put them first division in the UK).

I would guess Hatz is thinking of the canon and critical reputation.
The Banshees critical reputation has really ebbed and flowed over the years. From 79 to 82 they were music press darlings and considered one of the most important post-punk bands and had a huge alternative following, but by the mid eighties had become an almost forgotten band. I remember having a conversation with John, who's a few years younger than me, and he said he and his friends never even thought of them as being an important band in any way. I do get the impression there's been a real resurgence of interest in the last ten years though and their star is rising again.

I have never not seen not the Banshees viewed as canon, first tier. Being part of the first wave UK punk and the quality/intensity of the performances and recordings.

Haven't even touched the Ornette Coleman.