That one, then Return to Cookie Mountain. Desperate Youth and Nine Types of Light are about equal.

What are some things you guys look for when determining a “good headphone album” ?

Either a multitude of tracks that you can pick apart in detail (like Radiohead), or something with a great sense of atmosphere (looks Riot Act)

Production and atmosphere mostly. So layers, textures.

Why are we even explaining this? Appropriate response would’ve been “Wtf strat”

I mean, it's not a completely ridiculous question. I'm sure Strat and yourself would be more likely to gush over a particular guitar tone than I would, for one.

It should sound bad, it should sound like absolute shit

Oh so I’m the asshole here

You'll always be the asshole to me. I mean you'll always be my asshole. I mean you should ease up on Yeezy.

Guys. Calm down.

Like, do you lean more towards quiet and moody or would you also find a similar pleasure in a well constructed aggressive rock album ?

For me headphones I lean towards the former. Space. Mood. Intricate production details. Depressing shit too

Such combative bros !

It should sound sad, it should sound like absolute soul-crushing, depressive shit.

I asked people on Twitter for recommendations last month and this is what they came up with:

Donald Fagen - The Nightfly
Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (stereo mix)
Smog - A River Ain't Too Much to Love (an RMer recommended this one -- guess which one)
Spiritualized - Let It Come Down
Talking Heads- Speaking in Tongues (also an RMer)
Meara O'Reilly - Hockets for Two Voices
W¯¯ - 水瓶座驳回倒影
Eno & Fripp - Evening Star (the album Strat made fun of me for listening to)
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
Flaming Lips - American Head
Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam
Elliott Smith - From a Basement
Bright Eyes - Digital Ash
Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz
LCD Soundsystem - This is Happening
St Vincent - Actor
Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks

Add My Life in the Bush of Ghosts to your list

I’m gonna listen to all of those.

Whether it sounds good or not something like tweedys together at last feels like a headphone album. It’s just me and him and nobody else should be able to join in. That’s another thing I listen for. For Emma, forever ago. Super intimate.


Also mule variations

Guys, Talkie Walkie by Air

It's so good

Air's music is just wiggly air.

Really makes you think.

One of my favorite albums of all time but not a particularly good headphones album IMO

It's true, but Talkie Walkie is pure ear candy