We're talking the musical trifecta here--who had the best three-album run of his or her career? MJ came up with this one for us, in the middle of what I can only call a truly bizarre morning. When a seventh grade boy comes to the office to inquire about his lost glasses and to also admit he may not be wearing his own pants, and that was the most NORMAL event that had happened in the last hour, well, you know it's been a hell of a day. This topic started a few weeks ago, when we were ranting about committment to the music. And there are some truly stellar combinations of album trios.

Bob Dylan: Bringin' It All Back Home, Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde. There are people who would argue that you could stop right there.
Husker Du: Zen Arcade, New Day Rising, Candy Apple Grey. The Holy Trinity of Noise.
The Replacements: Let It Be, Tim, Pleased to Meet Me. The Lesser Trinity.
R.E.M.: Life's Rich Pageant, Document, Green. Yes, I like Green more than most people. Thank you to Nick for pointing out my grievous error in the comments. My trifecta stands, as I really do think Green is one of their most underrated efforts.
The Beatles: Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper. Almost too easy.
The Rolling Stones: Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street (yes, I know that "officially" there are two albums in between Let It Bleed and Sticky Fingers, but a concert album and a greatest hits collection don't count in my definition).
The first three Elvis Costello albums, My Aim Is True, This Year's Model, Armed Forces.
Ani DiFranco: Not a Pretty Girl, Dilate, Little Plastic Castles. The Little Folksinger REALLY finds her voice.

Pink Floyd SHOULD be here, but Animals throws them off of the game.

So, as I sat and pondered the unbelievable assortment of musical genius listed above, I thought about the combination that most profoundly affected me. And between The Replacements and Husker Du, I don't know if there are six other modern albums that, as a collective, did as much to form my musical thought than those assembled there. They trace back to the same person, the same era of my life, the 'Mats came toward the beginning of that golden year, when it was jubilant and slightly drunk and full of wild abandon, and Husker Du at the end when it was horrible and teary and fraught with emotion. Just like each of those sets. They are what they are to me, and if I have to choose just one set, I'll go with the Replacements, as they were first in my musical heart, with Bob and the boys trailing VERY close behind.

Labels: the replacements, throw down