Lurker > Sheep007

SUBSTITUTE
+3 Golett
+2 Budew
+1 Grubbin
-1 Clauncher
-2 Deoxys
-3 Pidgeotto

G-MAX CANNONADE
+3 Torterra
+2 Togepi
+1 Mienfoo
-1 Zarude
-2 Thundurus
-3 Latias

Cannonade is probably gonna be the worst division in this whole thing.

NFUN posted...

Ozirc Tentacles

Hell yeah, thanks for the rec! I've just been sticking on things that are marked as similar on Spotify, and their other albums, so it's nice to have something specifically suggested.

I also listened to a bunch of Massive Attack and Air recently, because of cycle 1. I love more ambient, less lyrically-focused music, probably due to listening to lots of soundtracks. I always struggled to find a place to start outside of things that are intended to be heard in other media first and foremost. This series has been great for that, and discovering new music that suits my tastes in general!

Seanchan posted...

Final bump from me, I promise!

Sheep, did you listen to any other cycles?

I'm currently making my way through cycle 2! I utterly adored The Stranger (which I was kinda expecting but not to the extent I did) and the Outkast album (which I definitely wasn't expecting, I just remember them as the Hey Ya guys. Specifically the video with the low quality audio and rotating fish). Absolutely phenomenal, both of them. Outkast are incredibly witty, a little heartfelt at times but generally very tongue in cheek, and I went through a lot of their discography right after. I also enjoyed the Spice Girls in an oddly similar fashion when I was expecting them to grate on me.

Meanwhile, I discovered I don't actually like Taylor Swift! I've heard a bunch of her singles obviously, and enjoyed most of them a lot even though I thought they were overplayed. Speak Now was mediocre to me, though, with no real standout songs, a very safe approach and grating lyrics. Probably the worst so far of cycle 2, having just finished Steely Dan. I don't think it was a bad listen, but it's put me off seeking more from her.

Mostly just listening to Shpongle-adjacent stuff right now though with my thesis due shortly.

"Scum" was recently ruled by the UK courts to be a reasonable way to discuss a political actor's beliefs, so I'm glad to say it's not inflammatory. It is political, however, so I'm afraid it looks like we'll have to shut this whole operation down. Fandom policy.

Cmon Atletico sort it out

I will admit I have a bit of fondness for Barca specifically because of how brilliant they've been over the years, but supporting PSG of all teams over them as a neutral is wild to me. Like, this is the oil team, the team who kicked off all of the transfer market hyperinflation bullshit with Neymar. Man City are awful especially on the wages side of things but PSG are far, far more flagrant. They bought two players for 400m in a single transfer window and are such a soulless shambles that they still can't even win their league every year, let alone challenge for CL.

This might be one of the hardest albums to rank so far, three and a half listens and I don't think I'm any closer to reaching a conclusion. Just gonna throw something in that vaguely reflects my feelings. There's lots of things that are very catchy here which I don't actually like as much as the songs I find less catchy, and Artadi's voice is slowly driving me to the Kero Kero Bonito delirium I hinted at prior. This feels much more ambitious musically, overall better and bit less mind-boggling though. Despite actually leaning into weirdness through the lyrics, where KKB would be singing about like, going to school and drinking plenty of water or some shit.

Im The President
The Abyss
Nightmare
Real Nice Moment
Do Hot Girls Like Chords?
Its All Nothing Until Its Everything
Ride That Dolphin
It Will Get Real
Crash The Car
Same Smile Different Face
Knower Forever

HYDRO CANNON
+3 Luxray
+2 Hippopotas
+1 Mudbray
-1 Sneasel
-2 Stakataka
-3 Steenee

LEAF TORNADO
+3 Starly
+2 Zoroark
+1 Aromatisse
-1 Metang
-2 Terrakion
-3 Snorunt

Jakyl25 posted...

Is it weird that my first thought is The Wind Waker? I know its probably demonstrably not

Wind Waker particle effects are phenomenal but yeah I'm not sure this is it. Metroid Prime is close but gonna go with Pikmin 2 also.

I got 194 berries in Celeste (so most of the goldens, just missing some of the later B sides and Farewell). I also broke into the top 500 for a few weeks on the original Overwatch back in 2019, albeit on EU console servers.

HURRICANE
+3 Orbeetle
+2 Buzzwole
+1 Barboach
-1 Solosis
-2 Eelektrik
-3 Shelmet

CLOSE COMBAT
+3 Chi-Yu
+2 Slugma
+1 Glimmora
-1 Totodile
-2 Sliggoo
-3 Tapu Lele

What was that about Emery again

Both solid, I think the sheer number of good things in Gen 6 make up for the shitty Latis and their unbelievably boring megas. Plus most of the other megas aren't bad by the low standards megas have, and Tyrunt is adorable.

Madoka

OBLIVION WING
+3 Sandshrew
+2 Spiritomb
+1 Toedscool
-1 Burmy
-2 Bewear
-3 Dialga

ELECTRIFY
+3 Garganacl
+2 Froslass
+1 Phanpy
-1 Veluza
-2 Audino
-3 Tympole

First listen done, but mostly in the background. Definitely need another one before even thinking about rankings. The vocals and even sometimes the lyrics remind me of Kero Kero Bonito. I don't get the same delirious euphoria from them, but I also find the songs sufferable so it's a mixed tradeoff. Also, holy shit the arrangements are wild. They had a lotttt of fun making this.

I have Crohn's so this isn't a theoretical question but the answer is absolutely yes even if you don't know it yet.

SOUL-STEALING 7-STAR STRIKE
+3 Camerupt
+2 Ting-Lu
+1 Rampardos
-1 Grapploct
-2 Regieleki
-3 Wailmer

SHADOW BONE
+3 Yanma
+2 Bisharp
+1 Leafeon
-1 Pumpkaboo
-2 Okidogi
-3 Spewpa

I am very glad we get Suprak writeups despite not getting a Suprak list.

Gonna continue to sit out for the time being sorry, no time for Mafia right now.

TORMENT
+3 Krokorok
+2 Kartana
+1 Cyndaquil
-1 Nosepass
-2 Quaxwell
-3 Torkoal

PSYCHO CUT
+3 Golurk
+2 Mareep
+1 Spectrier
-1 Meltan
-2 Sawk
-3 Xerneas

I think that's the first time I've seen something drop in the bottom three and still gone "hell yeah, that's made me wanna check it out". Big Klown fan.

KINESIS
+3 Gastrodon
+2 Klinklang
+1 Bunnelby
-1 Passimian
-2 Illumise
-3 Watchog

HEAL BELL
+3 Pyroar
+2 Binacle
+1 Tadbulb
-1 Tynamo
-2 Swampert
-3 Tornadus

Fomantis :(

Same as Espurr where it's got big eyes and looks sad and is the best mon of its generation. Can't believe it went already, and with such a bad score.

Gen 7 is probably the best here. Only one that sucks (Brionne), a couple mediocre ones (Bruxish and Fini) and the rest are great.

COURT CHANGE
+3 Eiscue
+2 Vanilluxe
+1 Boldore
-1 Toedscruel
-2 Doduo
-3 Pupitar

TECTONIC RAGE
+3 Magcargo
+2 Muk
+1 Gallade
-1 Flabebe
-2 Melmetal
-3 Munkidori

G-MAX VOLCALITH
+3 Dottler
+2 Wishiwashi
+1 Vespiquen
-1 Tranquill
-2 Tyrogue
-3 Combusken

G-MAX SWEETNESS
+3 Fomantis
+2 Stoutland
+1 Feraligatr
-1 Houndour
-2 Ledyba
-3 Greninja

Ya go my lil guy

1. Living for the City
2. Higher Ground
3. Dont You Worry Bout a Thing
4. Golden Lady
5. Visions
6. Too High
7. All in Love is Fair
8. Hes Misstra Know-It-All
9. Jesus Children Of America

I really liked this album, it felt like there was a ton of variety in songs' structure and themes and even the ones I didn't care all that much for sounded good. Living For the City was a particular standout.

SIMPLE BEAM
+3 Steelix
+2 Galvantula
+1 Corviknight
-1 Araquanid
-2 Remoraid
-3 Nickit

STEEL BEAM
+3 Staraptor
+2 Servine
+1 Sprigatito
-1 Lunala
-2 Shroodle
-3 Shelgon

Two great divisions. Everything bar Nickit in Simple Beam would get a + normally.

Inviso posted...

Iron Boulder is literally the best Rock-type from Gen IX >_>

I just kinda dislike the future paradoxes. I warmed up to the Ultra Beasts, maybe I'll like them someday. Always gonna be ugly as fuck though. Klawf is too but at least it's goofy, and the Nacl line are some of the best of the generation.

I always feel unintentionally contrarian in these polls. Not sure I've voted for a single winner yet! Gen 3 winning for Rock is particularly baffling, though. What's even popular aside from the Aron line? I personally think the gen has the best fossils but I can't imagine Lileep is what's drawing people in here.

Voted for Gen 9 and then remembered Gen 2 is amazing except Sudowoodo. Ah well, 9 is also pretty great even if Boulder sucks. Rock is one of the worse types but every single gen has something great. Except Gen 8 but the Rolycoly line is goofy at least.

-10 Espurr is crazy. That's the best mon of its entire generation!

TECHNO BLAST
+3 Noibat
+2 Arboliva
+1 Toxtricity
-1 Vaporeon
-2 Sharpedo
-3 Throh

BESTOW
+3 Dolliv
+2 Luxio
+1 Frosmoth
-1 Arctozolt
-2 Carracosta
-3 Scorbunny

Two great divisions. Bestow has three meh mons plus six great ones, and Techno Blast is just good all around. Scorbunny is also today. When an Eeveelution gets bottom three you know the options are good. I expect the Arboliva line will get hate but they're all great. Dolliv is one of the best mons in the "vaguely humanoid" archetype.

Only type where 3 is the best. 8 is also very solid.

Wii Sports
Mario Kart Wii
Twilight Princess
Just Dance

I don't think she's actually Swedish. Missing the extra S. Really makes you think.

Zero soap. It's great. Especially when fresh.

POWER-UP PUNCH
+3 Espurr
+2 Cubchoo
+1 Carkol
-1 Metapod
-2 Sawsbuck
-3 Tapu Fini

ACUPRESSURE
+3 Venipede
+2 Paras
+1 Venusaur
-1 Simisage
-2 Thievul
-3 Quilladin

I believe in Ctes. You get a sun stone early in Platinum, if he lives til the fourth gym he'll be ready for Wake!

PSYBEAM
+3 Duskull
+2 Glastrier
+1 Armaldo
-1 Flapple
-2 Pineco
-3 Morgrem

COMEUPPANCE
+3 Rookidee
+2 Spearow
+1 Dudunsparce
-1 Zamazenta
-2 Cosmoem
-3 Lotad

Comeuppance is really strong, seven mons that coulda gotten +3s. Psybeam less so.

Madoka

I mostly rank based on design, but if something gets really fun moves or is totally unremarkable in battle, that influences it a fair bit. I don't really care whether it's actually good or it sucks, though.

That Purugly is a menace, don't think anything you have left stands a chance at level 10, especially after taking on the Zubat. Should be fine if you go over the cap, though. Lea could have done it solo!

NEEDLE ARM
+3 Ceruledge
+2 Exploud
+1 Snivy
-1 Meganium
-2 Gulpin
-3 Rillaboom

FROST BREATH
+3 Naclstack
+2 Charjabug
+1 Cranidos
-1 Minccino
-2 Tarountula
-3 Cleffa

Bebop

Speaking of just for fun, I've finished listening to the first cycle of albums and will hijack the end of this topic to post my rankings.

1. Nirvana - Nevermind
2. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
3. The Beatles - Abbey Road
4. Pixies - Doolittle
5. Radiohead - OK Computer
6. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, m. A. A. d. City
7. Massive Attack - Mezzanine
8. Gorillaz - Demon Days
9. Air - Moon Safari
10. Pink Floyd - The Wall
11. The Strokes - Is This It
12. Alice in Chains - Dirt
13. Janelle Monet - The ArchAndroid
14. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
15. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
16. Meatloaf - Bat out of Hell
17. The Killers - Hot Fuss
18. Fiona Apple - Fetch the Bolt Cutters
19. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
20. Weezer - Blue Album
21. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
22. U2 - Achtung Baby
23. Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds Five
24. Hamilton - Hamilton
25. Mastodon - Crack the Skye

For a comparison, Weezer would be around 10th for this cycle, and everything 11th and up would probably be 2nd. Any choice of albums where Is This It barely cracks the top half of rankings is ridiculously good. Top six would be close to getting 1st and they're up against my favourite band of all time. Not a fan of everything U2 and below, though. This was the first and last time I ever listened to the Hamilton soundtrack! I don't get it in the slightest!

I got to hear some brilliant artists from this that I would never have heard otherwise, though. Massive Attack, Air and Kendrick Lamar were all huge (and relatively new to me) standouts. The former two I absolutely adored and don't think I'd run into before. Kendrick Lamar, I've heard plenty of singles from and enjoyed well enough, but the album might be the best example of storytelling through music I've ever heard, even if I wouldn't throw on any of the songs for fun. It hits like a ton of bricks over and over again. Only giving it sixth is an abberation. Got a lot of spare time on my hands now, so I think I'm going to work my way through the second cycle over the next few weeks.

SNORE
+3 Porygon-Z
+2 Musharna
+1 Chesnaught
-1 Pichu
-2 Nidoran
-3 Tinkatink

G-Max Tartness
+3 Weepinbell
+2 Ferrothorn
+1 Skeledirge
-1 Toxel
-2 Bonsly
-3 Golduck

Voted for Gen 5 here, but I think I shoulda gone 4. Everything except Wormadam is great. Don't see what's good about the Gen 1 grounds, the Sandshrew and Rhydon lines are cool but the others aren't anything special. Gen 9 is also very solid.

Eupho 3 let's goooo

Movies kinda suck but might be needed for context. Liz and the Blue Bird is phenomenal though.