What albums have the best opening and closing tracks?

Question

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record, but I'm about to mention all the same albums I mention in every other question. Sorry, I just keep finding new reasons they're great.

1. Raw Power - The Stooges: No track opens an album like "Search & Destroy". None. Never. Never has never will. With a big loud noise straight from the start it lets you know they mean business right from the get go. Then along the way there are all sorts of great songs and a few changes of pace, then comes the closing track. And no track will ever close an album like "Death Trip". None. Never. Never has never will. Iggy says it was basically about how he knows this album is going to sell f**k all and the band is never going to be successful in any traditional sense. And the song sounds like exactly that. Like a mad man's reluctant descent into chaos, he starts out with a howl and kicks and screams (literally) the whole way down on his death trip. Complete with an awesome heavy riff and fantastic vocals (of course). Then the song closes with one last desperate sounding guitar riff and one last “Oww!” that sounds like somebody who knows he’s done. It’s actually kind of moving.

2. The Slider – Another that opens with a powerful burst of energy, the magnificent “Metal Guru”. But this one is less abrasive and actually has a pretty-ish feel to it, without losing it’s great flamboyant glam-rock edge. Then it slides through some real slick sounding songs with great beats and sense of fun and ends with “Main Man”. While not as effective as “Death Trip” it takes a completely different angle, and instead of a glorious going down with the ship as demonstrated by the Stooges, T.Rex just lays out another great pop/rock classic that winds the energy down and provides a good sense of closure.

3. The Clash – Won’t get as elaborate for the rest, but the opening bars of “Janie Jones” (we’re talking the original British release) set the pace for one of the most energetic albums to come out of the punk movement, And the album doesn’t disappoint, closing with “Garageland” it gives a good “This is what we’ve got, take it or leave it” Feeling.

4. Another punk classic is Ramones. Opens with the ultimate pump up "Blitzkrieg Bop", roughs you up a little, and closes with the excellent "Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World" which somehow manages to provide great closure for the album, a fantastic "mission accomplished" track.

Damned Fan: You keep pushing Tank so I guess I'm going to have to get on that pretty quick lol.

Sarah C: Even if I don't listen to it (I kind of like Dark Side Of The Moon *face turns beet red*) I like any answer that provides reason for your opinion. I'm a pretty fair guy most days.

Answer 1

Mr. Bungle has a great opening (nothing cooler than carnival music) and a perfect closing song. The Smiths (self titled album also) is perfect as well.

Answer 2

1. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
2. Days of Future Passed - The Moody Blues
3. Close To The Edge - Yes
4. Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield
5. Gryphon - Gryphon
6. Dandruff - Ivor Cutler

Answer 3

I'm probably gonna say a bunch of stuff you would care less for:

Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of the Moon- The intro is Speak to Me and it's basically random noises, heartbeats people chatting the the background, money clicking, all building up to the chaos and background noise that is echoes throughout teh entire album. Closing track is Eclipse, I just love how after the whole thing about the Darkside of teh Moon, it closes off with "there is no dark side of the Moon really... as a matter of fact it's all dark".

Radiohead's The Bends- The quick opening Planet Telex, with a sweeping atmosphere and closing with a very surreal Street Spirit with teh closing lyrics of "immerse your soul in love"

Answer 4

Led Zeppelin IV
kicks off with Black Dog, and we hear the studio sounds at the start and then Robert Plant's voice comes in and makes you feel good.
And ends with When the Levee Breaks which has the bluesy country feel to it which is the coolest thing.


And my person favourite is Avenged Sevenfold's City of Evil
It starts with an exploding first track, Beast and the Harlot and it ends with M.I.A. which is also explosive but turns down and is the perfect end to an album so strong.

Answer 5

Try
Speak To Me/Breathe and Brain Damage/Eclipse
From Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon
It's ok that Your a Punk fan Dan, it could be a lot worse, I respect Punk Rock

Answer 6

I'd go for "Exile On Main Street" by the Stones(although I admit that it might only be because I'm listening to it a lot at the moment...these things change constantly with me..). "Rocks Off" is a superb opener-the band at their most raucous, and "Soul Survivor" has THE classic Keef riff in my mind. What a way to finish an album...

Answer 7

Any sophomore album has a great opening track, and I'm not even sure why, but I have yet to find something that disproves this.

Love Reign O'er Me, from Quadrophenia is a great closer, so is Eclipse, from DSOTM, uh, See Me, Feel Me, from Tommy, Knights of Cydonia on Blackholes and Revelations, Echoes on Meddle.

Answer 8

I was just listening to Savage Republic's album 'Tragic Figures'. It starts with 'When All Else Fails', and closes with the brilliant 'Procession'. I haven't played the album in a few years, and it's still sounds fantastic!

Other cool songs off the album are 'Kill the Fascists!', and 'Flesh That Walks'. Really great 'post punk' band from the early 80's. This was their best album in my opinion. Check 'em out if you haven't already!
http://www.furious.com/Perfect/savagerepublic.html

Answer 9

A couple of my favourites have already been mentioned, but :~

Meat Loaf ~ Bat Out of Hell
Opens with the great title track, and closes with the softer, piano driven 'For Crying Out Loud'.

Fleetwood Mac ~ Rumours
Opens with the wonderfully up-beat 'Second Hand News', and closes with the dark, brooding 'Gold Dust Woman'.

Pink Floyd ~ Dark Side of the Moon
Opens with the gradual build of 'Speak to Me', and fades out on the 'pulse' of 'Eclipse'.

Pink Floyd ~ Wish You Were Here
Opens with the softness of 'Shine On... (parts I - V), and closes with the sequel 'Shine On... (parts VI - IX).

And my brain is refusing to think of any more right now!

Answer 10

Who's Next starts with Baba O'Reilly and ends with the totally awesome Won't Get Fooled Again
Led Zeppelin IV starts with Black Dog and ends with When the Levee Breaks