List ‘Em Carefully: The Top 10 Stoner Albums
We go by many names - pothead, stoner, fiend, hophead, toker.
The basics are there, but no matter how you slice it stoners have a big hand in the music industry. For every metalhead, raver, square dancer, and b-boy there will forever be someone on this planet indulging in reefer culture and surrounding themselves with proper tunage for tokage. While we all know some of the standard inclusions on a list such as this, I’ve taken it upon myself to have them mentioned at CoS. This list is a hefty helping of both generic ganja standards and a few original endo pieces.
A few of these recordings might not surprise you at all, but while I did some research into popular selection, I also pulled from my personal stash (no pun intended) to give a distinct element to it. So without further ado, let us sit back, relax and turn the clocks to 4:20PM (or AM) for our Top 10 Stoner Albums in no particular order!
10. Nine Inch Nails - The Fragile (1999)
An atmospheric, industrial double album of the late 90s, Trent Reznor’s melancholy masterpiece is not typically labeled for its smoker use. In fact, one could say it has potential as a shroomer recording- do not be fooled. “Just Like You Imagined” is the stand-out track to which true industrial fans get truly industrial whilst constructing MacGuyver bongs from toilet paper tubes.
9. The Doors - The Doors (1967)
If ever there was a drug culture, Jim Morrison was part of it. Mr Mojo Risin is your epitome of the beatnik hippy with his band The Doors on an album that caused much controversy over the final track, “The End”. Coincidentally, while “The End” and “Break On Through” were censored for metaphorically referencing drug use and incest - this eponymous debut is still considered a major pothead album (we can thank Jim’s twisted imagination and Manzanek’s keyboards for that).
8. Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R (2000)
Fuzzy Mudhoney guitars are prevalent and the first song “Feel Good Hit of the Summer” features only one lyric…”nicotine, Valium, vicodin, marijuana, ecstasy and alcohol - c-c-c-c-c-cocaine!” Need I say more?
7. Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975)
Someone is going to see this and ask why we didn’t mention IV. Like it or not, the classic-yet-overplayed “Stairway to Heaven” is almost too expected. While pondering this, you’ll be kind enough to remember grand stoner tracks such as “Kashmir” with Plant’s infamous guiar-turned-violin, or “Bron Yr Aur” and “Houses of the Holy”. Thank God for Zeppelin!
6. Kottonmouth Kings - Hidden Stash II (1991)
The first of many albums by California rap group Kottonmouth Kings to utilize punk rock. Why did this CD get mentioned amongst the greats? For further reference, take a listen to “Killa Kali” and “Life Rolls On”. Nothing like straight west coastin’.
5. The Allman Brothers Band - The Allman Brothers Band (1969)
“Whipping Post” is a dead ringer for stoner rock with it’s mildly haunting introduction and psychedelic overall feel. While the album sold poorly upon initial release, this classic rock debut again makes me wonder how I’d have turned out had I been raised in a late 60s America.
4. Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley (1994)
Kyuss was named for a death god in Dungeons & Dragons; they play rock music for stoners; they look as if they’ve recently come off a spiritual journey through the Nevada desert. With tracks like “Odyssey” and “Space Cadet”, how could anyone overlook this?
3. Beck - Mellow Gold (1994)
If anyone was high while writing their songs, I’d have initially placed bets on Beck. Besides the title sounding like an Acapulco knock-off, the album that brought him national attention features a sad but original attempt at rap called “Loser” while also introducing us to very eclectic multi-instrumentalist sounds some never thought existed. What better way to spend your day far out than to listen to something so very far out in itself.
2. The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)
If stoner rock had a subset, it would be shoegaze - a genre that made standing on stage while playing solos and staring at your Chucks a pastime. The Smashing Pumpkins (and Corgan himself) in all their fame and tragedy had a lot of impact on alternative music, and if you have never passed the blunt while “Rocket”, “Hummer”, or “Cherub Rock” was playing the background you don’t know what you’re missing! Talk about distorted collages.
1. Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Music concrete is a term meaning the use of organic or naturally occuring sounds to create music. Dark Side of the Moon made notable use of this in songs like “Time”, “Money”, and “Brain Damage”.
You know this album cover by memory, as it is associated with almost everything ganja. If you don’t believe me, note the DSOTM banner in Reuben’s room during a scene from Dazed and Confused where they’re all getting stoned. Hell, even the main character’s nickname is “Pink” Floyd! I could not say here what has not already been said about this landmark progressive rock album or the band itself, so I’ll settle with saying that this is a staple for any audiophile, dope fiend, pothead, or prog rock listener without question.
Lastly, our honorable mentions…
The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Reasons for naming this in the honorable mentions should be self-evident in the title track, alone. Someone was on something during the time it was recorded, no doubt. Sadly, this whole album was left off our countdown due to the occasional mini-freakouts it induces.
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend
What better way to sum up stoner music than by noting a famous reggae Rastafarian who truly believed in being able to inject happiness into the world through music? Why was this not included for our top 10? Because reggaeton has turned a respectable genre into a club hop battleground. Rest in peace, my dear legend.
Modest Mouse - Good News For People Who Love Bad News
As radiant as this CD is, I could not in good faith post it due to what happens once you are high and begin singing “Float On” in your worst soprano - people lose their hearing and that can be dangerous.
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Left off partially due to aforementioned deafening scenarios during the title track, and also because while I advocate free choice of sexual preference this is not an album most would play unless toking solo. My regards to Mr. Taupin.
Cypress Hill - Greatest Hits from the Bong
In a way I feel guilty for bringing up Kottonmouth Kings and not Cypress Hill, but then I remember that unlike Cypress Hill, they weren’t made a complete joke after “Rap/Rock Superstar”. They are the godfathers of stoner rap and rap-core, but be honest - how long can you really put up with B-Real’s Drescher impersonation?
In closing, I leave you with a quote by Pink Floyd from the song “Brain Damage”, off of Dark Side of the Moon:
“The lunatics are on the grass…remembering games, and daisy chains and laughs.”
You are missing Sublime. Sublime posters go hand in hand these days with Bob Marley posters for any youth who likes the cheebah.
Sublime was left off because to include them, I’d have to also sift through each and every dub or ska record and see how each measures up considering dub in its base form is a spliff supremacy.
The sampling of reggae in dub music also melds into previous statements of reggaeton and it’s club hit saturation lately.
I don’t deny Sublime’s status, but that also might include Slightly Stoopid, Bad Brains, 10 Foot Ganja Plant, or De Facto. The spectrum is just too wide to do anyone proper justice in dub music.
Robbin’ The Hood is still a smoke record for me as well as Slightly Stoopid’s Longest Barrel Ride, so props to you for bringing that up. At the very least, I may have done better to give them an honorable mention.
animal collective should be on here, i don’t even smoke and I know that.
Why no 311 Grassroots or Transistor?
Yeah, there’s definitely some sick albums missing from this list, donde esta E. 1999 Eternal from Bone Thugs? Also, if you’re gonna give a Flaming Lips album honerable mention (honerable mention? what the fuck?!) you gotta go with Soft Bulletin. Also, and this is just an Asshole’s opinion, but I’m not too sure about Siamese Dream, especially at #2. I think even the Smashing Pumps would be surprised to hear that.
But let’s just be honest, if you’re smoking weed and just listening to a “stoner album” because “it sounds so much cooler when you’re hiiiiiigh braaaaa” you’re kind of a fag anyways. Smoking squeef is all about watching movies — bottom line.
Asshole, OUT!
Kevin on Oct 27th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Why no 311 Grassroots or Transistor?
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Because 311 is fuckin lame Kevin, that’s why.
311 is (at least to me) another band that falls into the same bracket with Sublime albeit with a more punk edge. Also, I probably should have mentioned Grassroots in honorables.
Animal Collective seems like an indie offshoot of classic psychedelia more or less inspired by some of the bands listed. I like them because unlike Wolfmother they didn’t completely rip off old school bands, but they have most of the elements provided above - good looking out, Drew.
Captain,
It should be noted that this list is in no particular order, though I am partial to Floyd and QOTSA myself.
Also, I find it demeaning to even suggest smoking is “all about movies” or anything else. Shouldn’t the high in itself be good reason enough to decide your individual taste of surrounding atmosphere?
Movies to me have more a place in psychedelic and hallucinogenic drugs due to enhanced images. Granted, those types of drugs can have a similar enhancement effect on sound but I find more comfort smoking to music and shrooming to bad B-movies.
In conclusion, to each his own - this list is meant as a quasi-guide to cool tunes based on, associated with, catering to, or (God forbid) that may sound better on pot.
Note: Flaming Lips like 311 or any music is beauty in the eye of the beholder…no need for militant behavior.
animal collective is good for that reason. They don’t just adopt elements of say the beach boys or other groups, but they take what those bands did and extend and transform it. If the beach boys could have used crazy sampling technology, itd sound something like AC. I wouldn’t simplify what they are doing into being an “offshoot,” because it is such new and exciting stuff that they are creating. But, thanks for the acknowledgment.
Also, where’s Smiley Smile, I mean to me, that album invented psychedelic rock right there.
Radiohead??????
phish- a live one.
Radiohead, definately needed. definately sublime as well, i mean come on, the song two joints should have sold that one.
Great call with the Allman Bros. Wheres Black Sabbath Paranoid?
The Lips should have been on the list…nothing is better made for it.
No love for the Jam bands? The Grateful Dead should have made it as well.
i might throw in girl talk… all those changes in such a short amount of time tends to be fun…
i’ve also always had a taste for the black keys in this category… although i think that’s just me
I Love the list just the way it is. Liberal society make your own lists. I wouldn’t say Radiohead is “Stoner Rock” in any way shape or form; but then in my opinion i thing Sigur Ros is “my Stoner Rock” but that’s cause i’must be totally high?
I am a big fan of the website and think you guys do a great job here. I have to say this list is definetly missing sublime and 311. I do not agree with the logic for leaving them off as they are way more “stoner” albums than many on the list. Also even though I do not listen to Bob, I am blown away that he is only an honarable mention and not number 2 on the list.
well i dont know if this would go into anyone elses top 10 but it would definitely go in mine
Monster Magnet- Dopes to Infinity
there are so many that are not on the list at all, i could probably name 20 bands pre ‘75 ish that should be on this list. hopefully the next top 10 stoner list will include most of em…….just give the excuse that you were stoned and lost count
My Bloody Valentine? Loveless for sure…
Will Pauls Boutique top your list for 10 top dusted albums?
No Loveless, Beefheart, White Album, Zappa, or White Light White Heat? Bwah?! They’re all masterpieces on their own. But come on, they fit the category. Also, I know lists are a matter of opinion. And I am very glad that you offered honorable mentions. Not trying to criticize your list. Just offering my own input.
It is true that most lists are matters of opinion, and I can’t deny you all have named some really good options.
I thank all of you for making other suggestions, and I admittedly expected it.
Also - one I forgot to mention that is close to me was “Quadrophenia”.
How can Amnesiac and Kid A not be stoner albums ?
Sigur Ros is a good one…..How about Portishead ??????
seymour buts on Oct 28th, 2008 at 2:47 am
well i dont know if this would go into anyone elses top 10 but it would definitely go in mine
Monster Magnet- Dopes to Infinity
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That’s a fuckin joke, correct? Monster Magnet?
Also, the West RECKONER is dropping some god damn truth — where da fugg is Radiohead and Sigur?
As for my previous statement, I just think about someone sitting around all high and listening to music — who does that? I mean, weed really just makes me laugh which I think is good for movies.
Psychedells are definitely sweet for movies too (especially the movie 3 O’Clock High — a must watch for mushrooms) but it’s not like I smoke weed, hear a song and then I’m like, “Wooooow, I totally didn’t hear this song like this before” I did that shit when I first started smoking dope and looking back on it, I wanna punch myself in the face for acting like a total puss.
Let’s just be honest though, if you’re smoking weed and listening to music thinking that you’ve just enlightened yourself, you’re playing yourself bra. Weed doesn’t really do that.
have you listened to the album “Dopes to Infinity”
the spaciness alone is enough for it to be on this list, their other albums….not so much, but this one yes. the name of the album is another sign, the fact they are in the genre of “stoner rock” is another. anyway, listen to THAT album front to back and if you are not convinced then….o well
you must have been stoned when you made this list. The fact that you put kottonmouth kings on here is ridiculous. why don’t you just put insane clown posse on here.
DJ SHADOW: Endtroducing…
Anything else by Shadow can pretty much be forgotten, but Endtroducing… is a (stoner) masterpiece.
Totally dead on with Endtroducing - can’t be a complete list without that one. I also second Bone Thugs - I mean, c’mon!
I’d like to mention a few other honorable mentions:
Esthero - Breath From Another
Elliott - U.S. Songs (DEFINITELY)
U.N.K.L.E. - Psyence Fiction
Coheed & Cambria - Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Vol I…
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
The last one is a given, but def check out the others.
To many missing to mention them all…
Hum - Downward is Heavenward
Beatles - Abbey Road
Grateful Dead - American Beauty
High on Fire
Bongzilla
T. Rex
Thin Lizzy
Ride
Anything from the Dub genre
Springsteen
13th floor elevators
Peter Tosh
I mean seriously were you even trying? Nine inch nails? Smashing Pumpkins?
Whoa. Jared… Whoa. Go home and listen to the Private Press right now. Do you not own Premptive Strike? I am almost jealous of you, you have obviously never listened to anything else DJ Shadow ever did and now you get to. Lucky you.
Turnblue are you 75 years old? Some of those albums are great but are you able to get yourself out of that era?
-Radiohead?
-Portishead?
-Sigur Ros?
-Nick Drake?
-Mars Volta?
-The Earlies?
-Ratatat?
-Andrew Bird?
-Blonde Redhead?
-Elliot Smith?
-Goldfrapp?
-Iron & Wine?
-Micah P. Hinson?
-Yo la Tengo?
No Yes? Great stoner music! Mellow, but weird enough to keep one really cool when baking.
SUNN??
I really like what you had to say here! It\’s about time! Would you mind if I placed a link back from my blog?
you wouldn’t have had to search ska bands. sublime is THE ska band. i’m shocked. what a great list not to include sublime means you just forgot about them. they could easily have replaced NIN #10 or QOSA #8. i forgive you for including modest mouse and flaming lips tho. Cheers!
the beatles is not stoner music. its LSD music.
To Product Reviews, link back if you credit the site/author.
To the guy who mentioned why I didn’t include ICP next to Kottonmouth Kings - as much as I find ICP funny, I can’t get high and discuss beheaded corpse fucking.
To Rob on The Beatles - you’re so right.
To everyone else with those lists of fond memories and missing band names just to sound like “Captain Asshole” - I quote Eminem:
“I was high when I wrote this, so suck my dick!”
Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
For those with legitimate band lists meant to contribute and not diss - thank you all for the recognition and the suggestions!
Monster Magnet -> Spine of God
Hawkwind-> Space Ritual
Black Sabbath -> Black Sabbath & Vol. 4
Rainbow -> Rising
Red, Red Meat -> Jimmywine Majestic
Hendrix -> Electric Ladyland
Oct 28th, 2008 at 8:01 am
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Oct 29th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
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