Daring/odd albums on a major label

None of today's major labels - the few who remain - would dare to unleash such left-field sonic assemblies in 2009. But back in the '70s (and a few '60s), some bold A&R reps would sic some mighty odd music on our unprepared ears. Excluding the boutique/artist-controlled subsidiaries (e.g. Apple/Zapple, Bizarre/Straight, Rolling Stones, etc.), here are a few major label notables from my racks:

CBS/Columbia
Robert Wyatt - End of an Ear
Soft Machine - Thirds
The Hampton Grease Band - Music To Eat

EMI
Electric Light Orchestra - (1st album)

RCA
Lou Reed - Metal Machine Music

London (U.S.)
Touch

Verve/MGM
The Mothers - Freak Out
Velvet Underground - & Nico


I'll betcha there are plenty others. What ya got?

The Mars Volta, Radiohead and The Flaming Lips, just three examples, are all on Major labels and they release "left field sonic assemblies" in these modern times.

Major labels, as a rule, don't do daring/odd albums these days - the corporate culture has destroyed that. The example given of Kid A is not particularly relevant, given that the predecessor was one of the biggest selling LPs of all time - the successor was always going to be released, so it was not particularly brave of them.

I really am struggling to think of a recent example. Most of the modern bands we love tend to go with the really brave innovators, i.e. the independents.

I sincerely hope that the triumph of the internet will be the eventual demise of the major labels, who have been ripping us and artists off for years.

Nik Turner's "Xitintoday" on Charisma in 1977.

Not sure how big was Charisma Records, but that one released Pawn Hearts.

Also, Gentle Giant were in Vertigo/Columbia/Capitol/Chrysalis records.

Also, A Passion Play by Jethro Tull was released through Chrysalis Records.


Edited by The Quiet One - June 16 2009 at 16:28

The Quiet One wrote: Not sure how big was Charisma Records, but that one released Pawn Hearts. Also, Gentle Giant were in Vertigo/Columbia/Capitol/Chrysalis records. Also, A Passion Play by Jethro Tull was released through Chrysalis Records.

And several Genesis albums were released on Charisma, like "Foxtrot", "Selling England by the Pound", "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway", "A Trick of the Tail", "Wind and Wuthering", "Live", "Seconds Out". Brand X also appeared on Charisma. The solo albums of Patrick Moraz, too. And yes, the early Hackett recordings. Some albums of Peter Hammill also appeared there. So maybe not a major label, but one with an impressive list of artists. I remember that my brother blindly bought any album that appeared on Charisma; he used  to say that Charisma and Virgin were the best labels. Interestingly the Virgin label later was bought by Charisma.


Edited by BaldFriede - June 16 2009 at 16:44

Larks’ Tongues in Aspic
Studio album by King Crimson
Label	Island Records Atlantic Records Polydor Records E.G. Records Virgin Records

Studio album by King Crimson
Label	E.G. Records Warner Bros./E.G. Virgin Records