This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
Sublime is the self-titled third studio album by American ska punk band Sublime. Produced by Paul Leary and David Kahne, the album was released on July 30, 1996, in the United States by MCA Records. Sublime formed in 1988 in Long Beach, California by vocalist/guitarist Bradley Nowell, bassist Eric Wilson, and drummer Bud Gaugh. The trio toured heavily from their inception while developing their sound. Their first studio release—40 Oz. to Freedom (1992)—featured the single "Date Rape", which attracted heavy airplay in Southern California. MCA signed the band and distributed their second independent album, Robbin' the Hood, in 1994. By the time it came to record their major label debut, Nowell had been struggling with a heroin addiction. Sublime was recorded over a period of three months in Austin, Texas, in sessions characterized by heavy drug use and raucous partying. The album's musical style contains elements of punk rock, reggae, and ska, as well as dancehall, hip hop, and dub music, with tempos ranging wildly. Nowell's lyrical subject matter relates to relationships, prostitution, riots, and addiction. Nowell had been ejected from the recording near its completion. Nowell died due to a heroin overdose in May 1996, just two months prior to the band's major album release, which led to the band's dissolution. Bolstered by numerous hit singles, among them "What I Got", "Santeria", and "Wrong Way", the record proved to be enormously successful, despite the band being defunct and thus not able to promote the album through touring. It sold over five million copies in the United States by the end of the decade, and it continues to be a popular catalog album. The album was released during the third wave ska peak, and etched Sublime into a permanent place among the stars of the 1990s. Critical reviews were positive, praising Nowell's songwriting ability and the album's musical variety. Sublime has since been listed as one of the most well-regarded albums of the 1990s by Spin and Rolling Stone.
How was this not already on the list?
This would have been an entry of mine if I was allowed 3, so glad to see it make the list either way!
This is one of the biggest failures of the list. How could they not include Sublime? Their absolutely perfect blend of punk, hip hop, and reggae; their hits that still get attention today; the tragic story of Bradley; it should be a foregone conclusion that this belongs on the list. Maybe it is my bias as a Californian? Is Sublime just not as big of a thing outside of their home state? I genuinely am baffled how this isn't included.
My main roommate in college absolutely loved Sublime. And by love I mean he played Sublime and this album maybe 90% of the time at his desk when listening to music. So that was my introduction to it. It's not bad, but it's peak 90s skate/surfer reggae-stoner music. Ironically my roommate did not smoke weed.
Caress Me Down, What I Got, and Doin' Time are some of the best songs of the '90s, no doubt. This CD made the rounds in my middle school when it came out. I remember having a taped copy of it because my friend let me borrow his CD. All-time great and takes me back right to my friends in middle school and the memories of adolescence (and not truly understanding all the lyrics back then) :D
This album has and will always kick major ass
Though I don't really believe in guilty pleasures, this might be mine. Not a perfect album by any means, but surely worth inclusion on the list. Some of the lyrics are cringey, but the combination of genres works for me. An undeniable part of the soundtrack to my high school years.
This album takes me back to being a chilled out freshman in high school. I still expect to hear “I can play the guitar like a mother mother riot” in the explicit version. In this albums peak my first girlfriend got me 40oz of Freedom (shout out Pam, a real one). That album gave me feeling of low commitment rebelliousness.
This is what the 90s felt like
I like Ska, though I don't choose to listen to it a lot, but I've long felt like it is a kind of limited (and limiting) genre. The added punk flavoring and laid back California thing helps it break out of that mold a bit. A lot of the lyrics are pretty puerile and the political-ish stuff is laughable but it does that punk trick of refusing to wear out its welcome, and overall it lands.
The disjunction ends up delicious. Reading notes has you expecting ska from the jump, and when it finally arrives it's hardly the encouraging stuff worth pressing play for. Santeria has just enough name-unrecognition to sneak into my ears, and the album capitalizes in simply musical music. There's a middle stretch of diminished strength, but that's diminished from mighty.
8/10. Has a handful of hits that make up for some of the weaker numbers (Pawn Shop dragggged on). And considering the main list's shortcomings in terms of ska and reggae, this was a refreshing listen
Better than I expected. I didn't know the story about this band or the singer, very sad that he died so young. 4 stars.
Nice record. Not a big fan, but should have been in the list 100%. Instead of some Bob Dylan bullsh*t for example.
That album screams 90's guitar-rock/pop/ska/whatever
Not what I expected! (Better)
I liked the ska songs, but the more 'punky' ones were lacking something
Oh god really? Ok. 3/5.
I knew this bandname, but never heared a single note. Although it has that ska vibe I still enjoyed it because of all the styles they blended it with.
Band and album from the second division of that crossover of genres that led the music of much of the 90s. Even Fishbone's albums have stood the test of time better
It broke my stereo one star
Forgot how many classics originated from this one LP until they kept coming one after the other. The band’s distinctive reggae-punk fusion is at its peak here, infectious and melodic as a sense of carefree wonder meets some heavier instrumentals. You know it’s an effective blend when my father (your standard white dude) feels compelled to belt out ‘Santeria’ every time it comes on rock radio in the car. The highs are definitely high here, but given its runtime the LP does drag a bit later on as not all of the tracks can sustain the wildly impressive first half. Still a great album though, and a worthy addition that should be on the official 1001 if we’re being honest
Nostalgic, grew up in OC CA and everyone no matter their musical tastes had this CD in their car visor.
Amazing!
Now we’re talking! I was expecting more well known bands and albums from the user submissions. I know this one well because I had a huge Sublime phase in college (don’t we all?) I was never even a stoner, but I sure did love songs like 40oz to Freedom and Badfish, which led me to this album. For a band who had an unfortunately short period of operation, they sure did have a big impact culturally. I don’t think any other act that has broken up prior to their major label debut has gone on to find so much renown and notoriety in the scene. Their songs are a nostalgic trip back through time for me that I’ll always have a soft spot for. Love for Sublime is what I got.
A powerhouse of a SKA album. Excellent example of how SKA should be. Enjoyed it very much.
Sublime's Sublime might fall a tad short of being sublime, but is it certainly very solid. 4 1/2 stars if the system would allow it.
I like it. The vocal is particularly clear and pleasant without silly affectations that plague punk (eg. Billie Armstrong mimicking British accent) or hard rock (growling and screaming). Sad to hear about the lead singer's death.
I thought they were more pop punk. This was a lovely album full of light reggae rock vibes
One of the best and most nostalgic albums of the 90s. It’s impossible to ignore how good sublime was at making songs that felt like summer. This album is a bit long on the back end but it has some of the best hits alternative has seen and they’ve held up over the years. 7.8/10
This album brought me right back to high school. This album was released after Bradley Nowell’s death and is bookended by absolute hits. I was largely unfamiliar with the middle of the album and it fell a bit flat for me. I was surprised to hear more straightforward rock tracks as Sublime is known for their ska primarily. I’m surprised that Sublime wasn’t on the original list.
Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Wrong way, Santeria, Burritos, Get ready
Definitely enjoy the ska punk reggae vibe from Sublime. There is enough really strong tracks in here (Santeria, Wrong Way, What I Got, Sam in the End, Caress Me Down, Doin’ Time) that make the long journey worthwhile. There a bit of uneven content, nothing bad, but not particularly interesting.
It is a longer album, but it has a lot of well known songs. I have always been on the fence about Sublime. I would definitely listen to some of there songs again, but I do not have the desire to listen to everything by them.
Ska punk plus a wide mix of genres, it's not really my thing but has good energy and some catchy melodies and hooks. Ahead of it's time in 1996 and possibly paving the way for the rock/rap crossover of the early 00s? Like many records or the CD era, it's about 20 mins too long, but that's forgiveable. It's really sad that the singer didn't live to see the release and huge success of this album. Rating: 3 Playlist track: What I Got Date listened: 19/07/24
Sublime was never really my thing, but I will hand it to them. They had a particular gift for building various influences into a sound and vibe that is very much their own. Add to that Bradley Nowell's (RIP) natural charisma, and you have something really interesting. That stylistic diversity can be a double edged sword though, which sometimes can come off as being a bit scattershot and unfocused. But overall, this was a really well made album that absolutely should have made the original list. Fave Songs: Santeria, What I Got, Garden Grove, Wrong Way, April 29, 1992 (Miami), Pawn Shop
I had this album in the 90s, but lost interest in the ska-ish music despite all the hits on it. A fun return to the era today listening to this even though it isn’t going to become a regular listen.
Reminded me of listening to KBCO in the 90s. That's not a bad thing.
This felt a little like hanging with some bros in the '90s. Maybe not my first choice, but I had fun listening to it today!
This was a classic 1001 albums experience. An album I've heard about but never got a chance to listen to that has a couple classic songs and introduces me to some I never would've heard on my own. While I wouldn't say this is a great album and this streak of crass, crude records is getting old, I could at least enjoy what i got santeria and caress me down (a middle school classic for me). I also had no idea that this is the original doin time instead of the much superior lana del rey version.
This literally doesn't tickle any of my bones.
This was not that good
This didn't really happen. This never happened.
Of it’s time
It's like proto nu metal or skate metal, if you didn't grow up with this I really can't see any redeeming qualities to it whatsoever
pure shite
Meh