I had a friend back in the 90s who had a theory that your favorite TMBG album is the one you were listening to when you get it. When it goes from being weird but catchy, to true fandom.
For me it holds up: Lincoln.
I suppose, because it’s Flood for me, but I truly love both Factory Showroom and Mink Car.
And I don’t know I can rate one above the other.
I sort of oscillate between Lincoln, Pink Album, and a random one. I guess it kind of holds, since those were my first non-Flood albums. (Flood and No! were a part of my childhood, and I liked a lot of Flood, but with Lincoln and Pink Album, that was the first time I dove deep.)
Unpopular opinion incoming… I was listening to the albums in order recently. I love the first three from start to end, but I couldn’t get through Apollo 18 without having the urge to skip Mammal and Dinner Bell - I find the vocal melodies really grating in those tracks.
Having Fingertips shuffled around the album almost makes up for it, if you’re listening to a proper version which doesn’t have them bundled into one track.
I like Apollo 18 a lot, but for me it’s Flood.
Apollo 18 is some of their best work, but as a whole Flood delivers.
When I listen to Apollo 18, words fail, buildings tumble, the ground opens wide, light beams down from heaven.
Apollo 18 does have some great tracks, but I think my favorite oscillates between the pink album, Lincoln, and whatever album I’m listening to that I neglected before (currently, The ELSE - you could say I’m Impressed.)