All Time Favorite Record Labels

Using my formulas, here are my current all time favorite record labels (out of 883 labels from which I own music):

Number 1:  Plan It X (9.658) – New

planitx

I have 17 different artists and 27 albums from 1996 through 2012.  Two 5-Star albums, 14 4-Star albums (the most on any record label).   346 total songs from Plan It X.   My favorite album is Eric Ayotte’s Remnants of Storytown.

Number 2:  Polyvinyl Records (9.636) – maintained 2nd

polyvinyl

Polyvinyl maintained its second spot from a year ago.   I have 40 artists, 41 full length albums, and 553 songs on Polyvinyl from 1996 through 2012.   My favorite album is Rainer Maria’s Look Now Look Again.   My favorite artists are:  Rainer Maria, Owen, Matt Pond PA, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and Mates of State

Number 3.  Asian Man Records (9.608) –  up from 9th

Asian Man was the big climber in the past year.   I added 12 more artists and 15 more albums in the past year.   I now have 17 artists, 41 albums, and 266 songs from 1994 through 2012.    I have four 5-star albums (more than any other record label) My favorite album is Andrew Jackson Jihad’s People Who Can Eat People Are The Luckiest People in the World.

Number 4:  Drag City (9.608) – down from number 1

Drag City Records

Drag City has long been one of my favorite labels.  I have 19 bands, 59 full length albums (more than any other label), and 684 songs from Drag City (2nd most) from 1992 through 2012.  The 14 4-star albums are tied for the most with Plan It X.     My favorite album on Drag City is Viva Lost Blues by Palace.  My Favorite artists are:  Palace/Oldham, Gastr Del Sol/O’Rourke/Grubbs, Aerial M/Papa M, Smog/Callahan, and the Silver Jews.

Number 5.  Secretly Canadian (9.572) – maintained number 5

I have 14 bands, 35 full lengths and 444 songs on SC from 1996 through 2012.   My favorite album is Didn’t it Rain by Songs: Ohia.   My favorite artists are:  Songs: Ohia/Molina/Magnolia Electric Co and Damian Jurado.

Number 6.  Sub Pop Records (9.549) – down from number 4

I have 49 artists (2nd behind bandcamp), 52 full lengths (2nd behind Drag City), and 717 songs (most) on Sub Pop from 1989 through 2012.  My favorite album is I Break Chairs by Damian Jurado.   My favorite artists are:  Jurado, Afghan Whigs, Iron and Wine, Sebadoh, Wolf Parade and Band of Horses.

Number 7.  Bandcamp Records (9.518) – new

bandcamp

Less of a label more of distribution channel, but there is enough similarities to what a label does that I include it.    I have 58 artists (most), 20 full lengths (some compilations), and 353 songs ranging from 2006 through 2012.  My favorite album is the Dark Mean’s self titled.

Number 8. Matador Records (9.502) – down from number 3

I have 34 artists, 38 full length albums, and 598 songs on Matador ranging from 1988 through 2012.   My favorite album is Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain by Pavement.  My favorite artists are: Pavement, Guided By Voices, Times New Viking, and Jon Spencer Blues Explosion.

Number 9.  Merge Records (9.473) – maintained number 9

I have 32 artists, 32 full lengths, and 463 songs on Merge from 1989 through 2012.My favorite album is Neutral Milk Hotel’s In the Aeroplane over the Sea.  Other favorite artists are::  Richard Buckner, Spoon, Polvo, and The Magnetic Fields.

Number 10.  Elektra Records (9.431) – down from number 6

Yes, surprisingly a major does crack the top ten.   I would say that Elektra has easily distanced itself from the other majors.  I have 22 artists, 25 full lengths, and 357 songs on Elektra from 1968 through 2009.  My favorite album is Gentleman by the Afghan Whigs.  My favorite artists are: The Afghan Whigs, the Old 97s, Stereolab, and the Cure.  I have not bought a release from Elektra since 2009, so it could be fading.

2 thoughts on “All Time Favorite Record Labels

  1. Pingback: Updated All Time Favorite Record Labels | Granite and Tumble

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