I would love to say that this post was inspired by Thom Yorke’s new solo work, The Eraser, but I cannot tell a lie. I was asked to contribute a Top 5 list to WRFL’s publication, Rifle. After discussing it with Julie of Fabulist! I came up with a list of the Top 5 Solo Albums. The solo album is something that’s usually feared or reveared by fans of the original band, but it isn’t always a bad thing. Here are some times when solo artists equalled, or even surpassed, the work of the band that they’re best known for.

Stephen Malkmus’s Stephen Malkmus (Pavement)
MP3: Stephen Malkmus - Phantasies
I’ve said it a dozen times and I’ll say it again: Stephen Malkmus’ solo work is better than Pavement. I know I’m in the minority here, but baby, c’mon! Stephen has gotten poppier, weirder and more wonderful over the past three albums than anyone could ever had dreamt.

Lou Barlow’s EMOH (Dinosaur Jr./Sebadoh/et. al)
MP3: Lou Barlow - Caterpillar Girl
Do I like EMOH so much because I had not heard any of Barlow’s previous work before I heard it, and therefore didn’t hold it to any lofty expectations? Would I enjoy it the same if I’d gone into it thinking this is the Sebadoh guy? I don’t know. What I do know is that EMOH is a glorious work of folk and pop that not only breaks the solo album stigma, but also the notion that aging indie rockers fade away–some of them still put out great records.

Elliott Smith’s Either / Or (Heatmiser)
MP3: Elliott Smith - Rose Parade
I hesitated to include Elliott, since his solo work overshadows Heatmiser by about a million percent. But why should I leave it out if it proves my point? Solo records rule.

Iggy Pop’s Lust for Life (The Stooges)
MP3: Iggy Pop - I Am A Passenger
Who knew someone so wild could also be so poetic? Lust For Life will forever be known for the amazing title track (which is unfortunate that it’s played in commercials everywhere–I don’t want to associate it with a cruise ship), but it’s good through and through.

A.C. Newman’s The Slow Wonder (Zumpano/The New Pornographers)
MP3: A.C. Newman - Secretarial
For some reason, The Slow Wonder treads closely on New Pornographers territory, but never falls flat. Even if you cut out his work with the New Pornos, et al. this album alone solidifies Carl as a pop master.

Lou Reed’s Transformer (Velvet Underground)
MP3: Lou Reed - Walk On The Wild Side
I remember listening to “Walk On The Wild Side” growing up and having no clue what it was about. Oh Lou, you rule. And so do those “colored girls.”

Paul Simon’s The Paul Simon Song Book (Simon and Garfunkel)
MP3: Paul Simon - I Am A Rock
I didn’t know this until I was researching which song to pick for Paul Simon, but “I Am A Rock” originally appeared on his first solo work, The Paul Simon Song Book (it was later featured on Sounds of Silence). “I Am A Rock” is one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s such a perfect anthem of loneliness that it almost convinces me that seclusion is a good thing.

Ted Leo’s The Tyranny of Distance (Chisel)
MP3: Ted Leo/Rx - Gold Finch in the Red Oak Tree
Who would have known that Chisel’s frontman would have such a beautiful song within him? Ted Leo is another name who has far outpaced his original band(s), and for good reason. I don’t hesitate at all when I say that he’s one of our generation’s finest voices.

John Lennon’s “Instant Karma” Single (The Beatles)
MP3: John Lennon - Instant Karma
Originally I was going with “Crippled Inside” off Imagine, but not only did I not have an mp3 handy, but I realized “Instant Karma” is amazing for another reason. It was recorded the day it was written, and released ten days later. Apparently Lennon said he “wrote it for breakfast, recorded it for lunch, and we’re putting it out for dinner.” I’m beginning to see why so many people deify this guy.

Brian Wilson’s Smile (Beach Boys)
MP3: Brian Wilson - Roll Plymouth Rock
While the backing tribal-esque vocals in “Roll Plymouth Rock” originally confused me, I see now that they’re perfect for the Brian Wilson of now. He was an innovator fourty years ago, and he’s still an innovator today.

Feist’ Let It Die (By Divine Right/Broken Social Scene)
MP3: Feist - Mushaboom
I am in love with Leslie Feist. But it’s not just because she’s one of the most attractive women ever, but her music is so appealing. “Mushaboom” is one of the most adorable songs that have been written in the past decade. While Feist barely joined By Divine Right before releasing her first solo album, “Let It Die” was the one that really established her as having surpassed her role as a member of BDR and Broken Social Scene.

Pete Townshend’s Empty Glass (The Who)
MP3: Pete Townshend - Let My Love Open The Door (non album version)
I want this version of this song played at my wedding. Pete’s lyrics, while at first appearing simple, are actually just as emotionally charged as anything he ever did with The Who. It’s just a bit of a trip to see the guy best known for smashing guitars sing about a sappy, romantic kind of love.

As with any editorial-type feature here, I’ve no doubt screwed up and left your favorite solo album off the list. If this is the case, or if you just thought of another interesting “did you know this is technically a solo album” example, feel free to lay it on us!