I figured with the new year it would be the perfect time to take a look back at the best (at least in my opinion) of the greatest albums of all time.
10. Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (October 1995)
The most recent album on my list and in my opinion the strongest album to come out in the last 20 years. Once upon a time Oasis was the biggest band in the world thanks to this album which included hits like “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger”. Sadly while coming out with a solid body of work, they never quite lived up to the promise (and the pressure) of their second album. Still it is an amazing album both timely and timeless, one that can be listened to 16 years later and still have impact.
9. Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin IV (November 1971)
Not much to say about this choice, honestly I don’t think Zeppelin really pushed the boundaries with album continuity, but from beginning to end every song is for lack of a better term a masterpiece. I can’t find a single flaw in any song from “Black Dog” to “When the Levee Breaks”. Plus it’s Zeppelin doing what they do best, which is better than 99.9% of any other bands in rock history.
8. The Beatles: Let it Be (May 1970)
I might catch a little heat for this choice, after all even the Beatles weren’t happy with the first version, but the final Beatles album (although some will even debate me on that) spawned a solid motion picture and some great hits “Let it Be” and “The Long and Winding Road”. As an added bonus the final version was created by musical genius and psychopath Phil Spector, so you have some of the greatest minds in music on this album and I think it shows.
7. The Cure: Disintegration (May 1989)
A return to the goth roots for the original goth band, Disintegration is a great album by a band that built a reputation on making great albums. From songs to “Lullaby” to “Love Song” this launched the Cure into the world-wide phenomenon that they are today. It also influenced countless bands to follow, but no one did it better than the Cure.
6. Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde (May 1966)
Defiantly my favorite Dylan album and for me is Dylan at his finest hour. It also has the distinction of being the first important double album. “Visions of Johanna” is right up in my to 5 all time favorite songs, and was an important step in Dylan’s musical evolution.
5. David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (June 1972)
A concept album by the chameleon, David Bowie rose to new heights of fame with his Ziggy Stardust persona, which were both embodied and laid to rest in the Ziggy Stardust album. Playing both showman and musician David Bowie would later abounded the “Ziggy sound” (a common theme in his career) but there is no denying that Ziggy Stardust was a product of on of the great true artist of our times.
4. The Beatles: The White Album (November 1968)
Another classic Beatles album and also the Beatles at their most experimental (“Revolution 9” anyone), but as far-reaching as it is, it’s still pretty concise. They know what they are doing and they execute it flawlessly. Plus it gave us gems like “Blackbird” and “While my Guitar Gently Weeps”.
3. The Clash: London Calling (December 1979)
For me this is the one of the most important albums in the history of modern music hands downs. Including a variety of musical elements such as ska, jazz, and soul, this is the definitive punk album and led the way for a musical revolution. Nobody has incorporated as many musical elements into one album as successfully as the Clash did with London Calling.
2. The Rolling Stones: Exile on Main Street (May 1972)
In my opinion this is the Stones finest work, released as a double LP Exile on Main Street this was a creative high for the Stones. A rock and blues album more than anything, the Stones goes into uncharted territory for them and it pays of big time for them and helps to establish them as one of the greatest and long-lasting acts in rock and roll.
1. The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (June 1967)
What more can you say about this album that hasn’t already be said, the greatest rock band in history took a gamble and it paid off and they created the greatest album ever made. Also “A Day in the Life” is perhaps the perfect ending for any album ever.
Looking back the list probably could have used some Soul, R&B, maybe even some PoP. Perhaps Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Prince, maybe even Michael Jackson. Then of course they are the rock greats I am missing, no Clapton, Lennon (solo), Springsteen. So tell me what do you think? Miss anything major?
