Top 50 All Time Albums

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Top 50 All Time Albums

I've seen a number of lists appearing in the blogworld.

Jackson has a nice post on the best live albums although it displays his constant disrepect for anything recorded post the mid 80s.

I have always like music lists. This is the time of the year that the top albums of the year lists come out and I regularly find gems that I somehow missed.

But I also recognize that its hard to sit down and compile a list of top records without missing something important.

And I like the idea of dynamic lists that can change over time, like my In Heavy Rotation List.

So with that prelude, I am launching a new feature to this blog, called Top 50 All Time Albums. It's a TypePad list, a feature that I really dig.

And it will not have 50 records on it for quite a while. It could take as long as a year to build this list. And I want recommendations. I'll only take them if I agree with them, but I am sure we share a few favorites among us.

And I will change albums out over time as they no longer make my top 50.

The list is at the lower end of the left column. I hope you enjoy it.

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Tracked on Nov 22, 2004 6:25:39 AM

Posted November 20, 2004 in My Music

Comments

I'll stop reading your blog if "Exile on Main Street" isn't on the list. I'm out in the pavillion following dismal Georgia Tech showing against Virginia so I'm in no shape to add to this list at the moment, but Monday I'll throw a few at you...

Posted by: Tony Alva | Nov 20, 2004 7:29:07 PM

Oh my! What an opportunity for self indulgence. I could go on forever. First off, I see you already have a Dylan record, but "Blonde on Blonde" blows me away every time I listen to it... so if you aren't limiting the artist, I'd say Dylan deserves two slots, but also think it's a tossup between "Blood" and "Blonde", although I'd lean toward "Blonde."

I'd say that Pixies "Surfer Rosa" album should go on there.

Swervedriver "Raise". Obscure, but unbelievably brilliant. Swervedriver proves that a handful of English folks can actually rock and not have it sound fey or like they're trying too hard.

Bettie Serveert "Palomine" phenomenally briliant: moody, cheeky, funny, desperate. The song "Leg" may be top five of all time material for me.

Pavement may get two slots, were it my lists. One for "Slanted and Enchanted" and one for "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain." I'd say "Crooked Rain" is actually better. "Wowee Zowee" would definitely be in the second 50.

De La Soul's "De La Soul is Dead" would be #1 on my list, but that's just me. This album dazzles me with every listen, and I"ve been listening to it probably weekly at a minimus since it came out in 1991.

My Bloody Valentine "Loveless". Slack-jawed when I heard this. Still am.

A Tribe Called Quest "Low End Theory" beats and stories that perfectly capture the unbounded-seeming potential of insurgent "native tongue" hip hop back in the early nineties. Really, this album was the beginning of the end for Tribe, but it was an amazing transition album, to be sure.

Uncle Tupelo -- "Still Feel Gone."

Van Halen -- "Van Halen"

Jimi Hendrix "Electric Ladyland" and "Axis Bold as Love"

Beatles "White Album"

"Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack"

Stevie Wonder "Innervisions"

"The Harder They Come Soundtrack"

Gang of Four "Entertainment"

I'll post 500 more nominations when I get back from my trip to NYC.

Posted by: scott partee | Nov 21, 2004 2:02:27 PM

Fred, I always love these kinds of lists, but they always beg the same thorny questions:

Is it a list of the best as you think about the meaning of "best" or "greatest," or instead is it a list of favorites?

When you say best "albums" does that mean albums conceived and recorded at one time? What about music written and recorded before the album era available only in anthologized form? (For my part I could make a list of 50 records of material recorded before 1957 that I listen to more often than anything).

Do you approach it with genre limitations. Obviously you've combined rock, jazz, hip hop, reggae, but what about classical? Spoken word/comedy? (I think Richard Pryor's That Nigger's Crazy would make a list of my personal favorites for sure).

Posted by: Jason Chervokas | Nov 21, 2004 8:39:22 PM

Could I put in a plea for The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses? My reason? The second instrumental half of the song 'I Am The Resurrection' - and every other song on the album.

Don't get too tied up in all those "thorny questions". And don't forget The Beatles.

Posted by: Andrew Heavens | Nov 22, 2004 2:52:40 AM

Great idea, I'm sure the debate will be as interesting as the final list!

Here are a couple of thoughts:

1.) Appetite for Destruction - Guns N' Roses
2.) Moondance - Van Morrison
3.) Nothing Shocking - Janes Addiction

I noticed there is no Bruce Springsteen yet... I'm sure something of his should be on here, and something from the Beatles...

Posted by: Jon Strande | Nov 22, 2004 5:51:33 AM

I will leave you to it, I don't think it's possible without defining down a bit, i.e. live album, reggea album, blues album...But you go to it, you just might inspire me to buy a record recorded after Janes Addiction's 'Nothing Shocking'. Actually I have, Tom Petty's 'Wildflowers'. I may throw some ideas your way once you get further in. I doubt you'll include Motorhead 'Ace Of Spades', but I would, and so forth....

Posted by: jackson | Nov 22, 2004 10:57:29 AM

Tommy-The Who
The Wall-Pink Floyd

Posted by: Charlie O'Donnell | Nov 22, 2004 2:41:08 PM

If you're listing the 50 "most important" albums of all time, you might be interested in the list compiled by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame of the "500 songs that shaped rock and roll". It can be found at http://www.rockhall.com/exhibitions/permanent.asp?id=658.

For sentimental favorites - albums that either really moved me or that are just amazing for the overall high level of the work, here are a few of mine:

George Harrison - All Things Must Pass
Dire Straits - Making Movies
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces
Neil Young - Rust Never Sleeps / Comes a Time / Tonight's the Night (depends on the day)
Ramones - Rocket to Russia
Johnny Cash - Unchained
Billy Joel - The Stranger
Prince - 1999
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication
Donald Fagen - The Nightfly

Posted by: JayR | Nov 22, 2004 2:50:33 PM

Have fun with this one Fred, I like that you said you were going to take your time with this one, here is a link for the all time best selling albums. I think you should look at it but by no means base your list on it.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipea/A0151020.html?mail-07-21

Here is a link to the Rolling Stone list, again look at it but don’t use it.
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/5938174?rnd=1101169288265&has-player=false

I see On the Beach already made it, good keep it there. You could put two or three more Neil albums on the list, but I am happy with On the Beach.
I like your list so far, never herd the Dr Dre disc.
My input:
My favorite Dylan album;
Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
My favorite Beatles album;
Abbey Road, The Beatles
My favorite Stones album;
Let It Bleed, Rolling Stones
My favorite U2 album;
The Joshua Tree, U2
Karen’s favorite Joni album;
Hejira, Joni Mitchell
Pink Floyd needs to be on the list I like them all from Dark Side Of The Moon to Final Cut, Pick any one or pick them all you can’t loose.
The Kinks, How do you put them on a list like this, they never make this list, yet they have put out some of the greatest music, find a way and put a Kinks album on your list, after all it was you and Pete that turned me on to the Kinks back in college.

Could go with The Last Waltz, but I recommend
Music From Big Pink, The Band
Julia mentioned this one;
Hotel California, The Eagles
I know it’s a greatest hits, but it’s a great one;
Greatest Hits, Sly and the Family Stone
Probably wouldn’t make most lists, but they would make mine;
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John
My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello
Smile, Jayhawks
Waiting For Columbus, Little Feat
Europe 72 & American Beauty, The Dead
Excitable Boy, Warren Zevon
Déjà vu, CSN&Y

Other artists to include; Steely Dan, Talking Heads, Ramones, Led Zeppelin, you pick the albums.

You know how big of a Lennon fan I am, but I don’t think any of his albums rate top 50 maybe top 100, but there is to much competition, not Band on the Run, maybe All Things Must Pass, which I think is the best solo Beatles album.
I know I missed a few but you will figure them out and include them, I am looking forward to this list.

Posted by: Rod | Nov 22, 2004 8:34:40 PM

Apostrophe

Posted by: Rod | Nov 22, 2004 8:41:59 PM

I like your Neil Young choice!

No Pavement, Pixies?

My dark horse choice is always The Grifters-"Crappin You Negative." From Memphis.

Posted by: Two Dishes But To One Table | Nov 23, 2004 7:54:23 AM

Yeah, your list, not THE list. Some of mine:

Dire Straits--Making Movies, Alchemy.
Liz Phair--Exile in guyville
Lou Reed -- New York
Lucinda Williams--Car Wheels on a Gravel Road
John Lennon--Imagine
Graham Parker--(whatever)
Gorecki
Dylan--Blood on the Tracks

note...I was on the same label as Bettie Seevert. Interesting stuff.

Also, the bass player for Pavement tends bar at Great Jones Cafe.

Posted by: Charlie Crystle | Nov 23, 2004 11:22:41 AM

So far from the comments, excluding Rod and Tony because I'm inclined to agree with anything they say; My Bloddy Valentine 'Loveless', Johnny Cash 'Unchained', Pixies 'Surfer Rosa', and though I'm not sure about 'Nightfly' by Fagen, 'Aja' is one record I don't think I could live without.

Posted by: jackson | Nov 23, 2004 1:53:42 PM

I'm embarrassed for missing Music from Big Pink. A few more:

Probably a lot of debate on which Beatles album to include. I'd go with the White Album for quantity (although there is a lot of stuff that I skip over) and Rubber Soul and Sgt. Pepper for just being great to listen to.

Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady
The Jam - Sound Affects
Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever
Joe Jackson - Night and Day
Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage (Act I)

I'd put down some more recent albums but I think the real test of a "great" album is that you don't get tired of it.

Posted by: JayR | Nov 25, 2004 11:26:51 PM

I'm glad you included the Replacements, but Tim and Let it Be were better than Pleased To Meet Me. Of course Can't Hardly Wait is on Pleased, and you really can't go wrong with any of the three. Good call. Also, I agree with Rod on Dire Straits Making Movies; it is their best, and one of the best. Let It Bleed and Beggars Banquet by the Stones could be included instead of/with Exile. Others to include:
Move It On Over - George Thoroughgood
Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughn
Never Mind The Bullocks - Sex Pistols
High 'n' Dry - Def Leppard (This is not a joke. Before they sold out (first two albums) they were awesome. But only if you've got a bit of metal head in you.)
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
One of Aerosmith's first three albums - take your pick.
Third Day - Offerings

Posted by: Steve | Nov 27, 2004 8:30:22 PM

Great list and comments, so far.
Here's a crack at my top 10 (OK, 15), though it would be subject to change on any given day. The list is heavily influenced by late 70's / early 80's, as it served as a "soundtrack" to my college years, tending bar and working as a DJ.

In no particular order:
Lou Reed - Transformer (or substitute the Velvet Underground with Nico)
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
Roxy Music - Avalon
Kate Bush - The Kick Inside
Elvis Costello - Armed Forces (or This Year's Model)
Joe Jackson - Look Sharp! (2-disc 10" album version with bonus pin, of course)
Talking Heads - More Songs About Buildings & Food
Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come (do soundtracks count?)
Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks
Parliament Funkadelic - Mothership Connection
Gil Scott Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Blondie - Eat to the Beat
Pretenders - Pretenders (has taken me 20 years to get over my crush on Chrissie Hynde)
Ramones - Rocket to Russia (if I had 30 minutes to hear 20 songs, this is the album I'd choose)
Clash - London Calling
Squeeze - Argybargy

Posted by: Barry | Nov 30, 2004 9:02:10 PM

Joy Division - Substance
British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power
Go on...
x

Posted by: Lottie | Dec 14, 2004 8:44:13 AM

Joy Division - Substance
British Sea Power - The Decline of British Sea Power
Go on...
x

Posted by: Lottie | Dec 14, 2004 8:44:34 AM

Bands such as
Green Day(Dookie - #72 all-time best seller) and
blink-182(Cheshire Cat)
have paved the way for punk/emo/poppunk/ska/screamo/posthardcore bands of the past ten years.

Posted by: Kevin | Dec 24, 2004 7:06:44 PM

Thriller- Michael Jackson
The Wall- Pink floyd
Jimi Hendrix- Electric ladyland
Red Hot Chili Peppers- Blood Sugar Sex Magik
eagles
fleetwood mac
zeppelin IV
zeppelin I
zeppelin II
zeppelin III
Houses of the holy
in through the out door
physical graffiti
uou get the point...

Posted by: MC | Dec 26, 2004 12:35:40 PM

Good to see that some else appreciates John Hiatt!

Posted by: Josh Kerbel | Jun 10, 2005 10:43:02 AM

I have many others, but here are my top 10 (Not sure if they are in any particular order, but I think this is how it goes

Betty by Helmet
Vulgar Display of Power by Pantera
Badmotorfinger by Soundgarden
Aenima by Tool
Lateralus by Tool
Break the Cycle by Staind
New Found Power by Damageplan
Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses by Slipknot
Reload by Metallica
American Idiot by Green Day

Posted by: James P. Embrey | Jun 19, 2005 10:52:48 PM

Oh, I just picked up some new albums that I like as well, here are some of them:

Superunknown by Soundgarden

Angel Dust by Faith No More

Meantime by Helmet

Posted by: James P. Embrey | Aug 7, 2005 1:36:27 PM

Leadbelly is strangely absent from this list. I know "Best of" albums aren't fair, but in the case of a performer of that era, I think it is fair.

Also, where is Television's "Marquee Moon," and Velvet Underground self-titled?

Posted by: John Kerbel Has Awful Taste in Music | Dec 1, 2005 5:46:39 PM

A VC

Musings of a VC in NYC