Top 50
albums of all time
(limit
one album per artist) (updated
January 2013) |
|
| |
| 1. Desire
Bob Dylan |
|
 |
| Scarlet
Rivera's violin and some of Dylan's most affecting tunes create a
haunting, mystical album. Dylan throws himself into the various biographical
eulogies with abandon and sincerity. Bar Nashville Skyline,
his sweetest vocals. Best songs: "Sara", "One More Cup of Coffee",
"Hurricane". |
| 2. The
River Bruce Springsteen |
|
 |
| Springsteen
has written better songs elsewhere, but the sheer breadth of this
album makes it stand out. It veers wildly from feel-good '60s pop
to some dark and despairing ballads - testing, but not overpowering,
Springsteen's all-encompassing life vision. Best songs: "Jackson Cage",
"The Ties That Bind", "The River". |
| 3. Rubber
Soul The Beatles |
|
 |
| The
mid-point of the Fab Four's artistry and career, just before the ambitious
flourishes began. Their most modest, consistent, timeless and satisfying
release. Disciplined, rhythmic pop overlayed with emotion (and some
irony), punctuated by sublime ballads. Best songs: "In My Life", "Michelle",
"Norwegian Wood". |
| 4. Thirteen
Teenage Fanclub |
|
 |
| The
defining moment of Fanclub's extraordinary career - the day their
grunge met their joy. So, prior to their signature "summer" style
kicking in, this album has a heavy backdrop that perfectly complements
the bliss that's obviously come to them. Best songs: "Norman 3", "Commercial
Alternative", "Radio". |
| 5. Sticky
Fingers The Rolling Stones |
|
 |
| Two
straight-out rockers, some fucked-up blues, some country, and a couple
of slices of "moonlight crawl" - fully-formed songs effortlessly played
by the world's best rock band at their peak. Not as unique as Exile
on Main Street, but better. Best songs: "Sway", "Wild Horses",
"Bitch". |
| 6. Inflammable
Material Stiff Little Fingers |
|
 |
| A
miracle. Abrasive yet melodic guitars and vocals contribute to the
most searing, powerful punk music ever recorded. Such intensity could
only come from a debut - Stiff Little Fingers would never again match
this effort. Best songs: "White Noise", "Suspect Device", "State of
Emergency". |
| 7. Pinkerton
Weezer |
|
 |
| Rivers
Cuomo's pained scream to the world, a half-hour burst of emotion and
confession. The band supports him with inspired arrangements and explosive
playing. A bruising experience, physically and emotionally, for both
Cuomo and the listener. Best songs: "The Good Life", "Pink Triangle",
"Across the Sea". |
| 8. Ennia Pliromena Tragoudia Trypes |
|
 |
| The crowning glory of Greece's premiere alternative rock act. Smart lyrics, a political stance, charismatic rock music, plaintive ballads, this album's sheer majesty is there to wonder any ears, Greek or not. Best songs: "Den Horas Pouthena", "I Maska pou kryveis", "Amnisia". |
| 9. Life's
Rich Pageant R.E.M. |
|
 |
| As
the drums and guitars crash the opening track in, the production is
apparent: rock-hard, with a metallic tinge. Combine that with some
typically inscrutable R.E.M. musings (before they started churning
out the hits), and you have an awesome album. Best songs: "Begin the
Begin", "I Believe", "Fall on Me". |
| 10.
The Clash The
Clash |
|
 |
| Before
the polemics, before the success, this is The Clash in all their original
garage rock glory. Even now, this album sounds unique - the gnarled
vocals, the primitive playing, the basic production all create a feeling
of genuine unrest. Best songs: "Deny", "White Riot", "I'm So Bored
With the U.S.A.". |
11.
Rehearsing
My Choir The Fiery Furnaces
12.
Abba Abba
13.
Third / Sister Lovers
Big Star
14.
The Boatman's Call Nick
Cave
15.
Horses
Patti Smith
16.
Entertainment! Gang
of Four
17.
Setting
Sons The Jam
18.
Unknown Pleasures Joy Division
19.
Heart Part of Your Mind
The Underminers
20.
Rid of Me P J Harvey
21.
Surfer Rosa The Pixies
22.
The Queen is Dead
The Smiths
23.
Harvest Neil Young
24.
Ram Paul and
Linda McCartney
25.
Janis Ian Janis Ian
26.
Album
II Loudon Wainwright
III
27.
A Different Kind of Tension
The Buzzcocks
28. Joan
Joan Baez
29.
Pink Moon Nick Drake
30.
The Pretenders
The Pretenders
31.
The Specials
The Specials
32.
Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds
33.
The Ramones The Ramones
34.
Bakesale
Sebadoh
35.
Goo Sonic Youth
36.
Bug Dinosaur
Jr
37.
Forever Changes Love
38.
Get the Knack
The Knack
39.
Parallel Lines Blondie
40.
Cut The Slits
41.
Alien Lanes Guided
by Voices
42.
Stands for Decibels The
dB's
43.
The Stone Roses The
Stone Roses
44.
It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Public Enemy
45.
Nah
= Poo - The Art of Bluff
Wah!
46.
Zen Arcade Husker Du
47.
The Woods Sleater-Kinney
48.
Mummy Your Not Watching Me
Television Personalities
49.
Pearl Janis Joplin
50.
Plastic Ono Band
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
See
also
|
|
