THE CONCEPT
Back in December of 2014, I created a top 100 album list. There've been 10 years of new albums since then, not to mention older albums that I either missed, didn't fully appreciate, or just changed my mind about. My lovely wife Noreen suggested that I should re-do the list, and a 10th anniversary seemed like a good reason to do it. The list below is my favorite 100 albums of all time as of this writing (June 2024). My tastes haven't changed radically since then. Most of the albums below would normally be considered "classic rock", "progressive rock", "alternative", "indie", "power pop", or some variation on one of those genres. As I did last time, I'm pulling this list out of a general list of 3,000 or so albums. Twelve new entries are here, but only two of them were released since the last list.
This remains a highly biased list. It's my personal favorites, not an attempt at an impartial list of the best albums of all time. As with my year-end Top Ten Lists, I'm generally focused on albums of original material as opposed to live albums, greatest hits albums, or box sets. I'd rate an album of all "4-star" songs over one that mixes "5-star" and "2-star" songs. These are albums that, for me, have no skippable songs.
For each entry in the list, there's a track listing with my favorite song highlighted (thanks for the idea, sweetie), links to YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music so you can sample the albums, and links to my original Top Ten List reviews. I've also added a few comments to some of the entries, mostly the new additions and the top ten. If you find a lot of your favorites on the list, then consider the other entries recommendations for albums you might want to check out.
Hope you enjoy the list.
2014 ENTRIES REMOVED FROM THE LIST
What made this iteration tricky was that for every album I wanted to add, a corresponding album had to get cut. Some of the cuts were obvious, some involved some heartbreak. As mentioned above, twelve replacements were made.
These are the albums that were in the 2014 list that were removed to make room for the new additions. Found a few albums that I realized were on here because of their "hits". The best songs on each are so good that the album seems obvious. However, on re-listen, there were some weaker spots and I'd still rather have consistently great albums on here. Still, it was hard to cut these - they're definitely favorites, but you've got to cut somewhere, right? And yeah, I'll probably look back in a while and think "You cut that? Why?!" It's how it goes.
#40: XTC - Skylarking (1986)
#69: Genesis - Abacab (1981)
#80: Randy Newman - Good Old Boys (1974)
#84: U2 - Boy (1980)
#85: The Polyphonic Spree - Together We're Heavy (2004)
#86: Warren Zevon - Sentimental Hygiene (1987)
#87: Led Zeppelin - In Through The Out Door (1979)
#88: Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová - Once [Music From The Motion Picture] (2007)
#90: Tom Waits - Rain Dogs (1985)
#93: Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic (1974)
#97: The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986)
#98: Franz Nicolay - Major General (2009)
TOO NEW TO BE CONSIDERED
I worked on a list like this many years ago with a coworker. Back then, we decided that any album released in the last five years was automatically ineligible because we felt it would be too hard to judge impartially. For this list, I figured I'd bring that concept back and note some of the recent albums I might consider for a future list, once these have a little time to age.
- Fish - Weltschmerz (2020)
- The Hold Steady - Open Door Policy (2021)
- Church Of The Cosmic Skull - There Is No Time (2022)
- Crown Lands - Fearless (2023)
- Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Council Skies (2023)
THE TOP 100
![cover of Know Your Enemy](reviews/top100-10/100-know-your-enemy.jpg)
Manic Street Preachers
Know Your Enemy
Released: 2001
Tracks: "Found That Soul", "Ocean Spray", "Intravenous Agnostic", "So Why So Sad", "Let Robeson Sing", "The Year Of Purification", "Wattsville Blues", "Miss Europa Disco Dancer", "Dead Martyrs", "His Last Painting", "My Guernica", "The Convalescent", "Royal Correspondent", "Epicentre", "Baby Elián", "Freedom Of Speech Won't Feed My Children", "We Are All Bourgeois Now"
YouTube: "The Convalescent", "Let Robeson Sing"
Streaming: Not streaming on Spotify or Apple Music
![cover of New York](reviews/top100-10/100-new-york.jpg)
Lou Reed
New York
Released: 1989
Tracks: "Romeo Had Juliette", "Halloween Parade", "Dirty Blvd.", "Endless Cycle", "There Is No Time", "Last Great American Whale", "Beginning Of A Great Adventure", "Busload Of Faith", "Sick Of You", "Hold On", "Good Evening Mr. Waldheim", "Xmas In February", "Strawman", "Dime Store Mystery"
YouTube: "Dirty Blvd.", "Romeo Had Juliette"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of The Rutles](reviews/top100-10/100-the-rutles.jpg)
The Rutles
The Rutles
Released: 1978
Tracks: "Goose-Step Mama", "Number One", "Baby Let Me Be", "Hold My Hand", "Blue Suede Schubert", "I Must Be In Love", "With A Girl Like You", "Between Us", "Living In Hope", "Ouch!", "It's Looking Good", "Doubleback Alley", "Good Times Roll", "Nevertheless", "Love Life", "Piggy In The Middle", "Another Day", "Cheese And Onions", "Get Up And Go", "Let's Be Natural"
YouTube: "I Must Be In Love", "Ouch!"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Adventure](reviews/top100-10/100-adventure.jpg)
Television
Adventure
Released: 1978
Tracks: "Glory", "Days", "Foxhole", "Careful", "Carried Away", "The Fire", "Ain't That Nothin'", "The Dream's Dream"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2003 (reissue)
![cover of Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds](reviews/top100-10/100-noel-gallagher.jpg)
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Released: 2011
Tracks: "Everybody's On The Run", "Dream On", "If I Had A Gun...", "The Death Of You And Me", "(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine", "AKA... What A Life!", "Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks", "AKA... Broken Arrow", "(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach", "Stop The Clocks", "Let The Lord Shine A Light On Me", "The Good Rebel"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2011 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of Fegmania!](reviews/top100-10/100-fegmania!.jpg)
Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians
Fegmania!
Released: 1985
Tracks: "Egyptian Cream", "Another Bubble", "I'm Only You", "My Wife And My Dead Wife", "Goodnight I Say", "The Man With The Lightbulb Head", "Insect Mother", "Strawberry Mind", "Glass", "The Fly", "Heaven", "(Untitled)"
YouTube: "My Wife And My Dead Wife", "Heaven"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1995 (reissue)
![cover of Shoot Out The Lights](reviews/top100-10/100-shoot-out-the-lights.jpg)
Richard & Linda Thompson
Shoot Out The Lights
Released: 1982
Tracks: "Don't Renege On Our Love", "Walking On A Wire", "A Man In Need", "Just The Motion", "Shoot Out The Lights", "Back Street Slide", "Did She Jump Or Was She Pushed?", "Wall Of Death"
YouTube: "Shoot Out The Lights", "Wall Of Death"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Quartet](reviews/top100-10/100-quartet.jpg)
Ultravox
Quartet
Released: 1982
Played this a ton in college but it had been a while since I listened to the album start to finish. The recent super deluxe edition reminded me of just how good the album is, and it definitely deserves to be on this list. "Vienna" is my favorite Ultravox song, but Quartet is my favorite of their albums.
Tracks: "Reap The Wild Wind", "Serenade", "Mine For Life", "Hymn", "Visions In Blue", "When The Scream Subsides", "We Came To Dance", "Cut And Run", "The Song (We Go)"
YouTube: "Reap The Wild Wind", "Hymn"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2023 (Deluxe Edition)
![cover of Damn The Torpedoes](reviews/top100-10/100-damn-the-torpedoes.jpg)
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
Damn The Torpedoes
Released: 1979
Tracks: "Refugee", "Here Comes My Girl", "Even The Losers", "Shadow Of A Doubt (A Complex Kid)", "Century City", "Don't Do Me Like That", "You Tell Me", "What Are You Doin' In My Life?", "Louisiana Rain"
YouTube: "Refugee", "Shadow Of A Doubt (A Complex Kid)"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2010 (Deluxe Edition)
![cover of Boston](reviews/top100-10/100-boston.jpg)
Boston
Boston
Released: 1976
Tracks: "More Than A Feeling", "Peace Of Mind", "Foreplay / Long Time", "Rock & Roll Band", "Smokin'", "Hitch A Ride", "Something About You", "Let Me Take You Home Tonight"
YouTube: "More Than A Feeling", "Foreplay / Long Time"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of The Last DJ](reviews/top100-10/100-the-last-dj.jpg)
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
The Last DJ
Released: 2002
Tracks: "The Last DJ", "Money Becomes King", "Dreamville", "Joe", "When A Kid Goes Bad", "Like A Diamond", "Lost Children", "Blue Sunday", "You And Me", "The Man Who Loves Women", "Have Love Will Travel", "Can't Stop The Sun"
YouTube: "Have Love Will Travel", "Can't Stop The Sun"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2002
![cover of Green Thoughts](reviews/top100-10/100-green-thoughts.jpg)
The Smithereens
Green Thoughts
Released: 1988
Tracks: "Only A Memory", "House We Used To Live In", "Something New", "The World We Know", "Especially For You", "Drown In My Own Tears", "Deep Black", "Elaine", "Spellbound", "If The Sun Doesn't Shine", "Green Thoughts"
YouTube: "Only A Memory", "House We Used To Live In"
Streaming: Not streaming on Spotify or Apple Music
Review: 1998
![cover of The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars](reviews/top100-10/100-the-rise-and-fall.jpg)
David Bowie
The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars
Released: 1972
I wasn't a David Bowie fan growing up, although I liked the FM radio staples like "Changes", "Rebel Rebel", "Suffragette City", "The Jean Genie", and so on. After he passed in 2016, my friend Phil (who's a huge Bowie fan) figured I was missing out and took it upon himself to lead me through the classic entries in his catalog. Hunky Dory, Station To Station, and Ziggy Stardust were my favorites of the group, but I enjoyed them all. It was obvious that Ziggy needed to be here.
Tracks: "Five Years", "Soul Love", "Moonage Daydream", "Starman", "It Ain't Easy", "Lady Stardust", "Star", "Hang On To Yourself", "Ziggy Stardust", "Suffragette City", "Rock 'n' Roll Suicide"
YouTube: "Moonage Daydream", "Ziggy Stardust"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Grace Under Pressure](reviews/top100-10/100-grace-under-pressure.jpg)
Rush
Grace Under Pressure
Released: 1984
Tracks: "Distant Early Warning", "Afterimage", "Red Sector A", "The Enemy Within", "The Body Electric", "Kid Gloves", "Red Lenses", "Between The Wheels"
YouTube: "Distant Early Warning", "Red Sector A"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols](reviews/top100-10/100-never-mind-the-bollocks.jpg)
Sex Pistols
Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols
Released: 1977
When I was 13 or 14, I listened to AM radio and Elton John was my favorite. I remember seeing a story on TV about the this new band causing outrage in the UK, and I remember the Pistols' performance clips scaring me a little. I'd never seen anything like that. Years later, after my tastes widened, I picked up the album because I liked the three famous singles ("God Save The Queen", "Anarchy In The U.K." and "Pretty Vacant"), but kind of ignored the rest. A few years back I gave the whole album a fresh listen, and I was floored with how powerful it is. Steve Jones' guitar and Johnny Rotten's sneering vocals pack a hell of a punch.
Tracks: "Holidays In The Sun", "Bodies", "No Feelings", "Liar", "God Save The Queen", "Problems", "Seventeen", "Anarchy In The U.K.", "Submission", "Pretty Vacant", "New York", "EMI"
YouTube: "God Save The Queen", "Pretty Vacant"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Under The Big Black Sun](reviews/top100-10/100-under-the-big-black-sun.jpg)
X
Under The Big Black Sun
Released: 1982
X were one of several bands I found through their videos on MTV. Their first four albums are all excellent, but this is the standout for me. Why didn't this make the cut for me in 2014? I'm honestly not sure, but this is one of those corrections that this rethink is perfect for.
Tracks: "The Hungry Wolf", "Motel Room In My Bed", "Riding With Mary", "Come Back To Me", "Under The Big Black Sun", "Because I Do", "Blue Spark", "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", "Real Child Of Hell", "How I (Learned My Lesson)", "The Have Nots"
YouTube: "The Hungry Wolf", "The Have Nots"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of A Night At The Opera](reviews/top100-10/100-a-night-at-the-opera.jpg)
Queen
A Night At The Opera
Released: 1975
Tracks: "Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To ...", "Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon", "I'm In Love With My Car", "You're My Best Friend", "'39", "Sweet Lady", "Seaside Rendezvous", "The Prophet's Song", "Love Of My Life", "Good Company", "Bohemian Rhapsody", "God Save The Queen"
YouTube: "Bohemian Rhapsody", "You're My Best Friend"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Rumor And Sigh](reviews/top100-10/100-rumor-and-sigh.jpg)
Richard Thompson
Rumor And Sigh
Released: 1991
Tracks: "Read About Love", "I Feel So Good", "I Misunderstood", "Grey Walls", "You Dream Too Much", "Why Must I Plead", "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", "Backlash Love Affair", "Mystery Wind", "Don't Sit On My Jimmy Shands", "Keep Your Distance", "Mother Knows Best", "God Loves A Drunk", "Psycho Street"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1991 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of This Is The Sea](reviews/top100-10/100-this-is-the-sea.jpg)
The Waterboys
This Is The Sea
Released: 1985
Tracks: "Don't Bang The Drum", "The Whole Of The Moon", "Spirit", "The Pan Within", "Medicine Bow", "Old England", "Be My Enemy", "Trumpets", "This Is The Sea"
YouTube: "Don't Bang The Drum", "The Whole Of The Moon"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2004 (reissue)
![cover of Postcards From A Young Man](reviews/top100-10/100-postcards-from-a-young-man.jpg)
Manic Street Preachers
Postcards From A Young Man
Released: 2010
I had two other Manics albums on the 2014 list. Maybe that's why I skipped this one, but I shouldn't have. James Dean Bradfield told the NME "We're going for big radio hits on this one", and he wasn't kidding. I'm forever baffled as to the lack of attention the Manics get in the US and how "(It's Not War) Just The End Of Love" wasn't a smash single here.
Tracks: "(It's Not War) Just The End Of Love", "Postcards From A Young Man", "Some Kind Of Nothingness", "The Descent (Pages 1 & 2)", "Hazelton Avenue", "Auto-Intoxication", "Golden Platitudes", "I Think I Found It", "A Billion Balconies Facing The Sun", "All We Make Is Entertainment", "The Future Has Been Here 4Ever", "Don't Be Evil"
Streaming: Spotify
Review: 2010
![cover of Breakfast In America](reviews/top100-10/100-breakfast-in-america.jpg)
Supertramp
Breakfast In America
Released: 1979
My friend Mark asked why this album wasn't on the original list. It's been too long; I can't remember why it wasn't there. Re-listening reminded me how great the album is top to bottom. An easy addition.
Tracks: "Gone Hollywood", "The Logical Song", "Goodbye Stranger", "Breakfast In America", "Oh Darling", "Take The Long Way Home", "Lord Is It Mine", "Just Another Nervous Wreck", "Casual Conversations", "Child Of Vision"
YouTube: "The Logical Song", "Goodbye Stranger"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends](reviews/top100-10/100-viva-la-vida.jpg)
Coldplay
Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Released: 2008
Tracks: "Life In Technicolor", "Cemeteries Of London", "Lost!", "42", "Lovers In Japan", "Reign Of Love", "Yes", "Chinese Sleep Chant", "Viva La Vida", "Violet Hill", "Strawberry Swing", "Death And All His Friends", "The Escapist"
YouTube: "Viva La Vida", "Violet Hill"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2008 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of Murmur](reviews/top100-10/100-murmur.jpg)
R.E.M.
Murmur
Released: 1983
Tracks: "Radio Free Europe", "Pilgrimage", "Laughing", "Talk About The Passion", "Moral Kiosk", "Perfect Circle", "Catapult", "Sitting Still", "9-9", "Shaking Through", "We Walk", "West Of The Fields"
YouTube: "Radio Free Europe", "Sitting Still"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Diesel And Dust](reviews/top100-10/100-diesel-and-dust.jpg)
Midnight Oil
Diesel And Dust
Released: 1987
Tracks: "Beds Are Burning", "Put Down That Weapon", "Dreamworld", "Arctic World", "Warakurna", "The Dead Heart", "Whoah", "Bullroarer", "Sell My Soul", "Sometimes", "Gunbarrel Highway"
YouTube: "The Dead Heart", "Beds Are Burning"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1988
![cover of Close To The Edge](reviews/top100-10/100-close-to-the-edge.jpg)
Yes
Close To The Edge
Released: 1972
I love Yes, and I've seen Close To The Edge as the #1 album on numerous "best prog albums of all time" lists. I prefer The Yes Album, but I love Close To The Edge too, especially the epic title song. Why I left this off is another puzzle for me - I have no idea why I skipped it.
Tracks: "Close To The Edge", "And You And I", "Siberian Khatru"
YouTube: "Close To The Edge", "And You And I"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Sail Away](reviews/top100-10/100-sail-away.jpg)
Randy Newman
Sail Away
Released: 1972
Tracks: "Sail Away", "Lonely At The Top", "He Gives Us All His Love", "Last Night I Had A Dream", "Simon Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear", "Old Man", "Political Science", "Burn On", "Memo To My Son", "Dayton, Ohio - 1903", "You Can Leave Your Hat On", "God's Song (That's Why I Love Mankind)"
YouTube: "Sail Away", "Political Science"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2002 (reissue)
![cover of You Are What You Is](reviews/top100-10/100-you-are-what-you-is.jpg)
Frank Zappa
You Are What You Is
Released: 1981
Tracks: "Teen-age Wind", "Harder Than Your Husband", "Doreen", "Goblin Girl", "Theme From The 3rd Movement Of Sinister Footwear", "Society Pages", "I'm A Beautiful Guy", "Beauty Knows No Pain", "Charlie's Enormous Mouth", "Any Downers?", "Conehead", "You Are What You Is", "Mudd Club", "The Meek Shall Inherit Nothing", "Dumb All Over", "Heavenly Bank Account", "Suicide Chump", "Jumbo Go Away", "If Only She Woulda", "Drafted Again"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Who Are You](reviews/top100-10/100-who-are-you.jpg)
The Who
Who Are You
Released: 1978
Tracks: "New Song", "Had Enough", "905", "Sister Disco", "Music Must Change", "Trick Of The Light", "Guitar And Pen", "Love Is Coming Down", "Who Are You"
YouTube: "Who Are You", "Sister Disco"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1996 (reissue)
![cover of Led Zeppelin IV](reviews/top100-10/100-led-zeppelin-iv.jpg)
Led Zeppelin
![Led Zeppelin IV](reviews/top100-10/Zoso.png)
Released: 1971
Tracks: "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll", "The Battle Of Evermore", "Stairway To Heaven", "Misty Mountain Hop", "Four Sticks", "Going To California", "When The Levee Breaks"
YouTube: "Rock And Roll", "When The Levee Breaks"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Volunteers](reviews/top100-10/100-volunteers.jpg)
Jefferson Airplane
Volunteers
Released: 1969
Tracks: "We Can Be Together", "Good Shepherd", "The Farm", "Hey Frederick", "Turn My Life Down", "Wooden Ships", "Eskimo Blue Day", "A Song For All Seasons", "Meadowlands", "Volunteers"
YouTube: "We Can Be Together", "Volunteers"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2003 (reissue)
![cover of The Who By Numbers](reviews/top100-10/100-the-who-by-numbers.jpg)
The Who
The Who By Numbers
Released: 1975
Tracks: "Slip Kid", "However Much I Booze", "Squeeze Box", "Dreaming From The Waist", "Imagine A Man", "Success Story", "They Are All In Love", "Blue Red And Grey", "How Many Friends", "In A Hand Or A Face"
YouTube: "Dreaming From The Waist", "Success Story"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1996 (reissue)
![cover of Ragged Glory](reviews/top100-10/100-ragged-glory.jpg)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Ragged Glory
Released: 1990
Tracks: "Country Home", "White Line", "F*!#in' Up", "Over And Over", "Love To Burn", "Farmer John", "Mansion On The Hill", "Days That Used To Be", "Love And Only Love", "Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)"
YouTube: "Mansion On The Hill", "Days That Used To Be"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1990
![cover of The Wall](reviews/top100-10/100-the-wall.jpg)
Pink Floyd
The Wall
Released: 1979
Tracks: "In The Flesh?", "The Thin Ice", "Another Brick In The Wall - Part 1", "The Happiest Days Of Our Lives", "Another Brick In The Wall - Part 2", "Mother", "Goodbye Blue Sky", "Empty Spaces", "Young Lust", "One Of My Turns", "Don't Leave Me Now", "Another Brick In The Wall - Part 3", "Goodbye Cruel World", "Hey You", "Is There Anybody Out There?", "Nobody Home", "Vera", "Bring The Boys Back Home", "Comfortably Numb", "The Show Must Go On", "In The Flesh", "Run Like Hell", "Waiting For The Worms", "Stop", "The Trial", "Outside The Wall"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2012 (Immersion Edition)
![cover of The Last Broadcast](reviews/top100-10/100-the-last-broadcast.jpg)
Doves
The Last Broadcast
Released: 2002
Tracks: "Intro", "Words", "There Goes The Fear", "M62 Song", "Where We're Calling From", "N.Y.", "Satellites", "Friday's Dust", "Pounding", "Last Broadcast", "The Sulphur Man", "Caught By The River"
YouTube: "Pounding", "Words"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2002
![cover of Pretenders](reviews/top100-10/100-pretenders.jpg)
Pretenders
Pretenders
Released: 1980
Tracks: "Precious", "The Phone Call", "Up The Neck", "Tattooed Love Boys", "Space Invader", "The Wait", "Stop Your Sobbing", "Kid", "Private Life", "Brass In Pocket", "Lovers Of Today", "Mystery Achievement"
YouTube: "Brass In Pocket", "Tattooed Love Boys"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Peter Gabriel [aka Melt]](reviews/top100-10/100-peter-gabriel-3.jpg)
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel [aka Melt]
Released: 1980
Tracks: "Intruder", "No Self Control", "Start", "I Don't Remember", "Family Snapshot", "And Through The Wire", "Games Without Frontiers", "Not One Of Us", "Lead A Normal Life", "Biko"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of (What's The Story) Morning Glory?](reviews/top100-10/100-morning-glory.jpg)
Oasis
(What's The Story) Morning Glory?
Released: 1995
Tracks: "Hello", "Roll With It", "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back In Anger", "Hey Now!", "The Swamp Song" [excerpt #1], "Some Might Say", "Cast No Shadow", "She's Electric", "Morning Glory", "The Swamp Song" [excerpt #2], "Champagne Supernova"
YouTube: "Morning Glory", "Some Might Say"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1995 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of Darkness On The Edge Of Town](reviews/top100-10/100-darkness-on-the-edge-of-town.jpg)
Bruce Springsteen
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Released: 1978
Through high school and college, I knew Springsteen's big hits, but wasn't a fan. In 2017, I heard Darkness On The Edge Of Town playing in a bookstore and as each song went by, I thought "Wow, that's excellent". By the end of the album I was asking myself "so, why exactly am I not a fan?" That got me re-examining Bruce's seventies catalog. I didn't get Springsteen before, but I do now. I like all of the seventies albums, but Darkness and one other album had to be on the list.
Tracks: "Badlands", "Adam Raised A Cain", "Something In The Night", "Candy's Room", "Racing In The Street", "The Promised Land", "Factory", "Streets Of Fire", "Prove It All Night", "Darkness On The Edge Of Town"
YouTube: "Badlands", "Prove It All Night"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Asia](reviews/top100-10/100-asia.jpg)
Asia
Asia
Released: 1982
Tracks: "Heat Of The Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor", "One Step Closer", "Time Again", "Wildest Dreams", "Without You", "Cutting It Fine", "Here Comes The Feeling"
YouTube: "Heat Of The Moment", "Only Time Will Tell"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of A Trick Of The Tail](reviews/top100-10/100-a-trick-of-the-tail.jpg)
Genesis
A Trick Of The Tail
Released: 1976
I had Abacab on my 2014 list, but looking back, I prefer A Trick Of The Tail. It's an unheralded gem that seems to get overlooked in favor of the band's seventies prog albums or the chart smashes of the eighties. Heck, Genesis dug deep into their back catalog on their farewell tour in 2021, and even they found no room for anything from A Trick Of The Tail. I can't understand it. There's not a weak song here. A re-listen made it a must for this list.
Tracks: "Dance On A Volcano", "Entangled", "Squonk", "Mad Man Moon", "Robbery, Assault And Battery", "Ripples", "A Trick Of The Tail", "Los Endos"
YouTube: "Squonk", "A Trick Of The Tail"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Bandwagonesque](reviews/top100-10/100-bandwagonesque.jpg)
Teenage Fanclub
Bandwagonesque
Released: 1991
Tracks: "The Concept", "Satan", "December", "What You Do To Me", "I Don't Know", "Star Sign", "Metal Baby", "Pet Rock", "Sidewinder", "Alcoholiday", "Guiding Star", "Is This Music?"
YouTube: "The Concept", "Alcoholiday"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1991
![cover of A New World Record](reviews/top100-10/100-a-new-world-record.jpg)
Electric Light Orchestra
A New World Record
Released: 1976
Tracks: "Tightrope", "Telephone Line", "Rockaria!", "Mission (A World Record)", "So Fine", "Livin' Thing", "Above The Clouds", "Do Ya", "Shangri-La"
YouTube: "Do Ya", "Telephone Line"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2006 (reissue)
![cover of Opposites](reviews/top100-10/100-opposites.jpg)
Biffy Clyro
Opposites
Released: 2013
Tracks: "Different People", "Black Chandelier", "Sounds Like Balloons", "Opposite", "The Joke's On Us", "Biblical", "A Girl And His Cat", "The Fog", "Little Hospitals", "The Thaw", "The Sand At The Core Of Our Bones", "Stingin' Belle", "Modern Magic Formula", "Spanish Radio", "Victory Over The Sun", "Pocket", "Trumpet Or Tap", "Skylight", "Accident Without Emergency", "Woo Woo", "Picture A Knife Fight", "The Land At The End Of Our Toes", "Pocket" [acoustic]
YouTube: "Pocket", "Biblical"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2013 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of The Dark Side Of The Moon](reviews/top100-10/100-the-dark-side-of-the-moon.jpg)
Pink Floyd
The Dark Side Of The Moon
Released: 1973
Tracks: "Speak To Me", "Breathe", "On The Run", "Time", "The Great Gig In The Sky", "Money", "Us And Them", "Any Colour You Like", "Brain Damage", "Eclipse"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2010 (Immersion Edition)
![cover of Abbey Road](reviews/top100-10/100-abbey-road.jpg)
The Beatles
Abbey Road
Released: 1969
Tracks: "Come Together", "Something", "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", "Oh! Darling", "Octopus's Garden", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", "Here Comes The Sun", "Because", "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Sun King", "Mean Mr. Mustard", "Polythene Pam", "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window", "Golden Slumbers", "Carry That Weight", "The End", "Her Majesty"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2019 (Super Deluxe Edition)
![cover of The La's](reviews/top100-10/100-the-la's.jpg)
The La's
The La's
Released: 1990
Tracks: "Son Of A Gun", "I Can't Sleep", "Timeless Melody", "Liberty Ship", "There She Goes", "Doledrum", "Feelin'", "Way Out", "I.O.U.", "Freedom Song", "Failure", "Looking Glass"
YouTube: "There She Goes", "I Can't Sleep"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1999 (reissue)
![cover of Underwater Moonlight](reviews/top100-10/100-underwater-moonlight.jpg)
The Soft Boys
Underwater Moonlight
Released: 1980
Tracks: "I Wanna Destroy You", "Kingdom Of Love", "Positive Vibrations", "I Got The Hots", "Insanely Jealous", "Tonight", "You'll Have To Go Sideways", "Old Pervert", "Queen Of Eyes", "Underwater Moonlight"
YouTube: "I Wanna Destroy You", "Queen Of Eyes"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2001 (reissue)
![cover of Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham](reviews/top100-10/100-dim-the-lights-chill-the-ham.jpg)
Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet
Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham
Released: 1991
Tracks: "Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham", "Reid's Situation", "I Know A Guy Named Larry", "Exit From Vince Lombardi High School", "Aunt's Invasion", "Running Meredith", "Bang Bang", "Hot Box Car", "In My Room", "Dewy Drops Of Spring", "5 American 6 Canadian", "Who Painted Whistler's Mother", "Case Of The Missing Lady Fingers", "Jackpot", "D. Tour", "Hunter S. Thompson's Younger Brother", "Misogomy & The Object", "Ben Hur Picked Off In A Gazebo", "Who's Afraid Of Alison Hymer / Wow Flutter Hiss", "You Spin Me Round '86", "Babakganoosh", "Siesta Cinema", "Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham (Reprise)", "Thanks For Buying The CD", "Shakin' All Over"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Reviews: 1991 (Extra interesting because I was just getting to like the album at this point), 2016 (reissue)
![cover of Copper Blue](reviews/top100-10/100-copper-blue.jpg)
Sugar
Copper Blue
Released: 1992
Tracks: "The Act We Act", "A Good Idea", "Changes", "Helpless", "Hoover Dam", "The Slim", "If I Can't Change Your Mind", "Fortune Teller", "Slick", "Man On The Moon"
YouTube: "If I Can't Change Your Mind", "Helpless"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Animals](reviews/top100-10/100-animals.jpg)
Pink Floyd
Animals
Released: 1977
Tracks: "Pigs On The Wing 1", "Dogs", "Pigs (Three Different Ones)", "Sheep", "Pigs On The Wing 2"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2022 (2018 Remix)
![cover of Oranges & Lemons](reviews/top100-10/100-oranges-and-lemons.jpg)
XTC
Oranges & Lemons
Released: 1989
Tracks: "Garden Of Earthly Delights", "The Mayor Of Simpleton", "King For A Day", "Here Comes President Kill Again", "The Loving", "Poor Skeleton Steps Out", "One Of The Millions", "Scarecrow People", "Merely A Man", "Cynical Days", "Across This Antheap", "Hold Me My Daddy", "Pink Thing", "Miniature Sun", "Chalkhills And Children"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Going Back Home](reviews/top100-10/100-going-back-home.jpg)
Wilko Johnson / Roger Daltrey
Going Back Home
Released: 2014
When Roger Daltrey records an album without The Who, he needs the right songwriter. Turns out Dr. Feelgood's original guitarist/songwriter Wilko Johnson was the perfect choice. Yes, this album is basically Wilko and his band playing Dr. Feelgood's greatest hits with Roger Daltrey singing. Turns out that Daltrey's voice is absolutely perfect for these songs. It's easily Roger's best work outside The Who, and Wilko's famous choppy guitar sounds amazing.
Tracks: "Going Back Home", "Ice On The Motorway", "I Keep It To Myself", "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window", "Turned 21", "Keep On Loving You", "Some Kind Of Hero", "Sneaking Suspicion", "Keep It Out Of Sight", "Everybody's Carrying A Gun", "All Through The City"
YouTube: "Going Back Home", "I Keep It To Myself"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2014
![cover of Chasing Yesterday](reviews/top100-10/100-chasing-yesterday.jpg)
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Chasing Yesterday
Released: 2015
One of the newer releases on the list, Noel's second solo album improved on his first for me. And his latest might've made the cut as well, but I didn't want to put an album that new on an "all-time" list. Seemed too soon.
Tracks: "Riverman", "In The Heat Of The Moment", "The Girl With X-Ray Eyes", "Lock All The Doors", "The Dying Of The Light", "The Right Stuff", "While The Song Remains The Same", "The Mexican", "You Know We Can't Go Back", "Ballad Of The Mighty I"
YouTube: "Lock All The Doors", "Ballad Of The Mighty I"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2015
![cover of Radio City](reviews/top100-10/100-radio-city.jpg)
Big Star
Radio City
Released: 1974
Tracks: "O My Soul", "Life Is White", "Way Out West", "What's Going Ahn", "You Get What You Deserve", "Mod Lang", "Back Of A Car", "Daisy Glaze", "She's A Mover", "September Gurls", "Morpha Too", "I'm In Love With A Girl"
YouTube: "September Gurls", "Mod Lang"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1992 (two-fer reissue of #1 Record and Radio City)
![cover of Fables Of The Reconstruction](reviews/top100-10/100-fables-of-the-reconstruction.jpg)
R.E.M.
Fables Of The Reconstruction
Released: 1985
Tracks: "Feeling Gravitys Pull", "Maps And Legends", "Driver 8", "Life And How To Live It", "Old Man Kensey", "Can't Get There From Here", "Green Grow The Rushes", "Kohoutek", "Auctioneer (Another Engine)", "Good Advices", "Wendell Gee"
YouTube: "Driver 8", "Can't Get There From Here"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Grand Prix](reviews/top100-10/100-grand-prix.jpg)
Teenage Fanclub
Grand Prix
Released: 1995
Tracks: "About You", "Sparky's Dream", "Mellow Doubt", "Don't Look Back", "Verisimilitude", "Neil Jung", "Tears", "Discolite", "Say No", "Going Places", "I'll Make It Clear", "I Gotta Know", "Hardcore/Ballad"
YouTube: "Sparky's Dream", "Neil Jung"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1995
![cover of Sound Affects](reviews/top100-10/100-sound-affects.jpg)
The Jam
Sound Affects
Released: 1980
Tracks: "Pretty Green", "Monday", "But I'm Different Now", "Set The House Ablaze", "Start!", "That's Entertainment", "Dream Time", "Man In The Corner Shop", "Music For The Last Couple", "Boy About Town", "Scrape Away"
YouTube: "Set The House Ablaze", "Boy About Town"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Forever Changes](reviews/top100-10/100-forever-changes.jpg)
Love
Forever Changes
Released: 1968
Tracks: "Alone Again Or", "A House Is Not A Motel", "Andmoreagain", "The Daily Planet", "Old Man", "The Red Telephone", "Maybe The People Would Be The Times Or Between Clark And Hilldale", "Live And Let Live", "The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This", "Bummer In The Summer", "You Set The Scene"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2001 (reissue)
![cover of Eldorado](reviews/top100-10/100-eldorado.jpg)
Electric Light Orchestra
Eldorado
Released: 1974
Tracks: "Eldorado Overture", "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", "Boy Blue", "Laredo Tornado", "Poor Boy (The Greenwood)", "Mister Kingdom", "Nobody's Child", "Illusions In G Major", "Eldorado", "Eldorado Finale"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2001 (reissue)
![cover of Wild Wood](reviews/top100-10/100-wild-wood.jpg)
Paul Weller
Wild Wood
Released: 1993
Tracks: "Sunflower", "Can You Heal Us (Holy Man)", "Wild Wood", "Instrumental One (Part 1)", "All The Pictures On The Wall", "Has My Fire Really Gone Out?", "Country", "Instrumental Two", "5th Season", "The Weaver", "Instrumental One (Part 2)", "Foot Of The Mountain", "Shadow Of The Sun", "Holy Man (Reprise)", "Moon On Your Pyjamas", "Hung Up"
YouTube: "Sunflower", "Has My Fire Really Gone Out?"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Send Away The Tigers](reviews/top100-10/100-send-away-the-tigers.jpg)
Manic Street Preachers
Send Away The Tigers
Released: 2007
Tracks: "Send Away The Tigers", "Underdogs", "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough", "Indian Summer", "The Second Great Depression", "Rendition", "Autumnsong", "I'm Just A Patsy", "Imperial Bodybags", "Winterlovers", "Working Class Hero"
YouTube: "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough", "Autumnsong"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2007 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of Discipline](reviews/top100-10/100-discipline.jpg)
King Crimson
Discipline
Released: 1981
Tracks: "Elephant Talk", "Frame By Frame", "Matte Kudasai", "Indiscipline", "Thela Hun Ginjeet", "The Sheltering Sky", "Discipline"
YouTube: "Elephant Talk", "Matte Kudasai"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Misplaced Childhood](reviews/top100-10/100-misplaced-childhood.jpg)
Marillion
Misplaced Childhood
Released: 1985
Tracks: "Pseudo Silk Kimono", "Kayleigh", "Lavender", "Bitter Suite", "Heart Of Lothian", "Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)", "Lords Of The Backstage", "Blind Curve", "Childhoods End?", "White Feather"
YouTube: "Kayleigh", "Lavender"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2017 (Super Deluxe Edition)
![cover of Tommy](reviews/top100-10/100-tommy.jpg)
The Who
Tommy
Released: 1969
Tracks: "Overture", "It's A Boy", "1921", "Amazing Journey", "Sparks", "Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)", "Christmas", "Cousin Kevin", "The Acid Queen", "Underture", "Do You Think It's Alright", "Fiddle About", "Pinball Wizard", "There's A Doctor I've Found", "Go To The Mirror Boy", "Tommy Can You Hear Me", "Smash The Mirror", "Sensation", "Miracle Cure", "Sally Simpson", "I'm Free", "Welcome", "Tommy's Holiday Camp", "We're Not Gonna Take It"
YouTube: "1921", "Pinball Wizard"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Live At Leeds](reviews/top100-10/100-live-at-leeds.jpg)
The Who
Live At Leeds
Released: 1970
Tracks: "Young Man Blues", "Substitute", "Summertime Blues", "Shakin' All Over", "My Generation", "Magic Bus"
YouTube: "Young Man Blues", "Shakin' All Over"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Separation Sunday](reviews/top100-10/100-separation-sunday.jpg)
The Hold Steady
Separation Sunday
Released: 2005
Tracks: "Hornets! Hornets!", "Cattle And The Creeping Things", "Your Little Hoodrat Friend", "Banging Camp", "Charlemagne In Sweatpants", "Stevie Nix", "Multitude Of Casualties", "Don't Let Me Explode", "Chicago Seemed Tired Last Night", "Crucifxion Cruise", "How A Resurrection Really Feels"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2016 (reissue)
![cover of The Joshua Tree](reviews/top100-10/100-the-joshua-tree.jpg)
U2
The Joshua Tree
Released: 1987
Tracks: "Where The Streets Have No Name", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", "With Or Without You", "Bullet The Blue Sky", "Running To Stand Still", "Red Hill Mining Town", "In God's Country", "Trip Through Your Wires", "One Tree Hill", "Exit", "Mothers Of The Disappeared"
YouTube: "With Or Without You", "In God's Country"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Broadway The Hard Way](reviews/top100-10/100-broadway-the-hard-way.jpg)
Frank Zappa
Broadway The Hard Way
Released: 1988
Tracks: "Elvis Has Just Left The Building", "Planet Of The Baritone Women", "Any Kind Of Pain", "Dickie's Such An Asshole", "When The Lie's So Big", "Rhymin' Man", "Promiscuous", "The Untouchables", "Why Don't You Like Me?", "Bacon Fat", "Stolen Moments", "Murder By Numbers", "Jezebel Boy", "Outside Now", "Hot Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel", "What Kind Of Girl?", "Jesus Thinks You're A Jerk"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1988
![cover of Electro-Shock Blues](reviews/top100-10/100-electro-shock-blues.jpg)
Eels
Electro-Shock Blues
Released: 1998
Tracks: "Elizabeth On The Bathroom Floor", "Going To Your Funeral Part I", "Cancer For The Cure", "My Descent Into Madness", "3 Speed", "Hospital Food", "Electro-Shock Blues", "Efils' God", "Going To Your Funeral Part II", "Last Stop: This Town", "Baby Genius", "Climbing To The Moon", "Ant Farm", "Dead Of Winter", "The Medication Is Wearing Off", "P. S. You Rock My World"
YouTube: "Last Stop: This Town", "Climbing To The Moon"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1998 (Album Of The Year)
![cover of Savvy Show Stoppers](reviews/top100-10/100-savvy-show-stoppers.jpg)
Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet
Savvy Show Stoppers
Released: 1988
Tracks: "Good Cop Bad Cop", "Musical Interlude", "Theme From T.V.", "Zombie Compromise", "Malfunction", "Shake Some Evil", "You Spin Me Round '86", "Run Chicken Run", "Bennett Cerf", "Egypt Texas", "Customized", "Our Weapons Are Useless", "Shadowy Countdown", "Harlem By The Sea", "Having An Average Weekend"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Revolver](reviews/top100-10/100-revolver.jpg)
The Beatles
Revolver
Released: 1966
Tracks: "Taxman", "Eleanor Rigby", "I'm Only Sleeping", "Love You To", "Here, There And Everywhere", "Yellow Submarine", "She Said She Said", "Good Day Sunshine", "And Your Bird Can Sing", "For No One", "Dr. Robert", "I Want To Tell You", "Got To Get You Into My Life", "Tomorrow Never Knows"
YouTube: "Eleanor Rigby", "And Your Bird Can Sing"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2022 (Super Deluxe Edition)
![cover of Aja](reviews/top100-10/100-aja.jpg)
Steely Dan
Aja
Released: 1977
Tracks: "Black Cow", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", "Peg", "Home At Last", "I Got The News", "Josie"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of English Settlement](reviews/top100-10/100-english-settlement.jpg)
XTC
English Settlement
Released: 1981
Tracks: "Runaways", "Ball And Chain", "Senses Working Overtime", "Jason and the Argonauts", "No Thugs In Our House", "Yacht Dance", "All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late)", "Melt The Guns", "Leisure", "It's Nearly Africa", "Knuckle Down", "Fly On The Wall", "Down In The Cockpit", "English Roundabout", "Snowman"
YouTube: "Senses Working Overtime", "Ball And Chain"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2001 (reissue)
![cover of Songs From Northern Britain](reviews/top100-10/100-songs-from-northern-britain.jpg)
Teenage Fanclub
Songs From Northern Britain
Released: 1997
Tracks: "Start Again", "Ain't That Enough", "Can't Feel My Soul", "I Don't Want Control Of You", "Planets", "It's A Bad World", "Take The Long Way Round", "Winter", "I Don't Care", "Mount Everest", "Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From", "Speed Of Light"
YouTube: "Ain't That Enough", "Mount Everest"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1997
![cover of Clutching At Straws](reviews/top100-10/100-clutching-at-straws.jpg)
Marillion
Clutching At Straws
Released: 1987
Tracks: "Hotel Hobbies", "Warm Wet Circles", "That Time Of The Night (The Short Straw)", "Going Under", "Just For The Record", "White Russian", "Incommunicado", "Torch Song", "Slainte Mhath", "Sugar Mice", "The Last Straw", "Happy Ending"
YouTube: "Incommunicado", "Sugar Mice"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Workbook](reviews/top100-10/100-workbook.jpg)
Bob Mould
Workbook
Released: 1989
Tracks: "Sunspots", "Wishing Well", "Heartbreak A Stranger", "See A Little Light", "Poison Years", "Sinners And Their Repentances", "Brasilia Crossed With Trenton", "Compositions For The Young And Old", "Lonely Afternoon", "Dreaming, I Am", "Whichever Way The Wind Blows"
YouTube: "Wishing Well", "See A Little Light"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Empty Glass](reviews/top100-10/100-empty-glass.jpg)
Pete Townshend
Empty Glass
Released: 1980
Tracks: "Rough Boys", "I Am An Animal", "And I Moved", "Let My Love Open The Door", "Jools And Jim", "Keep On Working", "Cat's In The Cupboard", "A Little Is Enough", "Empty Glass", "Gonna Get Ya"
YouTube: "Rough Boys", "Let My Love Open The Door"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2006 (reissue)
![cover of #1 Record](reviews/top100-10/100-number-1-record.jpg)
Big Star
#1 Record
Released: 1972
Tracks: "Feel", "The Ballad Of El Goodo", "In The Street", "Thirteen", "Don't Lie To Me", "The India Song", "When My Baby's Beside Me", "My Life Is Right", "Give Me Another Chance", "Try Again", "Watch The Sunrise", "ST 100/6"
YouTube: "The Ballad Of El Goodo", "In The Street"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1992 (two-fer reissue of #1 Record and Radio City)
![cover of Born To Run](reviews/top100-10/100-born-to-run.jpg)
Bruce Springsteen
Born To Run
Released: 1975
In my original list, I called out Born To Run as an example of an album I knew was a classic but wasn't for me. As I mentioned in the entry for Darkness On The Edge Of Town, I started re-listening to Bruce's seventies albums a few years back. I always really liked the song "Born To Run", but the album as a whole didn't click for me. Now, I can't imagine why. It's a classic from top to bottom.
Tracks: "Thunder Road", "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out", "Night", "Backstreets", "Born To Run", "She's The One", "Meeting Across The River", "Jungleland"
YouTube: "Born To Run", "Jungleland"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Automatic For The People](reviews/top100-10/100-automatic-for-the-people.jpg)
R.E.M.
Automatic For The People
Released: 1992
Tracks: "Drive", "Try Not To Breathe", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", "Everybody Hurts", "New Orleans Instrumental No. 1", "Sweetness Follows", "Monty Got A Raw Deal", "Ignoreland", "Star Me Kitten", "Man On The Moon", "Nightswimming", "Find The River"
YouTube: "Everybody Hurts", "Nightswimming"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 1992
![cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band](reviews/top100-10/100-sgt.-pepper.jpg)
The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Released: 1967
Tracks: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", "With A Little Help From My Friends", "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", "Getting Better", "Fixing A Hole", "She's Leaving Home", "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!", "Within You Without You", "When I'm Sixty-Four", "Lovely Rita", "Good Morning Good Morning", "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)", "A Day In The Life"
YouTube: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band / With A Little Help From My Friends", "A Day In The Life"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2017 (Super Deluxe Edition)
![cover of The Who Sell Out](reviews/top100-10/100-the-who-sell-out.jpg)
The Who
The Who Sell Out
Released: 1967
Tracks: "Armenia City In The Sky", "Heinz Baked Beans", "Mary Anne With The Shaky Hand", "Odorono", "Tattoo", "Our Love Was", "I Can See For Miles", "I Can't Reach You", "Medac (Spotted Henry)", "Relax", "Silas Stingy", "Sunrise", "Rael (1 & 2)"
YouTube: "I Can See For Miles", "Our Love Was"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Setting Sons](reviews/top100-10/100-setting-sons.jpg)
The Jam
Setting Sons
Released: 1979
Tracks: "Girl On The Phone", "Thick As Thieves", "Private Hell", "Little Boy Soldiers", "Wasteland", "Burning Sky", "Smithers-Jones", "Saturday's Kids", "The Eton Rifles", "Heat Wave"
YouTube: "Thick As Thieves", "The Eton Rifles"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of The Yes Album](reviews/top100-10/100-the-yes-album.jpg)
Yes
The Yes Album
Released: 1971
Tracks: "Yours Is No Disgrace", "Clap", "Starship Trooper", "I've Seen All Good People", "A Venture", "Perpetual Change"
YouTube: "Yours Is No Disgrace", "Starship Trooper"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Duke](reviews/top100-10/100-duke.jpg)
Genesis
Duke
Released: 1980
Tracks: "Behind The Lines", "Duchess", "Guide Vocal", "Man Of Our Times", "Misunderstanding", "Heathaze", "Turn It On Again", "Alone Tonight", "Cul-De-Sac", "Please Don't Ask", "Duke's Travels", "Duke's End"
YouTube: "Turn It On Again", "Misunderstanding"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Wish You Were Here](reviews/top100-10/100-wish-you-were-here.jpg)
Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here
Released: 1975
Tracks: "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-II-III-IV-V)", "Welcome To The Machine", "Have A Cigar", "Wish You Were Here", "Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-VII-VII-IX)"
YouTube: "Wish You Were Here", "Have A Cigar"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2010 (Immersion Edition)
![cover of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road](reviews/top100-10/100-goodbye-yellow-brick-road.jpg)
Elton John
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Released: 1973
This was the only album to fall out of my top ten. I still adore Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, but a few albums moved past it on the list. This of it more a case of other albums moving up as opposed to this moving down.
Tracks: "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding", "Candle In The Wind", "Bennie And The Jets", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "This Song Has No Title", "Grey Seal", "Jamaica Jerk-Off", "I've Seen That Movie Too", "Sweet Painted Lady", "The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-34)", "Dirty Little Girl", "All The Girls Love Alice", "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock'n' Roll)", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "Roy Rogers", "Social Disease", "Harmony"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Out Of The Blue](reviews/top100-10/100-out-of-the-blue.jpg)
Electric Light Orchestra
Out Of The Blue
Released: 1977
Tracks: "Turn To Stone", "It's Over", "Sweet Talkin' Woman", "Across The Border", "Night In The City", "Starlight", "Jungle", "Believe Me Now", "Steppin' Out", "Standin' In The Rain", "Big Wheels", "Summer And Lightning", "Mr. Blue Sky", "Sweet Is The Night", "The Whale", "Birmingham Blues", "Wild West Hero"
YouTube: "Turn To Stone", "Mr. Blue Sky"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2007 (reissue)
![cover of London Calling](reviews/top100-10/100-london-calling.jpg)
The Clash
London Calling
Released: 1979
Tracks: "London Calling", "Brand New Cadillac", "Jimmy Jazz", "Hateful", "Rudie Can't Fail", "Spanish Bombs", "The Right Profile", "Lost In The Supermarket", "Clampdown", "The Guns Of Brixton", "Wrong 'Em Boyo", "Death Or Glory", "Koka Kola", "The Card Cheat", "Lover's Rock", "Four Horsemen", "I'm Not Down", "Revolution Rock", "Train In Vain"
YouTube: "London Calling", "Train In Vain"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2004 (reissue)
![cover of The Soft Bulletin](reviews/top100-10/100-the-soft-bulletin.jpg)
The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin
Released: 1999
I went to the "Music Against Brain Degeneration Revue" in 1999 to see Robyn Hitchcock, but the Flaming Lips blew me away. After I heard their opener, "Race For The Prize", I knew I had to hear the album, and I played this to death after I got it. Easily their best album.
Tracks: "Race For The Prize" [Mokran Mix], "A Spoonful Weighs A Ton", "The Spark That Bled", "The Spiderbite Song", "Buggin'" [Mokran Mix], "What Is The Light?", "The Observer", "Waitin' For A Superman", "Suddenly Everything Has Changed", "The Gash", "Feeling Yourself Disintegrate", "Sleeping On The Roof", "Race For The Prize", "Waitin' For A Superman" [Mokran Mix]
YouTube: "Race For The Prize", "Waitin' For A Superman"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of One Size Fits All](reviews/top100-10/100-one-size-fits-all.jpg)
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention
One Size Fits All
Released: 1975
In the last ten years, I've gained fresh appreciation of many of Frank's older albums, but none of them top One Size Fits All for me. Also remains my pick for a "first Zappa listen" for a newbie.
Tracks: "Inca Roads", "Can't Afford No Shoes", "Sofa No. 1", "Po-Jama People", "Florentine Pogen", "Evelyn, A Modified Dog", "San Ber'dino", "Andy", "Sofa No. 2"
YouTube: "Inca Roads", "San Ber'dino"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes](reviews/top100-10/100-chinese-eyes.jpg)
Pete Townshend
All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
Released: 1982
Pete's most unusual album musically and his most personal lyrically, Chinese Eyes came out a few months before It's Hard brought a lackluster end to The Who's original run of albums. Maybe that contrast made me appreciate the album more than I would have otherwise, but it's remained a favorite. And in a recent interview, Pete called it his favorite of his solo albums, so I'm not alone on this one. And yes, I get that the album title has aged badly.
Tracks: "Stop Hurting People", "The Sea Refuses No River", "Prelude", "Face Dances Part Two", "Exquisitely Bored", "Communication", "Stardom In Acton", "Uniforms (Corp D'Esprit)", "North Country Girl", "Somebody Saved Me", "Slit Skirts"
YouTube: "Stardom In Acton", "Slit Skirts"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2006 (reissue)
![cover of Boys And Girls In America](reviews/top100-10/100-boys-and-girls-in-america.jpg)
The Hold Steady
Boys And Girls In America
Released: 2006
This album made the top ten in my original list, and if anything, I've become a bigger Hold Steady fan since then. They're a fantastic band, and this album is a quick litmus test to see if you'll be a fan. Play the first two songs from this album ("Stuck Between Stations" and "Chips Ahoy!") and check your reaction. You'll know by the end of those two songs if you're going to be hooked. The rest of the album is just as good.
Tracks: "Stuck Between Stations", "Chips Ahoy!", "Hot Soft Light", "Same Kooks", "First Night", "Party Pit", "You Can Make Him Like You", "Massive Nights", "Citrus", "Chillout Tent", "Southtown Girls"
YouTube: "Stuck Between Stations", "Chips Ahoy!"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Peter Gabriel [aka Security]](reviews/top100-10/100-peter-gabriel-4.jpg)
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel [aka Security]
Released: 1982
The release of 2023's i/o got me listening to Peter Gabriel's other albums more. Gained an appreciation for more of his catalog, but Security tops them all. Yes, Roy, you're still right.
Tracks: "The Rhythm Of The Heat", "San Jacinto", "I Have The Touch", "The Family And The Fishing Net", "Shock The Monkey", "Lay Your Hands On Me", "Wallflower", "Kiss Of Life"
YouTube: "Shock The Monkey", "Wallflower"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Marquee Moon](reviews/top100-10/100-marquee-moon.jpg)
Television
Marquee Moon
Released: 1977
I had this album pretty high on my original list (#17) and as I was re-listening to put together this edition, I knew Marquee Moon would crash the top ten. There really isn't anything quite like the guitar interplay between Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, and the rhythm section (Billy Ficca and Fred Smith) are no slouches either. The album is just mesmerizing.
Tracks: "See No Evil", "Venus", "Friction", "Marquee Moon", "Elevation", "Guiding Light", "Prove It", "Torn Curtain"
YouTube: "See No Evil", "Marquee Moon"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2003 (reissue)
![cover of Rumours](reviews/top100-10/100-rumours.jpg)
Fleetwood Mac
Rumours
Released: 1977
So, yes. The top five are unchanged. All five of these feel unshakable (although I would've said that about the top ten last time). Rumours remains an album I can listen to any time.
Tracks: "Second Hand News", "Dreams", "Never Going Back Again", "Don't Stop", "Go Your Own Way", "Songbird", "The Chain", "You Make Loving Fun", "I Don't Want To Know", "Oh Daddy", "Gold Dust Woman"
YouTube: "Go Your Own Way", "You Make Loving Fun"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2004 (reissue)
![cover of Moving Pictures](reviews/top100-10/100-moving-pictures.jpg)
Rush
Moving Pictures
Released: 1981
Another album that time has not damaged in the least. Still my favorite Rush album, and still the one I'd play for a skeptic to bring them on board. If you don't like Moving Pictures, give up on Rush.
Tracks: "Tom Sawyer", "Red Barchetta", "YYZ", "Limelight", "The Camera Eye", "Witch Hunt", "Vital Signs"
YouTube: "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
Review: 2022 (Super Deluxe Edition)
![cover of The Final Cut](reviews/top100-10/100-the-final-cut.jpg)
Pink Floyd
The Final Cut
Released: 1983
The Final Cut doesn't get the same respect as the rest of Pink Floyd's catalog. I've heard it described as not "really" Pink Floyd, but really Roger Waters' first solo album. I get that argument, but it doesn't matter. The album is absolutely brilliant top-to-bottom. It's an amazing album best appreciated in a single listen. And while I don't show it in the track listing below, the addition of "When The Tigers Broke Free" to later reissues doesn't diminish the album at all. "Tigers" slots in perfectly here.
Tracks: "The Post War Dream", "Your Possible Pasts", "One Of The Few", "The Hero's Return", "The Gunner's Dream", "Paranoid Eyes", "Get Your Filthy Hands Off My Desert", "The Fletcher Memorial Home", "Southampton Dock", "The Final Cut", "Not Now John", "Two Suns In The Sunset"
YouTube: "The Gunner's Dream", "The Final Cut"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Who's Next](reviews/top100-10/100-who's-next.jpg)
The Who
Who's Next
Released: 1971
The 2023 Who's Next | Life House box set is an easy #1 box set of all time for me. It gave me everything I wanted about the whole "Life House" project. And the core album itself is still only topped by one album.
Tracks: "Baba O'Riley", "Bargain", "Love Ain't For Keeping", "My Wife", "Song Is Over", "Getting In Tune", "Going Mobile", "Behind Blue Eyes", "Won't Get Fooled Again"
YouTube: "Baba O'Riley", "Song Is Over"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
![cover of Quadrophenia](reviews/top100-10/100-quadrophenia.jpg)
The Who
Quadrophenia
Released: 1973
In the 2014 list I said: "Quadrophenia has been my favorite album for years now, and while others on this list could change over time, I really figure this one will always stay on the top of the list." True then, true now.
Tracks: "I Am The Sea", "The Real Me", "Quadrophenia", "Cut My Hair", "The Punk And The Godfather", "I'm One", "The Dirty Jobs", "Helpless Dancer", "Is It In My Head", "I've Had Enough", "5:15", "Sea And Sand", "Drowned", "Bell Boy", "Doctor Jimmy", "The Rock", "Love, Reign O'er Me"
YouTube: "The Real Me", "Sea And Sand"
Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music
STATS
Only two of my updates were albums released after the original list came out, so in this updated version "all time" now covers 1966 to 2015, or 50 years. The seventies and eighties remain the biggest source of albums, but with this update there are now slightly more albums from the seventies. As before, most of the entries on the list pre-date my Top Ten Lists, which I started doing in 1987. 15 of my Albums of the Year are represented on the list.
Decades were represented as follows:
- 1960s: 7
- 1970s: 36
- 1980s: 32
- 1990s: 13
- 2000s: 7
- 2010s: 5
The most common years were 1977, 1980 and 1982 with 6 entries each. 1975 and 1979 each had 5. The years 1975 to 1982 combined for 39 of the 100.
The biggest jumps up in the list were Steely Dan's Aja (62 places), The Clash's London Calling (53 places), and Love's Forever Changes (49 places). All three are long-time favorites, and the types of misplacements that this revised list was intended to correct, and probably one of the only times those three albums would be mentioned in the same sentence in a review. Aja is studio perfection, London Calling is a phenomenally eclectic album that blew up the idea of what qualifies as a "punk" album, and Forever Changes is a lush gem that couldn't be more "sixties" if it tried.
Something I called out in the original list that I'd call out again here. Don't obsess over the specific ordering. I've changed the order over and over again and the big groupings are where I want them. As to albums in close proximity on the list, I can (and have) flipped the order around multiple times. At some point I had to stop tinkering and just publish the list.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I'd thought about doing a revised version of this list now and then, but generally talked myself out of it figuring nothing much would change. Granted, only twelve entries changed, but it did let me correct a few glaring oversights from the original list and give the ordering a rethink. There are still some artists that are big favorites of mine but are not on the list. I couldn't pick that an album by them that I would put above one of the others on the list.
Doing a revision turned out to be an interesting project. It was cool to reconsider and reshuffle. I'd definitely suggest you try to make your own list if you're an album listener. It's a lot of fun to do.