THE CONCEPT
The list below is my favorite 100 albums of all time as of this writing (December, 2014). The inspiration for the list is the "Top 100 Games Of All Time" lists put together by the folks over at The Dice Tower. My lovely wife Noreen got me interested in their videos and decided I ought to do a similar list but using albums instead. I was hesitant at first, but it ended up being a lot of fun to pull together. Thanks sweetie!
Broadly speaking, I'm a rock fan. You won't find albums on here in other genres (no classical, no jazz, no blues, neither country nor western, and so on). There's definitely music in some of those genres I'm quite fond of, but none of 'em have an album that's one of my all-time favorites. And there are lots of other albums I really, really enjoy and would recommend very highly that did not make this list. I'm pulling this list from roughly 2,500 to 3,000 albums and getting down to that final 100 is tougher than you might think. The cut from 200 to 150 wasn't too hard, but as I got closer and closer to 100, the cuts got more and more difficult to make. In general, I tended to favor albums that I loved from top to bottom: I'd put an album of all "4-star" songs over one that was a mix of "5-star" songs and "2-star" songs. And as the Dice Tower folks mention about their lists, don't obsess over the ordering of two albums that are really close to each other in the rankings. There are a number of cases where I could see myself flipping two albums next to each other in the list.
Similar to my year-end Top Ten Lists, I'm generally focusing on albums of original material. For me, these kinds of lists are more interesting if you leave out "greatest hits" albums. There are a lot of them that I'm fond of, but it seemed to me that those were kind of a cheat for a list like this. Strictly speaking, one album on the list is technically a compilation - it's a collection of singles that served as the band's debut album. As it was their first album, I'm not considering it a "greatest hits". My list, my rules. I also tend not to include live albums because they can end up being just "greatest hits played live". There are two exceptions on the list. One is mostly made up of songs that never had studio versions (so it basically is an album of original material), and one other because, well, because I just couldn't leave it off.
Let me underscore that I'm not trying to create an impartial list of the "best" albums of all time. This list is highly biased - It's my personal favorites. These are all albums I've played to death over the years, and they still hold up for me today. There are albums like Blonde On Blonde, Exile On Main Street, Born To Run, and Nevermind that are not on my list. I totally get how important these albums are, and I know they're classics. They're just not big favorites of mine.
For each entry in the list, there's a track listing with my favorite song highlighted (thanks for the idea, sweetie), YouTube links to two songs so you can get a sample of the album, and links to my original Top Ten List reviews. And hey, if you find a bunch of your personal favorites on this list, then consider the other entries recommendations for albums you might want to check out.
Hope you enjoy the list.
CLOSE, BUT NOT QUITE
These albums were the last cut from the list.
- Big Country - Steeltown (1984)
- Captain Beefheart And The Magic Band - Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) (1979)
- Kate Bush - Hounds Of Love (1985)
- Camper Van Beethoven - Our Beloved Revolutionary Sweetheart (1988)
- The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (2002)
- Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - Element Of Light (1986)
- King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)
- John Lennon - Imagine (1971)
- The Mothers Of Invention - We're Only In It For The Money (1968)
- Tom Petty - Full Moon Fever (1989)
- The Police - Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
- The Police - Synchronicity (1983)
- The Style Council - Our Favourite Shop (1985)
- Supergrass - In It For The Money (1997)
- Richard Thompson - Mock Tudor (1999)
- Traveling Wilburys - Volume One (1988)
- U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
- Ultravox - Vienna (1980)
- Roger Waters - Amused To Death (1992)
- Paul Weller - Heavy Soul (1997)
- Neil Young - Mirror Ball (1995)
- Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Greendale (2003)
- Frank Zappa - Joe's Garage, Acts I, II & III (1979)
- Zappa/Beefheart/Mothers - Bongo Fury (1975)
- Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy (1978)
THE TOP 100
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"
Review: 2002
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"
Review: 1998
Franz Nicolay
Major General
Released: 2009
Tracks: "Jeff Penalty", "Hey Dad!", "World/Inferno vs. The End Of The Evening", "Dead Sailors", "Do We Not Live In Dreams?", "Confessions Of An Ineffective Casanova", "Quiet Where I Lie", "Note On A Subway Wall", "Nightratsong", "X-Games", "This World Is An Open Door", "Cease-Fire, Or, Mrs. Norman Maine", "I'm Done Singing"
Review: 2009 (Album Of The Year)
The Smiths
The Queen Is Dead
Released: 1986
Tracks: "The Queen Is Dead", "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", "I Know It's Over", "Never Had No One Ever", "Cemetry Gates", "Bigmouth Strikes Again", "The Boy With The Thorn In His Side", "Vicar In A Tutu", "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out", "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others"
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"
Review: 2013 (Album Of The Year)
Television
Adventure
Released: 1978
Tracks: "Glory", "Days", "Foxhole", "Careful", "Carried Away", "The Fire", "Ain't That Nothin'", "The Dream's Dream"
Review: 2003 (reissue)
The Rutles
The Rutles
Released: 1978
The cover art and the track listing are for the CD re-release of the album. I loved the original vinyl version and played the heck out of it. The CD added six extra songs, all of which were as good as the originals.
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!"
Steely Dan
Pretzel Logic
Released: 1974
Tracks: "Rikki Don't Lose That Number", "Night By Night", "Any Major Dude Will Tell You", "Barrytown", "East St. Louis Toodle-oo", "Parker's Band", "Through With Buzz", "Pretzel Logic", "With A Gun", "Charlie Freak", "Monkey In Your Soul"
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"
Review: 2001 (reissue)
Steely Dan
Aja
Released: 1977
Tracks: "Black Cow", "Aja", "Deacon Blues", "Peg", "Home At Last", "I Got The News", "Josie"
Tom Waits
Rain Dogs
Released: 1985
Tracks: "Singapore", "Clap Hands", "Cemetery Polka", "Jockey Full Of Bourbon", "Tango Till They're Sore", "Big Black Mariah", "Diamonds & Gold", "Hang Down Your Head", "Time", "Rain Dogs", "Midtown", "9th & Hennepin", "Gun Street Girl", "Union Square", "Blind Love", "Walking Spanish", "Downtown Train", "Bride Of Rain Dog", "Anywhere I Lay My Head"
YouTube: "Time", "Tango Till They're Sore"
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"
![cover of Once [Music From The Motion Picture]](reviews/top100/100-once.jpg)
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
Once [Music From The Motion Picture]
Released: 2007
Tracks: "Falling Slowly", "If You Want Me", "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy", "When Your Mind's Made Up", "Lies", "Gold", "The Hill", "Fallen From The Sky", "Leave", "Trying To Pull Myself Away", "All The Way Down", "Once", "Say It To Me Now", "And The Healing Has Begun", "Into The Mystic"
YouTube: "Falling Slowly", "When Your Mind's Made Up"
Review: 2011 (four years late)
Led Zeppelin
In Through The Out Door
Released: 1979
Tracks: "In The Evening", "South Bound Saurez", "Fool In The Rain", "Hot Dog", "Carouselambra", "All My Love", "I'm Gonna Crawl"
YouTube: "Carouselambra", "Fool In The Rain"
Warren Zevon
Sentimental Hygiene
Released: 1987
Tracks: "Sentimental Hygiene", "Boom Boom Mancini", "The Factory", "Trouble Waiting To Happen", "Reconsider Me", "Detox Mansion", "Bad Karma", "Even A Dog Can Shake Hands", "The Heartache", "Leave My Monkey Alone"
YouTube: "Sentimental Hygiene", "Reconsider Me"
The Polyphonic Spree
Together We're Heavy
Released: 2004
Tracks: "Section 11 (A Long Day Continues / We Sound Amazed)", "Section 12 (Hold Me Now)", "Section 13 (Diamonds / Mild Devotion To Majesty)", "Section 14 (Two Thousand Places)", "Section 15 (Ensure Your Reservation)", "Section 16 (One Man Show)", "Section 17 (Suitcase Calling)", "Section 18 (Everything Starts At The Seam)", "Section 19 (When The Fool Becomes A King)", "Section 20 (Together We're Heavy)"
Review: 2004 (Album Of The Year)
U2
Boy
Released: 1980
Tracks: "I Will Follow", "Twilight", "An Cat Dubh / Into The Heart", "Out Of Control", "Stories For Boys", "The Ocean", "A Day Without Me", "Another Time, Another Place", "The Electric Co.", "Shadows And Tall Trees"
Midnight Oil
Diesel And Dust
Released: 1988
Tracks: "Beds Are Burning", "Put Down That Weapon", "Dreamworld", "Arctic World", "Warakurna", "The Dead Heart", "Whoah", "Bullroarer", "Sell My Soul", "Sometimes"
YouTube: "The Dead Heart", "Beds Are Burning"
Review: 1988
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"
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"
YouTube: "AKA… What A Life!", "The Death Of You And Me"
Randy Newman
Good Old Boys
Released: 1974
Tracks: "Rednecks", "Birmingham", "Marie", "Mr. President (Have Pity On The Working Man)", "Guilty", "Louisiana 1927", "Every Man A King", "Kingfish", "Naked Man", "A Wedding In Cherokee County", "Back On My Feet Again", "Rollin'"
YouTube: "Rednecks", "Louisiana 1927"
Review: 2002 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2004 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2001 (Album Of The Year)
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"
Review: 2002
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"
Review: 2001 (reissue)
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"
Review: 1990
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"
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"
Review: 1989
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"
Review: 1991 (Album Of The Year)
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"
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"
Review: 1995
Genesis
Abacab
Released: 1981
Tracks: "Abacab", "No Reply At All", "Me And Sarah Jane", "Keep It Dark", "Dodo / Lurker", "Who Dunnit?", "Man On The Corner", "Like It Or Not", "Another Record"
YouTube: "Abacab", "No Reply At All"
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"
Review: 2008 (Album Of The Year)
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"
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"
Review: 1999 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2004 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2010 (Immersion Edition)
Led Zeppelin
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"
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"
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"
Review: 2001 (reissue)
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"
Review: 1998 (Album Of The Year)
Pink Floyd
Animals
Released: 1977
Tracks: "Pigs On The Wing 1", "Dogs", "Pigs (Three Different Ones)", "Sheep", "Pigs On The Wing 2"
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"
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"
Review: 2007 (Album Of The Year)
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"
Review: 1995 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2006 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2002 (reissue)
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)"
Review: 2010 (Deluxe Edition)
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"
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"
Review: 1987 (Album Of The Year)
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"
Review: 2004 (reissue)
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"
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"
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"
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"
The Who
Live At Leeds
Released: 1970
You knew this was one of the live albums, right? The track listing shows the original vinyl and CD, which is what I originally listened to. The whole concert has since been released, and it's amazing.
Tracks: "Young Man Blues", "Substitute", "Summertime Blues", "Shakin' All Over", "My Generation", "Magic Bus"
YouTube: "Young Man Blues", "Shakin' All Over"
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"
![cover of Peter Gabriel [aka Melt]](reviews/top100/100-peter-gabriel-3.png)
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"
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"
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"
Review: 1991
XTC
Skylarking
Released: 1986
Tracks: "Summer's Cauldron", "Grass", "The Meeting Place", "That's Really Super, Supergirl", "Ballet For A Rainy Day", "1000 Umbrellas", "Season Cycle", "Earn Enough For Us", "Big Day", "Another Satellite", "Mermaid Smiled", "The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul", "Dying", "Sacrificial Bonfire"
YouTube: "Season Cycle", "Earn Enough For Us"
Review: 2001 (reissue)
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"
Review: 1992 (two-fer reissue of #1 Record and Radio City)
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"
Review: 2006 (reissue)
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"
Frank Zappa
Broadway The Hard Way
Released: 1988
This is the other live album. Only "Outside Now" and "Hot Plate Heaven At The Green Hotel" were on other albums. "Why Don't You Like Me?" and "What Kind Of Girl?" are also older songs, but with brand new lyrics. "Dickie's Such An Asshole" was played live during the Nixon administration, but makes it release debut here. Everything else debuted on Zappa's 1988 tour.
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"
Review: 1988
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"
Review: 1996 (reissue)
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"
Paul Weller
Wild Wood
Released: 1994
The cover art and the track listing are for the US version of the album. The closing track, "Hung Up", was a UK single added to the US version. Even though it's an add-on, it's how I'm used to hearing the album and it ends up being a terrific closer.
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?"
Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet
Dim The Lights, Chill The Ham
Released: 1991
Until making this list, I would have said this was my favorite Shadowy Men album. Still love it, but on re-listening, there's one I like better.
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"
Review: 1991 (Extra interesting because I was just getting to like the album at this point.)
R.E.M.
Automatic For The People
Released: 1992
This album is a great example of how I chose favorites for a band. There's another R.E.M. album higher in the list and Automatic For The People has songs that I like better than all the songs on the other album. However, I like the other album better overall.
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"
Review: 1992
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"
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"
Review: 1997
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"
Review: 2001 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2010 (Immersion Edition)
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"
Review: 2007 (reissue)
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"
Review: 1996 (reissue)
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"
Review: 1995 (Album Of The Year)
Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet
Savvy Show Stoppers
Released: 1988
This is the "compilation". I don't think of it as a "greatest hits" because it gathered up almost all of the songs from the band's singles released to that point, and because it's the band's debut. You can't have your first album be a "greatest hits", can you?
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"
Review: 2012 (reissue)
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"
Review: 2012 (Immersion Edition)
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"
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"
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"
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"
Television
Marquee Moon
Released: 1977
Tracks: "See No Evil", "Venus", "Friction", "Marquee Moon", "Elevation", "Guiding Light", "Prove It", "Torn Curtain"
YouTube: "See No Evil", "Marquee Moon"
Review: 2003 (reissue)
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"
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"
Review: 1992 (two-fer reissue of #1 Record and Radio City)
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"
Review: 2006 (reissue)
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"
The Flaming Lips
The Soft Bulletin
Released: 1999
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"
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"
Review: 1987
THE TOP 10
The Hold Steady
Boys And Girls In America
Released: 2006
I came to hear this album by accident. I read a review of Separation Sunday that really interested me, so I went to the library to look for a copy to check out. It was gone, but they had Boys And Girls In America instead. I still remember the first time I listened. I was playing it while doing some yard work and when "Stuck Between Stations" finished, I immediately played it again. I was totally floored. I figured the rest of the album couldn't measure up, but "Chips Ahoy!" was basically just as good. It continued on until the amazing closing cut, "Southtown Girls". I knew this would rate high on the list, but I didn't think it would make the top ten. Once I worked on the final order, it became obvious it had to be there. An absolutely stunning album.
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!"
Review: 2007 (one year late)
Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention
One Size Fits All
Released: 1975
One Size Fits All is Zappa at his most accessible (although it's still Frank). It doesn't have the social commentary of his early albums and it doesn't have the vulgar humor of his others. What it does have is my favorite overall set of Zappa's songs. It's got rockers like "San Ber'dino", "Andy", and "Florentine Pogen", a very pretty waltz in "Sofa", and a little one-minute silliness with "Evelyn, A Modified Dog". Zappa's giant discography can be daunting for a newcomer, but One Size Fits All is where I'd recommend a newbie start.
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"
Pete Townshend
All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes
Released: 1982
For some reason, All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes gets a bad rap. Yes, "Stop Hurting People" (with a Townshend monologue over music) is an odd way to start an album, but the songs are too good to ignore. "The Sea Refuses No River" and "Slit Skirts" are two of my favorite Townshend songs. "Prelude" is a gorgeous little piano piece. "Stardom In Acton" is classic Townshend rocker that should have been a hit. OK, so this is definitely Pete Townshend's most unusual album, but it's easily my favorite. Empty Glass is the usual pick for Pete's best (and I love that album too), but the songs on Chinese Eyes just always stuck with me more.
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"
Review: 2006 (reissue)
Elton John
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Released: 1973
As a kid, I bought 45's, and Elton John was my favorite artist. I played Elton John's Greatest Hits to death, and eventually did the same with Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II. However, I'd heard "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" on the radio and it's on neither of the hits albums. That led me to pick up Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and it's been a big favorite ever since. Apart from "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" (still my favorite Elton song), you get the title track, "Bennie And The Jets", "Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting" and a slew of terrific "deep cuts" like "Grey Seal", "I've Seen That Movie Too", "This Song Has No Title" and "Harmony". By now, I've listened to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road more than the two hits albums - for me, it kinda is Elton's greatest hits.
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"
![cover of Peter Gabriel [aka Security]](reviews/top100/100-peter-gabriel-4.png)
Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel [aka Security]
Released: 1982
When Security was just released, my best friend and I were both really curious about Peter Gabriel's albums. I liked "Games Without Frontiers" a lot, so I bought Melt. He really liked "Shock The Monkey", so he bought Security. After a week or so, we swapped albums. At the time, I still liked Melt better, and Roy still liked Security better. I still love Melt (which is why it's on this list), but over time I ended up liking Security even more. "Shock The Monkey" is a terrific song (and it's the one you know if you've never heard the album before), but "Wallflower" (Gabriel's second song about Stephen Biko) is easily my favorite of Gabriel's whole catalog. The song still gives me chills.
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"
Fleetwood Mac
Rumours
Released: 1977
Rumours was an album I bought because of the singles ("Dreams", "Don't Stop", "Go Your Own Way", "You Make Loving Fun"), but I remember being amazed that the rest of the album was just as good. "Second Hand News", "Never Going Back Again", "The Chain", "I Don't Want To Know" and especially "Songbird" ended up being favorites as well. This was an album I was just played over and over when it came out. As I read more, I learned the painful backstory about the album, and it amazes me that an album this good came out of that much stress.
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"
Review: 2004 (reissue)
Rush
Moving Pictures
Released: 1981
Moving Pictures was my introduction to Rush, and it's still an easy pick for my favorite of their albums. "Tom Sawyer" and "Limelight" are the best known songs (and playing them in Rock Band over and over just cemented how fond I am of both). "The Camera Eye" is my favorite of Rush's longer songs, and "Red Barchetta" and "YYZ" are amazing as well. And yeah, I know, I was put off by Geddy Lee's voice at the beginning too. It definitely takes some getting used to, although the shriek from the early days is gone and that helps. Rush's playing is always impressive, but Moving Pictures has the songs I keep going back to hear again and again.
Tracks: "Tom Sawyer", "Red Barchetta", "YYZ", "Limelight", "The Camera Eye", "Witch Hunt", "Vital Signs"
YouTube: "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight"
Pink Floyd
The Final Cut
Released: 1983
This is another one where I can vividly remember the first listen. I'd bought The Final Cut earlier in the day. I'd become a Pink Floyd fan with The Wall, so this was my first new Floyd album. I remember opening up the cover and following along with the lyrics as I listened. I'd recommend that to anyone who hasn't heard the album before. The music is terrific, but the lyrics really make the whole thing work. For some reason, The Final Cut is really downplayed in Pink Floyd's catalog. I know a lot of people see it as more of a Roger Waters solo album (and I understand that thinking). Doesn't really matter though. For my money, The Final Cut is Pink Floyd's masterpiece.
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"
The Who
Who's Next
Released: 1971
Who's Next was, I think, the second Who album I bought (after Who Are You). Even though it's not in the #1 slot, it does have my two favorite Who songs ("Baba O'Riley" and "Won't Get Fooled Again") and "Song Is Over" is damn close. What I also find fascinating is the idea of what could have been if Lifehouse had worked out. You'd have most of the stuff on here, plus you'd add "Pure And Easy", "Join Together", "Relay", "Let's See Action" and a number of others. When someone who's not a fan asks me which album they should listen to first, Who's Next is always the one I'd recommend.
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"
The Who
Quadrophenia
Released: 1973
The choice of Quadrophenia is probably not a surprise to a lot of you. To be honest, when I first heard it, I would never have guessed it would end up my favorite album of all time. On first listen, I really didn't "get" it. The weird part is, I can't for the life of me imagine why any more. When I listen now, "The Real Me" blows me away and the album just has one killer song after the next after the next. To some degree, the band must agree with this rating since they've launched two separate tours focused on playing Quadrophenia from start to finish. 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.
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"
STATS
Apparently, "all time" covers 1966 to 2013, or 48 years. I've been doing my Top Ten Lists since 1987 (27 years as of this writing) and if everything was balanced out evenly, 56 albums would be from 1987 or later. However, only 35 albums show up from 1987 on. That doesn't surprise me though. The albums that I consider "all-time favorites" are albums I've generally had for a long time and played over and over again. And while 29 of those 35 were on my Top Ten Lists, only 14 of the 27 "Number 1" albums made the list.
Decades were represented as follows:
- 1960's: 7
- 1970's: 32
- 1980's: 36
- 1990's: 13
- 2000's: 10
- 2010's: 2
The most common year was 1980 with 7 entries. 1977, 1979, 1981, and 1985 each had 5.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was surprised - there are albums that I was positive would show up in the top 100 (especially my Album Of The Year picks). In my Top Ten FAQ, I mention that I never go back and revise the old lists (apart from maybe fixing a typo or two). I guess this really shows how favorites change over time. Along those lines, there are several albums that I would have always said were my favorite by a particular artist. When I started doing this list, I made the same assumptions, but relistened to a bunch of albums and realized that even though I still love those particular ones, I couldn't say they were still my favorites.
Additionally, there are some artists that are big favorites of mine but didn't land an album in the top 100. This really surprised me. As I went back and listened, I realized that while I may really, really like the artist in question, they didn't have that one album that I couldn't leave off the list.
Pulling this list together was an interesting and challenging exercise, plus it was cool to pull these albums out again and give 'em a fresh listen. If you're an album geek like me, I'd really suggest you try to make your own list.