Best Album of All Time

[Sirus The Virus]

For me it's Achtung Baby by U2. Gets better with every listen. It still sounds like a very fresh and new after 15 years. A true masterpiece.

[Kobushi]

I could be stranded on a desert island with Smashing Pumpkins's Siamese Dream

[iSaint]

I could be stranded on a desert island with Smashing Pumpkins's Siamese Dream

I could go along with that.

Personally? Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life"

Critically? probably something by Pink Floyd

[PlaceofDis]

personally....

Lateralus by TooL gets better every time i hear it. i can rock out to it, veg out to it. or sleep with it playing. amazing album. can't wait to see what they have for us in 2006. :D

[cgratti]

Thats a tough one to pick...

I would say either Pink Floyd "The Wall" or Meatloaf "Bat out of Hell"

Who doesn't like every song on that Meatloaf album??

[Lacero]

I'd have to say...

Alanis Morissette - 'Jagged Little Pill' and Texas - 'White on Blonde'.



Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[thedude110]

Lateralus is great, but not all time great.

I'd say Born to Run, though Kid A really hit me at the right time in my life.

All I listen to right now is Arcade Fire's Funeral and My Morning Jacket's Z.

Ooh. And the The Soft Bulletin.

:cool:

[Bonked]

Temple of the Dog. Temple of the Dog.

Better than Soundgarden and Pearl Jam, put together.

[floyde]

Critically? probably something by Pink Floyd
I would say either Pink Floyd "The Wall"
though Kid A really hit me at the right time in my life.

Ooh. And the The Soft Bulletin.

Wow, you guys are like, reading my mind, hehe. All of those are great albums.
My pick would be The Dark Side of Moon by Pink Floyd or Abbey Road by The Beatles.

For me it's Achtung Baby by U2
I'm going to a U2 concert this February, do you hate me?;):D

[gwuMACaddict]

aerosmith: toys in the attic and/or rocks
the band: the band
johnny cash: at folsom prison

[gwuMACaddict]

I'm going to a U2 concert this February, do you hate me?;):D

no, because all bono does at his concerts anymore is whine about world peace between songs...

[jalagl]

Kid A or OK Computer by Radiohead for me.

Or Mezzanine from Massive Attack, Metallica by Metallica...

And the classics: Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon:cool:

Does it have to be only one? :D

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

[thedude110]

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

YES. What a great album.

[floyde]

And the classics: Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon:cool:

Are you me? Am I you?:confused: :)
no, because all bono does at his concerts anymore is whine about world peace between songs...
aww, come on, but what about the HUGE screens and the 50 thousand cheering fans? it's bound to be fun.

[gwuMACaddict]

aww, come on, but what about the HUGE screens and the 50 thousand cheering fans? it's bound to be fun.

a lot of fun for sure... but he does talk a lot ;) :D

[Toreador93]

Probably: "Load" - Metallica. A lot of bluesy metal. I haven't gotten sick of the album yet.

I've just discovered Blind Guardian and Astral Doors, and they're quickly becoming two of my favorite bands.

And finally, I love Chopin. There really aren't any albums, but he's the only Romance period composer I can stand. He's what romance composers should be like!

I just wrecked this whole thread.

[stridey]

I've been thinking about what mine are from the first post. Still don't really know.

I'm surprised so many are picking Abbey Road as the beatles album. I think Revolver is superior, and Sgt. Peppers is about tied in my mind.

I'd pick OK Computer or Amnesiac for my Radiohead cut.

London Calling by The Clash. The Who's Tommy. Blackalicious' Blazing Arrow. Pink Floyd's Dark Side, or maybe Animals. Dire Straits' self-titled album.

I'm too indecisive.

[amholl]

I agree with London Calling. That is one album where no two songs sound alike, and are all great songs. Although for me, at least, Californiacation is def. up there. I have like an addiction to it.

[TheMonarch]

All time? I dunno.

But:

Interpol - Turn On the Bright Lights


Is high on my list.

[Jovian9]

Definitely OK Computer by Radiohead.

Nothing else comes close in my mind. This album is timeless.

[mac 2005]

The Joshua Tree by U2
The Clash (UK and US versions) by The Clash
Graceland by Paul Simon
The Queen is Dead by The Smiths
Murmur, Fables of the Reconstruction, Life's Rich Pageant and Around the Sun by R.E.M.

[~Shard~]

This thread shouldn't be called "Best Album of All-TIme", it should be "What is Your Personal Favorite Album of All Time". Music is too subjective and personal, so there is no way there can be, objectively, a "best album of all time".

For me, Kind of Blue ranks right up there. Northern Exposure : Expeditions" is a classic as well as [b]GU013 : Ibiza. Homework is amazing from an "audio engineering" point of view, and Seal [1991] was always a favorite as well. Tower of Power - Live and in Living Color is also an amazing set as well, possibly the best live recording of its kind I have ever heard. I could go on and on, so many... :cool:

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

YES. What a great album.

Yeah, I find that Pet Sounds is often overlooked in favour of The Beatles' Revolver :rolleyes:.

Anyway, I can't believe I forgot about my other all-time favourite record: Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea :)

[stridey]

For me, Kind of Blue ranks right up there.

Absolutely, and while we're at it, so does B****hes Brew.

And Charles Mingus' Mingus A Um

[neocell]

I can't believe no one has said Led Zeppelin IV yet. Well obviously you know my vote

[homerjward]

right now i'm really digging "in the aeroplane over the sea" by neutral milk hotel and "nevermind" by nirvana. but as far as best album ever, "transatlanticism" by death cab for cutie, or "the times they are a changin'" by bob dylan are simply timeless.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Another vote for London Calling by The Clash. Awesome album that only gets better with time... :)

Honourable mentioning/runner ups: The Final Cut and The Wall by Pink Floyd, Surfer Rosa & Come On Pilgrim by Pixies, Thunder And Consolation by New Model Army, The Gift by The Jam, Pablo Honey* by Radiohead, Nevermind by Nirvana, Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden and For Those About To Rock We Salute You** by AC/DC.

Probably going to kick myself for forgetting something essential, but still... ;)

* Is 10 x better than the somewhat overrated OK Computer
** IMO even better tham the fantastic Back In Black

[balamw]

This thread shouldn't be called "Best Album of All-TIme", it should be "What is Your Personal Favorite Album of All Time". Music is too subjective and personal, so there is no way there can be, objectively, a "best album of all time".

Amen. My favorites will vary on a ~week-to-week basis. This week, my vote would probably go to Sting's "Nothing Like The Sun...", with "Sgt. Pepper's LHCB" a close second, and if compilations count, Bob Marley's "Legend".

B

[Counterfit]

Girl You Know It's True by a group that shall remain unnamed ;)


No?

Okay, how about A Garage Dayz Nite? :D



Personally, I'd say Birth of the Cool or Time Out.

[Henri Gaudier]

... about 25 years now it's Closer by Joy Division. Or is it Not Available by the Residents. Or is it IV by Faust or ...

[mad jew]

I don't want to choose just one single album for fear of offending all other albums out there.

Black Sunday by Cypress Hill.

[Kernow]

For me, this changes constantly, but at the moment it has to be Rain Dogs by Tom Waits. Varied, unusual, but a lot more immediate than his later stuff.

Honourable mentions must go to: London Calling by the Clash, OK Computer by Radiohead, Revolver by The Beatles, Hounds of Love by Kate Bush and probably plenty more that I can't remember at the moment.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Okay, how about A Garage Dayz Nite? :DBeatallica Rules! :D

But maybe not enough to hav an album named: Best Album of All Time... ;)

[thedude110]

Graceland by Paul Simon
The Queen is Dead by The Smiths


Two really great albums.

Glad to see Nirvana getting mentions in this thread, too -- thought In Utero always seems to get overlooked in favor of Nevermind!

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

right now i'm really digging "in the aeroplane over the sea" by neutral milk hotel and "nevermind" by nirvana. but as far as best album ever, "transatlanticism" by death cab for cutie, or "the times they are a changin'" by bob dylan are simply timeless.

Do you find you have to justify to people why Neutral Milk Hotel are so good? None of my friends understand how I can love them so much :rolleyes:.

[rdowns]

I'd have to say...

Alanis Morissette - 'Jagged Little Pill'

For me, this album gets worse with each listen.

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

Two really great albums.

Glad to see Nirvana getting mentions in this thread, too -- thought In Utero always seems to get overlooked in favor of Nevermind!

How can that be?! Doesn't everyone know that liking In Utero gets you more Indie Points :rolleyes:.

I used to love Nevermind. These days I find In Utero a little more satisfying. I guess it's an acquired taste, or something?

[Qoxiivi]

Without a doubt, the delicious nonsense that is Ok Computer. It's just unbridled creative genius.

[~Shard~]

Absolutely, and while we're at it, so does B****hes Brew.

And Charles Mingus' Mingus A Um

Agreed. Have you heard Mingus Live @ Antibes? Dating abck to 1960 (i I remember correctly), I would argue that it is his best live recording ever. :cool:

[Vanilla]

I simply cannot narrow down to one as the term "best" is just so subjective, but here is a list of albums I treasure:

Electric Ladyland: Jimi Hendrix
The White Album: The Beatles
The Doors: The Doors
Kick out the Jams: MC5
Five leaves left: Nick Drake

Dark Side of the Moon: Pink Floyd
Physical Graffiti: Led Zeppelin
Rubycon: Tangerine Dream
Future Days: Can
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars: David Bowie

Closer: Joy Division
The Correct Use of Soap: Magazine
Loveless: My Bloody Valentine
Tubeway army: Tubeway army

The Bends: Radiohead
Nevermind: Nirvana
Cast of thousands: Elbow
Grace: Jeff Buckley
Absolution: Muse

[iGary]

Moving Pictures - Rush

[Project]

Nas - Illmatic

[oblomow]

A friend of mine wrote a little book about this topic:
100 essential rock cd's. Covers a lot of the albums mentioned here.

http://www.roughguides.com/store/details.html?ProductID=266

[iGav]

R.E.M. - 'New Adventures In Hi-Fi'... So diverse sonically. ;) :D

[MattG]

Wow -- great stuff on this list already.

Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti" ranks up there for me.

[Sirus The Virus]

I'm going to a U2 concert this February, do you hate me?;):D
No. I went to their show in Dallas a little over a month ago. The outdoor shows are better than the indoor ones. Lucky. :)

[stridey]

Glad to see Nirvana getting mentions in this thread, too -- thought In Utero always seems to get overlooked in favor of Nevermind!

Agreed. I think In Utero is a far better album.

Agreed. Have you heard Mingus Live @ Antibes? Dating abck to 1960 (i I remember correctly), I would argue that it is his best live recording ever.

I'll have to check it out.

Also, I can't believe I forgot (along with everyone else it seems) Dylan's Blonde on Blonde. Or possibly Highway 61 Revisited. Or Live in '66. Or Blood on the Tracks. Or Bringing it All Back Home.

[r6girl]

wow, no fans of the cure here? :confused:

i'm going with "disintegration" by the cure...

[Jovian9]

I simply cannot narrow down to one as the term "best" is just so subjective, but here is a list of albums I treasure:

Electric Ladyland: Jimi Hendrix
The White Album: The Beatles
The Doors: The Doors
Kick out the Jams: MC5
Five leaves left: Nick Drake

Dark Side of the Moon: Pink Floyd
Physical Graffiti: Led Zeppelin
Rubycon: Tangerine Dream
Future Days: Can
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars: David Bowie

Closer: Joy Division
The Correct Use of Soap: Magazine
Loveless: My Bloody Valentine
Tubeway army: Tubeway army

The Bends: Radiohead
Nevermind: Nirvana
Cast of thousands: Elbow
Grace: Jeff Buckley
Absolution: Muse

That's a very nice list. Though I would have to disagree with the Muse album. I think Showbiz is by far the best they have done.

[floyde]

No. I went to their show in Dallas a little over a month ago. The outdoor shows are better than the indoor ones. Lucky. :)
Will somebody hate me, please? :rolleyes: :D

Were you the one who got on stage and sang with Bono while playing The Edge's guitar? I would hate you for that;)

[emmawu]

Rubber Soul the Beatles
Even in the Quietest Moments Supertramp
Tupelo Honey Van Morrison
Hard Nose the Hardway Van Morrison
Revolver The Beatles

can't choose

[Vanilla]

That's a very nice list. Though I would have to disagree with the Muse album. I think Showbiz is by far the best they have done.

Thanx!

The point I was making is that there is so much good music out there hitting so many different emotional sweet spots that it's simply impossible to come up with a definitive album.

The ones I have selected are ones dear to my heart for a range of reasons, but I have arbitrarily restricted my selection to 20, otherwise I would have added a number of others such as "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" by Dexys Midnight Runners to name but one.

As for Muse, yes, Showbiz is cool but what swings Absolution for me is the track "Stockholm Syndrome", which is simply phenomenal. I particularly like the confident swagger of introducing a brand new kick-ass riff right at the death of the track to walk it to it the exit. Superb.

Vanilla

[yellow]

I could never pick just one.. My likes are far too diverse.

[atari1356]

My favorites of all time:

Hot Water Music - Forever and Counting
Jawbox - Novelty
Sunny Day Real Estate - Diary

[iDM]

no, because all bono does at his concerts anymore is whine about world peace between songs...

Really because that is the only thing about U2 I actually like otherwise all of there albums sound exactly the same. I didn't like their first songs and I surely didn't like there exact same millionth album either.

[aricher]

Too many to name. I've been really digging the 1994 Built to Spill album "There's Nothing Wrong With Love." Classic pop-rock songs. Doug Martsch's guitar playing and lyrics are up there with the best. Heck - just about any of their albums are the best.

stridey's suggestion of Blackalicious' "Blazing Arrow," would have to be my hip-hop pick.

Jazz - hmmm I'd have to say it would be hard for me to narrow it down. Mingus, Davis, Coltrane - aarrrrrggghh too many to choose from.

[jimsowden]

For me, it's Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Heaad
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000069AUI.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
In a word, masterful.

[Sirus The Virus]

Will somebody hate me, please? :rolleyes: :D

Were you the one who got on stage and sang with Bono while playing The Edge's guitar? I would hate you for that;)
No, that would have been cool tough.:)

[Sirus The Virus]

no, because all bono does at his concerts anymore is whine about world peace between songs...
He only does it right before the song One. Only once isn't so bad.

[Sirus The Virus]

Really because that is the only thing about U2 I actually like otherwise all of there albums sound exactly the same. I didn't like their first songs and I surely didn't like there exact same millionth album either.
Have you actually heard all their albums?

[Jaffa Cake]

I started reading this thread with a dozen potential albums in my head, and having read it through I've got another dozen to try to pick from.

I couldn't choose just one.

[tsaxer]

Have you actually heard all their albums?

Exactly. You really can't compare Pop, Acthung, Rattle and call them the same.

Anyway, I can't pick just one. maybe a top five per genre, but that'd still be tough.
My currently top played album is Bob Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, but I haven't listened to that in a while...

[Sirus The Virus]

Exactly. You really can't compare Pop, Acthung, Rattle and call them the same.


I agree. Don't forget Zooropa and the Passengers album. All the 90's stuff compared to the 80's and the current stuff is totally different in almost every way.

[GroundLoop]

There isn't a "best" album...but I still can't believe that "Dirt" by Alice in Chains hasn't made the list yet. That is one of the very few albums where I love every single track. I can listen to it stright through over and over and over...

Hickman

[~Shard~]

I'll have to check it out.


Please do, I doubt you'll regret it. :)

[lavar78]

Some of my favorites that haven't been mentioned:

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
Innervisions - Stevie Wonder
Fulfillingness' First Finale - Stevie Wonder
Thriller - Michael Jackson

My personal vote goes to Together Alone by Crowded House.

[MacNeXT]

And ofcourse there's Jeff Buckley: Grace

[zelmo]

I'd have a pretty hard time choosing only 50 albums I could listen to for the rest of my life. But if I had to pick one, it'd be Exposed by Mike Oldfield, the greatest live album I've ever heard. It is cheating since it is a double disk set? If so, I'll take the 2nd disk, which is live Tubular Bells. Quiet in parts, bombastic and electrifying in others, with some of the best musicianship ever throughout. Bliss, no matter the mood i am in.

[iDM]

And ofcourse there's Jeff Buckley: Grace

That is the first album I actually agree whole heartedly with. My first exposure to it became an absolute obsession and led to my first CD purchase in about 5 years at the time. I've never been so obsessed with a CD before Grace.

[Qoxiivi]

That is the first album I actually agree whole heartedly with. My first exposure to it became an absolute obsession and led to my first CD purchase in about 5 years at the time. I've never been so obsessed with a CD before Grace.

For a while I couldn't listen to anything else. I just found everyone else's voice grating. An astonishing CD - and considering it was his debut as well, just think how good his second album might have been. Sadly we'll never know, and Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk gives us no clues whatsoever either, containing only bits and pieces of half finished ideas.

Jeff was a massively sad loss to music and the world.

[iDM]

For a while I couldn't listen to anything else. I just found everyone else's voice grating. An astonishing CD - and considering it was his debut as well, just think how good his second album might have been. Sadly we'll never know, and Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk gives us no clues whatsoever either, containing only bits and pieces of half finished ideas.

Jeff was a massively sad loss to music and the world.

His range of vocals and of genre was stunning for that CD alone, I couldn't agree more with what he may have accomplished had he not passed away.

[OutThere]

First thoughts that came to mind:

Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

[PCMacUser]

My personal vote goes to Together Alone by Crowded House.
This is a genius album. It makes me homesick every time I hear it - particularly the title track.

Others in my top albums include:
The Bends, by Radiohead.
Layla & Other Assorted Lovesongs, by Derek and the Dominos.
The Joshua Tree, by U2.
O, by Damien Rice.
Burn To Shine, by Ben Harper.
Ten, by Pearl Jam.

[quigleybc]

Morphines first album called "good"


it's good.

[geese]

Mine:

The most sublime pop album I've ever heard, and is becoming recognised as an almost forgotten 90s classic.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000024ZXA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpghttp://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000024ZXA/qid=1135213002/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/203-1016276-0895139

[Kernow]

Mine:

The most sublime pop album I've ever heard, and is becoming recognised as an almost forgotten 90s classic.

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000024ZXA.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpghttp://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000024ZXA/qid=1135213002/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/203-1016276-0895139

It's not forgotten around here. :) SFA are an excellent band, and this is one of their best albums - Demons is a particular highlight for me

[DrEasy]

My favorite: "Forever Changes" by Love

Other good ones not mentioned in here yet:

"Dummy" by Portishead
"After Bathing at Baxter's" by Jefferson Airplane
"69 Love Songs" by The Magnetic Fields (triple album so it's cheating a bit!)
"Younger Than Yesterday" by The Byrds
"Ladies of the Canyon" by Joni Mitchell

Yeah yeah, call me a hippie... :p

2005's best gotta be that album by Anthony and the Johnsons. Best voice I've heard since Jeff Buckley.

[thedude110]

2005's best gotta be that album by Anthony and the Johnsons. Best voice I've heard since Jeff Buckley.

That and Z. I Am a Bird Now is a really amazing record.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

2005's best gotta be that album by Anthony and the Johnsons. Best voice I've heard since Jeff Buckley.My vote goes to You're Speaking My Language by Juliette and the Licks.

Surprisingly good album from a somewhat unlikely source (even if she has sung on more than one soundtrack up through her career.)

[Kernow]

2005's best gotta be that album by Anthony and the Johnsons. Best voice I've heard since Jeff Buckley.

This album really surprised me. I hadn't heard of them before they won the Mercury Music prize over here, and I bought the album on the strength of that. It has really grown on me and is probably one of my most listened to albums of the last year.

He's a strange looking chap though. He has very ethereal plaintive voice, and you would expect him to be a skinny waiflike figure. Instead, he's well over six foot tall and built like a brick ****-house. :eek:

[Wes]

It's going to have to be Third Eye Blind's self-titled.

[Les Kern]

Yes - Fragile

[Lacero]

2005's best gotta be that album by Anthony and the Johnsons. Best voice I've heard since Jeff Buckley.

This review (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000777J2S/002-2589888-5564836?v=glance&n=5174) in Amazon.com pretty much summarizes my own feelings on I Am a Bird Now.

I literally spent half of the time it took listening to this album, working out whether or not it was a practical joke or not.

After deeming my conundrum to the trash can, I listened a little longer.
Still no luck. Antony seems to be walking a fine line artistically between what is art and what is rubbish? I mean, when I first heard him, he reminded me of Art Paul Schlosser (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=60571583&s=143441&i=60570665). [US iTMS]

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=37117 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[locutisofbored]

All of the above essentially, but to add three off the top of my head:
They Might Be Giants - Flood
Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen
Ben Kweller - Sha Sha

Ok, so also add about any artist with the first name Ben to the list and a couple more TMBG songs and I'm good.

[heedree]

Pearl Jam - Ten
Guns n Roses - Appetite for Destruction

[emaja]

Absolutely, and while we're at it, so does B****hes Brew.

And Charles Mingus' Mingus A Um

Miles showed up a little earlier than I thought he might on this forum, but to pair him with Mingus was an added bonus. Both are "must haves" for any jazz-head. It would be hard to put together a list of albums that didn't have their influence or common sidemen, a kind of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" list for jazz.

I could add a few classic Brubeck-Desmond albums like Red, Hot, and Cool or Live At Carnegie Hall also.

Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil

Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage

Joe Louis Walker's Blues of the Month Club

Oscar Peterson's Easter Suite or anything with OP and Stephane Grappelli

Prog Rock's Neal Morse or Spock's Beard.

Anything by Monk or Tower of Power couldn't be left out either.

The problem would be narrowing it down to one. Anyone who could do that would be leaving out so much, no matter what genre they were selecting from.

[zach]

Lateralus by Tool & Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd are definitely my top 2.

[Compile 'em all]

Metallica's Black Album. Period.

[DrEasy]

He's a strange looking chap though. He has very ethereal plaintive voice, and you would expect him to be a skinny waiflike figure. Instead, he's well over six foot tall and built like a brick ****-house. :eek:
Yeah, Elliott Smith was similarly surprising-looking given his very tender songwriting.

[Kernow]

Yeah, Elliott Smith was similarly surprising-looking given his very tender songwriting.

Elliott Smith was an excellent songwriter. Perversely, I only really got into him through 'Needle in the Hay' on the Royal Tennenbaums soundtrack, but since then I've listened to him a lot more and appreciated the quality of his work. He will be missed.

[conradzoo]

wow, no fans of the cure here? :confused:

i'm going with "disintegration" by the cure...


Nice, but the best unknown band from the eighties is The Sound, From The Lions Mouth their best album.

[Jovian9]

As for Muse, yes, Showbiz is cool but what swings Absolution for me is the track "Stockholm Syndrome", which is simply phenomenal. I particularly like the confident swagger of introducing a brand new kick-ass riff right at the death of the track to walk it to it the exit. Superb.

Vanilla

I'll definitely have to give that song/album another listen next time I put my headphones on.

[Counterfit]

Miles showed up a little earlier than I thought he might on this forum, but to pair him with Mingus was an added bonus. Both are "must haves" for any jazz-head. It would be hard to put together a list of albums that didn't have their influence or common sidemen, a kind of "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" list for jazz.
Hey, I mention a Miles album first! :p
I was playing some Christmas music with my tuba-euphonium quartet at my favorite coffee shop on Thursday, and some police officers came in (the station's right up the street). One asked if we played any jazz or just Christmas stuff. He then asked for some Mingus. Both my uncle and I think "Fables of Faubus" (he just taught the History of Jazz class I took. Best class ever :D), and my cousin started playing "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"
I could add a few classic Brubeck-Desmond albums like Red, Hot, and Cool or Live At Carnegie Hall also.
Or Time Out

Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil

Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage

Joe Louis Walker's Blues of the Month Club

Oscar Peterson's Easter Suite or anything with OP and Stephane Grappelli

Prog Rock's Neal Morse or Spock's Beard.
Too bad you can't pick an album by Dizzy or Bird, because they would be at the top.
Anything by Monk or Tower of Power couldn't be left out either.
I'm not sure anything by Tower of Power would be the best, most likely either earlier albums (first 3) or more recent stuff. As for Monk, I think the recently found recording of Monk and Coltrane at Carnegie Hall. clicky! (http://www.bluenote.com/detail.asp?SelectionID=10459)

The problem would be narrowing it down to one. Anyone who could do that would be leaving out so much, no matter what genre they were selecting from.
Too bad some of the best classical was never part of an album. Shostakovich's 5th is 55 minutes though. That's about the length of an album right? :o

[~Shard~]

I'm not sure anything by Tower of Power would be the best, most likely either earlier albums (first 3) or more recent stuff.

Obviously you have never heard Live and in Living Color. The tightness of the horn section, Lenny Pickett's amazing solo in "Knock Yourself Out", Garibaldi's out-of-time drumming (definitely ahead of its time), Chester Thompson's amazing organ solo (playing the bass part with the pedals - amazing!) Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. :)

Too bad some of the best classical was never part of an album. Shostakovich's 5th is 55 minutes though. That's about the length of an album right? :o

I love the Shostakovich 5th and have had the pleasure of performing it twice now. Yes, there are many classical pieces that would be nice to consider "albums", I would have quite a few on my list. The beauty of classical music is that it is one thing to listen to it, but another experience entirely to play them with an orchestra - trust me, I am very appreciative that I have that opportunity! :cool:

[ham_man]

At the risk of sounding cliche...

Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisisted

[brepublican]

Tough question to answer, especially when your Library spans everything from Coltrane, Davis and Monk to U2, Pink Floyd and Frampton...

For right now:
37504 or 37505

All time... c'mon? It's impossible. Maybe
37506 or 37507

[brepublican]

I'd have to say...

Alanis Morissette - 'Jagged Little Pill'
Angry female Music? Anyone?

Definitely a classic though... (I do have this album as well as "Under Rug Swept")

[ScruffyTheMac]

Yes - Fragile

At least there's another Yes fan in here. :)

My vote for best album ever is Close To The Edge. Life, the universe, and everything distilled into thirty eight minutes of pure sonic bliss.

[FadeToBlack]

Here are my Top 5 albums as of right now:

Spock's Beard - The Light (AMAZING prog rock)
Dream Theater - Octavarium
Metallica - Load
Incubus - Make Yourself
Pink Floyd - Animals

I limited myself to one album per artist.

[j2r110]

i like queens greatest hits 1 and2

[jamesi]

by far for me its radiohead's OK Computer album that takes the cake

[Cfg5]

GZA - Liquid Swords

Both RZA and GZA were at their best on that album, and it shows.

[emac kinda guy]

I'm a bit surprized that Veedon Fleece by Van Morrison hasn't been mentioned. There have been dozens of albums I love mentioned. Veedon Fleece is the best.

[ibook30]

by far for me its radiohead's OK Computer album that takes the cake

OK Computer ranks high - my tastes change quickly - love impermanence.

Today- I can't get enough Moldy Peaches. With lyrics like this, who wouldn't love 'em?
Squinched up your face and did a dance
You shook a little turd out of the bottom of your pants
I don't see what anyone can see, in anyone else
But you :)

[Sirus The Virus]

OK Computer ranks high - my tastes change quickly - love impermanence.
:)
That one ranks pretty high with me too.

[andypress]

Either Joshua Tree or Dark Side of the moon.

[macmanmatty]

The top five albums of all time

Bob Dylan- Blonde on Blonde
Eagles- Live
Wilie Nelson- City of New Orleans
Don Mclean- American Pie
Beatles- Rubber Soul

[Patmian212]

NaS- Illmatic
Lost Boyz- Legal Drug Money
Pink Floyd- Dark Side of the moon
Bob Marley- Tuff Gong
YoReL-Redemption

[Qoxiivi]

The top five albums of all time

Bob Dylan- Blonde on Blonde
Eagles- Live
Wilie Nelson- City of New Orleans
Don Mclean- American Pie
Beatles- Rubber Soul

Ah, Don McLean. Just how good are Empty Chairs, Sister Fatima, Crossroads, Vincent, American Pie, The Grave, Respectable...

Such a beautiful songwriter.

[Edge100]

The best pop album of all time is, unquestionably, Revolver by The Beatles. Absolutely perfect songwriting coupled with out-of-this-world production. It really marked the jumping off point for so many new avenues of music.

Sgt. Pepper gets the bigger headlines, and they are well deserved, but Revolver is better in content, if not in spirit.

I think when people ask these types of questions, they should really ask about the top 10 albums, since there are at least that many that could compete for the top spot. My list, in order, is:

1. Revolver - The Beatles
2. Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
3. Ok Computer - Radiohead
4. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
5. Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
6. The Joshua Tree - U2
7. Nevermind - Nirvana
8. Achtung Baby - U2
9. Paul's Boutique - The Beastie Boys
10. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust... - David Bowie

[Blue Velvet]

An eclectic mix for your consideration:

• Rolling Stones — Exile on Main Street
• Public Enemy — Fear of a Black Planet
• Stevie Wonder — Songs in the Key of Life
• Brian Eno — Ambient 1: Music for Airports
• Joni Mitchell — Court and Spark
• Talk Talk — Laughing Stock
• Keith Jarrett — The Köln Concert
• Kraftwerk — Computer World
• Jimi Hendrix — Are You Experienced?
• Van Morrison — Astral Weeks
• Miles Davis — Kind Of Blue
• Bob Marley — Natty Dread
• Goldie — Timeless
• Jane Siberry — When I Was A Boy

[shadowmoses]

Brian Wilson- Smile
OutKast- Stankonia
Madvillain- Madvillainy

[ilikeiBook]

Either Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, or Tommy by The Who.

[3rdpath]

beatles-white album
elton john-goodbye yellow brick road
pink floyd-dark side of the moon
radiohead-ok computer

time will tell on these:

counting crows-august and everything after
sarah mclachlan-fumbling towards extasy
stevie wonder-talking book
the police-regatta de blanc
cat stevens-tea for the tillerman
chet baker-let's get lost
elliott smith-XO
massive attack-mezzanine

[Sirus The Virus]

An eclectic mix for your consideration:
• Brian Eno — Ambient 1: Music for Airports
• Kraftwerk — Computer World

Those two albums are also big favorites of mine. Nice choices.

[Flowbee]

In no particular order, with many omissions:

Tool -- Aenima
Germs -- (GI)
Japan -- Tin Drum
Ornette Coleman -- Tomorrow Is The Question
Jesus Christ Superstar -- Original London Cast
Jethro Tull -- Thick as a Brick
Steel Pulse -- Handsworth Revolution
Love -- Forever Changes
Tupac -- Makaveli
Richard Harris -- A Tramp Shining
NWA -- Straight Outta Compton
Philip Glass -- Mishima
The B-52's -- The B-52's
Queen -- A Night at the Opera
The Roches -- The Roches
Steve Earle -- I Feel Alright
Squarepusher -- Hard Normal Daddy

[ppnkg]

Sergeant Pepper's, the best by far.

[Sedulous]

Sticking to the major genres:

Alternative: O.K Computer by Radiohead; Vs. by Pearl Jam

Country: American IV by Johnny Cash; For The Record: The First 10 Years by David Allan Coe (for the sheer comedy value of it)

Pop: Thriller by Michael Jackson; So by Peter Gabriel... or anything by Pink Floyd (remember, Dark Side of the Moon still holds the record on the Billboard chart)

Metal: And Justice For All by Metallica; Far Beyond Driven by Pantera

Rock: Appetite for Destruction by Guns and Roses; A Night at the Opera by Queen

Rap: Check Your Head by Beastie Boys; Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A.

"World": ágætis byrjun by Sigur Rós; anything by Andrés Segovia

other excellent albums (that I don't think have been yet mentioned):

Purple by Stone Temple Pilots
Facelift by Alice in Chains
Fashion Nugget by Cake
A Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay
Before These Crowded Streets by Dave Matthews Band
Diesel and Dust by Midnight Oil
Psalm 69 by Ministry
Harvest by Neil Young
Up and/or Us by Peter Gabriel
Best of Prince
Evil Empire by Rage Against the Machine
Best of Tears for Fears
Best of Van Halen
Wesley Willis (who can deny the simple greatness?)

[FadeToBlack]

And Justice For All by Metallica


Yes, definitely one of the best albums. It contains one of my favorite songs by Metallica: "To Live Is to Die." AMAZING instrumental!

[Sedulous]

Yes, definitely one of the best albums. It contains one of my favorite songs by Metallica: "To Live Is to Die." AMAZING instrumental!

I can play large portions of it on guitar... although not very well.

[FadeToBlack]

I can play large portions of it on guitar... although not very well.

Awesome. Man, I'd love to learn to play an instrument. I used to try to play guitar and drums a little bit, but I was never that good at it.

[Sedulous]

Awesome. Man, I'd love to learn to play an instrument. I used to try to play guitar and drums a little bit, but I was never that good at it.

Start with simple power-chords as it is the same fingering up and down the fretboard. Once you have that, you can play just about any Nirvana song.

[FadeToBlack]

Start with simple power-chords as it is the same fingering up and down the fretboard. Once you have that, you can play just about any Nirvana song.

Yeah, I'm considering getting me some sort of instrument eventually. I may get a bass guitar.

[vollspacken]

my first post since over a year (I think...):

Unkle - Psyence Fiction
Kraftwerk - Trans Europa Express
Underworld - DubNoBassWithMyHeadMan
Brian Wilson & The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions...
Jeru The Damaja - The Sun Rises In The East

the list could go on and on... ;)

vSpacken

[Tel]

I can't help at laugh at the amount of "best of," albums I'm seeing here. :rolleyes:

I'm not sure about the best album of all time, but some of my favorites are:

Led Zeppelin - III
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Electric Ladyland
Eric Johnson - Ah Via Musicom
Jefferson Airplane - Surrealistic Pillow
UNKLE - Psyence Fiction
Ian Brown - Golden Greats
Faithless - Sunday 8pm

And probably a whole bunch more that I'm forgetting :P

[vollspacken]

UNKLE - Psyence Fiction

you know's it..! :)

vSpacken

[greenday rule]

greenday american idiot rules the albums coz it all ties up like a story coz the american idiot is the jesus of suburbia and the songs r bout the same thing that being jesus of suburbia or the american idiot if u can make any sense of that:D

[mouchoir]

Girl You Know It's True by a group that shall remain unnamed ;)


:eek: milli vanilli :eek:

[Lacero]

My personal favorite is Blame It On The Rain. Awesome song. If not for the controversy, they would have a very long career making sweet beautiful music. I shall continue hoping for their encore.

Here's to the Crazy Ones http://forums.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=35452 (http://www.uriah.com/apple-qt/movies/think-different.mov)

[Tel]

you know's it..! :)

vSpacken

Awesome debut album, such a diverse range of styles and sounds. I can only find one flaw with this album and that is the track unreal, it was supposed to feature Ian Brown signing but he was in prison at the time, he did record a version after getting out though which was released as a single called Be There, its well worth replacing the original with this on the album. :)

[Boelman]

U2 - Achtung Baby!!!!! Great album

[Sirus The Virus]

greenday american idiot rules the albums coz it all ties up like a story coz the american idiot is the jesus of suburbia and the songs r bout the same thing that being jesus of suburbia or the american idiot if u can make any sense of that:D
Spell check?

[Sirus The Virus]

U2 - Achtung Baby!!!!! Great album
Great choice. The best out of the Zoo era.

[Deefuzz]

My #1: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

[Wednesday]

wow, no fans of the cure here? :confused:

i'm going with "disintegration" by the cure...


This gets my vote. Also:

Velvet Underground & Nico (that banana album - Sunday Morning is the most astounding opening track ever)

Surfer Rosa - The Pixies
Blue Sunshine - The Glove
Moon Pix - Cat Power

There are heaps and heaps - how could anyone choose just one?

[Sirus The Virus]

I also think that When The Pawn.... by Fiona Apple is a great album.

[sixstorm]

Morning View - Incubus

[Sirus The Virus]

Morning View - Incubus
Another great one.

[FadeToBlack]

Another great one.

Yes, it's great. My favorite Incubus album that I've heard, though, is "Make Yourself."

[faintember]

My #1: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
AAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!!

[sixstorm]

Yes, it's great. My favorite Incubus album that I've heard, though, is "Make Yourself."

Love that one too. Really, if you wanna see Incubus is their best performance, check out their "Live at the Red Rocks" DVD. AWESOME.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

My #1: Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the MoonNah... I only got that in 4th place... of my Pink Floyd albums... ;)

1. Final Cut
1. The Wall
3. Wish You Were Here
4. Dark Side of the Moon

Still a great album, though... ;)

[Tel]

Nah... I only got that in 4th place... of my Pink Floyd albums... ;)

1. Final Cut
1. The Wall
3. Wish You Were Here
4. Dark Side of the Moon

Still a great album, though... ;)

Its number 4 for me too. Though my list would be more like like:

1. Animals
2. Wish You Were Here
3. The Wall
4. Dark Side of the Moon

[ChrisA]

I'd have to break it down by genres. I'm a fan of "clasic rock" Hedrix, Pink Flyod and all that as well as Jazz from the bebop era like Coltrane, Monk and so on and also 20th centrury clasical music. Henryk Gorecki 3Sympony is a mastepiece and I'm a fan of Schoebberg too. How do you even compare Gorecki to Hedrix? It's a pointless question like asking which is a better building material glass or concrete?

IMO the "Best album of all time" is one that was good and broke new ground when it was released mybe it changed something or turned music in some new direction while also being technically well made

The one album I could listen to over end over may not be the "Best album of all time"

[ReanimationLP]

Cold - Year of the Spider.

[killmoms]

Joni Mitchell - Hejira

Quickly followed by:

Sigur Rós - Takk...

Definitely my two favorite albums of all time (and in my opinion, of course, the best!).

[Melkor]

Either

Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction

or

Joe Satriani - Surfing With The Alien

[yoak]

I´m still waiting for that album to come out:(

[vollspacken]

Be There

http://image.com.com/mp3/images/cover/200/drd700/d737/d7375062921.jpg

You don’t wanna go there
Let me lead you by the hand
You don’t wanna be there
Over the sea and down to land


the current CD-version of Psyence Fiction has Be There added as a bonus track... that's cool, since one has both the album track and the single in one package. I love both versions but the one with vocals is definitely better. I like see Bloodstain/Unreal as one piece though (especially with the Boba Fett sample from the Star Wars Holiday Special Animation connecting the two).

I always wondered if Ian Brown does perform the song at his own shows (like, as I heard, Richard Ashcroft does with Lonely Soul)?

vSpacken

[MacDonaldsd]

U2 - Achtung baby
Beatles - Sgt Peppers lonely hearts club band
Staind - Break the cycle
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Aerosmith- Rocks

im also rate both of "30 seconds to mars" albums il will see how I rate them over time

[FadeToBlack]

Love that one too. Really, if you wanna see Incubus is their best performance, check out their "Live at the Red Rocks" DVD. AWESOME.

Awesome. I need to check that out. I seen Incubus live back in 2002 before I was a big fan and it was great. I wish they'd come back around again. I'd like to see them now that I'm a big fan of their stuff.

[ChinMusic]

XTC - Black Sea

This isn't even close, in my opinion.

In second, comes Herbie Hancock - Headhunters.

What else deserves a mention???

Steely Dan - The Royal Scam

[dirt farmer]

Fairport Convention ---- "Liege & Lief"

Oh, how we miss you Sandy Denny! :(

[M-theory]

I love music and gotta put my two cents in...

First I agree the 'Best Album of All Time' is subjective, and there are too many different styles and peoples tastes that could be encapsulated with 5-10 albums let alone 1 album!

My personal subjective list:

Tool 'Aenima'
Nirvana 'Nevermind'
Soul Coughing 'El Oso' or 'Ruby Vroom'
M. Doughty 'Skittish' [former lead singer of 'soul coughing']
Bob Mould 'Workbook'
Plastikman 'Consumed'
Boards of Canada 'Music has a Right to Children'
Morphine 'The Night' or 'Cure for Pain'

guess that's it for now...

New Favorite Site, previously mentioned, Boomkat www.boomkat.com

<love the fact that you can sample tracks>

[blckout20]

Sublime - Sublime.....I don't think there has been a cd i've ever listened to as much as this one and it never gets old.

[Oblivious]

Hmmm... this is a though decision, so I'm going to chose Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV, Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon, and Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales.:D

[xsedrinam]

The White Album

[iBlue]

i don't know, there's so many masterpieces out there to choose from. :)

i can tell you that my first thought was "dark side of the moon" by pink floyd. they say the first answer is the right one most times.

[Peyton]

I'll say some that probably haven't been mentioned.

1. Sarah Mclachlan - Surfacing. To me its amazing, perfect blend of distorted guitar/piano with her amazing voice.

2. Coldplay - Parachutes. So raw, passionate and powerful. Not over produced, nearly perfect.

3. Michael Jackson has to be thrown in somewhere. 200 million albums sold says something. (about the talent, or the sanity of the fans) but its pretty remarkable.

[BoyBach]

Here are some of my personal faves:

Nirvana - 'Nevermind'
Radiohead - 'The Bends'
Portishead - 'Dummy'
Nick Drake - 'Bryter Layter'
Sigur Rós - 'Ágætis Byrjun'
Blur - 'Parklife'
Pulp - 'A Different Class'

Plus anything by Led Zeppelin :cool:

[russed]

hummm, difficult this one, so here is my go....


taproot - blue sky research (well pretty much anything by them)

incubus - morning view (again!)

feeder - echo park (or maybe yesterday went too soon)

nirvana - nevermind (again!)

deftones - white pony (but i have to be in the right mood for it)


sorry, im not really into the classic stuff, i like individual tracks but the whole albums just dont blow me away.



oh go on then, i dare to put this one down (it came as just a right time for me and i still love it when i go back to it!)

linkin park - hybrid theory (ducks :D)

and if i had to put something that wasnt rock, it would probably be outkast - speakerboxxx/the love below

[cyberddot]

Pink Floyd...but wait, that's stating the obvious. :) (1973)
Jethro Tull - Living in the Past (1972)
The Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take 5 (1959)


Beck - Midnight Vultures (1999)
POT USA - The Presidenst of the USA (1995)
Sleater-Kinney - Dig Me Out (1997)
Cake - Fashion Nugget (1996)
Incubus - Make Yourself (1999)...

...but then...that's dodging the question. As previously written, the first that came to mind was Pink Floyd's DSOTM. I really do have a hard time putting all of my vote on one album though. If trapped with a choice of one I might die from the resulting vertigo.

[zelmo]

XTC - Black Sea

This isn't even close, in my opinion.

In second, comes Herbie Hancock - Headhunters.

What else deserves a mention???

Steely Dan - The Royal Scam

Black Sea is awesome, as is English Settlement.:)

[Dr. J]

Dark Side of the Moon-

[Heb1228]

time will tell on these:

counting crows-august and everything after...

I was thinking of suggesting that one but was scared I'd get flamed. I'm not a huge music person, but that might be my vote. Or how about The Grateful Dead - American Beauty (am I crazy for suggesting it?)

[dogbone]

Axis bold as love

Voodoo Soup.

Are You Experienced

Make A Jazz Noise Here

Roxy and Elsewhere

Uncle Meat

[DougTheImpaler]

Van Halen - 5150

All other posts in this thread are null and void. LOL :D

[Phat Elvis]

got to love the recognition for Elliott Smith. But my vote goes with:

Green Day - American Idiot

Is it cheating to throw in a soundtrack? If not then Resevoir Dogs easily wins.

[n-abounds]

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream

A lot less Smashing Pumpkins on here than I thought. Siamese Dream is just about perfect in my book. Thank god no one put it after Mellon Collie though...cause it just pales in comparison to Siamese...

Runner Ups: U2-All That You Can't Leave Behind, NIN-Pretty Hate Machine

[student_trap]

all time album...tis impossible! depends on mood etc blah blah blah, its more useful to pick your top 50 albums! i'd be struggling even then, to get going though, how about...

(Whats the story) Morning glory - oasis
Abbey road - beatles
Abraxas - santana
Aha shake heartbreak - kings of leon
blood on the tracks - bob dylan
back in black - ACDC
By the way - Red hot chili peppers
dark side of the moon - pink floyd
decksanddrumsandrockandroll - propellaheads
destroy rock and roll - mylo
electric ladyland - hendrix
get yer ya-ya's out - rolling stones
harvest - neil young
kind of blue - miles davis
last chance disco - acoustic ladyland
led zeppelin 4 - led zeppelin
live at the lyceum - bob marley
london calling - clash
mad dogs and englishmen - joe cocker
mud slide slim and the blue horizon - james taylor
parachutes - coldplay
screamadelica - primal scream
thirteen tales from urban bohemia - dandy warhols
transformer - lou reed
troubadour - jj cale
up all night - razorlight
urban hymes - the verve
you've come a long way baby - fatboy slim

the list could quite easily go on.....:eek:

[DougTheImpaler]

Is it cheating to throw in a soundtrack? If not then Resevoir Dogs easily wins.

I think that'd be considered cheating if the soundtrack is various artists...kinda like including compilation albums.

[bartelby]

personally....

Lateralus by TooL gets better every time i hear it. i can rock out to it, veg out to it. or sleep with it playing. amazing album. can't wait to see what they have for us in 2006. :D

Another vote for Lateralus.

[MacRumorUser]

all time album...tis impossible! depends on mood etc blah blah blah, its more useful to pick your top 50 albums! i'd be struggling even then!

Yep me too. Here's the most played out of the 800 or so albums in my iTunes CD collection..

Alanis Morisette - Jagged Little Pill
Belle & Sebastian - Fold Your Hands Child, You walk Like A Peasant
Bjork - Debut
Claire Sproule - Claire Sproule (my most recent entry in this chart)
Counting Crows - August & Everything After
Crowded House - Woodface
Damien Rice - O
David Gray - White Ladder
Depeche Mode - Violator
Eagle Eye Cherry - Desireless
George Micheal - Listen Without Predjudice
Gabrielle - Play 2 Win
Idlewild - Warnings/Promises
INXS - X
James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (well all of James Taylor really ;) )
Joshua Kadison - Vanishing America
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Malcolmn McClaren - Paris
Massive Attack - Protection
Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
Missy Higgins - The Sound Of White
Nirvana - Nevermind
Pet Shop Boys - Behaviour
R.E.M - Out Of Time
Rufus Wainwright - Want 1/2
Ryan Adams - Gold
Turin Brakes - The Optomist LP
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
U2 - Achtung Baby


There could be more but they are all in my most played and I chose them based on the entire album, rather than 1 or 2 songs on a paticular album.

[Spacemoth]

These best albums of all time lists are fast becoming a tiresome cliché if not a self parody - I mean, seriously, not one month goes by nowadays when one magazine or monthly music publication or TV programme or whatever isn't making a big song and dance about yet another definitive list as voted for by the public blah blah blah blah ... I mean, come on! The way I see it is: all it does is give people the chance to keep voting for the same 50 titles or bands over and over again if only to see them take up a slightly different order in the top 20 list or something. Every month it's the same old suspects: e.g. Radiohead, The Stone Roses, The Smiths, Nirvana, The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Oasis, U2, Coldplay, The Stones, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys (just, like, to ensure a few of the new kids on the block get in on the action too) in the same places - but occasionally swapping over just so they can all take turns at the top of the pile so to speak. Bloody boring!!!!

I tell you - I have long ceased to take any of these "best ever" lists seriously cos the fact is they don't seem to go a couple of months before they get revised again. Just how pointless is that? I mean......are people's memories getting so short that everything now has to be reduced to this sort of thing - making endless trivial lists that are ultimately completely meaningless anyway....and the music publications like Q, Uncut, MOJO, NME etc are all as guilty as one another in this pathetic game of one-upmanship as to who can come up with the most - wow!! - definitive of "definitively definitive" lists! Yawn....what a futile exercise this is....and yet it shows absolutely no signs of abating.

For everyone's information I DO happen to have my own favourite list of albums too but - you have to admit - just how absurd is the very notion of having just ONE "best ever album of all time" when we have had millions of records released since time immemorial and to have to sift through the memory banks to come up with a selection of just 100 choice titles as if to say that these are the ones that matter because everybody says so or because these are regarded as the albums everyone must own in order to gain cool credentials is just silly in the extreme. Because the very task of coming up with a personal list is so hard anyway, I just don't bother taking part in any of these stupid surveys anyway....I do resent the way in which music is constantly trivialised in such a fashion.....where will it all end?

[jamesi]

Ok computer by radiohead

[Dale Cooper]

Picking one favorite is simply impossible for me. But I love "The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust etc." by Bowie, "Automatic For The People" by R.E.M., "Live at Leeds" by the Who and "The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Live 1964" by Dylan.

[Cooknn]

I gotta cast my vote for Temple of the Dog (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?s=143441&i=94588&id=94600). As I work tonight I decided to give it another virtual spin. The guitar solo (well, duet) on Reach Down is the best ever, IMHO. It starts at 4:45 and ROCKS until 8:43. If you like good guitar, buy this song at the very least. The entire album is a steal at $9.99 on iTunes.

[Jschultz]

I see a lot of votes for U2's Achtung Baby. I will have to concur. And for those who have not heard it in DTS, you are missing A LOT. I recently re-discovered it, re-worked in DTS, and hearing 'Mysterious Ways' is like falling in love all over again.

Also, have to put in for U2's Joshua Tree. It's a shame these damned kids will never hear this great piece.

[mrwildguitar]

Violent By Design from Jedi Mind Tricks gets my vote. Off the top production, raw, real lyricism, and every track on the album is good. Though, Army Of The Pharaohs- The Torture Papers is coming out on the 21st. We'll see if that can deliver up to the hype.

[Diddiyo]

wiki:
The "new beat" of hardcore put down by Refused is still expounded upon in some hardcore scenes around the world. The album today is largely seen as a classic and usually liked in lots of music circles regardless of peoples tastes.

http://www.nd.edu/~mindset/siouxaside/_albumreviews/r/shapeofpunktocome.jpg

[mcmillan]

I can't think of anything in specific, but here are some that I really like:
-Play by Moby
-Buena Vista Social Club by Buena Vista Social Club
-The Wall by Pink Floyd
-Siempre es hoy by Gustavo Cerati
-Arepa 3000 by Los Amigos Invisibles

I know there's more, but that's what I remember right now, sorry for all the Spanish stuff.

[M-theory]

I tell you - I have long ceased to take any of these "best ever" lists seriously cos the fact is they don't seem to go a couple of months before they get revised again. Just how pointless is that? I mean......are people's memories getting so short that everything now has to be reduced to this sort of thing - making endless trivial lists that are ultimately completely meaningless anyway....and the music publications like Q, Uncut, MOJO, NME etc are all as guilty as one another in this pathetic game of one-upmanship as to who can come up with the most - wow!! - definitive of "definitively definitive" lists! Yawn....what a futile exercise this is....and yet it shows absolutely no signs of abating.

Personally, it is tiresome to see the 'Usual Suspects' :) , great movie, but I like to see the lists for finding new music. If I see a list from some source and I like everything on the list, but don't recognize one or two albums, I will check it out, either on Amazon or Boomkat. If the list consists of boy bands and Jessica or Ashley Simpson, I move on...

I never take them seriously, they're just opinions, like the opinions of people on this site, sharing. If you want to share a list of music that you enjoy, We, I more specifically, would like to read it, if not, I move on...

[calculus]

Changes every day but I certainly could not live without these...

Pet Sounds - Beach Boys
Kate & Anna McGarrigle
Hissing Of Summer Lawns - Joni Mitchell
A Love Supreme - John Coltrane
Revolver - Beatles
Dusty In Memphis - Dusty Springfield
Odelay - Beck
Another Music In A Different Kitchen - Buzzcocks
London Calling - Clash
Swordfishtrombones - Tom Waits
Two Sevens Clash - Culture
Imperial Bedroom - Elvis Costello

[Foxer]

OK - Desert Island picks. No greatest hits albums allowed. In no order:

1. If You're Feeling Sinister (Belle & Sebastian)
2. Different Class (Pulp)
3. Stone Roses (Stone Roses)
4. Technique (New Order)
5. The Queen is Dead (The Smiths)
6. Seamonsters (The Wedding Present)
7. OK Computer (Radiohead)
8. Very (Pet Shop Boys)
9. Armed Forces (Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
10. Welcome to the Beautiful South (The Beautiful South)

[Kernow]

OK - Desert Island picks. No greatest hits albums allowed. In no order:

1. If You're Feeling Sinister (Belle & Sebastian)
2. Different Class (Pulp)
3. Stone Roses (Stone Roses)
4. Technique (New Order)
5. The Queen is Dead (The Smiths)
6. Seamonsters (The Wedding Present)
7. OK Computer (Radiohead)
8. Very (Pet Shop Boys)
9. Armed Forces (Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
10. Welcome to the Beautiful South (The Beautiful South)

Some interesting choices here. I'm guessing you've spent at least some time in the UK, as they're all English bands and you're based in the US. If not, then I'm slightly surprised that The Wedding Present is on the list :)

[dogbone]

.....where will it all end?

It can only end in tears.

[Aarow]

Tiger & The Duke (TSOAF)
Alls Well That Ends Well (Chiodos)
MC Hammer: Greatest Hits (MC Hammer)

[MIDI_EVIL]

wiki:


http://www.nd.edu/~mindset/siouxaside/_albumreviews/r/shapeofpunktocome.jpg

Absolutely incredible, insanely good musicians and extremely well produced album that has won awards.

Rich.

[MIDI_EVIL]

I would like to nominate Aphex Twins phenomenal album Drukqs. In my opinion it's one of the most innovative albums i have ever experienced.

If you are unaware of of Aphex Twin's genius, i cannot recommend him enough. He one of the pioneers in electronic music. You will be astounded by the technicality and beauty of his work!

If you have an interest in music, any way shape or form, you will need to hear this album.

Rich.

[Aeolius]

"Spring Session M" - Missing Persons or
"Rhythm of Youth" - Men Without Hats

[rosalindavenue]

OK - Desert Island picks. No greatest hits albums allowed. In no order:

1. If You're Feeling Sinister (Belle & Sebastian)
2. Different Class (Pulp)
3. Stone Roses (Stone Roses)
4. Technique (New Order)
5. The Queen is Dead (The Smiths)
6. Seamonsters (The Wedding Present)
7. OK Computer (Radiohead)
8. Very (Pet Shop Boys)
9. Armed Forces (Elvis Costello & the Attractions)
10. Welcome to the Beautiful South (The Beautiful South)

Wow-- you read my mind-- all of these are in my top 25 (except for Seamonsters, which I have never heard-- guess I need to buy it). I'd take "The Bends" over OK Computer; but these (aside from the Pet Shop Boys-- nice pop but too twee for me) are all among my absolute faves. To reply to an earlier observation about this list-- I didnt live in England but brit pop, led by the Smiths and New Order, was the gold standard of college rock in my college and grad school years (86-93).

For my top fifteen I'd work in:

Bee Thousand by Guided by Voices
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel
H.M.S. Fable by Shack
Doolittle and Surfer Rosa by the Pixies
Tonights the Night and Everybody Knows this is Nowhere by Neil Young

[Malcster]

Difficult choices! 1 is impossible, im not sure i could live without the following..

Funeral, Arcade Fire
All Radiohead Albums ;)
Open Season, British Sea Power
Unbelievable Truth, Almost Here
London Calling, The Clash
Picaresque, The Decemberists
Just Like Blood, Tom McRae
Kitty Jay, Seth Lakeman (Freedom Fields is great too but too early to judge)
Martha Wainwright, Martha Wainwright
Traveling Wilburys Vol 1, Traveling Wilburys
O, Damien Rice

[blackfox]

Hmmm...good stuff here. Here are some choices, which while not necessarily the "best album of all time" are seminal contributions, especially in advancing their respective genres (imo):

Guided by Voices - Bee thousand
Slowdive -Pygmalion
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Dinosaur Jr - you are living all over me
Tortoise - millions now living...
Pixies - Doolittle
Husker Du - New day rising
New Order - Power, corruption and lies
DJ Shadow - Entroducing
Dr Octagon - Octagonocologist
Can - Future Days
Gang of Four - Entertainment
The Cars - (self-titled)
The Police - synchronicity
Blondie - self-titled/parallel lines



...this in addition to many fine selections already mentioned.

[clykins90]

Here is my top 5

John Mayer-Room for Squares
Lifehouse-Lifehouse
Five For Fighting-The Battle for Everything
Death Cab for Cutie-Plans
Yellowcard-Lights and Sounds

[Queso]

Do It Yourself by The Seahorses

[M-theory]

Hmmm...good stuff here. Here are some choices, which while not necessarily the "best album of all time" are seminal contributions, especially in advancing their respective genres (imo):

Guided by Voices - Bee thousand
Slowdive -Pygmalion
Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Dinosaur Jr - you are living all over me
Tortoise - millions now living...
Pixies - Doolittle
Husker Du - New day rising
New Order - Power, corruption and lies
DJ Shadow - Entroducing
Dr Octagon - Octagonocologist
Can - Future Days
Gang of Four - Entertainment
The Cars - (self-titled)
The Police - synchronicity
Blondie - self-titled/parallel lines



...this in addition to many fine selections already mentioned.

wow, you are dead on with MOST of your selections and 'genre advancing'...

slowdive is a nice call, maybe ride also?

Sonic Youth is very underappreciated imo, Dinosaur Jr. is probably in the same class and receives 'not enough respect'.

I've heard, and agree, that the Pixies were the FIRST 'grunge' band. [before Nirvana]

Husker Du and Bob Mould...can't say enough good things about them/him. I've read about countless musicians who were 'influenced' by early Husker Du work.

The only gripe and why I previously wrote MOST is the ommission of Dr. Octagon or DJ Shadows influence and drivers of the genre who allowed their proliferation. Not sure I have an answer, Run DMC or Grandmaster Flash for rap, Boogie Down Production for the sampling, would like to hear your thoughts...

Anyway, well done.

[blackfox]

wow, you are dead on with MOST of your selections and 'genre advancing'...

slowdive is a nice call, maybe ride also?

Sonic Youth is very underappreciated imo, Dinosaur Jr. is probably in the same class and receives 'not enough respect'.

I've heard, and agree, that the Pixies were the FIRST 'grunge' band. [before Nirvana]

Husker Du and Bob Mould...can't say enough good things about them/him. I've read about countless musicians who were 'influenced' by early Husker Du work.

The only gripe and why I previously wrote MOST is the ommission of Dr. Octagon or DJ Shadows influence and drivers of the genre who allowed their proliferation. Not sure I have an answer, Run DMC or Grandmaster Flash for rap, Boogie Down Production for the sampling, would like to hear your thoughts...

Anyway, well done.Cheers.

I would probably agree with your suggestions, and possibly add a Tribe called Quest or De La Sol Album to further flesh out that genre. NWA and WuTang Clan probably also deserve mention.

Unfortunately, I just can't think of everything in one sitting.

Also, I completely neglected Jazz, as I am a fan of the classics (already mentioned). I will add "Cinematic Orchestra - Motion" however, as it was a quietly revolutionary album.

Again, great thread.

[SamJ]

the colour and the shape by foos..great album

[miniConvert]

Call me mainstream, but Confessions on a Dance Floor by Madonna is fantastic. With her money you wouldn't expect anything less, but whoever she had working on this one deserved every penny they got.

The album is mixed like a dance CD, so there's a continuity through the album from start to finish. It's packed with energy, originality and some of Madonna's best vocals to date. Both Hung Up and Sorry went No.1 here in the UK singles chart but other top tracks include Jump, Forbidden Love and Get Together.

Steer clear of the music videos and you'll really enjoy it :p

[M-theory]

Cheers.

I would probably agree with your suggestions, and possibly add a Tribe called Quest or De La Sol Album to further flesh out that genre. NWA and WuTang Clan probably also deserve mention.

Unfortunately, I just can't think of everything in one sitting.

Also, I completely neglected Jazz, as I am a fan of the classics (already mentioned). I will add "Cinematic Orchestra - Motion" however, as it was a quietly revolutionary album.

Again, great thread.

yes, Quest and De La Sol, probably closer to DJ Shadow, NWA and WuTang for 'gansta rap'. Thought of this recently, Steven Reich for the use of loops and samples.

Jazz is a 500lb gorilla that would take another thread to discuss...wait, I think I did that...:D [see 'All that Jazz...' thread]

[princealfie]

Best album ever has to be Free Jazz! by Ornette Coleman and the Quartet. Man, that raised a ruckus back in the day.

[Dr. J]

TEN Pearl Jam- their best and only great album

[thecheda]

Radiohead - The Bends

[Oryan]

Black Sails in the Sunset by A.F.I.


http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000IPZ0.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000IPZ0/sr=8-1/qid=1145084060/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-0451077-8687965?%5Fencoding=UTF8)

[Accylad]

1. Sex Pistols, Nevermind the Bollocks
2. Sisters of Mercy, First and Last and always
3. Joy Division ,Unknown Pleasures
4. New Order, Movement
5. Happy Mondays, 24hr People

oh yeh and anything by the Cult, Death Cult , Southern Death Cult, Spacemen 3

[dsharits]

My personal favorite is SONICFLOOd's debut, self-named album.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

1. Sex Pistols, Nevermind the Bollocks
2. Sisters of Mercy, First and Last and always
3. Joy Division ,Unknown Pleasures
4. New Order, Movement
5. Happy Mondays, 24hr People

oh yeh and anything by the Cult, Death Cult , Southern Death Cult, Spacemen 3Nice, very nice, but where are the Clash and New Model Army...? :confused: ;)

[MacFlanker]

Depeche mode- Violator
New Order - Substance
RHCP - Blood Sugar
Clash - London Calling
Beastie Boys - Licence to Ill

[HermanTheGerman]

Radiohead - Ok Computer
Coldplay - Parachutes