The N&G Top 500 Albums of All Time!!!

Whew. FINALLY finished my list of 50. I feel pretty good about it. Now I just have to put it in order....how hard can that be?
I’m struggling with the order.
Not basing it purely on my own tastes and trying to acknowledge the significance of each release on the overall pantheon of ‘popular music’ has made the rankings difficult.
I’m shifting things around on the regular.
I need to stop tinkering and chalk any deficiencies up to it being 2020.
 
Slowly revealing still!
41. M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us
42. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
43. SZA - Ctrl
44. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
45. Talib Kweli & Madlib - Liberation

Talib / Madlib is probably my most underrated album probably not going to be on anyone else's list pick. It's easily my favorite Talib Kweli album and features some of my favorite Madlib productions.
I don't own any M83 on vinyl - need to change that.


PXL_20201110_044109649.jpg
 
Slowly revealing still!
41. M83 - Before The Dawn Heals Us
42. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
43. SZA - Ctrl
44. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
45. Talib Kweli & Madlib - Liberation

Talib / Madlib is probably my most underrated album probably not going to be on anyone else's list pick. It's easily my favorite Talib Kweli album and features some of my favorite Madlib productions.
I don't own any M83 on vinyl - need to change that.


View attachment 74080
some good picks.. surprised that number 41 is THAT specific album from them and not the 2nd album
 
the full list for those not giving my slow-reveal the gravity of Q-drops:


50. Pretty Things - SF Sorrow Psychedelic Rock / Expirimental Rock / Conecpt (1968) **1pt**
49. Postal Service - Give Up Indie-tronica / Indie Pop (2003)
48. Kamasi Washington - The Epic Jazz (2015)
47. Swans - To Be Kind Expirimental Rock / Noise Rock / Drone (2014)
46. Dire Straits - Dire Straits Roots Rock / Blues Rock (1978)
45. Midlake - The Trials of van Occupanther Progressive Folk / Psychedelic Folk / Indie (2006)
44. Massive Attack - Blue Lines Trip Hop / Chill Out / British Hip Hop (1991)
43. Notorious B.I.G - Ready to Die East Coast Hip Hop / Gangsta Rap / Hardcore Hip Hop (1994)
42. Mission of Burma - Vs. Post-Punk / Punk Rock (1982)
41. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Soft Rock / Pop Rock / Folk Rock (1977)
40. Nils Frahm - All Melody Ambient / Contemporary Classical / Electronic Composition (2018)
39. Counting Crows - August and Everything After Alternative Rock (1993)
38. Stan Getz/Joao Gilberto - Gezt/Gilberto Jazz / Bossa Nova (1964)
37. NWA - Straight Outta Compton West Coast Hip Hop / Gangsta Rap / Hardcore Hip Hop (1988)
36. The Band - Music From Big Pink Roots Rock / Americana (1968)
35. DJ Shadow - Entroducing Hip Hop / Instrumental Hip Hop (1996)
34. Pink Floyd - Animals Progressive Rock (1977)
33. Four Tet - Rounds Electronic / IDM / Experimental (2003)
32. Nick Cave&The Bad Seeds - Push the Sky Away Art Rock / Gothic Rock / Alternative Rock (2013)
31. Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Jazz Fusion / Avant Funk / Experimental Jazz (1970)
30. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am... Post-Punk Revival / Garage Rock Revival / Indie Rock (2006)
29. The Gun Club - Miami Cowpunk / Punk Blues / Post-Punk (1982)
28. Gorillaz - Demon Days Trip Hop / Art Rock / Alternative Rock (2005)
27. Outkast - Southernplayalisticcadilacmusik Southern Hip Hop (1994)
26. Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan Folk / Blues / Singer-Songwriter (1963)
25. Nick Drake - Pink Moon Folk (1972)
24. David Bowie - Station to Station Art Rock / Space Rock / Soul (1976)
23. Purple Mountains - Purple Mountains Indie Rock / Alt-Country (2019)
22. Townes van Zandt - For Sake of the Song Country (1968)
21. The Chameleons - Script of the Bridge Post-Punk (1983)
20. The National - Boxer Indie Rock / Chamber Pop (2007)
19. Gil Scott-Heron - Small Talk at 125th & Lenox Jazz Poetry / Proto-Rap / Spoken Word (1970)
18. Nina Simone - Pastel Blues Blues / Vocal Jazz (1965)
17. Toadies - Rubberneck Grunge / Alt Rock / Noise Rock (1994)
16. Radiohead - OK Computer Alt Rock / Art Rock / Indie Rock (1997)
15. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low-End Theory East Coast Hip Hop / Jazz Rap / Alt-Hip Hop (1991)
14. Bloc Party - Silent Alarm Post-Punk Revival / Dance Punk (2005)
13. Gang of Four - Entertainment! Post Punk / Dance Punk (1979)
12. Tom Waits - Heart of Saturday Night Folk / Blues / Jazz (1974)
11. Talking Heads - Remain in Light New Wave / Post-Punk / Art Pop (1980)
10. Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West Indie Rock / Art-Punk (1997)
9. Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden Post-Rock / Art Rock / Progressive Pop (1988)
8. Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly Hip Hop / Jazz Rap / Neo-Soul (2015)
7. The Smiths - The Queen is Dead New Wave / Post-Punk / Alt-Rock(1986)
6. Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights Post-Punk Revival / Indie Rock (2002)
5. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On Soul / R&B / Psychedelic Soul (1971)
4. Jeff Buckley - Grace Folk / Art Rock / Alt-Rock (1994)
3. 13th Floor Elevators - The Psychedelic Sounds... Psychedelic Rock / Garage Rock (1966)
2. Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star Alternative Hip Hop (1998)
1. Sun Kil Moon - April Folk Rock / Indie Folk / Slowcore (2008) **50pt**
 
some good picks.. surprised that number 41 is THAT specific album from them and not the 2nd album
My induction into m83 was kinda weird. I got into them right before this album was released but only because I had heard a song from their first album and decided to check it out. By the time I finished digging thru it, Before the Dawn came out and I completely skipped Dead Cities. This album in particular made a huge impact on me because I thought their sound was so unique. The way they blend electronic shoegaze ambient together so well, it was ticking all the right boxes for me and was not like much I had heard before. Their first album was cool and I loved it but this was something else altogether. I did go back to check out Dead Cities but it didn't make as big an impact.
 
Close enough:

Top 50 Albums (3).jpg

RankArtistAlbum
1​
Clap Your Hands Say YeahClap Your Hands Say Yeah
2​
Arcade FireFuneral
3​
Pink FloydThe Wall
4​
Marvin GayeWhat's Going On?
5​
Bob DylanThe Times They are A-Changin'
6​
The BeatlesAbbey Road
7​
Beach BoysPet Sounds
8​
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin 1
9​
The DoorsThe Doors
10​
Bright EyesLifted
11​
Wu-Tang ClanEnter the Wu-Tang
12​
John Lennon & Plastic Ono BandJohn Lennon & Plastic Ono Band
13​
Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago
14​
Dr. DreThe Chronic
15​
Van MorrisonVeedon Fleece
16​
Kendrick LamarTo Pimp a Butterfly
17​
The KillersHot Fuss
18​
Fleetwood MacRumours
19​
Angel OlsenBurn Your Fire for No Witness
20​
Miles DavisBitches Brew
21​
MGMTOracular Spectacular
22​
Bruce SpringsteenBorn to Run
23​
ColdplayParachutes
24​
Wolf ParadeApologies to the Queen Mary
25​
Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion
26​
SupertrampBreakfast in America
27​
Kanye WestLate Registration
28​
WeezerBlue Album
29​
NirvanaNevermind
30​
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road
31​
GrouploveNever Trust a Happy Song
32​
GorillazGorillaz
33​
Panda BearPerson Pitch
34​
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
35​
Paul SimonGraceland
36​
The StrokesIs This It?
37​
IslandsReturn to the Sea
38​
FeistThe Reminder
39​
ODBReturn to the 36 Chambers
40​
Black SabbathVol. 4
41​
of MontrealHissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
42​
Velvet Underground & NicoVelvet Underground & Nico
43​
Mariah CareyDaydream
44​
SZACtrl
45​
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos JobimFrancis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim
46​
Simon & GarfunkelBookends
47​
The Whitest Boy AliveDreams
48​
Kings of LeonAha Shake Heartbreak
49​
Lil WayneTha Carter III
50​
Amy WinehouseBack to Black
 
Last edited:
Close enough:

View attachment 74098

RankArtistAlbum
1​
Clap Your Hands Say YeahClap Your Hands Say Yeah
2​
Arcade FireFuneral
3​
Pink FloydThe Wall
4​
Marvin GayeWhat's Going On?
5​
Bob DylanThe Times They are A-Changin'
6​
The BeatlesAbbey Road
7​
Beach BoysPet Sounds
8​
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin 1
9​
The DoorsThe Doors
10​
Bright EyesLifted
11​
Wu-Tang ClanEnter the Wu-Tang
12​
John Lennon & Plastic Ono BandJohn Lennon & Plastic Ono Band
13​
Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago
14​
Dr. DreThe Chronic
15​
Van MorrisonVeedon Fleece
16​
Kendrick LamarTo Pimp a Butterfly
17​
The KillersHot Fuss
18​
Fleetwood MacRumours
19​
Angel OlsenBurn Your Fire for No Witness
20​
Miles DavisBitches Brew
21​
MGMTOracular Spectacular
22​
Bruce SpringsteenBorn to Run
23​
ColdplayParachutes
24​
Wolf ParadeApologies to the Queen Mary
25​
Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion
26​
SupertrampBreakfast in America
27​
Kanye WestLate Registration
28​
WeezerBlue Album
29​
NirvanaNevermind
30​
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road
31​
GrouploveNever Trust a Happy Song
32​
GorillazGorillaz
33​
Panda BearPerson Pitch
34​
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
35​
Paul SimonGraceland
36​
The StrokesIs This It?
37​
IslandsReturn to the Sea
38​
FeistThe Reminder
39​
ODBReturn to the 36 Chambers
40​
Black SabbathVol. 4
41​
of MontrealHissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
42​
Velvet Underground & NicoVelvet Underground & Nico
43​
Mariah CareyDaydream
44​
SZACtrl
45​
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos JobimFrancis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim
46​
Simon & GarfunkelBookends
47​
The Whitest Boy AliveDreams
48​
Kings of LeonAha Shake Heartbreak
49​
Lil WayneTha Carter III
50​
Amy WinehouseBack to Black
I got really excited for a sec that Amy Winehouse was your #1, haha.
 
Close enough:

View attachment 74098

RankArtistAlbum
1​
Clap Your Hands Say YeahClap Your Hands Say Yeah
2​
Arcade FireFuneral
3​
Pink FloydThe Wall
4​
Marvin GayeWhat's Going On?
5​
Bob DylanThe Times They are A-Changin'
6​
The BeatlesAbbey Road
7​
Beach BoysPet Sounds
8​
Led ZeppelinLed Zeppelin 1
9​
The DoorsThe Doors
10​
Bright EyesLifted
11​
Wu-Tang ClanEnter the Wu-Tang
12​
John Lennon & Plastic Ono BandJohn Lennon & Plastic Ono Band
13​
Bon IverFor Emma, Forever Ago
14​
Dr. DreThe Chronic
15​
Van MorrisonVeedon Fleece
16​
Kendrick LamarTo Pimp a Butterfly
17​
The KillersHot Fuss
18​
Fleetwood MacRumours
19​
Angel OlsenBurn Your Fire for No Witness
20​
Miles DavisBitches Brew
21​
MGMTOracular Spectacular
22​
Bruce SpringsteenBorn to Run
23​
ColdplayParachutes
24​
Wolf ParadeApologies to the Queen Mary
25​
Animal CollectiveMerriweather Post Pavilion
26​
SupertrampBreakfast in America
27​
Kanye WestLate Registration
28​
WeezerBlue Album
29​
NirvanaNevermind
30​
Elton JohnGoodbye Yellow Brick Road
31​
GrouploveNever Trust a Happy Song
32​
GorillazGorillaz
33​
Panda BearPerson Pitch
34​
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club
35​
Paul SimonGraceland
36​
The StrokesIs This It?
37​
IslandsReturn to the Sea
38​
FeistThe Reminder
39​
ODBReturn to the 36 Chambers
40​
Black SabbathVol. 4
41​
of MontrealHissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?
42​
Velvet Underground & NicoVelvet Underground & Nico
43​
Mariah CareyDaydream
44​
SZACtrl
45​
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos JobimFrancis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim
46​
Simon & GarfunkelBookends
47​
The Whitest Boy AliveDreams
48​
Kings of LeonAha Shake Heartbreak
49​
Lil WayneTha Carter III
50​
Amy WinehouseBack to Black
Can I like this twice for the Hissing Fauna inclusion??
 
35. Kanye West - The College Dropout

D62258BC-C216-4775-A5BD-D99D4FA991FA.jpeg

34. The Mars Volta - De-Loused In The Comatorium

354A7927-8E48-4802-B6B7-13E0D51D9E27.jpeg

33. Joanna Newsom - Ys

4BFEFA62-A39C-4D14-AD9F-8546E8318990.jpeg

32. Outkast - Aquemini

5C88B6AD-227D-4A23-8F20-78E8ABB4649A.jpeg

31. Stevie Wonder - Music Of My Mind

A61D2184-2D38-4013-9E9E-7D9B8861C5D8.jpeg

Starting with #33, everything from here on out is what I would consider "perfect" albums in my view. Maybe not in the sense that literally every second is equally masterful, but in the sense that I struggle to come up with anything that would make the album noticeably more meaningful, jaw-dropping, and/or enjoyable to me personally.
 
Another set of five.

35) Pink Floyd - Animals [progressive rock]
Pink Floyd - Animals - album cover

As relevant as ever. Sort of self-explanatory, no?

34) Erykah Badu - Baduizm [neo-soul]
Erykah Badu - Baduizm - album cover

In contrast to other neo-soul artists and albums of the heyday era, Badu focused not just on groovy hooks with percussive emphasis, but especially on wise as fuck lyrical poetry. Badu's mind projects knowledge that spans decades older than her age.

33) Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters [jazz fusion]
Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters - album cover

My first jazz foray with crossover into other genres. It's one of those studio albums that sounds as if it's recorded live..."Chameleon" sounds different every time I hear it...it was cool to have played it repeatedly in high school band. "Watermelon Man" is bizarre jubilance. "Sly" could soundtrack a 70's film's car chase scene. "Vein Melter" conveys a particularly tricky crime scene investigation.

32) Grouper - A I A: Alien Observer [ethereal, ambient]
Grouper - A I A: Alien Observer - album cover

I first listened to this during some 2AM all-nighter in college and experienced peace that I've never thought was palpable. It is a standout example of how vocals, although widely underused, can contribute beautifully to ambient music. "Come Softly (For Daniel D.)" is a catch-22 closure; it is the most minimal-sounding piece, yet ends on a seemingly unfinished musical phrase. Euphoria.

31) Melvins - Stoner Witch [stoner rock, stoner metal]
Melvins - Stoner Witch - album cover

I've grown to like stoner/doom metal more than other subgenres in the musical discipline. On this particular Melvins oldie, the sonic variety is quite incredible: minute-long tracks, a long-ass drone finale, guitars that sound as if they are racing against each other on a hellish speedway, animal noises, military-esque percussion, among others! The cohesion of the record still holds with all of these unique elements tossed together.
 
Another set of five.

35) Pink Floyd - Animals [progressive rock]
Pink Floyd - Animals - album cover

As relevant as ever. Sort of self-explanatory, no?

34) Erykah Badu - Baduizm [neo-soul]
Erykah Badu - Baduizm - album cover

In contrast to other neo-soul artists and albums of the heyday era, Badu focused not just on groovy hooks with percussive emphasis, but especially on wise as fuck lyrical poetry. Badu's mind projects knowledge that spans decades older than her age.

33) Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters [jazz fusion]
Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters - album cover

My first jazz foray with crossover into other genres. It's one of those studio albums that sounds as if it's recorded live..."Chameleon" sounds different every time I hear it...it was cool to have played it repeatedly in high school band. "Watermelon Man" is bizarre jubilance. "Sly" could soundtrack a 70's film's car chase scene. "Vein Melter" conveys a particularly tricky crime scene investigation.

32) Grouper - A I A: Alien Observer [ethereal, ambient]
Grouper - A I A: Alien Observer - album cover

I first listened to this during some 2AM all-nighter in college and experienced peace that I've never thought was palpable. It is a standout example of how vocals, although widely underused, can contribute beautifully to ambient music. "Come Softly (For Daniel D.)" is a catch-22 closure; it is the most minimal-sounding piece, yet ends on a seemingly unfinished musical phrase. Euphoria.

31) Melvins - Stoner Witch [stoner rock, stoner metal]
Melvins - Stoner Witch - album cover

I've grown to like stoner/doom metal more than other subgenres in the musical discipline. On this particular Melvins oldie, the sonic variety is quite incredible: minute-long tracks, a long-ass drone finale, guitars that sound as if they are racing against each other on a hellish speedway, animal noises, military-esque percussion, among others! The cohesion of the record still holds with all of these unique elements tossed together.

Alien Observer was definitely in contention for my list. It just invokes such an otherworldly feeling to it, and once you get lost in it, you never want to leave.

That's one of those albums that resurfaced for me when I got into vinyl. I saw the 10yr anniversary edition for cheap, and wow, it is front-to-back fantastic.

That anniversary repress is stunning too - I picked it up after being unimpressed with an older pressing, and was absolutely blown away by it!
 
My bubbling under


60. Crime Of The Century - Supertramp
59. Voodoo - D’Angelo
58. London Calling - The Clash
57. XO - Elliott Smith
56. Speakerboxx/The Love Below
55. The Beatles - The Beatles
54. Secret Treaties - Blue Oyster Cult
53. Holy Diver - Dio
52. Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan
51. Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix
 
My bubbling under


60. Crime Of The Century - Supertramp
59. Voodoo - D’Angelo
58. London Calling - The Clash
57. XO - Elliott Smith
56. Speakerboxx/The Love Below
55. The Beatles - The Beatles
54. Secret Treaties - Blue Oyster Cult
53. Holy Diver - Dio
52. Blood On The Tracks - Bob Dylan
51. Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix

Im sorry that number 53!

By your own laws laid down by your own hands that’s treasonous surely?
 
And the top 50. I’ve tried to limit my Bowie and Prince picks.

1.Outside - David Bowie

2Pet Sounds - Beach Boys

3Station To Station - David Bowie

4Parade - Prince

5Clear Spot - Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band

6Lil Beethoven - Sparks

7Southpaw Grammar - Morrissey

8Sign O The Times - Prince

9Aja - Steely Dan

10Don’t Stand Me Down - Dexys Midnight Runners

11Scott 4 - Scott Walker

12Purple Rain - Prince

13Forever Changes - Love

14Spirit Of Eden - Talk Talk

15The Hissing Of Summer Lawns - Joni Mitchell

16Fulfillingness First Finale - Stevie Wonder

17Propaganda - Sparks

18All This And Heaven Too - Andrew Gold

19Raw Power - Iggy & The Stooges

20Love Symbol Album - Prince

21It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back - Public Enemy

22Reckoning - R.E.M.

23It’s Too Late To Stop Now - Van Morrison

24The Holy Bible - Manic Street Preachers

25Selling England By The Pound - Genesis

26Vauxhall and I - Morrissey

27After The Goldrush - Neil Young

28Fun House - The Stooges

29No 1 In Heaven - Sparks

30Rainbow Rising - Rainbow

31The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady - Charles Mingus

32Blackstar - David Bowie

33Ram - Paul McCartney

34Street Legal - Bob Dylan

35St Dominic’s Preview - Van Morrison

36Bat Out Of Hell - Meat Loaf

37Let It Bleed - Rolling Stones

38Abbey Road - Beatles

39Heaven & Hell - Black Sabbath

40Murmur - R.E.M.

41Rubber Soul - The Beatles

42The VU & Nico - The Velvet Underground

43In A Silent Way - Miles Davis

44Sticky Fingers - The Rolling Stones

45The Blue Mask - Lou Reed

46Killer - Alice Cooper

47Lust For Life - Iggy Pop

48Want One - Rufus Wainwright

49Runt The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren - Todd Rundgren

50My Beauty - Kevin Rowland

 
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