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

[Wicked Dreamer]

The first half of my top 50:

Spoiler: 50-26

50. Massive Attack - Protection
49. Otis Redding - Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul
48. Billie Eilish - WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
47. Tom Waits - Closing Time
46. Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
45. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
44. Janet Jackson - The Velvet Rope
43. Pink Floyd - The Wall
42. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
41. Michael Jackson - Thriller
40. Janet Jackson - Janet.
39. Prince and the Revolution - Around the World in a Day
38. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
37. Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
36. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
35. Janet Jackson - Control
34. David Bowie - Blackstar
33. Various Artists - Saturday Night Fever
32. Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
31. Aretha Franklin - I’ve Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
30. Nas - Illmatic
29. Eminem - The Slim Shady LP
28. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
27. Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle
26. Michael Jackson - Bad

 

[oldschoolkirby]

The next ten... enjoy.

Spoiler: 20-11

20. Buffalo Springfield - Buffalo Springfield Again
19. Nirvana - Unplugged in New York
18. Neil Young - On The Beach
17. Weezer - Weezer (Blue album)
16. Radiohead - Kid A
15. Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV
14. Bob Dylan - Blonde On Blonde
13. Miles Davis - Kind Of Blue
12. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
11. Van Morrison - Astral Weeks

Maybe I'll add some commentary to my top ten list

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

So, I think I've finally cemented my top 100. Eventually, I'll probably allow for multiple albums per artist and post a Spotify playlist of my top 200.

3 Side notes-
A) My high school years were 01-05 and my college years 05-09 which I think helps frame things:
B) I tried to weigh that which impacted the trajectory of my tastes alongside what I still listen to regularly and has aged timelessly. It was tricky.
C) I think music from the 70's was probably hardest hit by the 100 album / 1 per artist rules.
D) Making this list I am reminded why I was drawn to VMP. They pressed a lot of these (including #100 at my request).

Spoiler: 100-91

100) De La Soul: Balhoone Mindsate (1993) Hip-Hop

99) The Offspring: Americana (1998) Pop Punk, Alt-Rock

98) Cat Power: What Would the Community Think (1996) Singer / Songwriter

97) Infected Mushroom: Converting Vegetarians (2003) Trance

96) Disclosure: Settle (2013) House

95) Dua Lipa: Future Nostalgic (2020) Pop

94) Snoop Dogg: Doggystyle (1993) Rap

93) Tool: Lateralus (2001) Progressive Rock, Alt-Metal

92) Black Star: Black Star (1994) Hip-Hop

91) Bauhaus: The Mask (1988) Post-Punk

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

And 90-81 so that I'm on pace for the deadline:

Spoiler: 90-81

90) The Killers: Hot Fuss (2005) Indie Rock

89) Patti Smith: Easter (1977) Post-Punk

88) Frank Zappa: Hot Rats (1969) Progressive Rock

87) Run the Jewels: RTJ2 (2014) Rap

86) Julian Baker: Sprained Ankle (2015) Singer / Songwriter

85) Iron and Wine: The Shepard’s Dog (2007) Indie Folk

84) The Beastie Boys: Check Your Head (1992) Hip-Hop

83) Brother Ali: Shadows on the Sun (2004) Hip-Hop

82) Ben Harper: Fight For Your Mind (1995) Singer / Songwriter, Blues

81) John Coltrane: A Love Supreme (1966) Jazz

 

[Mtcvinyl]

Here is my 20-11, I have been severely distracted by the craziness happening over in the PIF thread for PIFSGIVING.

Spoiler: mtcvinyl 20-11

20. The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
19. U2 - Achtung Baby
18. Jane’s Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual
17. David Bowie - Hunky Dory
16. George Harrison - All Things Must Pass
15. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
14. Galaxie 500 - On Fire
13. Pixies - Doolittle
12. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
11. Fugazi - The Argument

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

THE END IS NEAR - #s 20-11

Spoiler: Albums 50-11

50. Grimes - Art Angels
49. Weezer - Pinkerton
48. Arcade Fire - Funeral
47. Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid
46. Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
45. Sunny Day Real Estate - How It Feels to Be Something On
44. Cornelius - Fantasma
43. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
42. Cocteau Twins - Heaven of Las Vegas
41. Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

40. The National - Alligator
39. Robyn - Body Talk
38. The Postal Service - Give Up
37. Broken Social Scene - You Forgot It In People
36. Spiritualized - Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
35. Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World
34. OutKast - Stankonia
33. J Dilla - Donuts
32. Four Tet - Rounds
31. Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030

30. Rosalía - El mal querer
29. The Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
28. Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music
27. Pixies - Doolittle
26. The Avalanches - Since I Left You
25. Tortoise - TNT
24. Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
23. Ride - Nowhere
22. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
21. Blur - Parklife

20. The Boo Radleys - Giant Steps
19. The Roots - Game Theory
18. Boards of Canada - The Campfire Headphase
17. Sleater-Kinney - The Woods
16. Grandaddy - The Sophtware Slump
15. The Wrens - The Meadowlands
14. Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup
13. Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow
12. The Notwist - Neon Golden
11. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois

View attachment 75122

That Boo Radleys album nearly made my list and easily could have been swapped in. Highly recommend to anyone who hasn't heard it.

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

Another batch:

Spoiler: 80-71

80) Iggy Pop: The Idiot (1977) New Wave, Rock


79) Built to Spill: There’s Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) Indie Rock

78) Souls of Mischief: 93’ To Infinity (1993) Hip-Hop


77) The Knife: Silent Shout (2006) Electropop, Electronica

76) Incubus: Morning View (2001) Alt-Rock

75) Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska (1982) Folk

74) Cunninlyguists: A Strange Journey (2003) Hip-Hop

73) Hop Along: Painted Shut (2015) Indie Rock

72) Arcade Fire: Reflekor (2013) Indie Rock

71) Herbie Hancock: Headhunters (1973) Jazz

 

[Geologyst]

Another batch:

Spoiler: 80-71

80) Iggy Pop: The Idiot (1977) New Wave, Rock
View attachment 77216

79) Built to Spill: There’s Nothing Wrong With Love (1994) Indie Rock

78) Souls of Mischief: 93’ To Infinity (1993) Hip-Hop
View attachment 77217

77) The Knife: Silent Shout (2006) Electropop, Electronica

76) Incubus: Morning View (2001) Alt-Rock

75) Cunninlyguists: A Strange Journey (2003) Hip-Hop

74) Hop Along: Painted Shut (2015) Indie Rock

73) Bruce Springsteen: Nebraska (1982) Folk

72) Arcade Fire: Reflekor (2013) Indie Rock

71) Herbie Hancock: Headhunters (1973) Jazz

painted shut gang

 

[Rip_City]

Almost there!

Spoiler: Top 6-10

10) Grimes - Visions [art pop, synthpop]

Fair to say that this album was a precursor to the hyperpop/futurepop sound that we are hearing now. Distinct high pitched vocals, instrumentals that bear a crossover between electropop, dream pop and downtempo subgenres, and perhaps even ambient. Back in the college years, this album sounded completely alien to me. Learning that this was created in a few weeks in GarageBand was shocking. I don't argue with those who say she's a Top 5-10 artist of the '10s.

9) Mr. Bungle - California [all the genres]

What an unexplainable masterpiece. The smorgasbord of clashing genres presented here assuredly will turn casual listeners off, but it all holds together so disturbingly well and with precision. These tracks would be nothing with anyone else's voice other than Mike Patton...he is the fuse that ignites all the tracks here with frivolous flamboyancy and acting as an impromptu musical impersonator.

8) Kate Bush - The Dreaming [art pop, experimental pop]

Kate's vocals are at her most passionate, aggressive, playful, and yet elegant all the while. The change-ups from start to finish are vibrant and creative. For the first time, she had the means and the courage to take full reins of the process and create the album she set her mind to. The result was something previously unheard, and it has consolidated Bush's position as a serious, independent artist in the eyes of posteriority. It is also significant in being one of the first albums produced by a female artist herself.

7) Can - Future Days [krautrock]

The first rock-related album to me that showcased the creativity and possibilities that rock can achieve. There was nothing I could compare it to at first...I couldn't determine if it was psychedelic rock, ambient, progressive rock, avantgarde, or another familiar term until I came upon the colloquially accepted genre "krautrock." I still hear something new with every return I make to "Bel Air," what a phenomenal achievement for krautrock.

6) Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly [conscious hip hop, political hip hop]

Everyone knows that this is a generational hip hop release and it doesn't necessitate me needing to explain further.

 

[TenderLovingKiller®]

My Top 50

Rank	Artist	Album	Year
1​	Beach Boys	Pet Sounds	1966​
2​	Rolling Stones	Exile Main St.	1972​
3​	Beatles	Revolver	1966​
4​	The Band	The Band	1969​
5​	Radiohead	Ok Computer	1997​
6​	Wu Tang Clan	Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	1993​
7​	Beastie Boys	Check Your Head	1992​
8​	A Tribe Called Quest	Midnight Marauders	1993​
9​	Pavement	Crooked Rain Crooked Rain	1994​
10​	Air	Moon Safari	1998​
11​	Nirvana	In Utero	1993​
12​	Sonic Youth	Goo	1990​
13​	De La Soul	3 Feet High and Rising	1989​
14​	Dinosaur Jr.	You’re Living All Over Me	1987​
15​	Bruce Springsteen	Darkness A The Edge of Town	1978​
16​	Yo La Tengo	I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One	1997​
17​	War On Drugs	Lost In A Dream	2014​
18​	LCD Soundsystem	Sound of Silver	2007​
19​	Pixies	Doolittle	1989​
20​	Velvet Underground	Velvet Underground	1969​
21​	New Order	Power Corruption and Lies	1983​
22​	Ryan Adams	Heartbreaker	2000​
23​	Television	Marquee Moon	1977​
24​	The National	Alligator	2005​
25​	Wille Nelson	Red Headed Stranger	1975​
26​	Bob Dylan	Blood On The Tracks	1975​
27​	Avalanches	Since I Left You	2000​
28​	R.E.M.	Murmur	1983​
29​	Prince	Dirty Mind	1980​
30​	Replacements	Let It Be	1984​
31​	Nas	Illmatic	1994​
32​	Wilco	Yankee Hotel Foxtrot	2002​
33​	David Bowie	Low	1977​
34​	Neil Young	On The Beach	1974​
35​	Grateful Dead	American Beauty	1970​
36​	DJ Shadow	Endtroducing	1996​
37​	Gza	Liquid Sword	1995​
38​	Kurt Vile	Smoke Ring for My Halo	2011​
39​	Songs: Ohia	Magnolia Electric Co.	2003​
40​	Bonnie “Prince” Billy	I See A Darkness	1999​
41​	Guided By Voices	Bee Thousand	1994​
42​	Belle & Sebastian	If You’re Feeling Sinister	1996​
43​	Madvillain	Madvillainy	2004​
44​	Built To Spill	Keep It Like A Secret	1999​
45​	Strokes	Is This It	2001​
46​	Stereolab	Emperor Tomato Ketchup	1996​
47​	Spiritualized	Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space	1997​
48​	My Bloody Valentine	Loveless	1991​
49​	Beck	Odelay	1996​
50​	Mac DeMarco	Salad Days	2014​

 

[oldschoolkirby]

Almost to the end of the list now... I tried to write some commentary. Hope it isn't too cheesy for y'all

Spoiler: 10-6

10. The Beatles - Revolver
This is where I started to go "deeper" into The Beatles... I had basically always assumed anything pre-Sgt. Pepper was mostly their "teen-idol" stuff and hadn't paid much attention to it beyond the big hits on the "Red Album" compilation. Revolver showed me the error of my ways! Blew my mind that there were so many great songs hiding out here like "Here, There, and Everywhere" and "She Said She Said".

9. Bruce Springsteen - Darkness On The Edge Of Town
The album that made me a Bruce fan. Darker and bleaker than Born To Run, but still had that glimmer of hope and escape that "The Promised Land" could offer. I remember my mom getting upset hearing "Adam Raised A Cain" once. Seeing "Racing In The Street" in 2009 is probably my favorite Bruce concert memory.

8. R.E.M. - Murmur
A completely unique-sounding album (to me)... like it was recorded in an alternate dimension and delivered to us frozen in amber. Mysterious, often mumbled lyrics, that still speak to you somehow. Having discovered R.E.M. as mega-stars in the 90s, going back and discovering this album was really a shocking revelation - I could hardly believe it was the same band.

7. Radiohead - In Rainbows
I remember downloading this the morning it came out and burning it to a CD before going to work so I could listen in the car. I had been impatiently awaiting new music from them for four years, fearing they had called it quits. The wait was so worth it... the buildup and climax of "Weird Fishes", then transitioning into "All I Need" just floored me. Glad I splurged on the "discbox" as well, despite not owning a turntable at the time!

6. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Once I discovered Wilco, this album quickly rose to the top of my all-time faves. Not a weak song on the album, with great imagery throughout, and by the time you get to "Reservations", that song just destroys you with its honesty. The combination of unique/dissonant production on top of amazing songwriting is always a winner for me, and this might be the best example of that.

 

[duke86fan]

Almost there!

Spoiler: Top 6-10

10) Grimes - Visions [art pop, synthpop]

Fair to say that this album was a precursor to the hyperpop/futurepop sound that we are hearing now. Distinct high pitched vocals, instrumentals that bear a crossover between electropop, dream pop and downtempo subgenres, and perhaps even ambient. Back in the college years, this album sounded completely alien to me. Learning that this was created in a few weeks in GarageBand was shocking. I don't argue with those who say she's a Top 5-10 artist of the '10s.

9) Mr. Bungle - California [all the genres]

What an unexplainable masterpiece. The smorgasbord of clashing genres presented here assuredly will turn casual listeners off, but it all holds together so disturbingly well and with precision. These tracks would be nothing with anyone else's voice other than Mike Patton...he is the fuse that ignites all the tracks here with frivolous flamboyancy and acting as an impromptu musical impersonator.

8) Kate Bush - The Dreaming [art pop, experimental pop]

Kate's vocals are at her most passionate, aggressive, playful, and yet elegant all the while. The change-ups from start to finish are vibrant and creative. For the first time, she had the means and the courage to take full reins of the process and create the album she set her mind to. The result was something previously unheard, and it has consolidated Bush's position as a serious, independent artist in the eyes of posteriority. It is also significant in being one of the first albums produced by a female artist herself.

7) Can - Future Days [krautrock]

The first rock-related album to me that showcased the creativity and possibilities that rock can achieve. There was nothing I could compare it to at first...I couldn't determine if it was psychedelic rock, ambient, progressive rock, avantgarde, or another familiar term until I came upon the colloquially accepted genre "krautrock." I still hear something new with every return I make to "Bel Air," what a phenomenal achievement for krautrock.

6) Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly [conscious hip hop, political hip hop]

Everyone knows that this is a generational hip hop release and it doesn't necessitate me needing to explain further.

it was really hard for me to get into number 10... i dunno something about the BIG song on that album felt very.... obnoxious to me, it has grown on me a bit since now that i worship 100 gecs and charli XCX but i still prefer her next album

 

[bettim84]

Spoiler: 10-6

10. Pet Shop Boys - Introspective


9. Björk - Debut


8. David Bowie - Station to Station


7. The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead


6. PJ Harvey - Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea

 

[Woob_woob]

Also, just a reminder, but if you want to do a write up for any of these albums send it my way and I'll include it in the rollout.

 

[Murfocakes]

BOC in someone else's top 50!!

I thought, 2 more Blue Oyster Cult fans on N&G, for a split second.

 

[duke86fan]

Also, just a reminder, but if you want to do a write up for any of these albums send it my way and I'll include it in the rollout.

i'd have to know what albums might need them that are on my list... especially if its higher on my list

 

[Murfocakes]

Good to see Station To Station appear so frequently too

 

[duke86fan]

i wrote 3 or 4 blurbs for records though not ones that are going to be high

 

[ranbalam]

Spoiler: 6-10

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced

Tom Waits - Bone Machine

The Doors - Eponymous

Beach Boys - Pet Sounds

 

[DownIsTheNewUp]

More Music... (lots of my alt-rock driven childhood in this grouping):

Spoiler: 70-61

70) Jefferson Airplane: Surrealistic Pillow (1967) Psychedelic Rock

69) Alice Coltraine: Ptah, the El Daoud (1970) Jazz

68) Stone Temple Pilots: Tiny Music- Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop (1996) Grunge, Alt Rock

67) Darkside: Psychic (2013) Experimental House

66) Courtney Barnett:‭ ‬Sometimes I Sit and Think,‭ ‬Sometimes I Just Sit (2015) Indie Rock

65) Tear For Fears: Songs From the Big Chair (1985) Art Rock, New Wave

64) Rage Against the Machine: Rage Against the Machine (1992) Alt-Metal

63) System of a Down: Toxicity (2001) Alt-Metal

62) Nirvana: In Utero (1993) Grunge, Alt-Rock

61) Cocteau Twins: Treasure (1984) Dream Pop