But another important point here (for me, anyways) is that my selections are about more than just the songs on the album. I'm also considering the impact of the album when it was released, the moment in time (music history) that it landed, the influence or impact of the album in the years that followed, and then, of course, the album itself as a compilation of songs. Downloading songs digitally has all but wiped out the appreciation for the art of the album. Think about Pink Floyd's, The Dark Side of the Moon or several of The Beatles albums; they were orchestrated works of art, not just a pile of individual songs. Our attention span will hardly allow that anymore. But for me, as a grown man with ADD, I can still put the needle on a Sam Cooke or Beach Boys albums, lay back, and float away for awhile. I guess that's a gift. I see it that way.
Enough with the buildup and prefacing, let's get to it. Without further adieu, here is my Top 25 Rock Albums (Of ALL Time!) list.
TOP 10 [IN ORDER]
1. The Beatles – Revolver
Rumor has it, when Paul McCartney let Bob Dylan hear an advanced recording of Tomorrow Never Knows, Dylan (allegedly) said to McCartney, "Oh, I get it. You don't want to be cute anymore." What did he mean? Well, I think this is the moment when The Beatles began to change the way music was written and produced. It's when they stopped being a Brit-pop band and became a rock band. They redefined rock with these songs.
2. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin 4
This album is still arguably the pinnacle of hard rock. We now look back and realize that Led Zeppelin's first 4 albums, simply titled 1, 2, 3, and 4, needed nothing on them other than the name of the band. And this album was the culmination of all that they had become. It's musical genius.
3. AC/DC – Back in Black
The Aussie bangers had already laid a foundation of being kings of rock & roll. But then the voice of the band, Bon Scott, died. His harsh rasp (along with Angus Young's overdrive) defined the band's sound. How would they move on? Simple. Enter Brian Johnson. There are 4-5 songs on this record you can still crank at any sporting event today and have an entire stadium on their feet.
4. Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Brian Wilson was already (arguably) one of the greatest songwriters alive. But the more creative he got, the deeper his battle with anxiety and depression. The band went on the road without him, leaving him for months to spin his creative juices. What emerged when they returned was one of the most inventive pieces of music ever recorded. McCartney and Lennon were so inspired by Pet Sounds that they wrote Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
5. David Bowie – The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust
The first 20+ years of my life, I totally didn't get it. At some point though, something clicked and I discovered not only the musical delight of these songs, but how progressive and defining this album was when it was released. If you could (retrospectively) somehow smash punk and new wave (before there was such a thing) into rock music, Bowie did it.
6. Nirvana – Nevermind
I don't really feel I even need to give an explanation for this one. It's been argued that the first 10-15 seconds of this record changed "hard" rock forever. Mike Reno (Loverboy) once said, "Nirvana's Nevermind put me out of a job." I think he was right. This album redefined alternative rock and transformed how we listened to music. I remember the first time I listened to the album I thought, "How is that just 3 guys making that sound?"
7. U2 – Achtung Baby!
Many people will probably argue with me that The Joshua Tree belongs above Achtung Baby! But (obviously) I disagree. And it may be for the mere fact that, coming after the success of The Joshua Tree, U2 came to a career defining decision and crossroad: try to replicate The Joshua Tree (OR) completely reinvent something else. They chose the latter. Again, as culturally defining as The Joshua Tree had been - and as incredible of a comprehensive album as it still is - Achtung Baby! was a sound-altering, trend-setting rock record from start to finish. Listen to it now and it still sounds like it could've been recorded yesterday.
8. Pink Floyd – Dark Side of the Moon
Much like Revolver with The Beatles, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon had ripple effects on all other music after it - both the band's and everyone else. While Sgt. Pepper's was thematic, Dark Side was pure and comprehensive orchestration. I've never wanted to listen to just a song from this record; I only want to listen to the whole thing. It's the essence of an album.
9. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours
Just knowing a fraction of the relational drama going on in this band when this album was made almost makes it a miracle it ever happened. And yet the band argues that the relational drama was what made the songs happen. This album was recorded in the apex of a musical explosion of rock, disco, and punk. And it sounded nothing like any of them.
10. Radiohead – OK Computer
I remember the first time my friend told me about Radiohead. I listened to 2-3 of these songs and thought he was off his rocker. Several months later I decided to listen again. I've never stopped. This is one of the first albums I ever listened to that I thought, "I have no idea what influenced this sound." Probably because nothing did. Thom Yorke, much like a Brian Wilson or Kirt Cobain, had music in his head that no one else did. You probably either love this album (and band) or hate it. There's not much middle ground.
TOP 11-25 [in no particular order]
The Beatles – Abbey Road
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin 2
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street
Van Halen – 1984
Metallica – Metallica [Black Album]
Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced?
U2 – The Joshua Tree
Prince – Purple Rain
Guns N' Roses – Appetite for Destruction
Foo Fighters – The Colour & the Shape
Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed
The Who – Who's Next
The Eagles – Hotel California
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin 2
Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
Rolling Stones – Exile on Main Street
Van Halen – 1984
Metallica – Metallica [Black Album]
Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced?
U2 – The Joshua Tree
Prince – Purple Rain
Guns N' Roses – Appetite for Destruction
Foo Fighters – The Colour & the Shape
Rolling Stones – Let it Bleed
The Who – Who's Next
The Eagles – Hotel California
Stone Temple Pilots – Purple
COULD EASILY BE IN THE TOP 25:
The Doors – The Doors
Queen – A Night at the Opera
Def Leppard – Pyromania (OR) Hysteria
Van Halen – Van Halen
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Oasis – What’s the Story (Morning Glory)
Soundgarden – Superunknown
Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet
Queens of the Stone Age – Like Clockwork
Pearl Jam – 10
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
Journey – Escape
INXS – Kick
Queen – A Night at the Opera
Def Leppard – Pyromania (OR) Hysteria
Van Halen – Van Halen
The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Oasis – What’s the Story (Morning Glory)
Soundgarden – Superunknown
Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet
Queens of the Stone Age – Like Clockwork
Pearl Jam – 10
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American
Journey – Escape
INXS – Kick
What albums did I miss? Who did I leave out?
Feel free to heap on the criticism or add to the list.
