I’ve been reading through some lists lately and while I can recognize the artistic contributions of the albums that tend to top the “Best of All-Time” lists, they typically are not representative of the ones that I would choose. So with that said, here is my own list of “The Top Ten Best Albums of All-Time”.
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
The seminal Fleetwood Mac album. Their 11th studio album and recorded during a period when the band was basically imploding due to their failed relationships with each other. It contained such instant and timeless classics as Second Hand News, Dreams, Don’t Stop, Go Your Own Way, Songbird, The Chain and Gold Dust Woman.
The Clash – London Calling
The Clash’s 3rd studio album consists of a blend of multiple musical styles such as punk, reggae, rockabilly, ska, pop, jazz and hard rock. From the march-like opening chords of London Calling through to the almost bubblegum pop of Train in Vain, this double-album is a non-stop tour through a musical landscape unlike any other. A must-have for any music collection.
Metallica – Ride the Lightning
Metallica’s 2nd album, while not as popular with some as their 3rd, Master of Puppets, is to me the stronger of the two. Featuring the last two credits of former lead guitarist Dave Mustaine, it surpasses their debut effort and supplies the frenzied leads of the title track counter balanced by the near-maudlin ballad of Fade to Black. With tracks such as For Whom the Bell Tolls, Creeping Death and The Call of Ktulu rounding out a wall of sound guaranteed to please any metal fan.
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Jackson’s 6th studio album. 7 of the album’s 9 tracks were released as singles including Billie Jean, Beat It, P.Y.T., Wanna be Starting Somethin’ and Thriller. Within a year it broke and continues to hold the record for best-selling album of all-time. The numbers differ depending on the source, but it has sold between 51-65 million copies world-wide.
Garth Brooks – No Fences
Garth’s 2nd studio album and certified 17 x platinum in the U.S. With singles such as Friends in Low Places, Two of a Kind, Unanswered Prayers and The Thunder Rolls it continued to make itself known on the charts for 126 weeks.
Def Leppard – Pyromania
Def Leppard’s 3rd album brings us Rock! Rock! (Til You Drop), Foolin’, Rock of Ages and the classic Photograph.
Led Zeppelin – IV
As the title implies, the 4th studio album from Led Zeppelin. It also happens to be the band’s crowning jewel. Black Dog, Rock and Rock, Going to California and the almost mythical Stairway to Heaven which still tops every list of the greatest songs of all-time every year.
Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
Springsteen’s 3rd album was his first to break into mainstream radio with the title track and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out. But it’s when you delve into the deeper cuts on the album that it’s brilliance really starts to shine with She’s the One, Jungleland, Backstreets and the lyrical poetry that is Thunder Road.
Pink Floyd – The Wall
Pink Floyd’s 11th album while lacking the smooth flow of Dark Side of the Moon, the continuing story arc from beginning to end makes for a more cohesive whole and a more enjoyable experience for me personally. Including the classic rock staples Another Brick in the Wall, Young Lust, Run Like Hell and Comfortably Numb, it is a prog-rock masterpiece.
Nirvana – Nevermind
While a lot of points can be made for Pearl Jam’s Ten or Soundgarden’s Badmotorfinger, Nirvana’s Nevermind is (I think) the hands down favorite for the album that brought the “Seattle Sound” to the masses. From Kurt’s mumbling vocals in Smells Like Teen Spirit to the frenzied lead guitar of Breed to the melodic Come As You Are, Nevermind takes you on a journey that never fails to please. You also can’t deny the power of an album that knocks Michael Jackson’s Dangerous out of the #1 spot on the Billboard chart.