andy's Favorite 10 Albums of All Time
1.
The Grateful Dead, Grateful Dead
It's amazing to think, but there actually were great albums made before OK Computer. This was certainly not the best of them to come out of the '60s, but it's hard to beat the stripped-down sincerity found on these tracks - every one of them a classic folk song - by a band who later earned a reputation for guideless jamming. This is country rock at its absolute finest,
Overall Rank: 147
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2.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. had their share of great albums during the '80s, but didn't reach their inspirational peak until they married their up-tempo jangle with the odd bed partner of themes of mortality and death. This seriousness adds a whole new level of poignancy to their sound, the most consistent collection of well-crafted songs the band has ever released.
Overall Rank: 19
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3.
The Rolling Stones
Of all my "favorite" albums, this is probably the one I could objectively say is the best. It's amazing how influential this album is. It's a melting pot of styles handled masterfully on a sprawling double album worth of material. Plus, hearing Jack White sing "Loving Cup" with Mick in Scorcese's new movie just seals how much this album bridges a generational gap.
Overall Rank: 24
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4.
Led Zeppelin
Pounding, unapologetic cock rock. The first of their kind. It's near-impossible to pick a top Zeppelin album, but this was where it all started, and the primitiveness of the heavy blues goes unmatched. They may not have always given credit where it was due, but Zeppelin redefined the blues, giving it the aggression and desperation the genre's forefathers deserved.
Overall Rank: 29
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5.
The Clash
London Calling is not a punk album. It is a blender of musical styles, a schizophrenic mess, and it's excellent. The Clash, one of the major punk powers in their time, decided to abandon the basic three-chord attack for an adventure through popular music history. It was completely unexpected and completely bold. It doesn't get more punk than that.
Overall Rank: 10
6.
Paul Simon
Out of all of music's most influential albums ever, Graceland simply does not get enough credit. Simon exposed the world to a style of native South African music that continues to influence the world's styles while remaining quietly out of public eye. One very recent new band did take notice, however. Enter Vampire Weekend.
Overall Rank: 82
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7.
Radiohead
The rebel in me wants to leave this album off out of spite, simply because it is so popular around here. But hey, a great album is a great album, and OK Computer is the Dark Side of the Moon of my generation. Each song has more layers than an onion, and every listen brings a new discovery. Not many albums can boast that claim.
8.
U2
U2 are much-maligned in the music community these days, and perhaps for good reason. They have become an incredible group of dorks this past decade. But back in the good 'ol 80s, they were unstoppable. With some of the most identifiable drum work of any rock album, the harsh attack of these youngsters was more punk than the adult-alternative snooze-fest the band has become today.
Overall Rank: 649
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9.
Television
Punk rock meets jam band music! Is the world imploding? No, just one of the most unique albums ever created. Television boasted some incredible musicianship while retaining the spirit of punk, something that has been all too rare in punk's history. "Marquee Moon," at over 10 minutes, is the quintessential jazz-punk-prog-fusion epic. Listen to it now.
Overall Rank: 730
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10.
Bob Dylan
Overall Rank: 53
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Last updated by andy on Jun 22, 2009 08:10 PM
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Thanks! I see you and I have some similar tastes. I don't know what it is about American Beauty, but the album is so damn alluring. Literally every song is a classic. On nearly every "classic" album I can find at least one song that is a bit weak, but not that one. Also, nice Steely Dan nod, although I think the title track carries the album too much. I'm more partial to Katy Lied, but that's more for sentimental reasons than anything else.
Nice list, Andy!!
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