500 best albums ever by ROLLING STONE

[zeca azevedo]

These are the best albums ever according to ROLLING STONE magazine. Do you agree with this list?

Here they are:.

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles

2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys

3. Revolver, The Beatles

4. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan

5. Rubber Soul, The Beatles

6. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye

7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones

8. London Calling, The Clash

9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan

10. The Beatles ("The White Album"), The Beatles

11. The Sun Sessions, Elvis Presley

12. Kind of Blue, Miles Davis

13. Velvet Underground and Nico, The Velvet Underground

14. Abbey Road, The Beatles

15. Are You Experienced?, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

16. Blood on the Tracks, Bob Dylan

17. Nevermind, Nirvana

18. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen

19. Astral Weeks, Van Morrison

20. Thriller, Michael Jackson

21. The Great Twenty-Eight, Chuck Berry

22. Plastic Ono Band, John Lennon

23. Innervisions, Stevie Wonder

24. Live at the Apollo (1963), James Brown

25. Rumours, Fleetwood Mac

26. The Joshua Tree, U2

27. King of the Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 1, Robert Johnson

28. Who's Next, The Who

29. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin

30. Blue, Joni Mitchell

31. Bringing It All Back Home, Bob Dylan

32. Let It Bleed, The Rolling Stones

33. Ramones, Ramones

34. Music From Big Pink, The Band

35. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, David Bowie

36. Tapestry, Carole King

37. Hotel California, The Eagles

38. The Anthology, 1947 - 1972, Muddy Waters

39. Please Please Me, The Beatles

40. Forever Changes, Love

41. Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, The Sex Pistols

42. The Doors, The Doors

43. The Dark Side of the Moon, Pink Floyd

44. Horses, Patti Smith

45. The Band, The Band

46. Legend, Bob Marley and the Wailers

47. A Love Supreme, John Coltrane

48. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Public Enemy

49. At Fillmore East, The Allman Brothers Band

50. Here's Little Richard, Little Richard


51. Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Simon and Garfunkel

52. Greatest Hits, Al Green

53. The Birth of Soul: The Complete Atlantic Rhythm and Blues Recordings, 1952 - 1959, Ray Charles

54. Electric Ladyland, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

55. Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley

56. Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder

57. Beggars Banquet, The Rolling Stones

58. Trout Mask Replica, Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band

59. Meet the Beatles, The Beatles

60. Greatest Hits, Sly and the Family Stone

61. Appetite for Destruction, Guns n' Roses

62. Achtung Baby, U2

63. Sticky Fingers, The Rolling Stones

64. Phil Spector, Back to Mono (1958 - 1969), Various Artists

65. Moondance, Van Morrison

66. Led Zeppelin IV, Led Zeppelin

67. The Stranger, Billy Joel

68. Off the Wall, Michael Jackson

69. Superfly, Curtis Mayfield

70. Physical Graffiti, Led Zeppelin

71. After the Gold Rush, Neil Young

72. Purple Rain, Prince

73. Back in Black, AC/DC

74. Otis Blue, Otis Redding

75. Led Zeppelin II, Led Zeppelin

76. Imagine, John Lennon

77. The Clash, The Clash

78. Harvest, Neil Young

79. Star Time, James Brown

80. Odessey and Oracle, The Zombies

81. Graceland, Paul Simon

82. Axis: Bold as Love, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

83. I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Aretha Franklin

84. Lady Soul, Aretha Franklin

85. Born in the U.S.A., Bruce Springsteen

86. Let It Be, The Beatles

87. The Wall, Pink Floyd

88. At Folsom Prison, Johnny Cash

89. Dusty in Memphis, Dusty Springfield

90. Talking Book, Stevie Wonder

91. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Elton John

92. 20 Golden Greats, Buddy Holly

93. Sign 'o' the Times, Prince

94. Bitches Brew, Miles Davis

95. Green River, Creedence Clearwater Revival

96. Tommy, The Who

97. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan, Bob Dylan

98. This Year's Model, Elvis Costello

99. There's a Riot Goin' On, Sly and the Family Stone

100. In the Wee Small Hours, Frank Sinatra

101. Fresh Cream, Cream
102. Giant Steps, John Coltrane

103. Sweet Baby James, James Taylor

104. Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, Ray Charles

105. Rocket to Russia, Ramones

106. Portrait of a Legend 1951 - 1964, Sam Cooke

107. Hunky Dory, David Bowie

108. Aftermath, The Rolling Stones

109. Loaded, The Velvet Underground

110. The Bends, Radiohead

111. Court and Spark, Joni Mitchell

112. Disraeli Gears, Cream

113. The Who Sell Out, The Who

114. Out of Our Heads, The Rolling Stones

115. Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Derek and the Dominos

116. At Last, Etta James

117. Sweetheart of the Rodeo, The Byrds

118. Stand!, Sly and the Family Stone

119. The Harder They Come Original Soundtrack, Various Artists

120. Raising Hell, Run-DMC

121. Moby Grape, Moby Grape

122. Pearl, Janis Joplin

123. Catch a Fire, Bob Marley and the Wailers

124. Younger Than Yesterday, The Byrds

125. Raw Power, The Stooges

126. Remain in Light, Talking Heads

127. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, The Mamas and the Papas

128. Marquee Moon, Television

129. 40 Greatest Hits, Hank Williams

130. Paranoid, Black Sabbath

131. Saturday Night Fever Original Soundtrack, Various Artists

132. The Wild, the Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, Bruce Springsteen

133. Ready to Die, The Notorious B.I.G.

134. Slanted and Enchanted, Pavement

135. Greatest Hits, Elton John

136. Tim, The Replacements

137. The Chronic, Dr. Dre

138. Rejuvenation, The Meters

139. All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2

140. Parallel Lines, Blondie

141. Live at the Regal, B.B. King

142. Phil Spector, A Christmas Gift for You, Various Artists

143. Gris-Gris, Dr. John

144. Straight Outta Compton, N.W.A

145. Aja, Steely Dan

146. Surrealistic Pillow, Jefferson Airplane

147. Dreams to Remember: The Otis Redding Anthology, Otis Redding

148. Deja Vu, Crosby Stills Nash and Young

149. Houses of the Holy, Led Zeppelin

150. Santana, Santana

151. Darkness on the Edge of Town, Bruce Springsteen

152. The B-52's, The B-52's

153. Moanin' in the Moonlight, Howlin' Wolf

154. The Low End Theory, A Tribe Called Quest

155. Pretenders, The Pretenders

156. Paul's Boutique, Beastie Boys

157. Closer, Joy Division

158. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Elton John

159. Alive, Kiss

160. Electric Warrior, T. Rex

161. The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding

162. OK Computer, Radiohead

163. 1999, Prince

164. Heart Like a Wheel, Linda Ronstadt

165. Let's Get It On, Marvin Gaye

166. Imperial Bedroom, Elvis Costello

167. Master of Puppets, Metallica

168. My Aim Is True, Elvis Costello

169. Exodus, Bob Marley

170. Live at Leeds, The Who

171. The Notorious Byrd Brothers, The Byrds

172. Every Picture Tells a Story, Rod Stewart

173. Something/Anything?, Todd Rundgren

174. Desire, Bob Dylan

175. Close to You, The Carpenters

176. Rocks, Aerosmith

177. One Nation Under a Groove, Parliament/Funkadelic

178. Greatest Hits, The Byrds

179. The Anthology 1961 - 1977, Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions

180. The Definitive Collection, Abba

181. The Rolling Stones, Now!, The Rolling Stones

182. Natty Dread, Bob Marley and the Wailers

183. Fleetwood Mac, Fleetwood Mac

184. Red Headed Stranger, Willie Nelson

185. The Stooges, The Stooges

186. Fresh, Sly and the Family Stone

187. So, Peter Gabriel

188. Buffalo Springfield Again, Buffalo Springfield

189. Happy Trails, Quicksilver Messenger Service

190. From Elvis in Memphis, Elvis Presley

191. Funhouse, The Stooges

192. The Gilded Palace of Sin, The Flying Burrito Brothers

193. Dookie, Green Day

194. Transformer, Lou Reed

195. Bluesbreakers, John Mayall With Eric Clapton

196. Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era 1965 - 1968, Various Artists

197. Murmur, R.E.M.

198. The Best of, Little Walter

199. Highway to Hell, AC/DC

200. The Downward Spiral, Nine Inch Nails

201. Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, Simon and Garfunkel
202. Bad, Michael Jackson

203. Wheels of Fire, Cream

204. Dirty Mind, Prince

205. Abraxas, Santana

206. Tea for the Tillerman, Cat Stevens

207. Ten, Pearl Jam

208. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Neil Young With Crazy Horse

209. Wish You Were Here, Pink Floyd

210. Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain, Pavement

211. Tattoo You, The Rolling Stones

212. Proud Mary: The Best of Ike and Tina Turner, Ike and Tina Turner

213. New York Dolls, New York Dolls

214. Bo Diddley/Go Bo Diddley, Bo Diddley

215. Two Steps From the Blues, Bobby Bland

216. The Queen Is Dead, The Smiths

217. Licensed to Ill, Beastie Boys

218. Look-Ka Py Py, The Meters

219. Loveless, My Bloody Valentine

220. New Orleans Piano, Professor Longhair

221. War, U2

222. The Neil Diamond Collection, Neil Diamond

223. Howlin' Wolf, Howlin' Wolf

224. Nebraska, Bruce Springsteen

225. The Complete Hank Williams, Hank Williams

226. Doolittle, Pixies

227. Paid in Full, Eric B. and Rakim

228. Toys in the Attic, Aerosmith

229. Nick of Time, Bonnie Raitt

230. A Night at the Opera, Queen

231. The Kink Kronikles, The Kinks

232. Mr. Tambourine Man, The Byrds

233. Bookends, Simon and Garfunkel

234. The Ultimate Collection, Patsy Cline

235. Mr. Excitement!, Jackie Wilson

236. The Who Sings My Generation, The Who

237. Like a Prayer, Madonna

238. Can't Buy a Thrill, Steely Dan

239. Let It Be, The Replacements

240. Run-DMC, Run-DMC

241. Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath

242. The Jerry Lee Lewis Anthology: All Killer No Filler!, Jerry Lee Lewis

243. Freak Out!, The Mothers of Invention

244. Live Dead, Grateful Dead

245. Bryter Layter, Nick Drake

246. The Shape of Jazz to Come, Ornette Coleman

247. Automatic for the People, R.E.M.

248. Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z

249. Low, David Bowie

250. The River, Bruce Springsteen

251. The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul, Otis Redding

252. Metallica, Metallica

253. Trans-Europe Express, Kraftwerk

254. Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston

255. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, The Kinks

256. The Velvet Rope, Janet Jackson

257. Stardust, Willie Nelson

258. American Beauty, Grateful Dead

259. Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby Stills and Nash

260. Buena Vista Social Club , Buena Vista Social Club

261. Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman

262. Workingman's Dead, Grateful Dead

263. The Genius of Ray Charles, Ray Charles

264. Child Is Father to the Man, Blood, Sweat and Tears

265. Cosmo's Factory, Creedence Clearwater Revival

266. Quadrophenia, The Who

267. There Goes Rhymin' Simon, Paul Simon

268. Psycho Candy, The Jesus and Mary Chain

269. Some Girls, The Rolling Stones

270. The Beach Boys Today!, The Beach Boys

271. Going to a Go-Go, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

272. Nightbirds, Labelle

273. The Slim Shady LP, Eminem

274. Mothership Connection, Parliament

275. Rhythm Nation 1814, Janet Jackson

276. Anthology of American Folk Music, Harry Smith, ed.

277. Aladdin Sane, David Bowie

278. The Immaculate Collection, Madonna

279. My Life, Mary J. Blige

280. Folk Singer, Muddy Waters

281. Can't Get Enough, Barry White

282. The Cars, The Cars

283. Five Leaves Left, Nick Drake

284. Music of My Mind, Stevie Wonder

285. I'm Still in Love With You, Al Green

286. Los Angeles, X

287. Anthem of the Sun, Grateful Dead

288. Something Else by the Kinks, The Kinks

289. Call Me, Al Green

290. Talking Heads: 77, Talking Heads

291. The Basement Tapes, Bob Dylan and the Band

292. White Light / White Heat, The Velvet Underground

293. Greatest Hits, Simon and Garfunkel

294. Kick Out the Jams, MC5

295. Meat Is Murder, The Smiths

296. We're Only In It For the Money, The Mothers of Invention

297. Weezer (Blue Album), Weezer

298. Master of Reality, Black Sabbath

299. Coat of Many Colors, Dolly Parton

300. Fear of a Black Planet, Public Enemy

301. John Wesley Harding, Bob Dylan
302. The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem

303. Grace, Jeff Buckley

304. Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Lucinda Williams

305. Odelay, Beck

306. Songs for Swingin' Lovers, Frank Sinatra

307. Avalon, Roxy Music

308. The Sun Records Collection, Various Artists

309. Nothing's Shocking, Jane's Addiction

310. BloodSugarSexMagik, Red Hot Chili Peppers

311. MTV Unplugged in New York, Nirvana

312. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill

313. Damn the Torpedoes, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

314. The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground

315. Surfer Rosa, Pixies

316. Rock Steady, No Doubt

317. The Eminem Show, Eminem

318. Back Stabbers, The O'Jays

319. Burnin', Bob Marley and the Wailers

320. Pink Moon, Nick Drake

321. Sail Away, Randy Newman

322. Ghost in the Machine, The Police

323. Station to Station, David Bowie

324. The Very Best of Linda Ronstadt, Linda Ronstadt

325. Slowhand, Eric Clapton

326. Disintegration, The Cure

327. Jagged Little Pill, Alanis Morissette

328. Exile in Guyville, Liz Phair

329. Daydream Nation, Sonic Youth

330. In the Jungle Groove, James Brown

331. Tonight's the Night, Neil Young

332. Help!, The Beatles

333. Shoot Out the Lights, Richard and Linda Thompson

334. Wild Gift, X

335. Squeezing Out Sparks, Graham Parker

336. Superunknown, Soundgarden

337. Aqualung, Jethro Tull

338. Cheap Thrills, Big Brother and the Holding Company

339. The Heart of Saturday Night, Tom Waits

340. Damaged, Black Flag

341. Play, Moby

342. Violator, Depeche Mode

343. Bat Out of Hell, Meat Loaf

344. Berlin, Lou Reed

345. Stop Making Sense, Talking Heads

346. 3 Feet High and Rising, De La Soul

347. The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Pink Floyd

348. At Newport 1960, Muddy Waters

349. Roger the Engineer (a.k.a. Over Under Sideways Down), The Yardbirds

350. Rust Never Sleeps, Neil Young and Crazy Horse

351. Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits

352. 52nd Street, Billy Joel

353. Having a Rave Up With the Yardbirds, The Yardbirds

354. 12 Songs, Randy Newman

355. Between the Buttons, The Rolling Stones

356. Sketches of Spain, Miles Davis

357. Honky Chateau, Elton John

358. Singles Going Steady, Buzzcocks

359. Stankonia, Outkast

360. Siamese Dream, The Smashing Pumpkins

361. Substance, New Order

362. L.A. Woman, The Doors

363. Ray of Light, Madonna

364. American Recordings, Johnny Cash

365. Louder Than Bombs, The Smiths

366. Mott, Mott the Hoople

367. Is This It, The Strokes

368. Rage Against the Machine, Rage Against the Machine

369. Reggatta de Blanc, The Police

370. Volunteers, Jefferson Airplane

371. Siren, Roxy Music

372. Late for the Sky, Jackson Browne

373. Post, Bjork

374. The Eagles, The Eagles

375. The Ultimate Collection (1948 - 1990), John Lee Hooker

376. (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, Oasis

377. CrazySexyCool, TLC

378. Funky Kingston, Toots and the Maytals

379. Greetings from Asbury Park, Bruce Springsteen

380. Sunflower, The Beach Boys

381. Modern Lovers, Modern Lovers

382. More Songs About Buildings and Food, Talking Heads

383. A Quick One (Happy Jack), The Who

384. Pyromania, Def Leppard

385. Pretzel Logic, Steely Dan

386. Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, Wu-Tang Clan

387. Country Life, Roxy Music

388. A Hard Day's Night, The Beatles

389. The End of the Innocence, Don Henley

390. Elephant, The White Stripes

391. The Pretender, Jackson Browne

392. Willy and the Poor Boys, Creedence Clearwater Revival

393. Good Old Boys, Randy Newman

394. For Your Pleasure, Roxy Music

395. Blue Lines, Massive Attack

396. Eliminator, ZZ Top

397. Rain Dogs, Tom Waits

398. Anthology, The Temptations

399. Californication, Red Hot Chili Peppers

400. Illmatic, Nas

401. (Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd), Lynyrd Skynyrd
402. Dr. John's Gumbo, Dr. John

403. Radio City, Big Star

404. Sandinista!, The Clash

405. Rid of Me, PJ Harvey

406. I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, Sinead O' Connor

407. Strange Days, The Doors

408. Time Out of Mind, Bob Dylan

409. 461 Ocean Boulevard, Eric Clapton

410. Pink Flag, Wire

411. Double Nickels on the Dime, Minutemen

412. Mezzanine, Massive Attack

413. Beauty and the Beat, Go-Go's

414. Greatest Hits, James Brown

415. Van Halen , Van Halen

416. Mule Variations, Tom Waits

417. Boy, U2

418. Band on the Run, Wings

419. Dummy, Portishead

420. With the Beatles, The Beatles

421. The "Chirping" Crickets, Buddy Holly and the Crickets

422. The Best of the Girl Groups, Volumes 1 and 2 , Various Artists

423. Greatest Hits, The Mamas and the Papas

424. King of the Delta Blues Singers, Vol. 2, Robert Johnson

425. Changesone, David Bowie

426. The Battle of Los Angeles, Rage Against the Machine

427. Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica, The Ronettes

428. Kid A, Radiohead

429. Grievous Angel, Gram Parsons

430. At Budokan, Cheap Trick

431. Anthology, Diana Ross and the Supremes

432. Sleepless, Peter Wolf

433. Another Green World, Brian Eno

434. Outlandos D'Amour, The Police

435. To Bring You My Love, PJ Harvey

436. Here Come the Warm Jets, Brian Eno

437. All Things Must Pass, George Harrison

438. #1 Record, Big Star

439. In Utero, Nirvana

440. Sea Change, Beck

441. Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt

442. Boys Don't Cry, The Cure

443. Live at the Harlem Square Club, 1963, Sam Cooke

444. Criminal Minded, Boogie Down Productions

445. Rum Sodomy and the Lash, The Pogues

446. Suicide, Suicide

447. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, Devo

448. In Color, Cheap Trick

449. The World Is a Ghetto, War

450. Fly Like an Eagle, Steve Miller Band

451. Back in the USA, MC5

452. Music, Madonna

453. Ritual de lo Habitual, Jane's Addiction

454. Getz/Gilberto, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto Featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim

455. Synchronicity, The Police

456. Third/Sister Lovers, Big Star

457. For Everyman, Jackson Browne

458. John Prine, John Prine

459. Strictly Business, EPMD

460. Love It to Death, Alice Cooper

461. How Will the Wolf Survive?, Los Lobos

462. Here, My Dear, Marvin Gaye

463. Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John

464. The Blueprint, Jay-Z

465. Golden Hits, The Drifters

466. Live Through This, Hole

467. Love and Theft, Bob Dylan

468. Elton John, Elton John

469. Metal Box, Public Image Ltd.

470. Document, R.E.M.

471. Heaven Up Here, Echo and the Bunnymen

472. Hysteria, Def Leppard

473. A Rush of Blood to the Head, Coldplay

474. Live in Europe, Otis Redding

475. Tunnel of Love, Bruce Springsteen

476. The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band

477. The Score, Fugees

478. Radio, LL Cool J

479. I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight, Richard and Linda Thompson

480. Faith, George Michael

481. The Smiths, The Smiths

482. Armed Forces, Elvis Costello and the Attractions

483. Life After Death, The Notorious B.I.G.

484. Branded Man, Merle Haggard

485. All Time Greatest Hits, Loretta Lynn

486. Maggot Brain, Funkadelic

487. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, The Smashing Pumpkins

488. Voodoo, D'Angelo

489. Guitar Town, Steve Earle

490. Entertainment!, Gang of Four

491. All the Young Dudes, Mott the Hoople

492. Vitalogy, Pearl Jam

493. That's the Way of the World, Earth, Wind and Fire

494. She's So Unusual, Cyndi Lauper

495. New Day Rising, Husker Du

496. Destroyer, Kiss

497. Yo! Bum Rush the Show, Public Enemy

498. Tres Hombres, ZZ Top

499. Born Under a Bad Sign, Albert King

500. Touch, Eurythmics


I know this is a lot of info to digest, but this is the kind of info people like us, pop addicts, love to see on music mags. One thing I can say about this list is: ROLLING STONE put my favorite album of all time in the position 398 (THE TEMPTATIONS ANTHOLOGY), behind 2 albums by EMINEM!!!! Are they kidding???

zeca azevedo, number 398 on the 500 best ever (!)

[BrunoRepublic]

These lists are such a load of crap. Usually they're a diplomatic mix of popular albums and the ones that are trendy for critics to like, such as Velvet Underground and Robert Johnson... I think if more people actually heard these albums and knew what they were, they wouldn't be on this list at all.

The "white album" at 10? Come on, that was self-indulgent, aimless, and boring (and ridiculous, in the case of Revolution #9).

And ANY list that includes "Never Mind The Bollocks" as a "great album" cannot be taken seriously. That album was crap. It was meant to be crap! That was the whole point. Punk wasn't about music, after all.

[zeca azevedo]

The "white album" at 10? Come on, that was self-indulgent, aimless, and boring (and ridiculous, in the case of Revolution #9).

Sorry GRAHAM,

I can't agree with you on this one. THE WHITE ALBUM is one of my FAVORITE albums EVER, really. I love its diversity and I think it summarizes pop music in a great way. I just L-O-V-E this one. THE WHITE ALBUM is on MY top ten list, for sure!


But you're right, those lists are always full of crap.

Peace,

zeca azevedo, number nine, number nine, number nine...

[occasio]

Is this a list compiled in 2003 ?
Have an older issue with the same topic.
Curious how this one looks like.
Can´t find it right now, though.

[Nano]

Ah, Graham... I voted for this ballot last year and guess which was my No. 1 album? Yes!!! The WHITE ALBUM!!!! :)
I have no problem with the Sex Pistols being on the list either.


Some things I included, out of the first 50:

1. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
3. Revolver, The Beatles
6. What's Going On, Marvin Gaye
7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
8. London Calling, The Clash
14. Abbey Road, The Beatles
16. Blood on the Tracks, Bob Dylan
19. Astral Weeks, Van Morrison
22. Plastic Ono Band, John Lennon
29. Led Zeppelin, Led Zeppelin
30. Blue, Joni Mitchell (but I prefer Hejira)


Some other choices just leave me cold:

2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
12. Kind of Blue, Miles Davis (a great album, yes... a great JAZZ album!)
18. Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen
42. The Doors, The Doors
46. Legend, Bob Marley and the Wailers (hey? this is a compilation!) :evil:
47. A Love Supreme, John Coltrane (another jazz album, at least this one was listened by the psychedelia generation)

Where are Frank Zappa, XTC, Creedence, Earth, Wind & Fire, Cocteau Twins, Steely Dan, Neil Young, J.J. Cale, R.E.M., Tom Waits, Pixies...? Ah, yes, they're probably under #150. This list is too long.

[BrunoRepublic]

I can't agree with you on this one. THE WHITE ALBUM is one of my FAVORITE albums EVER, really. I love its diversity and I think it summarizes pop music in a great way.

To me, it summarizes how quickly the Beatles lost direction, started fighting, and fell apart after Brian Epstein's death. Fascinating as a historical document, but mediocre as a listening experience.

[peppertree5706]

On Saturday night, George Gimarc (gimarc.com) had a critique show about the Top 500 and he was unhappy about the list.

I pointed out that one of the greatest charted albums of all time was not on the list (which covers all kinds of music).

West Side Story (soundtrack) was phenomenal on the charts and did not make the list. Go to any flea market and you will see many of those LP's for sale.

[Nano]

Well, I wouldn't say "West Side story" is a rock record. Neither is "The sound of music" soundtrack, or the "Cabaret" soundtrack.
Apart from that, this list is about the BEST albums, not the best sellers. You can find that on Variety or Billboard's ranks.
In fact, the Rolling Stone site cites each of these albums' overall sales, and you can read that some of the highest (i.e. Van Morrison's "Astral weeks") didn't sell even half a million records in 30 years. However, I'd prefer to listen to "Astral weeks" over "West Side story" any day. 8)

[BrunoRepublic]

Well, I wouldn't say "West Side story" is a rock record. Neither is "The sound of music" soundtrack, or the "Cabaret" soundtrack.

Neither is "Kind Of Blue", but it's on the list.

[peppertree5706]

It was a greatest of all time list. It has country on it too.

For the kind of album that West Side Story is, it is the best. I think it should have made the list.

[QUINNY]

These lists are utterly worthless tripe. They give geeks a chance to feel good if their faves are included and the perfect reason to champion those that are not! What a waste of time and effort.
It's 'my cock's bigger than yours' syndrome all over again.

[peppertree5706]

Speaking as a life long Capitalist, if it sells magazines, it is not a waste. It may be on an intellectual level but not on a financial level.

[Nano]

Graham: I said the same about "Kind of blue" in my first comment on this topic. However, you can't do a no-genres-barred Top 500 and include, like, 5 jazz albums against 450 rock albums! It's ridiculous.
My feeling is, like in many rock album lists, they put a bit of other genres (jazz, soul, etc.) to give the impression of an "open" criteria. Sometimes this works because some non rock albums influenced rock listeners (i.e. Coltrane's "A love supreme" or Marvin Gaye's "What's going on"), but that's not the case with "Kind of blue" ("Bitches Brew" or "In a silent way" would have been the right option). And it's unfair to a whole lot of other jazz or soul albums not included and way better than some rock ditties on this list.
Anyway... the bastards still make us talk about them bastard lists

[BrunoRepublic]

However, you can't do a no-genres-barred Top 500 and include, like, 5 jazz albums against 450 rock albums! It's ridiculous.
My feeling is, like in many rock album lists, they put a bit of other genres (jazz, soul, etc.) to give the impression of an "open" criteria.

Also the "cool" factor, since throwing in an album from another genre makes you look intelligent, but keeping it mostly rock helps you remain cool... or some such nonsense.

Again, I reiterate my point that several of these "masterpieces" haven't been heard by the masses, and would never be regarded as such if they had. I'm almost surprised that Metal Machine Music didn't make the list.

Anyway... the bastards still make us talk about them bastard lists

True, but I continue my habit of never buying Rolling Stone, so...

[markydefad]

I've had some time to peruse the list now...I SUBSCRIBE TO ROLLING STONE, Graham!!!!! :lol:

Most of my faves are there: Roxy Music's "Avalon"; Joni Mitchell's "Blue" & "Court & Spark"; Carole King's "Tapestry; Van Morrison's "Moon Dance"; The Beatles (EVERYTHING!!!); Supremes, Temptations & Al Green compilations; Aretha; REM's "Automatic For The People".... a Sinatra "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning").....

They shoulda added something by Ella Fitzgerald and something by Barbra ("The 1st Album") & Donna Summer ("Once Upon A Time")--but then it woulda been TOOOOO GAAAAAAAAY, I suppose. :oops:

[BrunoRepublic]

I've had some time to peruse the list now...I SUBSCRIBE TO ROLLING STONE, Graham!!!!! :lol:

They shoulda added something by Ella Fitzgerald and something by Barbra ("The 1st Album") & Donna Summer ("Once Upon A Time")--but then it woulda been TOOOOO GAAAAAAAAY, I suppose. :oops:

I thought "Bad Girls" was in there, but it isn't. You'd think one of the top-10 selling LPs of the 70s would've made it, but evidently not.

George Michael's "Faith" is in there, although I think artistically "Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1" is miles above it.

Pink Floyd's "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" is another one that I can't believe made the list. I have never understood the fuss with Barrett-era Floyd. This stuff is so utterly ridiculous... lyrics that sound like nursery rhymes on PCP, and clichéd production with everyone making funny noises with various body parts on top. Seriously, you guys...

[Nano]

Pink Floyd's "Piper At The Gates Of Dawn" is another one that I can't believe made the list. I have never understood the fuss with Barrett-era Floyd. This stuff is so utterly ridiculous... lyrics that sound like nursery rhymes on PCP, and clichéd production with everyone making funny noises with various body parts on top. Seriously, you guys...

I absolutely agree with you on this one, my friend. In the mid-80s snobby critics subscribed the unlikely theory that psychedelia-Floyd was better than prog rockers Floyd. Incredible! :o

Marky, you mention several compilations that made the list. That's another point to mention: why so many compilations, specially with black artists? They even included a Bob Marley compilation! That way Beatles "62-66" and "67-70" should have been at the top.
Let's face it, if many bands were more powerful in singles than in albums (even some whiteys, like The Who), well, then they shouldn't make it in a Best Albums list. RS should do another list with "best composers" or "hitmakers" or "best songs". But the list was about ALBUMS, not "The best of..." :evil:

[efunk_adelic]

I like this list for a few reasons.... because they ventured out and listed pretty much all genres from all generations... I don't agree with them on several of their choices..

LABELLE'S - NIGHTBIRDS? that LP is not as good as OHIO PLAYERS - HONEY come on now... :roll:

I betcha only 10 members of the magazine put a list of LP's together and they picked out their top 200. To be cool, they listed a few R&B, Jazz & Country just to round it out...

The only way to view this is to be happy if your favorite LP made the list. which mine did not :P

[markydefad]

Well, they included "Greatest Hits" compilations in their listings...so I guess I have no problem with that. Would you grab 6 Al Green cds or his "Greatest Hits" if you were gonna travel or goin to a party?

Same with Aretha and The Supremes & The Temps. The collections of the singles are the "MUST HAVES", IMHO.

The Beatles were different, I think. Their LPs were more in the concept vein and often didn't feature their singles which were released separately, at least in the U.S. "Rubber Soul" had no singles; neither did "Sgt. Pepper" or "The White Album" as I recall. The Beatles "hits compilations" aways suffer in comparison to the original LPs , IMHO. You don't want anything left out. You want the next song to be the one from the original LP. At least that's the way I feel when I listen to them. :P .

[Nano]

Well, they included "Greatest Hits" compilations in their listings...so I guess I have no problem with that. Would you grab 6 Al Green cds or his "Greatest Hits" if you were gonna travel or goin to a party?

I can't answer this one because I only have Al's GH 1 & 2 :oops: But my point is: can a compilation be considered an album? Then, why choose an old vinyl compilation (i.e. Al Green's) and not a box? Well... :roll: maybe because a box is not ONE album but several CDs. Or because then this would be mainly a boxed sets list? Anyway, to quote Marge Simpson: "mrrmmmm!" :-?

Same with Aretha and The Supremes & The Temps. The collections of the singles are the "MUST HAVES", IMHO.

I can't agree in Aretha's case. Her 4-5 first Atlantic albums are pure gold. How can you get "Darn that dream", "Don't play that song" or her magnificent take on "People get ready" otherwise? No no no no! :o
(Obviously all this is blah-blah, but I'm in a rant mood today. Don't worry )

The Beatles were different, I think. Their LPs were more in the concept vein and often didn't feature their singles which were released separately, at least in the U.S. "Rubber Soul" had no singles; neither did "Sgt. Pepper" or "The White Album" as I recall.

OK, but surely it wasn't that way with all Beatles albums prior to "Rubber soul". I wouldn't call "A hard day's night" a concept album...

The Beatles "hits compilations" aways suffer in comparison to the original LPs , IMHO.

I also think that way, but many people think different about "62/66" and "67/70". In fact, I remember a CD Review poll asking its readers what albums not yet on CD they wanted the most to be released in the format (this was around 1991). Guess which were Top 1 and 2? Yes, "62/66" and "67/70". The EMI staff must have read that, because 1 or 2 years later both comps were released as 2 CD sets.

[markydefad]

Nano, I agree with you that having the indivdual Aretha or Al Green LPs is great...but you can get "most" of the classic singles and other LP cuts on their box sets.

I have bought the original LPs
Then the Cd versions of the original LPs
Then the "Greatest Hits" compilations
Then the box sets.
Then the repackaged versions of the above.

Yeah, I'm in debt. :lol:

[efunk_adelic]

marky, i'm not sure if you know this... but in 2002 Al Green's Greatest Hits now comes with the long version to Let's Stay Together. :D

[FranceJoliFan]

No albums by The Pointer Sisters?