Best Albums Ever

I'm sure this has been done before, but I couldn't find one recent enough to rule out a new thread. What are the best albums ever, in your opinion?

I'm having a hard time choosing... because there are so many. I am tempted to list a few...


The Beatles
Abbey Road/Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Most of the Beatles' latter albums are fantastic examples of all that is good about music, but these two stand out from the pack. There are others that deserve mention, like Rubber Soul and The White Album, but these are probably the pinnacle of the Beatles' huge amount of work. The medley at the end of Abbey Road is just amazing, and really finishes the album with a bang, and Sgt. Pepper's is just greatness from start to finish. Seriously, now.


Blur
Think Tank
The ballads on this disc are some of the best song in Blur's catalogue, if you ask me. The album is just pleasing from start to finish, with a small interruption of not-so-greatness in Crazy Beat, but I guess I can excuse that. The hidden track, Me, White Noise, which is placed before the first track on the CD serves as a nice opener before Ambulance kicks in. This is Blur at their best: breaking away from britpop and doing their own thing.


Brian Eno
Another Green World
As far as ambient and electronic music albums go, this is one of the best. Although not quite as experimental or ambient as his later stuff; this is often considered Eno's magnum opus, and for good reason too. It's the sort of album that doesn't even show age today. Once again, I recommend it to anyone who loves music.


Iggy & The Stooges
Raw Power
One of the most important Proto-Punk releases ever -- it was a huge influence on the Punk bands that would follow it in the mid-1970s. Also, the updated mix by Iggy Pop himself is arguably the loudest record ever (Reaching RMS of -4 dB, which is unusual for a record even today). I myself prefer the original Bowie mix, as Iggy's mix is at times not easy to listen to due to all the distortion. Any Rock fan owes it to themselves to have this in their collection.


John Lennon
Imagine
It was a toss-up between this and Plastic Ono Band, and by rights both deserve to be up here to be completely honest. I decided on Imagine for a few reasons -- firstly, it's more accessible than Plastic Ono Band while still being an amazing piece of music. It opens up with what is probably Lennon's most famous song, of the same name, and closes with a song that never ceases to put a smile on my face; Oh Yoko!. Between these two songs, the album doesn't falter once. And that's why Lennon's legacy is so strong even today.


Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures/Closer
Joy Division is undoubtedly one of the most influential bands of the late 70s/early 80s. They kicked off the Post-Punk scene and later became the band that arguably began the nightlife/rave culture; New Order. With ridiculously good production, the songs don't even show age today. Ian Curtis' haunting lyrics and vocals never leave me.


My Bloody Valentine
Loveless
Probably one of the biggest and best known Shoegaze bands ever. Not the best, but this album is probably the best Shoegaze album I've ever heard - and no doubt an influence to all that came afterwards. Haunting, dream-like vocals, amazing guitar-work and melodies that take you away.


Paul McCartney & Wings
Band on the Run
This album is worth buying just to hear the closing track, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, alone. Amazing album, and probably one of my favourite post-Beatles solo releases (Next to Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and Harrison's All Things Must Pass). Amazing stuff.


Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon/Wish You Were Here
Arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and two of their best albums. Most people list Dark Side of the Moon as their best work, but Wish You Where Here is just as good, if not better.


The Smiths
The Queen is Dead
Picking a favourite Smiths album is hard for me; they're all pretty amazing. Morrissey's vocals and song writing are just unbelievable, and although his solo career has had its ups and downs, The Smiths were consistently excellent. This album is probably the pinnacle of that greatness, though. Humourous, witty, deep and meaningful; this CD has it all.


The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground & Nico
One of the most influential bands ever. As Brian Eno once said, only a few thousand people bought the CD on its release, but almost every single one of those people was inspired to start a band and make their own music.


Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Has to be heard to be believed. It's just a fantastic CD and unlike a lot of other stuff. It was at first deemed to be so inaccesible for casual listeners that the label refused to release it, big mistake on their part.


The Zombies
Odessey and Oracle
Great 60s psychedelic pop in lieu of the Beatles. Critically acclaimed but surprisingly not that popular these days, from what I've gathered. Pretty disappointing, because in my opinion this is an almost hidden gem that a lot of people are missing out on. It share similarities to some of the work from the Beatles, but at the same time has an original charm to it. Definitely a must-listen, for any fan of classic rock.

Not necessarily my favourites (Although they're all up there), but these are some CDs that I feel really did something for music.

Dream Theater - Scenes From a Memory
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Between the Buried and Me - Colors
Pink Floyd - Animals
Miles Davis - *****es Brew
Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command
Yes - Close to the Edge
Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy
Rush - Moving Pictures

Originally Posted by TravestyHelp

Dream Theater - Scenes From a Memory
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Between the Buried and Me - Colors
Pink Floyd - Animals
Miles Davis - *****es Brew
Porcupine Tree - Stupid Dream
At the Drive-In - Relationship of Command
Yes - Close to the Edge
Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy
Rush - Moving Pictures

Interesting list. I'll agree on the ATDI selection, they were fantastic. What makes you choose Pink Floyd's Animals over others?

Ministry - Psalm 69
Metallica - Master of Puppets (stereotypical, yes, but doesn't make it any less true)
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Among others.

Rx Bandits - The Resignation
At The Drive In - Relationship Of Command
Saves The Day - In Reverie
Alkaline Trio - Good Mourning
Jimmy Eat World - Clarity
The Return - Danger Danger Silent Stranger
The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About

Originally Posted by subpain

Interesting list. I'll agree on the ATDI selection, they were fantastic. What makes you choose Pink Floyd's Animals over others?

I know a lot of people don't like Animals. They say its extremely experimental, more guitar driven than other albums, and it has a straightforward subject manner. All the things people criticize it for, I love. I like ****ed up music and Animals is pretty ****ed up.

Originally Posted by Laika

The Return - Danger Danger Silent Stranger

You recommended this band to me when I first showed up here. They never cease to please my ears.

I left one out

Jeff Beck - Blow by Blow

For me, one album that comes to mind, is Absolution by Muse.

I love every song on that album, I kid you not.

I also bought this album from Music World for about two bucks, and the band was called John Ford. That was a pretty sweet album.

Originally Posted by TravestyHelp

You recommended this band to me when I first showed up here. They never cease to please my ears.

Ooh hey.

Yeah, I love that band. Too band they broke up. I picked this album because I find myself listening to it the most. Not to say their other albums are bad.

I remain entirely unconvinced of anything listed thus far because reasoning is completely absent.

Rather than list off albums like Rubber Soul or Tommy or Pet Sounds or Led Zeppelin I or Music from Big Pink; I will instead look at more modern albums that have greatly influenced and/or had a large impact on the music I listen to, or music as a whole. Because I feel like doing something different, and I'm sure those albums will get mentioned by others.

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill
Helped give a place to the female rocker in the mainstream, showed pop stars can reinvent themselves, one of the highest-selling albums of all time.

Counting Crows - August and Everything After
I just really love this album. Strong debut, solid from start to finish, essentially impossible to top, though they still put out great material after it.

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
One of the more brillaint modern concept albums. Makes you believe in magic through the music. Sings to your soul, not to your ears.

Kanye West - The College Dropout
Put hip-hop in fashionable shoes.

mewithoutYou - Brother, Sister
This is in my top three albums of all time. To not include it here wouldn't make sense. Flows together, tied by the music, the lyrics, and the themes. Opens and closes perfectly. Fills it with perfection.

Neutal Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
If you listen to this album, all of a sudden you'll realize where a lot of modern indie-folk and indie-rock bands get their inspiration from.

R.E.M. - Out of Time
In my opinion their best work to date. Gave the world "Losing My Religion." Based on that alone it sells itself.

The Shins - Oh, Inverted World
The first mainstream indie darlings. Let the world know that indie pop existed, and that it was good.

Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
A masterpiece of dramatic proportions. An achievement in recording. Did I mention the word 'masterpiece'?

The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
I haven't listened to much past this because I have yet to feel the need that this album isn't enough material to state my thirst for garage rock.

Brief, but informative, hopefully.

AFI - Sing The Sorrow
Lamb of God - The New American Gospal
H.I.M. - Dark Light and Uneasy Listening Vol. 1
Lots of The Beatles albums
Marylin Manson - Lest We Forget

Ummm......
Yeah that's it I think for me.

Dookie is my all time favorite album. Green Day perfection right thar.

The Beatles
Abbey Road/Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Most of the Beatles' latter albums are fantastic examples of all that is good about music, but these two stand out from the pack. There are others that deserve mention, like Rubber Soul and The White Album, but these are probably the pinnacle of the Beatles' huge amount of work. The medley at the end of Abbey Road is just amazing, and really finishes the album with a bang, and Sgt. Pepper's is just greatness from start to finish. Seriously, now.

Joy Division
Unknown Pleasures/Closer
Joy Division is undoubtedly one of the most influential bands of the late 70s/early 80s. They kicked off the Post-Punk scene and later became the band that arguably began the nightlife/rave culture; New Order. With ridiculously good production, the songs don't even show age today. Ian Curtis' haunting lyrics and vocals never leave me.

Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon/Wish You Were Here
Arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and two of their best albums. Most people list DSM as their best work, but WYWH is just as good, if not better.

The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground & Nico
One of the most influential bands ever. As Brian Eno once said, only a few thousand people bought the CD on its release, but almost every single one of those people was inspired to start a band and make their own music.

Wilco
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
Has to be heard to be believed. It's just a fantastic CD and unlike a lot of other stuff. It was at first deemed to be so inaccesible for casual listeners that the label refused to release it, big mistake on their part.

Originally Posted by Galedeep

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Neutal Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over the Sea

Seconded.

Pinkerton - Weezer
Blue Album - Weezer
Make Believe - Weezer
Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes
Vitalogy - Pearl Jam
Automatic For The People - R.E.M
Costello Music - The Fratellis
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - New Radicals

I'll write my own little reviews on them tomorrow. These are my favorites though.

Originally Posted by Blurrhead

Pinkerton - Weezer
Blue Album - Weezer
Make Believe - Weezer
Get Behind Me Satan - The White Stripes
Vitalogy - Pearl Jam
Automatic For The People - R.E.M
Costello Music - The Fratellis
Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too - New Radicals

I'll write my own little reviews on them tomorrow. These are my favorites though.

Definitely agree on the Pinkerton vote. But I'm not so sure Make Believe belongs on that list.. one of Weezer's weaker efforts, imo.