Caffé Latté presents the all-time
200
MOST ESSENTIAL
ALBUMS
Frank Sinatra is generally credited as the
first artist to release a concept album. Until then, the pop market was focused
almost exclusively on the single. Albums merely consisted of a compilation of
recently issued product with filler to capitalize on a successful hit song.
During the 1960s, albums gradually built up credibility and by the 1970s, had
become as integral as the single. The era of ‘classic albums’ had emerged, led
by acts such as The Beatles, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin and David
Bowie.
This Top 200 list includes albums that broke
new ground; expanded the sonic landscape and influenced the music that
followed. They have been ranked according to impact on the sound of rock and
pop music, popularity, sales and timeless quality.
200 LEMONADE Beyoncé
199 TUSK Fleetwood Mac
198 BLUE LINES Massive attack
197 A NEW WORLD RECORD Electric Light Orchestra
196 THAT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD Earth, Wind
& Fire
195 SHE’S SO UNUSUAL Cyndi Lauper
194 A NIGHT ON THE TOWN Rod Stewart
193 BROTHERS IN ARMS Dire Straits
192 DIANA Diana Ross
191 ABRAXAS Santana
190 TATTOO YOU Rolling Stones
189 TRACY CHAPMAN Tracy Chapman
188 FULFILLINGNESS’ FIRST FINALE Stevie Wonder
187 CAN’T SLOW DOWN Lionel Richie
186 BOOKENDS Simon & Garfunkel
185 BORN IN THE U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen
184 HOT AUGUST NIGHT Neil Diamond
183 FAITH George Michael
182 CRAZYSEXYCOOL TLC
181 TOO LOW FOR ZERO Elton John
180 PAUL SIMON Paul Simon
179 WAR OF THE WORLDS Jeff Wayne
178 PARKLIFE Blur
177 MUSIC OF MY MIND Stevie Wonder
176 BACK TO BLACK Amy Winehouse
175 ALL THINGS MUST PASS George Harrison
174 SYNCHRONICITY the Police
173 52nd STREET Billy Joel
172 THE HEIST Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
171 BAD Michael Jackson
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170
TUBULAR BELLS
MIKE
OLDFIELD
1973
British musician Mike Oldfield's debut album was a sonic journey that remains a watershed moment in prog-rock/ art rock. He not only co-produced the LP but plays all the instruments. The disc consisted of just 2 tracks, spread out over 2 sides of the original vinyl format. "Tubular Bells Part One" runs for 251/2 minutes, while the flip features the 23+ minutes long "Tubular Bells Part Two". Vivian Stanshall introduces a succession of instruments before they are added to the track. It climaxes with the announcement of tubular bells.
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169
GOING TO A GO-GO
SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES
1965
Smokey Robinson was more than just the lead vocalist for Motown group The Miracles. He was its principal songwriter, penning many of the archetypal classics for the label. His flair for writing was astonishing. Robinson also co-produced the 'Going To A Go-Go' album. This LP includes the timeless Motown songs "The Tracks Of My Tears", "Ooo Baby Baby" and the title track. "From Head To Toe" is an obscure gem found on this disc.
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168
...AND THEN THERE WERE THREE...
GENESIS
1978
The title of the 9th studio album by Genesis describes the group's predicament in 1978. Peter Gabriel's departure left a massive void. His exit took place just as the band had begun expanding its audience. The remaining members auditioned replacements before deciding to continue as a trio with Phil Collins emerging from behind the drums for a new role as lead singer.
'...And Then There Were Three...' was an aptly titled album. While still fastened to art rock, Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford set out to create a more commercial sound.
The LP marked a turning point for the British band. It kicked off a second phase for Genesis. The closing track "Follow You, Follow Me" provided the group with its first Top 10 hit in Britain and was its first international success. Genesis continued building its sound, becoming one of the biggest acts of the 1980s. Collins would also enjoy a lucrative simultaneous solo career. Rutherford scored a global smash with "The Living Years" with his other band, Mike And The Mechanics.
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167
DOUBLE FANTASY
JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO
1980
For 5 years, John Lennon had dropped off the musical landscape, devoting his time to raising his son Sean. At the start of the 1980s, the former Beatle was ready to record again. 'Double Fantasy' served as Lennon's update on where he had been and where he found himself in 1980. his songs dealt with love ("Woman", "(JUst Like) Starting Over" and "Dear Yoko"), his son ("Beautiful Boy") and his hiatus ("Watching The Wheels").
The album was a collaboration with Ono. Some would argue her contributions detract from his material. While there is no doubt she is ahead of her time, Ono's music is too out there to sit cohesively with her husband's superior songs.
What made this album a best seller was the tragic event that took place on December 8 that same year. Lennon was assassinated. The world was in shock and grieved while purchasing copies of the new album, catapulting it to the top of the charts in several countries.
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166
A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD
COLDPLAY
2002
Before the release of 'A Rush Of Blood To The Head', rumours had begun circulating that Coldplay would split. The touring schedule to support debut album 'Parachutes' had taken its toll on the group's creativity and energy.
The band created "In My Place" which became the starting point for the completion of a follow-up album. Coldplay reinvigorated its sound. Lead singer Chris Martin developed his falsetto and applied it more effectively on the new material.
This sophomore studio album featured a stronger set of songs, including the staples "The Scientist" and "Clocks". The public greeted this new release with such enthusiasm that it reached #1 in many countries. Coldplay was suddenly jettisoned to a new status as one of the leading bands on the contemporary music scene.
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165
SOME GIRLS
ROLLING STONES
1978
Disco and punk rock dominated radio and the charts around the time The Rolling Stones unleashed 'Some Girls'. The legendary rock band responded with a vibrant new album that proved the group was still musically relevant.
Firstly, The Stones incorporated elements of disco on "Miss You" which shot to #1 in America. In the wake of the punk explosion, The Stones reaffirmed its past as the naughty boys of rock. While the band did not emulate the punk rockers, we were all gently reminded of The Stones' influence on the new music.
Keith Richards' drug use was increasing, yet somehow he and co-writer Mick Jagger were able to create one of The Stones' best albums in years. The group injected more grit and sting on the new material. Among the album's high points are: the afore-mentioned "Miss You", "Respectable", "Beast Of Burden", "Shattered" and the country-tinged "Far Away Eyes". In fact, the weakest track is a remake of The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)". Then again, that track is no train wreck either.
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164
IF YOU CAN BELIEVE YOUR EYES AND EARS
THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS
1966
The possibilities seemed without limit during the 1960s. The Beatles had given rock music a jolt that is still reverberating to this day. The Mamas and the Papas created a new sound that echoed the Fab Four, The Beach Boys, The Monkees and The Association.
'If You Can Believe Your Eyes And Ears' was the American group's debut album. It contained "Monday Monday" and "California Dreamin'". Both were major chart hits for the group. "I Call Your Name" was a remake of a Beatles song. There are covers of "Spanish Harlem" and "Do You Wanna Dance" too. Other noteworthy tracks include: "Somebody Groovy", "Straight Shooter", "Got A Feelin'" and "You Baby".
Decades later, the pop structures and harmonies that were trademarks of The Mamas & The Papas' sound could be heard in the music of Roxette, The Go-Gos, ABBA and The Bangles.
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163
MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY
KANYE WEST
2010
On his 5th studio album, Kanye West's evolution produced a rap masterwork. The years ahead will see its influence grow as other acts draw inspiration from the disc.
Several producers worked on this release, yet the album manages to flow. West is simply a creative force that manages to build on each new release. 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' is the culmination of his years in the hip hop game.
West maintains your attention throughout. The strongest tracks are "All Of The Lights", "Blame Game", "Who Will Survive In America", "Power", "Hell Of A Life" and "Runaway". Among the guests on the album are Jay-Z, John Legend, Rick Ross, Pusha T and Bon Iver. The sampled artists include Smokey Robinson and Gil Scott-Heron.
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162
CAN'T BUY A THRILL
STEELY DAN
1972
Recording acts were striving for perfection in the studio during the 1970s. Steely Dan made it appear easy on its debut album 'Can't Buy A Thrill'. Many attempted to emulate its sound.
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen recruited some of the finest session musicians for this LP, such as Venetta Fields, Jeff Baxter and David Paich. This album featured the fruits of their contributions, including "Dirty Work", "Do It Again", "Only A Fool Would Say That", "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)", "Change Of The Guard" and "Reelin' In The Years".
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161
ONCE UPON A TIME
DONNA SUMMER
1977
Disco attracted its detractors. It produced an endless stream of one-hit wonders that could sing anything over a dance beat and be guaranteed a hit song. But there were noteworthy exceptions. Donna Summer may have been crowned the Queen of Disco, but she remains underrated. She was to 70s dance music what Madonna would be to the 1980s.
By the time of 'Once Upon A Time', Summer had already issued 5 albums. While disco created many singers that followed instructions from their puppet master producers, Summer was different. She contributed to the songwriting of every track on this double album.
The influence of producers Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte cannot be denied. The music on this LP steered disco beyond its limits. Tracks worth exploring include "I Love You", "Now I Need You", "Working The Midnight Shift" and "Once Upon A Time".
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