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
170 TUBULAR BELLS Mike Oldfield
169 GOING TO A GO-GO Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
168 …AND THEN THERE WERE THREE… Genesis
167 DOUBLE FANTASY John Lennon & Yoko Ono
166 A RUSH OF BLOOD TO THE HEAD Coldplay
165 SOME GIRLS Rolling Stones
164 IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOUR EYES & EARS Mamas & Papas
163 MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY Kanye West
162 CAN’T BUY A THRILL Steely Dan
161 ONCE UPON A TIME Donna Summer
160 CAPTAIN FANTASTIC & THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY Elton John
159 IN RAINBOWS Radoihead
158 ODELAY Beck
157 THE SMITHS The Smiths
156 LIKE A PRAYER Madonna
155 CLOSE TO YOU Carpenters
154 STANKONIA Outkast
153 SIGN O’ THE TIMES Prince
152 REMAIN IN LIGHT Talking Heads
151 SWEET BABY JAMES James Taylor
150 SIMPLE MINDS Linda Ronstadt
149 WILLY & THE POOR BOYS Creedence Clearwater Revival
148 MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER Elton John
147 BAND ON THE RUN Paul McCartney & Wings
146 PLAY Moby
145 TALKING BOOK Stevie Wonder
144 WISH YOU WERE HERE Pink Floyd
143 BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK Red Hot Chili Peppers
142 LET’S GET IT ON Marvin Gaye
141 ASTRAL WEEKS Van Morrison
140 TOTO Toto
139 PARALLEL LINES Blondie
138 THE RIVER
137 DON’T SHOOT ME I’M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER Elton John
136 RAY OF LIGHT Madonna
135 TEA FOR THE TILLERMAN Cat Stevens
134 CONTROL Janet Jackson
133 WAR U2
132 STATION TO STATION David Bowie
131 FRAMPTON COMES ALIVE! Peter Frampton
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130
STRANGE DAYS
THE
DOORS
1967
The Doors built on the foundations laid out on its debut album from earlier the same year that also saw the release of this 2nd studio effort, 'Strange Days'. Producer Paul A. Rothchild is back at the helm.
The LP's cover suggested a mixed bag and that is what The Doors serve on the disc within. Each member applied his musical skills to each track, augmented by Jim Morrison's lead vocals. He lends the tracks a sense of menace mixed with a carnal irresistible charisma.
The album contains the band's timeless singles "Love Me Two Times" and "People Are Strange". Its remaining tracks are worthy of exploration too, especially the title track, "Unhappy Girl", "You're Lost Little Girl" and "Moonlight Drive".
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129
DEBUT
BJORK
1993
Some debut albums are as breathtaking as the birth of a star in a galaxy. Few can match the awe inspired by the likes of emerging talents such as Kate Bush, Barbra Streisand or Lauryn Hill. Bjork had been a member of Icelandic group The Sugacubes. In 1993, she unleashed her first solo album, the aptly titled 'Debut'.
The enigmatic performer co-produced the album with Nellee Hooper. A quarter century later, 'Debut' still retains its charm and timeless appeal. It is a journey into electropop and trip hop, but it includes hints of indie rock, dance and ballads.
No less than 5 singles were lifted off the album, the best known being "Human Behaviour", "Venus As A Boy" and "Big Time Sensuality". Beyond these chart hits are little treasures for the ear, with absolutely no filler. This is a stunning debut.
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128
HUNKY DORY
DAVID BOWIE
1971
David Bowie was not only prolific during the 1970s, but his music was ever-evolving. 'Hunky Dory' saw him focus on songwriting. There's a range of styles and themes on this LP.
We find Bowie in the early part of the decade he came to define, revealing many sides to his creativity. 'Hunky Dory' possesses elements of art rock, high camp and glam. Its highlights include "Changes", "Life On Mars?", "Song For Bob Dylan", "Kooks", "Fill Your Heart" and "Oh! You Pretty Things".
The versatility in the material and Bowie's delivery on this album launched him into the pantheon of contemporary British pop stars such as Elton John and Freddie Mercury.
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127
RUST NEVER SLEEPS
NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE
1979
For decades now, Neil Young has occupied a coveted place among the greats of rock's singer/ songwriters, alongside the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. 'Rust Never Sleeps' is presented as one acoustic side with the flip being electric.
The album was recorded live during Young's 1978 tour. The Canadian rocker is at the top of his game, most notably on the tracks "Thrasher", "Pocahontas", "My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)" and "Ride My Llama".
Young's distinctive voice shines particularly on "Sail Away", a soothing classic from his songbook. This underrated track is ripe for re-interpretation.
"Powderfinger" opens the electric side, as Young presents another dimension of his credentials. There's a reprise of the opening track from the acoustic first side, adapted as "Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)" to close the album.
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126
(WHAT’S THE STORY) MORNING GLORY?
OASIS
1995
The renaissance of British pop that exploded during the 1990s was spearheaded by Oasis. Drawing inspiration from The Beatles, super-fan Noel Gallagher has created a selection of tracks that proudly declare their "Britishness" on '(What's The Story) Morning Glory'. He co-produced the album with Owen Morris. Brother Liam shines as principal vocalist.
As Oasis' sophomore release, this album finds the group honing its strengths. The previous year's 'Definitely Maybe' introduced the audience to the band's charm. This follow-up goes further, realizing the potential of the debut album. The tracks are sharper with a clearer understanding of creating hooks.
Each song deserves its place here on one of the key releases of its time. The biggest hits are "Wonderwall", "Some Might Say", "Champagne Supernova", "Morning Glory" and "Roll With It".
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125
OTIS BLUE
OTIS REDDING
1965
'Otis Blue' is often referred to with the added on title 'Otis Redding Sings Soul'. The album was the influential singer's 3rd studio album. It is as fine an example of the Stax/ Volt sound as there ever was. The Stax label's house band drives the beat on every track.
Redding powers his way through a number of remakes. There are 3 covers of Sam Cooke songs, including the civil rights anthem "A Change Is Gonna Come" and "(What A) Wonderful World". Redding interprets the Temptations' "My Girl" and The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction".
'Otis Blue' contains Redding's original version of "Respect" which Aretha Franklin would soon transform into a soul classic. Also included are 2 other of his compositions: "Ole Man Trouble" and the heartfelt R&B ballad "I've Been Loving You Too Long".
Redding led the pack of performers that personified the grittier 60s Southern Soul, in contrast to the polished Motown Sound. Sadly, within 2 years, he would be killed in a plane crash.
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124
1999
PRINCE
1982
Prince had been expanding his fan base and attracting critical acclaim ever since he emerged in 1978. He was breaking through around the world as the 1980s began. By the release of '1999', he was poised for a chart onslaught.
Producing and writing the album himself as he had on the previous ones, Prince relied more heavily on the synthesizer for '1999'. Finally, he reached the upper rungs of the world charts with the LP's singles "Little Red Corvette" and the title track.
The album sees Prince drawing from the past to re-create something novel. His hybrid of funk, soul and pop draws us in from the onset, with the 2 hits opening up the LP. "Delirious" follows, with its catchy beat. "Let's Pretend We're Married" and "D.M.S.R." build on that sound. Other highlights include "Free" and "International Lover".
Prince was evolving as a songwriter and musician. The growth on '1999' would be continued on his next phase: the brilliant 'Purple Rain' motion picture soundtrack album.
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123
HOUSES OF THE HOLY
LED ZEPPELIN
1973
The 5th studio album unleashed by Led Zeppelin was 'Houses Of The Holy'. Guitar god Jimmy Page co-wrote every track and produced the LP. Anyone expecting only heavy rock on the disc was in for a surprise. The album served a range of styles, spanning blues, metal, reggae, funk and rock. Among its best moments are "Over The Hills And Far Away", "The Ocean", "Dancing Days" and "D'Yer Mak'er".
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122
THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL
LAURYN HILL
1998
Once we discovered Lauryn Hill as a member of The Fugees, she became the group's focal point. Her talent was immediately obvious. When a solo album was announced, it was eagerly anticipated. 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' did something too rare: it exceeded expectations.
Fusing neo-soul sensibilities with hip hop and R&B, Hill had a hand in writing almost every track on her solo debut album. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, she shaped a collection of songs that managed to appeal to the mainstream better than The Fugees' tracks ever had.
With this album, Hill showed she could hold her own with the Queen of Hip Hop, Mary J. Blige. Each track is a worthy part of the cohesive material. The album's best moments include "To Zion", "Ex-Factor", "Everything Is Everything", "Every Ghetto, Every City", "Nothing Even Matters" and "Doo Wop (That Thing)".
Unfortunately, Hill never managed to follow up this release with another disc of new material.
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121
LICENSED TO ILL
BEASTIE BOYS
1986
The Beastie Boys crashed through with debut album 'Licensed To Ill'. At the time, there was a stubborn resistance to rap. Enter Rick Rubin as co-producer with the trio. These white boys from New York concocted their own blend of rock and rap.
Perhaps the album's best known track "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)" gave many the wrong impression about the impact of this disc. Granted, the trio's humour was a key ingredient, but The Beastie Boys were undeniable trailblazers in the rap genre.
As well as the aforementioned hit single, the album featured seminal rap tracks including "The New Style", "She's Crafty", "Hold It Now, Hit It", "Posse In Effect", "Time To Get Ill" and "No Sleep Till Brooklyn". Like their contemporaries Run D.M.C., The Beastie Boys helped force rap onto the mainstream, paving the way for subsequent acts such as Eminem.
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