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
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150
SIMPLE DREAMS
LINDA
RONSTADT
1977
Linda Ronstadt had already built up a reputation as a competent interpreter on her earlier albums. She had reached #1 in the U.S. with a rock-flavoured remake of Betty Everett's R&B song "You're No Good" in 1975. 'Simple Dreams' became her best selling studio album, catapulting Ronstadt to the top among female rock performers.
On the album her interpretative skills are put to great effect on covers of songs by The Rolling Stones ("Tumbling Dice"), Roy Orbison ("Blue Bayou") and Buddy Holly ("It's So Easy"). Also included are 2 compositions from burgeoning songwriter Warren Zevon ("Carmelita" and "Poor, Poor Pitiful Me"). Ronstadt didn't approach these remakes lazily, re-interpreting them with a refreshing novel angle.
'Simple Dreams' captured Ronstadt at a time when the male-dominated rock pantheon had few female members. The album made her the archetypal rock woman. Ronstadt paved the way for the likes of Pat Benatar, KD Lang and Sheryl Crow.
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149
WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS
CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
1969
Creedence Clearwater Revival developed its own sound which in turn influenced many other American rock groups. Its major hit single was "Down On The Corner". It is also remembered as the parent album for CCR's protest song "Fortunate Son".
The band's 4th studio album was overall a more upbeat rock release. Lead singer John Fogerty wrote all but 2 of its tracks. CCR drew from its country, blues and southern rock roots to shape a unique hybrid of swamp rock and country-rock.
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148
MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER
ELTON JOHN
1971
The relentless grind of touring and recording Elton John endured during the 1970s was punishing, but it served to sharpen his obvious talent as an artist and entertainer. That this taxing routine produced so much quality is extraordinary. The decade produced his best work.
John had only emerged a year before with the timeless "Your Song". 'Madman Across The Water' was his 4th studio album. That John's recordings from that period still hold up many decades later is a testament to Bernie Taupin's sprawling lyrics and John's consummate musical skill. 'Madman Across The Water' also benefits from Gus Dudgeon's production and Paul Buckmaster's arrangements.
This album spawned 2 of John's prized staples: "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon". Further exploration yields other stunning tracks, such as "Indian Sunset", "Goodbye" and the title track. The former was sampled for the 2Pac single "Ghetto Gospel" which topped the British and Australian charts in 2005.
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147
BAND ON THE RUN
PAUL McCARTNEY & WINGS
1973
With his days as a member of The Beatles behind him, Paul McCartney has enjoyed decades as a solo artist and at the helm of a second band, Wings. 'Band On The Run' was the latter group's 3rd studio album.
Before recording sessions for the next LP began, 2 members of Wings departed, leaving McCartney, wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine- as its remaining members- to enter the studio to create 'Band On The Run'.
While McCartney has often been criticised for his tendency to overindulge, this album contains some strong tracks that benefit from his pop music instincts. The title track opens the LP and remains one of the best rock tracks from McCartney's songbook. It easily matches most of his contributions to The Beatles. Other standouts include "Jet", "Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five", "Mrs Vandebilt" and "Let Me Roll It".
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146
PLAY
MOBY
1999
American musician Moby crossbred blues and gospel with electronica most effectively on his album 'Play'. In doing so, he added gravitas to the ambient techno soundscapes he created. For younger ears, this was a novel way to appreciate those traditional genres.
Moby bolstered the album's success by licensing its tracks across a variety of mediums, including television and film. In this way, the mainstream was unwittingly exposed to his music.
'Play' consists of some of the lushest electronica, including "Rushing", "Natural Blues", "Porcelain", "Run On", "Everloving", "Inside", "Why Does My Heart Feel So Bad?" and "South Side".
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145
TALKING BOOK
STEVIE WONDER
1972
The focus on Stevie Wonder's 'Talking Book' album is love. It opens with the adorable "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life". He celebrates commitment on "I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)". Other romantically-themed tracks include "You And I", "Lookin' For Another Pure Love", "You've Got It Bad Girl" and "Blame It On The Sun".
Despite this emphasis on matters of the heart, Wonder detours with more of the social commentary he was gaining respect for. On "Big Brother", Motown's resident genius serves a diatribe to politicians. There's also the album's most famous track: the funky "Superstition".
Although Wonder released stronger albums which had a greater impact and were more influential, 'Talking Book' offers consistency and accomplished musicianship.
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144
WISH YOU WERE HERE
PINK FLOYD
1975
The album only contained 5 tracks, each running for longer than 5 minutes, yet Pink Floyd manage to retain the listener's attention throughout on 'Wish You Were Here'. A seasoned group by now, it was issued in the wake of its legendary ''The Dark Side Of The Moon' LP.
The
album was a tribute to and about founding member Syd Barrett.
Plagued by psychological problems, he had left the band in the late
1960s. Roger Waters contributed most to the songwriting on 'Wish You
Were Here', with the group still obviously dealing with Barrett's exit
and struggle with mental illness.
"Shine On You Crazy Diamond" opens proceedings with its first 5 parts, clocking in at 13 1/2 minutes. The remaining 3 parts of the song close the album on Side 2 and is only 1 minute shorter. The song encourages Barrett in his recovery.
The title track stands on its own as a rock staple. Another song worthy of attention is "Have A Cigar". 'Wish You Were Here' was a brave but integral album, cementing Pink Floyd's esteemed position among the greatest rock bands.
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143
BLOOD SUGAR SEX MAGIK
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS
1991
American alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers fused funk, metal and rock into its own sound. Producer Rick Rubin was on board for this album and helped steer the group's 5th studio album. The fruits of this pairing was a set of songs that saw The RHCP finally break through.
Funk metal was suddenly on the menu, as the mainstream audience gradually caught on. Lead
single "Give It Away" defined the group's strong sound. Success was
achieved with the release of follow-up single "Under The Bridge". It
topped charts in Australia and various European nations. In America, it
peaked at #2 and reached #3 in Canada.
The album remains the benchmark for The RHCP. There is plenty of variety in the sonic directions the music leads listeners. Among its other standout tracks are "Breaking The Girl", "Suck My Kiss" and "Mellowship Slinky In B Minor".
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142
LET'S GET IT ON
MARVIN GAYE
1973
Marvin Gaye addressed society's ills on 1971's 'What's Going On'. The next year, he completed the film soundtrack for 'Trouble Man'. Gaye changed tack again as he approached his next album project.
The Motown legend turned his attention to the bedroom, creating the perfect background music for carnal pursuits. He co-produced the album with Ed Townsend.
As was the case with most of his 70s output, this album was ahead of its time. On 'Let's Get It On', Gaye laid the foundations for the slow jams and Quiet Storm that would dominate soul radio stations a decade later.
As couples retreated to the bedchamber, many let Marvin set the scene for lovemaking with songs such as "Distant Lover", "Keep Gettin' It On" and "Just To Keep You Satisfied". Gaye manages to avoid sleaze, applying his seductive vocal skills to optimum effect. This is most evident on the disarming title track, one of the sexiest recordings ever.
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141
ASTRAL WEEKS
VAN MORRISON
1968
'Astral Weeks' was Van Morrison's 2nd studio album and since its release in 1968, has grown in terms of its reputation. To many, the LP marks a pinnacle in popular music. Yet, 'Astral Weeks' is not easily defined. It's not really pop music and it isn't rock. Morrison created a compound made up of blue-eyed soul, jazz and folk music.
The mystical Irishman delivers each track with a voice that oozes an ethereal beauty. Producer Lewis Merenstein allows each of the songs to shine in their own right. Among the aural treats on offer on the disc are: "The Way Young Lovers Do", "Sweet Thing", "Ballerina", "Beside You" and the title track. Few recordings match the delicate charm of this spellbinding work.
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