The 50 Most Influential Albums
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Introduction by Jim Liddane
Putting together a list of the most influential albums of all time is like arguing over how many angels can sit on the head of a pin.
(Incidentally I have always been fascinated by this conundrum - not so much the mathematics of it but the reasoning behind their agreeing to sit on the pin in the first place).
OK - as you can see, I lead a sad life.
Needless to say, absolutely nobody will agree with this list - so no change there! Still for what it's worth - here it is.
Jim Liddane
PS And yes, I know there are 51 on the list - but as Bill said, nobody's going to read beyond the first ten anyway!
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue (1959): A seminal jazz album that introduced modal jazz and influenced countless musicians.
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967): A groundbreaking concept album that redefined the possibilities of studio recording.
Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965): Marked Dylan's transition to electric music, blending rock and poetic lyrics.
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966): An innovative album with complex harmonies and production techniques.
The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. (1972): A raw and eclectic double album showcasing the band's versatility.
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971): A socially conscious soul album addressing pressing issues of the time.
Nirvana - Nevermind (1991): Brought grunge to the mainstream and defined a generation.
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982): The best-selling album of all time, blending pop, rock, and R&B.
Prince - Purple Rain (1984): A fusion of rock, funk, and pop that showcased Prince's musical genius.
The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967): Though initially overlooked, it became a blueprint for alternative music.
Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971): A deeply personal and influential singer-songwriter album.
Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (1976): A double album masterpiece covering a range of themes and styles.
The Crickets - The Chirping Crickets (1957): Three guitars and drums, the prototype which would spawn a thousand bands, including a certain four from Liverpool.
David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust (1972): A glam rock concept album that cemented Bowie's status as an icon.
The Clash - London Calling (1979): A punk album that incorporated diverse musical styles and political themes.
Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988): A politically charged hip-hop album with innovative production.
Radiohead - OK Computer (1997): A dystopian rock album that pushed the boundaries of alternative music.
Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967): Showcased Franklin's powerful vocals and became a soul classic.
The Who - Who's Next (1971): Featured pioneering use of synthesizers in rock music.
Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (1975): An epic rock album capturing the American spirit.
Fleetwood Mac - Rumours (1977): A polished pop-rock album born out of personal turmoil.
U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987): Combined spiritual themes with atmospheric rock.
The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (1986): A defining album of British indie rock.
Patti Smith - Horses (1975): Merged poetry with punk rock, influencing countless artists.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced (1967): Introduced Hendrix's revolutionary guitar work.
Bob Marley and the Wailers - Exodus (1977): Brought reggae to a global audience.
The Doors - The Doors (1967): A psychedelic rock debut with dark, poetic lyrics.
Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon (1973): A concept album exploring themes of conflict and mental illness.
Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin IV (1971): Featured the iconic "Stairway to Heaven" and solidified their rock legacy.
The Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks (1977): A raw and rebellious punk statement.
The Strokes - Is This It (2001): Revitalized garage rock in the early 2000s.
Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004): Blended soul samples with introspective lyrics, reshaping hip-hop.
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998): A fusion of hip-hop, soul, and reggae with personal themes.
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989): A sample-heavy album that expanded hip-hop's sonic palette.
The Beatles - Revolver (1966): Marked a shift towards more experimental songwriting.
Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley (1956): The debut album that launched rock 'n' roll into the mainstream.
The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man (1965): Pioneered folk-rock with jangly guitars and harmonies.
Otis Redding - Otis Blue (1965): A soul album that showcased Redding's emotive vocals.
James Brown - Live at the Apollo (1963): Captured the energy of Brown's live performances.
The Kinks - Village Green Preservation Society (1968): A nostalgic look at English life.
Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970): Featured lush arrangements and introspective lyrics.
The Police - Synchronicity (1983): Blended rock, reggae, and new wave influences.
AC/DC - Back in Black (1980): A hard rock album that became one of the best-selling records ever.
Metallica - Master of Puppets (1986): A thrash metal masterpiece with complex compositions.
Madonna - Like a Prayer (1989): Combined pop sensibilities with controversial themes.
R.E.M. - Murmur (1983): Helped define alternative rock in the 1980s.
The Cure - Disintegration (1989): A moody and atmospheric gothic rock album.
Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980): Incorporated African rhythms into new wave music.
The White Stripes - Elephant (2003): A raw garage rock album with blues influences.
Adele - 21 (2011): A soulful pop album that showcased Adele's powerful vocals.
Beyonce - Lemonade (2016): A visual album that blended genres and addressed personal and political themes.
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