Wezzo's Top Twenty-Five Albums Of All-time

Submitted by Wezzo on Sat, 03/18/2006 - 06:25
Tags: 
  • Delicious
  • Digg
  • StumbleUpon
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • Technorati
  1. For a change, I haven't included Greatest/compilation albums. Comments forthcoming. Track averages to nearest whole number. The great rating scheme courtesy of AfterHours (slightly different to the ratings scale I use on my CD Collection list, and others). More reviews coming soon.. AMG = All Music Guide (www.allmusic.com), rating of 5.
  3. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
  4. 98% [AMG: 5]
  5. Tracks: 99/100
  6. Track Continuity/Pacing: 10/10
  7. Ingenuity: 18/20
  8. Depth: 29/30
  9. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  10. Flawless in every respect, Springsteen conveys raw desperation profoundly in an album that consistently acheives sonic perfection. The emotion in Bruce's voice as he roars the chorus to "Backstreets" and whispers the introduction to "Meeting Across The River" has never been more evident, and the lyrics to "Thunder Road" and "Jugleland" remain unsurpassed. The title track, "Born to Run", is one the all-time greatest rock songs; and the urgency of the backing instrumentation - particularly the saxophone - does more than enough to back up Springsteen's passionate vocals. Bruce yearns and searches for "the place that we really wanna go" where he can "walk in the sun", and while he hasn't found it by the end of the album, he had stumbled upon the greatest album of all-time.
  11. R.E.M. - Out of Time
  12. 97% [AMG: 2.5]
  13. Tracks: 98/100
  14. Track Continuity/Pacing: 10/10
  15. Ingenuity: 20/20
  16. Depth: 30/30
  17. Artistic Conviction: 37/40
  18. R.E.M. have never been a band to conform to standard stylistic conventions in the music genre; instead, they combines elements from pop, rock, country, electronica and indie to create some of the best songs and albums the world has ever seen. This is their absolute peak: combining jangle pop, college rock and all branches of country music is by no means an easy task, but R.E.M. were up to it - and they managed to compile the best album of the 1990s while they were at it. "Near Wild Heaven" is the finest example of jangle pop the world will ever see; "Losing My Religion" the most popular R.E.M. song of all-time; "Country Feedback" a profoundly moving slow-country classic. "Half A World Away" has the best orchestration of any R.E.M. song; "Endgame" is the greatest instrumental on any rock album ever; and there's not a single bad, poor or even merely average song on the album.
  19. Bruce Springsteen - The River
  20. 97% [AMG: 5]
  21. Track Average: 99/100
  22. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  23. Ingenuity: 17/20
  24. Depth: 30/30
  25. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  26. The best double-disc album ever recorded, we find Bruce in a transition period, between the angsty "Darkness" and the reflective, brooding "Nebraska", and making music that combines the best of both worlds. There is not a single bad track to be found amongst this album's 20 tracks. Every single one is a classic, from the heartland anthems "Hungry Heart" and "I'm A Rocker" to the more melancholy "The River" and "Fade Away". The best equal the dizzying heights of "Born to Run" and "Nebraska"; at the very weakest ("Crush On You") you're still offered a decently catchy tune and a strong vocal performance. On first listen, I actually enjoyed this album more than "BtR"; subsequent listens put "BtR" slightly ahead but it really is very close. You'd think Bruce's portrayals of working-class life in NJ would be wearing thin by now, but to me, it feels as if he's merely scratched the surface of a world conflict, disillusion and disappointment.
  27. They Might Be Giants - John Henry
  28. 95% [AMG: 3]
  29. Track Average: 94/100
  30. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  31. Ingenuity: 20/20
  32. Depth: 30/30
  33. Artistic Conviction: 36/40
  34. It could be argued that anyone who takes music seriously wouldn't put a TMBG album on their list. Well, maybe I just don't take music seriously, then. TMBG are at their best when they combine their weird lyrical wizardry with catchy, persistent rhythms and memorable alterantive rock anthems. Never have they done that better than on this album, which features the Giants' most moving track (and perhaps their only moving track) to date, "The End of the Tour"; it features the seminal Giants fave "Sumbliminal"; it features the personal favourite "Destination Moon"; and the excellently-orchestrated "No-One Knows My Plan". Weak link "O, Do Not Forsake Me" drags the track average down.
  35. R.E.M. - Reckoning
  36. 95% [AMG: 5]
  37. Track Average: 96/100
  38. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  39. Ingenuity: 18/20
  40. Depth: 30/30
  41. Artistic Conviction: 36/40
  42. The best of R.E.M.'s IRS-era albums, remarkable for sheer consistency: the ten tracks all feature in the upper reaches of the R.E.M. hierarchy. The country-tinged "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" takes the "best of album" title, featuring one of R.E.M.'s all-time greatest melodies, but the jangle-pop/college-rock classic "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" comes dangerously close. "Harborcoat" is one of R.E.M.'s best album openers, while "Letter Never Sent" is among the band's most underrated. A step up from the already outstanding "Murmur", the band hit a peak they wouldn't top until 1991, seven years later.
  43. Jeff Buckley - Grace
  44. 94% [AMG: 4.5]
  45. Track Average: 90/100
  46. Track Continuity/Pacing: 10/10
  47. Ingenuity: 18/20
  48. Depth: 30/30
  49. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  50. U2 - Achtung Baby
  51. 94% [AMG: 5]
  52. Track Average: 94/100
  53. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  54. Ingenuity: 18/20
  55. Depth: 27/30
  56. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  57. They Might Be Giants - Lincoln
  58. 93% [AMG: 4.5]
  59. Track Average: 92/100
  60. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  61. Ingenuity: 20/20
  62. Depth: 30/30
  63. Artistic Conviction: 36/40
  64. R.E.M. - Up
  65. 93% [AMG: 2.5]
  66. Track Average: 88/100
  67. Track Continuity/Pacing: 10/10
  68. Ingenuity: 20/20
  69. Depth: 30/30
  70. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  71. Keane - Hopes & Fears
  72. 93% [AMG: 4]
  73. Track Average: 96/100
  74. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  75. Ingenuity: 15/20
  76. Depth: 28/30
  77. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  78. The Beatles - Abbey Road
  79. 93% [AMG: 5]
  80. Track Average: 93/100
  81. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  82. Ingenuity: 20/20
  83. Depth: 27/30
  84. Artistic Conviction: 37/40
  85. U2 - The Joshua Tree
  86. 92% [AMG: 5]
  87. Track Average: 95/100
  88. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  89. Ingenuity: 18/20
  90. Depth: 25/30
  91. Artistic Conviction: 36/40
  92. R.E.M. - New Adventures In Hi-Fi
  93. 92% [AMG: 3.5]
  94. Track Average: 94/100
  95. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  96. Ingenuity: 19/20
  97. Depth: 28/30
  98. Artistic Conviction: 34/40
  99. They Might Be Giants - Flood
  100. 92% [AMG: 4]
  101. Track Average: 90/100
  102. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  103. Ingenuity: 20/20
  104. Depth: 30/30
  105. Artistic Conviction: 35/40
  106. Bruce Springsteen - Darkness on the Edge of Town
  107. 92% [AMG: 4.5]
  108. Track Average: 90/100
  109. Track Continuity/Pacing: 10/10
  110. Ingenuity: 18/20
  111. Depth: 26/30
  112. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  113. Billy Joel - Piano Man
  114. 92% [AMG: 4]
  115. Track Average: 90/100
  116. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  117. Ingenuity: 18/20
  118. Depth: 30/30
  119. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  120. Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.
  121. 92% [AMG: 5]
  122. Track Average: 95/100
  123. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  124. Ingenuity: 15/20
  125. Depth: 25/30
  126. Artistic Conviction: 40/40
  127. Geoff Byrd - Shrinking Violets
  128. 92% [AMG: NR]
  129. Track Average: 96/100
  130. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  131. Ingenuity: 16/20
  132. Depth: 26/30
  133. Artistic Conviction: 36/40
  134. R.E.M. - Automatic for the People
  135. 92% [AMG: 5]
  136. Track Average: 91/100
  137. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  138. Ingenuity: 19/20
  139. Depth: 28/30
  140. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  141. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
  142. 91% [AMG: 5]
  143. Track Average: 90/100
  144. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  145. Ingenuity: 19/20
  146. Depth: 26/30
  147. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  148. James Blunt - Back to Bedlam
  149. 91% [AMG: 3.5]
  150. Track Average: 91/100
  151. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  152. Ingenuity: 16/20
  153. Depth: 26/30
  154. Artistic Conviction: 39/40
  155. R.E.M. - Murmur
  156. 91% [AMG: 5]
  157. Track Average: 94/100
  158. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  159. Ingenuity: 20/20
  160. Depth: 28/30
  161. Artistic Conviction: 32/40
  162. The Fall - Perverted By Language
  163. 90% [AMG: 4]
  164. Track Average: 87/100
  165. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  166. Ingenuity: 19/20
  167. Depth: 27/30
  168. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  169. Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
  170. 90% [AMG: 5]
  171. Track Average: 89/100
  172. Track Continuity/Pacing: 9/10
  173. Ingenuity: 18/20
  174. Depth: 27/30
  175. Artistic Conviction: 38/40
  176. Jack Johnson - Brushfire Fairytales
  177. 89% [AMG: 4]
  178. Track Average: 91/100
  179. Track Continuity/Pacing: 8/10
  180. Ingenuity: 16/20
  181. Depth: 27/30
  182. Artistic Conviction: 35/40
Author Comments: 

In order of preference. Comments welcome.

More reviews coming soon..

Cloned From: 
003: Favourite Albums
AfterHours05/01/2006

Hey Wezzo,

I'm a sucker for "best albums" lists so I liked looking over this one. Ever consider posting reviews of each of the albums?

I have some suggestions for you based on what I see here:

Dig-Adam Again (1992)...It's very much like REM with a touch of funk & grunge. I'd probably consider it a touch better than any of R.E.M's albums. I think you'd like this a lot, though it is woefully out of print so you'll likely have to order it.

Forever Changes-Love (1967)...Superior to both Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper, both of which it is often compared.

Funeral-Arcade Fire (2004)...Has a similar feel as Radiohead's The Bends and the best U2, but also have their own "antique" feel, giving a sense of world-weary experience to the depth of emotions displayed on this, their debut, and one of the all-time great debuts in rock history. The instruments they're playing sound as if culled from someone's attic, lending the album an artsy, classical quality. Among the very finest albums of the decade so far.

That's all for now!

Wezzo05/02/2006

Reviews are a good idea actually. I will consider adding a few lines about why I like each one, etc etc, and maybe a "best track" or some such section to each album.

Thanks very much for the recommendations, I have faith in your choices!

Sppeaking of your recommendations, I received Astral Weeks last week. I was on holiday over the weekend so I've only been able to listen to it twice so far (yesterday and today), but even so I can see that it's likely to become a favourite. Cyprus Avenue sticks out to me as a standout track at the moment, but I'd imagine the album works best when considered one cohesive unit. It's as passionate as Born to Run and emotional as Grace.

Outstanding, and a sure bet for this list in a month or so.

Wezzo05/02/2006

As for Dig by Adam Again, it's only a few pounds at Amazon UK Marketplace so I could (and will) order it when I get the chance.

AfterHours05/03/2006

It's a great album. I am nearly certain you'll like it a lot.

AfterHours05/03/2006

I can't tell you how pleased I am that you're tuning in to Astral Weeks. Keep me updated here and there on your response to it. My interest in the album goes beyond personal recognition. I am sincerely interested in others "getting" the album, as it has provided me with more than any other.

I appreciate you giving it a shot, and I am sure you won't regret it, especially now that you've declared a liking towards it.

It is definitely a cohesive, complete work, but each song stands on it's own rather easily, especially with repeat listens.

AfterHours05/01/2006

A suggestion: I would up the "Pet Sounds" track continuity to a 9. It does have the two mood pieces which slightly deter from the continuity/pacing, but strongly in its favor is how successfully and smoothly it follows its story-based concept from Wouldn't It Be Nice to the heartbreaking dismissal of Caroline No. Overall though, I feel your rating of Pet Sounds is very precise!

Wezzo05/02/2006

Yeah, I was on the fence about that really. The two mood pieces kind of get in the way of what would otherwise be a great track order. I think I will change it to a 9 though.

Glad you agree with the remainder of its score though.

AfterHours05/07/2006

This is getting much better. Keep going Wezzo!

Wezzo05/11/2006

Thanks! I just added a few more reviews, and rearranged and expanded the list.

As for Astral Weeks, to put things simply: it's a dead cert for this list in a couple of weeks time. I've listened to it probably eight times already. It's truly great. I like to keep a two-week(!) limit before I put an album on this list though. But for now, it's looking at about 94-95% from me - certainly top 10.

AfterHours05/12/2006

This is really great Wezzo. Your 95% rating sounds like your on your way with it.

Don't be surprised if it just keeps getting better and better. The album was the first to actually force me to re-evaluate my best of all time rankings and ratings, due to how much it eventually distanced itself from the rest of the pack.

AAA v. 2.005/11/2006

I mean absolutely no offense, but I have trouble believing my eyes when I see James Blunt ahead of Blonde on Blonde.

Wezzo05/12/2006

None taken. I very rarely conform to the norm. :-)