But first: These are my opinions, nothing more, nothing less. You've got one, and so have I. These are supposed to be the fourteen greatest albums of all time, and I'm already disagreeing. There will be plenty more. Keep that in mind and PROCEED!
1.) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band -- The Beatles: A classic, and an album I love thoroughly... But the best album ever recorded? I'd take Abbey Road or even Revolver over Sgt. Pepper any day. Even still, the Beatles were never quite so majestic and melodic. Favorite song: Depends on the day, too difficult to choose. Its easier to say... Least favorite songs: "With a Little Help From My Friends", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite"
2.) Pet Sounds -- The Beach Boys: Another GREAT record. I don't think I would argue with the notion that its the Beach Boys' very best. Their voices are ever-poignant, but I think its kind of lame that the entire musical front is covered by session musicians. But perhaps it wouldn't be so pristine without their aid? I lovelovelove this album, but again... Second best record ever? I think its mostly a consolation prize, so that Brian Wilson's sanity remains vaguely in tact. Favorite song: Probably "I'm Waiting for the Day"
3.) Revolver -- The Beatles: One of my absolute favorite Beatles records. Such a good album. Like Rubber Soul its right on the brink between the mop-top days and the later realms of mystical experimentation, but Revolver is leaning towards the latter. Incredibly diverse, ENDLESSLY catchy, so many single-worthy tracks. Just a perfect, perfect record. Here, the Beatles are truly beginning to realize the strange things they can get up to in the studio. The first backwards guitar solo! What didn't the Beatles try their hand at? Revolver is a magnificent portrait of a glorious band. Its perhaps the album that I would hand to a non-Beatles fan and say, "Get into it." Favorite song: "And Your Bird Can Sing" of course, but no song is any less than perfection, except maybe "Doctor Robert" which I will excuse!
4.) Highway 61 Revisited -- Bob Dylan: Avoiding bullets here, but hey, OVERRATED. So damn overrated! There is not one song I lovelovelove on this record. Sure, "Like a Rolling Stone" is a monumental piece of music, but eh, its too long. On the contrary, there are no songs I absolutely loathe, but I wouldn't deem it Dylan's best, as so many others would. Not into it. I stand on a tightrope with Bob Dylan. Don't hate him, don't worship him. But you know what! Yes, Bobby D, perhaps the Stones couldn't have written "Desolation Row" But NO, you could not have written "Satisfaction". Bob Dylan could not conjure up such sex appeal. Done. Favorite song: "From a Buick 6" maybe... Even that gets old.
5.) Rubber Soul -- The Beatles: Another perfect record. Oh man, I come off as so Beatles biased! But what can I say, it is what it is. Each song is marvelous -- simple, catchy, to the point. Its pop songwriting at its very finest. I love Rubber Soul. Its an album I'll retire for a while, but then bring it back in a big way. Its timeless. I simply love all of these songs. Favorite song: How can I choose? "You Won't See Me", "Think for Yourself", "The Word", "I'm Looking Through You", "Wait"... All marvelous. My least favorite is "What Goes On", but it even has its quirky charm, with its jovial chorus.
6.) What's Going On -- Marvin Gaye: I like this album. It isn't the sixth best album of all time, I'll tell you that, but I sincerely enjoy it more with each listen. The atmospheric noises and warm opening blows of sax are glorious, as is everything that follows. Its an ethereal record, with such a good feeling to it. Each song blends with the other, which is sometimes sublime, but other times makes me feel as if the same song has been going for too long. While I don't agree with this album's ranking, I appreciate the album itself. Favorite song: "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)"
7.) Exile on Main St. -- The Rolling Stones: Exile! Another album I'll nearly forget about, but then fall in love with all over again. This album is one of the most diverse I've ever heard -- you've got rock and roll, country, blues, soul. The Stones do not tread lightly either. With each track, they fully immerse you in each respective genre. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. When it works, it is some of my favorite music ever. When it doesn't, its a shame. What is truly a testament to the Stones' talent is that when its ON, its so contagious, that the off moments are outweighed. There are more duds than any "great album" should have, but as I said, they make up for it. Duds: "Shake Your Hips", "Turd on the Run", "I Just Want to See His Face". Favorite song: "Loving Cup", with "Sweet Virginia" taking the second spot.
8.) London Calling -- The Clash: So my feelings on this record are now very well documented. I had just about given up on this project of devouring this weighty list, but then I fell in loooove with this record, and thought, "What other gems are awaiting me?" Masterful, eclectic, the top ranking for a "punk" band! I like the Clash, they seem like underdogs. People either claim them to be nothing, or everything. I'd like to combine the two -- the underdogs temporarily on top. You don't expect the Clash to mingle on this list with the likes of the Beatles, the Stones, and Bob Dylan. I LIKE that. I don't want to think of them as geniuses or legends, or put them on a pedestal like the Beatles or Bob Dylan. They're just averages joes (and Mick's, and Paul's, and Topper's -- haaaaa) who happen to be there. London Calling is strangely brilliant, case closed. Favorite song: My least favorite is "The Right Profile", which isn't even horrible, and my favorite tracks are "Clampdown" and "Spanish Bombs".
9.) Blonde on Blonde -- Bob Dylan: Of this period, I think Blonde on Blonde is my favorite Dylan record. Its certainly the record of the "Bob Dylan newly-electric" period that I know best. I think Blonde on Blonde deserves to be ranked higher than Highway 61 Revisited, because the SONGS are better. Even so, not many of these songs would rank as "timeless" or "not annoying after a few listens". Sitting down and thinking it out, I'm realizing how many duds are on these "classic" albums. So much of it has to do with influence, but as I've said, influential is a naughty word. Influence has little to do with the actual music, and all to do with what followed it. Not to be confused with innovative, which I guess Bob Dylan's got a bit of. But being the first to do something doesn't mean you're the best at it. Anyway, you've got some of my favorite Bob Dylan songs, thrown together haphazardly with a bunch of forgettable numbers. Not a BAD record, but not a stunning one either. Favorite song: I think this album can be split into three piles, and again, I'm dodging bullets. Good songs: "I Want You", "Just Like a Woman", "4th Time Around", and MAYBE "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" Decent songs: A bit overdone but "Rainy Day Women #12 & #35", "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)", "Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again" can run on a bit, "Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat" another one that gets overdone, "Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)", "Temporary Like Achilles" can be ALRIGHT, "Obviously 5 Believers" -- not mention a lot of these songs sound so alike. Anyway, the rest are total and utter duds. Forgettable!
10.) The Beatles "The White Album" -- The Beatles: You know an album is magnificent when, good or bad, it takes you right back to that moment of utter obsession. The White Album time was a good time. I borrowed my cousin's copy, and played it endlessly. When happy, angry, taking a bath, driving around, always. The White Album has never been regarded as one of my favorite Beatles albums, but its got that eccentric allure of a double album. Like London Calling and Exile on Main St, its a glorious blend of numerous influences -- all vastly different, but coming together in true fashion of each respective band. I've always deemed 1968 the year of ditching psychedelia, with most everyone returning to their rock and roll roots. (Other examples: The Stones with Beggars Banquet and the emergence of straight rootsy groups like the Band, and groups like Led Zeppelin, who eliminated the airy-fairy-ness and made bands a basic, driving force once again) The White Album is the leader of that pack, perhaps not the best, but the leader. Because its the ultimate 180 -- its a bunch of crazy songs, none like the other, but all strangely brilliant. You've got Ringo, writing and singing, George Harrison revealed as such a major and underplayed asset to the Beatles, and John Lennon and Paul McCartney stretching across every possible musical ground. They each display magnificent diversity, which I so strongly applaud. All of that makes The White Album what it is. Why didn't every band head to India and get creative?! Favorite song: Oh goodness, on what day? Each of these songs as grown to be a part of me in some way. I love them all uniquely, and for different reasons. I'll pick one per songwriter (Ringo excluded, as he only penned one!) JL: Um, too hard to do just one, "Glass Onion", "Happiness is a Warm Gun", "I'm So Tired" GH: All! "Long, Long, Long" and "Savoy Truffle", but I recently listened to "Piggies" for the first time in a long time and its so silly and amazing. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is a watershed moment, but alas, not a favorite. PM: Even though John Lennon thought of it as "Paul's granny shit" I LOVE "Ob-la-di Ob-la-da", I've always had a soft spot for the delicate ditty that is "Martha My Dear", "I Will" if only for vocal bass, "Birthday" on my birthday, "Mother Nature's Son" can be terribly effective, and "Helter Skelter" for its sheer power and yes, innovation! Are there any duds on this record? Even "Revolution 9" and "Good Night" are exactly what they're supposed to be... An avant-garde mess and a whimsical lullaby, respectively. A dud-free album, wonderful. Not all of these sounds are marvelous, but each is uniquely endearing. I love you, Beatles!
11.) The Sun Sessions -- Elvis Presley: I'm obsessed with this album, okay? Total, gruesome, encompassing obsession -- just as I like it. When you're urged to put something on nearly every day, I think that means that its really good. Its basically throws together the best shit Elvis ever did, comes together as a striking compilation, that totally succeeded in making me admit: "Elvis is not just some overrated sexpot..." Amazingly, he WAS once an incredible performer! I love these songs! What I do still believe is that Elvis' time at Sun still was just Elvis Aaron Presley of Tupelo, Mississippi, not yet ELVIS PRESLEY -- FAMED LEGEND. Once he was pegged as the latter, he couldn't live up to it. Who could? He became a bloated fool chasing what he once was. (Even though I've officially accepted "Suspicious Minds" as a stunning piece of music.) The Sun Sessions is pure, not at all forced, just genuine. That is what makes me love and respect Elvis Presley as a performer. Favorite song: I've never really thought about it! Well, "I Don't Care If the Sun Don't Shine", "Baby Let's Play House", "I'll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin')", "I Love You Because" either version, "Trying to Get to You", "Blue Moon"... But really, I love them all.
12.) Kind of Blue -- Miles Davis: As far as jazz goes, Kind of Blue is supposed to be as good as it gets. But I don't know much about jazz, so I can't really tell you. What I do know is that I go through fits where all I want to do is listen to songs like "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches" over and over. I want to lights to be dim in my room, and I want it to smell nice, and I want Miles Davis to set the mood. Fuck, it sounds like I'm trying to seduce someone! Nope, just myself. (But I do think jazz is really sexy. Once when I watching Jerry Maguire with someone, they said, "What's with the jazz? Its not sexy." I beg to differ, Tom Cruise and Renee Zellweger just didn't know what's up.) But there are also times when I don't want to listen to Kind of Blue at all, so I can't really say that it ranks among my favorites. But some of those notes he hits -- so warm, so rich, so fulfilling, utterly irresistible. So, I don't know much about jazz, but I don't think this is a bad place to start. Favorite song: As I said, "So What" and "Flamenco Sketches", with "Blue in Green" up there as well.
13.) The Velvet Underground and Nico -- The Velvet Underground: This record... Hmm. A few honorable moments, coupled with a bunch of NOISE. "European Son" is NOISE, nothing but. There is nothing brilliant about that. Nico's voice isn't very pleasant. Things frequently carry on for far too long. Occasionally fun to listen to, but there is definitely more of the former. Twelfth greatest record of all time? Uh, no. Again, NOISE, very much polluted by a druggy sound. Sorry, if that's what they were "going for", it comes off as amateurish. Favorite song: I really enjoy "Sunday Morning" and "Run Run Run" takes second. I wouldn't mind if I never heard most of the others ever again.
14.) Abbey Road -- The Beatles: I want to say its my favorite Beatles album, but I don't know, they're all too good. I never thought I loved The White Album THAT much, but just now I realized I really do! But Abbey Road, I love Abbey Road, and there was never any doubt about that. Its just an album that makes you feel so good. Its just four dudes -- playing, breaking up, but giving it that one last go, making it memorable, leaving the cherry on top of an iconic career. Those four dudes happen to be the Beatles, and they're quite capable of making me feel like I'm floating on a fucking cloud. I'm never going to be able to swirl away and be taken into some mystical realm, but Abbey Road on headphones is about as close as it comes. Cool. I can dig it. Favorite song: Ugh, can I just say side two over and over and over again? "You Never Give Me Your Money" I love this band. I love how they can make you feel the same way you did when you first heard it.
