Top 6 Classic Albums

In lieu of getting some time to actually write another theology essay, I've decided to list what I think are the top 6 classic albums of all time. They may not necessarily have my favourite songs on them, but rather they are my top 6 because of:

1. The way that work together as albums. You couldn't take a song away, or add another song, and get the same effect
2. Consistency. Most albums have a few awesome songs and a few not-so-good ones. I think that a classic album is consistently good through all it's songs
3. Talent and listenability. The band must be good and create songs that are enjoyable to actually listen to.

And without any further ado, here are my top 6, in no particular order:



Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

The quintessential album for any collection, there are not enough words to do this album justice. Poignant, insightful, experimental, and still wonderful to listen to today, this one has really stood the test of time (yes I know it's a cliche, but it's true).

Most memorable tracks: Where to begin. I don't think I can pick any favourites.

Best listened to: Apparently in 1990, Australian radio listeners voted it the best album to make love to. These might be a recommendation if you are married, but if not I would recommend listening with headphones (great walking music) or in the shower. It doesn't really make great ambient background music (it requires attention).



The Who - Quadrophenia (1973)

Probably the greatest rock opera of all time, this one pushed sound technology to the limit upon it's first release, and even today sounds brilliant. Telling the story of Jimmy, a British teenager with four distinct personalities, the music gets you swept up in the world of 1970's England. What's more, it's easy to identify with Jimmy's struggles as a teenager, just as relevant today as it was back then.

Most memorable tracks: The Real Me, Quadrophenia, Is It In My Head, The Rock, Love Reign O'er Me.

Best listened to: With an awesome sound system, preferably with a big subwoofer to enjoy John Entwhistle's superb drumming.




The Beatles - Revolver (1966)

I struggled long and hard as to whether I should put Revolver or Abbey Road on this list, but in the end I made it the top 6 albums just so I could have both. One of the Beatles' most experimental albums, I don't think that I've ever heard songs quite like some of the tunes on this record. I could quite easily put this album on repeat and listen to it over and over throughout the day without ever getting close to tiring of it.

Most memorable songs: Eleanor Rigby (possibly the greatest song ever recorded), Yellow Submarine, She Said She Said, Tomorrow Never Knows.

Best listened to: In the background while working or with dinner guests. It's the perfect ambient album, and one of the few albums that doesn't get better the louder it's played.




Jeff Wayne - Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (1978)

I remember sitting in the dark room with my brother and listening to this album from start to finish the first time I got it. Featuring a line-up of the biggest names from the 1970's (David Essex, Justin Hayward, Richard Burton, and more), the album retells H.G. Well's classic tale of a war between humans and martians. And yes, it's far, far better then Tom Cruise's rubbish attempt at telling the story.

Most memorable tracks: Forever Autumn, The Spirit of Man, Brave New World, Epilogue Pt 2 (great ending)

Best listened to: in the dark, up loud, where it can really freak you out.



The Who - Who's Next (1971)

Back in the days when this was the hardest that hard rock got, this was the best hard rock album ever. Little has changed today. Everyone knows at least some of the tracks on this album, and not just thanks to CSI. No, this album is powerful enough to blow you speakers, and so rebellious it just might (just kidding). The ultimate teen album of the last generation, it rocks all over the teen albums of this generation.

Most memorable tracks: Baba O'Riley, The Song is Over, Behind Blue Eyes, Won't Get Fooled Again

Best listened to: in the car on a long drive. Particularly for the song "Going Mobile" :-)




The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

Although maybe not quite as experimental as Revolver, the Beatles' final recorded album shows the maturity they achieved as a band. Featuring some of the Beatles' most memorable songs (Here Comes the Sun being an example), the album makes us sad that there were no albums after this one - if the Beatles had recorded another one, how much better could it have been?

Most memorable songs: Come Together, Something, Oh! Darling, I Want You, Here Comes the Sun, Carry That Weight

Best listened to: Again, it makes great ambient/mood music.




(Special mention)
Radiohead - OK Computer

Maybe I will be considered a heretic for not having this album in my top lost, but IMHO as great as the album may be, it's just not in the league of the albums above. That's not to say that I don't love the album, but please stop calling it the greatest album ever, because it's not.






Most Over-rated album ever award
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Seriously, why do people think that this is up there as one of the best albums ever? It's got a few memorable tunes, a few boring tunes, and seems an uneven album at best. I bought this album based on the few songs that I liked (because thanks to the RIAA and ARIA you cannot now legally listen to the album before buying unless you can spend an hour in the record store using those stupid headphones), and even then was very disappointed with it. It is now relegated to sitting in my CD cabinet gathering dust.

So there's my list! Controversial? Maybe! I'd be interested to see what other people think, so let me know - what would you put on your list of the greatest classic albums?