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Top 10 albums of all time and what makes them the best

In general, it’s not easy to decide on a top-ten list. Music is so universal and so personal that people may come up with different top-ten lists, equally appropriate and substantial. However, when it comes to choosing the top ten albums of all time, my criteria evolve around the impact of those albums on music upon their release, but also on the course of global music until our days.

To my view, there are ten albums that, widely regarded as pioneers, have immensely influenced global audiences and music as we know it today.  

In alphabetical order, these are:

#1 – CLOSER – JOY DIVISION (1980)

The darkest side of post punk was reflected in Joy Division’s second album, ‘Closer’. A feeling of despair and death emerging even from the album cover, anchored by dominant bass chords, intense synth sounds, military tempo drum and bass baritone vocals compose a depressingly passionate post-punk hymn.

Closely associated to the suicide of the Joy Division front man, Ian Curtis, ‘Closer’ reflects the emotional state of Curtis. Writing about emotional isolation, estrangement, death and urban disintegration, Curtis was deeply concerned with the different ways people cope with the same problems and how they do or they do not adapt. So many years after his death, Curtis’ words are considered as a warning of what was about to follow.

#2 – DOORS – THE DOORS (1967)

Maybe the most shocking album of the mid 60s due to its breakthrough single “The End” which struggles with the oedipal syndrome for 11:40 minutes, ‘The Doors’ is the debut album of the legendary California group. Besides, ‘The Doors’ is widely regarded as the greatest debut album by any band ever.

Doors’ front man, Jim Morrison was one of the most controversial, yet charismatic personalities in the history of rock music. Being a singer, poet, songwriter, writer and film director, Morrison was desperately looking for ways to express his intense emotionality and his opposition to the dominant political system in the U.S. at that time.

#3 – HYBRID THEORY – LINKIN PARK (2000)

Bearing elements of grunge, alternative rock, funk, and hip-hop, ‘Hybrid Theory’ is maybe the most complex and rich album of all time. Although high commercialized, ‘Hybrid Theory’ managed to mingle elements of rap, rock and metal bringing together diverse inspirations and styles.

With obvious influences by Depeche Mode, Guns N’ Roses and The Smiths, ‘Hybrid Theory’ is a personal deposition of the Linkin Park front man’s difficult childhood. Bennington’s child sexual abuse, excessive drug and alcohol use, isolation, disappointment and doomed relationships are all described in an album that emphasizes on mood over melody, yet bringing forward some brilliantly memorable tracks.

#4 – LONDON CALLING – THE CLASH (1980)

‘London Calling’ is The Clash’s scream against unemployment, drug addiction, and racism that was excessive in London at that time. Using elements of ska, reggae, and even pop, The Clash managed to convert anarchy and chaos to genuine political philosophy.

Struggling against the despotism of the political system, they possessed an outstanding on-stage charisma and fierce music intelligence reflected in their live performances. Moreover, arousing an extreme passion and conveying an immediate impact to their astonished audience, The Clash captured the messed-up young kids and offered them the key to a brand new world, where anything was possible, allowed and grandiosely powerful.

#5 – NEVERMIND- NIRVANA (1991)

Not immediately appreciated by the critics, ‘Nevermind’ is the album that brought alternative rock to a substantial mainstream audience. The massive personality of Kurt Cobain, anchored by explosive guitar riffs and reminiscent screams, distilled the wounded rage of the young kids into a passionate howl.

Undoubtedly, ‘Nevermind’ is Nirvana’s highest selling record and one of the most significant albums of the 90s. It includes twelve fiercely intelligent and memorable tracks. Moreover, Cobain’s suicide made ‘Nevermind’ one of the most highly acclaimed albums in the history of rock music.

#6 – NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS – SEX PISTOLS (1977)

When Johnny Rotten was screaming ‘No future’ he was becoming the architect of the UK punk movement in the mid 70s, and the reason for the massive social attack on the British monarchy and nationalism. Exposing extreme anger on the system, Sex Pistols undeniably influenced a whole generation with their spontaneously infectious outbreak of violence and isolation against commercialism and political correctness.

Promoting subversive ground-breaking sounds with minimal instrumentation, anchored by explosive guitar riffs, military drum tempo and anarchic lyrics, Sex Pistols quickly became a massive cultural fact. And all their controversy is expressed in the sole album that made them punk idols.

#7 – OK COMPUTER – RADIOHEAD (1997)

Although Radiohead change their music style almost in every album, keeping maybe some elements of electronic, synth influences in their latest albums, the group’s music is highly recognizable worldwide.  Ranging from extreme instrumentation to trip-hop textures, Radiohead remain introspective and unpredictable and this is what makes them one of the most significant groups of the alternative scene.

‘OK Computer’ is widely regarded as Radiohead’s landmark album of all time. Dominated by reverse guitar riffs that range between alternative rock and pop music, ‘OK Computer’ is an anthem of social responsibility reflected in Radiohead’s front man lyrics. In this album, Tom Yorke copes with consumerism, social isolation, and stagnation making ‘OK Computer’ greatly appreciated by fans and critics.

#8 – RAMONES – RAMONES (1976)

As a response to the UK Punk movement of Sex Pistols and The Clash, Ramones emerged in the East Coast and immediately communicated the need of a substantial US audience for original, hard, not easily absorbed and absolutely anti-mainstream music.

In the homonym album, Ramones express feelings of estrangement, seclusion, and frustration anchored by passionate blast of guitar power, minimalist catchy punk sounds, and song brevity to completely reject anything artificial and hollow.

#9 – SIAMESE DREAM – SMASHING PUMPKINS (1993)

The Chicago-based group recorded its mainstream success in 1993 with ‘Siamese Dream’. The album sold over four million copies in the US and doubled-up sales globally, denoting Smashing Pumpkins as one of the best alternative rock groups ever.

Bearing elements of grunge, Goth rock, and psychedelic dream pop, ‘Siamese Dream’ reflects the difficult periods of excessive drug and alcohol use of the group’s front man Billy Corgan. Dealing with strained personal relationships, Corgan wanted to expose hypocrisy and self-destruction. His suicidal tendencies anchored by powerful tunes and distorted guitar riffs, managed to impose Pumpkin’s angst-ridden lyrics and cathartic expressions of emotion to the world.

#10 – SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND – THE BEATLES (1967)

Widely regarded as The Beatles’ best work, ‘Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band’ is one of the most influential albums of all time. It was not only Beatles’ memorable, short tunes that made the album a huge success. It was also the innovative approach in sound, artwork and studio technology.

‘Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band’ reflects also the group’s maturity. Defining a revolutionary psychedelic mood, while swelling the gospel of love and Eastern spirituality, Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band’ had an immediate, massive impact on the globe.

I work as a financial and investment advisor but my passion is writing, music and photography. Writing mostly about finance, business and music, being an amateur photographer and a professional dj, I am inspired from life.

Being a strong advocate of simplicity in life, I love my family, my partner and all the people that have stood by me with or without knowing. And I hope that someday, human nature will cease to be greedy and demanding realizing that the more we have the more we want and the more we satisfy our needs the more needs we create. And this is so needless after all.

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August 11th, 2009 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off
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