They were voted on by a bunch of industry types and musicians - which explains why the bottom half of the list is really weird. It also seems to explain why it's the best list of this type I've seen.
I don't have a lot of objections to it either. I think "Revolver" is a better album than "Sgt. Pepper", but it's a debatable point. My big gripe is that the list is full of old Elton John albums, and they completely disregarded "Madman Across The Water". That's his best album, dammit! "Honky Chateau" isn't even in the same league.
Not a bad list but Nirvana and Michael jackson in the top 20? Any real list must, IMO, have the following in the top 50: Layla, Lola, Lou Reed's Rock and Roll Animal, Brian Eno's Another Green World, A Whiter Shade of Pale, the first Traffic album, Yes's Close to the Edge, the First Fairport Convention album, something by the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield. Alice Cooper's Greatest Hits, Rocky Mountain Way.
I know that I'm old but Eminem, give me a break. It's the best list of its kind I have seen but too many modern acts that have no vision and artistry.
For people like Chuck Berry, you need to include Greatest hits as his best work wa releaed on singles, same for Howlin' wolf and company.
edit typo and clarification
(edited by DrDirt on 24.11.03 1420) Perception is reality
Of course, the only Smiths album I have is the one that isn't on the list. -_-
No real complaints here, but my father wasn't thrilled with the list being top-heavy with Beatles stuff (he just doesn't like them) and that the Dead's highest was #244.
I believe wholeheartedly that something has to be in the collective consciousness for at LEAST five years to be considered a classic.
FLAMES: 9-8-0-2; 20pts: Must add Matt Lombardi, Steve Reinprecht & Mikka Kiprusoff to Christmas card list... SURVIVOR: PEARL ISLANDS: 7 Remain [Tijuana, Darrah, Jon, Christa, Sandra, Burton & Lillian] Alas poor Rupert, we'll see you in February. SMALLVILLE: "Shattered" (Episode 3-8) Wow. 10/10
I'd have to agree with drjay's dad, way too much Beatles on the top. Anyone of which could have been replaced by Physical Graffiti or IV, but Rolling Stone has always hated the band. The first three Sabbath albums should have been in the top 100 as well, should be higher then Sex Pistols, who I think are extremely overrated. And was it just me or was the last great mainstream rock album Anemia completely overlooked?
I'm from North Akron. My father is not involved in politics nor is he the CEO of GM. My mom isn't a long forgotten Teen Idol. I have never shared the sack with a Hollywood movie star. I've never murdered anyone, I wasn't abused as a child, I haven't taken 30 hits of acid in front of a police station while wearing nothing but a raincoat. I don't skateboard, bike, surf, run, play sports, or chess. I have never left Ohio, not to mention the United States. I hate PETA, I don't wear hemp, I don't belong to the church of scientology. I am not a baby boomer, a gen-xer or a gen-yer, or any other niche marketing term. I am not a disgruntled minority, a republican, or a democrat. I will not try to make up for these shortcomings via this medium know as the Internet. Therefore, you will not find me humorous, intelligent, interesting, provocative, or an emotional roller coaster. I'm from North Akron.
I'm also a bigger fan of Revolver over Sgt. Pepper, but I can see the argument for Sgt. Pepper... I totally marked out for The B-52s being 152.
Pearl Jam "Ten" being all the way down in 207 Wow... And What's the Story Morning Glory 376! Both are lower then expected
I like female vocalists and not too much love for them in this list, but I am happy Portishead made it and PJ Harvey (twice) made it in the 400s... No Doubt's Rock Steady better the Tragic Kingdom. wats up with dat?
Where was Garbage self-titled album, that one of the most solid albums I've got... I was surprised and happy they had some techno in there but didn't notice any Chemical Brothers in there either
Originally posted by drjayphdNo real complaints here, but my father wasn't thrilled with the list being top-heavy with Beatles stuff (he just doesn't like them) and that the Dead's highest was #244.
The Beatles deserved to be at the top. A little top heavy perhaps, but without them would we be talking about this list?
As for the Dead, the first rule of Music: The Dead Sucks.
I think The Joshua Tree should be higher, but can't really figure out what to drop to get it there.
The fact that R.E.M. doesn't check in until 197 is a crime against humanity.
NO DOUBT made the list: The Hell?
Whatever happened to Portishead anyway? I hated that song.
The history of taxation shows that taxes which are inherently excessive are not paid. The high rates inevitably put pressure upon the taxpayer to withdraw his capital from productive business. - Andrew Mellon
No Rush? I know this magazine has always hated that band, but at least throw in a token Moving Pictures just to send somebody home happy.
That having been said, there actually were a couple albums on here that I'm surprised they put on here, considering the source. After the laughable top 100 guitarists list, they may have regained some credibility here.
You know a Top 500 Album list is faulty when I can read the whole thing and immediately think up half a dozen records that were unfairly omitted.
Then again, does Rolling Stone ever do anything besides release these lists in magazines with half-naked, flash-in-the-pan popstars anymore?
Let's put this in the plainest terms possible: Darryl Strawberry has no business instructing anybody about anything. He has never done a thing in his life to warrant a position of guidance. Not on the field. Not off the field.-- David Vescey, si.com
Aside from what was mentioned, why wasn't Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon rated higher than #43? It stayed on the Billboard 200 for almost two decades, for pete's sake!
"Alright, now I'd like to show you one of my favorite cartoons. It's a sad, depressing story about a pathetic coyote who spends every waking moment of his life in the futile pursuit of a sadistic roadrunner, who mocks him and laughs at him as he is repeatedly crushed and maimed. I hope you enjoy it!"
Bat out of Hell is way way way way down the list...should be Top 100 at least!
And WEEZER?? WTF???
WEEZER????
F*ck no!
"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America's Cup, France is accusing the U.S. of arrogance, Germany doesn't want to go to war, and the three most powerful men in America are named 'Bush', 'Dick', and 'Colon. Need I say more?"
Hey now, Socks. The Weeze deserves love, too. I could definitely see how The Blue Album or Pinkerton could make the list, but not so much the Green Album or Maladroit.
Originally posted by VanillaSkyAny list that has Nirvana near the top of the list is immediately invalid. Honestly, could you get any more overrated than Nevermind?
It's kinda unfair to say it's overrated. The music media has this false view that Nirvana changed the game, that one day every teenager in America was wearing spandex, using aqua-net, and were sexual deviants, then the next they were wearing Flannels, long johns and writing poetry. Alot of this hype which is due to the fact he died while on top.
But that's not to say it wasn't one of the strongest albums from top to bottom. One of the last great mainstream albums, since the art of the album died many moons ago.
I don't know the criteria for this list, but I've said many times that if you base an album on influence. You got to go with The Spice Girls 'SPICE'. Ever since they hit, every new act has the same formula to success. If it can't be used in a pepsi commercial...DONT WRITE IT.
ATYCLB is not U2's worst, merely their most mainstream. The first 6 songs on that disc are as good as anything U2 has ever done.
Let's put this in the plainest terms possible: Darryl Strawberry has no business instructing anybody about anything. He has never done a thing in his life to warrant a position of guidance. Not on the field. Not off the field.-- David Vescey, si.com