The TOP FIFTEEN Rock and Roll albums of all time....

...........as judged by me!

I felt we needed a break from chess blogging so I felt like writing up this list as it will of course be controversial. And it will lead directly (in the next post) to the most underrated and overrated rock and roll acts of all time as well.

Ground rules I followed for making the list:

1) I have to have heard the album
2) There will be quite a few Funk, R&B and Soul records in the list as they are also direct descendants of early Rhythm and Blues. (and I LOVE them and it is my list!)
3) Historical importance is NOT a main criteria but it will have some influence.
4) Some early acts will be left off as they mostly released singles and I don't want to include greatest hits packages (except for ONE MAJOR exception)
5) Other criteria is purely subjective. :)
6) I acknowledge that this is only my opinion. :)



Here we go:

15. "Thriller"-Michael Jackson: This album is the album that turned my generation ON! I think every song was a hit. And it still sounds great today. Oddly enough, "Billie Jean" is my least favorite song on the record. The groove on "Wanna be Startin' Something" always wins me over! All you have to do is listen to this record to hear what an amazing talent Michael Jackson truly was!

14. "Fresh"-Sly and the Family Stone: Not everyone has heard of this record but this is ONE completely grooving record. It doesn't quite sound like anything else. Check it out!!

13. "Pet Sounds"-The Beach Boys: Landmark album! Great songs. GREAT recording. I came to this record a little late in life.

12. "Fulfillingess' First Finale"-Stevie Wonder: Another album I was late getting to. It was released right before his magnum opus. (to be seen later in the list) First Finale is an AMAZING record that in all honesty I kind of want to rank higher. This is a deserted island record for me!

11. "Van Halen I"-Van Halen: Yeah "Eruption" seems cheesy now, but every guitar player in the 80's was trying to learn it. The tunes are fun and rocking! This was and is a great album! (and the intro drum fill to "Jamie's Crying" is also on Tone-Loc's, "Wild Thing")

10. "All That You Can't Leave Behind"-U2: I know "Joshua Tree is their classic record but I LOVE this record. I couldn't get enough of it for about 2 months back when it came out. I like it a lot more than "Joshua Tree".

9. "Dark Side of the Moon"-Pink Floyd: I was late to this one as well. But once I checked it out as an entire album, I knew it was a work of genius! And yes, the Wizard of Oz rumors are true. It is kind of freaky. This one works better as an entire record. It loses a little bit when heard as individual songs.

8. "Back in Black"-AC/DC: Come on! This album is three chords, loud drums, barely discernible vocals and insipid lyrics! AND IT ROCKS LIKE CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time I hear the opening riff of the title song I want to jump on my bed and play some air guitar! COME ON!

7. "Please, Please Me"-The Beatles: "Revolver" and their later records get more press and accolades but this album is AWESOME!! And even though it wasn't their song, the performance of "Twist and Shout" an all time classic!

6. "Band of Gypsies"-Jimi Hendrix: Yeah his earlier albums are also great but this record is SMOKING! I like the band better than his earlier band. They groove a little harder and don't over play so that we can focus on Jimi Hendrix's genius!

5. "Live at the Filmore West"-Aretha Franklin: All I need to say about this one is that EVERY time I listen to Aretha's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on this recording, I CRY! EVERY TIME! I can't say that about ANY other record or artist on this list. Aretha was, IS and always will be special!!

4. 'Who's Next"-The Who: My favorite Who album! So Many great songs. Great playing. Keith Moon going ballistic AND when Pete Townshend's Guitar comes in at 1:48 in "Baba O'Riley"??....That is THE DEFINITION of Rock and Roll!!!!

3. "Amnesiac"-Radio Head: This group has a lot of great albums but this one haunts me. Like the Pink Floyd album above, "Amnesiac" is a complete work and sounds incredible when listened to in it's entirety. A GREAT GREAT record that literally sucks me into it's world every time I listen to it.

2. "Burnin"-Bob Marley and the Wailers: A lot of people list Exodus (the greatest hits package) and it is amazing, but "Burnin" is just an amazing recorded work. "Get up, Stand Up" and "I Shot the Sheriff" are both on this record. And my personal all time favorite is "Duppy Conqueror"! I could listen to this song ALL DAY! And often do!

And now my number 1 rock and roll record of all time:

AND I COP OUT! It is a three way tie!

1a: "Songs in the Key of Life"-Stevie Wonder: Every song is a classic. There isn't a sour note on the record. It is an unquestioned work of artistic genius!! I can't even name my favorite song. It depends on my mood. It was also the culmination of Wonder's artistic journey in the early 70's that began with "Music of My Mind". Ironically, record labels rarely allow an artist to have this much control and time to develop. It is a pity. We might have more records like "Songs in the Key of Life" if they did!

1b: "Led Zeppelin IV"-Led Zeppelin: Yeah this might be a cliche pick BUT there is a reason for that. It IS a classic! Again, there are no bad songs on the record. Yeah, "Stairway to Heaven", is cliched as well...but go ahead and listen to it again if it has been awhile since you have checked it out. This really is a landmark and incredible record!

1c: "Star Time"-James Brown: This is the only greatest hits package that made my list. I just could not be without it. James Brown was ahead of his time. The first 3 CDs of this essential box set are literally a lesson on how to groove. Every song crackles with energy and life! Even James' count offs groove harder than most records.

So there you have my VERY subjective thoughts on the best rock and roll albums of all time! I know other people have some opinions. Let's hear them!