During the past few months, many people have had to permanently stay at home due to Covid-19. Listening to music from the past can help provide solace and a relief from boredom. With that in mind, we’ve come up with a subjective list of 20+ essential albums you should revisit. Go ahead and dig through those CD and LP stacks in the corner or just cue the titles on your preferred streaming platform.
ADULT ALTERNATIVE/POP:
The Blue Nile, “Hats” (1989) - Longing vocals and meticulously-crafted electronic arrangements equals some majestic mood music.
Deacon Blue, “Raintown” (1987) - An engaging aural snapshot of working-class Glasgow, plus a little romance thanks to the future married singers.
ALTERNATIVE ROCK:
Arcade Fire, “Funeral” (2004) - From a French song to frantic interconnected tunes, the band’s dramatic songs are an emotional rush from start to finish.
Radiohead, “OK Computer” (1997) - The mercurial Brits’ sophomore studio effort began a deft experimental streak that continues today.
R.E.M., “Automatic for the People” (1992) - Haunting in tone, with a rich sounding tapestry, the band’s eighth album is also its best.
Stone Roses, “Stone Roses” (1989) - Merging elements of ‘60s psychedelia, dance and rock, the English quartet crafted one of the decade’s most influential releases.
U2, “The Joshua Tree” (1987) - The American experience serves as a backdrop for the Irishmen’s magnetic gem-laden commercial breakthrough.
CLASSIC POP/ROCK:
Beach Boys, “Pet Sounds” (1966) - Creative mastermind Brian Wilson conceptualized a sonic masterpiece.
Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967) - Groundbreaking tunes and no filler from the Fab Four.
Rolling Stones, “Exile on Main St.” (1972) - Mick, Keith and company cast a dark, captivating spell on this double album highlighted by “Tumbling Dice.”
David Bowie, “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” (1972) - A riveting conceptual trip to “Suffragette City” and beyond viewed through a glam rock lens.
Elton John, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973) - A true testament to the John/Taupin partnership with classics like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle in the Wind” and the title track.
Fleetwood Mac, “Rumours” (1977) - Thanks to Buckingham and Nicks, complicated interpersonal dynamics rarely sounded so invigorating.
Bruce Springsteen, “Darkness on the Edge of Town” (1978) - Filled with characters at a crossroads, the songs were influenced by film noir.
ECLECTIC/PUNK:
The Clash, “London Calling” (1979) - The double album encompasses a wide variety of styles and landed the Brits on the U.S. pop chart with “Train in Vain.”
Los Lobos, "How Will the Wolf Survive?" (1984) - Before a hit cover of "La Bamba" made the East L.A. band a household name, this street smart album infused R&B, blues, rock 'n' roll and traditional Mexican styles like no other.
Ramones, “Ramones” (1976) - Fast and fun, the New Yorkers blitz through 14 songs in less than half an hour.
FOLK/AMERICANA:
Rodney Crowell, “The Houston Kid” (2001) - The influential country tunesmith cuts to the bone with a confessional, autobiographical effort and a Johnny Cash assist.
Emmylou Harris, “Wrecking Ball” (1995) - Teaming up with Daniel Lanois on this celebrated, ethereal wonder was a wise move for the country vet
Lucinda Williams, “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” (1998) - Poetic and picturesque, the grainy-drawled singer’s fifth album went gold and won a Grammy.
Neil Young, “After the Gold Rush” (1970) - Containing signature songs like “Southern Man” and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” an impressive folk-leaning collection.
REGGAE/SKA:
Bob Marley & the Wailers, "Exodus" (1977) - Espousing peace, love and equality within his lyrics, the Jamaican superstar made an indelible mark with the oft-covered "Jamming," "The Little Birds," "One Love" and "Waiting in Vain."
The Specials, "The Specials" (1979) - The 2 Tone movement leaders' Elvis Costello-produced debut perfectly captured the bleakness of late '70s British life with a several socially conscious tunes.
My list originally appeared in the spring issue of Balance, a SCNG custom publication.
No comments:
Post a Comment