One album from each decade that everyone must have
Discussion
I'm expanding my CD collection and looking for inspiration. I thought of doing a "What are your top five albums that everyone should have" thread but that kind of thing has probably been done to death so I thought I'd vary it a bit to keep it interesting.
Choose ONE iconic album from each decade that everyone MUST have in their collection without which it could not be considered complete. This isn't about your favourite albums necessarily, but ones that you think everyone ought to listen to. Doesn't matter about genre. The decade is when the album was first released, so for example "The Wall" is a '70s album not an '80s one.
To make it a bit easier I'll lump some of the decades together, so one album from the 1960s or 1970s, one from the 1980s, one from the 1990s, one from the 2000s and one from 2010 up to the present day.
Mine:
1970s: "Rumours" - Fleetwood Mac obviously!
1980s: "The Dreaming" - Kate Bush. I think this is peak Kate Bush and not "Hounds Of Love" but YMMV
1990s: "Dummy" - Portishead. Lots of others I could have gone for and am sure will appear very soon
2000s: "Back To Black" - Amy Winehouse
2010s: "21" - Adele. Struggled to think of many to put here TBH so would be interested to see others' choices.
Okay, now yours - go!
Oh and if anyone wants to mention streaming, just get out. Go on, leave now. This isn't the thread for you.
Choose ONE iconic album from each decade that everyone MUST have in their collection without which it could not be considered complete. This isn't about your favourite albums necessarily, but ones that you think everyone ought to listen to. Doesn't matter about genre. The decade is when the album was first released, so for example "The Wall" is a '70s album not an '80s one.
To make it a bit easier I'll lump some of the decades together, so one album from the 1960s or 1970s, one from the 1980s, one from the 1990s, one from the 2000s and one from 2010 up to the present day.
Mine:
1970s: "Rumours" - Fleetwood Mac obviously!
1980s: "The Dreaming" - Kate Bush. I think this is peak Kate Bush and not "Hounds Of Love" but YMMV
1990s: "Dummy" - Portishead. Lots of others I could have gone for and am sure will appear very soon
2000s: "Back To Black" - Amy Winehouse
2010s: "21" - Adele. Struggled to think of many to put here TBH so would be interested to see others' choices.
Okay, now yours - go!
Oh and if anyone wants to mention streaming, just get out. Go on, leave now. This isn't the thread for you.
Difficult to pick a singular album from each decade as there's so many..... though interesting how the choice diminishes as you move forward.
70s: Never Mind the b
ks, Sex Pistols (shifted everything and disrupted the paradigm)
80s: Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits (the album everyone got with their new CD player and thus demonstrates how technology opened up new audiences to new music)
90s: Definitely Maybe, Oasis (others went before this but this was the album that solidified the genre and gave birth to BritPop).
From there on, I have nothing. Don't get me wrong, there have been some cracking albums but none that I'd assign any merit to other than I just like them.
70s: Never Mind the b
ks, Sex Pistols (shifted everything and disrupted the paradigm)80s: Brothers in Arms, Dire Straits (the album everyone got with their new CD player and thus demonstrates how technology opened up new audiences to new music)
90s: Definitely Maybe, Oasis (others went before this but this was the album that solidified the genre and gave birth to BritPop).
From there on, I have nothing. Don't get me wrong, there have been some cracking albums but none that I'd assign any merit to other than I just like them.
1950s: Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
1960s: Forever Changes - Love
1970s: What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
1980s: Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth
1990s: OK Computer - Radiohead
2000s: Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective
Not sure after that.
But honestly so many choices here, could make about ten of these lists
This is pretty bloke heavy and got me wondering what a less male list would look like
1960s: Forever Changes - Love
1970s: What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
1980s: Daydream Nation - Sonic Youth
1990s: OK Computer - Radiohead
2000s: Merriweather Post Pavilion - Animal Collective
Not sure after that.
But honestly so many choices here, could make about ten of these lists
This is pretty bloke heavy and got me wondering what a less male list would look like
1960s: Revolver - The Beatles
1970s: Who’s Next - The Who
1980s: Graceland - Paul Simon
1990s: Automatic For The People - REM
2000s: WPSIATWIN - Arctic Monkeys
It’s difficult to pick objectively without letting your personal tastes colour the decisions, but I think these all stand up as essential discs in any large-ish CD collection.
1970s: Who’s Next - The Who
1980s: Graceland - Paul Simon
1990s: Automatic For The People - REM
2000s: WPSIATWIN - Arctic Monkeys
It’s difficult to pick objectively without letting your personal tastes colour the decisions, but I think these all stand up as essential discs in any large-ish CD collection.
I s'pose this reflects my taste, but:-
1960's : Led Zeppelin II
1970's : Van Halen - Van Halen
1980's : Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits
1990's : Underworld : Dubnobasswithmyheadman
2000's : Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
That's me done!
Went through a classical phase between 2003 and 2024, then - unexpectedly - went back to 1990's trance / downbeat stuff.
1960's : Led Zeppelin II
1970's : Van Halen - Van Halen
1980's : Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits
1990's : Underworld : Dubnobasswithmyheadman
2000's : Back To Black - Amy Winehouse
That's me done!
Went through a classical phase between 2003 and 2024, then - unexpectedly - went back to 1990's trance / downbeat stuff.
Edited by cherryowen on Monday 3rd November 22:21
Just to clarify, you don't have to be totally objective - of course they need to be albums you like but also ones you think have such appeal that anyone who really likes music should have. E.g. "Rumours" isn't my favourite LP from the '70s, I could have listed several others but they are far more niche.
Some good ones so far - yes everyone should have Brothers In Arms. I should have it. I did have it on vinyl and of course got rid of all my vinyl years ago and now regretting it.
Some good ones so far - yes everyone should have Brothers In Arms. I should have it. I did have it on vinyl and of course got rid of all my vinyl years ago and now regretting it.
king arthur said:
Just to clarify, you don't have to be totally objective - of course they need to be albums you like but also ones you think have such appeal that anyone who really likes music should have. E.g. "Rumours" isn't my favourite LP from the '70s, I could have listed several others but they are far more niche.
Some good ones so far - yes everyone should have Brothers In Arms. I should have it. I did have it on vinyl and of course got rid of all my vinyl years ago and now regretting it.
Fair play for clarifying, chap!Some good ones so far - yes everyone should have Brothers In Arms. I should have it. I did have it on vinyl and of course got rid of all my vinyl years ago and now regretting it.
Based on that, I'd suggest these as zeitgeist albums that should be in any record collection:-
1960's : Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
1970's : Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
1980's : Brothers In Arms - Dire Straits
1990 : Nevermind - Nirvana
2000's : Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Ooof. Tricky, as another poster said, to not let your favourites colour this. I've allowed a favourite to slip in there, and hopefully it's one that's under the radar that people will check out, as the band are hugely underrated. Justin Currie (a clue to which album!) is an incredible lyricist.
70's - The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust... by David Bowie
80's - Making Movies by Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms is ace but I wanted to be different!)
90's - Twisted by Del Amitri
00's - The Marshal Mathers LP by Eminem
10's - Mutineers by David Gray
20's - Oochya by the Stereophonics
70's - The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust... by David Bowie
80's - Making Movies by Dire Straits (Brothers In Arms is ace but I wanted to be different!)
90's - Twisted by Del Amitri
00's - The Marshal Mathers LP by Eminem
10's - Mutineers by David Gray
20's - Oochya by the Stereophonics
Agree, and also there is just so much from my area of interest (50s-00 s) that it is a difficult task to settle on one.
So today I will go with some albums that deserve their place in any collection with a brief reason for each.
60s - big brother and the holding company - cheap thrills
captures so many elements of the counterculture in its lineup, concept and execution. The peak of blues/acid rock. piece of my heart, Janis Joplin style. One of the best songs of all time.
70s - Bob dylan - blood on the tracks
A lot of people don t get Dylan. They d do well to listen to this. His 15th album, not much protest and zero politics. Storytelling, musical and mature.
80s - the stone roses - the stone roses
One and done. Ok let s forget about the second coming. Bridged the gap nicely between the factory sound of the 80s and was seminal to the wave of indie that came after it.
90s - pulp - different class
The NME wrote that it is funny, phenomenally nasty, genuinely subversive, and, of course, hugely, flamingly POP!
And that s it for me. A lot of the Britpop era was oasis vs blur. But pulp put the pop in britpop and this album puts every other band s contribution to it in the shade.
00s - arcade fire - funeral
Another seminal album. Refreshing, uplifting, choral and dramatic. It seemed so different yet at the same time familiar. AF are one of the best bands I ve seen live and if you crank this album up you might see why.
10s - daft punk - random access memories
When you watch a film like the coen brothers hail Caesar you can tell it s like their homage to their art and craft and to Hollywood itself, a thankyou almost.
This album gives that vibe. A love letter to LA disco, funk, electro and everyone who made it. And not just in the music, the production is top notch.
20s - sam fender - people watching
Tbh new music does little for me, and it s not for the want of trying, so I guess I m defined by genre here and there s little going around that is inventive or new. Sam fender defies that, breathes life back into it with a fresh retelling of youth and young adulthood. My second choice would also be sam fender (seventeen going under) but this has the edge in terms of songwriting. He s a canny lad for sure.
So today I will go with some albums that deserve their place in any collection with a brief reason for each.
60s - big brother and the holding company - cheap thrills
captures so many elements of the counterculture in its lineup, concept and execution. The peak of blues/acid rock. piece of my heart, Janis Joplin style. One of the best songs of all time.
70s - Bob dylan - blood on the tracks
A lot of people don t get Dylan. They d do well to listen to this. His 15th album, not much protest and zero politics. Storytelling, musical and mature.
80s - the stone roses - the stone roses
One and done. Ok let s forget about the second coming. Bridged the gap nicely between the factory sound of the 80s and was seminal to the wave of indie that came after it.
90s - pulp - different class
The NME wrote that it is funny, phenomenally nasty, genuinely subversive, and, of course, hugely, flamingly POP!
And that s it for me. A lot of the Britpop era was oasis vs blur. But pulp put the pop in britpop and this album puts every other band s contribution to it in the shade.
00s - arcade fire - funeral
Another seminal album. Refreshing, uplifting, choral and dramatic. It seemed so different yet at the same time familiar. AF are one of the best bands I ve seen live and if you crank this album up you might see why.
10s - daft punk - random access memories
When you watch a film like the coen brothers hail Caesar you can tell it s like their homage to their art and craft and to Hollywood itself, a thankyou almost.
This album gives that vibe. A love letter to LA disco, funk, electro and everyone who made it. And not just in the music, the production is top notch.
20s - sam fender - people watching
Tbh new music does little for me, and it s not for the want of trying, so I guess I m defined by genre here and there s little going around that is inventive or new. Sam fender defies that, breathes life back into it with a fresh retelling of youth and young adulthood. My second choice would also be sam fender (seventeen going under) but this has the edge in terms of songwriting. He s a canny lad for sure.
Edited by shirt on Monday 3rd November 22:39
itcaptainslow said:
I nearly nominated Sam Fender as a contemporary but thought I'd be different. Certainly a great writer & performer, I'd love to see him live.
my other option would have been hamish hawk's heavy elevator but it doesn't stand up to either of those sam fender albums. i didn't realise the stereophonics were still going so will seek that album out. i had tickets to see him at montreux jazz this year but he cancelled due to illness. just as well as i got stuck on my work rotation and also missed pulp at the same venue. my OH streamed the whole thing on whatsapp for me, the sound quality was appalling but it was cute of her, and amusing to see her bopping away.
king arthur said:
Oh and if anyone wants to mention streaming, just get out. Go on, leave now. This isn't the thread for you.
i don't understand this btw. streaming is the best way for us middle aged folks with set musical habits to discover new music. there is no fking way i'm buying an adele album but if you insist it deserves a listen then i might stream it. anything i like gets browsed for the next time i'm in a record shop. shirt said:
i don't understand this btw. streaming is the best way for us middle aged folks with set musical habits to discover new music. there is no fking way i'm buying an adele album but if you insist it deserves a listen then i might stream it. anything i like gets browsed for the next time i'm in a record shop.
Yes I'll be doing the same with some of the suggestions posted here. It was just that someone is bound to come along and say "buying CDs is so old school, get with the times, blah blah" when I feel there's something about actually owning the physical media that gives a different experience to just streaming the music without making the effort to go and buy it.king way i'm buying an adele album but if you insist it deserves a listen then i might stream it. anything i like gets browsed for the next time i'm in a record shop. 1960's I will start by immediately cheating. Firstly by nominating two double albums and secondly, the albums weren't released in the 60's but the music was:
Beatles Red / Blue
1970's
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. Simply iconic. In a (very) close second was Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
1980's
Michael Jackson - Thriller
1990's
Verve - Urban Hymns
2000's
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
2010's
Adele - 21
Beatles Red / Blue
1970's
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. Simply iconic. In a (very) close second was Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
1980's
Michael Jackson - Thriller
1990's
Verve - Urban Hymns
2000's
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
2010's
Adele - 21
Voldemort said:
1960's I will start by immediately cheating. Firstly by nominating two double albums and secondly, the albums weren't released in the 60's but the music was:
Beatles Red / Blue
1970's
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. Simply iconic. In a (very) close second was Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
1980's
Michael Jackson - Thriller
1990's
Verve - Urban Hymns
2000's
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
2010's
Adele - 21
Isn't that a bit like saying "The best of The Beatles?!"Beatles Red / Blue
1970's
Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon. Simply iconic. In a (very) close second was Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
1980's
Michael Jackson - Thriller
1990's
Verve - Urban Hymns
2000's
Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
2010's
Adele - 21
Voldemort said:
MCBrowncoat said:
Isn't that a bit like saying "The best of The Beatles?!"
Yes. Yes it is. If you object to that I'll have 'Revolver'A very difficult question. I would struggle to narrow my choice down to ten for the 1970s but couldn't even name one from the last twenty years.
Off the top of my head and trying not to duplicate groups or others suggestions from this thread.
1960s - The Who - Tommy
1970s - James Gang - Rides Again
1980s - Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
1990s - The Chieftains - The Long Black Veil
Off the top of my head and trying not to duplicate groups or others suggestions from this thread.
1960s - The Who - Tommy
1970s - James Gang - Rides Again
1980s - Stevie Nicks - Bella Donna
1990s - The Chieftains - The Long Black Veil
Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff