If you look up a greatest album list, chances are most of these are going to be on there.
I decided to pick albums that were somewhat concept albums or held together with some type of theme that continues throughout the entire album. Also, since all of these albums choose their songs very carefully, I will be posting the first song in the album as to not interrupt continuity, which shouldn’t be a problem because each of the opening tracks are incredible. So sit back, and let these wonderful albums from the past tell you a story that the artists felt were essential for the audience to learn.
Abbey Road by The Beatles (1969)
After a few rocky recording sessions, the young McCartney suggested to their Manager the boys get back together to record an album the way they used to. What resulted was a grand finale for the Beatles, with songs that implemented a new, distinct sound that carries well into today’s pop, hip-hop, and rock music today. Their album ranges in song types, from Doo-Wop style “Oh! Darling,” to the whimsical “Octopus’ Garden,” and the final 16-minute, 8 track medley that closes their album literally to “The End.” Probably their most calculated of albums, The Beatles took their time crafting an album that makes their departure that much more bittersweet.
Who’s Next by The Who (1971)
Coming off of the extremely successful Rock Opera Tommy, The Who decided to do another rock opera after feeling more disconnected from fans. Their next concept failed, causing their members to go through slight mental breakdowns, but subsequently helping them decide to tighten their visions, and start recording for themselves. They decided to pick a new sound, so new that it sounds new even today. From the very beginning to the very end, they sell their audience with their opening and closing track with equally successful anthems. “Baba O’Riley” establishes The Who’s goal, sets a theme and consequentially hypes you up for both the band’s performance and the album itself. The closing track, “Won’t Get Fooled Again” acts as an anthem, with Pete Townshend teaching a lesson he just learned, and singing words he really meant. At just over 40 minutes of what could very well be a best-of album, The Who delivers something bigger than themselves, blowing everyone away for the past 50 years.
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars by David Bowie (1972)
Another album that decided to change the way music was delivered. The showman Ziggy Stardust, the androgynous protagonist, joins his band, The Spiders from Mars, in a 40-minute spectacle that tells a story that even today would be breaking the bounds both sonically and politically. Bowie tosses his audience around between genres, somehow all connected by pop, and adding his “glam” twist into all of them. Some tracks are jazzy (“Soul Love”), featuring Bowie himself on the alto sax. “Moonage Daydream,” perhaps the best track on the album has a psychedelic rock guitar solo that takes you off into the stars before making you question your own existence on the next track “Starman.” Finally, he ends with “Rock ’n’ Roll Suicide,” a track that even today pop stars are sampling in their own music, proving that his music and messages are still relevant today.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy by Elton John (1975)
Elton John hits back harder than Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in this autobiographical tale of the early relationship between John and his writer, Bernie Taupin. Elton and Bernie worked the absolute hardest on this album, evidently paying off by selling 1.4 million in the first four days. A story about failure resulted in a huge success, pushing limits in every sense making it the antithesis of failure and a success in the history books. The tracks are as energetic as ever and the months of hard work was a much stronger strategy over shipping albums out every few weeks. Some tracks are introspective, some are for dancing, but they all accompany you in the classy journey led by Captain Fantastic and his best friend The Brown Dirt Cowboy.
Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (1973)
If any of these needed no introduction, it would have to be Pink Floyd’s middle-finger to the music industry. They had no business creating an album so perfect, yet the still did, almost unintentionally (though everything they composed was more calculated than they give themselves credit for). By the end of the album, it feels as if you’re accompanying the Apollo 11 team to the “Dark Side of the Moon,” scored by the genius quartet, Pink Floyd. Arguably one of the most popular albums of all time, this beast spent 32 years on the charts before it was finally bumped off. The album is up for interpretation, literally every part: the lyrics, the message, and even the album cover. If any album deserves to be influential, it’s the album that means nothing and everything at the same time. All I can say for this one is enjoy, and be wary of the thoughts contemplating your position in life.