Time magazine recently published online their
All-Time Top 100 Albums.
If you peruse the list, and you have high blood pressure, beware — there are some extreme snubs. The list is plit into decades, beginning with the 50s and ending today.
First, things Time got right.
2000s: Nothing. I've heard a lot of good albums in the last six years, but few would be worthy of consideration as a seminal recording. If the list is purely subjective (as it must be) read on for my inclusions. As for Time's insistence on including retrospectives in the decade they were released, I heartily disagree. These recordings should only be included with their originals.
The inclusion of the self-aggrandizing Kanye West and Eminem are ridiculous inclusions in light of the gross exclusions made to include them. "Kid A" is about the farthest thing from an exceptional album (just because it is different and melodically incoherent doesn't mean it's good).
1990s: Most agree that Radiohead's "OK Computer" is an instant classic. Oasis' first effort is justly rewarded, and I remember hearing all about "The Chronic" when I was in grade school. I agree with the inclusion of "Nevermind," although I think there is a little wave of backlash rising against it.
1980s: Reading this list you would think every other album was rap, although a couple of these were seminal (even if they did set cop-rapper relations back 40 years). While I believe rumor's of Prince's prodigious talents to be greatly exaggerated, "Purple Rain" is an 80s classic. Paul Simon's last great effort ("Graceland") is a worthy inclusion, as is U2's "The Joshua Tree." Michael Jackson's one nod is the incomparable "Thriller."
1970s: The 70s feature an overwhelming praise of the roots of punk, but there is nary a mention of disco (probably a good thing). The Ramones are well-known, but far, far from great. Better inclusions were Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours," Elton John's "Goodby Yellow Brick Road," Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life," The Eagles' "Hotel California," Joni Mitchell's "Blue," Al Green's "Call Me," Led Zeppelin's "IV," The Who's "Who's Next," Carole King's "Tapestry," Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The best album, in my opinion, they included in the 70s was Van Morrison's "Moondance."
1960s: Maybe the greatest decade for music. Ever. Included are all the best Beatles albums, the Beach Boys' "Pet Sounds," Van Morrison's incredible "Astral Weeks," Johnny Cash's "At Folsom Prison" and Bob Dylan's "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on Blonde." Needless to say there are some major oversights here.
1950s: Time did pretty well here. They included maybe the best album of all time: Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue." Both of their Sinatra inclusions are exceptional.
What Time got wrong. I'm just going to list and add commentary on a few.
2000s: My list would have included the following:
"By the Way" — Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Trouble" — Ray Lamontagne (this album will take you back to late 60s early 70s Van Morrison)
"Lost Songs" & "Life In Slow Motion" — David Gray (if they are going to give a nod to DJ Shadow (who?), I have no problem giving these albums a boost)
"Hard Candy" — Counting Crows
1990s:
"August and Everything After" and Recovering the Satellites" — Counting Crows
"Crash," "Before these Crowded Streets" and "Live at Luther College" — Dave Matthews Band and Dave Matthews and Time Rreynolds
"6Teen Stone" — Bush
"II" — Boyz II Men (hey, they were huge)
"Parachutes" — Coldplay
"Whatever and Ever Amen" — Ben Folds Five
"Dookie" - Greed Day
"The Bends" - Radiohead
"Cracked Rear View" - Hootie & The Blowfish
"Ten" - Pearl Jam
"Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" - Smashing Pumpkins (This is a huge oversight)
1980s:
One Michael Jackson album? One?!
"Bad" - Michael Jackson
1970s:
THE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN THE HISTORY OF MAKING ALL-TIME LISTS: NO PINK FLOYD!!!!!
"Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here" and "The Wall" - Pink Floyd
"Aja" - Steely Dan
"For Everyman" - Jackson Browne
"Madman Across the Water" and "Tumbleweed Junction" - Elton John
1960s:
Time did a good job on the 60s and 70s (let's me know the age of the reviewers).
"The Zombies" - The Zombies
"The Doors" - The Doors
I'll probably have to come out with my own top 100 now. Look for it if you care.
