As an old fart, most of my top ten list is going to be dominated by classic rock (I will leave classical out of this since the thread is about albums) but I do have something from most decades in here and a lot of styles. For something to be a top ten for me, it has to be something I will play on a loop and never hit skip track while listening to. Limiting myself to one spot per band. So, my list is basically:
1- Night at the Opera (Queen) - The masterpiece of what is probably my favorite band of all time.
2- Ok Computer (Radiohead) - I could probably justify putting multiple records by Radiohead on this list, but this is clearly the standout that I can listen to repeatedly and never get tired of, as well as finding new little quirks of music they stuck in the mix.
3- Abbey Road (Beatles) - I have listened to this record my entire life and still enjoy it. So many people covered tracks from this over the years as well.
4- Vampire of Time and Memory (Queens of the Stone Age) - Never thought anything would top Songs for the Deaf, but then along comes this album and then honorable mention Villains practically one right after the other.
5- Back in Black (AC/DC) - Hard rock was basically dead and AC/DC had a total unknown replacing a legendary front man. This record changed the entire music scene and caught everyone by surprise when it came out. I consider it the definitive hard rock album of the entire genre.
6- Running on Empty (Jackson Brown) - The half in concert style of this album set it apart from anything before or since. This record is still insanely popular (and good).
7- Songs in the Key of Life (Stevie Wonder) - I am not a funk or RnB guy, but holy shit is this record still amazing. So many hip hop people ripped this album off for sample tracks. The whole thing is a cover to cover masterpiece that would be my number one if I were into those genres.
8- Sports (Huey Lewis and the News) - Every song off of that fucking record is a top ten hit basically. Its easily one of the most well remembered and successful albums of that entire era of music.
9- Breakfast in America (Supertramp) - This is the one album wonder on my list, but god damn if its not an amazing record. Goodbye Stranger tops a list of all time classics.
10- The Long Run (Eagles)- Tough call between this, Hotel California, and On the Border as for which is their best. I have to give the nod to The Long Run because it has the most variety (Hotel California was basically a Don Henley album in all but name) and really showcases all the talents of what really was one of the last supergroups ever to exist.
Honorable Mentions:
Uprising (Muse) - I really like Muse, but like most of their records this one had some skippable shit that was just poppy singles aimed at women.
Downward Spiral (NIN) - Amazing record, but I really need to be in the right mood to listen to it.
Days of Future Passed (Moody Blues) - Another amazing record, but you really need to be in the right mindset to sit down with this one.
Let the Bad Times Roll (Offspring) - I hated these guys when they first emerged, but they have won me over with each record and this one tops them all. Every song on it is great.
Blue Album (Masters of Reality) - You either love this album or you don't know it exists. Wall to wall blues standards with a hard rock band backing them sounds amazing.
Aenima (Tool) - Probably the best all around record by one of the most unique hard rock bands to ever exist.
Grind (Alice in Chains) - Probably the best grunge album of all time for people who don't worship Pearl Jam and Sound Garden.
Flood (They Might Be Giants) - Almost made my top ten, but its another record I have to be in the right mood for.
Four (Blues Traveller) - A few forgettable tracks, but the bulk of this record are all time classics that have aged a lot better than most 90s music.
Full Moon Fever (Tom Petty) - Only reason this one did not make my top ten is that they overplayed the living fuck out of it back when it came out.
