Listmania!
20 albums you must hear at leat once!
Rubber SoulRubber Soul by The Beatles
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £7.58
The transition between the two Beatles styles. So consistant, check out underrated gems such as "You Won't See Me" & "If I Needed Someone"
Sunflower/Surf's UpSunflower/Surf's Up by The Beach Boys
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.50
The Beatles were the best, but the Beach Boys weren't far behind. Two amazing albums that are so uplifting, yet at times dark, haunting and beautiful
Bryter LayterBryter Layter by Nick Drake
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £2.89
I stumbbled on Nick Drake like most, I imagine, by accident. How this is not better known I cannot understand. Great melodies agaunst an acoustic backdrop. Genius
The VisitorsThe Visitors by Abba
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £2.68
The emotional tension within the band as it tore apart created this amazing album full of melancholy. The four bonus tracks add extra finesse to this tour-de-force
Strange DaysStrange Days by The Doors
Buy new: £6.38 / Used from: £3.99
The hard second album made so easy. continues the energy and pace of the first album, but just does it...better
The Lexicon Of LoveThe Lexicon Of Love by ABC
Buy new: £4.48 / Used from: £2.35
One day I had "The Look of Love" stuck in my head so bought the album on impulse. I was amazed at the great songs that flow one after the other. The greatest 'New Romantic' album by a mile
A Trick Of The TailA Trick Of The Tail by Genesis
Buy new: £9.98 / Used from: £15.98
An album made between the prog-rock Gabriel era and the 80s synth fame, this has the song writing craft of the latter, with the beautiful instrumentation of the former. Their best.
All Things Must PassAll Things Must Pass by George Harrison
Buy new: £12.98 / Used from: £9.00
Sorry John & Paul, you were the best writers in the Beatles but George had the best solo album. Phil Spectre's production adds atmosphere to the songs rmuch more succesfully than his work on Let It Be
Dusty In Memphis (Expanded Version)Dusty In Memphis (Expanded Version) by Dusty Springfield
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £2.37
Bought on a whim and boy, I got lucky. Dusty's vocals are raw and often understated, and take you on a journey of joy, pain, vunerability andf heartbreak you won't forget
Scott 4Scott 4 by Scott Walker
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £2.50
A great companion to Dusty in Memphis, recorded the same year but this pushes boundaries of creativeness and Scott's voice is so strong and pure he makes every song memorable
People Like UsPeople Like Us by The Mamas & the Papas
Buy used from: £3.98
The harmonies this band acheived, set against just like the turmoil and break-ups in the band (just like Abba's "The Visitors") create wonderful moments. Check out "Step-Out" & "No Dough"
The Stone Roses - The Special EditionThe Stone Roses - The Special Edition by The Stone Roses
Buy new: £7.98 / Used from: £7.59
The 12 string guitars of John Squire will hook you from the opening chords of "I Wanna Be Adored" and they don't stop. Such a pity this was their only real album
The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold MessnerThe Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner by Ben Folds Five
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £1.83
Their last and best album. Ben Folds piano underpins every tune from the thumping ones to delicate. A great lyrical mix of humour and regret
WarWar by U2
Buy new: £16.48 / Used from: £7.30
The energy and anger of the first two albums begins to mature here towards the Unforgettable Fire/Joshua Tree era. A great mix of the two epitomised by "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
At War with the MysticsAt War with the Mystics by The Flaming Lips
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.50
The celebrated return of prog rock, with a smoother, lighter touch. Light the candles, sit back and relax
Crosby Stills & NashCrosby Stills & Nash by Crosby Stills and Nash
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £3.49
Blended harmonies, stripped-back acoustic melodies perfect summer evening music. If you like this try The Thorns album from 2003
The Notorious Byrd BrothersThe Notorious Byrd Brothers by The Byrds
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £1.98
Why is it albums made against a back-drop of group self-destruction, are often their best? One of the very best. This has it all - haunting harmonies, eclectic melodies & 12-string guitars
Expecting To FlyExpecting To Fly by The Bluetones
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £0.01
This was always my best britpop album. "Slight Return" was the best single of the 90s. Crafted tunes that showed maturity & experience that make it hard to believe its a debut album
ThrillerThriller by Michael Jackson
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.93
I'm not normally a fan of the obvious, preferring the thrill of finding obsuce albums. But this albums popularity is deserved - it's undeniably the perfect pop album and combines so many styles
Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme: RemasteredParsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme: Remastered by Simon & Garfunkel
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £2.80
I bought this after watching "The Graduate" and it is a snap shot of the late 60s. Love, optimism, excitement, but the brilliant last track reminds us of the social problems that lay underneath