These Are the 50 Best Albums of All Time
These Are the 50 Best Albums of All Time
These 50 albums broke the boundaries of music and created a new form of expression through their art. These albums from ambitious artists stand the test of time as they continue to touch the soul and ears of listeners, making them cry, reflect, or dance. Embrace the multitude of emotions that music evokes by scrolling through the top 50 albums of all time, as determined by a music-obsessed industry insider. (Psst! We saved the best album for last!).
50. Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis (1969)
Dusty in Memphis is a soft rock and soul album that projects a positive and heart-warming message to spread love while also recovering from heartbreak. Dusty Memphis's vulnerability allows her to spill her feelings and heart onto each track, which leads the audience into a melancholy yet optimistic journey into her intricate thought process. Her soft vocals lend to the depth of the emotions she brushes on throughout the album and helps the listeners to either empathize or sympathize with her on a personal level. Dusty Springfield showcases the power of love and its control on your dreams and memories.
49. Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison (1968)
At Folsom Prison is another form of art that might not be relatable but can definitely be appreciated for its mark on country. The live album was sung to an audience of prisoners, and Johnny Cash created tunes that were tailored to their experience. Beyond the album's history and contextual composition, it was elevated by its groove and the artist's historic baritone voice. Johnny Cash took country's ability to reflect the storytelling nature of blues and created a raw album that not only told a story, but also showcased his character.
48. Robert Johnson – The Complete Recordings (1990)
The Complete Recordings was released in 1990, but the songs were recorded in the late '30s. The album is a lengthy record that showcases the transparency of the blues through Robert Johnson's emotive vocals and guitar playing. There are no bells and whistles, just low-down, gritty music that exposes the roots of the beginning of the art. Robert Johnson is not a household name, but the album shows that he was one of the main influences of music.
47. Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco – Celia & Johnny (1974)
Celia & Johnny defines what Latin music should sound like and how it should make an audience feel. Celia Cruz's powerful and electric vocal range is amplified by the natural sounds of the percussion and horn, causing the instant grooving that only salsa can trigger. Celia & Johnny's authentic sound can only be compared to the euphoric feeling you get from a live outdoor concert and shows essence of their skills.
46. Ray Charles – Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)
Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is one of the best albums from Ray Charles because of his ambition to blend the sounds of country and R&B. The production of the album was so polished that it created a fluid sound of its own. The balance of sounds, which were also elevated by the background sound of a choir and band, led it to be an iconic model in both country and R&B. Beyond this album's composition, it also showed the power of artistic freedom and what could arise from it.
45. Chic – C'est Chic (1978)
Chic's C'est Chic was the disco ball over the disco era. The album was full of energetic tracks that could only depict the frills and vibrancy of the 70s. C'est Chic not only elevated the sound of disco at the end of the era, but it also authenticated the sound of the genre by bringing funk and soul back into its roots. Chic's production and beats still bursts electricity through your speakers, and they still hold a strong place in modern music as their tracks have continued to be sampled even in the hip-hop community. Just a Moment by Nas, LA by The Game and Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang just to name a few.
44. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt (1996)
You can't stop the hustle, and nothing shows this more than Jay-Z's take on his hustler past, molding him into the business man he is today in Reasonable Doubt. Jay-Z pays homage to Brooklyn and his experience on the streets, but the main message of the album is that he learned from his struggle. The album certified Jay-Z — then only 26 — as not only a young spokesperson for the streets, but also an inspiration as his borderline cocky lyrics lit a fire in his listeners. There is no denying that Reasonable Doubt was the birth of Jay-Z's brand and legacy.
43. Outkast – Atliens (1996)
Outkast's Atliens was another addition to the progress and growth of hip-hop. Their flow was rhythmic in its speed and delivery, which elevated their reflective lyrics on alienation and existentialism. The group lends their Southern touch to speak on a multitude of issues. The most significant attribute of the album was their stance on the oppressive nature of America's past and present and also their ability to provide a platform of inspiration and knowledge on how their community could break the chains that were conforming them — a true testimony on survival. Just like their message, Outkast broke the chains on hip-hop and introduced the genre to a new way of thinking.
42. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)
It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back is one of the most revolutionary and radical hip-hop albums of all time thanks to its message of perseverance under oppression. The album was released during a time of destruction around America, and Public Enemy made it their job to produce a cohesive album calling out current issues while also dropping knowledge on the history that has influenced these issues. With powerful lyrics over beats full of bass, the album boldly expressed the group's stance on corruption, and it's still used as a form of protest music because of its progressive and informative composition. Public Enemy's second album was one of the first hip-hop albums to fully express the African American community's experience, which made it the voice of the people and the voice of a revolution.
41. Mary J. Blige – Share My World (1997)
When Mary J. Blige shared her world in her third studio album, she did not realize that she was sharing the story of women around the world. This powerful and open album showed a more confident and stronger singer persevering through the relatable struggles of love. This common theme of heartbreak was taken to new levels as the singer was able to dig deeply into the roots of R&B and use her emotional, driven voice to craft hip-hop beats that truly touch your soul and penetrate the ears of the genre's large fan base. To many households, Mary J. Blige was not only a voice that was played around the house, but she became the spokesperson for their life.
40. Wu-Tang – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
Wu-Tang's debut , Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), was an album made up of the sounds of soul, kung fu audio, and the group's East Coast-inspired rhythmic flow. After its release, they acquired a passionate fan base — not surprising after hearing their words amplifying the spirit of the streets, martial arts, and challenging nature of their character and abilities. Even with the high-quality production, the album still remained authentic and reflected the sounds of a rap battle on the corner of a New York City street. Despite the amount of members and topics the album covers, it remains a cohesive piece of art.
39. Radiohead – Kid A (2000)
Kid A is an album of exploration as Radiohead dives into electronica and jazz sounds to create an overall euphoric piece of work. The album is hypnotizing, as each track flows into the next to create a vivid composition of the trauma and beauty of life. The album is based on the bittersweet emotions of life, and this message cradles every beat to take you on a mental journey that can only be compared to a dream. What makes this album so thrilling is that its futuristic sound is only a womb for the premonitions throughout its composition.
38. Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory (1991)
Low End Theory was a bold statement from this group of East Coast rappers. Despite their different aesthetic, they were still in the running for the hip-hop crown through their love for the genre. Each rapper in Tribe Called Quest brought a significant amount of skill to each track, and they creatively placed their perfected flow onto jazz-inspired beats. They had the ability to reach out to different audiences through their wit and interesting way of telling a story, which was a special attribute of the group. What made Low End Theory even more powerful was their knowledge of hip-hop and how they paid homage to their influences throughout the album. To this day, you can't look through a hip-hop head's crate of records without seeing Low End Theory.
37. Patti Smith – Horses (1975)
Patti Smith broke the mold held on women in punk music, and with her boldness and ambition, she created an avant-garde piece of art. The artist's dramatic and obscure poetry was visionary, and her lyrics let you swim in the mind of the unconventional. Horses is the dimensional work of a dreamer and carefree human being that can only be elevated by authenticity. Her art is beyond comprehension, which gravitates you to it like a page-turning fiction novel. Patti Smith took the art of punk and elevated it to another level of non-limiting content and sounds that make it an album that can't be broken down into one message or theme.
36. Nas – Illmatic (1968)
Nas's Illmatic was one of the sparks that lit the resurgence of East Coast hip-hop after the West Coast's domination. Nas provided an intelligent view of the streets, and his poetic flow gave individuals that shared his experience a form of representation. You can imagine Queensbridge from his view as his words paint vivid pictures of his past but still preach a future of progression. Illmatic is a testimony to how the liberation and elevation of the mind can lead to prosperity. When you also take in that this album was written by a 17-year-old Nas, it won't be hard to tell why it remains legendary.
35. The Ramones – The Ramones (1976)
The Ramones's self-titled album is a raw and blood-pumping piece of punk history. The band's sound is perfect for the nature of the genre, and it inspires you to move, react, and revolt. It is very hard to reflect the same sound as a live show on a studio album but the Ramones were successfully able to create an acoustic sound with their energy and instrumentation. The Ramones' simplistic lyrics and techniques mixed with their notion to be loud and daring led this album to be iconic. As '70s arena rock bands were on the verge of controlling the genre, The Ramones took it back to its simplest form of 3 chords and a catchy hook and made beautiful rock 'n'roll.
34. NWA – Straight Outta Compton (1988)
Straight Outta Compton came out at just the right time. It was released as the city of LA was in unrest and turmoil because of police brutality. Like many albums before it, the record was not welcomed by the mainstream, but it was revolutionary to a community that was suffering and needed a voice to depict the oppression of their people, the suffering it led to, and, most importantly, the rise of their frustration.
NWA took this angst and created a bold album that radically vocalized their detest for the issues that were killing their community. Straight Outta Compton prevails as one of the most raw and crucial albums to date as its message spoke for the underprivileged and invisible people of America.
33. AC/DC – Back In Black (1980)
Back in Black's electric sound will make you want to push the acceptable volume of listening to music and the album's vividly metal arrangements promise to immediately draw you in. While very unconventional to non-metal fans, once you listen to the album, you can't help but embrace its ambitious and free form of expression boosted with heavily layered sounds of the guitar and drum. The album is a lively composition on fire, and the flame only rises as you listen. AC/DC proved that rock 'n' roll is not noise, but music, and they showed that its sound is infinite. It was pure rock 'n' roll at its finest.
32. Elton John – Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is another testimony to the value of emotional-driven art. The singer's tender voice and soft piano arrangement creates a thrilling listening experience as the album is elevated through each song. It creates an album of heart-wrenching ballads, upbeat anthems, and electric rock songs. To break down this album by a specific theme or message would limit its value of subjective analysis. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a theatrical experience made to take you on a spontaneous journey down a vivid and infinite road of imagery.
31. Tina Turner – Private Dancer (1984)
Private Dancer is another great unconventional addition to an era whose music was built off of creating music that was inspired by many genres. The real rareness of this album stems from Tina Turner's eccentricity and lack of modesty. Tina Turner's raspy yet confident vocals bring electricity and personality to every track, drawing you right into every word and story on the album. The album is an emotionally driven collection of defiance and self-power, making it another soul-lifting album from the '80s. With every defiant album there comes a hint of vulnerability, and Tina Turner's ability to put her soul into this piece makes it an album of liberation and freedom.
30. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)
The release of Nevermind introduced the mainstream world of music to the alternative grunge of the underground and the voice of the misunderstood. Nirvana's songs didn't suppress their angst and disdain for the expectations and standards of America that had left a large part of this country in despair and delusion. Their social and political awareness became a new form of musical revolution and solidified their songs as anthems for a generation that needed liberation.
Nevermind defined an era that was shifting out of the conformity that individuals had been boxed into for years, and its message still resonates with the soul searchers and misfits of our youth.
29. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston (1985)
Whitney Houston's discography offers a multitude of love ballads, but no album provides listeners with as heart-wrenching and enchanting tunes as her self-titled album. The singer's silky yet powerful voice adds to the sensual sound of the album and awakens the romantic and lover in every listener with a mix of its upbeat and contemporary tunes. Like singers before and after her, her vulnerability allows listeners to grasp on to the singer's tender and pure emotions on her journey of love and self-discovery.
Whitney Houston certified the singer as one of best vocalist ever, and it shined a candle on the power of contemporary R&B that has yet to be blown out by any other artist.
28. The Smiths – Hatful of Hallow (1984)
Hatful of Hallow is an alternative rock album that carries synchronized upbeat tracks to emphasize the depth of the piece. Morrissey's ability to bring energy and color into every lyric he sings creates a melancholy, yet beautiful, composition. The album is a charming collaboration on different moods and experiences that draw you into every element. Unlike most albums that reflect the angst and frustration of growing up, this album expresses it in a way that results in soothing empathy. The album is an accurate and relatable illustration on life. It shows that your emotions go beyond your personal experience and that they're actually shared collectively by many.
27. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
The Velvet Underground & Nico was an experimental rock album that shed a light on the influence that art could have on music. The album's laid-back vibe gains energy from its ambiguous and avant-garde multitude of sounds. Besides the album's unconventional aesthetic, The Velvet Underground were also not afraid to knock down the door on topics that were viewed as taboo and often feared in the music world. The Velvet Underground & Nico's revolutionary composition was profound as it created its own genre called art rock, which influenced many artists such as the Sex Pistols and U2.
26. The Clash – London Calling (1979)
London Calling opened the door for future bands to use their own angst to create forward-thinking and invigorating music. The album is the definition of revolutionary rock with its blend of punk and reggae; a perfect mix to support The Clash's message on politics and culture. The band solidified its stance as outlaws and boldly left its mark on rock history by acknowledging that there are no boundaries to a specific genre or the art of music. They might be called a punk band, but they were so much more.
25. Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (1994)
Ready to Die is only one of the reasons why Notorious B.I.G. is considered one of the greatest lyricists of all time.
The artist created a masterpiece by mixing his experience with his talent, which was nurtured by his past passion of entertaining people on the streets with his raps. With the artist's storytelling technique, the album instantly became the voice of the streets, and it's still considered to be one of the most vivid hip-hop albums to ever be released. The striking flow of the rapper is exhilarated by his voice as it creates a beat of its own, elevating the power of every track on this album and reflecting the same nature of a page-turning novel. Ready to Die's theatrical and rhythmic spin on hip-hop is what has led it to still gain respect in every best hip-hop album discussion.
24. Otis Redding – Otis Blue (1965)
Otis Redding had a voice sent from heaven, and he chose to lend his talent to the power of soul and create a masterpiece in Otis Blue. The album was a sweet and raw piece of work that paid respect to the roots of music. The singer's emotion-driven voice had the power to change any song, and people could vividly feel its impact in their souls. The album was comprised of slow jams and up-tempo tunes that showcased the range of the Otis Redding's talent, and the instrumentation was a red carpet for his voice.
23. The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St. (1972)
The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St. is the umbrella of their discography. The album possesses all of the historic band's ability to shake the nutrients out of different types of music as their influences are prominent throughout their sound. The bold instrumentation — and of course the electric vocals of Mick Jagger — shattered the glass ceiling of rock 'n' roll. Exile on Main St. doesn't hold The Rolling Stones' most-known tracks, but it does hold their best ones.
22. Miles Davis – Kind of Blue (1959)
There's no imitating the passion and love behind quality jazz, and after listening to Kind of Blue you will realize that Miles Davis is the best of the best when it comes to the genre. The trumpeter utilized his talent to touch your spirit, and it resulted with him being the master of reflecting the sound of emotion. Throughout the album, Miles Davis' trumpet skill fluidly flows itself into the stimulating sounds of complimenting saxophones that lure listeners into its simplistic beauty. Kind of Blue changed the notion of jazz as only background music and led people to fully respect every element that went into its composition.
21. David Bowie –The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars (1972)
David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars presented a piece of ambiguity and took the art rock world into even more extraterrestrial territory. The album was a clear reflection of the artist's androgynous style and liberating lifestyle that widened the spectrum of identity. The album was revolutionary as it broke the boundaries of many norms and also became a form of representation. It was David Bowie's platform to create something that can't be limited to one message, and it will be remembered in history for its artistic freedom.
20. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1965)
There are not many albums that depict the sound of love more perfectly than A Love Supreme. The album showed that jazz could stop you in your tracks but keep you internally moving as the instrumentation plays. John Coltrane's skill of soaking every beautiful note out of his saxophone created a sound that continues to move his listeners. The main thing to reflect on after listening to this album is the chemistry between the musicians and the effect it has on the sound of the instruments. The result is what makes music an art.
19. Carole King – Tapestry (1971)
Tapestry is another great production from the 70s that left us with anthems and love ballads built off of pure artistic expression that resulted in soul-shaking music. The album contains songs that feed the listener's journey on preservation, metamorphosis, and self-love after trauma; the perfect soundtrack of the calmness after the storm. The lyrics of these tunes flow to the sounds of vibrant instrumentals that knock on the door of jazz, pop, and rock, leaving you diving and floating in the singer's stream of wisdom. Carole King's spirit and enlightenment through her intimacy in the album helped Tapestry be a true testament that music saves the artist and its listeners.
18. The Doors – The Doors (1967)
The Doors' self-titled album is a psychedelic welcome into the mystic mind of Jim Morrison, and the journey is a vivid and engulfing masterpiece. The band took psychedelic rock to new levels by incorporating blues and funk into their convoluted sound and vocalizing lyrics that cover the themes of lust, sex, and exploration.
As your mind drifts into another dimension, realize the power of the lyrics, the guitar licks, and the genres that inspired its organic sound. The Doors proved that listeners do not need to relate to art for it to be understood.
17. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
With The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the singer opens the door to a new form of R&B by integrating her raspy and soulful voice over different sounds to produce an overall uplifting piece of work. The album is a journal of Lauryn's experience and how it resulted in her dynamic journey to self-discovery. Each track helped the singer/rapper gain respect for her vocals as well as her intricate lyrics that dive deep into her soul, mind, and heart. The journey that is explored within the album is full of her spiritual growth and self-reflection, allowing listeners to relate to Lauryn Hill and prosper from their own experience. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a music plant that grows every time you listen to it.
16. The Beatles – The White Album (1968)
There's a reason you can't see a top album list without The Beatles. The White Album gave the band a foundation to fully express its creativity. This lengthy album was a form of exploration in the sound of music. While some would think this would lead to oversaturation, the band created a cohesive piece of work that revolutionized the aesthetic of an album. The White Album proved that when you fully embrace limitless creativity, there is no limit to what you can create.
15. Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited (1965)
It's hard to depict a world that was never introduced to the work of Bob Dylan, but fortunately we were blessed with Highway 61 Revisited. Bob Dylan was one of the best storytellers of our time, and his persistent creativity led Highway 61 Revisited to take you on a stimulating journey through his mind. Bob Dylan shows you through this piece of work that art is timeless and artistic growth should never be questioned.
14. Nina Simone – Pastel Blues (1965)
Pastel Blues is the outpouring of the passion, grit, and transparency of the blues. Nina Simone's rhythmic voice is hypnotizing, and it presents emotion so vividly that acoustic versions still exemplify the fullness and depth of every song. The gritty nature of the album grabs the roots of the blues and layers it to the sound of jazz and rock. Pastel Blues honors the history of blues while also elevating it in a flattering and respectful manner. The album is a spiritual testimony that will feed your soul from start to end.
13. Prince & The Revolution – Purple Rain (1984)
Purple Rain was a non-genre-conforming album that was the best representation of Prince's power and confidence to be bold, resulting in a creative outbreak of thrilling art. The album's incorporation of different sounds and its ambiguous content pleased the ears of a massive group of individuals mesmerized by its different layers of musicality. Like many albums from the '80s, Purple Rain provided the funky and groovy side of music that could stimulate any large crowd to dance and flow in its electricity. Purple Rain is a staple for music that can never be replicated in any form unless someone shares the same mystique, vibrancy, and authenticity of an artist named Prince.
12. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Are You Experienced (1967)
Jimi Hendrix's music has the ability to open the gates of rock 'n' roll heaven, and nothing elevates the listener more than Are You Experienced. The artist is a clear illustration of the inspiration that blues had on rock 'n' roll. He elevated this rawness with his mastering of the electric guitar — his technique actually gave the instrument a voice that could speak to listeners. Are You Experienced perfected the psychedelic sound, and it oozes with the same passion and love that Jimi Hendrix put into his guitar and voice. His guitar playing is still admired because he revolutionized playing the electric guitar and exceled at creating innovative tones.
11. Muddy Waters – Folk Singer (1964)
Folk Singer is a gritty and raw album that cradles and feeds the soul with its acoustic tones. The album solidifies Muddy Waters as a blues powerhouse with songs that can only arise from passion and embrace the core of the soul. His voice embodies the pain of his lyrics, and the instrumentation surrounds it with the molding sounds of his electric guitar. During a time where blues was heavily saturated in rock 'n' roll, Muddy Waters created an album from his love for blues and took the music back to its roots.
10. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
The Dark Side of the Moon is a revolutionary album built up of instruments and sound effects that will take you to another galaxy of music. Pink Floyd opens the door to a journey that leads you on an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. The album's psychedelic sound stimulates the mind into another dimension, where time is infinite and life has no boundaries.
9. Little Richard – Here's Little Richard (1957)
There is nothing that exemplifies the electricity of an artist's eccentricity and vibrant persona than Little Richard's Here's Little Richard. The album is a robust composition of when personality and talent are combined to make an energetic piece of work. Little Richard's distinct high pitched voice, jumbling of words and howling at the end of lines makes this album one of the greatest of all time. Beyond the energy that Little Richard brings to every track, it is combined with raw instrumentation and background vocals full of soul, giving you a body high so powerful it is felt even after the album. Here's Little Richard was one of the best albums born out of the rawness and electricity of love, sex, and rock 'n' roll.
8. Legend – Bob Marley & The Wailers (1984)
Legend is an album of positivity, progress, and prosperity. The reggae tone and island sounds enhance Bob Marley's message and provides a foundation for his enlightening lyrics that speak on the tribulations of life and the importance of history in our progression. Each track carries a significant message or lesson to awaken the listener's mind and soul in order to encourage personal growth that will transcend into a powerful community. The album can be the soundtrack to anyone's life, and it continues to hold a significant spot on the top albums that can positively change your mindset and life.
As you listen to Legend, Bob Marley & The Wailers will take you on an enhancing journey that stimulates the leader and powerful person you are meant to be.
7. Marvin Gaye – What's Going On (1971)
What's Going On was an album that not only questioned, but also rebuked, the corruption and oppressive nature of America. The composition of the album was built off of Marvin Gaye's sensual and soft voice that spoke of something more powerful than his tone. The music of this era didn't let you escape the issues around you, and Marvin Gaye was one of the main vocalists that tapped on the door of unconformity and showed his audience that there was more than sound to music. The album is meant to stir a revolutionary reaction, and Marvin Gaye's mission was to not have his music left on apathetic ears.
6. Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (1967)
Yes, I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You is the album that carries one of Aretha Franklin's biggest hits, "Respect," but the queen of soul also produced some of her most soulful and chilling tunes on this Southern soul album. Each track is a gritty illustration of the singer's emotions toward love, which elevates the album to one of the most honest and pure portrayals of love to date. The singer's honey-smooth voice over the sounds of jazz, blues, and soul touch your heart, leaving you with a feeling of satisfaction. The authenticity and vulnerability of Aretha Franklin's stance on love and life's triumphs in I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You is also a message of empowerment and the power of change.
5. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)
Rumours is a melancholy yet majestic piece of work on the trials of love that aroused from the blasé and liberal times of the '70s. The band reflects on the bittersweet aspects of love with ballads, anthems, and pop hits that beautifully present their emotional distress and experience with love. The album's vivid theme soars like a phoenix with instrumentation that carries each of their voices and lyrics into pop rock heaven. Rumours is the perfect result of the balance that can arise from a complex mix of voices, sounds, and emotions.
4. James Brown – Live At the Apollo (1963)
Live At the Apollo is a painting of the blood and sweat James Brown left on the stage of the historic New York City theatre in 1962. James Brown was the definition of an entertainer, and even without watching him perform you could hear and feel all of his energy. The blend of his charisma and the skills of his band welcomed the audience to be more than listeners; they became a significant part of the performance. Live At the Apollo exudes the overall tonality and elasticity of rhythm and blues and James Brown's mark on the genre.
3. Queen – A Night at the Opera (1975)
Listen to A Night at the Opera once and you will realize how fitting the title is. Queen ejects adrenaline into your veins with the album's electric instrumentation, and Freddie Mercury's chilling voice immediately sends shivers down your spine. The group combined the sounds of classic rock, funk, blues, and other kinds of musical styles to create a thrilling, vivid, and exquisite masterpiece. The wide range of sounds puts the band in a different realm compared to their rock counterparts, and it sets them up as one of the best bands ever thanks to the dynamic techniques they used in this piece of work. The theatrical feel can only be compared to a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat from the intro music all the way to the ending credits.
2. Stevie Wonder – Songs in the Key of Life (1976)
Songs in the Key of Life is a musical vitamin for the soul. The album was a clear result of pure passion and dedication as Stevie Wonder's perfected artistry was elevated through his stance on politics, culture, and the meaning of life backed by the sounds of blues, soul, funk, and more. This revolutionary album awakens listeners and leaves them yearning for more knowledge and wisdom. With his powerful yet smooth vocals, Stevie Wonder lays out the happy and painful aspects of life that fluidly soar through each track. With this album, he showed the world that music with a message is everlasting.
1. Michael Jackson – Off the Wall (1979)
Off the Wall was a cohesive piece of work that led the newly confident, free, and charming Michael Jackson to rightly be crowned the King of Pop. The album was simply a gift to the end of disco. Michael's silky voice coated fun and colorful beats that enhanced the musicality of the decade and introduced listeners to a more expressional and dimensional artist. The underlying use of funk and soul throughout each track elevates your spirit and inspires you to groove from start to finish, giving you a natural, euphoric sense of living in the moment. The skills behind the lyricism and instrumentation of Off the Wall undoubtedly made it the foundation of Michael's best-selling album Thriller and the fuel to his music career.
From least to most acclaimed, see what hits made our top 50 list.