The debate is over...Sep 06 '02 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Here is the definitive list, finally!!! Since, I had to save those rabid hip-hop fans from their own, so-called 'Top 10 Rap Albums of All Time,' I decided to use my infinite wisdom to help out your rock junkies. So, without further ado, the greatest Rock albums ever... 10. Joshua Tree-U2 The Irish quartet really outdid themselves on this one. One of the best rock albums of the 80s, it has some of their most recognized and celebrated work.Epic in it's scope yet strangely grounded, every rock fan should own Joshua Tree. 9. Rubber Soul-The Beatles The Fab Four's first 'serious' album, Rubber Soul is considered by many to be their transition record from pop band to serious rock innovators. Very laid-back and almost sad, the highlight of this set is the stately 'In My Life.'A beautiful combination of folk and pop-rock. 8. Led Zeppelin IV-Led Zeppelin A beautiful, flawless merging of varying rock styles. The blues-influenced aggression on 'Black Dog', the thundering rock of 'When the Levee Breaks', the haunting folkish acoustic 'The Song for Evermore,' and the greatest rock song of all time 'Stairway to Heaven.'A must-have. 7. Revolver-The Beatles The Beatles' first step into acid-influenced psychadelia. Even though 'Sgt. Pepper's' was a historical benchmark in pop music, 'Revolver' is a better album because,simply put, better songs. The Beatles cover all the bases here: acid-rock, acoustic ballads, and guitar-heavy rockers. 'Tomorrow Never Knows' is sonic insanity-a great song! 6. Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd This epic exercise in perfection is a greatest hits album all by itself. The songs sweep and meld into each other, giving this record a feeling of the surreal. Another acid rock classic, David Gilmore's guitar coupled with Roger Waters' eerie songwriting make this one a classic. 5. Purple Rain-Prince Funky, soulful, raw, rocking. 'Purple Rain' is Prince at his finest. He brings a unique kind of energy to every song, making the singles as relevant to the album as the lesser cuts. A wonderful listen from start to finish, Prince put it all out there and came up with an 80s classic. 4. Are You Experienced?-The Jimi Hendrix Experience Jimi, Jimi, Jimi. The guitar god's debut is as moving today as it was in '67. Jimi's guitar playing is second to none, and classics such as 'Purple Haze', 'Hey Joe', and 'Foxy Lady' show why. Don't have it?Go get it. 3. Who's Next-The Who The pure, earth-shattering energy and cockiness of the Who is channeled into this stirring album. With classics like 'Baba O'Reilly' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again' leading the way, 'Who's Next' is an adrenaline thumper that is a great listen no matter how familiar you are with it. Townshend, Daltry, Moon, and Entwhistle put on a great show. 2. Nevermind-Nirvana The saviour of rock music in the '90s, this album awoke rock's creative conscious and saved the world from Ratt, Winger and Warrant.Kurt Cobain's eerily prophetic but catchy songs represented the angst-ridden soul of rock music's Generation X. Dave Grohl is excellent on percussion and Novaselic is understated and underrated on bass. The undeniable best rock album of the decade. 1. Abbey Road-The Beatles Combination of 'Sgt.Pepper's' innovative production, 'Revolver's' experimentation, and just great, back-to-basics type rock music, 'Abbey Road' is the Beatles' most cohesive and flawless album. Each Beatle shines, John's classic 'Come Together', Paul's second-half suite medley, George's best work as a Beatle,'Something' and the charming 'Here Comes the Sun'; even Ringo's creation 'Octopus' Garden' has a goofy charm to it. They were in the middle of a tense breakup, but 'Abbey Road' shows why the Beatles were, and are the greatest artists in rock history. There, now the debate is over and I appreciate you all coming to me for the definitive list. Feel free to list your thanks in the comments section.  |
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