… according to Rolling Stone

Introduction

I still remember the first time I learned what an album was.

It was during a car ride with my grandfather when I was about five or six years old. We were heading to a local smoothie shop or bookstore, and the soundtrack to that ride was the iconic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band — an album that epitomized the psychedelic era of the 60’s and left an indelible mark on my music journey.

The first track was the title track, the eponymous Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which captivated me from the start. However, what truly fascinated me was the seamless transition from the initial track to the second track, With A Little Help From My Friends. The songs effortlessly bled into one another, crafting a musical medley.

Yet, amidst my admiration, a question lingered: were these individual songs or part of a larger whole? It was in that moment that my grandfather illuminated the concept of the album, introducing me n to the idea of a collection of songs but specifically to the intriguing world of the concept album. From then on, Sgt. Pepper’s became one of my all-time favorite albums — and with a spot at #24 by the Rolling Stone, it seems to be a popular fan favorite.

And thus, throughout the years, my fascination with exploring different albums grew. While I was already familiar with Rolling Stone magazine, it wasn’t until 2020, just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, that I delved into what Rolling Stone had to offer. That’s when I stumbled upon a compilation: a list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The opportune moment arrived as the pandemic took hold, and with limited activities available, I found myself on a quest for sonic enlightenment — an ambitious journey to listen to the 500 greatest albums of all time.

History

The inaugural list of the 500 greatest albums of all time was curated in 2003. At that time, Rolling Stone highlighted the prevalent discourse regarding the “death of the album.” However, despite some belief in the decline of album listening, where many listeners focus solely on hit singles, Rolling Stone argued that “the album — and especially the album release — is more relevant than ever.”

Moreover, the 2003 list, with a minor update in 2012, lacked diversity. It wasn’t until 2020 when Rolling Stone engaged in a significant overhaul in an attempt to level the playing field and acknowledge a more extensive array of artists.

My Journey

I embarked on my musical journey (or “music challenge,” as I like to call it) in early 2020.

It wasn’t until March 2024 that I successfully listened to the entire 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

At the onset of this challenge, I set up a Google Excel spreadsheet to meticulously track my progress, as illustrated in Figure Four.

You can access the spreadsheet here.

The spreadsheet encompasses a comprehensive list ranging from 1 to 500, where Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? holds the coveted first spot, and Arcade Fire’s Funeral holds the 500th spot.

Various columns were designated for specific details:

• Column A featured checkboxes to indicate whether the album had been listened to.
• Column B displayed the artist or band’s name.
• Column C displayed the album’s name.
• Column D presented the release year of the album, represented with color-coded boxes to denote the respective decade.
• Column E displayed the length of each album.
• Column F provided a space for quick comments about the album or artist.

What I learned

Over the course of listening to 500 albums, I learned five key insights:

1. Cohesion defines the best albums.
2. The album’s name and cover significantly impacts its essence.
3. Versatility in sound can be both beneficial and detrimental for an album.
4. Avoid making hasty judgements about an album before listening.
5. Always be willing to embrace diverse perspectives and sounds.

Exploring various genres spanning from classic rock to rap, country to heavy metal, 80’s synth to African pop music, and jazz to folk, has significantly broadened my appreciation for diverse sounds.

Ranking Albums

Writing a blog post about The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time would be incomplete without delving into the criticism it faces. It’s no revelation that Rolling Stone has been subject to scrutiny regarding its rankings. However, let’s be honest with ourselves: it is impossible to objectively rank music. Consequently, when certain albums are positioned above others, especially in the eyes of avid music enthusiasts, there’s a swift inclination to dismiss Rolling Stone’s rankings.

• Note: I do agree with some criticisms though; specifically the criticisms concerning Rolling Stone’s inclusions of recently released albums i.e. within the past year or so. An integral aspect of determining a truly great album lies in how well it stands the test of time. I digress …

In lieu of the criticisms, I embarked on this challenge acknowledging the subjectivity of ranking music. And, I committed to savoring each album on its own merits.

My (Personal) Ranking:

Top Ten:

1. Abbey Road by the Beatles
2. Rumours by Fleetwood Mac
3. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd
4. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis
5. Blue by Joni Mitchell
6. Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan
7. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles
8. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill
9. Nevermind by Nirvana
10. Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order):

1. Axis: Bold as Love by The Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Norman F***ing Rockwell by Lana Del Rey
3. Fine Line by Harry Styles
4. Donuts by J Dilla
5. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere by Neil Young
6. Hunky Dory by David Bowie
7. good kid, m.A.A.d city by Kendrick Lamar
8. The Doors by The Doors
9. Thriller by Michael Jackson
10. Tapestry by Carole King

To Conclude …

In retrospect, immersing myself in the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time proved to be a life-changing experience. It led me to numerous concerts, deepened my understanding of music history, and expanded my ability to engage in conversations about music with a diverse range of individuals. In the future, I definitely see myself revisiting this list, eager to rediscover the magic within certain albums. And, I will continue to keep up with Rolling Stone’s updates; Rolling Stone just did a recent 2024 update, so I have those albums to catch up on, too.

With these reflections in mind, I encourage those who have made it this far to embrace a broader musical palette. Speak less, listen more, and relish the opportunity to experience all of what life has to offer through sound.