The 50 Greatest Albums

not to make the Greatest Albums Lists

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30. Megadeth - Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? (1986)
Another great band in the metal genre that never makes the lists, Megadeth matches Metallica and Slayer as icons of the '80s metal scene. Dave Mustaine, the band's leader was kicked out of Metallica (he was a founding member) so he formed what was to become one of Metallica's main rivals. With Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?, the band reached its creative peak. After this Mustaine lets his drug addiction get the best of him and fires two band mates then enters rehab and comes out to fire the two replacements. The '90s comes around and Mustaine takes the group the way of Metallica and tones the hard edge sound down to enter the mainstream. Other albums worth your hard earned cash are: Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good! (1984) and Rust in Peace (1990).

29. Chuck Berry - Is on Top (1959)
It is a crime that this man is always left of the lists. It seems that Rock and Roll was invented in the '60s by white men from England if you take any of the critics' choices for the greatest albums as a touchstone. There is no way to describe in a short paragraph the influence this man had. Is on Top is Berry's greatest addition to the rock pantheon and includes the all-time classics: "Maybellene," "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll over Beethoven," and "Sweet Little Rock & Roller." These songs were released as singles earlier in the '50s but this album was the realization of what Berry did for Rock and Roll all on one album. Other albums to check out are: St. Louis to Liverpool (1964) and Chuck Berry in London (1965).

28. Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible (1994)
Unless your Nirvana or perhaps REM, you will not be mentioned in a top 100 list coming out of the '90s. It's too bad because this British group, totally ignored by everyone on the west side of the Atlantic, was one of the best. Taking inspiration from the great punk bands of the '70s, Manic Street Preachers refined and modernized their sound and lyrics to produce one of the great albums of the '90s. Moving from the core punk sound of their earlier work and adding some truly depressing songs to the mix of their trademark political tirades, The Holy Bible is a harrowing listen. They also tone the music down a notch from their earlier all out assault of your ears that their two previous albums displayed. This album became Richey James swan song as he disappeared soon after and is presumed dead from suicide. The album after his disappearance (although using much of his material is also a must hear: Everything Must Go (1996).

27. Gordon Lightfoot - Summertime Dream (1976)
After fellow Canadians Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, it seems the list makers forget that there are other singer/songwriters that are just as good. Lightfoot and Cohen are the most obvious for inclusion. The toughest thing about Lightfoot is trying to pick his greatest album, he has so many. The period from 1967 to 1976 is considered his greatest years and with this album it mostly ended (which happened to most folk artists of the time period). This album has his most played hit "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" as well as other greats. Other albums worth listening to are: The Way I Feel (1967), Did She Mention My Name (1968), and Sit Down Young Stranger aka If You Could Read My Mind (1970).

26. Janis Joplin - Pearl (1971)
For such a well known and loved artist, Joplin always seems to be left off all the lists. This album was her greatest post Big Brother and the Holding Company (the band that gave her the initial exposure). With classic rock songs like "Cry Baby," "Me and Bobby Mcgee," and "Mercedes Benz" this album showed off Janis' voice as the music is left to a minimum. Other must haves include: In Concert (1972) and Cheap Thrills (1968 as Big Brother and the Holding Co.).

25. Jethro Tull - Aqualung (1971)
One of the most criticized bands of all time, Jethro Tull emerged from the '60s blues and folk scene in their native England to become rock stars in the '70s starting with this album. The critics just plastered this band over their career, but it never stopped Ian Anderson and his band mates from bringing well received (by non critics), expansive, and intelligent rock to the masses. This album concentrates on man's estrangement from God and contains their best known songs, "Aqualung," "Locomotive Breath," and "Cross-eyed Mary." Other great albums include: Benefit (1970) and Thick as a Brick (1972).

24. Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin (1958)
One of the last albums before her death, Lady in Satin achieved greatness in vocal Jazz. Even though it is left off all the top 100 lists (as most female vocalists are) it is a classic of the genre. You hear her raspy voice (she was dying of heart and liver disease) which makes the album even more personal. All of her early stuff in the '30s and '40s (which is her best) was recorded before the invention of the 33 rpm vinyl disc. So the best way to get all of those singles in through compilation re-issues. The best are: The Quintessential Billie Holiday (on Columbia, 9 vol.), The Complete Decca Recordings, and The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945-1959.

23. Curtis Mayfield - Superfly (1972)
One of the pioneers of Funk, Mayfield along with many others are left off the lists which usually only include James Brown as a representative. This is Mayfield's soundtrack to the blaxploitation film of the same name and shows off his innovations in both Soul and Funk. Other albums that should have more exposure are: Curtis (1970), Curtis Live (1971) and Roots (1971).

22. Aretha Franklin - Lady Soul (1968)
Although Marvin Gaye Dusty Springfield and Otis Redding make the lists, the greatest female voice in soul music always seems to be skipped. Covering songs like "Chain of Fools," "People Get Ready" and her greatest song (except for possibly "R-e-s-p-e-c-t") "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" this album deserves mentioning on all the top 100 lists. Other great albums by the Queen of Soul are: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967) and Young, Gifted and Black (1971).

21. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley (1957)
Bo Diddley's self titled album is another classic Rock & Roll LP that misses all the lists although every rock artist cites this guitar player as an influence. You see his early work in everyone from The Rolling Stones to Buddy Holly. Songs like, "I'm a Man" and "Bo Diddley" are staples in early rock (both on this album) and no list seems justified in keeping the man off. Other albums to check out are: Have Guitar, Will Travel (1959) and the live album Bo Diddley's Beach Party (1963).

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