What’s your all-time favorite album?
What a nearly impossible question to answer. With so options over decades, I can only do a list of what I would call nominees. Just don’t forget I was an AT40 guy growing up, but won’t apologize for several guilty pleasures I (still) like today. Here goes.
This fifth album release (1977) from Billy Joel boasts 4 hit singles as well as Grammy-winning Record & Song of the Year “Just the Way You Are”. Additionally, it includes fan staples “Vienna” and “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”. Personally, I love the title track too! From start to finish, it’s a masterpiece.
This classic rock debut (disguised as “grunge”) from Pearl Jam caught my attention with the lead single “Alive”, and kept it with “Even Flow”, “Jeremy” and every other track on the album. Along with Nirvana’s “Nevermind”, this is a great listen anytime, anywhere.
This third solo release from former DC Talk member TobyMac encapsulates 13 tracks with 7 singles. The theme of the album recognized the future of streaming individual tracks and therefore included songs that stood on their own (in other words…portable) apart from the parent album. The Christian pop rock/hip hop artist is joined by his Diverse City band and guests Kirk Franklin and Mandisa to craft an album that is rocking for Jesus from start to finish.
David Geffen inaugurated his Geffen Records imprint by signing John Lennon, Elton John, and former “disco queen” Donna Summer to the label. This post-disco 1980 release from Donna Summer paired her once again with legendary producer Giorgio Moroder, infusing her dance sound with new wave and rock sensibilities to great effect. At times, sounding like ABBA (“Who Do You Think You’re Foolin'”), Blondie (“Stop Me”) and even Elvis (“The Wanderer”) at times, Donna’s wandering her way to another platinum album.
When it comes to the epitome of a perfect album, this 1977 release from Fleetwood Mac fits the bill and needs no introduction. Grammy-winner for Album of the Year. Four top-10 singles. The number one hit “Dreams”. Classic members line-up and classic album from the moment you listen to the point it ends. Plus don’t forget the drama that fueled it’s making!
Spawning 7 hit singles, Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” (1987) is another example of a regular album release that ended up being like a greatest hits collection. Amazingly enough, the non-singles are as good as the hits!
Although this debut album from The Cars peaked at #18 on Billboard album chart, the legacy of this 6x’s platinum release is that it is still relevant in 2023. You hear these songs in commercials, movie trailers, everywhere. Again, every track is amazing!
It’s hard to resist this 1978 studio album by Olivia Newton-John. This is her first release after “Grease” made her an international superstar, and she continues the incarnation of what she calls “Sandy 2” both on the cover as well as in the selection of songs. Featuring the hit single “A Little More Love” with its dirty bassline as well as Eric Carmen’s “Boats Against the Current”, the album closes with a remake of the Spencer Davis Group’s “Gimme Some Lovin'”. Again, perfect from start to finish. All this before Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift.
This seventh studio album by Christian rock band Skillet is a scorcher from the first alt-rock heavy beat of “Hero”, through the song “Lucy” that closes out the set. With 7 singles, the album again is reminiscent of a greatest hits collection…it really is that good!
Singer/Songwriter Carole King was inspired to sing her own songs on her 1971 second release “Tapestry”. With help from friends James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, the album ended up spending 15 weeks at #1 on the album charts, took home Grammys for Album of the Year, Song of the Year (“You’ve Got a Friend”) and Record of the Year (“It’s Too Late”). What more do you need to know?
As is probably the case with every person who reads this list of favorite albums, my list would most likely be completely different if it were a week earlier or a week from now. So, tell me what albums are perfection for you? Let our readers know by leaving us a comment!
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