This list shouldn't be that hard. Pick one album for each year going back as far as you want.











[Edited 5/24/07 14:30pm]

You know I can't resist a list.

In bold are my favorites of the respective decades. A lot of my favorite albums fail to make a list because they were released during competitive years (1980, 1983, 1984, 1989, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 in particular)

1967: The Velvet Underground- The Velvet Underground and Nico
1968: Nico- Chelsea Girl
1969: The Stooges- The Stooges
1970: The Doors- Morrison Hotel
1971: The Doors- L.A. Woman
1972: David Bowie- Ziggy Stardust
1973: David Bowie- Aladdin Sane
1974: Parliament- Up for the Down Stroke
1975: Patti Smith- Horses
1976: Stevie Wonder- Songs in the Key of Life
1977: David Bowie- Low
1978: Blondie- Parallel Lines
1979: Blondie- Eat to the Beat
1980: The Cure- Seventeen Seconds
1981: Prince- Controversy
1982: Prince- 1999
1983: Eurythmics- Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
1984: Eurythmics- 1984: For the Love of Big Brother
1985: The Cure- The Head on the Door
1986: Prince- Parade
1987: Prince- Sign o' the Times
1988: Prince- Lovesexy
1989: Janet Jackson- Rhythm Nation 1814
1990: Depeche Mode- Violator
1991: Michael Jackson- Dangerous
1992: Prince-
1993: Björk- Debut
1994: Madonna- Bedtime Stories
1995: Prince- The Gold Experience
1996: Aaliyah- One in a Million
1997: Björk- Homogenic
1998: Madonna- Ray of Light
1999: Eurythmics- Peace
2000: The Cure- BloodFlowers
2001: Björk- Vespertine
2002: Prince- One Nite Alone
2003: Annie Lennox- Bare
2004: Annie- Anniemal
2005: Madonna- Confessions on a Dancefloor
2006: Prince- 3121
2007: LCD Soundsystem- Sound of Silver

I'll just pick some random years...

***1975 'That's The Way Of The World' by Earth Wind and Fire
***1976 'Songs In The Key Of Life' by Stevie Wonder
***1977 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack
***1978 'Life Is A Song Worth Singing' by Teddy Pendergrass
***1979 'Bad Girls' by Donna Summer
***1980 'Dirty Mind' by Prince
***1981 'Street Songs' by Rick James
***1982 '1999' by Prince
***1983 'No Parking On The Dancefloor' by Midnight Star
***1984 'Purple Rain' by Prince
***1989 'Like A Prayer' by Madonna
***2001 'A Funk Odyssey' by Jamiroquai
***2005 'Confessions On A Dancefloor' by Madonna

i've only paid close attention over the past few years:

2005 - kate bush, aerial
2006 - peaches, impeach my bush
2007 - blonde redhead, 23 (so far)

everything before that is a blur

Wow, this is hard, I'm working on it.

1954: Miles Davis – Birth Of The Cool
1955: Miles Davis – ‘Round About Midnight
1956: Miles Davis – Relaxin’ With The Miles Davis Quintet
1957: John Coltrane – Blue Train
1958: Miles Davis – Porgy & Bess
1959: Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue
1960: Miles Davis – Sketches Of Spain
1961: Miles Davis – Someday My Prince Will Come
1962: Miles Davis – Quiet Nights
1963: John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman
1964: John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
1965: Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited
1966: Bob Dylan – Blonde On Blonde
1967: The Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
1968: The Beatles – The White Album
1969: The Beatles – Abbey Road
1970: John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band
1971: John Lennon – Imagine
1972: Curtis Mayfield – Superfly
1973: Stevie Wonder – Innervisions
1974: Funkadelic – Standing On the Verge Of Getting It On
1975: Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks
1976: Bob Dylan – Desire
1977: The Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks..
1978: The Jacksons - Destiny
1979: Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
1980: Prince – Dirty Mind
1981: Prince- Controversy
1982: Michael Jackson - Thriller
1983: Bob Dylan - Infidels
1984: Prince – Purple Rain
1985: Sade – Promise
1986: Prince- Parade
1987: Prince- Sign ‘O' the Times
1988: Prince- Lovesexy
1989: Terence Trent D’Arby – Neither Fish Nor Flesh
1990: George Michael – Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1
1991: Michael Jackson – Dangerous
1992: Tori Amos – Little Earthquakes
1993: Terence Trent D’Arby – Symphony Or Damn
1994: Beastie Boys – Ill Communication
1995: D’Angelo – Brown Sugar
1996: Prince – Emanciaption
1997: Radiohead – OK Computer
1998: Outkast – Aquemini
1999: The Flaming Lips – The Soft Bulletin
2000: Radiohead – Kid A
2001: Bob Dylan – Love And Theft
2002: Beck – Sea Change
2003: Erykah Badu – Worldwide Underground
2004: Brian Wilson – Smile
2005: Sufjan Stevens – Illinois
2006: Thom Yorke - The Eraser
2007: Bebel Gilberto - Momento

1990: Dwight Yoakam - if there was a way
1991: Prince - Diamonds and pearls
1992: Michael Jackson - Dangerous
1993: Dwight Yoakam - this time
1994: Jeff Buckley - Grace
1995: - the gold experience
1996: George Strait - Blue Clear Sky
1997: David Bowie - Earthling
1998: Marilyn Manson - Mechanical Animals
1999: NIN - the fragile
2000: Merle Haggard - If I could only fly
2001: Bob Dylan - Love and theft
2002: Johnny Cash - American IV: the man comes around
2003: John Mayer - Heavier Things
2004: Melissa Etheridge - Lucky
2005: Brad Paisley - Time well wasted
2006: John Mayer - Continuüm
2007: Brad Paisley - 5th Gear
[Edited 5/24/07 11:07am]

BT11 said:

nice

Moonbeam said:

I found the same, also I might have to change 89 from disintegration to mother's milk, though for years i hated the cure. I think i was listening to them through an inferior stereo, completely messed up impression of their sound.

I’ll do the last 30 years:

2007: Back To Black - Amy Winehouse

2006: Supernature - Goldfrapp

2005: Aerial - Kate Bush

2004: Get Away From Me - Nellie McKay

2003: Elephant - The White Stripes

2002: Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More With Feeling - Original Soundtrack

2001: Feather And Fate - Mors Syphilitica

2000: Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea - PJ Harvey

1999: Commencement - Deadsy

1998: Dónde Están Los Ladrones? - Shakira

1997: The Velvet Rope - Janet Jackson

1996: October Rust - Type O Negative

1995: To Bring You My Love - PJ Harvey

1994: Live Through This - Hole

1993: Rid Of Me - PJ Harvey

1992: Little Earthquakes - Tori Amos

1991: Nevermind - Nirvana

1990: Goo - Sonic Youth

1989: Cosmic Thing - The B-52’s

1988: Peepshow - Siouxsie And The Banshees

1987: Floodland - The Sisters Of Mercy

1986: Parade - Prince And The Revolution

1985: The Head On The Door - The Cure

1984: Catastrophe Ballet - Christian Death

1983: Colour By Numbers - Culture Club

1982: Thriller - Michael Jackson

1981: Mask - Bauhaus

1980: Dirty Mind - Prince

1979: Off The Wall - Michael Jackson

1978: The Scream - Siouxsie And The Banshees

Bonus:

1977: The Sex Pistols - Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols

Edit: I went through my records last night and decided that Bauhaus' 'Mask' has a slight edge over The Banshees' 'Juju' for best album of 1981 so I switched that one. And I added 1977 since I like that one a lot.
[Edited 5/25/07 10:00am]

nice, what was i thinking with confessions, gotta change it to Aerial

I still need to finish off my 'top 26' lists...

2006 ) Scott Walker - The Drift
2005 ) Steve Wynn - Tick…Tick…Tick
2004 ) Mountain Goats - The Sunset Tree
2003 ) The Fall - The Real New Fall Lp
2002 ) Delgados - Hate
2001 ) Pernice Brothers - The World Won't End
2000 ) Delgados - The Great Eastern
1999 ) Bonnie Prince Billy - I See A Darkness
1998 ) Handsome Family - Through the Trees
1997 ) Smog - Red Apple Falls
1996 ) Scud Mountain Boys - Massachusetts
1995 ) Scott Walker - Tilt
1994 ) Grant McLennan - Horsebreaker Star
1993 ) Pet Shop Boys - Very
1992 ) Lyle Lovett - Joshua Judges Ruth
1991 ) Julian Cope - Peggy Suicide
1990 ) The Chills - Submarine Bells
1989 ) The Mekons - Rock n' Roll
1988 ) Lucinda Williams - Lucinda Williams
1987 ) Opal - Happy Nightmare Baby
1986 ) Go-Betweens - Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express
1985 ) The Fall - This Nation's Saving Grace
1984 ) Lou Reed - New Sensations
1983 ) The Fall - Perverted By Language
1982 ) The Fall - Hex Enduction Hour
1981 ) King Crimson - Discipline
1980 ) The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms
1979 ) Undertones - Undertones
1978 ) Ian Dury - New Boots and Panties
1977 ) Wire - Pink Flag
1976 ) Bob Dylan - Desire
1975 ) Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
1974 ) Gene Clark - No Other
1973 ) John Cale - Paris 1919
1972 ) Flatlanders - More Legend Than a Band
1971 ) Can - Tago Mago
1970 ) John Lennon - Plastic Ono Band
1969 ) Scott Walker - 4
1968 ) Kinks - Are the Village Green Preservation Society
1967 ) Love - Forever Changes
1966 ) Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde
1965 ) Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited
1964 ) Bob Dylan - Another Side of…
1963 ) Bob Dylan - The Freewheelin'

screwed up '78 edit
[Edited 5/25/07 3:15am]

cool thread!

I was actually thinking of running a thread contest for albums of the year for various years. Then again, I never finished the Pazz 'n Jop for '06.

Moonbeam said:

Do you still have the lists that were submitted to you? If it's a question of not having the time, I'd happily volunteer to do the collating once I've written my exam.

damosuzuki said:

No, I've got the lists. It's just that I was waiting for a revision to one that needed to be corrected and never got it. After a while, I lost interest. I could still compile it, but I think it would be a joke at this point.

Moonbeam said:

I can't speak for anyone else of course, but I for one would still be highly interested in seeing the results. Just stick a 'somewhat belated' in the thread title.

damosuzuki said:

I'd also like to see the results.

My list of albums:

2006: Van Hunt - On the Jungle Floor
2005: Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor
2004: The Finn Brothers - Everyone Is Here
2003: Robin Thicke - A Beautiful World
2002: Neil Finn - One All
2001: Aaliyah - Aaliyah
2000: D'Angelo - Voodoo
1999: Crowded House - Afterglow
1998: Neil Finn - Try Whistling This
1997: The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death
1996: Aaliyah - One in a Million
1995: D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
1994: Mary J. Blige - My Life
1993: Crowded House - Together Alone
1992: En Vogue - Funky Divas
1991: Crowded House - Woodface
1990: George Michael - Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1
1989: Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814
1988: Crowded House - Temple of Low Men
1987: Prince - Sign 'O' the Times
1986: Crowded House - Crowded House
1985: Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair
1984: Prince - Purple Rain
1983: Tears for Fears - The Hurting
1982: Michael Jackson - Thriller
1981: Split Enz - Corroboree
1980: Split Enz - True Colours
1979: Michael Jackson - Off the Wall
1978: Marvin Gaye - Here, My Dear
1977: The Isley Brothers - Go for Your Guns
1976: Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of LIfe
1975: The Isley Brothers - The Heat Is On
1974: Stevie Wonder - Fulfillingness' First Finale
1973: Stevie Wonder - Innervisions
1972: Stevie Wonder - Talking Book
1971: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
1970: Jackson 5 - The Jackson 5 Christmas Album

1969: Sly & The Family Stone: Stand!
1970: Curtis Mayfield: Curtis
1971: Marvin Gaye: What's Going On
1972: Stevie Wonder: Talking Book
1973: Stevie Wonder: Innervisions
1974: Stevie Wonder: Fulfillingness First Finale
1975: Earth, Wind, & Fire: That's The Way of the World
1976: Stevie Wonder: Songs In The Key of Life
1977: Earth, Wind, & Fire: All N All
1978: Marvin Gaye: Here My Dear
1979: Michael Jackson: Off The Wall
1980: Prince: Dirty Mind
1981: Rick James: Street Songs
1982: Michael Jackson: Thriller
1983: Lionel Richie: Can't Slow Down
1984: Prince: Purple Rain
1985: Whitney Houston: Whitney Houston
1986: Prince: Parade
1987: Prince: Sign O The Times
1988: New Edition: Heart Break
1989: Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation 1814
1990: Prince: Graffiti Bridge
1991: Michael Jackson: Dangerous
1992: Prince & The NPG:
1993: Janet Jackson: Janet.
1994: Mary J Blige: My Life
1995: Prince: The Gold Experience
1996: The Fugees: The Score
1997: Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope
1998: Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
1999: Mary J Blige: Mary
2000: D'Angelo: Voodoo
2001: Michael Jackson: Invincible
2002: Raphael Saadiq: Instant Vintage
2003: Erykah Badu: Worldwide Underground
2004: Prince: Musicology
2005: Mary J Blige: The Breakthrough
2006: Prince: 3121
2007: Robin Thicke: The Evolution Of Robin Thicke (this is actually a 2006 release, but it can be a 2007 release because of its hype.)
[Edited 5/24/07 21:23pm]

2007 - Björk Volta (???)
2006 - Beck The Information
2005 - Kate Bush Aerial
2004 - Franz Ferdinand Franz Ferdinand
2003 - Moloko Statues
2002 - David Bowie Heathen
2001 - Björk Vespertine
2000 - Moloko Things To Make And Do
1999 - Sigur Rós Ágætis byrjun
1998 - Tori Amos From The Choirgirl Hotel
1997 - U2 Pop
1996 - Tori Amos Boys For Pele
1995 - Prince The Gold Experience
1994 - Prince The Black Album
1993 - Björk Debut
1992 - Peter Gabriel Us
1991 - U2 Achtung Baby
1990 - Peter Gabriel Shaking The Tree
1989 - Madonna Like A Prayer
1988 - Prince Lovesexy
1987 - Prince Sign O' The Times
1986 - Prince & The Revolution Parade
1985 - Kate Bush Hounds Of Love
1984 - Prince & The Revolution Purple Rain
1983 - Eurythmics Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
1982 - Prince 1999
1981 - Prince Controversy
1980 - David Bowie Scary Monsters & Super Creeps
1979 - Blondie Eat To The Beat
1978 - Patti Smith Group Easter
1977 - David Bowie "Heroes"
1976 - David Bowie Station To Station
1975 - Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac
1974 - David Bowie Diamond Dogs
1973 - David Bowie Aladdin Sane
1972 - David Bowie The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars
1971 - David Bowie Hunky Dory
1970 - Miles Davis Bitches Brew
1969 - The Beatles Abbey Road
1968 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience Electric Ladyland
1967 - The Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1966 - The Beatles Revolver
1965 - Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited
...
[Edited 6/1/07 23:57pm]

nice lists

lilgish said:

Yes, very nice lists (for the most part).

Glad to see so many Dylan fans. He's the master songwriter IMO. Even today, with his most recent release (modern times) his lyrics are untouchable. Sophisticated, meaningful, romantic and realistic and deeply touching.

damosuzuki said:

You can speak for me. I still want to see the poll results too.

Those are my favorites also, except I liked "Controversy" a little better than "Street Songs".

damosuzuki said:

You can speak for me...I'd love to see the results too!

I'd like to see more lists, please!

1963 - James Brown Live at the Apollo Theatre
1967 - James Brown Apollo II
1968 - Cloud Nine/Electtric Ladyland
1969 - Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5
1970 - Third Album
1971 - What's Goin On
1972 - Superstition/Got To Be There
1973 - Innervisions

More to come, I'm sleepy.

AlexdeParis said:

bit of a Finn fan, very nice

1986 Crowded House is a personal fave, musically and sentimentally.

Crowded House Rock Live

Paul Hester 1959-2005 R.I.P

Great Thread!