Violator – Dark Pop with a Perfect Surface

Artist: Depeche Mode · Album: Violator · Year: 1990 · Label: Mute / Sire · Rank:…

20 Golden Greats – The Blueprint of Rock ’n’ Roll Pop

Artist: Buddy Holly & The Crickets · Album: 20 Golden Greats · Year: 1970 · Label:…

Murmur – Mystery as Identity

Artist: R.E.M. · Album: Murmur · Year: 1983 · Label: I.R.S. · Rank: 165 / 500…

At Folsom Prison – Truth Amplified by Walls

Artist: Johnny Cash · Album: At Folsom Prison · Year: 1968 · Label: Columbia · Rank:…

Saturday Night Fever – Disco as Cultural Engine

Artist: Various Artists · Album: Saturday Night Fever · Year: 1977 · Label: RSO · Rank:…

Different Class – Class, Desire, and Observation

Artist: Pulp · Album: Different Class · Year: 1995 · Label: Island · Rank: 162 /…

Crosby, Stills & Nash – Harmony as a Political Act

Artist: Crosby, Stills & Nash · Album: Crosby, Stills & Nash · Year: 1969 · Label:…

Ten – Grunge with a Human Core

Artist: Pearl Jam · Album: Ten · Year: 1991 · Label: Epic · Rank: 160 /…

Synchronicity – Control at the Point of Fracture

Artist: The Police · Album: Synchronicity · Year: 1983 · Label: A&M · Rank: 159 /…

Mama’s Gun – Neo-Soul Grows Teeth

Artist: Erykah Badu · Album: Mama’s Gun · Year: 2000 · Label: Motown · Rank: 158…

Morning Glory – Certainty at Full Volume

Artist: Oasis · Album: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? · Year: 1995 · Label: Creation ·…

Let It Be – Chaos Learns to Care

Artist: The Replacements · Album: Let It Be · Year: 1984 · Label: Twin/Tone · Rank:…

Amazing Grace – Voice as Revelation

Artist: Aretha Franklin · Album: Amazing Grace · Year: 1972 · Label: Atlantic · Rank: 154…

Rid of Me – Confrontation Without Safety Nets

Artist: PJ Harvey · Album: Rid of Me · Year: 1993 · Label: Island · Rank:…

Pretenders – Sharp Edges, Clear Voice

Artist: The Pretenders · Album: Pretenders · Year: 1980 · Label: Sire · Rank: 152 /…

Faith – Pop Stardom as Self-Definition

Artist: George Michael · Album: Faith · Year: 1987 · Label: Epic · Rank: 151 /…

Nebraska: Darkness Recorded in a Whisper

Artist: Bruce Springsteen · Album: Nebraska · Year: 1982 · Label: Columbia · Rank: 150 /…

John Prine – Plainspoken Songs, Deep Resonance

Artist: John Prine · Album: John Prine · Year: 1971 · Label: Atlantic · Rank: 149…

“Stay (Just a Little Bit Longer)” – Jackson Browne

At first glance, “Stay (Just a Little Bit Longer)” might seem like an odd candidate for…

Jimmy Page’s Guitars: The Evolution of Led Zeppelin Sound

When people talk about the Led Zeppelin sound, they often start with power: volume, weight, excess.…

5 Riffs That Changed Metal Forever (Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple & more)

Before metal had subgenres, scenes, or even a name, it had riffs. Not solos. Not speed.…