The most "perfect" album of all time?

This thread is to nominate not just a really good or excellent album, but the "perfect" ones.

By perfect, I mean it has to be either one in which every song is good, and/or one that holds together as a complete work of perfection even if you can't say that every song on it is a classic.

Yes, maybe it's arguable that there is no "perfect" album, but a lot come very close.

Greatest Hits packages do not count: they defeat the purpose of naming a "perfect" album since they are just collections of songs.

Soundtracks DO count, if you are so inclined.

Live albums count, if they are extra special.

Okay, some examples:

The Beatles' White Album would NOT qualify, since the montage of sounds known as 'Revolution 9' detracts from the album's overall quality. You can't tell me you listen to that album without being tempted to skip 'Revolution 9'.

Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon would qualify, if you are so inclined. Even if not every song on the album is a classic, they all belong together as a coherent work.

I'll hold off naming my choices.

So, what's your choice for the "perfect" album or albums of all time?

And tell us why, please.

[edit on 4/22/08 by Zane Zackerly]

Well if we're talking commercially then to me its Rumours by Fleetwood Mac.

Theres a reason why it was the best selling record of all time until Thriller came out, and its because the quality of the music and the songwriting on it was - frankly - exceptional considering the problems the people in the band were having simply existing and, in some cases, being in the same room as each other!

joshua tree-U2.....all great tracks, innovative sound if you reference it to albums of its time.....sold a $%#@ load( not that it matters).....it has lasted the test of times as four of the albums tracks still recieve alot of radio airplay....not to mention cover versions of some of its tracks which is a good indicator of a the "Classics".
Catch a fire- Bob Marley and the Wailers Introduced reggae to the world....were would The Police et al be now....this album spawned a legend and made everyone wanna smoke pot...hehe.....enough said.

Man....... i better stop at two....i could be here all night.

Perfect album of all time would have to be Blood Sugar Sex Magik by the Red Hot Chili Peppers - most funky album of all time.

reply to post by funky monk


Mother's milk was MUCH better.
I quit listening to them when my sister said they thanked satan at an MTV award....

Def Leppard- HYSTERIA
In my world any how.

reply to post by Clearskies


haha, you know Anthony said that as a joke right? MM is pretty good, actualy most of their albums are great, except ohm.

Pink Floyd, The Wall

Perfect in every way

London Calling - The Clash
The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses
Levelling The Land - The Levellers
L.A. Woman - The Doors
Inflammable Material - Stiff Little Fingers

All "perfect" albums in their own right, never cease listening to any of them.

Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks (1983)





Wiki

[edit on 2008/4/24 by Hellmutt]

Blade Runner- Vangelis The man that returned from the future.....and brought the sounds back with him.
Paris, Texas- Ry Cooder An Orchestra of one man, a guitar, space and silence.

The Beatles: Revolver

Cream: Disraeli Gears

Led Zepplin: Led Zepplin

Fink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

Metallica: Metalica


I don't know if you can seriously narrow down "THE" best album. The five I listed sent popular music (and thus all music in new directions.

Notice I don't have anything listed for the last 15 years. I thought about it, and have sort of concluded that an "album" as an audio snapshot, it pretty much an artifact of an earlier phase of the music business.

The limitations of vinyl, and the way bands were promoted, meant that albums were originally sold at the stadium when the concert was over. Originally, bands like Led Zepplin or Black Sabbath released albums to promote their concert tours. The 70's Rolling Stones reversed that dynamic, and the rest of the industry followed suit. Since 1990, only a few bands have seen tours as the primary source of income, Metallica being a prime example.

Most bands today view tour dates as material for a forthcoming album. Usually, they will "produce the hell out of it," so that if you actually hear them play in a bar or other small venue, their sound is disappointing compared to their recorded work--- a modern live band is like a beauty pageant where the contestants are not allowed to wear makeup.

I could have listed a dozen other albums that were not in "THE BEST" category, but are so unlike anything recorded today. Concept albums like Rush's 2112 or Jethro Tull's Thick As A Brick wouldn't be marketed today. Part of that is because of the way commercial music has fractured.

To be totally honest, I have no business even posting in this thread. Other than some instrumental CD's for mood music. All my music consumption is the work of Garage bands and friends and street performers you've never heard of.

I've decided I no longer like words with my music, since music has degenerated into propaganda. So I listen to bach, MP3's made at a Keltic Music Festival, and a gathering of the nations PowWow I attended. Plus some tracks of my brothers noodling on their guitars.

Looked at from one perspective, the stuff I hear is much more expensive. I had to travel to Arizona or Illinois or home for thanksgiving to get some of these tracks. On the other hand, it's what makes them valuable---they are authentic and mine, and not-for-profit.

all the best.

KISS - Alive!

reply to post by neformore



You beat me to it.

Great album and as a matter of fact I think Fleetwood Mac probaby has a couple of others that would qualify.

reply to post by elevatedone


Tango in the Night stands out as another good one, but I don't think it was quite on the same par as Rumours, although the title track itself sends shivers up my spine every time I hear it because its a mightily impressive piece of music

reply to post by Hellmutt



I enjoy B.E. from time to time.. not sure if I've hread this, so I'll have to check it out soon.

Hotel California

probably deserves to be ranked somewhere. Even though I can't stant the frikkin' eagles, man.

reply to post by elevatedone


It's not party music, but perfect for relaxing. I work nightshifts, so I sleep in the daytime. This album helps me sleep (...but it's not boring). Here's one of the tracks from that album:


Brian Eno - An Ending (Ascent)

Dire Straits - On The Night

Dire Straits is one of the only bands I know of that are actully better live than in the studio. This album is a perfect example of what I mean. The live versions of songs like, "Calling Elvis", "Romeo & Juliet" or "Brothers In Arms" far surpass their studio counterparts.

Here's "Money For Nothing" from the same album...



...Enjoy!

Bob Dylan "Freewheelin"