The Western Music Canon

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Here’s a shit idea: let’s try to create a definitive list of the best ‘western’ music from whenever you think it started to the present. I would suggest that people put on things they think are highlights of a particular type of music or genre (not necessarily just your favourite, ok): symphonies, operas, songs, albums, whatever. Hopefully, enough of us are snobs that we’ll delete all the flavour of month items placed on here by silly people. Just because you really like that new song or album by whomever, doesn’t mean it belongs on this list. I will start, with my only very personal suggestions. They are in no way definitive, and I must say that I lack knowledge of most kinds of "high art" music. I hope this works, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t.

Pages: 1 3 4 5 6

  1. 1.
    Back in Black
    by Ac/Dc
  2. 2.
    Idlewild South
    by The Allman Brothers Band
  3. 3.
    Tanz Der Lemminge
    by Amon Duul II
  4. 4.
    Spirits Rejoice
    by Albert Ayler
  5. 5.
    Music From Big Pink
    by Band
  6. 6.
    Please Please Me (1990)
    by Beatles
  7. 7.
    A Hard Day's Night

  8. 8.
    Rubber Soul (1990)
    by Beatles
  9. 9.
    Revolver

  10. 10.
    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
    by Beatles
  11. 11.
    The Beatles (The White Album)
    by Beatles
  12. 12.
    Abbey Road
    by Beatles
  13. 13.
    Truth (Exp)
    by Jeff Beck
  14. 14.
    Pet Sounds
    by The Beach Boys
  15. 15.
    Paranoid
    by Black Sabbath
  16. 16.
    Ziggy Stardust
    by David Bowie
  17. 17.
    Low
    by David Bowie
  18. 18.
    Ascension
    by Glenn Branca
  19. 19.
    Time Out
    by Dave Brubeck
  20. 20.
    Happy Sad
    by Tim Buckley
  21. 21.
    Again
    by Buffalo Springfield
  22. 22.
    East-West
    by The Butterfield Blues Band
  23. 23.
    Ege Bamyasi
    by Can
  24. 24.
    Trout Mask Replica
    by Captain Beefheart
  25. 25.
    Tender Prey
    by Nick Cave
  26. 26.
    London Calling
    by The Clash
  27. 27.
    The Shape of Jazz to Come
    by Ornette Coleman
  28. 28.
    Giant Steps
    by John Coltrane
  29. 29.
    A Love Supreme
    by John Coltrane
  30. 30.
    Ascension
    by John Coltrane
  31. 31.
    Willy & Poor Boys
    by Ccr
  32. 32.
    Deja Vu
    by Crosby Stills Nash & Young
  33. 33.
    Kind of Blue
    by Miles Davis
  34. 34.
    Bitches Brew
    by Miles Davis
  35. 35.
    On the Corner
    by Miles Davis
  36. 36.
    Sketches of Spain
    by Miles Davis
  37. 37.
    Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
    by Dead Kennedys
  38. 38.
    Layla
    by Derek & Dominos
  39. 39.
    Doors
    by Doors
  40. 40.
    Five Leaves Left
    by Nick Drake
  41. 41.
    Days of Wine and Roses
    by Dream Syndicate
  42. 42.
    The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
    by Bob Dylan
  43. 43.
    Another Side of Bob Dylan (Reis)
    by Bob Dylan
  44. 44.
    Bringing It All Back Home
    by Bob Dylan
  45. 45.
    Highway 61 Revisited
    by Bob Dylan
  46. 46.
    Blonde on Blonde
    by Bob Dylan
  47. 47.
    Blood on the Tracks
    by Bob Dylan
  48. 48.
    Here Come the Warm Jets
    by Brian Eno
  49. 49.
    Angel Dust
    by Faith No More
  50. 50.
    Clouds Taste Metallic
    by Flaming Lips

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Created by rnhaas on May 27, 2007.
 

Comments

Prof_Linus

Success does not equal junk ..... — 1 year ago

One thing I have noticed in the majority of the album lists posted here is that if an album is commercially successful, it probably shouldn’t be included as a “good album”. Yes, we can be snobbish enough to say that John Travolta never was a good singer, but not so snobbish that we don’t recognize the artistry and influence of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. As for the inclusion of The Partridge Family, we cannot deny that bubble-gum pop is part of the musical canon. …. Music represents so many hearts. Whether it’s the simple “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or the pop sensation “Stardust” or Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik”, the song is part of our lives. …… Thank you for trying to recognize the varieties.

Jun 06, 02:49PM | 0 comments | Reply to this

rnhaas

I had another thought — 5 years ago

If this doesn’t work well, just let me know. I belong to rateyourmusic.com and it has ‘charts’ for every year based on the ratings. It may be a useful guide to what’s reasonably popular (at least among site users) and therefore perhaps what can be termed ‘canonical.’

Jun 10, 08:45AM | 2 comments | Reply to this

rnhaas

Nice Job — 5 years ago

I forgot to add tapestry myself. My one and only concern (and it’s just a personal thing, not really legitimate) is the prevalence of best ofs over actual albums or individual songs. I’ve never been a fan of compilations. But whatever. You know what, ignore me. If I get some more time I will try to add more stuff that should be considered.

Jun 09, 07:19PM | 2 comments | Reply to this

Greg

Added items 124-140 — 6 years ago

Added some R&B to the list, a little rap, and some country as well as some of the formative pre-rock and roll “pop” performers. I would argue that as long as there’s been phonographic recordings there’s been “Western” music.

I’ll gladly discuss/debate with anyone interested any of my selections. These are off the top of my head..I’m sure there are several more worthy entries that I’ll think of later.

Pretty decent list so far. The only inclusions I question are Mr. Bungle (I don’t see tons of critical acclaim for them necessarily and I don’t think you can argue on a popular acclaim aesthetic either) and Godspeed You Black Emperor (I don’t think this has been around long enough to prove itself a “canonical” type of piece of art yet).

May 27, 12:12PM | 1 comment | Reply to this



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