Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time"
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Created by HumphreyB on May 07, 2006.
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Update? — 9 weeks ago
I think Rolling Stone should update this list every year, or at least every five years, like They Shoot Pictures do for their Top 1000 Films list, and IGN do for their Top 100 Video Games list. Both websites have reconsidered each product’s longevity and innovative potential, and have thus made more defined lists.
None of the albums over the past five years have been very innovative at all, so I don’t expect any of them to be added to an updated list. However, I do think updating this list would bring great albums that have withstood the test of time better than others, such as Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and Led Zeppelin IV up higher on the list, and bring down compilation albums that haven’t had anywhere near the longevity, such as Chuck Berry’s Great Twenty Eight, and The Muddy Waters Anthology. Don’t get me wrong, both Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters are incredible, but it was their songs more than their albums that redefined blues and rock and roll. I believe putting compilation albums higher than well-produced, innovative, and top-selling albums is what’s damaging this list the most, and if Rolling Stone were to fix that problem, I think this list would be much better.
Pathetic — 12 weeks ago
There are so many things wrong with this list that I can hardly count them all.
First of all, this list presents an extreme bias towards 1960’s rock. No list of the greatest albums of all time should have four albums by the same band in the top ten. Even if they are The Beatles. Bob Dylan is of course also overrepresented.
Nostalgia for failed 1960’s cultural revolution definitely trumps musical ingenuity on this list.
The only album on the top 20 that was published after 1990 is Nirvana’s “Nevermind.” This is really sad. This demonstrates a great ignorance of modern rock music.
And of course, I don’t really understand why someone like Madonna even needs to be on this list, especially when truly great musicians like Frank Zappa are either underrepresented or left off entirely.
Progressive rock is no where to be found on this list. Sure, I’m not mad that there’s no Genesis here, but to completely omit King Crimson’s “Red” and “In the Court of the Crimson King” is just plain stupid, anti-intellectual even. Gentle Giant should be seen SOMEWHERE at least.
Also, the inclusion of Jazz albums is a big mistake. It’s insulting to every Jazz musician included or not included on this list. There is no fair basis of comparison between pop music and Jazz. Stupid.
Ultimately, this list is just a sad mixture between suedo-political rockers of the 60’s and a bunch of feel good pop that some critics probably voted for because they are being paid by record labels.
True political revolutionaries such as Dead Prez are of course left off.
I wish that someone would produce an alternative list that accounts better for the truly great moments of pop music’s history. It’s would have to shorter no doubt. Maybe 100 items. They’re haven’t been that many great moments, really.
Oodb
Brunswick
One SONG short of complete!!!!! — 1 year ago
Well, its taken about 3 years and lots of trips to the library but this week I have completed listening to, and collecting ALL the Rolling Stone 500 list…all except for ONE song !!!
(1) Yes, just one song !!! Anyone can probably guess what that one is, because I don’t think it is available on CD in the United States, and is exorbitant to purchase. And that is the Fabulous Ronettes featuring Veronica
I can put together a version using the Best of the Ronettes, but it is missing a few of their songs. I found a copy of Chapel of Love easy enough, but it is the last one I have not been able to find… so I am appealing to the listers to help direct me to where I can get it…
It is the What’d I Say song.
If anyone knows where I can get it, or if you have it and would be willing to send me the file, I would be very grateful!! And of course I would trade you something you need or are looking for…I got everything else covered for ya!
Thanks in advance,
Oodb
Untitled — 1 year ago
Generally thumbs up – better than many lists these days that are desperate to be cool, avoid certain artists like the plague. Good to find some greatest hits collections- why not? Amazing that would-be buffs usually only include studio not compilation albums. Must be part of same must-be-cool problem
jmricker
Fuquay-Varina
Too much Hank? — 1 year ago
129. 40 Greatest Hits, Hank Williams
225. The Complete Hank Williams, Hank Williams
The Complete Hank Williams (#225) is a 10 CD box set of what should be his entire catalog. Why did they have add 40 Greatest Hits (#129) that has the same songs that are already contained in The Complete Hank Williams? Seems to me they could have used that spot for somebody else.
Untitled — 1 year ago
In general this is a good list…especially compared to others I’ve seen. There are a lot of classics and it’s not as over populated by albums after 1990.
It’s easy to critize the rankings and what is present and not present but broadly speaking it has some good content…
It is interesting that there are greatest hits compilations and regular albums by the same artist. I may not own the compilation but I do have most of what is contained on them.
MestnyiGeroi
New York City
New to the music part of this site. A question to all: — 2 years ago
On a list like this, would you check off albums that you’ve heard, or albums that you own?
judkins
Vergennes
Overrated — 2 years ago
Remove Beastie Boys “License to Ill” and replace it with “Check Your Head.”
Remove Pearl Jam’s “Ten” and replace it with “Vs.”
Remove all mention of The Strokes, Oasis, and The Smiths, and you’d have yourself a list!!!
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