This is the 2nd post in this series. Click here to start from the beginning: Inhailer's Top 500 Albums of All-Time: (#500--476)
Every Friday, Inhailer is counting down our totally objective, completely undisputed, most-correct list of the Top 500 albums of all time. We're doing so in bite-size chunks of 25 albums (nobody has the energy in their thumbs to scroll through 500 albums in one sitting). Last week we began our countdown with the likes of Elliott Smith, John Coltrane, and Dusty Springfield. This week we continue with Nos. 475-451. The ask was simple: excluding compilation albums, what are the 500 best albums of all-time, ranked? Here's the second list in the countdown:
475. The Specials - The Specials (1979)
Produced by Elvis Costello, this holy grail of neo-ska packs a punk (*ahem*) punch.
474. Talk Talk - Spirit of Eden (1988)
A sleeper album at its original release, this album is considered the progenitor of post-rock.
473. Foxygen - We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic (2013)
One of the more recent albums on our list, Foxygen delivers a balanced and effortless flash of psychedelic pop that will be massively influential for Gen-Z hippies.
472. Green Day - American Idiot (2004)
A career comeback after a 10-year career lull, this politically-charged rock opera aesthetic set George Bush's post-9/11 America aflame with five hit singles.
471. Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else (1958)
Adderley. Miles Davis. Hank Jones. Art Blakey. Rudy Van Gelder. A who's who of hard bop jazz all on one iconic record.
470. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
The the fastest-selling debut album in British music history? The Beatles' Please Please Me? Led Zeppelin I? The Who's My Generation? Nope. It's this utterly catchy post-punk revival album.
469. Deftones - White Pony (2000)
The most obscure album to have a grammy-winning track, this alt-metal sound came straight out of West Hollywood
468. Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison (1968)
Cash entered the California facility on a grey January day and delivered a compelling live performance that continues its reign as a historical document over the Outlaw Country genre.
467. The Kinks - Something Else (1967)
This almost-perfect baroque pop album sees the Kinks entering their creative peak as Ray Davies assumes production duties for the first time.
466. Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson (1971)
This quirky, intellectual pop record is as perfectly clunky and charming as the early morning stares suggest.
465. Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul (1969)
This Al Bell landmark is a slick, expansive epic that may just be the embryonic LP for the eventful birth of hip hop.
464. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - Extra Width (1993)
Jaunty, fun, AND soulful in the '90s? Entirely unforgettable.
463. The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You (2004)
The major label debut that will make you cry, an then it will make you dance and stomp your feet.
462. Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963)
An unparalleled album in conception, composition, and execution. The quintessential jazz statement
461. Faces - Ooh La La (1973)
"Can you show me a dream? Can you show me one that's better than mine? Can you stand it in the cold light of day? Neither can I."
460. New Order - Low Life (1985)
Sumner's balance of synth and dance pop creates delicate moods and infectious sounds.
459. Air - Moon Safari (1998)
A French electronica duo pushes the boundary of what the genre could sound like.
458. Lucinda Williams - Car Wheels on a Gravel Road (1998)
Williams delivers a master-class in situational songwriting in this alt-country milestone album.
457. Pink Floyd - Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)
Those who were there for the conception of space rock were encouraged to listen on LSD and can't quite remember the first time they heard this masterpiece.
456. Silver Jews - American Water (1998)
David Berman's deadpan delivery is so nonchalant and imperfect that it may just be art.
455. Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
Brian May's multi-tracked guitars lead a band well-aware of its place in the pompous and indulgent mid-70s hard rock scene.
454. XTC - Skylarking (1986)
Fun fact: if Partridge had his way, the album cover would have been pubic flowers. Yes, pubic flowers.
453. The Pretty Things - Parachute (1970)
An immaculately-produced record, this early '70s bluesy rock record remains an underground nugget despite its influence on musicians.
452. Townes Van Zandt - Live at Old Quarter (1977)
Townes thanks the crowd for being alright with the A/C unit being turned off in the stale Houston, Texas bar. Good thing too: it might have ruined arguably the preeminent live recording by any singer-songwriter.
451. The Microphones - The Glow Pt. 2 (2001)
This release is not for impatient ears, yet it became the blueprint for the next twenty years of ambient, avant-garde and lo-Fi soundscape.
Want to listen to our choice cuts from this list? Follow our countdown playlist on Spotify!
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