The Definitive 200 Albums -- Let the Debate Begin

According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, here is the list of the 200 "definitive" albums that all music lovers must own. 

Click here: The Definitive 200

Looking over the list, I can tell you that I own (on vinyl or CD) most of the albums dating from before 1975, a few from the late 70's and 80's, fewer yet from the 90's and virtually none of those from 2000 on.  I am also proud to say that I own not one "Country" or "Rap" album on the list!  I do have one or two disco albums, but they were part of my wife's dowry (along with a Gordon Lightfoot album--which I hate). Long live rock!

Check out the list, and have at it.
 

Comments

[Dustin]

What a bunk list, what a joke.

No Ramones on there.

There would be no Metallica or Green Day if it weren't for the Ramones music.

Although I'm glad Johnny Cash made the list, and am pleased to see the Clash, I cannot fathom why the Ramones aren't on there.

A tragedy.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dustin


P.S. The Clash were Ramones ripoffs when they first started!

[zrim]

too funny, ted n.

if you really are ted nugent, i heard once that your were "a reformed guy." your comment helps explain how you wonderfully blend your musical dimension with your wild-man hunter one (i.e. the meat comment). i am no hunter and i am in no way a part of the hunting sub-culture (it's weird to me), but what i really, REALLY like is your full-orbed embrace of the material world in both these ways. i don't have to "get" hunting but i can join you in your love of "the material world." oops, didn't mean to back into a police or madonna reference.

zrim

[zrim]

"Is it just me, or is there something wrong with Christians going on about how great the rock music on this list is when most of it does not glorify God and were sung by artists, many of whom would've liked nothing more than to see Christianity wiped of the face of the earth altogether? Long live rock-and-roll? I hope not..."

it's just you.

zrim

[walt]

"ps. walt, you are letting your politics hamper your enjoyment of music! dixie chicks are only abominable because they are country singers. :)"

Zrim,

Old country music is pretty good, i.e. Johnny Cash. I can't stand the stuff nowadays. The Dixie Chicks don't sound good, they're shrews, and they're unpatriotic.

[Rev. Bob]

I don't think that this is a list of "Greatest Albums of All Time." I think it is the most definitive albums. So (if I understand this correctly) albums are on the list due to influence and impact. Sgt. Pepper's shaped the way Rock and Roll is today. It is a defining album. So, that would explain why Shania Twain could be so high on the list. Her album was on of the first to mesh country and pop (though, why she would beat out Garth Brooks here, I don't know). Doesn't mean it is one of the greatest albums ever...GOOD HEAVENS NO! But it does mean that it shaped a lot of how music is now.

Just some thoughts.

[since 1994]

What?

no My Bloody Valentine - Loveless?????

[zrim]

walt,

i prefer good bluegrass and even gospel folk (like allison krauss), but country is just plain awful. but if you want to classify cash as country, now you have me quite cornered! uncle. dixie chicks got game and pipes, you have to admit. do they annoy me? something fierce. but not because i am devoted bushie looking for political propaganda in my music. in fact, that's what annoys me about them, how they propagandize their music. if i happened to like the genre, i'd still consume them.

why do i get the feeling you can't enjoy a good episode of MASH (the best sitcom TV ever saw)? friendly joke.

zrim

[Herb Grimaud]

"What?

no My Bloody Valentine - Loveless????? Since 1994"


NO KIDDING!

[anon]

I enjoy all kinds of music. The only problem is the type (Pink Floyd, etc) that were or are used to improve the drug high. Having lived in the drug culture for several years I look at music differently. Don't be ignorant of the powerful influence that music has.

[Tony]

"It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools." -Ecclesiastes 7:5

Are we to sing along with Lennon who made that infamous statement, "Christianity will go, it will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and will be proved right. . . .We're more popular than Jesus now." (San Francisco Chronicle, April 13, 1966, p.26)

Led Zeppelin is Satanic to the core. In the song "Houses of the Holy," Robert Plant (lead singer) speaks of Satan's daughter and making her garden grow (a sexual reference). The album cover displays naked women crawling towards the top of the temple. It's sickening in the name of decency. Anyone who denies the occult inspiration of Led Zeppelin's music is woefully deceived.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." -Ephesians 5:11

Morrison admitted that Satan was the source of his music: "I met the Spirit of Music. . . . An appearance of the devil in a Venice canal. Running, I saw a Satan or Satyr, moving beside me, a fleshly shadow of my secret mind, . . ." (The Lost Writings of Jim Morrison, p. 36-38)

Few people realize (or care to realize) that the Rolling Stones are of the Devil. Rock-n-roll music is absolutely saturated with Satanism and the occult. The song "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling Stones, is the official anthem for the Church of Satan. In it, Lucifer speaks in the first person and asks sympathy for all who meet him. Lead singer, Mick Jagger claims that Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan and author of the Satanic Bible, helped inspire their music! Their album titled, "Their Satanic Majesties Request," leaves no doubt to their allegiance!

I'll stop there. Rock on!? I think not. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

[Ben]

I agree with Tony. The influences behind most rock music are anything but godly. I also agree with Herb however, that there are many ‘Christian’ music artists who are just as immoral, do not know the Lord, and are therefore also under the influence of the prince of this world. It is my argument though, that one does not need to know much about the artists themselves in order to know whether listening to their music is pleasing to God or not. One does not need to subscribe to conspiracy theories or do an in depth study of a musician’s personal life – just listen to the music itself. Does it agree with Scripture or not? (Or is Scripture only for Sunday mornings?)

Contrary to what some have supposed, I do listen to secular music. Should I not listen with discernment though? If I listened to music on the radio and I heard a song that contained curse words or sexual immorality should I not turn it of or listen to something else instead? Could I take pleasure in it knowing that it offended the Lord whom I profess to love? Should I go out and buy the album?

As you can see, this is not exactly in the same category as ‘eating meat sacrificed to idols’. Food is good and as long as it is taken with thanksgiving there’s no problem, even if it was sacrificed to idols. Rock music, however, may be either good or bad. For purposes of illustration we might consider the following: If a rock musician dedicated his music to Satan but somehow managed to sing only about those things that are good and edifying, one might make an argument that it’s ok for Christians to listen to because even though the musician did not intend to do so, he ended up glorifying God (that does not mean that his music would get him brownie-points with God though). On the other hand, even if the artist dedicated his music to God but his music was replete with blasphemy, immorality and ungodly philosophies it would be evil and for a Christian to enjoy it would be taking pleasure in that which God hates. Partaking in music like that is not the same as ‘eating meat sacrificed to idols’ - it’s closer to ‘sacrificing to idols’.

I think it’s beyond refutation that most of the music mentioned on the list falls into the latter category, does not glorify God and should be seen for what it is - sin. It’s after all not the presentation that constitutes great art, but the content and I do not and cannot appreciate any art that opposes and exalts itself against God.

Isaiah 5:20 - Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

[Char]

If people are going to whine about who is or is not on there, then I can too.

Where is Louis Armstrong's Hot Fives and Sevens? The man was a genre unto himself, far more definitive than anything mentioned on the list or here.

Now that that is done, I have to say I am pleased to see that there are at least more than two albums made after 1976. I was surprised at how many I have/had at one point.
Some albums I question (most notably two Def Leppard albums. Huh?) however many are good choices, order in which they are given notwithstanding-I often wonder why they have to rank them in the first place, because it's always wrong. Anyway as someone mentioned the list seems to be about influence or importance to music as a whole as opposed to "goodness".

Given that, Shania Twain is included because that particular album (Come on Over) forever changed country music, which had been controlled by the old guard of the genre. Those who had marginalized this type of country were forced to acknowledge her. I hate Shania Twain, but the album was certainly influential. Same with an album like The Chronic. It was the final bullet to the heart of old school pop rap. I didn't like it, but I can still recognize it's importance.

Continue on with your discussion about the evils of <strike>monkey music</strike>...oh I mean rock.

[DSY]

No Boston debut album?

DSY

[mike]

I understand these lists are subjective, but to list "Blood on the Tracks" at #157 is crazy. And Santana's "Supernatural" is on the list but "Abraxas" or thier first album is not? Oh my... I feel Existential angst coming over me again.