I am curious what albums people find truly special. Please share an album, regardless of genre, that wows you every time you listen to it. I am going to lay down some rules (subject to change based on suggestions and feedback), to try and keep everything consistent and organized...

The album needs to be exactly that: an album. An entire album that stands on it's own as something you consider a very complete and excellent work.

It needs to be an album that, about two or three songs in, you're thinking "man, this is a good album"; two thirds of the way through you're like "holy shit, this album is good!"; and at the end it is cemented, just like the last time you listened to it, as a very important album for you.

I know this is going to be subjective. Do your best not to have your choice influenced by albums that music culture has deemed important or influential. Do your best not to be influenced by the desire to be "kvlt", as they say in metal circles. If the album you honestly choose is all of those things, then so be it, but just keep those influences in mind when considering.

Keep the politics of the musicians out of the discussion. The politics and messages of a band that someone enjoys do not necessarily mirror their own.

Keep material possessions out of it. We are not discussing a limited edition audiophile vinyl someone may have. I understand that some albums are best listened-to on a certain format, or with certain equipment. Albums that speak to you the way that is required to be mentioned here shouldn't need any special listening setup to be powerful to you.

The album needs to have been released no later than December 2015. I want to avoid people mentioning the latest thing their jazzed about. Albums that qualify for this discussion need to have staying power. Staying power can't be established quickly, and I think five years is a good round number.

Lastly, you can mention as many as you want, but only do one at a time, and do your best to listen to one that someone else mentions before mentioning another yourself.

Any other parameter suggestions are welcome.

The album I'll start the discussion with is Life is Killing Me by Type O Negative

Rumours - Fleetwood Mac




.

Paul Simon's "Graceland."

Ridin with the King. Eric Clapton and BB King.

I've listened to it a thousand times. Every time it puts me in a good place.

https://www.amazon.com/Riding-...+%2Caps%2C224&sr=8-1

Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon/Wish You Were Here/A Momentary Lapse of Reason

Metallica - Master of Puppets/…And Justice For All

Rush - Moving Pictures/Clockwork Angels

I’d almost put Amaranthe’s Massive Addictive in that list, but it looks like that was a perfect album fluke as the rest of their stuff is hit or miss.

Typically, I would post Layla and Other Assorted Lovesongs, and have in similar threads. Today instead, I’ll say,
Alone Together, Dave Mason

Queensryche Operation Mindcrime

I've never considered to itemize by the song.
That is a product of today's music and online distribution.
Plenty of great albums and always took it in total.

Live LP's are kind of cheating as they could be a hits complication.

Rare Earth in Concert (1971)
I played the ever livin' shit out it and still do.

Slayer: Reign in Blood. Though I doubt God had anything to do with it.

Tommy - The Who
Sgt. Pepper's, White Album - Beatles
Leave Home - Ramones

Yes - "Fragile"

Rush, Exit Stage Left. Although a combination of songs from a couple of different albums, I view this live performance a stand-alone version as the live version appeals to me more than the studio versions.

+1 for DSOTM and The Wall

But if you want me to play by the rules, then:
Mumford and Sons: Babel

Tony.

The Clash, "London Calling."

Ok, I’ll say it - Layla by Derek & The Dominos.

The other album that still blows me away is The Beatles- Rubber Soul.

I spent years lifting to Metallica’s black album.

I think I should keep this to one, but that's hard to do.

Thick as a Brick

Quadrophenia

Aja

Close to the Edge

Lots of good ones already listed, so I am only going to add these three to the list:

Led Zeppelin 4 aka the Zoso album

The Eagles: Hotel California

Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: Night Moves

Edited to add:

Beach Boys: Pet Sounds

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jsbcody,