Deep dive into the RollingStone top 150 albums of all time: S1E2
I'm taking a deep dive into mainstream records I've missed via the RollingStone Top 150 albums of all time list. This installment looks at #131 to 140.
Recently I began a new project for the site, where I take a deep dive into the RollingStone Top 150 albums list, focusing on albums I've never heard (or completely) before, with the hopes of broadening my music exposure. Picking up where we left off on the last installment, today I will look at #131-140 on the list.
- Dummy by Portishead (Listen)
- 40 Greatest Hits by Hank Williams - disqualified for review, since it's a compilation album
- Hejira by Joni Mitchell
- The Score by Fugees (Listen)
- The Joshua Tree by U2 (Listen)
- Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
- 21 by Adele
- The Immaculate Collection by Madonna - disqualified for review, since it's a compilation album
- Paranoid by Black Sabbath (Listen)
- Catch a Fire by Bob Marley & the Wailers
Paranoid by Black Sabbath was a regular fixture in my household growing up, not only did my parents own this record, but I got my mother a Black Sabbath pin at the Secret Santa Workshop in elementary school...as a Christmas present. Anyway, a super good and influential album I expected to be higher.
Same can be said for Dummy by Portishead, as an influential trip-hop album (#67 on Apple Music's Top 100 list)...and The Score by Fugees as an important hip-hop/R&B record. On the rock side, U2's The Joshua Tree probably deserved better (#49 on Apple's list) placement.
We'll skip those since I'm familiar with (and enjoy) those albums. I also decided to skip compilation albums. Honestly it's weird to have those on a list like this anyway – not sure what RollingStone was thinking. Of course the best songs from an artist, when compiled onto one release, will be a good album. I don't consider it an album, though.
So that leaves four albums for this issue as well. Releases from: Bob Marley, Adele, Funkadelic, and Joni Mitchell. I've listened to other releases from Marley, so it will be interesting to dig into other parts of his catalog.
As a reminder, here's the scale I will be using during this project.
- ★★★★★ = loved it, should probably be higher on the list
- ★★★★ = liked it, seems like it's ranked appropriately
- ★★★ = it's OK, not my thing but I get why people like it
- ★★ = overrated
- ★ = don't get it at all
Here we go!
Catch a Fire by Bob Marley & the Wailers
Released in 1973; #140 in the RollingStones Top 500 list
My take: Bob Marley is one of those artists I never think to listen to, but when I do, I thoroughly enjoy almost all of it. His music definitely takes you into a different world, spiritually I guess you could say...not just through the stories he tells using amazing lyricism, but the melodies and vibes definitely transport you along with them.
Regarding this album specifically, I've heard a few songs but never the whole thing. I usually listen to "Greatest Hits" compilations, but have listened to albums like Exodus in the past, as well. I'm not sure this album reaches the heights of his later albums, but it's a solid introduction to Marley and enjoyable nonetheless. Favorite tracks: "Concrete Jungle" and "Stir it Up".
21 by Adele
Released in 2011; #137 in the RollingStones Top 500 list and #15 in Apple Music's Top 100 list
My take: Not sure this is something I'd listen to regularly, but there is no denying Adele is extremely talented – both as a singer and songwriter. Bluesy, soul-infused pop music, with amazing vocals – it's way better than I expected. Favorite tracks: "Rolling in the Deep", "Set Fire to the Rain", "Lovesong" (cover of The Cure), and "Someone Like You".
I'm not sure how this album was only #137 on the RollingStone list. I'd give it a 4.5 on my scale. I liked it a lot and it should definitely be in the top 100 at the very least.
Maggot Brain by Funkadelic
Released in 1971; #136 in the RollingStones Top 500 list
My take: An amazing album. Rock, funk, blues, psychedelic soul, and conscious lyrics. It's hard to define this album and Funkadelic, other than REALLY good. I saw George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars in college and I don't think I was in the right place to appreciate them, but now? Definitely. Favorite tracks: "Maggot Brain", "Can You Get to That", and "Hit It and Quit It".
Hejira by Joni Mitchell
Released in 1976; #133 in the RollingStones Top 500 list
My take: Jazz folk overlayed with Mitchell's lyrics that tell a cinematic story. I've seen it referred to as a travel diary and that seems like an apt description. Not necessarily my thing, but I definitely hear the influence it has on many indie folk artists today, like Laura Marling and Naima Bock.
Thoughts on these albums or the ones I already knew? Sound off in the comments!
Stay tuned for more! I'm digging this project, so I think it will be easy to keep up over the next few weeks.
BONUS: I created a playlist on Apple Music with a favorite track from each album.
