NFT: Pitchfork's top 200 albums of the last 25 years

In comment 15432692 santacruzom said:

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In comment 15432622 GNewGiants said: Quote: by how does Hybrid Theory by Linkin Park not even make the cut? I'm not sure but I think it's because most people who take music seriously enough to really invest themselves in a list like this think Linkin Park sucks. That's probably it.

I love when people question peoples enjoyment for music. It’s a matter of taste. They’ve sold over 100 million copies - so people enjoy their music. Maybe you don’t, which is fine.

But it’s a great album and better than many on that list.

they started as an Indie review site IIRC, so most of the albums are in that vein. They don't even really review much metal or hard rock. I like seeing Neutral Milk Hotel so high, and that Purple Mountains made the list, even if it was near the bottom.

is a bit much. Not a bad list otherwise, although I could quibble about a few omissions. Since U2 was mentioned, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb would be one of them.

is such an interesting band. 2 albums, one considered a classic, tons of bands mention them as influential, broke up, got back together and nothing since 2015 including from their lead singer (Jeff Mangum).

all over the map with my musical tastes but I tried getting into Animal Collective and they just aren't for me.

should ASAP.
Lost in the Dream album is on the list and it is incredible. The newer album "A Deeper Understanding" is also amazing. They have their latest album dropping very soon.
It's like Dylan meets Springsteen and Knopfler - with a drum machine and synths.

Radiohead aren't even the best band from Oxford.

at #67. Did not expect that. Great album.

Wow. Pitchfork media lol

To put it mildly, they were the first "publication" I realized had that douchy biased vibe. I was young, cold and I could feel those douche vibes through every article written. Barf.

liked the Funeral and Suburbs albums from Arcade Fire - not so much the most recent stuff.

War On Drugs reigns supreme for me.
The tracks build up, its almost cinematic how he layers the jams. It has that big heavy synthy vibe with acoustic roots. Like the early Waterboys albums.

In comment 15432734 DanMetroMan said:

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is such an interesting band. 2 albums, one considered a classic, tons of bands mention them as influential, broke up, got back together and nothing since 2015 including from their lead singer (Jeff Mangum).

Apparently, Mangum didn't care for and/or couldn't handle his sudden fame and basically walked away. Great, unique voice

In comment 15432752 GiantsLaw said:

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In comment 15432734 DanMetroMan said: Quote: is such an interesting band. 2 albums, one considered a classic, tons of bands mention them as influential, broke up, got back together and nothing since 2015 including from their lead singer (Jeff Mangum). Apparently, Mangum didn't care for and/or couldn't handle his sudden fame and basically walked away. Great, unique voice

Yeah, a while back I randomly was curious what he was up to. What I read was basically what you said. He's mostly a recluse and an "artist". That album is truly great. Pressure to match that probably didn't help.

In comment 15432602 Dave in PA said:

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Lateralus not only is missing from the top 10, it’s not on this disastrous list at all. Pass

So many unacceptable omissions. We can start with that one. Kilers Hot Fuss is another. Alice n chains? Hello? I may have missed some, but no sound garden? I stopped after 100 because fuck that.

This list is just a reminder of how bad music has been for a quarter century. Grunge, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Soundgarden was the last hope to save rock and roll...

In comment 15432726 GiantsLaw said:

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they started as an Indie review site IIRC, so most of the albums are in that vein. They don't even really review much metal or hard rock. I like seeing Neutral Milk Hotel so high, and that Purple Mountains made the list, even if it was near the bottom.

I think that's a very accurate assessment.

I was a big fan of Pitchfork and a lot of the indie genre from 2000-2010ish, so I can appreciate a lot of the music on here. But I get the criticism.

Man they love Sufjan.. #12. I personally love the album, but how can you rank an album so high that the large majority of people never listened to or even know this guy exists as a musician?

Deftones - White Pony (which is a great fucking album - and they just re-released), how is there not a single Tool album?

There's also random pop albums thrown in there, so it does feel very schizophrenic.

In comment 15432645 John In CO said:

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In comment 15432555 bw in dc said: Quote: and, I believe, 6 albums in the top 200...?? I really like Radiohead but that is absurd. And no U2 albums from the last 25 years? Right... I shouldnt even open this. Radiohead is a band I just DO NOT GET:). NOTHING against them, I know they are good to a ton of people and critics absolutely fall over themselves, but man....ive tried listening to them many times, just to see if it finally clicks, and just doesnt do it for me. And I like a lot of different types of rock, from Beatles, Floyd, LZ, Stones, Springsteen to REM, Replacements, Pixies, Arcade Fire, Rival Sons...a ton of stuff. But Radiohead, I hear that voice, then the music just doesnt ....move.... Anyway, obviously a "me" issue. Im sure ill try again at some point.

Yeah, the voice is a big part of band's sound. Even if the music is great, the voice can be a distraction. And Thom York is certainly not for everyone. I think he's fine, but what makes Radiohead so good, IMV, is their willingness to push and experiment with their sound.

This is likely very taboo, but I can't stand Bob Dylan. And that's because I think he's just a horrible singer and that is more than enough to offset is lyrical genius.

He should have been the Bernie Taupen for another artist/act... ;)

In comment 15432555 bw in dc said:

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and, I believe, 6 albums in the top 200...?? I really like Radiohead but that is absurd.

Pretty much sums up Pitchfork.

In comment 15432794 Mellowmood92 said:

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Deftones - White Pony (which is a great fucking album - and they just re-released), how is there not a single Tool album? There's also random pop albums thrown in there, so it does feel very schizophrenic.

Searched for Deftones to see if they made it. I prefer them to Tool, but yea that is absurd.

elaborate trolling of Taylor Swift. They put like 5 Kanye albums ahead of her first.

I’m punk/ska/indy/polka sort of guy but when comparing pop music, how are three or four West albums “better” than hers? Her records have multiple mega hits each. Mostly all catchy pop tunes. He writes fake controversial, not quite rap or hip hop pop tunes that sound like someone trying too hard.

In comment 15432806 bw in dc said:

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In comment 15432645 John In CO said: Quote: In comment 15432555 bw in dc said: Quote: and, I believe, 6 albums in the top 200...?? I really like Radiohead but that is absurd. And no U2 albums from the last 25 years? Right... I shouldnt even open this. Radiohead is a band I just DO NOT GET:). NOTHING against them, I know they are good to a ton of people and critics absolutely fall over themselves, but man....ive tried listening to them many times, just to see if it finally clicks, and just doesnt do it for me. And I like a lot of different types of rock, from Beatles, Floyd, LZ, Stones, Springsteen to REM, Replacements, Pixies, Arcade Fire, Rival Sons...a ton of stuff. But Radiohead, I hear that voice, then the music just doesnt ....move.... Anyway, obviously a "me" issue. Im sure ill try again at some point. Yeah, the voice is a big part of band's sound. Even if the music is great, the voice can be a distraction. And Thom York is certainly not for everyone. I think he's fine, but what makes Radiohead so good, IMV, is their willingness to push and experiment with their sound. This is likely very taboo, but I can't stand Bob Dylan. And that's because I think he's just a horrible singer and that is more than enough to offset is lyrical genius. He should have been the Bernie Taupen for another artist/act... ;)

I can't really get into Radiohead either. I like the album The Bends but OK Computer was overhyped, imo. And then I saw them on their last tour, I guess they went with deep cuts, I was bored.

Dylan, however, is pretty clearly the greatest songwriter of the last 60 years and I think his singing suits the music. I suggest catching the classic rock doc Don't Look Back which captures Dylan at the very height of his powers during a tour of England. The scene where he sings It's All Over Now, Baby Blue to a small gathering in a hotel room including Donovan, I think, really expresses his genius.

which is sometimes seen as a competition between Dylan and Donovan. Dylan had been hearing his name all during his tour of England, and all during the documentary, Donovan was being called the "British Bob Dylan". It feels like sparks fly when they finally meet.

But I think the competitive angle has been overdone.
Dylan Meets Donovan - ( New Window )

In comment 15432659 BigBlueNH said:

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because the albums on this list don't hold a candle to the top 200 albums of the 25 years before these last 25 years.

Haha, that was my thought exactly. Or my first thought anyway. Looking at the list, there is some good stuff there. But my, say, top 50 albums would all be from more than 25 years ago. Hey, I *am* old...

would be the top-5 on this list, imo.

Zeppelin IV
Sticky Fingers
Who's Next
What's Going On
Blue

and if you don't like any of those you could substitute

Allman Brothers Live at the Fillmore
Hunky Dory
Fragile
Master of Reality
Imagine
Surf's Up
Aqualung
Tapestry
There's a Riot Goin' On

Over Jay-Z’s Blueprint? Yeah FOH

40% I've never heard of. I recognize 40 % of the names, but couldn't name a song. Swans are the only band that I've seen and the only record that I own, but I bought their first album when it came out 40 years ago.
Sports talk radio became by go to over this 25 year period. I discovered any new bands over this time by seeing them as opening bands. I never listen to commercial music radio.

Based on many of the comments, seems like a lot of folks missed this a Pitchfork readers list.

I bet those who have strong disagreement, don’t in fact read Pitchfork?

Would definitely name them as a favorite. But even I'd concede that Kid A may not belong at the top of any "best albums" list. Adventurous, influential, radical departure... sure, I get it. But I'm never in the mood to listen to it and doubt I've played it start to finish in the past 15 years. Just doesn't do it for me.

Now In Rainbows... that's a Radiohead album.

In comment 15432781 Mellowmood92 said:

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Man they love Sufjan.. #12. I personally love the album, but how can you rank an album so high that the large majority of people never listened to or even know this guy exists as a musician?

The artist whose albums I'd vote to remove not only from the list but from the Earth is Joanna Newsom. Just can't stand that affectation of hers.

If you start that clock at 1994, you can easily pickup another 20 great albums.

I’ll argue to my grave 1994 is the best year of recorded music in history.

Weezer - Blue Album
Morrissey - Vauxhall and I
NIN - Downward Spiral
Nas- Illmatic
BIG - Ready to Die
Jeff Buckley - Grace
Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
Portishead - Dummy
Hole - Live Through This
REM - Monster
Massive Attack - Protection
Everything But the Girl - Amplified Hearts
24 Hour Revenge Therapy Jawbreaker
Blur - Parklife
Built to Spill - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love
Tom Petty - Wildflowers
Oasis - Definitely Maybe
Nirvana- Unplugged
Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible
Lyle Lovett - I Love Everybody

In comment 15433146 christian said:

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If you start that clock at 1994, you can easily pickup another 20 great albums. I’ll argue to my grave 1994 is the best year of recorded music in history. Weezer - Blue Album Morrissey - Vauxhall and I NIN - Downward Spiral Nas- Illmatic BIG - Ready to Die Jeff Buckley - Grace Beastie Boys - Ill Communication Portishead - Dummy Hole - Live Through This REM - Monster Massive Attack - Protection Everything But the Girl - Amplified Hearts 24 Hour Revenge Therapy Jawbreaker Blur - Parklife Built to Spill - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love Tom Petty - Wildflowers Oasis - Definitely Maybe Nirvana- Unplugged Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible Lyle Lovett - I Love Everybody

1971 is so much better

I'll see your 1994, and raise you 1991...

Pearl Jam "Ten"
U2 "Achtung Baby"
Rem "Out of Time"
Nirvana "Never Mind"
Chilly Peppers "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
Lenny Kravitz "Mama Said"
Metallica "Black Album"
Seal "Seal"
Matthew Sweet "Girlfriend" (god, I loved this record...)
Sting "Soul Cages"
Marc Cohn "Marc Cohn"

BTW, I have all of these... ;)

In comment 15433146 christian said:

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If you start that clock at 1994, you can easily pickup another 20 great albums. I’ll argue to my grave 1994 is the best year of recorded music in history. Weezer - Blue Album Morrissey - Vauxhall and I NIN - Downward Spiral Nas- Illmatic BIG - Ready to Die Jeff Buckley - Grace Beastie Boys - Ill Communication Portishead - Dummy Hole - Live Through This REM - Monster Massive Attack - Protection Everything But the Girl - Amplified Hearts 24 Hour Revenge Therapy Jawbreaker Blur - Parklife Built to Spill - There’s Nothing Wrong With Love Tom Petty - Wildflowers Oasis - Definitely Maybe Nirvana- Unplugged Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible Lyle Lovett - I Love Everybody

Offspring- Smash and Green Day - Dookie too. That led to everyone finding NOFX - Punk in Drublic.

In comment 15433191 bw in dc said:

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I'll see your 1994, and raise you 1991... Pearl Jam "Ten" U2 "Achtung Baby" Rem "Out of Time" Nirvana "Never Mind" Chilly Peppers "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" Lenny Kravitz "Mama Said" Metallica "Black Album" Seal "Seal" Matthew Sweet "Girlfriend" (god, I loved this record...) Sting "Soul Cages" Marc Cohn "Marc Cohn" BTW, I have all of these... ;)

I agree 91 is better than 94, and you left out:

Loveless, My Bloody vanetine
Badmotorfinger, Soundgarden
Trompe Le Monde, The Pixies
Out of Time, REM
Screamadelica, Primal Scream
Use Your Illusion 1&2, GNR
Spiderland, Slint
Gish, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Low End Theory, Tribe Called Quest
Bandwagonesque, Teenage Fanclub
Green Mind, Dinosaur Jr

But 71 is better than both years.

Big REM fan...wouldn't leave that out... ;)

In comment 15433208 bw in dc said:

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Big REM fan...wouldn't leave that out... ;)

Among the many times I saw them was Radio City for Fables of the Reconstruction, and an Olympic bicycle venue, the Velodrome, in Montreal for Document.

There are a number of albums I enjoy from ‘71 — but probably more that I respect than like.

I wasn’t alive in 1971, so the time and place, also don’t have any relevance to me.

In comment 15433234 christian said:

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There are a number of albums I enjoy from ‘71 — but probably more that I respect than like. I wasn’t alive in 1971, so the time and place, also don’t have any relevance to me.

I hearya.. I was alive but very young. I didn't appreciate those albums until 8 years later. But any year with Zep 4, Who's Next, and Sticky Fingers is incredible. Arguably the best albums by each of those bands. And I forgot to mention Floyd's Meddle came out that year.

I was going to a lot of concerts in that 91 to 94 period. I saw a lot of those acts and listened to a lot of that music.

and Roses off the 71 list, arguably their best album.

And, no disrespect to Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street has been named the best R&R--no less the Stones--album by some critics.

In comment 15433270 Lurts said:

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and Roses off the 71 list, arguably their best album. And, no disrespect to Sticky Fingers, Exile on Main Street has been named the best R&R--no less the Stones--album by some critics.

Yes Skull and Roses is a big one too. I don't know about their best. But really good.

I said arguably about the best. I love Exile. Adore it. It might be my favorite. But any of those big four - Beggars, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers and Exile, could be reasonably called their best. Sticky Fingers is an amazing album. It rocks hard, a little trippy, all great songs, moody and fantastic guitar playing from Taylor.

In comment 15432636 montanagiant said:

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Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar have combined five out of the top ten albums over the last 25 years with Radiohead having three of the top four? Give me a fucking break, did they only count suburban hipsters' votes?

Uh, this is pitchfork, so the answer to your question is unironically yes

I think the top end of a lot years is better — I think the breadth of 1994 is what tops it off for me.

Two of my favorite records of all time are Grace and Vauxhall and I, so that certainly factors for me.

I can’t stand Zeppelin, and am not a huge fan of The Who. I know that’s sensibility offending. As I’ve gotten older I’ve grown to love the Stones, but I didn’t grow up on them.

Of the records that came out in ‘71 — my favorite are Hunky Dory, Every Picture Tells a Story, and LA Woman. Those are definitely records that I connect with and listen to end-to-end regularly.

In comment 15433315 christian said:

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I think the top end of a lot years is better — I think the breadth of 1994 is what tops it off for me. Two of my favorite records of all time are Grace and Vauxhall and I, so that certainly factors for me. I can’t stand Zeppelin, and am not a huge fan of The Who. I know that’s sensibility offending. As I’ve gotten older I’ve grown to love the Stones, but I didn’t grow up on them. Of the records that came out in ‘71 — my favorite are Hunky Dory, Every Picture Tells a Story, and LA Woman. Those are definitely records that I connect with and listen to end-to-end regularly.

I can't believe I left out those two albums. I love LA Woman and like Every Picture very much. What about Zeppelin do you dislike? Just curious. Why do they rub you the wrong way?

teams was going for it on fourth down. Lots of big plays on fourth and 3 or 5 around midfield. Giants probably punt there.

In comment 15433334 St. Jimmy said:

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teams was going for it on fourth down. Lots of big plays on fourth and 3 or 5 around midfield. Giants probably punt there.

Opps. Wrong thread.

In comment 15433327 Producer said:

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I can't believe I left out those two albums. I love LA Woman and like Every Picture very much. What about Zeppelin do you dislike? Just curious. Why do they rub you the wrong way?

I’ve asked myself this countless times. I can’t stand Zeppelin era Plant, but absolutely love his solo work.

I don’t get it really, I understand and respect the influence they had on rock and metal to come, I love flamboyant front men, I really enjoy that era of music.

In comment 15433346 christian said:

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In comment 15433327 Producer said: Quote: I can't believe I left out those two albums. I love LA Woman and like Every Picture very much. What about Zeppelin do you dislike? Just curious. Why do they rub you the wrong way? I’ve asked myself this countless times. I can’t stand Zeppelin era Plant, but absolutely love his solo work. I don’t get it really, I understand and respect the influence they had on rock and metal to come, I love flamboyant front men, I really enjoy that era of music.

I have friends who don't like him, and I think, like you, they mean that era. He is screeching and moaning. I think it's a bit much for a lot of people, and probably it's mainly 1 & 2 they are responding to. I have a friend who hates them but he loves Communication Breakdown and Immigrant Song, which are a bit more straightforward with no moaning interludes, short and sweet.

I think that’s probably spot on. I think All My Love is damn near perfect song, and at least the album cut doesn’t go in any weird directions.

This isn’t Pitchfork’s best albums of the past 25 years. The title of the article gives that away:

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The 200 Best Albums of the Last 25 Years, According to Pitchfork Readers

So, yeah, that’s why 4 Radiohead albums in the top 10. Which is still completely ridiculous. But Pitchfork is too far off the beaten path to have 4 albums by anyone other than Kendrick Lamar or Lil Wayne in the top ten. Even Sufjan Stevens would only have 3 albums in the Pitchfork writers top ten of the past 25 years. In fact, yeah, Pitchfork writers top ten would be some combination of those three and an organic bees wax reissue of Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

In comment 15432976 santacruzom said:

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...Kid A may not belong at the top of any "best albums" list. Now In Rainbows... that's a Radiohead album.

My thoughts exactly, I've tried several times and Kid A just doesn't interest me at all. In Rainbows is gold baby