camusunder's Top 500 Albums of All Time (Part 1/5)

Hey all! I've been hard at work putting together this list of my 500 favorite albums of all time. It probably sounds silly, but I take this list very seriously. I carefully consider what makes an album impactful to me, and rank them as accurately as possible. These reasons vary, and are often very much subjective. There are objective measures one can apply to determine that a particular album is special (inventiveness, poeticism, technical proficiency, etc.), and these can definitely play a role in what makes an album stand out in my view. Personally, I like different things in different kinds of music. For example, I typically prefer rock music that features strong melodic writing, or, highly experimental. I like my electronic trippy and strange, prefer hip hop with socially conscious lyrics, and metal impacts me more when it is slow and heavy (typically). In the end, this list is just my personal taste.

This list (and following entries) are arranged in reverse order. I find this makes for a more fun read! Part 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be published soon. 

Some interesting statistics regarding this post: 

The average age of the albums on this list is 28.7 years. 

Country count: USA - 51, UK - 21, Canada - 8, Japan - 7, Australia - 2, Ireland - 2, Iceland - 2, Germany - 2, Norway - 1, Austria - 1, Brazil - 1, Israel - 1, Lebanon - 1

Most common subgenres: Art Pop, Singer/Songwriter, Trip Hop, Electronic, Alternative Rock, Experimental Rock

Most popular album: 468. The Beatles - The Beatles [White Album] 

Most obscure album: 491. Levinhurst - House by the Sea 

500. 菅野よう子 [Yoko Kanno] - 攻殻機動隊: Stand Alone Complex O.S.T. (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex O.S.T.)  ||  Electronic, Television Music, Ambient Pop  ||  2003  ||  eclectic, futuristic  ||  Japan

499. Caroline Polachek - Pang  ||  Alt-Pop, Art Pop, Electronic  ||  2019  ||  longing, atmospheric  ||  USA

498. Jimmy Hunt - Maladie d'amour  ||  French Pop, Indie Pop  ||  2013  ||  sexual, love  ||  Canada

497. Yo La Tengo - This Stupid World  ||  Indie Rock, Post-Rock  ||  2023  ||  atmospheric, hypnotic  ||  USA

496. Meira Asher - Spears Into Hooks  ||  Post-Industrial, Noise  ||  1999  ||  abstract, ominous  ||  Israel

495. Acoustic Ladyland - Skinny Grin  ||  Jazz Rock, Experimental Rock, Art Punk  ||  2006  ||  avant-garde, energetic  ||  UK

494. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)  ||  East Coast Hip Hop, Boom Bap, Hardcore Hip Hop  ||  1993  ||  aggressive, raw  ||  USA

493. The Cure - Seventeen Seconds  ||  Gothic Rock, Post-Punk  ||  1980  ||  somber, cold  ||  UK

492. 中森明菜 [Akina Nakamori] - 不思議 (Fushigi)  ||  Synthpop, Art Pop, Ethereal Wave  ||  1986  ||  lush, mysterious  ||  Japan

491. Levinhurst - House by the Sea  ||  Trip Hop, Downtempo  ||  2007  ||  lush, lethargic  ||  USA

490. 青葉市子 [Ichiko Aoba] - アダンの風 (Adan no kaze)  ||  Chamber Folk, Singer/Songwriter  ||  2020  ||  peaceful, aquatic  ||  Japan

489. McKinley Dixon - Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!?  ||  Jazz Rap, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2023  ||  lush, conscious  ||  USA

488. The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground  ||  Pop Rock  ||  1969  ||  melodic, mellow  ||  USA

487. Wire - Pink Flag  ||  Punk Rock, Art Punk  ||  1977  ||  energetic, raw  ||  UK

486. Glenn Branca - The Ascension  ||  No Wave, Noise Rock, Totalism, Experimental Rock, Post-Rock  ||  1981  ||  dissonant, suspenseful  ||  USA

485. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues  ||  Indie Folk, Chamber Folk  ||  2011  ||  lush, existential  ||  USA

484. Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock Record  ||  Indie Rock  ||  2011  ||  melodic, lush  ||  Canada

483. Danger Mouse & Black Thought - Cheat Codes  ||  East Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2022  ||  poetic, philosophical  ||  USA

482. 山岡晃 [Akira Yamaoka]  - Silent Hill 4 -The Room-  ||  Video Game Music, Ambient, Trip Hop  ||  2004  ||  atmospheric, ominous  ||  Japan

481. Björk - Debut  ||  Art Pop, House  ||  1993  ||  eclectic, uplifting  ||  Iceland

480. Rabih Abou-Khalil - Al-Jadida (الجديدة)  ||  Arabic Jazz  ||  1991  ||  repetitive, mellow  ||  Lebanon

479. Tanya Tagaq - Retribution  ||  Inuit Vocal Games, Experimental Rock  ||  2016  ||  disturbing, aggressive  ||  Canada

478. billy woods - Aethiopes  ||  Abstract Hip Hop, Experimental Hip Hop, East Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop  ||  2022  ||  dark, ominous  ||  USA

477. Juçara Marçal - Delta Estácio Blues  ||  Vanguarda paulista, Experimental Rock  ||  2021  ||  dissonant, avant-garde  ||  Brazil

476. The Antlers - Hospice  ||  Indie Rock  ||  2009  ||  death, sad  ||  USA

475. Destroyer - Kaputt  ||  Sophisti-Pop  ||  2011  ||  lush, poetic  ||  Canada

474. Genesis - The Lamb Lays Down on Broadway  ||  Progressive Rock, Rock Opera  ||  1974  ||  surreal, complex  ||  UK

473. Soundgarden - Superunknown  ||  Grunge  ||  1994  ||  heavy, dark  ||  USA

472. Dorian Electra - Flamboyant  ||  Hyperpop, Electropop  ||  2019  ||  playful, quirky  ||  USA

471. Destroyer - Destroyer's Rubies  ||  Indie Rock, Chamber Pop  ||  2006  ||  poetic, lush  ||  Canada

470. The Divine Comedy - Absent Friends  ||  Baroque Pop, Art Pop  ||  2004  ||  lush, orchestral  ||  UK

469. King Hannah - I'm Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me  ||  Alternative Rock  ||  2022  ||  dark, somber  ||  UK

468. The Beatles - The Beatles [White Album]  ||  Pop Rock, Rock  ||  1968  ||  eclectic, playful  ||  UK

467. Katie Gately - Loom  ||  Electroacoustic, Art Pop, Electronic  ||  2020  ||  cold, ominous  ||  USA

466. of Montreal - Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?  ||  Psychedelic Pop, Indie Pop, Neo-Psychedelia, Indietronica  ||  2007  ||  conceptual, quirky  ||  USA

465. Eugene McDaniels - Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse  ||  Psychedelic Soul  ||  1971  ||  passionate, political  ||  USA

464. Bob Dylan - Blonde on Blonde  ||  Folk Rock, Singer/Songwriter  ||  1966  ||  poetic, sarcastic  ||  USA

463. Kraftwerk - Die Mensch-Maschine  ||  Electronic  ||  1978  ||  futuristic, mechanical  ||  Germany

462. Scott Walker - Bish Bosch  ||  Experimental, Post-Industrial  ||  2012  ||  disturbing, humorous  ||  USA

461. Grasscut - 1 Inch / ½ Mile  ||  Indietronica  ||  2010  ||  eclectic, peaceful  ||  UK

460. John Zorn - Naked City ||  Avant-Garde Jazz, Jazz-Rock, Avant-Prog  ||  1990  ||  chaotic, manic  ||  USA

459. Snail's House - Snö  ||  Downtempo, Kawaii Future Bass  ||  2018  ||  peaceful, soothing  ||  Japan

458. Envy - The Fallen Crimson  ||  Screamo, Post-Rock  ||  2020  ||  uplifting, melancholic  ||  Japan

457. Depeche Mode - Songs of Faith and Devotion  ||  Alternative Rock  ||  1993  ||  atmospheric, dark  ||  UK

456. King Crimson - Discipline  ||  1981  ||  New Wave, Art Rock, Progressive Rock  ||  1981  ||  technical, complex  ||  UK

455. Tactile Gemma - Tactile Gemma  ||  Trip Hop, Experimental  ||  2001  ||  avant-garde, cold  ||  Norway

454. Neko Case - Blacklisted  ||  Alt-Country, Singer/Songwriter  ||  2002  ||  melodic, melancholic  ||  USA

453. black midi - Schlagenheim  ||  Noise Rock, Math Rock, Experimental Rock  ||  2019  ||  complex, manic  ||  UK

452. Mastodon - Crack the Skye  ||  Progressive Metal  ||  2009  ||  fantasy, conceptual  ||  USA

451. Lady Gaga - The Fame Monster  ||  Dance Pop, Electropop  ||  2009  ||  anthemic, sexual  ||  USA

350. King Woman - Celestial Blues  ||  Atmospheric Sludge Metal, Doom Metal, Doomgaze  ||  2021  ||  dense, heavy  ||  USA

349. Manic Street Preachers - This is My Truth Tell Me Yours  ||  Britpop, Alternative Rock  ||  1998  ||  melodic, conscious  ||  UK

348. The Dolly Rocker Movement - Our Days Mind the Tyme  ||  Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock, Neo-Psychedelia  ||  2009  ||  quirky, lush  ||  Australia

347. Ethel Caine - Preacher's Daughter  ||  Singer-Songwriter, Dream Pop, Slowcore  ||  2022  ||  lethargic, dark  ||  USA

346. Lou Reed - Transformer  ||  Glam Rock, Pop Rock  ||  1972  ||  sexual, urban  ||  USA

345. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy  ||  Pop Rap, Hip Hop  ||  2010  ||  epic, hedonistic  ||  USA

344. Roy Harper - Stormcock  ||  Progressive Folk, Singer/Songwriter  ||  1971  ||  war, protest  ||  UK

343. Terry Callier - What Color Is Love  ||  Chicago Soul  ||  1972  ||  romantic, mellow  ||  USA

342. Blue Sky Black Death - Slow Burning Lights  ||  Trip Hop  ||  2008  ||  nocturnal, dark  ||  USA

341. Fiona Apple - The Idler Wheel...  ||  Singer/Songwriter, Art Pop  ||  2012  ||  poetic, bittersweet  ||  USA

340. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks  ||  Singer/Songwriter, Folk Rock  ||  1975  ||  poetic, lonely  ||  USA

339. Massive Attack - Protection  ||  Trip Hop  ||  1994  ||  rhythmic, atmospheric  ||  UK

338. Backxwash - I Lie Here Buried With My Rings and My Dresses  ||  Industrial Hip Hop, Horrorcore  ||  2021  ||  heavy, aggressive  ||  Canada

337. Einstuerzende Neubauten - Haus der Luege  ||  Industrial  ||  1989  ||  mechanical, anxious  ||  Germany

336. Tom Waits - Closing Time  ||  Piano Blues, Singer/Songwriter  ||  1973  ||  romantic, lonely  ||  USA

335. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!  ||  New Rave  ||  2009  ||  uplifting, energetic  ||  USA

334. Danny Brown - XXX  ||  Hardcore Hip Hop  ||  2011  ||  vulgar, sexual  ||  USA

333. John Williams - Fiddler on the Roof  ||  Film Soundtrack, Show Tunes, Ashkenazi Music  ||  1971  ||  religious, melodic  ||  USA

332. 椎名林檎 [Sheena Ringo] - 勝訴ストリップ (Shōso Strip)  ||  J-Rock, Noise Pop, Art Pop  ||  2000  ||  passionate, dense  ||  Japan

331. Swans - To Be Kind  ||  Experimental Rock, Post-Rock  ||  2014  ||  epic, noisy  ||  USA

330. The Nation of Ulysses - Plays Pretty for Baby  ||  Post-Hardcore, Art Punk  ||  1992  ||  anxious, sarcastic  ||  USA

329. The Cranberries - Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?  ||  Dream Pop, Alternative Rock, Pop Rock  ||  1993  ||  melancholic, melodic  ||  Ireland

328. Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest  ||  Neo-Psychedelia, Indie Rock  ||  2010  ||  depressive, lush  ||  USA

327. Coil - Black Antlers  ||  Electronic, Experimental, Post-Industrial  ||  2004  ||  ominous, disturbing  ||  UK

326. Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland  ||  Blues Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Acid Rock  ||  1968  ||  surreal, sensual  ||  USA

325. Tyler, the Creator - Flowerboy  ||  West-Coast Hip Hop, Neo-Soul  ||  2017  ||  lush, lonely  ||  USA

324. Sunn O))) - Monoliths & Dimensions  ||  Drone Metal  ||  2009  ||  occult, heavy  ||  USA

323. DeVotchKa - How It Ends  ||  Gypsy Punk, Chamber Pop, Folk Rock  ||  2004  ||  melancholic, eclectic  ||  USA

322. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation  ||  Noise Rock  ||  1988  ||  anxious, raw  ||  USA

321. Beach House - Bloom  ||  Dream Pop  ||  2012  ||  lush, mellow  ||  USA

320. The Feelies - Crazy Rhythms  ||  Post-Punk, Art Punk  ||  1980  ||  playful, anxious  ||  USA

319. King Crimson - In the Court of the Crimson King  ||  Progressive Rock, Art Rock  ||  1969  ||   fantasy, epic  ||  UK

318. Moonface - Julia With Blue Jeans On  ||  Singer/Songwriter  ||  2013  ||  passionate, love  ||  Canada

317. Jarboe - Sacrificial Cake  ||  Darkwave, Experimental  ||  1995  ||  avant-garde, disturbing  ||  USA

316. Prince - Purple Rain  ||  Pop Rock, Film Soundtrack, Synth Funk  ||  1984  ||  sensual, playful  ||  USA

315. J Dilla - Donuts  ||  Instrumental Hip Hop  ||  2006  ||  bittersweet, eclectic  ||  USA

314. Electric Wizard - Dopethrone  ||  Stoner Metal, Doom Metal  ||  2000  ||  heavy, occult  ||  UK

313. Car Seat Headrest - Teens of Denial  ||  Indie Rock  ||  2016  ||  anxious, bittersweet  ||  USA

312. Björk - Fossora  ||  Post-Industrial, Experimental, Art Pop, Electronic, Gabber  ||  2022  ||  avant-garde, eclectic  ||  Iceland

311. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening  ||  Dance-Punk, Indietronica, Alternative Dance  ||  2010  ||  sarcastic, energetic  ||  USA

310. Tool - Lateralus  ||  Progressive Metal, Alternative Metal  ||  2001  ||  philosophical, technical  ||  USA

309. Curtis Mayfield - Curtis  ||  Chicago Soul  ||  1970  ||  uplifting, passionate  ||  USA

308. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Tender Prey  ||  Gothic Rock, Post-Punk  ||  1988  ||  death, dark  ||  Australia

307. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible  ||  Indie Rock  ||  2007  ||  passionate, dark  ||  Canada

306. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials  ||  Art Pop  ||  2011  ||  epic, poetic  ||  UK

305. PJ Harvey - Let England Shake  ||  Singer/Songwriter, Art Rock, Folk Rock  ||  2011  ||  political, history  ||  UK

304. Lamb - Lamb  ||  Trip Hop  ||  1996  ||  sensual, nocturnal  ||  UK

303. Sinéad O'Connor - The Lion and the Cobra  ||  Art Pop, Alternative Rock, Singer-Songwriter  ||  1987  ||  passionate, angry  ||  Ireland

302. Model/Actriz - Dogsbody  ||  Dance-Punk, Industrial Rock, Noise Rock  ||  2023  ||  dissonant, ominous  ||  USA

301. Soap&Skin - Narrow  ||   Neoclassical Darkwave, Singer-Songwriter, Art Pop  ||  2012  ||  sad, death  ||  Austria