Spin Magazine's Top Albums of the Past 20 Years

[Trevelyan]

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1. "OK Computer," Radiohead
2. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," Public Enemy
3. "Nevermind," Nirvana
4. "Slanted and Enchanted," Pavement
5. "The Queen Is Dead," Smiths
6. "Surfer Rosa," Pixies
7. "3 Feet High and Rising," De La Soul
8. "Sign 'O' the Times," Prince
9. "Rid of Me," PJ Harvey
10. "Straight Outta Compton," N.W.A

What do you think? I don't know if it should be number one, but I don't have a problem with "OK Computer" at that spot, because it truly is an amazing album. One of the few albums that you don't mind listening to every track each time you listen to it.

[Beowulf]

I've heard of only Nirvana and Prince and don't care for either. Who the hell are the rest of em?

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

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1. "OK Computer," Radiohead
2. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," Public Enemy
3. "Nevermind," Nirvana
4. "Slanted and Enchanted," Pavement
5. "The Queen Is Dead," Smiths
6. "Surfer Rosa," Pixies
7. "3 Feet High and Rising," De La Soul
8. "Sign 'O' the Times," Prince
9. "Rid of Me," PJ Harvey
10. "Straight Outta Compton," N.W.A

What do you think? I don't know if it should be number one, but I don't have a problem with "OK Computer" at that spot, because it truly is an amazing album. One of the few albums that you don't mind listening to every track each time you listen to it.

:question: :question:

Okay, I'm getting REEEEEAAAAALLLLLLL old! Haven't heard of a single one of the "top 10." I'll keep my Ultimate Manilow CD, and my Brad Paisley, Toby Keith, Trace Atkins (YUMMY!) :smirky:

[Trevelyan]

Hmm, would I be incorrect in having the feeling that I am below the average age of these forums?

[TechnoPrincess]

I've heard of most of the artists, but you couldn't pay me to listen to them. Just NOT MY STYLE. And I guess it depends on what your style is whether you would consider any of these the greatest albums of the last 20 years. My sisters are 20 and 22 and thought the list was supid and wrong.

[Trevelyan]

I've heard of most of the artists, but you couldn't pay me to listen to them. Just NOT MY STYLE. And I guess it depends on what your style is whether you would consider any of these the greatest albums of the last 20 years. My sisters are 20 and 22 and thought the list was supid and wrong.

Well, actually the only thing I agree with on there is "OK Computer." I don't really care for what else is on there.

[CzechPrince]

I love Nirvana. "Nevermind" raised the standard for Rock and Roll when it came out in 1991, and I don't know how anyone can deny it. I like Radiohead, The Smiths, and The Pixies as well.

[Melz]

Well, Nirvana is the only album I have actually heard and I loved it. I have heard of the other artists but didn't care enough to ever listen to an album.

I think once, so very long ago, I listened to some NWA music, and if it is the same sort of stuff which is on this one listed, I cannot at all believe this would make a top album. Full of blowing up "niggas" and whatever word they use for cops. Degrading women (they are called bitches, not women), just awful punk stuff. ACK.

[Bob_Arctor]

Quite a list - and it seems to prove that compiling something like this is just about impossible. Are they judging by pure technical ability? Songwriting? Impact?

I think "Nevermind" deserves credit for almost singlehandedly changing the face of "mainstream" music. In a similar fashion, "Surfer Rosa" and "S+E" were incredibly influential (for example Nirvana owes an awful lot of their style to Pixes) but operated below the popular radar.

I personally feel Radiohead to be a bit overrated, so I don't think it deserves #1 - but I know my opinion isn't in the majority.

I don't know much about rap, but I understand that the Public Enemy record is a true classic. Same goes for NWA.

I don't think De La Soul or PJ Harvey belong on this list at all. Fine records, but in the top 10 of the last 20 years? No.

Prince I can't comment about, as I don't know his work too well.

The Smiths are awesome, but I would have trouble choosing which record is their best work, as they were very much a "singles" band.

I can think of plenty of records I would choose over some of these, but most of them wouldn't have similar sales or impact.
<!--StartFragment -->
1. "OK Computer," Radiohead
2. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," Public Enemy
3. "Nevermind," Nirvana
4. "Slanted and Enchanted," Pavement
5. "The Queen Is Dead," Smiths
6. "Surfer Rosa," Pixies
7. "3 Feet High and Rising," De La Soul
8. "Sign 'O' the Times," Prince
9. "Rid of Me," PJ Harvey
10. "Straight Outta Compton," N.W.A

[BEST45CAL]

I like all of the groups, but making a few changes here and there and also including albums from the past 25 years would make it a much better list for me.

Radiohead's OK Computer is OK, but I think that Amnesiac is much better.

I also feel that Public Enemy's Fear of a Black Planet was better, too.

The Smiths best album, Meat Is Murder, isn't even on that list.

Prince's best work was Purple Rain and everything before it, especially 1999, Dirty Mind, etc. After that, it seemed as if he ran out of ideas. He had a few good singles here and there with Pop Life, Raspberry Beret, Kiss, etc. after the Purple Rain album, but the real creativity stopped at Purple Rain.

The Pixies Surfer Rosa...good stuff, ground breaking, but their Bossanova album was lyrically and musically better. Very polished with many good singles.

[Wyatt_Junker]

The last 20 years, eh?

1985...

Lemme think a minute here.... Time flies...

Okay, I'm glad Nevermind made it, for sure. Nihilsm in capsule form.

But I think SPIN is a bit eurocentric in a lot of their discretion. NTM the entire college vibe, that would rather have a Pogues cd in their dorm room using it as a beer coaster(in order to be seen) rather than actually playing it. Don't forget the entire American white trash demographic. I didn't much like Guns-N-Roses myself, but hell, they put a dent in the world of r-n-r. What about Slayer's RIB? Or just the concept of deafening, well staccatoed palm muting?

I would put Beck's Odelay in there. Sea Change is like pure audio heroin.

I agree with Best on Radiohead's Amnesiac over OKC.

Screw the Smiths.

No comment on rap.

[Trevelyan]

Radiohead's OK Computer is OK, but I think that Amnesiac is much better.


Oh, I love that album as well. Actually, I love all of their albums, except for "Kid A" and "Pablo Honey."

[Shadow]

Well, concerning the only ones I am familiar with:

2. "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," Public Enemy

This one is classic.

7. "3 Feet High and Rising," De La Soul

Maybe

8. "Sign 'O' the Times," Prince

Another maybe. Some good songs on the album, but I don't know how it necessarily fits into the top ten over 20 years.

10. "Straight Outta Compton," N.W.A

Classic mainly in that it was the catalyst that turned a music style that was basically innocent for its first decade into lyrical filth. It exceeded what is done today with regards to violence and female degradation. It did have great beats and resulted in making Ice Cube a movie star.

[UnkHiram]

Lord if that is the best 10 albums of the last 20 years, what was the worst 10 albums? Wait let me guess

1. Barry Manilow Greatest Hits
2. Barry Manilow sings again
3. Barry Manilow unplugged
etc
etc
etc

Seriously looking at that list makes me understand why I only listen to oldies, country and talk radio

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Lord if that is the best 10 albums of the last 20 years, what was the worst 10 albums? Wait let me guess

1. Barry Manilow Greatest Hits
2. Barry Manilow sings again
3. Barry Manilow unplugged
etc
etc
etc

Seriously looking at that list makes me understand why I only listen to oldies, country and talk radio


:hissyfit: Unk, you be gettin' on my bad side, son. Best back away from Barry. :flame:

Okay, so I'm old -- the ONLY one on that list I have heard of is Prince, and whoever was talking about the Purple Rain album was absolutely correct -- that was his best stuff by far, IMHO.

[Wyatt_Junker]

Hey, Manilow has a place in the canon.

When you wanna get the freak dance on with an aging divorcee, its the 8 trac I reach fer.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Hey, Manilow has a place in the canon.

When you wanna get the freak dance on with an aging divorcee, its the 8 trac I reach fer.

Wyatt, I have albums and DVD's, I traded my 8-trac's up, LOL. But you have definitely hit upon a truth -- they are great to cry to and to, uhhmm, make up to, LOL.

[UnkHiram]

Behaving, Not saying a word, Behaving

[Shadow]

Barry Manilow had some great songs.

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Barry Manilow had some great songs.

:grin: Vindication!

[UnkHiram]

Not saying a word, Not saying a bleeding word

[ponch21]

I have heard of all the bands on the list, but not a one would make my top 10 list of top albums of the past 20 years.

I am 31 years old and the past 20 years has been prime music listening time for me.

I rarely agree with the music critics though. I would agree with the poster who said that we should know the criteria before debating the list - influence? If so NWA and Public Enemy belong.
I prefer Peal Jam's Ten over Nirvana Nevermind
I don't get the fascination with Radiohead. If I want rambling music without form I would rather listen to Phish.
I think that Green Day's new album should be on this list
I also believe that Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminal's Diamonds on the Inside should be on this list.
Stevie Ray Vaughn should be listed here somewhere.
American Music usually gets the shaft by these critics though. Unless it is rap/hip-hop.

[BEST45CAL]

American Music usually gets the shaft by these critics though. Unless it is rap/hip-hop.

Yeah, I noticed that, too.

Rap/hip-hop has it's place, but to me it's the scrapple of music.

For jazz and blues, Americans corner the market.

Most everything else for the past 20 years seems to be dominated by the Britons.

[JimRaynor]

I've heard of most of the artists, but you couldn't pay me to listen to them. Just NOT MY STYLE. And I guess it depends on what your style is whether you would consider any of these the greatest albums of the last 20 years. My sisters are 20 and 22 and thought the list was supid and wrong.

Nevermind is widlely considered to be one of the best albums lately.
But hey...
I don't like country at all really...

Too bad Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" isn't on there =(

[Trevelyan]

Here is the entire list for anyone interested.

<!--StartFragment --> 100. Strokes - Is This It
99. Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen
98. Cornershop - When I Was Born For The 7th Time
97. Neutral Milk Hotel - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
96. The Pogues - Rum Sodomy & The Lash
95. Elastica - s/t
94. Slint - Spiderland
93. Pearl Jam - Ten
92. Big Black - Atomizer
91. XTC - Skylarking
90. Sonic Youth - Sister
89. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Fever To Tell
88. Stereolab - Emperor Tomato Ketchup
87. Blur - Parklife
86. Meat Puppets - Up On The Sun
85. REM - Automatic For The People
84. Soundgarden - Superunknown
83. At The Drive-In - Relationship Of Command
82. Jeff Buckley - Grace
81. Beck - Mellow Gold
80. D'Angelo - Voodoo
79. Moby - Everything Is Wrong
78. The Stone Roses - s/t
77. Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
76. Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
75. Le Tigre - s/t
74. Portishead - Dummy
73. Pulp - Different Class
72. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
71. The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy
70. Jay-Z - The Blueprint
69. DJ Shadow - Entroducing...
68. Tricky - Maxinquaye
67. Slayer - Reign In Blood
66. Outkast - Aquemini
65. Basement Jaxx - Remedy
64. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
63. Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain
62. Missy Elliott - Supa Dupa Fly
61. Weezer - Pinkerton
60. De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead
59. Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West
58. Metallica - Master Of Puppets
57. The White Stripes - White Blood Cells
56. PJ Harvey - To Bring You My Love
55. The Chemical Brothers - Dig Your Own Hole
54. The Breeders - Last Splash
53. Rage Against The Machine - The Battle Of Los Angeles
52. Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill
51. Nirvana - In Utero
50. New Order - Low Life
49. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation Of...
48. Radiohead - Kid A
47. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full
46. The Fall - This Nation's Saving Grace
45. Kanye West - College Dropout
44. Green Day - Dookie
43. B.D.P. - Criminal Minded
42. Jane's Addiction - Nothing's Shocking
41. Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
40. Run D.M.C. - Raising Hell
39. Lucinda Williams - s/t
38. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
37. Guided By Voices - Bee Thousand
36. Pixies - Doolittle
35. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
34. Elliott Smith - Either/Or
33. Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
32. The Replacements - Tim
31. Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me
30. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die
29. Fugazi - 13 Songs
28. Oasis - Definitely Maybe
27. The Cure - The Head On The Door
26. Bjork - Post
25. Nine Ince Nails - The Downward Spiral
24. Sleater Kinney - Dig Me Out
23. Outkast - Stankonia
22. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
21. Public Enemy - Fear Of A Black Planet
20. Wu Tang Clan - Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers)
19. Hole - Live Through This
18. Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
17. Nas - Illmatic
16. Beck - Odelay
15. Liz Phair - Exile In Guyville
14. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
13. Husker Du - New Day Rising
12. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
11. U2 - Achtung Baby
10. N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton
9. PJ Harvey - Rid Of Me
8. Prince - Sign O The Times
7. De La Soul - 3 Ft. High And Rising
6. Pixies - Surfer Rosa
5. The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead
4. Pavement - Slanted & Enchanted
3. Nirvana - Nevermind
2. Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation...
1. Radiohead - OK Computer

[UnkHiram]

Wow

Guess I am old, I dont own any of those albums and have never heard of most of the groups.

[Riverboat]

"3 Feet High and Rising," De La Soul

Oh, SURE! I LOVE that song!

How high's the water, mama?
Three feet high and risin'
How high's the water, papa?
Three feet high and risin'

Well, the hives are gone,
I've lost my bees
The chickens are sleepin'
In the willow trees
Cow's in water up past her knees,
Three feet high and risin'

Never heard of those guys, though. I heard it from this guy -

http://www.outboundmusic.com/Ezine/Images/Johnny%20Cash.gif

[BEST45CAL]

Thanks TREV for the complete list.

I own 11 of the albums listed by SPIN.

I own 25 different albums or singles from the groups/artists listed by SPIN.