88.5 Greatest Albums of All Time
One of my favorite radio stations, Philly’s 88.5 WXPN, is hosting the “885 Greatest Albums of All Time” contest. Rules are simple enough- vote for your top 10 albums, in order from most to least favorite. Soundtracks, compilations, and tribute albums are acceptable, whereas compilations and “the best of…” are not. Sounds easy right? We are talking the top 10 albums, as complete albums, of all time. I relate this to the question of “If you were deserted on an island with CD player in hand…” A significant question indeed!
Does one choose based on gut instinct alone, or should there be some written code to guide the entire process? Pick 10 CD’s; what would be my criteria? Every contest needs criteria; and the teacher side of me is itching to write a rubric, but I won’t. Music has a magic that can’t be quantified; there is just something special that makes me return to certain albums time and time again. I can’t put my finger on that special quality, but it is definitely there. It’s like your first kiss- maybe not the most passionate, but certainly was a memorable moment. My top choices will be based on gut instinct all the way; however, I feel the need to justify my picks. Let me at least explain some considerations that needed to be made.
First, the CD must be enjoyable in its entirety. None of this, “Well tracks 1 though 5 are great, but the last half of the album really drags.” No fast-forwarding over songs. Like a good read, the entire CD has a dramatic arc, and is probably best enjoyed in its entirety. Every song is a winner; this is what makes a top album so rare.
Second of all, it must be an album that I actually own, or have “borrowed” for an extensive period of time. I don’t think of this contest as the ‘top ten albums ever made’, as much as the ‘top ten in my own personal collection’. Sure, people might down upon me if I don’t vote Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Elvis Presley, or Aretha Franklin. No doubt that they have produced some of the best albums of all time; they weren’t the albums of my time. I’m looking to create a soundtrack to my life, my top ten.
Hey, 885 albums means there is plenty of room for diversity. Having said that, I won’t hesitate to vote for more obscure albums. For example, at least a half-dozen Beatles’ album will make the 885 top albums list. Each of their albums is an amazing product, from start to finish, worthy of recognition. I know that Sergeant Pepper or Revolver will most likely be in the top 25 albums. So why not mention another Beatles’ album that might easily get overlooked. I’m propelled to pick those unsung masterpieces that deserve long-awaited praise.
In honor, I’d like to post an album a day, over the next three weeks. Each post will highlight the album, and justify its place in my top ten. In culmination, I’ll judge each of these 10 albums, and rank each from one through ten in one final post.
Does one choose based on gut instinct alone, or should there be some written code to guide the entire process? Pick 10 CD’s; what would be my criteria? Every contest needs criteria; and the teacher side of me is itching to write a rubric, but I won’t. Music has a magic that can’t be quantified; there is just something special that makes me return to certain albums time and time again. I can’t put my finger on that special quality, but it is definitely there. It’s like your first kiss- maybe not the most passionate, but certainly was a memorable moment. My top choices will be based on gut instinct all the way; however, I feel the need to justify my picks. Let me at least explain some considerations that needed to be made.
First, the CD must be enjoyable in its entirety. None of this, “Well tracks 1 though 5 are great, but the last half of the album really drags.” No fast-forwarding over songs. Like a good read, the entire CD has a dramatic arc, and is probably best enjoyed in its entirety. Every song is a winner; this is what makes a top album so rare.
Second of all, it must be an album that I actually own, or have “borrowed” for an extensive period of time. I don’t think of this contest as the ‘top ten albums ever made’, as much as the ‘top ten in my own personal collection’. Sure, people might down upon me if I don’t vote Frank Sinatra, Charlie Parker, Elvis Presley, or Aretha Franklin. No doubt that they have produced some of the best albums of all time; they weren’t the albums of my time. I’m looking to create a soundtrack to my life, my top ten.
Hey, 885 albums means there is plenty of room for diversity. Having said that, I won’t hesitate to vote for more obscure albums. For example, at least a half-dozen Beatles’ album will make the 885 top albums list. Each of their albums is an amazing product, from start to finish, worthy of recognition. I know that Sergeant Pepper or Revolver will most likely be in the top 25 albums. So why not mention another Beatles’ album that might easily get overlooked. I’m propelled to pick those unsung masterpieces that deserve long-awaited praise.
In honor, I’d like to post an album a day, over the next three weeks. Each post will highlight the album, and justify its place in my top ten. In culmination, I’ll judge each of these 10 albums, and rank each from one through ten in one final post.
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