Top 2 Albums of the Decade
This list is very subjective. It features my Top 2 albums of each decade since the '60s, minus the 2010s (since the current decade is a long way from finished.) Some of the picks are albums most people would agree are among the best of their given decade. Others will probably make you say "wtf!!?" But like I said, these are my favorites and taste is very subjective. |
| 1 |  | The Who
Tommy
Best Album of the 1960s
This album changed my life. By the time it came out, the concept album was already a big thing in rock. But a 2-record "rock opera" that told a somewhat coherent story opened up a whole new world of possibilities. |
| 2 |  | The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Are You Experienced
Runner-up Album of the 1960s
This album features the guitar genius of Hendrix at its most disciplined. All strong songs (at least in the original album) and some of Hendrix's best vocals make this an album for the ages. |
| 3 |  | Pink Floyd
Wish You Were Here
Best Album of the 1970s
5 perfect songs, this album was the pinnacle of Floyd's brand of psychedelic rock. This album also wins my vote for Best Album of All Time. |
| 4 |  | The Who
Quadrophenia
Runner-up Album of the 1970s
Yet another amazing "rock opera", this one finds Pete Townshend experimenting with swirling synths and Roger Daltrey belting out some of his strongest vocals. |
| 5 |  | The Go-Go's
Talk Show
Best Album of the 1980s
This album puts a big smile on my face from the opening notes of the first track, "Head Over Heals". It feature some of the band's best driving pop-punk and some of Belinda Carlisle's strongest throaty vocals. |
| 6 |  | The Police
Synchronicity
Runner-up Album of the 1980s
Synchronicity found The Police at the height of their powers. It features some of their best songs, such as "King of Pain", "Wrapped Around Your Finger" and "Synchronicity II". |
| 7 |  | Future Bible Heroes
Memories of Love
Best Album of the 1990s
The best album by any of Stephin Merritt's various musical projects to date. He trades lead vocals with drummer Claudia Gonson while keyboardist Chris Ewen sprinkles electronic weirdness throughout. |
| 8 |  | Nirvana
Nevermind
Runner-up Album of the 1990s
One of the few perfect albums of the decade, Nevermind is a dark classic. It more responsible than any other album for the prominence of the Seattle grunge movement in the first half of the 2000s. |
| 9 |  | Paramore
Riot!
Best Album of the 2000s
Hayley Williams and Paramore totally revitalized my love of music with this one. It featured a plethora of strong singles and helped to create one of the more loyal fan bases in modern music. |
| 10 |  | Kaiser Chiefs
Employment
Runner-up Album of the 2000s
A sometimes silly but always fun album. "I Predict a Riot" was one of the best singles of the decade. |
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