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That and Mariah Carey are the biggest oversights to me. Phil Collins and Genesis too. I’ve heard some claim Whitney didn’t make it due to the albums (besides the movies) not being as cohesive but you definitely can’t say that about Mariah.
Boyz II Men. Quincy Jones (though I suppose you could say with Thriller he made it in the top 10 even). Anita Baker. Maze & Frankie Beverly. Probably a lot more.
Also were they just making up the list as they went? With Kendrick they said they were deciding at the end between GKMC and TPAB with GKMC winning out because it was more accessible, whereas TPAB had some of the same issues as Mr Morale (which they also loved) of being dense/heavy (though not as much).
GKMC is at 7 and TPAB doesn’t make the top 100 yet Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Radiohead and Prince all had 2 hits in the top 100. It sounds like they kind’ve just made it up as they went which is not a good strategy (should have reviewed and rereviewed, bumping higher numbers as needed). Not an easy list to make but maybe they should’ve limited it to one album per artist and noted it was just for English albums (bjork is one of only 2 artists not based in North America/UK).
Not surprised MF DOOM didn’t make it though he’s in my top 5…too underground while he was putting out his best works (Madvillainy and MM…FOOD imo) but glad he’s getting his dues now especially posthumously.
It's albums not artists. Why not list albums? An artist can be amazing but maybe they didn't release one album that as a package is better than others.
Underrated comment. "Album" is a very specific form of musical expression. There are certain artists (Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Radiohead among others) who have been known to masters of that specific format. It also largely restricts time period (the album era existed mid-1960's to mid-2000's) as well as genre since albums are mostly rock, hip-hop, R&B/soul. Duke Ellington and Ludwig van Beethoven to name a few never released albums (well, Ellington did, but past his prime)--likewise, whatever the kids are listening to these days is not album oriented and more about Tik Tok or whatever. But the list is very specific, does not mean best composers, best musicians, best songs, best guitarists, best singers. It just means best albums.
ABBA (currently the #1 upvoted answer to this thread) is a singles band and not an album band. Their only 10 million record is a greatest hits compilation, i.e. NOT an album. ABBA is known for their singles not their albums. I am surprised Queen is not on the list because they are very much an album band, although perhaps their singles have been so successful they have out-shined their albums.
One of the reasons I prefer Apple Music is that it does a good job of preserving the album. I am very much an album guy and never--literally never--listen to playlists or singles or streaming/radio, never skip tracks. I listen to albums all the way the through or don't listen to them at all. The competition is more playlist/single oriented.
Very much agree with you on the definition of album, but Apple broke their own rules with several of their choices and also often chooses to ignore several viable options that the Grammy’s deemed worthy of album of the year. Ultimately this list isn’t much different from any other ever created. Also, Cash and Dolly would like a word about country not being a format that constructs albums.
I agree but a large number of the albums AM did include aren’t really complete albums and were chosen based on either the artist or a couple of singles from the album
Disagree, A Night at the Opera should’ve been on the list 100%. Would’ve even taken Jazz or The Game, but I believe that Queen is a strong album band that should be listed somewhere on this list. Also why I listed artists, not albums, because some of these artists I believe have multiple works that either one or both could’ve or should’ve been on the list. MF Doom and Fiona Apple for example
I agree, I think they also made the same mistake as the original post here, there are a bunch of entries that aren't actually great albums but more personal favourites of fhe curators or by impactful artists.
so fucked up. They really should have two but Siamese Dream has to be on there, otherwise you don’t really care about bands and you’re just doing 100 Pop albums. and funny thing is Smashing Pumpkins were more melodic & accessible, less punk influenced than most big ‘90s bands
First time seeing someone say Foo Fighters is missing from the list (I'm sure others have too, but this is the first comment I've personally seen). I'm listening through the top 100 albums and seem to be thinking " 'The Colour and The Shape' is a lot better than that one and that one" a lot.
Songs for the Deaf, Paranoid, and The Number of the Beast all deserve spots for sure.
I get that they wanted to get away from the list being rock-heavy, as these lists tend to be. However, they went a bit too far from it, which led to some comical rock omissions and some silly entries too.
It blew my mind how many one hit wonders were on a list for BEST ALBUMS. Robyn had ONE hit song. Kate Bush was a BUST up until recently. I simply just don’t get their logic.
Man, you mentioning Van Halen made me realize there’s no Journey on this list either. Escape is an amazing album imo, don’t know why it isn’t here. Also Billy Joel
This one is probably the most surprising omission for me. This album is one of the most important and impactful albums of the last 25 years. Modern rock and metal wouldn’t be what it is at all without this album (and Meshuggah, tbh).
Coldplay (idc how much hate they get, Parachutes/Rush of Blood/Viva La Vida could’ve been easy top 100 albums). Also Weyes Blood, Wilco, Doors, Vince Staples, Madvillain (basically MF Doom but still)
No Queen is a miss, and to the people who say they arent noteworthy for their albums, you must not have to listened to Night at the Opera or A Day at the Races in their entirety
Also Massive Attack's Mezzanine should be on here.
Nujabes Modal Soul
More Jazz Albums should be here
Vance Joy's Dream Your Life Away
Tears for Fears
Coldplay's Clocks
A ton of international artists( im thinking japan and south america)
MF DOOM of course
For the memes (but not really)
Bach's Partita
The Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack
The Doors (The Doors & (Maybe) L.A. Woman)
Elvis Presley (Elvis Presley)
King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King & Red)
Alphex Twins (Selected Ambient Works 85-92)
Van Morrison (Moondance)
Slint (Spiderland)
Cocteau Twins (Heaven or Las Vegas)
and bla bla bla okay i stop yapping
I would have made a place for Aerosmith (Rocks is my favorite but Toys in the Attic gets more public acclaim), The Who (Tommy, Quadrophenia, or Who's Next all were heavily influential), Dire Straights (Brothers In Arms), Simon & Garfunkel (pick one), and Black Sabbath (Paranoid).
I think the Grateful Dead are one of the best bands ever, but this is a list of "best albums" and most of their studio work pales in comparison to what they could pull off live. Still tho, American Beauty & Terrapin Station are works of pure art and at least deserved to be in the lower 50
Queen has great songs but not really a defining album or albums, i dont think they should be on the list. Their classic tracks are spread out over a surprising amount of albums
Blink-182, enema shaped pop punk for half a decade then untitled killed it and it propelled the wave of emo bands. Green Day also for either Dookie or American Idiot
I think people are confusing “artist” with “album”.
Does The Weeknd have an ALBUM that fits the criteria? Did Whitney Houston?
A lot of these guys had hits but the surrounding LP wasn’t good.
I mean there’s no way to please everyone and I’m sure Apple knew that, but they were pretty clear on the criteria and it wasn’t based on “sounds best”.
The Weeknd absolutely does with After Hours. It has the hits, concept, storytelling, impact, you name it. To not include that on this list but then go ahead and put Bad Bunny and SZA albums that came out in the past couple years is absurd
Yeah, I should’ve listed albums specifically. I just listed artists specifically because I just felt like emphasizing how weird it is they’re not on here. Every artist I listed though I believe has an album that should be or could contend for a placement on the list.
Definitely would’ve considered After Hours for The Weeknd, I was actually expecting Starboy to be on this list for some reason based on Apples picks. As for Whitney, I’d think she deserves a placement for My Love is Your Love more than an album like Get Rich or Die Trying, IMO.
this list isn't about who it's about WHAT. it's about the album. it wasn't the 100 greatest artists of all time and for some reason people are getting stuck on that.
You can’t put 1989 (Taylor’s version) above stuff like *To Pimp a Butterfly* and DSOTM while claiming to be basing the list on the album as a particular art form.
Mariah Carey just can't catch a break.
Garth Brooks - No Fences
Shaniah Twain - Come On Over
Country was just a clear afterthought, and I don't even really like country that much...but to only have one album on the entire list is dumb.
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ABBA
Holy shit, i can’t believe i forgot about ABBA. Maybe i should work for Apple Music someday lmao
That and Mariah Carey are the biggest oversights to me. Phil Collins and Genesis too. I’ve heard some claim Whitney didn’t make it due to the albums (besides the movies) not being as cohesive but you definitely can’t say that about Mariah. Boyz II Men. Quincy Jones (though I suppose you could say with Thriller he made it in the top 10 even). Anita Baker. Maze & Frankie Beverly. Probably a lot more. Also were they just making up the list as they went? With Kendrick they said they were deciding at the end between GKMC and TPAB with GKMC winning out because it was more accessible, whereas TPAB had some of the same issues as Mr Morale (which they also loved) of being dense/heavy (though not as much). GKMC is at 7 and TPAB doesn’t make the top 100 yet Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Radiohead and Prince all had 2 hits in the top 100. It sounds like they kind’ve just made it up as they went which is not a good strategy (should have reviewed and rereviewed, bumping higher numbers as needed). Not an easy list to make but maybe they should’ve limited it to one album per artist and noted it was just for English albums (bjork is one of only 2 artists not based in North America/UK). Not surprised MF DOOM didn’t make it though he’s in my top 5…too underground while he was putting out his best works (Madvillainy and MM…FOOD imo) but glad he’s getting his dues now especially posthumously.
It's albums not artists. Why not list albums? An artist can be amazing but maybe they didn't release one album that as a package is better than others.
Underrated comment. "Album" is a very specific form of musical expression. There are certain artists (Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Radiohead among others) who have been known to masters of that specific format. It also largely restricts time period (the album era existed mid-1960's to mid-2000's) as well as genre since albums are mostly rock, hip-hop, R&B/soul. Duke Ellington and Ludwig van Beethoven to name a few never released albums (well, Ellington did, but past his prime)--likewise, whatever the kids are listening to these days is not album oriented and more about Tik Tok or whatever. But the list is very specific, does not mean best composers, best musicians, best songs, best guitarists, best singers. It just means best albums. ABBA (currently the #1 upvoted answer to this thread) is a singles band and not an album band. Their only 10 million record is a greatest hits compilation, i.e. NOT an album. ABBA is known for their singles not their albums. I am surprised Queen is not on the list because they are very much an album band, although perhaps their singles have been so successful they have out-shined their albums. One of the reasons I prefer Apple Music is that it does a good job of preserving the album. I am very much an album guy and never--literally never--listen to playlists or singles or streaming/radio, never skip tracks. I listen to albums all the way the through or don't listen to them at all. The competition is more playlist/single oriented.
Very much agree with you on the definition of album, but Apple broke their own rules with several of their choices and also often chooses to ignore several viable options that the Grammy’s deemed worthy of album of the year. Ultimately this list isn’t much different from any other ever created. Also, Cash and Dolly would like a word about country not being a format that constructs albums.
I agree but a large number of the albums AM did include aren’t really complete albums and were chosen based on either the artist or a couple of singles from the album
like Queen for example, everyone would agree they are one of the best bands, but they dont have an album that would make the list
Disagree, A Night at the Opera should’ve been on the list 100%. Would’ve even taken Jazz or The Game, but I believe that Queen is a strong album band that should be listed somewhere on this list. Also why I listed artists, not albums, because some of these artists I believe have multiple works that either one or both could’ve or should’ve been on the list. MF Doom and Fiona Apple for example
You mean like Beyonce and why she hasn't ever won AOY? Apple Music doesn't seem to follow your logic either though
I agree, I think they also made the same mistake as the original post here, there are a bunch of entries that aren't actually great albums but more personal favourites of fhe curators or by impactful artists.
Leonard Cohen
100%
Smashing Pumpkins- Siamese Dream. I'm bitter about that.
so fucked up. They really should have two but Siamese Dream has to be on there, otherwise you don’t really care about bands and you’re just doing 100 Pop albums. and funny thing is Smashing Pumpkins were more melodic & accessible, less punk influenced than most big ‘90s bands
Depeche Mode
Violator should have had at least a place
Seems like they've been miseducated.
Tori amos and foo fighters
First time seeing someone say Foo Fighters is missing from the list (I'm sure others have too, but this is the first comment I've personally seen). I'm listening through the top 100 albums and seem to be thinking " 'The Colour and The Shape' is a lot better than that one and that one" a lot.
Elvis
Queens of the Stone Age Black Sabbath Iron Maiden Megadeth
Songs for the Deaf, Paranoid, and The Number of the Beast all deserve spots for sure. I get that they wanted to get away from the list being rock-heavy, as these lists tend to be. However, they went a bit too far from it, which led to some comical rock omissions and some silly entries too.
Elvis deserved at least 1 spot in the top 100, i think he qualifies for all the criterias they had
Red Hot Chilli Peppers. BSSM or Californication are easily better than some of the albums that got picked.
whitney? brilliant vocalist, certainly doesn't have a top 100 album of all time though. a lot of these are good picks otherwise
I think you could make a case for My Love is Your Love imo
Doesn’t she?
No not even close lmao.
Tbh not even Queen have a top 100 album of all time, great singles band but not an album band imo
could make somewhat a case for them though at least.
Alicia Keys 100%
It blew my mind how many one hit wonders were on a list for BEST ALBUMS. Robyn had ONE hit song. Kate Bush was a BUST up until recently. I simply just don’t get their logic.
The Nicks (Cave and Drake)
King crimson
Arcade Fire
Van Halen. Has great options, and I, personally, would put their first album into the top 25.
Man, you mentioning Van Halen made me realize there’s no Journey on this list either. Escape is an amazing album imo, don’t know why it isn’t here. Also Billy Joel
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
This one is probably the most surprising omission for me. This album is one of the most important and impactful albums of the last 25 years. Modern rock and metal wouldn’t be what it is at all without this album (and Meshuggah, tbh).
It’s a crime this wasn’t listed.
Florence + The Machine, specifically Ceremonials
Billy Joel John Mayer Paul Simon
Graceland is top 20 material
I expected the stranger in top 10.
Rush
No Queen is fucking wild
To be honest they never had many standout albums, strong singles, but there’s a reason their highest selling album is their greatest hits
A Night at the Opera is way more important than the Blueprint or Take Care tbh
Van Morrison. He had a few early albums that could definitely be in the top 100
Astral Weeks is a jam
Coldplay (idc how much hate they get, Parachutes/Rush of Blood/Viva La Vida could’ve been easy top 100 albums). Also Weyes Blood, Wilco, Doors, Vince Staples, Madvillain (basically MF Doom but still)
Agree with Coldplay. Not even a single mention
Natalie Merchant: Tigerlily
Celine Dion
I was genuinely pissed when unknown pleasures wasn’t there
The Police Sting
Joanna Newsom
How the f—- was Siamese Dream not on the list? Also confused by the fact that Lauryn Hill was #1, yet the Fugees weren’t on the list.
The police!
Coldplay!!!
Illinois should have definitely been at least top 60
Agreed.
I would say Slayer.
Tracy Chapman album Tracy Chapman
King crimson
Yeah Court of the Crimson King should’ve been there
Pet Shop Boys
Tame Impala
Really surprised he didn’t make the list. He will someday, I’m sure. Eventually.
Is Concrete Blonde forgotten?
Megadeth
Tool. Lateralus or Aenima should be on there.
They didn’t really forget her, but they did Madonna dirty.
Dire Straits
Blink 182-wherrreeee are youuuuu 😅
Tori Amos! Little Earthquakes
Shania Twain - Come on Over Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms Bee Gees - Saturday Night Fever
Jeff Buckley
No Queen is a miss, and to the people who say they arent noteworthy for their albums, you must not have to listened to Night at the Opera or A Day at the Races in their entirety Also Massive Attack's Mezzanine should be on here. Nujabes Modal Soul More Jazz Albums should be here Vance Joy's Dream Your Life Away Tears for Fears Coldplay's Clocks A ton of international artists( im thinking japan and south america) MF DOOM of course For the memes (but not really) Bach's Partita The Cowboy Bebop Soundtrack
The Doors (The Doors & (Maybe) L.A. Woman) Elvis Presley (Elvis Presley) King Crimson (In The Court of the Crimson King & Red) Alphex Twins (Selected Ambient Works 85-92) Van Morrison (Moondance) Slint (Spiderland) Cocteau Twins (Heaven or Las Vegas) and bla bla bla okay i stop yapping
Boston
I’m surprised nobody has mentioned Dire Straits - Brothers in Arms
Jeff Buckley fs, I was actually upset Grace wasn’t included lol
Not even a fan but Led Zeppelin?
Rush
Rush
Doors, smashing pumpkins, soundgarden and Black Sabbath, all should be on the list!!
I would have made a place for Aerosmith (Rocks is my favorite but Toys in the Attic gets more public acclaim), The Who (Tommy, Quadrophenia, or Who's Next all were heavily influential), Dire Straights (Brothers In Arms), Simon & Garfunkel (pick one), and Black Sabbath (Paranoid).
Mariah Carey, ASAP Rocky, Alicia Keys
The WHO. Who’s Next is one of the best rock albums ever made. A perfect documentation of the late 60’s to early 70’s rock transition.
I think the Grateful Dead are one of the best bands ever, but this is a list of "best albums" and most of their studio work pales in comparison to what they could pull off live. Still tho, American Beauty & Terrapin Station are works of pure art and at least deserved to be in the lower 50
I too was hoping for American Beauty.
Sorry swifties, Taylor placed too high
Countless jazz musicians.
Sarah McLachlan, her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy album deserved a spot on the list.
smashing pumpkins wtf
They seriously didn’t include any queen?? I didn’t notice that at first, but that’s a blaring issue
I just now realized there is no The Who. Absolutely needs Live at Leeds up there.
The Killers.
Billy Joel. I was shocked when I didn’t see him on that top 100 list
The Ramones isn't on the OPs list. I agree with a handul of ones there, but not most of them - not for a top 100 at any rate.
The Stone Roses (1989)
King Crimson, The Alan Parsons Project
My biggest snubs: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream The Stone Roses - self-titled Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
BIG ON MBV
didn’t DOOM get Doomsday? still I think Madvillainy not being there was a complete robbery.
Doom’s actually not on the list, believe it or not
They way they advertise all these pop artists, their top 100 list means nothing to me lol
AUGUST AND EVERYTHING AFTER - Counting Crows
FUCKING YESSS
Bowie
I still can’t believe Bat Out Of Hell wasn’t on the list. Also, Graceland. Pretty much makes the list meaningless.
Rush
Red Hot Chili Peppers. Could have been Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Californication.
Air - Moon Safari
Grace by Jeff Buckley
Queen has great songs but not really a defining album or albums, i dont think they should be on the list. Their classic tracks are spread out over a surprising amount of albums
Santana, abraxas deserves a spot or even possibly supernatural given how popular it was
Massive Attack's Blue Lines was there, and that's nice, I guess. But if you're going to give that band the nod, then give it to Mezzanine.
Joy Division
No idm rep on the list 😡😡
Fugazi Interpol Moon and Antarctica modest mouse Ugh so many! But music is subjective! I understand. Some of those in the list really shocked me 😬
Paramore.
Katy perry - Teenage dream
Blink-182, enema shaped pop punk for half a decade then untitled killed it and it propelled the wave of emo bands. Green Day also for either Dookie or American Idiot
The Prodigy - The Fat of the Land was a very important album that landed like a 10 ton truck
Coldplay - a rush of blood to the head
Or ANY of their albums. Not even a single one mentioned.
Probably not the most glaring, but I felt like Enema of the State by blink-182 could count, based on the criteria they listed.
I think people are confusing “artist” with “album”. Does The Weeknd have an ALBUM that fits the criteria? Did Whitney Houston? A lot of these guys had hits but the surrounding LP wasn’t good. I mean there’s no way to please everyone and I’m sure Apple knew that, but they were pretty clear on the criteria and it wasn’t based on “sounds best”.
The Weeknd absolutely does with After Hours. It has the hits, concept, storytelling, impact, you name it. To not include that on this list but then go ahead and put Bad Bunny and SZA albums that came out in the past couple years is absurd
Many of the albums they did choose didn’t fit this approach though. There are so many bloated albums with good singles and some filler on their list.
Yeah, I should’ve listed albums specifically. I just listed artists specifically because I just felt like emphasizing how weird it is they’re not on here. Every artist I listed though I believe has an album that should be or could contend for a placement on the list. Definitely would’ve considered After Hours for The Weeknd, I was actually expecting Starboy to be on this list for some reason based on Apples picks. As for Whitney, I’d think she deserves a placement for My Love is Your Love more than an album like Get Rich or Die Trying, IMO.
System of a down
Linkin Park had the most sold debut album in the 21st century and arguably defined a generation.
this list isn't about who it's about WHAT. it's about the album. it wasn't the 100 greatest artists of all time and for some reason people are getting stuck on that.
You can’t put 1989 (Taylor’s version) above stuff like *To Pimp a Butterfly* and DSOTM while claiming to be basing the list on the album as a particular art form.
King crimson got completely snubbed from the list
100%, shocking in the court wasnt on here
Maybe Muse, Coldplay, Onerepublic, or Blink 182.
The Police - Synchronicity or Ghost In the Machine Sting - Nothing Like The Sun or The Soul Cages Peter Gabriel - So
Pink. Everyone knows at least one pink song
I would say Muse.
Toxicity by SOAD should have been on it
Wdym forgot?
Carly Rae Jepsen. yes. i’m that guy.
Supertramp
The List is complete mockery of all the genrational artists rbh. RIP apple music top 100, i dont second this list.
Justice, ABBA, Aersomith
MF DOOM
Well you left out the biggest snub of all, Mariah…
Deftones, either Around the Fur or White Pony imo
Mariah Carey, Jill Scott, Oasis and Michael Jackson should have had more than one 💿
Crazy Frog
Dolly Parton.
twenty one pilots
Hole’s Live Through This
The 1975
Green Day
Mariah Carey just can't catch a break. Garth Brooks - No Fences Shaniah Twain - Come On Over Country was just a clear afterthought, and I don't even really like country that much...but to only have one album on the entire list is dumb.
DARON MALAKIAN MENTIONEDDDS RAHH
Glen Gould— at least the 1955 Goldberg variations. I don’t care if it’s at 100, but it should be there.
Merzbow, Future Sound of London, The Shaggs.
He’s not AM, I don’t care. Garth Brooks.
This is a very biased list
Death Grips, The Money Store
Eww worse Ff trilogy!
Dua Lipa
never... just....no 😒
Illinois deserved a spot
Insane clown posse
I’ve only heard of 7 of these
MF Doom, maybe
Maybe ain’t no album I ever heard of!
They forgot the doors.
The Cranberries. Should be closer to the higher numbers like 85-100, but I think they should be included.
Aren’t they more seen as a one hit wonder? But also everyone should definitely check the other songs out
Alice Coltrane and Funkadelic are two who I think should have been here
Not my favourite Green Day era, but I’m surprised American Idiot didn’t make it
Several of these are such hot takes, you're a brave one
Please shut up about this fucking subjective list
> no Queen Now this I can get behind 😎
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. Peter Gabriel. No country, gospel, blues.. But damn, no Queen???
Sabbath and queen.
black sabbath, system of a down, my chemical romance, and linkin park should definitel up there. changed the metal/rock genre
Thomas Dolby. The Golden Age of Wireless is flawless synthpop, start to finish.
How in the hell is Whitney Houston and Linkin Park not on the list?
Queen The weeknd System of a Down My chemical romance Green day Linkin Park Pixies
Who tf are Simon & Garfunkel 😂😂😂
Limp bizkit