Randi.

#135 is The Joshua Tree by U2 from 1987.

I just went to see Hozier in concert and it was absolutely TREMENDOUS. There probably wouldn’t be Hozier without U2.

I always like U2, but can’t imagine spending $1000 a ticket to see U2. But maybe I need to revisit.

Known Songs: Can You Get To That

Stand Outs: Can You Get To That

Vibe: funk & experimental

So far ahead of its time. This is an album that has layers so I need to spend more time digesting it.

It’s been awhile since there’s an album that I am not sure if I’m familiar with. #136 is Maggot Brain by Funkadelic from 1971.

Known Songs: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Turning Tables, Set Fire to the Rain, One and Only, Lovesong, Someone Like You

Stand Outs: Rolling in the Deep, Rumour Has It, Set Fire to the Rain, He Won’t Go, One and Only, Lovesong, Someone Like You

Vibe: Torch songs

Excellent all around.

#137 is 2011’s 21 by Adele. This is gonna be great.

Known Songs: All but Rescue Me

Stand Outs: Crazy for You, Into the Groove, Open Your Heart, Like a Prayer, Express Yourself, Vogue

Vibe: the BEST 80s pop

I forced myself to pick specific stand outs or it was going to be everything. Madonna may not be the greatest singer but what a pop ICON.

The Immaculate Collection by Madonna is #138. It’s from 1989 and it’s a greatest hits album. Which good on her for warranting a greatest hits album so early in her career but I feel like it’s sort of a gimme to use greatest hits albums.

Known Songs: War Pigs / Luke’s Wall, Paranoid, Iron Man

Stand Outs: War Pigs / Luke’s Wall, Paranoid, Iron Man

Vibe: early metal

This album’s A side is wildly more memorable than its B side. I’m not sure it warrants a position quite this high other than for pioneering.

Oops, it’s from 1970

#139 on the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums of all time is Paranoid by Black Sabbath

Known Songs: Stir It Up

Stand Outs: Stir It Up

Vibe: Reggae

Bob Marley always reminds me of summer. Both California and New York summer is always filled with reggae. Just good vibes.

#140! Catch a Fire by Bob Marley & the Wailers from 1974

I’m never quite sure if I like The Pixies. I mean I do, but was this just something I liked long ago to be cool that stuck? Anyway, complex thoughts.

Known Songs: Debaser, Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven

Stand Outs: Wave of Mutilation, Here Comes Your Man, Monkey Gone to Heaven, Gouge Away

Vibe: Alternative AF

Doolittle by The Pixies from 1989 is #141

Known Songs: Born in the USA, I’m On Fire, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark

Stand Outs: Born in the USA, I’m on Fire, Glory Days, Dancing in the Dark

Vibe: New Jersey?

I’m On Fire is Bruce Springsteen’s best song. This makes me understand the women 10-20 years my senior that go rabid for Bruuuuce

Bruce Springsteen is back again with Born in the USA from 1984.

It’s #142

Known Songs: Pale Blue Eyes, After Hours

Stand Outs: Candy Says, What Goes On, Pale Blue Eyes, I’m Set Free, After Hours

Vibe: Smoky NYC lounge

This is the best Velvet Underground. I really wish I could time travel to this time in New York.

The Velvet Underground’s self-titled from 1969 is #143

Known Songs: Houses of the Holy, Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir, The Wanton Song

Stand Outs: In My Time of Dying, Houses of the Holy, Trampled Under Foot, Kashmir, Ten Years Gone, The Wanton Song

Vibe: the most 70s rock

Not my fave from Led Zeppelin but still solid.

I was walking home late one night and I had a cop literally stop me and say “it’s not safe for you to walk here”

On a sidewalk. In a lighted downtown area.

The only part that made me feel unsafe was him, tbh

Physical Graffiti from 1975 by Led Zeppelin is #144

Known Songs: Most of them, but I’d forgotten a few in the middle

Stand Outs: Kill You, Stan, The Way I Am, The Real Slim Shady

Vibe: 2000 edginess which now should give us all the collective ick.

90s and early 2000s that did a lot for shock factor. But Eminem is still one of the greatest MCs

The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem from 2000 is #145

Known Songs: One Way Or Another, Heart of Glass

Stand Outs: One Way Or Another, 11:59, Heart of Glass

Vibe: New York in the 70s, a little bit disco, a little punk, a little bit rock & roll

Debbie Harry has so much style. Liked this.

Blondie’s Parallel Lines from 1978 is #146

Known Songs: All of it

Stand Outs: Mojo Pin, Last Goodbye, So Real, Hallelujah, Lover, You Should’ve Come Over, Dream Brother, Forget Her

Vibe: 90s wailing with classic and modern elements

I think this album is perfect. Jeff Buckley had such an incredible voice. It’s timeless.

Smiling at strangers in Paris as a female can get you followed back to your hotel by a stranger

Not recommended. Hard no.

If you’ve never heard it, go immediately listen to Jamie Cullum’s cover of Lover, You Should’ve Come Over.

And then listen to more Jamie Cullum because he’s a treasure

Jeff Buckley’s masterpiece album Grace from 1994 is #147

What a shame to lose him before he could make more albums. I know there’s so much posthumous stuff, but it’s not the same

Known Songs: Thinkin Bout You, Lost

Stand Outs: Thinkin Bout You, Super Rich Kids, Pilot Jones, Lost, Monks, Bad Religion

Vibe: R & B with stellar production

Frank Ocean is effortlessly cool. His music is vibey and this is just a tight album.

Frank Ocean’s amazing Channel Orange from 2012 is next at #148

Known songs: none

Stand Outs: none (sorry)

Vibe: Country folk

This wasn’t for me. I know that some people are going to be aghast but it just didn’t do it for me. And I’m doing a cursory single listen and can’t spend time on each album to listen deeply so perhaps I just missed it

John Prine’s self-titled from 1970 is #149.

I know he’s a songwriter’s songwriter. I haven’t spent much time listening to him.

Known Songs: None

Stand Outs: Nebraska, Atlantic City, Highway Patrolman, Reason to Believe

Vibe: Acoustic mood

This is the Bruce Springsteen vibe I like. And maybe it’s just because I’m emo and so is this.

I’m going to go a wee bit slow while I switch back and forth between the Rolling Stone top 500 albums list and TTPD. And Cowboy Carter.

But up next is Nebraska by Bruce Springsteen at #150. It’s from 1982.

Known Songs: Faith, Father Figure, I Want Your Sex, One More Try

Stand Outs: Faith, Father Figure, One More Try, Look At Your Hands

Vibe: 80s pop at its finest

I miss Andrew Ridgeley. I wish gay culture was more accepted in the 80s. It would be fun to see what would’ve happened to this album.

Another album my mom was obsessed with is #151. George Michael with Faith.

Known Songs: Tattooed Love Boys, Kid, Brass in Pocket, Mystery Achievement

Stand Outs: Precious, Tattooed Love Boys, Kid, Brass in Pocket, Mystery Achievement

Vibe: Rock with a bit of punk rock mixed in

I think The Pretenders are vastly underrated. They are so good.

#152 is The Pretenders with their self-titled from 1980.

PJ Harvey and Chrissie Hynde back to back? Yes, please.

Known Songs: none

Stand Outs: Missed, Rub ‘Til It Bleeds, Man-Size, Me-Jane, Ecstasy

Vibe: alternative wailing

This is heavier than her later albums I’m more familiar with. I love PJ Harvey so much.

PJ Harvey’s 1992 album Rid of Me is #153

Known songs: Amazing Grace

Stand Outs: all of it for vocal quality, none of it for content

Vibe: churchy

I’m not the biggest fan of gospel music. This was lovely but I find the content less appealing.

Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace from 1972 is #154.

I tried to figure out a bunch of ways to skip this album but I guess I have to listen.

Known Songs: Encore, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems

Stand Outs: What More Can I Say, Encore, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems, Lucifer

Vibe: east coast hip hop

This album has killer production. Jay Z is a great MC.

Jay Z’s Black Album from 2003 is #155

Known Songs: none

Stand Outs: Favorite Thing, We’re Coming Out, Androgynous

Vibe: that weird part of the 80s that sounds 90s

I like the vibe. Not sure if this was super remarkable but it was cool.

The Replacements weren’t something I got into until later, save for movie soundtrack songs (one of which is Paul Westerberg solo), but I do dig them. I haven’t gone back this far, though so this will be new, I believe.

#156 is Let it Be from 1984.