I know this is a very loaded and difficult question to ask but I wanted some thoughts. I'm not asking your favourite, but what you think could qualify as the best album ever made, taking everything into account? For me I would go with Hounds of Love. It's the closest to perfect in every way of any album I have heard, despite not being my personal number one.
Like you this is not my personal favourite album but after 50 years I still enjoy it when I play it. It would be very easy just to say one’s favourite. In this instance the music is exciting and fresh and there’s not a moment of it that is unnecessary, nor does it outstay its welcome - Led Zeppelin IV I’d say is a good contender.
Out of the ones I’ve heard - and I don’t even like the bloody thing - Sgt Pepper. Why ? Beatles. The whole concept of the album as an art form. It’s influence.
If I use the metric of not being able to resist singing along to every single song on the album, I’d have to go with Costello’s “Imperial Bedroom”. If by “all things considered” we’re considering impact, acclaim and all that, it’s gotta be “Pet Sounds”, or one of several from the Beatles, Stones or Dylan.
Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon is an album where everything works perfectly from start to finish. It also keeps surprising even after 25 years of listening. The closest thing to a "perfect" album I can think of.
A couple years ago I would have said Dark Side of the Moon. But now, without an ounce of doubt, it's Frank Sinatra Sings for Only the Lonely.
Sorry, but there's simply no way anyone can answer this question objectively. Soon there will be 100 albums listed as "objectively the best of all time". There are so many great albums that I can't even say I have a favorite album.
Had it a long time ? Check. Played plenty? Check. Still play it often? Check. Every song memorable? Check. 'Bridge Over Troubled Water ' ? Check!
It's a nonsensical question. The variety of answers you're receiving so far make it fun that you asked, though.
London Calling is the most impressive in terms of scope, songwriting, energy, production, musicianship, originality--it just checks all the boxes. I would put Bob Dylan many miles ahead of any other artist in a "greatest" list but the truth is even he has never put out an album as complete and as perfect as London Calling, even if he's written a dozen songs better than any of the tracks on that album. I will often find myself listening to London Calling from start to finish even where I only meant to listen to a single side or track. The energy is just addictive. Any album that doesn't have a single track you can put on at a party can't possibly be the best album of all time so post-Syd Floyd need not apply. You can't expect people to be on mushrooms all the time.
I don't think it's objectively possible to pick a "best album." I can't even pick a favorite, but to try to pick an "objective best"? Not possible.
Agree with a lot of the comments above about not being able to pick a "best", but still I'd still choose In The Wee Small Hours. Not just because it has great music, but in a lot of ways it was the first and defined what it means to be an "album".
On the one hand, there is too much music in the world, too many different kinds of music, and too many albums to ever really say. On the other hand, the greatest album of all time is obviously Van Halen I
Not my favorite album of all-time, but it may qualify for the best: Yes "Close to the Edge". Perfection in every way.