Albums 75-51

75. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Because it still puts a smile on my face the way I did when I first heard it, six years ago.
Recommended tracks: "A Day in the Life", "With a Little Help from My Friends", "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"

74. The Beach Boys - Wild Honey
It may not be the most substantial album, but it does exactly what it intends to do: entertain (and it does it well).
Recommended tracks: "Wild Honey", "Here Comes the Night", "Aren't You Glad"

73. Television - Marquee Moon
Just because it's not higher on my list, don't think I don't respect it: Marquee Moon is still one of the best rock albums of all time.
Recommended tracks: "Marquee Moon", "Guiding Light", "See No Evil"

72. Elliott Smith - XO
Since last year, I realized that beyond a few highlights, the album was merely very good, but oh my God, are those highlights ("Bottle Up and Explode!" and the title track, especially) staggering or what?
Recommended tracks: "Waltz #2 (XO)", "Bottle Up and Explode!", "Sweet Adeline"

71. Blur - Think Tank
The songs are different and uniquely textured, but the more I listen to Think Tank, I think the band is hurting for Graham Coxon after all.
Recommended tracks: "Out of Time", "Sweet Song", "Gene by Gene"

70. Wilco - A Ghost Is Born
I haven't had a breakup lately for A Ghost Is Born to provide the emotional catharsis for, but I still like it.
Recommended tracks: "Spiders (Kidsmoke)", "At Least That's What You Said", "The Late Greats"

69. The Beatles - Abbey Road
I still love the album, but maybe it *is* over-produced after all...
Recommended tracks: "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Here Comes the Sun", "I Want You (She's So Heavy)"

68. Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit
Just one enormously sugary yet intelligent pop hit after another.
Recommended tracks: "Funny Little Frog", "Another Sunny Day", "To Be Myself Completely"

67. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
Great first half, but it fizzles out a little at the end.
Recommended tracks: "Beautiful Day", "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", "In a Little While"

66. Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady
The title of "Best Driving Record" is theirs to lose.
Recommended tracks: "Ever Fallen in Love?", "What Do I Get?", "I Don't Mind"

65. Weezer - Weezer
I guess I simply gave in and admitted that their debut is amazing from start to finish.
Recommended tracks: "Only in Dreams", "Buddy Holly", "No One Else"

64. Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
More stone-cold classic songs than most musicians can muster in a career.
Recommended tracks: "Casimir Pulaski Day", "Chicago", The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts!"

63. R.E.M. - Reckoning
"So. Central Rain" is beautiful, and the rest of the record is memorable, too.
Recommended tracks: "So. Central Rain", "Pretty Persuasion", "Harborcoat"

62. Belle & Sebastian - Dear Catastrophe Waitress
I'm a cuckoo.
Recommended tracks: "I'm a Cuckoo", "Wrapped Up in Books", "Piazza, New York Catcher"

61. Blur - Parklife
Cliched as it may sound, this is probably the band's best record from start to finish.
Recommended tracks: "Girls and Boys", "Trouble in the Message Centre", "This Is a Low"

60. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - Armed Forces
Expertly crafted melodies that burrow into my head until I'm quietly humming songs like "Two Little Hitlers" at work.
Recommended tracks: "Oliver's Army", "Accidents Will Happen", "Goon Squad"

59. Blur - 13
Good sound throughout, but "Coffee and TV" and "Tender" are the band's two finest songs, single-handedly elevating this album to classic status.
Recommended tracks: "Coffee and TV", "Tender", "Swamp Song"

58. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
Great melodies and harmonies, as the band unveils its garage rock phase.
Recommended tracks: "Saint Simon", "Gone for Good", "Pink Bullets"

57. Radiohead - Kid A
I can always turn to this album when I'm feeling down, and it's a contender for Album of the Decade (as cliched as that may sound).
Recommended tracks: "The National Anthem", "How to Disappear Completely", "Motion Picture Soundtrack"

56. Gordon Lightfoot - Gord's Gold
I love this guy and this out-of-print compilation proves why.
Recommended tracks: "Song for a Winter's Night", "Carefree Highway", "Summer Side of Life"

55. New Order - Technique
This may very well be the best-realized depiction of the sound New Order were striving for all through the '80s.
Recommended tracks: "Run", "Vanishing Point", "Round and Round"

54. Fountains of Wayne - Welcome Interstate Managers
All these songs have tremendous sentimental value, and this record will always be close to my heart.
Recommended tracks: "Mexican Wine", "Little Red Light", "Valley Winter Song"

53. The Beatles - Revolver
I can't deny the brilliance, as much as I may try.
Recommended tracks: "Good Day Sunshine", "For No One", "Taxman"

52. Weezer - Pinkerton
This album, as opposed to #70, is huge guitar catharsis that I can enjoy anytime.
Recommended tracks: "The Good Life", "Tired of Sex", "Across the Sea"

51. R.E.M. - Monster
"I Don't Sleep, I Dream", "I Took Your Name" and "You" may be mediocre at best, but the other nine are beautiful and brilliant.
Recommended tracks: "Strange Currencies", "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Let Me In"