100 Best Albums of All Time: 40-21

Welcome back to another installment of my 5-part list, The 100 Best Albums of All Time. This time around, we've got a real treat - numbers forty through twenty-one. These are, in my opinion, a handful of the best records ever made. And here's my constant reminder: When it comes to music, I'm (mostly) a formalist, so the stuff on here was ranked because of musicianship, composition, and arrangement.

Feel free the look back over the other entries in this series before diving into this one: #100-81, #80-61, #60-41. Read, listen, and enjoy!

40.) The River & The Thread - Roseanne Cash (2014): This down-to-earth country album is a career highlight for Roseanne Cash - daughter of the Man in Black, himself. Her vocals are warm and weathered, which play wonderfully off the record's quaint arrangements. These are high-summer songs - humid, hazy, gentle. And while there are a few tricks up Cash's sleeve, they're never more than you can handle. This is masterful musicianship, competent to the point of invisibility. It is the river, the thread, and everything we enjoy but take for granted.

39.) Unplugged - Eric Clapton (1992): In the 90's, few live albums had the success, the longevity, or the emotional resonance of Clapton's Unplugged. And it's easy to understand why. This is a concert of the highest caliber, notable for passionate musicianship and fantastic arrangements. Acting as the album's centerpiece is Clapton's searing, stunning voice. It elevates every song, perhaps even more so than his iconic guitar.

38.) Where the Light Is (John Mayer Live in Los Angeles) - John Mayer (2008): Blues, folk, pop, and rock delivered with such ease and expertise as to render the eclecticism all but invisible, this is definitely the best live album of the last decade. Mayer's melodies dance about your ears. Toe-tapping froth and heart-blazing soul cool and invigorate with equal intensity. Mayer proves his guitar-legend status, imprinting on every track a commanding degree of musicality. Highlights include the groovy "Vultures," a balls-to-the-wall rendition of Ray Charles's "I Don't Need No Doctor," and an acoustic cover of "Free Fallin" that is simply a revelation. Each song is a classic, every note is spot-on. What a concert.

37.) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin (1969): "Good Times, Bad Times," "Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You," "Dazed and Confused," "Communication Breakdown" - when almost every track has a lasting rock & roll legacy, it's easy to understand why this debut is in the top 40. The band's chemistry is remarkable, and all those psychedelic musical breaks and swaggering solos are pulled off admirably.

36.) Chase - Chase (1971): When it comes to jazz-rock fusion, few bands have ever done it as well as Chase. With powerhouse vocals, a bustling rhythm section, and (of course) a trumpet sound that is still unrivaled to this day, it's an easy album to love. What about the composition? It's stellar. Rock melodies played with a jazz sensibility. Although "Get It On" is the crowd-pleaser that everyone remembers, the album's closer, "Invitation to a River," encapsulates all the awesomeness Chase had to offer during their tragically short run.

35.) Let it Be - The Beatles (1970): This is a divisive album. On one hand, it can be unduly criticized thanks to Phil Spector's pretentious arrangements. On the other, it can be overpraised for the wrong reasons ("It was their last album, man! Of course it's a classic!"). But all that aside, this is a lovely record, full of honest performances and lyrics. Although it was a real grind to release, and the recording process was riddled with more internal conflict than usual, the finished product manages to be heartfelt, graceful, and fun - a fitting finale for the Fab Four.

34.) American IV: The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash (2002): Wow. This is an amazing record. It's so rich in character, so authentic in its imagery, that you half expect a plume of desert dust to puff out of your headphones every time you listen to it. Johnny Cash carries a certain weight, and on American IV you can hear it. There's a heaviness to each song, a palpable weariness that speaks volumes about mortality and experience. Cash's craggy vocals will stain your heart, and his sickly sweet arrangements will percolate in your brain. His rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is haunting, yet "Personal Jesus" is a toe-tapping firecracker. The overall range is phenomenal, and yet it all feels undeniably Cash. Which, of course, means it feels undeniably American, and undeniably classic. This is a stunning album of loss, love, and hopeful redemption. It is essential.

33.) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill (1998): In the 90's, hip-hop flourished. There were the g-funk stylings of Dre and Snoop, the rap-rock fury of Rage Against the Machine, Biggie and Jay-Z were keeping things fresh on the East coast, and a foulmouthed up-and-comer named Eminem was making a name for himself. And somehow, amidst all this clamor and noise, The Fugees and Lauryn Hill carved out a niche. Ms. Hill is the very definition of perfect hip-hop - liquid flow, captivating lyrics, organic instrumentation, and awash with memorable hooks (her voice is one of the best of all-time). This is a fascinating concept album, following our protagonist through a day at school, her "miseducation," as it were. This record is one of the most critically acclaimed of all time, and trust me - it's worth it.

32.) The Afterman - Coheed and Cambria (2012/2013): Prog-rock hasn't had the proudest showing on this list, and there's a reason for that. Regardless of how intricate the music or masterful the performance, it's often too esoteric, mathematical, and alienating. Thankfully, The Afterman is as emotionally grounded as it is musically impressive. There are a smattering of radio-friendly ditties to keep casual listeners engaged, but mostly? This is a balls-to-the-wall effort. The guitar-work is excellent, the rhythm section is breathless, and those vocals? Bizarre, sure, but mighty impressive. It's a double-album (Ascension and Descension), meant to be enjoyed as a single experience. The "Key Entity Extraction" series alone is enough to make you a hardcore fan of Coheed's sweeping story and unique vision. Give it a shot.

31.) Amazing Grace - Aretha Franklin (1972): Make no mistake - this is a Gospel album. And yes, I capitalized that "G" on purpose. Here, the Queen of Soul has truly outdone herself. Recorded in 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, it's a beautiful examination of faith, love, and religion. As always, Franklin's voice is the center of attention. But here, it never becomes marred in ostentatious flair as many of her later efforts would. She is also backed by a group of talented musicians, and the full power of the Southern California Community Choir. The arrangements meander a bit, but so did the church service in which they were recorded. Amazing Grace is a slice of (after)life. Its raw emotion and otherworldly aspirations will bring you to tears.

30.) Hamilton: An American Musical - Original Broadway Cast Recording - Hamilton Original Broadway Cast (2015): I'm not 100% sure if including this album is "cheating," (there are plenty of phenomenal Broadway soundtracks that I omitted) but I don't care. This is an impressive achievement in modern music, a hip-hopera that is musically rigorous and emotionally complex. The melodies and motifs sprinkled throughout this sprawling story are wonderfully written and expertly performed. Songs like "My Shot," "Yorktown," and "The World was Wide Enough" will make you rethink rap, musicals, and American history.

29.) The Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd (1973): After this one, rock music (and college dorms) were never the same again. Dark Side is Pink Floyd's opus, their 5th Symphony, their undying legacy. Yeah - The Wall and Wish You Were Here are great, but nothing compares to this. Trippy, catchy, contemplative, silly...this one is whatever you want and more. It also has some of modern music's most memorable moments: the 7/4 bass lick in "Money," the vocal solo in "The Great Gig in the Sky," the whispery vocals of "Breathe," etc. With this, the band picked up where The Beatles left off 3 years before. And they delivered. Boy, did they.

28.) Deja vu - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970): Go out and buy this one, folks. You'll be glad you did. From rainbows of harmony to soulful performances, from the top-40 choruses to the challenging solos, this is a southern-rock stunner. Songs like "Almost Cut My Hair" and "Woodstock" conjure up that late-60's zeitgeist, with all its free love and big dreams in tact. "Our House" is a sing-along toe-tapper. And "Country Girl" is a pop tune in 3 movements. Best of all? The opener. "Carry On" is funky, folksy, and fabulous. Check it out.

27.) Illinois - Sufjan Stevens (2005): This incredible concept album (which focuses on, you guessed it, the state of Illinois) has a funny way of redefining pop expectations for those curious enough to listen. Stevens entrances you with hypnotic stories and flamboyant arrangements, ones that lace softly atop each other with a naturalism unrivaled in the decade. Its lilting melodic flirtatiousness, coupled with the slick production, is borderline sublime. The song "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." will chill and break your heart. "Jacksonville" is downbeat funk with a southern twang. "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!" will expose you to the outer limits of pop music, with fun time signature changes and intriguing chord progressions. If you have no reservations about an album that dares to take chances, and then dares to commit to those chances, look no further than this.

26.) Purple Rain - Prince (1984): I mean, really? Do I even have to explain this one? Prince is the emperor of the outlandish, and on Purple Rain, he proclaims it to the world. I've never seen the movie (who among us actually has?), but this album doesn't need it - the music speaks for itself. Those 80's melodies are addicting, the electro-pop percussion and keyboards are glorious, and Prince's vocals and lead guitar are edgy, unhinged, and endlessly emotive. There's been a resurgence of Prince adoration since his death, a lot of it disingenuous, but push all that aside when you take this one in. It's the genuine artifact. 

25.) The College Dropout - Kanye West (2004): Without question, this is hip hop's best record of the 2000's. With lively flow, engaging themes, grabbing beats, and incredible hooks, it's an extraordinary debut for West and a high note for fans of the genre. While sarcasm seems to ooze from every pore (tracks like "New Workout Plan" and "School Spirit" practically laugh in your face), there's sincerity in the delivery. Even through the farce, West is preaching his philosophy of downtrodden pride. Other songs, like "All Falls Down" and career highlight "Jesus Walks" utilize relatively complex arrangements to examine life in the new millennium. Regardless of how entertaining and over-the-top his latter albums turned out to be, I think The College Dropout is West at his absolute best.

 24.) Crash - Dave Matthews Band (1996): I can't describe how important this album is to me on a personal level. I heard it for the first time in 9th grade. My musical taste had been getting progressively "heavier" since the 6th grade - Weezer became Pearl Jam, which became Nirvana, then Rage Against the Machine, and then...? Well, this record crashed right into me. It showed me that pop music could have teeth, that folk could also rock, that violins and saxophones have a place in modern music. When you put this album on, you get the quintessential Dave Matthews experience - groovy licks, finger-snappy hooks, and some of the best drummers of all time doing his thang. I have So Much To Say about Crash, but instead, I'll end my review right here. Before it gets Too Much.

23.) Revolver - The Beatles (1966): From the barbed overconfidence of "Taxman," to the haunting refrain of "Eleanor Rigby," to the bubbly "Yellow Submarine" and "Good Day Sunshine," Revolver is one of the most successful, innovative, and influential albums ever made. For years, it was my favorite Beatles record. Thematically, it's a buckshot of different moods and motifs - the boyish optimism of "Got to Get You Into My Life" gives way to the far-eastern swirls of "Tomorrow Never Knows." And everything else? Wonderful. "I'm Only Sleeping" is a lethargic head-nodder, "She Said She Said" is a sarcastic stinger, "And Your Bird Can Sing" is a hefty scoop of 60's bubblegum pop, the list goes on. All in all, this album is simply classic; one of the greatest from a band of unparalleled importance.

22.) Nightbird - Eva Cassidy (2015): Man, this one should be higher on the list. Really. Nightbird is an album as sweet and sultry as its title. Its jazz is pure, swinging up there with Basie and Q and the best of them (I'm particularly enamored with the tickled ivories and holy skins). But, like many of the records on this list, it all boils down to the vocals. And Eva Cassidy? She's the most talented singer you've never heard of. She's fire and ice, the sky and the sea, sassy and soulful. Sadly, her life and career were extinguished too soon. This posthumous release showcases the full range of her exquisite talent. Her versions of "Ain't No Sunshine," "Fever," and "Son of a Preacher Man" are divine. Call it whatever you want - blue-eyed soul, lounge jazz, fiery folk - it doesn't matter. Nightbird is perfect.

21.) The Question - Emery (2005): This album is more than pop-punk, or hardcore, or post-hardcore, or whatever you want to label it. Instead, The Question is a monumental feat of modern music. What other contemporary rock bands sound like this? With arrangements and structures this diverse? With harmonies and counter-melodies used so effectively? With such accomplished, nuanced musicianship? While I know this album may not be everyone's cup of tea (from the screaming, to the frenetic energy, to the brash instrumentation), it at least deserves your respect. Emery took classical songwriting techniques and applied them to modern punk, like mixing Schubert with Green Day. Green Schubert - that's what this album is. Listen to the time-changes in "The Weakest," the unique rhythms of "Playing with Fire," the luscious harmonies in "In a Win, Win Situation." It's all there, waiting to be discovered, to be validated, to be adored. The Question is a beautifully unexpected masterpiece, vicious and vibrant.