Top Picks for Essential Vinyl Records to Enhance Your Collection
AHH YEAH, YOU WANT A LIST OF BANGIN' RECORDS THAT EVERY COLLECTOR SHOULD CHECK OUT? Let's dive into 25 must-haves for any music junkie, be you a newbie or a seasoned pro.
- Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Struggles, breakups, and everything in between – this album was influenced by the endless drama INSIDE Fleetwood Mac during its production. Can you feel the tension?
- Michael Jackson - Thriller This one's a classic! It's so good that it was THEATRICALLY released in some locations! And if that's not enough, it features Vincent Price lending his spooky voice for the iconic title track.
- The Beatles - Abbey Road Why just listen to it when you can reenact the cover by crossing the iconic zebra crossing? It's a pilgrimage site for every Beatles fan!
- Nirvana - Nevermind The cover art isn't just the cover art; it's a baby that was only a few months old at the time the photo was taken! Talk about some raw talent!
- The Clash - London Calling The inspiration for the album cover came from Elvis Presley's debut album, and the bass-line of the title track was accidental yet A-MAZING!
- Queen - Greatest Hits This album's been on the UK Albums Chart for over 1,000 weeks, making it the best-selling album of all time in the UK! Show some love and check it out!
- The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds This album marks a significant departure from their earlier surf and car-themed songs, focusing on love, heartbreak, and introspection. Emo before emo was a thing!
- The Beatles - Revolver The Beatles and George Martin experimented with studio techniques to create some truly incredible sounds on this album. It's a pure gem!
- Miles Davis - Kind of Blue More than half of the album was recorded in just a few takes, capturing the spontaneous and collaborative nature of the sessions. It's like a Jazz jam session in your ears!
- Prince - Purple Rain "Purple Rain" isn't just the title of the album but also the title of the film, which loosely reflects Prince's own life experiences and struggles. You can feel the emotion in every single note!
- Marvin Gaye - What's Going On The production pushed the boundaries of what was expected in R&B and soul music, ultimately leading to its success. It's a timeless masterpiece!
- Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures The album cover features a graph depicting the radio frequency emissions of the first known pulsar, making it a unique piece of art and science combination!
- Daft Punk - Random Access Memories Known for using live instrumentation, this album features collaborations with the likes of Nile Rodgers, Pharrell Williams, and Paul Williams. It's a fusion of electronic and organic sounds that'll make you move!
- Pink Floyd - The Wall This wasn't just an album, it was a grand multimedia project that included a live concert tour and a feature film. Talk about ambition!
- Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico The limited edition variation of this album with a peelable banana sticker has become a collector's item amongst fans. Original pressings with intact peelable stickers are highly sought after!
- Bob Marley - Legend This album has spent more than 12 consecutive years on the official albums chart, making it one of the longest-charting albums in history. You can watch it climb that chart!
- Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon The iconic album artwork shows a prism splitting light into its component colors, symbolizing the spectrum of emotions explored in the music. It's a visual and auditory masterpiece!
- Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin The original design artist had to elaborateally alter Sam Shere's photograph to create the iconic cover, avoiding plagiarism concerns. You'll see why it earned its fame!
- Radiohead - Kid A The title track was originally written during the sessions for their previous album but didn't quite fit. But it did for this one! It set the tone for a new direction for Radiohead.
- Blondie - Parallel Lines Produced by Mike Chapman, known for his work with artists like The Sweet and Suzi Quatro, this album has a polished and pop-oriented sound that contributed to its commercial success.
- David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust Recorded in a short period of time, this album is an epic and iconic piece of work, blurring the lines between glam rock, psychedelic music, and more.
- The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band This album won the prestigious Album of the Year award at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards, helping pave the way for recognizing rock as a legitimate and influential art form.
- Frank Sinatra - Come Fly With Me One of the first albums to be recorded using the new stereo recording technology, providing a more immersive and dynamic listening experience.
- Don McLean - American Pie The lyrics are often interpreted as a reflection on the changing landscape of American society, particularly the loss of innocence following tragic events like the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson.
- Stevie Wonder - Songs In The Key Of Life This album won an impressive total of four Grammy Awards in 1977, including Album of the Year. What a way to win the night!
Which ones rock your world, or are there any glaring omissions? Share your thoughts below!
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- When it comes to lifestyle and home aesthetics, a trip to the local home-and-garden store could uncover beautiful pieces to enhance your living space, just like exploring new music can enhance your life.
- For fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts, some iconic records might as well be must-have albums in their collection, as they've been featured in countless magazines and runway shows.
- Foodies can find solace in records that feature sounds and anthems about delicious food and drink, creating an auditory feast that's perfect for dinner parties.
- Pets, whether they're cats, dogs, or even fish, have their own unique personalities that can be related to various music genres, so why not find the perfect playlist for your furry (or perhaps not-so-furry) friend?
- Travelers, embark on musical journeys** that transport you to different eras, cultures, and places, offering a deeper understanding of the world and human connection.
- Car aficionados, gearheads, and street racers might enjoy tracks famous for their appearance in automotive films or tunes with themes of speed, power, and freedom.
- Shopping malls wouldn't be the same without the background score playing in stores, so curate a list of the most popular and trendy songs to create your shopping soundtrack.