Consensus Top 300 Albums of All-Time: Taking lists of your 70 favorite albums until 7/1 (4 Viewers)

[timschochet]

Unsurprisingly, tim had only one album post 1990.

The rest have a decent mix of old and "new" music.

That’s wild to say there’s only been 1 truly great album in the last 35 years or to like music so much but then to cut yourself off from the last 35 years of it (whichever is the case for Tim).

Well first off I AM an old man (turning 60 in a few weeks.)
But I don’t think I’ve cut myself off from the last 35 years. There’s plenty of great stuff out there. It’s just not AS good, IMO.

When I selected my 70 TV shows it was exactly the opposite: something like 95% of my picks were 21st century. That’s because I believe that we are currently living in the Golden Age of Television and that it began, generally, with The West Wing and the Sopranos. The golden age of popular music, IMO, was generally between 1968 and 1982. The golden age of paintings was between 1870 and 1945, roughly.

 

[zamboni]

I should just submit 70 random Buckethead albums

Don't be a chicken and just do it.

 

[timschochet]

The album I selected post 1990 is from 2020. I wrote here after I first listened to it that it’s the best album I’ve heard in 40 years.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I should just submit 70 random Buckethead albums

King Gizzard probably have 70 as well.

 

[Don Quixote]

The album I selected post 1990 is from 2020. I wrote here after I first listened to it that it’s the best album I’ve heard in 40 years.

I remember you starting a thread about a 2024 album too, but I guess that did not make it. (Not judging either way — just an observation.)

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I should just submit 70 random Buckethead albums

King Gizzard probably have 70 as well.

Looks like 26 studio albums for them

I think Buckethead is in the 100s but maybe some debate on what qualifies

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

Desert Island Disc style. Which albums do I want with me? (I'm not actully on a desert island. We did that as a draft where we also picked an island. Mine is in the middle of Crater Lake.)

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Well first off I AM an old man (turning 60 in a few weeks.)

Child.

 

[New Binky the Doormat]

I have about 160 albums on my initial list and that doesn't currently include as many of the 60+ Todd and Utopia albums I would like. Really have to go through and evaluate how I want to construct the list - ideally I would like to rank them on how important/how much I played them at various times of my life - OR what I would want as a top list of what I would want to hear today as a much older person.

Know that that there is a chance of my list being very, very heavily weighted towards that same guy.

 

[timschochet]

The album I selected post 1990 is from 2020. I wrote here after I first listened to it that it’s the best album I’ve heard in 40 years.

I remember you starting a thread about a 2024 album too, but I guess that did not make it. (Not judging either way — just an observation.)

Cowboy Carter by Beyonce. Yeah I love that album but it didn’t make the list.

 

[Don Quixote]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

As I was going through the albums in my iTunes library, I was thinking about it a bit like Marie Kondo… did seeing the album “spark joy”? Then a matter of how much joy sparked.

 

[Eephus]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

As I was going through the albums in my iTunes library, I was thinking about it a bit like Marie Kondo… did seeing the album “spark joy”? Then a matter of how much joy sparked.

To jog my memory, I'm going through the long lists I compiled for the first three MADs countdowns

 

[Dr. Octopus]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

You can list whatever you want but my theory would be to list your 70 favorite albums.

 

[KarmaPolice]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

I guess my question is why would you want to feature albums that you only like a couple tunes?

 

[KarmaPolice]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

As I was going through the albums in my iTunes library, I was thinking about it a bit like Marie Kondo… did seeing the album “spark joy”? Then a matter of how much joy sparked.

To jog my memory, I'm going through the long lists I compiled for the first three MADs countdowns

Lol. Yep - GB those numerous playlists. I have used them to jog my memory for music ideas over the years.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

 

[UncleZen]

I don't think I'm as bad as Tim as I could see many albums in my list from the 90's but I can't think of much post 2000 that would make my list.

 

[BLOCKED_PUNT]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

I guess my question is why would you want to feature albums that you only like a couple tunes?

In my case at least, maybe others...I haven't listened to a lot of full albums (and I probably won't listen for the sake of the countdown) I know I don't have to submit 70 albums or anywhere close to it but there are plenty of songs out there that I like by X artist and it almost feels like a shame to leave off an album just because I haven't listed to it or like everything song on the album. Was just wondering if anyone else felt the same or was doing that.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

it almost feels like a shame to leave off an album just because I haven't listed to it

 

[Pip's Invitation]

The album I selected post 1990 is from 2020. I wrote here after I first listened to it that it’s the best album I’ve heard in 40 years.

Does the artist's name start with B and end with ish? Or start with T and end with ift?

 

[Pip's Invitation]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

I guess my question is why would you want to feature albums that you only like a couple tunes?

In my case at least, maybe others...I haven't listened to a lot of full albums (and I probably won't listen for the sake of the countdown) I know I don't have to submit 70 albums or anywhere close to it but there are plenty of songs out there that I like by X artist and it almost feels like a shame to leave off an album just because I haven't listed to it or like everything song on the album. Was just wondering if anyone else felt the same or was doing that.

This doesn't compute with us older folk. For those of us who were more than casual music fans, albums were how we consumed music until the explosion of streaming.

 

[KarmaPolice]

How are you guys doing this? I know Dr. Oct said it was up to our discretion but this isn't like the no skip album thread where we think the whole thing is good or can I/should I put an album on there if I like maybe a track or 2 or should I really be just listing albums where I like it all?

I guess my question is why would you want to feature albums that you only like a couple tunes?

In my case at least, maybe others...I haven't listened to a lot of full albums (and I probably won't listen for the sake of the countdown) I know I don't have to submit 70 albums or anywhere close to it but there are plenty of songs out there that I like by X artist and it almost feels like a shame to leave off an album just because I haven't listed to it or like everything song on the album. Was just wondering if anyone else felt the same or was doing that.

I am sure there are some others, but like Pip said - I personally don't get it at all. The reason I hopped on Spotify right away was because I hated Pandora, and satellite services that were just glorified radio stations. For me it is still about digging through and listening to albums and deciding what songs I like the best instead of somebody else putting preselected songs and singles out there.

When I talk to people IRL, I am the weirdo for listening to full albums on Spotify and if you look at #s of listens on albums it's also obvious the general public don't listen to full albums either, so you are definitely not alone in that regard.

 

[Don Quixote]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

Obviously your call, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy the non-chalk takes, as can get some new to me to explore. While I will have some chalk on my list, I probably spent a couple of hours today re-listening to some of my favorite Brazilian/Afrofunk albums that I know have no chance in hell of showing up here to help think about ranking.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

Obviously your call, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy the non-chalk takes, as can get some new to me to explore. While I will have some chalk on my list, I probably spent a couple of hours today re-listening to some Brazilian/Afrofunk albums that I know have no chance in hell of showing up here.

From many of the replies and comments from Doc, it seems maybe this might not be as chalky as people might have initially thought.

 

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

Obviously your call, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy the non-chalk takes, as can get some new to me to explore. While I will have some chalk on my list, I probably spent a couple of hours today re-listening to some Brazilian/Afrofunk albums that I know have no chance in hell of showing up here.

From many of the replies and comments from Doc, it seems maybe this might not be as chalky as people might have initially thought.

Once there are 20, 30 or more than 40 lists it will be plenty chalk.
And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.
It is what it is and no criticism of Doc Oc and the process.
I still will look forward to the final rankings.
For me it will take considerable time to rank 70 albums and have 60 of them not make the top 300.
Just remember there are Waaaaay more albums than TV shows.

 

[timschochet]

The album I selected post 1990 is from 2020. I wrote here after I first listened to it that it’s the best album I’ve heard in 40 years.

Does the artist's name start with B and end with ish? Or start with T and end with ift?

Yes

 

[titusbramble]

Unsurprisingly, tim had only one album post 1990.

The rest have a decent mix of old and "new" music.

Anything in the 2020s yet?

I'm not sure I even own an album released in the last ten years.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Not overthinking it, so the list is in.

Year breakdown:

60s - 2
70s - 14
80s - 8
90s - 21
00s - 18
10s - 5
20s - 2 (one got moved to my #1)

That domination of the 90s/00s has a lot to do with those being the CDs I still had around and in my car that I listened to over and over. I probably listen to more 70s now than my list might represent, but some of those albums started blurring together a little and these stood out more as I went through. This is all for fun anyway, and more about the discussion as the list goes than the specific rankings themselves.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

Obviously your call, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy the non-chalk takes, as can get some new to me to explore. While I will have some chalk on my list, I probably spent a couple of hours today re-listening to some of my favorite Brazilian/Afrofunk albums that I know have no chance in hell of showing up here to help think about ranking.

We will all have plenty of albums that don’t get ranked I think.

 

[Chaos34]

We will all have plenty of albums that don’t get ranked I think.

I wish there was a way to discuss our oddities during the reveals. Maybe we could message you to make sure it isn't making the rankings, then share. I think everyone should have Göran Söllscher just for the umlauts, but I'm not ranking him so high he gets ranked in the consensus.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.

I mean if this is a consensus ranking wouldn’t it make sense that an album loved by 3-5 people should outrank an outlier album ranked by 1 person. Someone else was actually advocating for the opposite that we should discount the top of the list more and move the bottom up. So I guess you can’t please anyone?

I hope you reconsider - as stated a few times I will honor the highest ranked albums by each participant that don’t make the top 300.

In this crowd the chalk may not end up being CHALK. I think we all know some of the albums that will end up on top but I think there will be plenty of surprises - I’m already seeing some develop with the 7th list coming in. The list that just came was the second person to rank the same “non-chalk” album in their Top 5 so now that album has moved way up.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

We will all have plenty of albums that don’t get ranked I think.

I wish there was a way to discuss our oddities during the reveals. Maybe we could message you to make sure it isn't making the rankings, then share. I think everyone should have Göran Söllscher just for the umlauts, but I'm not ranking him so high he gets ranked in the consensus.

Towards the end of the TV show draft people started listing and discussing their albums that didn’t make (and wouldn’t make) the Top 300.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Only two poster's top album did not receive any other votes and those albums currently sits in a tie for 46th place.

And this is why I probably wont submit a list.
My top 10 is going to be radically different to most.
Like with the TV rundown, my number one was listed early and my number two didnt even make the top 300.

I will follow along and comment on any album that i know..Should be fun

Obviously your call, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy the non-chalk takes, as can get some new to me to explore. While I will have some chalk on my list, I probably spent a couple of hours today re-listening to some Brazilian/Afrofunk albums that I know have no chance in hell of showing up here.

From many of the replies and comments from Doc, it seems maybe this might not be as chalky as people might have initially thought.

Once there are 20, 30 or more than 40 lists it will be plenty chalk.
And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.
It is what it is and no criticism of Doc Oc and the process.
I still will look forward to the final rankings.
For me it will take considerable time to rank 70 albums and have 60 of them not make the top 300.
Just remember there are Waaaaay more albums than TV shows.

I get all that, which in the end is why I didn't sweat it too much and ripped off a list in a couple days.

I was considering listening to all the albums in the top 300, but I might pivot a little because I agree it could be chalky at the top and I've probably listened to most of them. What I might do is similar to what some are doing in the book thread - listen to the highest ranking 5 albums I have never listened to from each participant. I am not sure what positive will come from me trying again to listen to a Dylan album that hasn't clicked yet or a Zeppelin album I've heard 100 times.

I also feel I have more ground to stand on to comment and make playful jabs when I have participated in the experiment myself. I wish I took an hour or so to whip up a book list for that thread.

 

[KarmaPolice]

And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.

I mean if this is a consensus ranking wouldn’t it make sense that an album loved by 3-5 people should outrank an outlier album ranked by 1 person. Some one else was actually “arguing” the opposite that we should discount the top of the list more and move the bottom up. So I guess you can’t please anyone?

I hope you reconsider - as stated a few times I will honor the highest ranked albums by each participant that don’t make the top 300.

In this crowd the chalk may not end up being CHALK. I think we all know some of the albums that will end up on top but I think there will be plenty of surprises - I’m already seeing some develop with the 7th list coming in. The list that just came was the second person to rank the same “non-chalk” album in their Top 5 so now that album has moved way up.

Question: Was I #7? If so,

 

[KarmaPolice]

And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.

I mean if this is a consensus ranking wouldn’t it make sense that an album loved by 3-5 people should outrank an outlier album ranked by 1 person. Some one else was actually “arguing” the opposite that we should discount the top of the list more and move the bottom up. So I guess you can’t please anyone?

I hope you reconsider - as stated a few times I will honor the highest ranked albums by each participant that don’t make the top 300.

In this crowd the chalk may not end up being CHALK. I think we all know some of the albums that will end up on top but I think there will be plenty of surprises - I’m already seeing some develop with the 7th list coming in. The list that just came was the second person to rank the same “non-chalk” album in their Top 5 so now that album has moved way up.

Question: Was I #7? If so,

While I’m not great at math, I can safely say - No, #7 is not in the top 5.

I meant was my list the 7th list that you referred to.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

And loads of one off albums ranked high struggling to make the bottom end of the top 300, while albums that have 3 or 4 rankers in the bottom end of a list out rank it.

I mean if this is a consensus ranking wouldn’t it make sense that an album loved by 3-5 people should outrank an outlier album ranked by 1 person. Some one else was actually “arguing” the opposite that we should discount the top of the list more and move the bottom up. So I guess you can’t please anyone?

I hope you reconsider - as stated a few times I will honor the highest ranked albums by each participant that don’t make the top 300.

In this crowd the chalk may not end up being CHALK. I think we all know some of the albums that will end up on top but I think there will be plenty of surprises - I’m already seeing some develop with the 7th list coming in. The list that just came was the second person to rank the same “non-chalk” album in their Top 5 so now that album has moved way up.

Question: Was I #7? If so,

While I’m not great at math, I can safely say - No, #7 is not in the top 5.

I meant was my list the 7th list that you referred to.

That makes more sense. Yes.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Submissions should be formatted as

Album Name Artist points

points should be in reverse of the ranking meaning your top album gets 70 points, second favorite 69 points and so on until you're 70th album gets 1 point.

It would be helpful if lists are submitted from a excel spreadsheet - but not necessary.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Thank you to those that are submitting using google lists (or excel) - it makes it way easier than typing in or cutting a pasting a list of 70 albums into individual lines.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

9 lists in.

The consensus #1 that I have been speaking about is still in the lead but is coming back to the pack a bit - now averaging 59.3 points for the 6 of 9 lists it appears on.

The top two albums so far are not "classic rock" although the #1 does get some play on classic rock stations.

The album that usually appears at the top of album rankings lists has a grand total of 4 points awarded by only one submission.

There have been 467 different albums submitted per the 9 lists (with one only 50 songs).

@KarmaPolice has the most albums that only appear on his list

My submission currently has the most albums in the Top 25 (17) - I was the first to enter my list. Tim is second with 14. Mookie has the least with 5.

The "non-chalk" album that received two Top 5 votes sits at 27 overall now.

There are 2 entries that have an album listed at #1 overall that appear on no other lists. Those albums are tied for 70th overall.

In addition to the #1 album appearing on 6 lists, the 2-4 ranked albums appear on 5 lists.

The highest ranked album appearing on only 2 lists sits at #25 overall.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Thank you to those that are submitting using google lists (or excel) - it makes it way easier than typing in or cutting a pasting a list of 70 albums into individual lines.

For some reason, I've been having all kinds of issues with Google Docs (I'm sure it's operator error on my end). I got frustrated trying to get it right and put my list away for a few days. I'll try again in a few days instead of sending you a wall of text.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Thank you to those that are submitting using google lists (or excel) - it makes it way easier than typing in or cutting a pasting a list of 70 albums into individual lines.

For some reason, I've been having all kinds of issues with Google Docs (I'm sure it's operator error on my end). I got frustrated trying to get it right and put my list away for a few days. I'll try again in a few days instead of sending you a wall of text.

I mean most people have just been sending a list in text via PM. If that's what you need to do, I'll live. Honestly this is "work" that doesn't seem like work due to the nature. I'm finding this interesting.

ETA: I think putting in an excel spreadsheet may work as well.

 

[Don Quixote]

I submitted because I know if I did not, I’d endlessly tinker with it for no reason. So, I may as well just lock it in.

Here’s my decade breakout. Some may a bit deceptive because some are later releases of earlier recorded material, but I went with album release date below rather than when recorded.

1950s - 2
1960s - 23
1970s - 26
1980s - 3
1990s - 6
2000s - 3
2010s - 7

 

[Scoresman]

I'm doing my personal favorite list and not giving a damn about popular opinion about what "deserves" to be ranked. I mean there are a lot of popular albums that I adore and will be mentioned, but they will probably be ranked lower. This probably means I will have lots of honorable mentions and many out of the top 300. That's fine.

 

[Scoresman]

Also, catching up on this thread, if you guys need to see how I structured the google sheet for the TV top 300, let me know. I can throw it up there.

I basically stacked all the lists, scored them, and ran a pivot table. This makes it critical that albums submitted are spelled the same. By far most of my time was going through the list and correcting the naming of the shows.

 

[shuke]

I'm doing my personal favorite list and not giving a damn about popular opinion about what "deserves" to be ranked. I mean there are a lot of popular albums that I adore and will be mentioned, but they will probably be ranked lower. This probably means I will have lots of honorable mentions and many out of the top 300. That's fine.

I assumed this is what we were all doing.

 

[shuke]

I'm really struggling with this one.

As others have said, I grew up listening to full albums. However, a very large percentage of my music listening for a few decades was live shows, and I wasn't really listening to whole albums as much. Then when Pandora came out, I fell in love with the concept of getting new music recommendations customized to my preferences. And then getting a variety of new (to me) songs and artists from independent streaming radio apps. When I do hear something new I like, I will check out an album or two from the artist. But in most cases I'll choose my favorites and add to a Spotify playlist and won't revisit the album again.

If I decide to go with one album per artist, I am going to have a hard time when I get to the 40ish mark.

 

[Scoresman]

What's the most albums anyone has from one group? I'm at 4 so far with one.

 

[Scoresman]

I'm doing my personal favorite list and not giving a damn about popular opinion about what "deserves" to be ranked. I mean there are a lot of popular albums that I adore and will be mentioned, but they will probably be ranked lower. This probably means I will have lots of honorable mentions and many out of the top 300. That's fine.

I assumed this is what we were all doing.

Also meant to say I am not doing one album per artist. Seems like an arbitrary criteria. My favorite albums are my favorite albums and dont cease to be just because there is a duplicate artist.

 

[Chaos34]

If I decide to go with one album per artist, I am going to have a hard time when I get to the 40ish mark.

I wrote this about an hour ago and decided not to post it, but I also saved it to my work in progress just in case...

I didn't like the idea of doing one album per artist. It has to skew the consensus because surely some artists have more than one you like better than whoever is in your bottom. Then I started thinking it was a good little shtick to make this both fun and easier. But I definitely need to double up a few times, even triple up. So I thought of a new shtick that looked like it worked pretty good.

I'm making top 10s of 6 genres that all were being represented anyway. Top 10s are easier. This made it fun by giving me direction and organizing my brain. The 7th category is miscellaneous and allows me to go deeper than 10 on the genres. Then... THEN... I'll make my final list by making 1-7 the top from each genre, 8-14 the #2 in each, so on and so forth 10 times. This was my thinking at 3am.

I woke up and it felt flawed, so I'm back to just not doing a list and I hate Dr O more than ever. You suckers won't see me back in this thread. Music is meant to be enjoyed not ruin your life with all this stress.

 

[Yo Mama]

My initial “short” list was 150 albums, whittled down to 125.

I do have a clear top 10 and top 30, but my third tier of albums goes from 31-90 that I’ll somehow have to cut 20 out of.

I’ll be close to 90% from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.