A hard list to narrow down, but here are my top picks from some classic albums (Image: Getty)
There is some general consensus around what is considered some of the greatest music albums of all time, but no two lists are the same. And they shouldn’t be, because music can be very subjective and personal.
That said, I have a degree in music, and I have pulled together a list of classic albums I listen to in their entirety at least twice a year. Hopefully, these are albums you might not always see on other lists, and they could be a stepping-off point for diving deeper into that genre. My list can and will probably change over time as I listen to music every day.
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No album list is complete without a Beatles record (Image: Getty)
There are incredibly obvious classic albums, and there are plenty of other lists that document them all, so my short, punchy list has music that I feel in my bones.
If your favourite album isn’t on the list, email me at rebecca.koncienzcy@reachplc.com to let me know what it is and why you love it. I would love to hear your recommendations.
Rubber Soul – The Beatles
Living in Merseyside, there is no way any list could be complete without a Beatles album, and it is hard to choose.
But Rubber Soul is one I always love hearing. It has this wonderful blend of three-part harmonies, the first hints of psychedelia and almost a folk music quality to some of the songs.
‘Norwegian Wood’ is an underrated Beatles song, as is ‘Looking Through You’. The Beatles had a profound impact on many musicians and bands that came after them. You could follow their influence down many different paths.
Kind of Blue is considered a jazz cornerstone album (Image: Getty)
Kind Of Blue – Miles Davis
If you are not familiar with jazz music, this may be hard to listen to at first. Released in 1959, Kind Of Blue is considered by many as Miles Davis’ best work and a cornerstone of jazz.
But beyond that, this album is like a sumptuous sound bath for your ears, as the incredible improvised solos take you on a journey through the music. You sink into the blue notes while being lulled by the soft swinging of the rhythms. It’s a masterpiece.
But if you are looking for something to sing along to, anything by Ella Fitzgerald will work. Ella’s voice, in my opinion, is the ultimate jazz vocal. Every word is crystal clear, every note hit with purpose but delivered with a warm ease, perfection.
And when autumn comes, the John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman 1963 jazz album will soothe your soul on rainy days.
Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails (Image: Getty)
The Downward Spiral – Nine Inch Nails
Released in 1994, this was the second studio album from Trent Reznor and one I listen to at least once a month. This deliciously dark and raw concept album channels the self-destructive downward spiral.
This is a throw-yourself-in-the-deep-end album if you don’t usually listen to any metal music, but it is beautiful in parts; I think it will surprise you.
The album is filled with gut-punching lyrics, industrial rhythms, heavily distorted guitars and dreamy soundscapes. It is going to scratch an itch you didn’t know you had. Brace yourself.
From here, you could trace back the industrial goth roots to bands like Skinny Puppy and Cabaret Voltaire.
West Side Story became a film in the 60s after the musical hit Broadway in 1957 (Image: Getty)
West Side Story soundtrack – music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
If you love a West End musical and haven’t delved into West Side Story, you need to. This is the soundtrack of the 1961 film from the 1957 musical of the same name.
Filled with Latin rhythms, you won’t be able to sit still listening to this, and you will be singing the melodies for weeks. And if you fall in love with the score, try Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances, a collection of orchestral pieces that play with the themes from the musical.
From here, I would recommend Hamilton—a modern classic—or the scores from the Disney movie The Hunchback of Notredame if you want punchy musical scores.
And if film music feels like an area of interest, Hans Zimmer is the man; he has scored everything from Dune to Inception.
Mozart’s Requiem Mass was unfinished at the time of his death (Image: Getty)
Requiem Mass in D Minor, K626 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Not an ‘album’ as such, but chances are you will already be familiar with parts of this mass; the Lacrimosa, in particular, has been used in many films and TV shows.
It was unfinished when Mozart died in 1791 but pieced together by fellow composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. Mozart’s wife perpetuated the rumour that Mozart had written the mass for his own funeral, giving it more potency. This is an intriguing rabbit hole to fall into, should you wish to.
Make sure you sit down for this one. It is filled with drama, symphonic crescendoes, and beautifully light moments. You will want to cry every time. The sheer scale of the emotion you can feel in each climb of the violins blows a listener away.
If you ever get a chance to hear this live, especially in a church setting, never pass it up, no matter your religious beliefs; immerse yourself in the powerful choral harmonies and swirling orchestration of Mozart’s Requiem; it will take your breath away.
And if you want to continue to lose yourself in something more ethereal, I would recommend Song for Athene by John Tavener, which was played at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.
You could also try anything by John Rutter or Benjamin Britten, who are the OGs of choral arrangements.
For the more adventurous, check out Meredith Monk’s Book of Days, a contemporary composer who experiments with vocal expressions.
Fancy trying opera after all this stunning singing? Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte is a perfect place to start. It is funny and rich with lush melodies.