It's Certainly A Thrill: 'Sgt. Pepper' Is Best Album (Better than the White Album?!)

usa today ^ | 11-17-03

[TheBigB]

"Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd stayed on the album sales chart longer than any other in history.

[Alberta's Child]

Neil Young's "Decade" and the Allman Brothers' "Decade of Hits" belong in any list of Top 10 albums of all time, in my opinion.

[Dr. Frank fan]

What the heck? Abbey Road is better then either one.

[Imal]

Led Zeppelin is not mentioned at all in this article, a self-discrediting act which belies either agenda or ignorance. What a bunch of irrelevant, self-important fools.

This article is not even suitable for use as electronic toilet paper.

[Huck]

I think Abbey Road is better than Sgt Pepper and the White Album. But personally, I'll take "Europe '72" over any Beatles album.

[Elle Bee]

I've always liked Dylan's Blood on the Tracks

.

[FNG]

I think Appetite for Destruction or Standing Hampton should be considered the best albums ever.

[dirtboy]

Actually, Led Zepplin got five mentions overall:

Artists with the most entries in Rolling Stone's 500 best albums:

Beatles: 11

Bob Dylan: 10

Rolling Stones: 10

Bruce Springsteen: 8

The Who: 7

David Bowie: 6

Elton John: 6

5 each: The Byrds, Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Otis Redding, U2

4 each: Madonna, Bob Marley, Elvis Costello, Grateful Dead, James Brown, Police, The Smiths, Velvet Underground, Pink Floyd, Prince, Roxy Music, Simon & Garfunkel, Sly & the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Talking Heads.

Decade by decade breakdown: 50s or before: 29 albums (5.8% of total 500 list) 60s: 126 (25.2%, but 55% of the top 20 70s: 183 (36.6%) 80s: 88 (17.6%) 90s: 61 (12.2%) 00s: 13 (2.6%).

Albums by men or male-led groups: 439 (87.8%)

Women or female-led groups: 47 (9.4%)

Mixed groups (with more or less equal female and male lead singers): 14 (2.8%)

[Huck]

Me too.

[steppenwolffe]

Funny you should mention that. I had "Dark Side" on eight track tape. Listened to it incessantly back and forth from school on weekends. It was my only companion on the dark highway home. (Metaphors abound.)

[Billthedrill]

Another vote for Abbey Road. I'd rate Let It Be over Sgt Pepper as well.

[steppenwolffe]

What? No Billy Idol's "Whiplash Smile?!"

I smell conspiracy!

[Jack Wilson]

Revolver - every second from beginning to end is an aural treat...even the cover was neat - totally monochrome...Sgt. Pepper went opposite, totally color, including the special striped sleeve...

[swarthyguy]

Exile on Main Street.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

This one didn't make the list?

[keithtoo]

I was always partial to the Beatles lesser known "Beige" album. It was not as bold as their White album, but it handled smudges better.

As for Sgt. Pepper, we would not allow such a militaristically titled album into our house.

[MarkL]

Another vote for Abbey Road. I'd rate Let It Be over Sgt Pepper as well.

From a musical standpoint, I agree with you, but remember, the people who voted are in the music industry, and given the times, Sgt Pepper is probably the most influential album of all time, up to that point. George Martin didn't just push the envelope with Sgt Pepper... He created a whole new "postal system!" It's startling to note that Sgt Pepper was recorded in a 4 track studio. And what was on the album absolutely shocked the hell out of everyone at the time.

Mark

[TheBigB]

Actually, I always felt that Journey's "Escape" album was the most listen-to-over-and-overable that I ever heard.

[nothingnew]

I much prefer the Stone's answer to Sgt. Pepper..."Her Majesties Satanic Request"....But niether match "Dark Side of the Moon".

FMCDH