The Thundred - The Top 100 Albums of All Time - #40-21

40. Oasis - Definitely Maybe

Summary: Definitely Maybe is a triumphant debut from Oasis, capturing the brash confidence of youth in tracks like the soaring "Live Forever" and the raucous "Supersonic," blending Britpop swagger with raw emotion and setting the stage for their rock 'n' roll dominance.

Chris: Granted, I’m not big on Oasis, but is this even the right album?

Matt: I was literally FLOORED this album ended up on the list instead of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? Don’t get me wrong, I like this album, and “Live Forever” is probably Oasis’ best song, but I never really felt this album worked as a cohesive record like Morning Glory.

39. Radiohead - OK Computer

Summary: OK Computer is a groundbreaking exploration of alienation and technology, with Radiohead blending atmospheric soundscapes and dystopian themes in tracks like the haunting "Paranoid Android" and the introspective "No Surprises," forever shifting the course of alternative rock.

Chris: This is the best Radiohead album.

Matt: This is the second best Radiohead album, but it’s a very close second.

38. Jimmy Eat World - Clarity

Summary: Clarity is a defining emo masterpiece, where Jimmy Eat World blends intricate melodies with raw emotion in tracks like the cathartic "Lucky Denver Mint" and the reflective "For Me This Is Heaven," capturing the complexities of youth while showcasing growth in both sound and songwriting.

Chris: Good luck finding a person my age who plays music that wasn’t influenced by this album.

Matt: I was late to this one, but I immediately loved it when I finally did hear it.

37. Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Summary: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is a sprawling, ambitious double album where The Smashing Pumpkins blend melancholic beauty and ferocious energy in tracks like the anthemic "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" and the haunting "Tonight, Tonight," capturing the highs and lows of adolescence with grandiose, genre-defying flair.

Chris: I thought I was too cool for something as mainstream as Smashing Pumpkins at the time. I think maybe I missed a lot because of that. Regardless, I loved “1979” and “Tonight, Tonight” even back then. To say that I know this whole double album, however, would be a lie.

Matt: While I will always pick Siamese Dream over this record if I HAD to choose, this is one of the rare double albums with almost no skips and has some of the best songs in their catalog. I’ve argued that “Tonight, Tonight” is possibly the best single of the ’90s, and I stand by that. But also, songs like “Zero,” “1979,” “Jellybelly,” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” are all in that “best single from the ’90s” conversation.

36. Cyndi Lauper - She’s So Unusual

Summary: She's So Unusual is a vibrant pop classic, where Cyndi Lauper showcases her eclectic style and quirky charm with tracks like the iconic "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" and the heartfelt "Time After Time," blending infectious energy with emotional depth and becoming a defining album of the '80s.

Chris: This one ALMOST made my Top 20. I could make a pretty convincing argument that “Time After Time” is the best song ever.

Matt: This might be my favorite album released in the ’80s. I’m not willing to say that definitively, but across its 10 tracks, I’m hard-pressed to think of a single song I would want to skip. Beyond the beautiful ballads like “Time After Time” and “All Through the Night” and the ’80s anthems like “Money Changes Everything” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” this record is untouchable.

35. NOFX - The Decline

Summary: The Decline is a one-song EP where NOFX pushes the boundaries of punk with a 18-minute track that combines sharp political commentary, biting humor, and intricate musicianship, proving that even in a single song, they can pack a powerful punch.

Chris: A one-song EP? As the guy who collected the data for this list, I let it slide because it made so many lists (plus, it’s an amazing achievement).

Matt: I’m still very much on the “Should this even count?” side of things. I’m not the biggest NOFX fan, but I do LOVE The Decline.

34. Metallica - Master of Puppets

Summary: Master of Puppets is Metallica's defining thrash epic, with blistering tracks like the relentless title track and the gripping "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," blending technical precision, blistering aggression, and introspective lyrics to cement their place in metal history.

Chris: I’m not a metalhead, but this is THE album from THE metal band, right?

Matt: This is definitely my favorite Metallica album and probably my favorite heavy metal album. I’ve said it quite a few times, but it’s a no-skips release for sure!

33. Ben Folds - Rockin’ the Suburbs

Summary: Rockin' the Suburbs is Ben Folds' witty, piano-driven exploration of suburban life and personal reflection, with tracks like the satirical "Rockin' the Suburbs" and the heartfelt "The Luckiest," mixing humor and emotion in a way that makes the ordinary feel extraordinary.

Chris: Another shocker. I do love this album, but I’d have never guessed it would go this high. I think what’s kinda magical about this album is that in a lot of ways, it’s an album about getting older, and for better or for worse, we’re all doing that. Seeing Ben play “Not the Same” live will also push this album on to a lot of people’s lists.

Matt: I love this album. It's definitely my favorite Ben Folds solo album, but I would happily swap this and Whatever and Ever Amen's positions on this list.

32. Beastie Boys - Paul’s Boutique

Summary: Paul's Boutique is a groundbreaking album from the Beastie Boys, known for its inventive sampling and layered production, with tracks like "Shake Your Rump" and "Hey Ladies" showcasing their unique ability to blend diverse sounds into an adventurous and influential hip-hop record.

Chris: I know this is Matt’s #1 album, which I DO find insane (but fun.) What Matt has taught me about the creation of this album, however, makes me have nothing but love for it.

Matt: I won’t lie; I did put this at #1 mostly out of strategy. Usually, when asked what my favorite album ever is, I give a rotation of 3 albums (The Format: Dog Problems, Reel Big Fish: Turn Your Radio Off, and The Hippos: Heads Are Gonna Roll), none of which had any shot at making the final list. So instead, I wanted to really give a push to an album I believe is beyond important. The history of this album, what it did for sampling, and just how on top of their game all 3 members of the Beasties are on this release—it is deserving of being in our top 40!

31. Kate Bush - Hounds of Love

Summary: Hounds of Love is Kate Bush's visionary masterpiece, blending art pop, progressive rock, and experimental sounds in tracks like the powerful "Running Up That Hill" and the cinematic "Cloudbusting," creating an album that’s both emotionally charged and sonically bold.

Chris: I’ve said this before, but I was late to the game on Kate Bush, thanks in no small part to the fact that “Don’t Give Up” on Peter Gabriel’s So was my least favorite song on the album (and it featured Kate.) Many years later, at the insistence of some friends who knew my love for Björk, I dove into (and became obsessed with) Hounds of Love. A few short years later after that, she had her Stranger Things moment, and the whole world did what I did…discovered a slightly underrated artist. It’s never too late!

Matt: I hate to admit it, but I was someone who, despite YEARS of people telling me I would love Kate Bush, didn’t listen to her until Stranger Things. For the last 3 years, I’ve been making up for lost time, and while almost every release of hers is a mini masterpiece, this is the standout.

30. Def Leppard - Hysteria

Summary: Hysteria is Def Leppard's glittering glam metal triumph, with tracks like the electrifying "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and the anthemic "Love Bites," blending polished production, catchy hooks, and stadium-ready energy into a defining album of the '80s.

Chris: The insane amount of money they spent on the recording of this album makes me like it less than I already did. I definitely owned it on cassette as a kid though, and I WAS a big “Rocket” guy.

Matt: We said it on the show, but it bears repeating - it’s INSANE this is in our top 30. To me, this is a good (not great) release by a good (not great) band.

29. Led Zeppelin - IV

Summary: Led Zeppelin IV is a hard rock classic that blends folk, blues, and heavy metal influences, with tracks like the epic "Stairway to Heaven" and the powerful "Black Dog," solidifying the band's status as rock icons through its diverse sound and unforgettable moments.

Chris: The most important band that I really don’t care about at all.

Matt: Unlike what I said about The Who, a classic rock band I didn’t really connect with, Led Zeppelin I did. Maybe it was because they were sampled so much in my favorite rap songs, but I really loved the swagger of this band's sound, and this is the proper album to represent that.

28. Death Cab for Cutie - Transatlanticism

Summary: Transatlanticism is Death Cab for Cutie’s emotional journey across miles and memories, where songs like the wistful "The Sound of Settling" and the sweeping title track paint vivid pictures of longing and separation with lush melodies and introspective lyrics.

Chris: Ben Gibbard at his lyrical apex. I remember seeing them play the title track from this album at Club Laga in Pittsburgh in the early 2000s, and the whole extended buildup was magic. That moment has a sort of sparkle to it in my memory.

Matt: This is an extremely hot take, but while I love this album, it’s not even my favorite Death Cab release. Plans is the one I revisit time and time again. Personally, I’d love to swap this and The Postal Service’s positioning.

27. Bad Religion - Stranger Than Fiction

Summary: Stranger Than Fiction is Bad Religion's powerful blend of melodic punk and sharp social commentary, with tracks like the anthemic "21st Century (Digital Boy)" and the introspective title track, capturing both urgency and reflection with their fast-paced rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics.

Chris: I know pretty much every word to this album. Once every year or two, I fall in love with this record all over again. Listen to the episode of Chris DeMakes A Podcast in which Brett Gurewitz discusses the writing and recording of the title track to truly have your mind blown.

Matt: This is the thinking man’s punk band, and this is by far their best work (in a career full of great releases).

26. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Summary: Born to Run is Bruce Springsteen’s epic declaration of freedom and yearning, with tracks like the exhilarating title track and the poignant "Thunder Road," combining heartland rock with vivid storytelling to create an anthem for the restless and dreamers alike.

Chris: This is the one that all the true Bruceheads love. I didn’t grow up with this album to have that sort of connection to it, but I do think it’s great.

Matt: I’m glad this ranked over Born in the USA because it is the superior record to me. “Thunder Road” is in the contention for best songs ever written, and this album is packed with ’70s radio hits.

25. The Beatles - Abbey Road

Summary: Abbey Road is The Beatles' masterful swan song, where tracks like the iconic "Come Together" and the epic "Here Comes the Sun" showcase their musical evolution, blending experimental sounds and seamless transitions to create an album that transcends genres and time.

Chris: George really shines (no “Here Comes the Sun” pun intended) on this one.

Matt: I’ve really grown to love this album more and more with each listen; it’s now in my Top 5 Beatles albums, and I’m glad it made our list!

24. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Summary: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a genre-defying blend of R&B, hip-hop, and soul, with tracks like the empowering "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and the heartfelt "Ex-Factor," where Hill weaves personal narratives and social commentary into an emotionally charged and musically rich masterpiece.

Chris: This being #1 on Apple Music’s list was pretty controversial. I wasn’t outraged at all, considering “Ex-Factor” is one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s wild that she never followed this up.

Matt: I’m glad we didn’t follow Apple Music and have this as the #1 album, but I’m glad it’s on our list and HIGH on that list. It’s definitely a good album, just not the best album of all time.

23. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

Summary: Dark Side of the Moon is Pink Floyd’s groundbreaking concept album, with tracks like the mesmerizing "Time" and the philosophical "Breathe," blending progressive rock, experimental sounds, and existential themes into a sonic journey that explores the complexities of life, mental illness, and the human experience.

Chris: Of course this is gonna be on this list.

Matt: I want to like Pink Floyd more than I actually do, but I do love this album.

22. Nirvana - In Utero

Summary: In Utero is Nirvana’s raw, unapologetic follow-up to Nevermind, with tracks like the abrasive "Heart-Shaped Box" and the anguished "Rape Me," capturing Kurt Cobain’s vulnerability and defiance through distorted riffs and fiercely honest lyrics.

Chris: Matt argued that this is Nirvana’s best album. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but “Scentless Apprentice” makes me wanna run through a wall.

Matt: I do think this is Nirvana’s best album. I also think “Serve the Servants” is a better opening track than “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” but when it comes to picking the best Nirvana album, it’s like picking the best child or the best fast-food cheeseburger—they’re all good!

21. Saves The Day - Stay What You Are

Summary: Stay What You Are is Saves the Day’s emotionally charged pop-punk gem, with tracks like the anthemic "At Your Funeral" and the introspective "Freakish," balancing youthful angst with heartfelt reflection, making it a definitive album for anyone navigating the complexities of growing up.

Chris: You’re not gonna find ANY Saves the Day album on any other list, let alone almost in the top 20! This is the correct STD album to be here, even though some might argue that Through Being Cool is the one. Amazing lyrics on this album, and a little ahead of its time as far as the world of emo and pop punk goes.

Matt: I like Saves the Day but never loved them, so the idea that this was almost in the top 20 seems absolutely insane to me. It’s a great record (not my favorite though), but when I think of all the masterpieces that aren’t on the list at all, this one seems silly.