The Thundred - The Top 100 Albums of All Time - #20-#1
20. Guns N’ Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Summary: Appetite for Destruction is Guns N’ Roses’ explosive debut, with tracks like the gritty "Welcome to the Jungle" and the rebellious "Sweet Child o’ Mine," fusing hard rock, glam, and punk into an adrenaline-fueled masterpiece that defined an era of rock and roll excess.
Chris: Important album to a lot of people, and I understand why. Guns N’ Roses are much cooler than the rest of the hair metal bands, almost to the point where I wouldn’t call them hair metal, and this is by far their best album. Still seems a bit high on this list for my taste.
Matt: For a few years, Guns N' Roses were like the coolest band imaginable. As a kid who was late to modern music, even in 1994 when I started getting into Nirvana, Green Day, and Stone Temple Pilots, there was an aura that surrounded Guns N' Roses. It is almost entirely BECAUSE of this album, as the rest of their output was a mixed bag and often too glossy and overproduced.
For a brief moment, Guns N’ Roses were the coolest band on the planet—and it was almost entirely because of this album.
19. The Eagles - Hotel California
Summary: Hotel California is The Eagles’ quintessential album, with tracks like the soulful "New Kid in Town" and the legendary title track, mixing rock, folk, and country to tell a story of excess, fame, and the darker side of the American dream.
Chris: I saw The Eagles play in Pittsburgh in the past few years. They were good, but I was hoping that we’d get there just late enough to miss the song “Hotel California.” I wasn’t quite that lucky. I don’t care about this album.
Matt: I like the Eagles just fine, but they’ve never struck me as an “album” band. I suppose this is arguably their best album, but that doesn’t mean it’s one of the 20 best albums ever made in my eyes.
18. Pearl Jam - Ten
Summary: Ten is Pearl Jam’s raw and powerful debut, with tracks like the intense "Alive" and the emotive "Jeremy," blending grunge's heavy guitars with introspective lyrics to create an album that became the voice of a generation grappling with pain, identity, and rebellion.
Chris: I’m more of a Vitalogy guy, but there’s no denying the impact of this album.
Matt: The three-album run this release kickstarted for Pearl Jam is fantastic, and all of them could be on this list. However, this one does have “Black” on it, which is probably the best Pearl Jam song, so I’m into it.
17. Prince - Purple Rain
Summary: Purple Rain is Prince’s bold and brilliant album, with tracks like the electrifying title song and the soulful "When Doves Cry," seamlessly blending rock, pop, and funk to create a musical exploration of love, heartbreak, and self-expression.
Chris: I gave the stipulation of NO SOUNDTRACKS when I collected lists, but this one shouldn’t even count as a soundtrack. I mean, it IS a soundtrack, but it’s so much more than that. This felt entirely too low. I wouldn’t have been surprised if this ended up at #1 actually.
Matt: This is a pretty flawless collection of songs. I’m sure people will argue that there are other better Prince releases, but I’m gonna disagree with them and agree with Chris—I’d have been happy if this was our #1, honestly.
16. Nirvana - Nevermind
Summary: Nevermind transformed rock in the '90s, with "Smells Like Teen Spirit" delivering anthemic power and "Come as You Are" showcasing raw emotional depth, making Nirvana the voice of a generation while redefining the alternative scene.
Chris: Too low for the album that changed the entire course of rock n’ roll.
Matt: Even though I’ve said before that In Utero is my preferred Nirvana album, I also agree with Chris that this not being in the Top 10 or even the Top 5 is a fumble for our list.
Some albums don’t just define a generation - they redraw the map for everything that comes after.
15. Counting Crows - August and Everything After
Summary: August and Everything After introduces Counting Crows with a blend of poetic lyricism and Americana influences, featuring the introspective "Mr. Jones" and the melancholic "Round Here," which set the tone for their signature mix of vulnerability and storytelling.
Chris: Believe it or not, this was my personal #1. There is so much emotion on this album, and it’s what my friends and I refer to as “The Perfect 11”.
Matt: My fandom of this album grows with every listen. One of my favorite memories was listening to it while driving across New England. At one point, “A Murder of One” came on, and as I admired the beautiful scenery around me, I felt overwhelming joy and gratefulness.
14. NOFX - Punk in Drublic
Summary: Punk in Drublic is NOFX’s unapologetically fast and sharp-witted punk rock classic, with tracks like the sardonic "Leave It Alone" and the energetic "Linoleum," combining humor, political commentary, and raw energy into an album that became an anthem for the '90s punk scene.
Chris: A lot of pun
ks submitted lists. This is the best NOFX album, so if a NOFX album has to be in the Top 20, I’m glad it’s this one.
Matt: Not my favorite NOFX release (I’m a bigger fan of So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes and Pump Up the Valuum), and the idea that this is one of the 20 best records ever made is offensive to me, but that’s how the math worked out.
13. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
Summary: Back to Black showcases Amy Winehouse’s fusion of soul, jazz, and Motown, with standout tracks like "Rehab" and the emotionally charged "Back to Black," where her powerful vocals and unflinching exploration of love and heartache shine through.
Chris: This album is as heartbreaking as it is amazing. “Tears Dry On Their Own” is my favorite Amy song. She was a generational talent, and it’s so sad to think of the album that were to come.
Matt: Chris actually nailed this. I have nothing to add beyond this is a perfect album.
12. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
Summary: Rubber Soul sees The Beatles pushing boundaries with a more mature sound, blending folk, rock, and soul on tracks like "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" and "In My Life," where the band’s lyrical complexity and innovative arrangements begin to take center stage.
Chris: Sure, why not? “In My Life” is a top tier Beatles song, and “Michelle” won the Grammy for Song of the Year in 1967.
Matt: I really like Rubber Soul, but there's a Beatles album not on our list that I would have happily booted Rubber Soul off the list to make space for.
11. Rancid - …And Out Come The Wolves
Summary: ...And Out Come the Wolves is Rancid’s energetic and punk-infused masterpiece, packed with raucous anthems like "Ruby Soho" and "Time Bomb" that blend ska and street punk into a timeless snapshot of rebellious youth.
Chris: I can GUARANTEE that The Thundred is the only place where Rancid is gonna have the #11 album of all time. I love that this is here, as it was an album that really shaped my taste as an impressionable teenager. Matt Freeman’s basslines alone make it worthy of a high spot.
Matt: I really like this album; it's one of my favorites, and I’m sure we get some cool points for having it on here, but I still feel like #11 is a bit outrageous. Haha!
10. blink-182 - Enema of the State
Summary: Enema of the State is a pop-punk classic from blink-182, featuring catchy anthems like the energetic "What's My Age Again?" and the anthemic "All the Small Things," which became a hallmark of the late '90s punk scene with their humor and catchy hooks.
Chris: Matt and I were both taken back by the high placement of this album. We did, however, receive an email from a past guest (Joey Ritter) that may have changed my mind, as I too was also just the right age to experience blink-182 as the demographic they were targeting. I rescind my bashing of Enema of the State. This album meant a lot to a lot of people.
Matt: I can love this album, understand that it’s important to a lot of people, but still objectively say it’s ranked way too high and has no right being anywhere beyond #80.
9. Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill
Summary: Jagged Little Pill is Alanis Morissette’s raw and unapologetic debut, with tracks like "You Oughta Know" and "Ironic" blending angst, vulnerability, and biting wit, capturing the emotional turbulence of the '90s in a way that resonated deeply with a generation.
Chris: I was hooked from the first time I heard “You Oughta Know” on a sampler CD in a CMJ magazine. Jagged Little Pill is one of the biggest selling albums of all time, and for good reason – Alanis put it all out there, and we were all the better for it.
Matt: Now we’re talking! I would have been happy if this somehow was our #1 album of all time—it’s a truly fantastic record filled with incredible songs. If you only know the singles, please check out tracks like “Perfect,” “Not the Doctor,” “Forgiven,” and the radio-only single “All I Really Want,” and learn to love this album as much as I do!
8. Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American
Summary: Bleed American is Jimmy Eat World's defining album, featuring anthems like "The Middle" and "Sweetness," balancing upbeat rock energy with honest reflections on youth, struggle, and resilience.
Chris: A pretty flawless album from front to back. At this point in Jimmy Eat World’s career, no one was doing straight forward rock better.
Matt: I didn’t really know the band until “The Middle” hit MTV, but I was so obsessed with that song that I got the album. This album just kicks you in the teeth right from the opening track and keeps throwing hit after hit at you. Fantastic record!
7. The Get Up Kids - Something To Write Home About
Summary: Something To Write Home About blasts through with infectious energy, as The Get Up Kids deliver unforgettable tracks like "Holiday" and "Action & Action," blending emotional intensity and raw power that made the album a defining moment in emo and punk history.
Chris: This album is a whirlwind of emotions, and it’s definitely an all-timer in the circles I run in. I’ve publicly stated that I think “Holiday” is the best opening track ever, and a good case could be made for “I’ll Catch You” being one of the best closing tracks. Everything in between those two songs is just as good.
Matt: In my soul, I wanted this to be our number 1, but I’m glad it ranks so high on our list. You might be asking… why is this album acceptable but not Enema of the State? At its core, I’d say it’s about the lyrical content. The Blink album feels very of its time and childish, but the songs on this album can break your heart, just like the album above it.
6. Fleetwood Mac - Rumours
Summary: Rumours is Fleetwood Mac's iconic masterpiece, filled with timeless tracks like "Go Your Own Way" and "Dreams," where the band's personal turmoil creates an album that blends rock, pop, and heartbreak into an enduring classic.
Chris: As I was collecting the results, Rumours was sitting at #1 for a while. The rawness and realness of this album hits hard, even all these decades later.
Matt: Yep. This is one of the best records ever made, and it doesn’t matter if you’re asking music critics, music historians, boomers, Generation Alpha, or a bunch of punk rock guys in their 40s—the timelessness of this album continues to bring new listeners to it.
5. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
Summary: Pet Sounds is a groundbreaking album by The Beach Boys, highlighted by lush, intricate arrangements on tracks like "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and "God Only Knows," pushing the boundaries of pop music with its emotional depth and sonic experimentation.
Chris: It’s so cool to experience someone’s mind via music, and Brian Wilson has a beautiful one. I love the story behind the creation of this masterpiece, and it’ll always be a fun listen.
Matt: Literally, the presence of “God Only Knows” alone makes this one of the best albums ever. We're just lucky that all the other songs are just as fantastic.
4. Weezer - Pinkerton
Summary: Pinkerton sees Weezer embracing raw vulnerability, with tracks like "Tired of Sex" and "El Scorcho," where the band's blend of angst and catchy hooks makes it a cult classic that's as messy as it is memorable.
Chris: Pinkerton is the best argument for producing your own music I’ve ever heard.
Matt: Depending on my mood, there are days I prefer the raw aggression of this over the self-titled release. From the distortion kicking off “Tired of Sex” all the way to the soft piano of “Butterfly,” this album is a journey!
3. Green Day - Dookie
Summary: Dookie catapulted Green Day into the mainstream with its energetic punk anthems like "Longview" and "Basket Case," capturing the frustrations of youth with catchy riffs and unapologetic irreverence that defined the '90s pop-punk scene.
Chris: The greatest pop punk album of all time, and quite possibly the album that made me want to start a band.
Matt: In 1994, my cousin played me “When I Come Around” and it changed my life. Green Day is still among my favorite bands ever and people can talk trash on whatever albums they’ve released over the last few years (some of them are better than they get credit for being) but regardless they wrote this and it’s a game changer.
2. The Beatles - Revolver
Summary: With groundbreaking tracks like "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "Eleanor Rigby," Revolver saw The Beatles expand their musical range, blending innovative studio techniques with introspective themes that reshaped the sound of rock in the '60s.
Chris: There could’ve easily been ten Beatles albums on this list. Revolver being the highest was a little bit of a surprise, but not a bigger surprise than Sgt. Pepper not being included at all.
Matt: I agree with Chris that Sgt. Pepper not being on the list at all is crazy, but this is one of my top 3 albums and features one of my favorite Beatles closers with “Tomorrow Never Knows”. I could listen to Ringo’s hypnotic drumming for hours.
1 . Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album)
Summary: With standout tracks like "Buddy Holly" and "Say It Ain't So," Weezer's debut album introduced a fresh blend of geeky angst and catchy, riff-driven power pop, laying the foundation for their lasting influence on '90s alternative rock.
Chris: Based on the demographics of the One Hit Thunder listenership, I could’ve predicted this. This influential album was at least SOMEWHERE on a crazy amount of lists that people submitted. Congrats to Weezer.
Matt: Look, I love this album and this is usually the part where I would say that this is an insane placement…but I get it. This album is as influential as Nevermind and Dookie for a generation of people. Rivers’ songwriting was on a whole different level.