The Thundred - The Top 100 Albums of All Time: #80-61
We’re back with Part 2 of THE THUNDRED - Our countdown of the Top 100 Albums of All Time, featuring even more must-hear classics.
Straight to the good stuff- starting at #80.
80. Fiona Apple - Tidal
Summary: Fiona Apple's Tidal bursts with raw emotion and intricate piano-driven melodies, with standout tracks like the haunting "Criminal" and the introspective "Shadowboxer," capturing her unique blend of vulnerability and power.
Chris: I’ve long been obsessed with the song “Never Is a Promise” from this album. Fiona is a generational talent, and this is my favorite album from her.
Matt: As a kid, I wasn’t sure how I felt about Fiona Apple -mostly because “Shadowboxer” seemed too slow to me- bbut around the time of “Sleep to Dream,” I finally got it and have been a lifelong fan ever since. One of the best debut albums of the ’90s for sure.
79. The Cure - Disintegration
Summary: With its lush, atmospheric soundscapes and melancholic lyrics, The Cure's Disintegration stands as a dark, emotionally charged masterpiece, driven by standout tracks like the haunting "Pictures of You" and the iconic title track.
Chris: I’m more of a The Head on the Door guy, but this album is great too.
Matt: Similar to Chris I’m a bigger fan of The Head on the Door but this is from a pretty impressive run of 3-4 perfect albums from The Cure and I’m just happy one of those albums is represented here.
78. Missy Elliot - Under Construction
Summary: Missy Elliott's Under Construction is a genre-bending hip-hop album that blends playful experimentation with sharp social commentary, with standout tracks like "Work It" and "Get Ur Freak On" showcasing her innovative production and confident, boundary-pushing style.
Chris: I only knew the hits off of this, but I do know she’s widely regarded as one of hip hop’s most innovative artists. Seems like other lists often include Missy as well, although not always this album.
Matt: This was one of the albums I listened to for the first time because it was on this list. I had always liked the Missy Elliott songs I had heard before, but this album made me a full-blown fan.
77. Paramore - Riot!
Summary: A high-energy pop-punk explosion, with tracks like the anthemic "Misery Business" and the emotionally charged "Crushcrushcrush" capturing the band's blend of catchy hooks and youthful rebellion.
Chris: Wrong Paramore album in my opinion. I think their self-titled from a few years later is peak Paramore. Regardless, Hayley is the voice of a generation, and I guess this album has their most beloved song.
Matt: This is Paramore’s most successful album, featuring their biggest hits, but I’m not sure that necessarily makes it their best, or even one deserving of a spot on The Thundred.
76. Peter Gabriel - So
Summary: A masterful blend of art rock and pop, featuring standout tracks like the global hit "Sledgehammer" and the haunting "In Your Eyes," showcasing his unique fusion of innovative production and deeply emotional storytelling.
Chris: I love that this made the list, and I think it probably should’ve been higher. The music videos are probably just as impressive as the songs. “In Your Eyes” is one of the greatest love songs ever written.
Matt: This is one of the most perfectly crafted ’80s albums. Every song works, whether it’s a big hit like “Sledgehammer” or a deeper cut like “Mercy Street.”
75. Van Halen - 1984
Summary: A hard-rock landmark, featuring iconic tracks like the synth-driven "Jump" and the fiery "Panama," blending infectious hooks with Eddie Van Halen’s signature guitar virtuosity and David Lee Roth's charismatic energy.
Chris: I don’t care about Van Halen. That being said, this is the right Van Halen album.
Matt: It had to be this or the self-titled - I regularly go back and forth on which I think is the better album, but I’m very glad to see Van Halen on the list. They might not be everyone’s (Chris’s) cup of tea, but their impact on rock guitar history is undeniable.
74. Boston - Boston
Summary: Boston's self-titled debut album is a polished, arena-ready rock classic, with anthemic tracks like "More Than a Feeling" and "Peace of Mind" showcasing the band's perfect blend of powerful guitar riffs, soaring vocals, and meticulously crafted sound.
Chris: This album is full of songs that I wouldn’t recognize by the song title, but then once I hear them, I’m like “oh! THAT song!”
Matt: There’s a strong argument for this being the best debut album of all time. The fact that it was essentially a demo recorded in a shed yet still sounds fresh almost 50 years later is a testament to its importance
73. No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom
Summary: No Doubt's Tragic Kingdom blends ska, punk, and pop, with standout tracks like the infectious "Just a Girl" and the emotionally charged "Don't Speak," capturing the band's energetic sound and Gwen Stefani's distinctive voice at its peak.
Chris: This album brought a little bit of ska-punk flavor to the masses. Easily the best album that Gwen Stefani has ever been involved with. Top 100 though? I’m not so sure.
Matt: This was a heavy-hitter album in the ’90s—it felt like the singles never stopped. The deeper cuts are great as well, but I can think of a few albums that didn’t make the list and could have easily taken this spot.
72. Frank Ocean - Channel Orange
Summary: A genre-blurring masterpiece that mixes R&B, soul, and electronica, with standout tracks like the deeply emotional "Pyramids" and the introspective "Thinkin Bout You," showcasing his poetic lyricism and experimental production.
Chris: This album is a game changer. One of my favorite records of all time. I hope we get another Frank Ocean album in my lifetime.
Matt: I’d been told for years that I needed to listen to this album, but The Thundred finally pushed me to do it. Now I understand why it’s so beloved, and I can’t wait to revisit it many more times.
71. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
Summary: Blending glam rock with theatrical storytelling, David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars is a genre-defining concept album, highlighted by iconic tracks like "Starman" and "Suffragette City," where Bowie’s alter ego Ziggy Stardust takes center stage in a blend of cosmic themes and electrifying energy.
Chris: I’m not a Bowie guy, but this seems to be the album that gets mentioned a lot on “best of” lists. “Starman” is cool.
Matt: Bowie’s decades-spanning career needed representation. This feels like the “easy” choice, but I would have loved to see Hunky Dory, “Heroes”, or—controversially—Earthling take the spot instead.
Some albums don’t just make history - they are the history. And we’re only getting started.
70. Michael Jackson - Thriller
Summary: A pop masterpiece that transcends genres, featuring timeless tracks like the infectious "Billie Jean" and the genre-defining "Thriller," solidifying his place as the King of Pop with its groundbreaking production and iconic performances.
Chris: How is Thriller this low? I think it must be one of those “oh, EVERYBODY is gonna put Thriller so I don’t need to” type of situations.
Matt: There’s no world where Thriller should be this low on the list. I also believe it’s the only Michael Jackson album represented, which feels off. Off the Wall and Bad both deserve spots as well.
69. That Dog. - Retreat From the Sun
Summary: An alt-rock gem that mixes sharp wit with heartfelt vulnerability, with standout tracks like the catchy “Never Say Never” and the introspective "Long Island" showcasing the band's knack for blending indie-pop melodies with emotional depth.
Chris: This is a perfect alternative album of the 90s. You can just let it play from front to back, and you’ll just feel good the whole time. I was SHOCKED that it made it, but it was a pleasant shock.
Matt: This is a really great record, but I was floored it made our list. I think it adds a cool factor, but I also believe it could be one of those albums people point to in an attempt to “invalidate” the list.
68. Carole King - Tapestry
Summary: Featuring emotionally rich tracks like "It's Too Late" and "You’ve Got a Friend," Carole King's Tapestry is a timeless singer-songwriter classic, where her soulful piano playing and relatable lyrics capture the essence of love, heartache, and personal reflection.
Chris: Another album that I could see being MUCH higher…top 10 even. Carole King is an all-time great songwriter.
Matt: I agree with Chris—there’s no world where this shouldn’t be at least in the top 40, if not higher.
67. Björk - Post
Summary: Björk's Post is an adventurous fusion of electronic, trip-hop, and orchestral elements, highlighted by tracks like the bold "Army of Me" and the haunting "Hyperballad," showcasing her innovative approach to music and deeply personal, eccentric storytelling.
Chris: Björk is my favorite artist, and she made my personal Top 20 list twice. Post was one of them, but I had Vespertine even higher. If only one of her albums was gonna make this list, this is probably the right choice though. “Possibly Maybe” and “Hyperballad” are two of my favorite songs ever written.
Matt: I’m not the Björk fan that Chris is, but this album features almost all of her biggest mainstream songs (especially from the iconic ’90s music video era), so I get why people chose this one.
66. The Cars - The Cars
Summary: The Cars' self-titled debut album is a perfect blend of new wave, rock, and pop, featuring standout tracks like the infectious "Just What I Needed" and the atmospheric "Good Times Roll," creating a sleek, catchy sound that defined the band's early success.
Chris: The consensus among Cars fans seems to be that they can’t believe it’s the debut instead of Heartbeat City. Pretty impressive debut album though.
Matt: I’m happy for The Cars to be represented on the list, and this is a fantastic album, but like Chris suggested, I’d be even more stoked if it were Heartbeat City.
65. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
Summary: The groundbreaking double album that mixes soul, jazz, funk, and pop, with standout tracks like the uplifting "Sir Duke" and the introspective "Isn’t She Lovely," showcasing Stevie’s unparalleled musical genius and deep emotional range.
Chris: I saw Stevie play this whole album in Pittsburgh a few years back, and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen. This is an absolute classic. This is entirely too low on our list.
Matt: This is another one of those albums, like Thriller and Tapestry, that should be in the Top 40 at the very least.
This is where influence, innovation, and impact collide - icons, game-changers, and genre-defining records ahead.
64. Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
Summary: Nine Inch Nails' The Downward Spiral is an industrial rock tour de force, featuring harrowing tracks like the haunting "Hurt" and the aggressive "Closer," where Trent Reznor's raw intensity and sonic experimentation dive deep into themes of self-destruction and despair.
Chris: As I’ve mentioned on the podcast many times, I probably had twenty-Nine Inch Nails t-shirts when I was in ninth grade. The Downward Spiral is one of the most original and unique albums I’ve ever heard, and it holds up too.
Matt: This is the right album and the right placement. The impact of this album was undeniable, and its legacy over 30 years has only strengthened its importance.
63. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Summary: Wu-Tang Clan's Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is a raw, revolutionary hip-hop debut that blends gritty beats with complex lyricism, featuring iconic tracks like "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck," establishing the group as pioneers of hardcore rap and a cultural force.
Chris: This is another rap album that’s more punk rock than most punk rock albums.
Matt: In my opinion, this is among the 5 greatest rap albums ever created, and I’m so glad it made the list. I don’t even have any issue with its placement (although I wouldn’t have complained if it were higher).
62. Gorillaz - Demon Days
Summary: Fusing hip-hop, rock, and electronic music, Gorillaz' Demon Days features standout tracks like the haunting "Feel Good Inc." and the introspective "DARE," showcasing the band’s innovative approach to storytelling and genre-defying production.
Chris: This one came as a surprise. I’ve never gone past the radio hits with Gorillaz. This album didn’t grab me when I listened to it in preparation for us talking about it on the show, but then again, I don’t have decades worth of experience with it. Maybe I’ll give it another shot.
Matt: The Gorillaz have been a favorite of mine since I saw the “Clint Eastwood” music video on MTV2 in high school, and my love for them has continued for 20+ years. Demon Days is definitely their most ambitious and important album. It’s also the most consistent in its sound. That being said, I’m more of a fan of the self-titled debut album, but I can’t hate an album that gave us “Kids with Guns,” “Feel Good Inc.,” or “Fire Coming Out of the Monkey's Head.”
61. Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen
Summary: A piano-driven alt-rock classic, with standout tracks like the bittersweet "Brick" and the upbeat "Kate," balancing heartfelt storytelling with the band's signature wit and charm.
Chris: This one made my personal Top 20 list. Between Ben Folds Five and his solo output, Ben has released a LOT of great music, but this is my favorite collection of his work. I felt these songs back then, and I still feel them now.
Matt: This is one of my absolute favorite albums ever. There are no skips, from the energetic first track (“One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces”) to the emotional closing (“Evaporated”), which happens to be my favorite Ben Folds song ever written.
That’s a wrap for Part 2- The countdown continues. Part 3 is coming soon with more iconic albums and unforgettable moments. Stay tuned- THE THUNDRED rolls on.