16 Albums You Need To Hear Before You Die!

By Travis Grant

1. The Beach Boys – Surfer Girl

This record was released in the summer of 1963, and it’s one of the first examples of Brian Wilson taking full production credit for a Beach Boys album. The harmonies on this record are outstanding, which should help draw your attention away from the fromage-laden lyrics.

2. Bob Dylan – Highway 61 Revisited.

Dylan goes electric! I especially love the guitar riff in “Tombstone Blues” at 4:37, but there are many other moments to love on this record.

3. Dennis Wilson – Pacific Ocean Blue

Released in 1977, this is by far the best solo record put out by a Beach Boy. And who could have guessed it would come from the drummer, Dennis Wilson? Pacific Ocean Blue is intensely personal, tasteful, and beautifully arranged. This is a lost classic, one that definitely deserves a wider appreciation and more consideration. Brian Wilson was said to have been a great admirer of this album, but in an interview with Pitchfork, he denied knowing that Denis had even released a solo album. I’m not sure if this should be attributed to Brian’s ego, his schizophrenia, or if it’s his way of trying to forget the devastating circumstances of Dennis’ drowning death, in 1983, which has been suggested by a variety of sources close to Wilson.

4. Elvis Presley – For LP Fans Only!

I found this beauty at the Goodwill, moments after one of the staff members unloaded someone’s old collection onto the shelves. Released in 1959, this is an album of rockabilly standards from the dying days of rockabilly, including “That’s all Right,” “Lawdy, Miss Clawdy,” and “Shake, Rattle and Roll.”

5. Hank Williams as Luke the Drifter – Beyond the Sunset

Hank Williams was famous for his country pop standards, but these songs don’t properly attest to the kind of writer and artist that he truly was. Williams was possessed of an incredible gift for making profound observations that cut right to the heart of any person who cares half a lick for the human condition. But Hank was fearful that his story telling — which was delivered in spoken-word verses and sung choruses, with his band of Driftin’ Cowboys backing him — would alienate fans of his pop tunes. So he created an alter ego: Luke the Drifter. Beyond the Sunset was recorded between 1950 and 1952 and was released the year Hank Williams was found dead in his limousine at the tender age of 29.

6. Harry Nilsson – Son of Schmilsson

Harry Nilsson had a four octave voice. In other words, dude could sing. And on this record, he does. Son of Schmilsson is but one of the great records put out by Harry Nilsson over his relatively short career. By the time this record was released, Nilsson had become an infamous drinking buddy of John Lennon, and the two lived together while Lennon was on a split from Yoko Ono. Enabling each other’s alcoholism, the pair were notorious for heckling entertainers in Los Angeles night clubs and they were kicked out of more than one, usually in a liquor-soaked haze. If any of you like this record, you should also check out Nilsson Schmilsson.

7. Mahalia Jackson – In the Upper Room

Mahalia Jackson is one of the finest gospel singers in American music history. Her style was a confluence of jazz, blues, and rock & roll. Although many a record executive tried to convince Mahalia to release a rock & roll record, she always refused, politely telling them that her music was a gift from God and she would stay devoted to him, through song, for the rest of her life.

8. Musique Simili – Aromas

Musique Simili hail from the mountains of Switzerland and they speak a strange Slavic Dialect. Oh, and they are some of the most accomplished musicians I’ve every heard. Give them a listen.

9. NWA – Straight Outta Compton

Not only is this record musically accomplished, the perspectives of teenagers living in South Central Los Angeles in the late 80s give incredible historical insight into poverty, racism, gangs, and police brutality. I time travel through this record and try my best to imagine the lived experiences that led to one of the angriest and best rap albums ever made.

10. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bayou Country

This is CCR’s most soulful offering. John Fogerty must have sold his soul at the cross roads moments before recording songs like “Penthouse Pauper” and “Keep on Chooglin,” they’re that authentic. Also, the cover of Little Richard’s “Good Golly Miss Molly” is the best I’ve heard.

11. Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows this is Nowhere

I often hear people say that Neil Young is a terrible guitar player, which isn’t true. In a bold act of defiance against the jammers and the noodlers of the heavily blues-influenced 60s and 70s, Neil simply chose to play the notes that others ignored. This wilful act of dissonance led to one of the greatest records ever made, and many more after it.

12. Paul McCartney – McCartney

I’m pretty sure most of the tracks on this record were either worked on during or inspired by Paul’s time in the Beatles. Start to finish, this is a solid record. Oh, and the last track has an extended drum solo, which is very un-Paul, don’t you think?

13. Television – Marquee Moon

Richard Hell and Tom Verlaine formed Television in 1973. Marquee Moon unleashed a new sound on New York City, one that is often credited as the actual beginning of punk and new wave. Give it a listen and decide for yourself!

14. The Sonics – Here are the Sonics!!

Speaking of punk influence, the Sonics have been cited by dozens of original New York City punk bands as a key influence. Released in 1966, Here are the Sonics is a collection of rock standards, like “Walking the Dog” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” and Ramones- and Alice Cooper-like originals (“Psycho, “The Witch,” and “Strychnine”); but they are grossly underproduced and the rawness in the vocals is something to be admired. Despite the crunchy sound on this record, the musicianship is outstanding.

15. The Stooges – The Stooges

During the Summer of Love, when your parents were talking about peace and tie dye, the Stooges were busy wearing tight leather pants and causing havoc. Their eponymous album is a collection of proto-punk and metal songs. Iggy Pop for Prez!!!

16. Willie Nile – Willie Nile

The New York Times rock critic, Robert Palmer, said of Nile, “”Every once in awhile the times seems to produce an artist who is at once an iconoclast and near-perfect expression of contemporary currents. He is one of the best singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in a long time.” Nile was immediately compared to Buddy Holly and Bob Dylan, and he was even called “a one-man Clash.” This self-titled record was released in 1980, to much critical acclaim.