Rolling Stone has released a new list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, reigniting debates over the best music over multiple generations.
The magazine first published the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” in 2003, but remade it from scratch with input from more than 300 artists, producers, critics and music industry figures. It includes more than 150 new selections and a handful of more recent releases, like Harry Styles' 2019 album “Fine Line,” Taylor Swift’s “1989” and Kanye West’s “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.”
“Tastes change, new genres emerge, the history of music keeps being rewritten,” Rolling Stone noted.
The new list, published Tuesday, includes multiple releases by obvious choices, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Jimi Hendrix, Radiohead, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Bob Dylan, Beastie Boys, Queen, R.E.M. and The Who. The top 10 features classics by Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, Lauryn Hill, Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, and Marvin Gaye.
Five albums by late Syracuse University alumnus Lou Reed made the cut: The Velvet Underground’s “White Light/White Heat” (No. 272), The Velvet Underground’s "Loaded’ (No. 242), The Velvet Underground’s “The Velvet Underground” (No. 143), Lou Reed’s “Transformer” (No. 109), and The Velvet Underground’s “The Velvet Underground and Nico” (No. 23). Reed, who graduated from SU in 1964, is a two-time member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who formed The Velvet Underground with Sterling Morrison, a classmate at SU, and drummer Maureen “Moe” Tucker, the younger sister of Morrison’s friend from Syracuse.
One album by Upstate New York native Lana Del Rey, 2019′s “Norman F---ing Rockwell,” ranked No. 321 all time. Born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant in New York City, the singer grew up in Lake Placid and lived there until she was 15; she was accepted to SUNY Geneseo after high school, but instead moved to NYC to begin her music career.
Also notable on the list is Springsteen’s “Born to Run" at No. 21. The iconic album cover, featuring The Boss leaning on E Street Band saxophone player Clarence Clemons, was shot by Syracuse-raised photographer Eric Meola.
Top 10 Albums of All Time (according to Rolling Stone)
10. Lauryn Hill, ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
9. Bob Dylan, ‘Blood on the Tracks’
8. Prince and the Revolution, ‘Purple Rain’
7. Fleetwood Mac, ‘Rumours’
6. Nirvana, ‘Nevermind’
5. The Beatles, ‘Abbey Road’
4. Stevie Wonder, ‘Songs in the Key of Life’
3. Joni Mitchell, ‘Blue’
2. The Beach Boys, ‘Pet Sounds’
1. Marvin Gaye, ‘What’s Going On’
