Στην παρακάτω λίστα έχω επιλέξει 285 ξένα Μουσικά άλμπουμς, που κυκλοφόρησαν από το 1959 έως το 2009, τα οποία θεωρώ αριστουργήματα, το καθένα για πολλούς και διαφορετικούς λόγους. Δεν είναι δυνατόν σε μία λίστα σαν κι αυτή να χωρέσει ολόκληρη η ιστορία της Μουσικής, ούτε όλοι οι τεράστιοι καλλιτέχνες και όλα τα άλμπουμς - "διαμάντια" που έχουν υπάρξει (γνωρίζω πως έχω αφήσει πολλούς σπουδαίους καλλιτέχνες και άλμπουμς εκτός), αλλά έτσι κι αλλιώς δεν είναι αυτός ο σκοπός αυτού του εγχειρήματος.

Αυτό που προσπάθησα να κάνω, ήταν το να συμπεριλάβω όσο το δυνατόν περισσότερες καλλιτεχνικές εκφράσεις/Μουσικές ταυτότητες/συναισθηματικές αποχρώσεις μπορούσα προκειμένου να σας παρέχω μία σφαιρική Μουσική αναζήτηση.

Τα κριτήρια με τα οποία επέλεξα το κάθε άλμπουμ ποικίλλουν, αλλά μπορούν να συνοψιστούν σε 5 βασικές κατηγορίες:

1. Διαχρονικότητα
2. Καινοτομία / Πρωτοπορία
3. Επιδραστικότητα
4. Κριτική / ευρεία αναγνώριση
5. Το γούστο μου!

Να αναφέρω επίσης ότι έχω επιλέξει μόνο ένα άλμπουμ από τον κάθε καλλιτέχνη που υπάρχει στη λίστα (κάτι το οποίο ήταν έως και βασανιστικό), και η σειρά κατάταξης είναι αλφαβητική. Σε παρένθεση βρίσκεται το έτος κυκλοφορίας του κάθε δίσκου.

Τέλος, να τονίσω ότι η λίστα δεν περιέχει live/tributes/soundtracks/greatest hits/best of albums κτλ. και περιλαμβάνει μόνο full-length albums (όχι demos/EP’s κ.ο.κ).

Θα χαρώ να ακούσω τα σχόλια, τις προτάσεις, και τα βρισίδια σας! Καλή ακρόαση, παιδιά!

Ξεκινάμε (βαθειά ανάσα!) ...

1. 16 Horsepower – Sackcloth ‘N’ Ashes (1996)
2. A Perfect Circle – Mer De Noms (2000)
3. AC/DC – Back In Black (1980)
4. Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic (1975)
5. Al Di Meola – Elegant Gypsy (1977)
6. Albert Ayler Trio – Spiritual Unity (1964)
7. Albert King – Born Under A Bad Sign (1967)
8. Ali Farka Toure – Savane (2006)
9. Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies (1973)

10.  Alice In Chains – Dirt (1992)

11.  Allan Holdsworth – Secrets (1989)

12.  Anathema – Alternative 4 (1998)

13.  Angra – Holy Land (1996)

14.  Anthrax – Among The Living (1987)

15.  Aphrodite’s Child – 666 (1972)

16.  Aretha Franklin – I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You (1967)

17.  Art Of Noise – Who’s Afraid Of The Art Of Noise? (1984)

18.  Bad Company – Bad Company (1974)

19.  Bad Religion – Against The Grain (1990)

20.  Bernward Koch – Walking Through Clouds (2005)

21.  Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989)

22.  Billy Cobham – Spectrum (1973)

23.  Billy Joel – The Stranger (1977)

24.  Bjork – Homogenic (1997)

25.  Black Flag – Damaged (1981)

26.  Black Sabbath – Paranoid (1970)

27.  Blind Guardian – Nightfall In Middle-Earth (1998)

28.  Blonde Redhead – Misery Is A Butterfly (2004)

29.  Blue Oyster Cult – Agents Of Fortune (1976)

30.  Bob Dylan – Blonde On Blonde (1966)

31.  Bob Marley And The Wailers – Catch A Fire (1973)

32.  Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986)

33.  Boredoms – Soul Discharge (1989)

34.  Brian Eno – Here Come The Warm Jets (1974)

35.  Buckethead – Colma (1998)

36.  Buena Vista Social Club – Buena Vista Social Club (1997)

37.  CAB – CAB 2 (2001)

38.  Camaron – La Leyenda del Tiempo (1979)

39.  Camel – Moonmadness (1976)

40.  Can – Tago Mago (1971)

41.  Captain Beefheart – Trout Mask Replica (1969)

42.  Carlos Santana – Abraxas (1970)

43.  Carole King – Tapestry (1971)

44.  Cat Stevens – Tea For The Tillerman (1970)

45.  Chick Korea – Rendezvous In New York (2003)

46.  Cluster – Zuckerzeit (1974)

47.  Cockney Rebel – The Human Menagerie (1973)

48.  Cocteau Twins – Treasure (1984)

49.  Constance Demby – Novus Magnificat: Through The Stargate (1986)

50.  Coroner – Grin (1993)

51.  Cracker – Kerosene Hat (1993)

52.  Cream – Disraeli Gears (1967)

53.  Crimson Glory – Transcendence (1988)

54.  David Bowie – The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars (1972)

55.  Dead Can Dance – Spleen And Ideal (1986)

56.  Death – Symbolic (1995)

57.  Deep Purple – Deep Purple In Rock (1970)

58.  Def Leppard – Pyromania (1983)

59.  Depeche Mode – Violator (1990)

60.  Dire Straits – Dire Straits (1978)

61.  Dream Theater – Images And Words (1992)

62.  Ella Fitzgerald – Ella Fitzgerald Sings The George And Ira Gershwin Songbook (1959)

63.  Eloy – Ocean (1977)

64.  Elvis Costello – This Year’s Model (1978)

65.  Enya – Watermark (1988)

66.  Eric Clapton – From The Cradle (1994)

67.  Eric Johnson – Ah Via Musicom (1990)

68.  Faith No More – Angel Dust (1992)

69.  Fates Warning – Perfect Symmetry (1989)

70.  Fela Cuti – Expensive Shit (1975)

71.  Fifth Angel – Fifth Angel (1986)

72.  Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (1977)

73.  Frank Zappa & The Mothers Of Invention – One Size Fits All (1975)

74.  Funkadelic – Maggot Brain (1971)

75.  Galaxie 500 – On Fire (1989)

76.  Gang Of Four – Entertainment (1979)

77.  Gary Moore – Still Got The Blues (1990)

78.  Gato Barbieri – Bolivia (1973)

79.  Genesis – Selling England By The Pound (1973)

80.  George Harrison – All Things Must Pass (1970)

81.  Gordian Knot – Gordian Knot (1999)

82.  Grateful Dead – American Beauty (1970)

83.  Guns ‘N’ Roses – Appetite For Destruction (1987)

84.  Harry Partch – Eleven Intrusions – 2 – Study On An Ancient Greek Enharmonic Scale (1966)

85.  Heir Apparent – One Small Voice (1989)

86.  Helloween – Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I (1987)

87.  Herbie Hancock – Head Hunters (1973)

88.  Iggy Pop – Lust For Life (1977)

89.  Iron Maiden – Powerslave (1984)

90.  Jane’s Addiction – Nothing’s Shocking

91.  Janis Joplin & Full Tilt Boogie Band – Pearl (1971)

92.  Jason Becker – Perspective (1996)

93.  Jean Michel Jarre – Oxygene (1976)

94.  Jeff Buckley – Grace (1994)

95.  Jefferson Airplane – Surrealistic Pillow (1967)

96.  Jethro Tull – Aqualung (1971)

97.  Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced? (1967)

98.  Joe Bonamassa – The Ballad Of John Henry (2009)

99.  Joe Satriani – Flying In A Blue Dream (1989)

100. John Coltrane – A Love Supreme (1964)

101. John Lennon – John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (1970)

102. John Zorn – Naked City (1990)

103. Joni Mitchell – Blue (1971)

104. Joy Division – Closer (1980)

105. Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)

106. Julian Cope – Peggy Suicide (1992)

107. Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love (1985)

108. King Crimson – In The Court Of The Crimson King (1969)

109. King Diamond – Abigail (1987)

110. Kitaro – The Light Of The Spirit (1987)

111. Kraftwerk – Trans-Europe Express (1977)

112. Kyuss – Blues For The Red Sun (1992)

113. Led Zeppelin – I (1969)

114. Leonard Cohen – Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1968)

115. Lou Reed – Transformer (1972)

116. Love – Forever Changes (1967)

117. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Lynyrd Skynyrd (Pronounced Leh-Nerd-Skin-Nerd) (1973)

118. Mahavishnu Orchestra – The Inner Mounting Flame (1971)

119. Manuel Göttsching – E2-E4 (1984)

120. Marcus Miller - M2 (2001)

121. Marilyn Manson – Antichrist Superstar (1996)

122. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On (1971)

123. Mecano – Autoportrait (1983)

124. Megadeth – Rust In Peace (1990)

125. Metallica – Master Of Puppets (1986)

126. Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982)

127. Michael Schenker – Thank You (1993)

128. Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells (1973)

129. Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue (1959)

130. Minutemen – Double Nickels On The Dime (1984)

131. Moby – Everything Is Wrong (1995)

132. Monster Magnet – Dopes To Infinity (1995)

133. Motley Crue – Dr. Feelgood (1989)

134. Motorhead – Ace Of Spades (1980)

135. Mr. Bungle – Disco Volante (1995)

136. Muse – Origin Of Symmetry (2001)

137. My Bloody Valentine – Loveless (1991)

138. N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton (1988)

139. Neil Young – After The Gold Rush (1970)

140. New Order – Power, Corruption & Lies (1983)

141. Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds – The Boatman’s Call (1997)

142. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left (1969)

143. Nik Bartsch’s Ronin – Holon (2008)

144. Nirvana – Nevermind (1991)

145. Ornette Coleman – Free Jazz: A Collective Improvisation (1961)

146. Otis Redding – Otis Blue: Otis Redding Sings Soul (1965)

147. Paco De Lucia – Siroco (1987)

148. Pain Of Salvation – Remedy Lane (2002)

149. Pantera – Cowboys From Hell (1990)

150. Paradise Lost – Draconian Times (1995)

151. Patti Smith – Horses (1975)

152. Pavement – Slanted And Enchanted (1992)

153. Pearl Jam – Ten (1991)

154. Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel III (Melt) (1980)

155. Philip Glass – Koyaanisqatsi (1998)

156. Pink Floyd – The Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)

157. Pixies – Doolittle (1989)

158. PJ Harvey – Rid Of Me (1993)

159. Porcupine Tree – Stupid Dream (1999)

160. Portishead – Dummy (1994)

161. Pretenders – Pretenders (1980)

162. Prince – Sign O’ The Times (1987)

163. Psychotic Waltz – A Social Grace (1990)

164. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)

165. Queen – A Night At The Opera (1975)

166. Queensryche – Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

167. R.E.M. – Document (1987)

168. Radiohead – OK Computer (1997)

169. Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine (1992)

170. Rainbow – Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow (1975)

171. Ramones – Ramones (1976)

172. Ray Charles – Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music (1962)

173. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)

174. Return To Forever – Light As A Feather (1972)

175. Richie Kotzen – The Inner Galactic Fusion Experience (1995)

176. Rick Wakeman – The Six Wives Of Henry VIII (1973)

177. Robert Cray – Take Your Shoes Off (1999)

178. Rory Gallagher – Calling Card (1976)

179. Run-D.M.C. – Raising Hell (1986)

180. Rush – Moving Pictures (1981)

181. Savatage – Streets: A Rock Opera (1991)

182. Scorpions – Taken By Force (1977)

183. Serge Gainsbourg – Histoire De Melody Nelson (1971)

184. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977)

185. Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)

186. Slayer – Reign In Blood (1986)

187. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation (1988)

188. Soundgarden – Superuknown (1994)

189. Spacemen 3 – Playing With Fire (1989)

190. Spastic Ink – Ink Complete (1997)

191. Spiritual Beggars – Ad Astra (2000)

192. Stan Getz & Joao Gilberto – Getz/Gilberto (1964)

193. Stanley Jordan – Magic Touch (1985)

194. Steely Dan – Pretzel Logic (1974)

195. Steve Reich – Music For 18 Musicians (1976)

196. Steve Vai – Passion And Warfare (1990)

197. Stevie Ray Vaughan – In Step (1989)

198. Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life (1976)

199. Sun Ra – Jazz In Silhouette (1959)

200. Supersilent – 6 (2003)

201. Symphony X – The Divine Wings Of Tragedy (1997)

202. System Of A Down – Toxicity (2001)

203. T. Rex – Electric Warrior (1971)

204. Taj Mahal – The Natch’l Blues (1968)

205. Talisman – Humanimal (1994)

206. Talking Heads – Remain In Light (1980)

207. Tangerine Dream – Phaedra (1974)

208. Television – Marquee Moon (1977)

209. Terry Riley – In C (1968)

210. The Band – The Band (1969)

211. The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds (1966)

212. The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album) (1968)

213. The Byrds – Fifth Dimension (1966)

214. The Clash – London Calling (1979)

215. The Congos – Heart Of The Congos (1977)

216. The Cult – Sonic Temple (1989)

217. The Cure – Disintegration (1989)

218. The dB’S – Stands For Decibels (1981)

219. The Dillinger Escape Plan – Calculating Infinity (1999)

220. The Doors – Strange Days (1967)

221. The Feelies – Crazy Rhythms (1980)

222. The Future Sound Of London – Lifeforms (1994)

223. The Kinks – The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (1968)

224. The Legendary Pink Dots – Asylum (1985)

225. The Mekons – The Mekons Rock ‘N Roll (1989)

226. The Neville Brothers – Yellow Moon (1989)

227. The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy & The Lash (1985)

228. The Police – Ghost In The Machine (1981)

229. The Prodigy – Music For The Jilted Generation (1994)

230. The Replacements – Pleased To Meet Me (1987)

231. The Residents – Eskimo (1979)

232. The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed (1969)

233. The Sisters Of Mercy – Floodland (1987)

234. The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream (1993)

235. The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead (1986)

236. The Specials – Specials (1979)

237. The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses (1989)

238. The Style Council – Our Favourite Shop (1985)

239. The Velvet Underground – The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)

240. The Walkabouts – New West Motel (1993)

241. The Who – Who’s Next (1971)

242. The Zombies – Odessey And Oracle (1968)

243. Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak (1976)

244. Tiamat – Gaia (1994)

245. Tim Buckley – Starsailor (1970)

246. Tindersticks – Curtains (1997)

247. Tom Waits – Rain Dogs (1985)

248. Tomatito – Aguadulce (2004)

249. Tony Macalpine – Maximum Security (1987)

250. Tool – Ænima (1996)

251. Toots & The Maytals – Funky Kingston (1975)

252. Tortoise – Millions Now Living Will Never Die (1996)

253. Tracy Chapman – Tracy Chapman (1988)

254. Traffic – Traffic (1968)

255. Tribal Tech – Tribal Tech (1991)

256. Tricky – Maxinquaye (1995)

257. Type O Negative – Bloody Kisses (1993)

258. U2 – The Joshua Tree (1987)

259. UFO – Force It (1975)

260. Uli Jon Roth – Transcendental Sky Guitar (2000)

261. Unkle – Psyence Fiction (1998)

262. Uriah Heep – Demons And Wizards (1972)

263. Van Halen – Van Halen (1977)

264. Van Morrison – Astral Weeks (1968)

265. Vangelis – China (1979)

266. Vinnie Moore – The Maze (1999)

267. Virgin Steele – The House Of Atreus Act I (1999)

268. Vital Tech Tones – Vital Tech Tones (1998)

269. Voivod – Nothingface (1989)

270. W.A.S.P. – The Crimson Idol (1992)

271. W.E.T. – W.E.T. (2009)

272. Watchtower – Control And Resistance (1989)

273. Wayne Shorter – Native Dancer (1974)

274. Weather Report – Black Market (1976)

275. Ween – The Mollusk (1997)

276. Whitesnake – 1987 (1987)

277. Wishbone Ash – Argus (1972)

278. Wolf Hoffmann – Classical (1997)

279. X – Los Angeles (1980)

280. XTC – Skylarking (1986)

281. Yanni – In Celebration Of Life (1991)

282. Yes – Fragile (1971)

283. Yngwie J. Malmsteen – Rising Force (1984)

284. Young Marble Giants – Colossal Youth (1980)

285. ZZ Top – Tres Hombres (1973)