On the cover of the Rolling Stone...

I've been doing this podcast for seven months now. In that time the albums we've covered are somewhat different to what I'd have chosen if 'My Classic Album' didn't include guests. Thanks to those kind souls who join me to natter on about great music once a month I've listened to albums that I likely wouldn't have taken a chance on off my own bat. Take Randy Newman's 'Good Old Boys' that Reed Turchi chose for Episode 4. My knowledge of Randy Newman started and ended with the music from Pixar movies. Adrian Nation choosing 'Time Out of Mind' the next month meant I was actively listening to Bob Dylan for the first time. I can safely say that all the albums we've discussed on the podcast are truly worthy of the term 'classic'. I believe that so strongly that I have subsequently bought each album after recording it's episode. The guests on 'My Classic Album' are essentially building my record collection!

It seems that Rolling Stone Magazine agree with my assessment of these albums as classics. Halfway through recording Episode 6 (The Queen Is Dead), I began to realise that when recording the factburst section that goes right before each interview that I seemed to be mentioning Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. I looked back and coincidentally every guest whose appeared on 'My Classic Album' has chosen an album that appears within those 500 chosen by the magazine. For the sake of honesty I will admit that I personally chose 'Rumours' for this month's episode to celebrate it's 40th anniversary on February 4th. Otherwise every guest from Robin to Nathan unwittingly chosen an album that Rolling Stone holds in high esteem. I also have four guests lined up for the next few months and the albums they've chosen are ALSO on the list too!

It's a crazy coincidence but a sign of great quality. For those who are interested here are where the albums are place on Rolling Stone's list from highest to lowest:

The Beatles: Revolver (#3)
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours (#26)
Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin II (#79)
Radiohead: OK Computer (#162)
The Smiths: The Queen Is Dead (#218)
Randy Newman: Good Old Boys (#394)
Bob Dylan: Time Out of Mind (#410)


It's a pretty cool link running through all these albums but the list does have it flaws. For starters it includes compilation albums and greatest hits. I think it's really problematic to include such albums but that's another story for another day. Live albums are also included which still has its issues but some bands such as Kiss, Nirvana and Thin Lizzy do have career defining live albums. The problem is if you disregard this list then which one is the one to listen to?


Luckily Sweden has the answer. Since 2001, statistician Henrik Franzon has compiled all the data from all of these 'Greatest of All Time' lists and keeps a constantly updated definitive list of the most celebrated music and musicians in the world. Heading over to Acclaimed Music will tell you that statistically The Beatles are the most acclaimed band, Bob Dylan is the most acclaimed male and Madonna the most acclaimed female. As for albums? Well 'Pet Sounds' from the Beach Boys is the most critically acclaimed album of all time (SURELY a future episode of 'My Classic Album?) But what about our seven Classic Albums? Where do they rank amongst Franzon's 3000(!) albums that are statistically the most critically acclaimed and how different are the rankings to our friends at Rolling Stone? Let's have a look...


The Beatles- Revolver (#2)
Radiohead- OK Computer (#10)
The Smiths- The Queen Is Dead (#24)
Fleetwood Mac- Rumours (#55)
Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin II (#74)
Bob Dylan- Time Out of Mind (#280)
Randy Newman: Good Old Boys (#530)


Pretty revealing stuff! It certainly seem that British albums from the likes of The Smiths and Radiohead fare much better on Franzon's list than over at Rolling Stone but one thing is for certain... critics really do love 'Revolver'!


I'm going for a lie down!