Rolling Stone Overhauls Album Ranking, Kanye Stars
Quote:
Three Kanye West albums have made it on to the latest edition of Rolling Stone magazine's authoritative "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list, placing him among the greats of popular music.
The new ranking, which combines a 2003 list (updated in 2005) with a later survey of the 2000s, saw two Radiohead records join the elite club, while long-established names including Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan also had albums added.
Rolling Stone has published the list, along with details of the albums and several new recording histories based on first-hand accounts, in "bookazine" format available for $11.99 on newsstands between Friday and July 25 in the United States.
The big beneficiary was U.S. hip-hop star West, who saw 2005 album Late Registration, The College Dropout (2004) and My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) make it to the top 500.
In total, 30 albums were added and 30 taken away, with the casualties including several artists well-represented on the list already and whose "lesser" albums have now been dropped.
The highest entry among recent albums was West's Late Registration at No. 118.
Asked whether the relatively low position of recently released albums reflected a barren period for great rock and pop, Hoard replied:
"My personal opinion is no. Music is as inspirational as it's ever been.
"Things get clearer as the years pass. If you held this poll in 10 years, say, Arcade Fire could be a lot higher and the same could be said of Kanye West. Reputation and time definitely help an album, especially with pollers like ours."
As they should. Kanye's entire discography is absolutely flawless thus far. From beginning to end, even 808's and Heartbreak was great for what it was. 5 classic albums. To be honest and as sad as it is, Watch The Throne is the weakest and only disposable album in his discography.
Whitney's debut at #254
I see Velvet Rope at #256
Rhythm Nation is #275
Prince was #204
Mary J Blige What's the 411 #279
I see Barry White's album!!
Al Green in the top 20
CrazySexyCool #377
Madonna Music is #452
D'Angelo Voodoo is #488
Radiohead features twice -- for Amnesiac (2001) and In Rainbows (2007), Jay-Z is added for The Black Album (2003), Lil Wayne makes it with Tha Carter III (2008) and the late Amy Winehouse for Back to Black.
Among those dropping out to make way for the additions were The Beach Boys (Sunflower), David Bowie (Changesone), Elton John (Elton John) and Madonna (Music).
I hope 808s someday gets the recognition it deserves.
I agree. Now that it sunk in to me, it's a great album. I've listened to it in full again and was blown away. They probably hated the electro-pop content in it but try listening to it again now and you'll be impressed.
An eclectic and stellar panel of experts — including the Rolling Stone editors, Fats Domino, Flea and Britney Spears — voted on the following albums, by everyone from Abba to ZZ Top, from Robert Johnson to the White Stripes, in 2003.
1. Michael Jackson -Thriller
2. Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814
3. Michael Jackson - Bad
4. Madonna - Like A Prayer
5. Michael Jackson - Off The Wall
6. Whitney Houston - Whitney Houston
7. Otis Redding - The Dock Of The Bay
8. Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain
9. Prince - Sign 'o' The Times
10. TLC - CrazySexyCool
As they should. Kanye's entire discography is absolutely flawless thus far. From beginning to end, even 808's and Heartbreak was great for what it was. 5 classic albums. To be honest and as sad as it is, Watch The Throne is the weakest and only disposable album in his discography.
