10 Classic Albums and Why They Are (w/ Ward Carroll)

In this episode my good friend and KZbinr Ward Carroll discuss 10 of what we consider Classic or "Perfect" Albums and why they are.
Check out and Subscribe to Ward's channel: / wardcarroll
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[@johnnolan5579]

Peter Gabriel's "So" is a perfect record for me in every way! "Red Rain," "Sledgehammer," "In Your Eyes," "Mercy Street" and on and on! How bloody perfect. And the SOUND!!

[@Leta62]

Agree.

[@codenamesimon]

Agree!

[@reidflemingworldstoughestm1394]

I think So is in a category all it's own. Nothing else is really good enough to be on the same list.

[@stephenchadwick8060]

I still put the album on for Don’t Give Up to this day - Kate Bush adds another layer to an already phenomenal set of tunes

[@johnnolan5579]

@@stephenchadwick8060 Another brilliant song from that album! It's so perfect!

[@daveschlom4033]

Yes: Close To The Edge is a perfect album. And that's all I have to say about that.

[@madf00bar15]

Yup. And I would add ELP's Brain Salad Surgery.

[@drkmriggs]

@@madf00bar15 totally agree on both those masterpieces

[@mike04574]

and Boston's debut. accessible and easy to listen to as well

[@daveschlom4033]

Boston 1st was on their list wasn't it?

[@DashboardDivas]

Close to the Edge. Wholeheartedly.

[@hooperguitar]

Not sure how Led Zeppelin IV is not on everyone’s perfect album list. Every single song is an all-time classic.

[@fsinjin60]

You mean more all time classic than Led Zeppelin (1)

[@NeilHolmes72]

You could pick most Zeppelin albums as far as I'm concerned.

[@symbiosisai]

You could say the same for Zep II, III and Physical Graffiti

[@blakeh6250]

My favorite was houses of the holy.

[@patgervasio7044]

PG is their pinnacle release IMHO. I still go back to that album even though I’ve listened to it hundreds of times it still seems fresh. Loooovvvveee it to this day !!!

[@tedschmidt3288]

“At Fillmore East” - Allman Brothers Band. 50 years later and I still listen to it multiple times a week.

[@danielhall3105]

Agree but the audio sucks. They just didn't know how to record live audio in those days.

[@pilsplease7561]

@@danielhall3105 They did just had a lot of crappy film audio gear as audio was recorded onto well tape media back then.

[@blindsqurill]

Fillmore East is one of those albums that captured a great show where everything worked out at the last minute. The Album cover photos are proof , they all looked furious in the first set of pictures, then something changed and they look like they’re on top of the world in the later photos

[@tedschmidt3288]

I think the audio of Fillmore East album is pretty damn good.

[@rollingpuck]

I'm always surprised how little love Supertramp gets. Crime of the Century is also one of those 'perfect' albums. Not a wrong note and stellar production. Many 70's stereo stores used it as a reference to demo equipment. Crisis what Crisis, Even in the Quietest Moments, Breakfast in America. All great.

[@hnnymn]

Agree wholeheartedly. Especially the first 3. Breakfast In America - getting a bit too pop for me.

[@MTGriz58]

Crime of the Century wasn't just great music. The production was flawless. Top 10.

[@ned2350]

I found this in the library when I was about 12 or 13 and kept checking it out all summer.

[@alskjdfsldkjf]

I agree… ‘CotC’ is a masterpiece.

[@saboabbas123]

totally agree. I knw every word to every song on this album.

[@ChapinGTR]

Songs in the key of life by Stevie Wonder would be WAY up on a perfect albums list for me.

[@micheleparker8123]

GOD, yes - not an imperfect song on it!🤘

[@ursula3438]

"Innervisions" also qualifies imo.

[@dennishickey7194]

I should dive into it and Innervisions. I got stuck on Talking Book.

[@DeeEllEff]

@@dennishickey7194 The 5 albums Stevie Wonder released from October 1972 through 1979 are not only 5 of the best of that decade (rivaled only by some of Bruce Springsteen’s early work), but also rival The Beatles ‘60s albums (5,6,7 or 8 LPs in a row, depending on how you want to count them). Life-changing stuff

[@bw1235]

Came here for this. 💯

[@ronrodolfo2195]

it's almost my own list. but i would've added Moving Pictures by Rush, A Night At The Opera by Queen, and of course, Led Zeppelin IV. they're all sonically perfect too!

[@gandalfshakur8235]

In The Court Of Crimson King? Fun House?

[@purplebondsaiyan2987]

I Agree @ronrodolfo2195 All those Albums are Great Classic Perfect Album

[@kennethherbert267]

Happy to see Supertramp’s Crime of the Century get so many mentions here. It’s one of my all-time favorite albums, and I still listen to it (beginning to end) every now and again.

[@garyh.238]

Deep Purple's "Machine Head" anyone? Start to finish it oozes energy, excellent musicianship, classic songs, etc.

[@JSTONE9352]

That was a good album, I like "Deep Purple in Rock" as well.

[@detomaso_6235]

Absolutely! Certainly on my list.

[@jeffkiefer6972]

For me one requirement of a perfect album is one you cannot listen to just in part. You must play it in its entirety. Marvin Gaye’s What’s Goin’ On nails it for me.

[@jackgreene5868]

Absolutely! Fantastic disc! Gaye in top form from beginning to end

[@micheleparker8123]

YES!!!!!! Had it on repeat (that meant placing the needle back to the beginning over and over, for us geezers out there).

[@Eclare72]

This is one of the best records ever made, period

[@spanishpeaches2930]

Fine album.

[@koho]

OK, going to give it a try ...

[@1515327E]

Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder. Understanding that one man wrote this, as well as it being his eighteenth album (please note that), is phenomenal.

[@Organizm1]

And played almost every instrument!

[@fluim0102]

@@Organizm1 That was Innervisions. On Songs in the Key of Life he used a ton of musicians

[@robertnewman3867]

I’m a black man that grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. A lot of these albums I came to learn about later in the 80’s. I appreciate your perspectives on this music. I find your takes very forthright and impactful.

[@SkiRedMtn]

I appreciate your comment. Given the different cultural situations that introduce us to music, what’s one of your all time perfect albums? I was going to include Maceo Parker’s Life on Planet Groove to my list, but it’s a live album, so I didn’t. 🤔

[@ottovangogh9477]

Eric Burden & War

[@maynotreply3505]

Close To The Edge - Yes. Changed my musical tastes. The benchmark Prog album. Perfect recording and absolutely flawless. 50 years old and sounds like it could have been recorded today.

[@davidstrickler6623]

"Perfect" is a word I try not to use loosely, but you missed Steely Dan - Aja, literally a perfect album.

[@rebeccabillings6485]

I came here only to say exactly that. Aja is hugely conspicuous by its absence. 🤔

[@djbelc01]

Don Breithaupt -- who wrote the book about Aja for the "33 1/3" book series -- has called Aja "the best album in the universe." I love the assumption this statement makes that even if there are aliens who make music throughout the universe, he's still confident it's better than those.

[@rustypugh123]

Agreed. Aja would be one of the few "perfect" albums IMO.

[@sarahtonin4649]

I think maybe a perfect recording, but unless you're a huge Dan fan, some of the songs are pretty esoteric, which probably takes it out of the perfect range for many. I might include XTC's Skylarking, but that's not likely to appear on many top ten lists either.

[@charleshuguley9903]

I agree, and was also about to mention this great album.

[@petertavella4752]

Chicago Transit Authority the perfect album. A guitar player with the voice of Ray Charles and the chops of Jimi Hendrix. Horn section sounding like one set of lungs. A bass player with melodic world class chops. Three part vocal harmony. Drum chops in the style of Gene Krupa. Complex and innovative song writing. Accomplished by 20 year olds in 1969. Artistic rock at it highest level of musical expression

[@christophervaphiadis8582]

100%

[@johnkuh9937]

Keeping the string of 70’s masterpieces going, Deja Vu by Crosby Stills Nash & Young belongs on the list. And, Gerry Rafferty’s City to City.

[@lorihenderson658]

Love City to City.

[@kfbbproduction5964]

Love to Love City to City! One way I judge a "pefect album" is: Does it have any filler? Is there a song that was phoned in or doesn't belong? Not on City to City! Awesome effort, and like another album that makes my list, Al Stewart's Year of the Cat, City to City really benefits from the tight interplay from all the musicians. Lyrically rich, heartfelt vocals, interesting rhythms with beautifully interwoven solos. Awesome!

[@HaleysTusk]

"No one told you when to run, You missed the starting gun...." Hits so much harder now that I'm in my 50's than when I'd listen to Dark Side endlessly in my teens....

[@jimpervious_0x2a]

I wouldn't have disagreed if LoFi Soul had made the list. Very fond of your girl.

[@allensandven0]

I too have recently revisited a lot of my old music , interestingly now in my late 50’s I have spent a fair amount of time analyzing old music along with new genres , restoring old sound system or my old rig but upgraded The only thing that this pandemic gave us some down time and what better way to use stimulus money .

[@captaincheese-beard6316]

That's because Time is a truly transcendent piece of art that deals with the human experience.

[@darksideofthetone261]

Soundtrack to my life ❤️🎸❤️

[@michaellnbnj]

Amazing that Waters wrote those lyrics in his late 20's!

[@rmcellig]

Kind of blue by miles Davis. It crosses many genres because of what he did. Many musicians picked up on the musical significance of this recording outside of jazz. I truly believe that!

[@philipfrandsen1856]

Maybe the best jazz album ever. Good choice!

[@Zimmy907]

Great album, very airy. I think Bill Evans should have received more credit as composer. I often wonder if the band was on the Nod while recording this.

[@Darrylizer1]

Absolute purity, in the running for best album ever.

[@philipfrandsen1856]

@@Darrylizer1 Cannot go wrong - my favorite Miles Davis album, although Birth of a Cool is up there

[@Darrylizer1]

@@philipfrandsen1856 Another great one for sure.

[@michaeldocampo9192]

Holly smokes. I’m 68 and spent my life in music as well as a history buff. I’ve been a fan of Rick’s show not just because of his expertise but his ability to speak concisely and focused on the subject he’s presenting . Recently I had found Ward’s you tube channel which I can’t get enough of. As a history buff I am very interested in military history . I love his insights on a world and culture I’m very interested. I’ve had some insights through my closest friend who was a Lt Gen. In the Marines but Wards articulate no nonsense ability to present in straight language is inspiring. While looking for something interesting I was checking Ricks your tube and holy smokes , my two favorite tubers together. Didn’t see that coming. Keep up the great work. You guys mean more than you know to people out there you don’t even know are alive . You guys share stuff that help round out other peoples knowledge and are inspirational in how you get it across with authority , a little humor and great humanity. Thanks, MIKE

[@ethelynchristopher6995]

Waiting for Columbus by Little Feat is such a phenomenal album. Never would have thought a live album (although it's hybrid live) could be so great. it was pretty much the soundtrack of my college years.

[@porkbelly0713]

Amen, my favorite live album of all time and recorded so well

[@SteveMccart-uj7ec]

Good choice.

[@kurtwicklund8901]

WFC crossed my mind too. It is such a well recorded live album.

[@MrMrh1958]

I was at the London Rainbow gig where some songs were recorded!🇬🇧✌🏻

[@georgesuarez1949]

I would add Kansas Point if Know Return Every song is amazing and the playing is incredible. This album was my introduction to progressive rock

[@patgervasio7044]

Leftoverture was even better.

[@craighendrickson7938]

Masque is better

[@terryguire1321]

Ward is definitely standing toe to toe with Rick in his analyses of great albums. Please welcome him back for more. Great pairing!

[@mikephillips8810]

Agreed, I only saw Ward for the first time recently just because I was looking at aviation videos! And been following Rick for a couple of years. Great to see them together

[@carlmarks8170]

Yep, I loved hearing Ward's succinct & eloquent take on these albums

[@packman5906]

Yea, but he's to handsy! Drives me nuts, all that moving the hands!

[@benjaminperez7328]

@@packman5906 He was a Tomcat RIO. Of course he talks with his hands!

[@therealniksongs]

Now we need to see Rick on Ward's channel breaking down the ten best carrier-based fighters

[@hamalot100]

I’m close in age to you guys. I’m 54. I was a performing rock guitar player singer in the clubs for 20 years. When I was watching this I felt sad for younger music fans who may have no idea how great pop rock music can be. I’m Canadian, I remember seeing Joni Mitchell back in the 80’s on Much Music which was the Canadian MTV. She was sitting on a couch with her acoustic being interviewed by Erica Ehm. I saw her play Magdalene Laundries and other songs and this rock guitar player was blown away by the song, the lyrics and how great it sounded with just her voice and guitar. I never forgot that moment. Cheers

[@colonelstevemartin]

Big fan of Rick Beato and Ward Carroll on KZbin. Glad to see you together!!!

[@JTQuirk22]

There is only one album I ever thought, at the time, "This is a perfect album". Not a single wasted note - every song is great, timeless and perfect - including the best production of an album I have ever heard. That was Steely Dan's Aja. A total class by itself.

[@heritageimaging7768]

Be sure to see the you tube vids on making Aja.

[@banyarling]

Not a single hook, either.

[@bronwynbeistle8317]

absolutely

[@MarkRosengarten]

It really is the perfect album. Every track is a perfect gem from start to finish.

[@jmad627]

I was just listening to this the other day.

[@stewdickson]

IT'S HAPPENING!!!! Honestly, I could sit and listen to you two talk for hours, great stuff.

[@sophie94bgd]

I think Rumours is just gonna be my favourite album forever. The diversity, the story behind it, amazing singing and harmonies, great musicianship…Just pure brilliance!

[@TNorb]

Been following and listening to you both separately for months, wow to find this collaboration, great!

[@kennethlatham3133]

After just watching this I searched for "Ripples" by Genesis, a song I'd never heard before, and now my life will never be the same again. Thanks, Rick & Ward, for steering me toward that light.

[@dkjazzz]

Back in the day when the album was released it had the same effect on me. Such an amazing song !

[@ejej6934]

Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. One of a handful of albums I can listen to start-to-finish and never tire of a single moment on the whole thing.

[@bronwynbeistle8317]

My list is getting really long. :-)

[@timbowden1680]

Hunky Dory for me.

[@letsplayclassicgames5024]

What an album. I started getting into Bowie a couple months before he passed, starting off with The Man Who Sold The World album. Next album I picked up was Ziggy, that album just took me to another place kind of how people say Darkside of The Moon did back in the day upon first listen. I really had only heard Suffragette City before so I was lucky to hear it with fresh ears, unlike Darkside of The Moon where I had already heard half of the album by the time I played it front to back.

[@letsplayclassicgames5024]

@@timbowden1680 Hunky Dory is incredible, I do go back and forth on which is better. I also feel this way with the Young American album, I know probably sounds crazy, just a criminally underrated Bowie album for me though.

[@veredben-avraham6598]

Absolutely beautiful

[@trevormoffat4054]

What a pleasure to see this video. So surprising to see Ward pop up on Rick’s channel in my feed (even 7 months after it was originally released). Have been following both Rick and Ward for a while now and had no idea there was an association. This is like when you mash up your Star Wars and Transformers toys together in an epic battle ;)

[@vipergg9159]

One of my favorite classic albums is The Doobie Brothers , The Captain And Me . Not a bad song on it . Also Foreigners first album , one of the best .

[@cwu7256]

For 40+ years I have used Steely Dan's Aja to compare/judge audio equipment... the album is totally amazing in every way and showcases the work of many incredible musicians like Larry Carlton, Tom Scott, Joe Sample, Rick Marotta, Pete Christlieb, Chuck Rainey, and Victor Feldman.

[@chuckhutton5087]

You left out Steve Gadd.

[@walterstevens3874]

Aja. My favorite.

[@marklehinger6864]

Yes, AJA is the perfection of everything Steely Dan had been seeking to accomplish since "Can't Buy a Thrill"

[@JeffPopplewell]

Aja.

[@SylvesterCarl]

If you wanna hear just HOW good your system is play Black Cow at around 98db in a small room.

[@philhiggins4922]

I’m moved to write about this video. I would call “this” One of the top ten video description videos I’ve watched on KZbin. No filler, No grandiose. two people with concise, sharp, knowledgeable, loving and very eloquent descriptions of their favourite albums. One of the best videos on KZbin. Thank you both.

[@doublemann]

Thanks Rick for bringing us 60-somethings back to our youth with class and truth! I am never disappointed with your takes.

[@davepasoroblesca7824]

Blood, Sweat & Tears 3. Incredible transitions and took jazz rock fusion to another level.

[@erniefollis7827]

Rick & Ward - you two present as a very polished and easy to listen to pairing. Not sure how much you rehearse / retake, but the balance you have in terms of information and enthusiasm is very refreshing. Your respect for each other and your audience is very apparent. One of your best videos in my humble opinion.

[@carlmarks8170]

Agreed. Ward sounds like highly intelligent person with interesting stuff to say about these records. Hopefully he is invited back for more.

[@brianparkman8183]

You need to make Ward a regular collaborator on the channel. He has a lot of insight. Good stuff.

[@dreamscuba]

yes please

[@pvs6464]

I went into this thinking if they don't include A Trick Of The Tail, I will have to bring it up to them strongly for not including it. Midway, I was pleasantly surprised you guys go in depth about it. Thank you.

[@markmitchell6179]

The first album by the Barenaked Ladies called Gordon. Every song a gem. Extraordinary range of emotions. High level musicianship and even production.

[@KierRobins]

Nice plug. Even Macca wished he could harmonize like Steven and Ed. The songwriting level on this for a first album by a band previously famous for just a cover.

[@mrbob4u495]

Rubber Soul and Revolver are my two favorite albums. The more I learn about the technical aspects of Beatles music, the more I am in awe of their talents, individually and collectively.

[@SmilingIbis]

And don't forget the man in the booth: George Martin.

[@funkymonk2893]

@@SmilingIbis the fifth beatle.

[@michaeleyre7749]

Reading Geoff Emerick’s book about the Beatles, mostly Revolver and SPLHCB. Unbelievable insight to just how experimental they were and the lengths they went to produce never heard sounds.

[@ferdinandotravisan7999]

To me Sgt.Pepper’s and the White.

[@alrivers2297]

Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper then Revolver and the White album for me. Honorable mention to Magical Mystery Tour

[@DavidTruxall]

The Cars first album. Amazing production and playing to serve the song.

[@elainegiacomo3414]

Thank you for including Who's Next. That album still rocks.

[@johnshenk6790]

this is a great conversation. no one mentioned styx paradise theater. It may not be musically perfect but I love the flow and the storytelling

[@TorToroPorco]

Two of my favourite KZbinrs together! Ward even played on stage with Cheap Trick so he’s one cool dude. He’s pretty low key here but he’s got a great sense of humour and is sharp as a tack. And full of great insights and military stories that he tells on his channel. As a published author Ward is a natural story teller and a keen observer of people which comes in handy as he’s done a lot of things beyond his navy career and interacted with a lot of interesting people.

[@zac3392]

Ditto!! Didn’t even know he was that great of a musician. Awesome crossover!

[@BobMcKinstry]

Heaven Tonight is a fine album.

[@SuperDavidmartin]

I saw a NYE live stream with Rick and there I saw him sitting next to Ward! I was fans of both of the channels and couldn't believe the music connection. I almost fell out of my chair. Love you guys.

[@TwelveSticks]

I can't argue much with those choices. Two of my biggest start-to-finish classics are Queen's 'Night at the Opera' and Jethro Tull's 'Aqualung'.

[@micheleparker8123]

I totally agree!!!🤘

[@paulh6591]

I'd add Dire Straits' and the Pretenders' debut albums to that list of complete solid records.

[@cree8vision]

Yes! Aqualung and any of Queen's first four albums.

[@melissakhalar1842]

Absolutely

[@devinjeffrey275]

A Night at the Opera is the best album ever of all time!

[@dalestandard1095]

Discovered Ward's station about 6 months ago and it is awesome. Only discovered a couple of months ago that he plays guitar in a cover band that is above average. Very talented guy. Awesome that Rich discovered Ward and puts him on his site. The best of both worlds. GREAT!!!

[@williamholley9036]

There are so many great albums. My favorite is Innervisions by Stevie Wonder.

[@Oriole21]

Adding Steely Dan - Aja, Peter Frampton - Frampton Comes Alive, and Eagles - Hotel California to the list

[@MrLbd1921]

YES Aja

[@brynfurtaw6977]

Although it’s a classic album, Rick couldn’t mention Hotel California for fear that Henley would sick the lawyers on him again and make him take this episode down!

[@Oriole21]

@@brynfurtaw6977 Sad but unfortunately true

[@wadeshiley1649]

The Stranger Billy Joel is a perfect album. Rick you should definitely touch on some Billy! One of the greatest songwriters of all time

[@whiskeywhiskeyromeo3730]

Love Billy

[@edwardyazinski3858]

As is 52nd Street, and oh the Freddie Hubbard playing on Zanzibar

[@gammaraygem]

nowadays, every third person is the greatest songwriter of all time

[@aldodisario1634]

I was literally about to write this! You beat me to it!

[@thierryhenry674]

1) The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band 2) Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life 3) Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon 4) Daft Punk - Random Access Memories 5) Tame Impala - Lonerism 6) Oasis - (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? 7) Primal Scream - Screamadelica 8) The Stone Roses - The Stone Roses 9) Coldplay - Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends 10) David Bowie - Blackstar (In no particular order...)

[@wolf-dietergrabner9762]

What a nice surprise that you two are friends. Cool - thank you both for your channels!

[@jimgibbs5316]

Great list guys, I do believe Montrose debut album in 1973 "Montrose Montrose" is a candidate for the list! Again, so many amazing "Perfect albums!" Love your page Rick!

[@theowheelers1685]

Only one album I would add: Peter Gabriel’s So

[@joncoish]

Think I would agree.

[@joncoish]

Also the soundtrack he did for the last temptation of Christ is probably a perfect soundtrack. Something that can be listened to on its own without the movie, is very evocative and beautiful. Just great stuff!

[@Junichild]

I love this! Two eloquent gentlemen discussing music in an intelligent and engaging manner! Please do it again sometime!

[@michaellowhorn7793]

Great list!!! The one LP that leaps to mind when you mention perfect album is Appitite for Destruction.

[@MichaelKriz44]

This is a great take. I can only quibble with Who's Next... Quadraphenia is the most complete Who album end to end.

[@jodykyzer4484]

Pink Floyd's Animals album is entitled to a great amount of respect and admiration. Much more so than The Wall.

[@mroctober3657]

This is like Pacino and De Niro coffee shop scene in HEAT.

[@marcanglin7127]

"I don't know how to do anything else". "Neither do I". "I don't much want to either". "Neither do I".

[@mroctober3657]

@@marcanglin7127 "You lookin' to become monk?"

[@marcanglin7127]

@@mroctober3657 "I got a woman".

[@mroctober3657]

@@marcanglin7127 What do you tell her?

[@marcanglin7127]

@@mroctober3657 "I tell her I'm a salesman".

[@fragbert66]

Growing up in the '80s, the first two perfect albums that come to my mind are "Songs From The Big Chair" by Tears For Fears, and "Ghost In The Machine" by The Police. Not a single throwaway track on either one.

[@tintooki]

My two albums that I keep going back to again and again are 80s classics but probably not as well appreciated as I think they should be:- Simple Minds - New Gold Dream and OMD - Architecture and Morality. Listened to end to end take you on wonderful sonic journeys. My husband's two are Harry Chapin - Verities & Balderdash and Billy Joel - The Stranger (with 52nd Street up there as well). PS: also love Kate Bush and Tears for Fears. So glad to see so much appreciation for those two in the comments.

[@bobsandler4563]

You need to have Ward on more frequently. Very knowledgeable, articulate, and the two of you play off each other very well.

[@dalesomers5173]

Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. Not sure how that's overlooked.

[@kenchristiansen4663]

The closeness, respect and admiration between you two is very uplifting.

[@TeeDOG6]

One good segment is to list the great runs. For example, I think Rush had a great run from 2112 to Moving Pictures (Maybe we could include Signals). During this streak, Rush was on fire, most songs on all of these albums were close to being perfect. This period was music that made Rush legendary.

[@BobMcKinstry]

Hemispheres may be the peak for me. Signals is a fine album but I wandered after that.

[@4randosutube]

I couldn’t agree more. My all time fav band so I am a bit biased but what a masterful collection of work 1976 - 1982. Signals gets better with time too.

[@terryguire1321]

That is a great idea, Teddy. I hope Rick considers it.

[@batigol47]

@@BobMcKinstry Oddly, to me I would be ok through Grace Under Pressure, if it was not for Signals.

[@dahawk8574]

There is no maybe about Signals. Hands down one of the greatest end-to-end Rush albums. Their streak was unbroken, 2112-thru-Signals. I would go so far as to assert that this was the... Greatest Perfect Album Streak in the History of Music. Rare for anyone to make a single perfect album. Extremely rare to have two back to back. And Rush did it SIX times in a row.

[@dgrantstocker6148]

So many great albums mentioned here. Loved reading the comments. So much passion for music!

[@randyrable2113]

Been watching both of you guys separately, obviously for different content. Jaw dropped when I saw you both sitting there together. Really cool guys keep it up!

[@dirtychinchilla]

Graceland by Paul Simon. What an epic, and so wonderfully international. Those African sounds and rhythms are incredible. Wrote this 2/3 through the video so it might come up still!

[@mattmckeon1688]

Good choice. That's a real "moment in time", that album.

[@maplesyrup4881]

If you liked the African sounds and rhythms on it you’d most likely like Fela Kuti’s music a lot. His band had one of the best drummers ever in Tony Allen whom the great Brian Eno called the greatest drummer he’d ever seen.

[@micheleparker8123]

Good choice!!!❤️

[@ursula3438]

When I hear all the praise that "Graceland" receives I always get a bit disappointed on how overlooked its predecessor "Hearts & Bones" is.

[@dirtychinchilla]

@@ursula3438 I’ll check it out

[@tranebass11]

Not going to lie. Speaking as an Active Duty Navy Sailor and musician, Ward give me hope for music outside the military! Thank you for the inspiration Ward and thank you Rick for what you do

[@mikeet207]

Former Sailor here. Yes, you can still get musical and creative post Navy. It took me a few years after to find it again, but it was there.

[@gregkostraba2333]

Maybe I missed it, but I haven’t heard anything about Tower of Power on your channel, Rick. Check out their eponymous 1973 album. Great hooks, strong writing, the best horn section in the business, and songs like “Soul Vaccination,” “So Very Hard to Go,“ and “What is Hip?” that are still centerpieces of the band’s incredible live act. Featuring the amazing longevity of two of the group’s founding members, Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka, the band is still on the road 200+ days a year!

[@ernurse7675]

WOW!!!! Two of my favorite content providers!!! And from my era! What a wonderful suprise!!!

[@thomaskuhn6541]

David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust would make my list. Like Dark Side of the Moon I always play it all the way through. And thanks for picking Court and Spark over Blue, both are great albums but I play C&S 10 times for every one time I play Blue.

[@simonjhudson7378]

Personally I think Kate Bush's Hounds of Love is pretty close to perfection. The cracking individual songs of the first side are great without a single weak track amongst them. To then follow it up with the concept suite the Ninth Wave, makes it as inovative an album as it is enjoyable to listen to.

[@spaceghost8995]

Oh stop that Kate Bush is like fingernails on a chalkboard

[@Ugoeh2]

Her first 5 albums just floor me. I love her music!

[@SnowWalker1]

I have like at least 30 perfect albums that I love through and through but here are my fave perfect albums: 1. Dark Side of the Moon 2. Physical Graffiti 3. Crime of the Century 4. Wish You Were Here 5. Piano Man 6. Animals 7. Killer 8. Court and Spark 9. In Through the Outdoor 10. Close to the Edge Next would def be 'Billion Dollar Babies'

[@jordanmartinez2432]

Ok my two favorite KZbin channels in one!!!!! Doesn't get any better than this!!!!

[@Kidrodeo1000]

Back in Black is probably one of my favourite albums ever. Bon Scott was a legend , so glad I saw AC/DC in their prime as a sixteen year old in Melbourne, Australia. Been a fan since 1974. Another favourite of mine was ‘Slade Alive’. Slade were a terrific British rock band from the early seventies and I wore the needle out on my record player listening to these guys. Keep the lists coming guys. Thoroughly enjoying this journey back in time. 🎸👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@davidseymour6447]

I agree with Boston and Revolver. Love those two albums. My addiction to the list would be Queen's Night at the Opera. Every song is good.

[@craighendrickson7938]

A day at the races is just as good

[@woodybear8298]

Great video; I love Ward's channel and was shocked when I saw him sitting there with Rick. Ward has a great YT channel.

[@riehle.j8561]

I was a IM3 AIMD LCPO on CV-63 and went TAD to VF-213 MC on the cruise after their Lincoln mishap. We put a lot of effort into ensuring their first deployment back went-of with as perfect a mission readiness/sortie rate as possible. Excellent Aviators & Techs in that Sqn.

[@timgaul2256]

Here’s one-Get Happy! by Elvis Costello. In its 20 songs (on a single album), he goes through many different aspects of a breakup up, with the calm acceptance of “Clowntime is Over” and the almost intellectual looking back of “New Amsterdam” close to the end of side 2. The last song has an Elvis’ play on words in its title (“High Fidelity”) and shows how the pain of the breakup continues. Its first line is “Some things you never get used to.”

[@fullofbritt]

No doubt, Get Happy is a tremendous, top tier album. And my favorite Costello record. I often feel like it doesn't get its proper due, but then I see comments like this and I... get happy!

[@BenjWarrant]

The number of times I've had _Get happy!_ on the in-car hifi and just can't stop playing it. The lyrics, the hooks, the incredible togetherness of the band. _Motel matches, The men that you call uncle, Secondary modern,_ and then finishing with the mighty _Riot act..._ those are among my favourite ever EC songs. "Now there's newsprint all over your face well maybe that's why I can read you like a book..." "Tryin' be so bad is bad enough don't make me laugh by talking tought, don't put your heart out on your sleeve when your remarks are off the cuff..." (I got all excited to see _Get happy!_ mentioned here...)

[@humandroid53]

His first 4 albums are all excellent.

[@ToddRichmond]

Robin Trower - Bridge of Sighs. Every song is spectacular, Jimmy Dewar's vocals are smooth as smooth can be, and Trower is at the top of his game.

[@SylvesterCarl]

OH fuck yes!

[@sealisa1398]

Never ending luv….

[@kurtsorenson7245]

@@sealisa1398 So them live in1974 in San Diego at Golden Hall. My ears are still ringing!

[@sealisa1398]

@@kurtsorenson7245 up until COVID Trower was coming just about every year or so to small theatre in Montclair NJ seen him many times. Never saw Dewar, his vice had all that smooth soul swag. Life goes on but it’s never the same

[@mikewalsh7318]

Good call.

[@heatherqualy9143]

A Night At The Opera by Queen. I never listen to ONE song on this album. I listen beginning to end. Every time. They cover almost every genre in one album, and do it beautifully.

[@gregorylumpkin2128]

I loved The Who as a high school teenager but was blown away by the Allman Brothers Band on the Live at Fillmore East album.

[@stevemahle4006]

I'm sure this is already covered in other comments, or Rick has discussed in the past, but the first time I listened to What's Going On by Marvin Gaye, I kept wondering when the "clunker" song was going to show up, and of course it never did. The consistency and thematics from this album simply blew me away, as did obviously Marvin's singing, the arrangement, and the production. Simply a beautiful work of art, and that first listen was as good as the 1000 times since then.

[@jonpalmer1309]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - a perfect double album!

[@user-po1xk9sd9x]

Loved the variety on Yellow Brick Road....great choice !

[@DesertRockfall]

Very Enjoyable episode. I hope you have Mr. Carroll on again. I'm an ex Air-Squid too, and deployed several times aboard Carriers, (VS-33). Thanks for mentioning the great "Court and Spark". It's way up there on my list of essentials, as well as "Who's Next?" I feel validated that Mr. Carroll and I share "Bargain" as our favorite Who song. They were in top form when they recorded that album. It's as close to Musical Magic as it gets, just like Boston's mind blowing debut. You could have included Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" without too many arguments. (At least not from me!)

[@mcgregorkinetics2189]

Great lists-thanks! Besides Crime of the Century (as so many others have stated), a few other perfect albums: Bruce Cockburn’s Stealing Fire-the production, passion and humanity throughout are fabulous; Harmonium’s Cinquième Saison (if you’re willing to explore the Canadian Francophone music realm), and Janis Ian’s Between the Lines (yeah,softer than you guys are gonna go, but then again i wouldn’t know the pearl jam sound if an oyster laid one in my ear).

[@smithmann5616]

Singlemost perfect album of all time is Yes' Close to the Edge. Pure perfection from the birdsong on CTTE to the outro on SK, and everything in between.

[@rainbell2817]

Lucky enough to catch that concert, just amazing, tiny lights strobing during the birdsong, Chris Squire just holding that note you knew was coming, it was freaking awesome.

[@LSqrd1960]

Yes - Close To The Edge is a must for this list, as many others have mentioned. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first album (pronounced) is perfect. From the drum intro of “I Ain’t The One” to the last strains of “Free Bird”. And all points in between.

[@KurtHun]

Great list. I have to add Tears For Fears' "The Seeds of Love" with its Steely Dan level production quality

[@brendonmurley8276]

Good call!

[@bwilliams1234]

Great list! Nice to meet you Ward, I'll check out your site. It's a beautiful thing when music can make you cry. Anytime... Thanx guys

[@frankuaku]

"Songs from the Big Chair" by Tears for Fears is one of the greatest albums for me, from start to finish; also "Moving Pictures" by Rush, absolutely amazing piece of art!

[@bierbasstard]

Songs from the Big Chair. Pioneer 250w receiver with separate equalizer, Technics turntable, 4 Pioneer CS-722 speakers! I used to drive my neighbors crazy anytime my parents weren't home 👍

[@richardmoore4553]

Rush for sure...Tears great but not the best ever from beginning to end.

[@petersheenan4482]

agree with tears for fears

[@fullofbritt]

Bob Mould's Workbook is an absolutely perfect album. Even if you didn't know Bob had been in Husker Du, you'd still realize that this album was something different and special from the first notes of "Sunspots." Tremendous performances from Mould, as well as bassist Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu) and drummer Anton Fier (Lounge Lizards, Feelies, Pere Ubu, Golden Palominos), as well as incredible cello from Jane Scarpantoni (who's played with everyone from Sheryl Crow to the Swans). Wonderful sounding album, blending all these players together very well. And I consider it one of the best-sequenced albums as well: Starting with "Sunspots" and ending with the noisy, vengeful, chaotic closing of "Whichever Way the Wind Blows," the album takes you on a enthralling ride through nimble instrumentals, unique acoustic pop, and searing rockers, and never takes a wrong turn. In my opinion, Mould recorded some fantastic material after Workbook, but never made another album as perfect as this one.

[@granthurlburt4062]

I love his fine "Turning of the Tide" on one of the two "Songs of Richard Thompson" albums.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

I think I watched this video way back but I rediscovered it due to my history now of watching Ward's videos. Anyone with any interest at all in either aviation or military history, mostly recent (`70s to today) I highly recommend his channel, simply `Ward Carrol'. He is great at what he does and I had no idea these guys knew each other until I discovered Ward, callsign Mooch, had a band, sings and plays guitar, mentioned Rick in one of his videos. He is very much in his world the Rick Beato of that community, a great teacher and interviewer and all around human being.

[@danielsmith9978]

Just heard Court and Spark and I love it! thanks!

[@zachmorgenstern3243]

Tea for the Tillerman-Cat Stevens, Graceland-Paul Simon, Tapestry-Carol King, Blood on the Tracks-Bob Dylan, Thriller-Michael Jackson, Purple Rain-Prince, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars-David Bowie, Magical Mystery Tour-The Beatles.

[@stephentyler4352]

Bowie, Prince & Paul Simon are three of my absolute favourite musicians to have ever lived. The Holy Trinity in my eyes!! Phenomenal list here, mate. 💯

[@gertifity4868]

Tapestry!

[@Wolfgang_Amadeus_X_Machina]

Mystery tour is an interesting pick.

[@zachmorgenstern3243]

@@Wolfgang_Amadeus_X_Machina I made a video with my ranking of the Beatles albums if you're curious. I suspect more people don't pick it, just because it wasn't originally published as an album.

[@jeffvanderwerf3391]

Graceland is a phenomenal album start to finish. Great inclusion. Rest of your list is solid, obviously, too

[@AllAboutRush]

“Moving Pictures” by Rush ain’t too shabby 🙂

[@enriquem.l.9723]

In my opinion Selling England by the Pound is superior than A trick of the tail. And I never had in my life such intense feelings as I had with The Lamb lies down on Broadway. Congratulations for your excellent analysis, even when I don't completely agree! All the albums you mentioned are great! Greetings from Spain! 👋

[@dianek.851]

Agree with you.

[@steviiiii]

love it..!! its amazing when you align with someone your age - the synergy that was OF THE TIME... you feel it. I have tremendous rapport with you Rick and I appreciate your time and energy..!!

[@sherpa59]

My list, in no particular order: Dark side of the moon(Floyd), One size fits all(FZ), Trilogy (ELP), Hejira(Joni), Close to the edge (Yes), Machine Head (Purple), Aja (SD), The Nightfly (Donald Fagen), Help & Abbey Road (Beatles)

[@petrmatejka1742]

Nice tips. But Help? For me the less satisfying Beatles album...

[@bobsala7780]

+1 for One Size Fits All by Frank Zappa

[@sherpa59]

@@petrmatejka1742 For 1964, a perfect album.

[@petrmatejka1742]

@@sherpa59 You mean for 1965, right? ;-)

[@sherpa59]

@@petrmatejka1742 Yeah! Anyway, I love that album.

[@SNAKERADIOS]

Joe Jackson, Look Sharp just the production and cleanliness of it and their catchy arrangement is just awesome

[@scottlewis1530]

Joe Jackson's early work (Look Sharp and I'm The Man) is brilliant and sadly overlooked today. Graham Maby is an amazing bassist and really drives those two albums.

[@rmcellig]

For me his jumping jive album is amazing! Tight but loose arrangements with great musicians and production!!

[@rmcellig]

@@scottlewis1530 you're absolutely right!! Those two recordings are so overlooked. It's sad that some recordings that are great fell through the cracks over time.

[@jean-christophealbert8903]

What about Night and day ?

[@harrybaran2683]

Another great album is Graham Parker`s Counting Out Sparks!!

[@erikschwan1534]

Rick, thanks for blending 2 of my favorite topics in one show, music and military aviation (My dad was a fighter pilot and I work in the industry) . Some other albums for consideration; Nevermind, Disraeli Gears; London Calling, Mr. Tambourine Man, Parallel Lines, Abbey Road, Beauty and the Beat, Get Born, Violent Femmes, Are you Experienced, The Ramones, The Doors, Exodus, War, 11 (Smithereens), Tell America (Fools Face), Public Places (Fools Face), This Year's Model, and although not perfect All Things Must Pass has so much good music on it that I'd have to throw it in too. I'm sure I'm still missing lots.

[@davidlloydbeck4650]

Another wonderful discussion. I'd love to sit down with these 2 and talk about the "next 10." Great choices, and as much as anything, hearing why they thought so. We all could add a couple albums of our own, but hard to bump any of these.