The 40 best records to own, according to Esquire - my reaction

[@Ctophermon]

This list reads like an overstock list from Amazon at regular prices. Clearing out inventory.

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Exactly! Complete with affiliate links. ☠️

[@bacarandii]

Yeah, this was obviously commissioned "content" by the ad department, but even unpaid interns and copywriters need editors. Did Esquire get rid of all its editors?

[@jambogeordie]

100% correct. Adele 30 is the dead giveaway!

[@spectator1996]

Look at the abbey road image lol

[@cjc363636]

I think so, too.

[@matweb8195]

If I washed up on a desert island with many of these records I'd get back in the ocean.

[@cjc363636]

Esquire....Responsible for more ocean plastic!

[@TERRYHROVAT]

I didn't think it was possible that someone could make a list more out of touch than Rolling Stone's...congratulations Esquire!

[@Extremesam43]

What you said!

[@vinylordie1301]

40 records you can buy at TARGET 😂

[@clydekimsey7503]

Why is that a bad thing?

[@TheHSIHP]

No record collector ever said "I really need that best of..."

[@c-v-n3322]

You are so right

[@camsellars]

i’m not gonna lie, i did with the isley brothers because i wanted to have a compilation of their hits among the regular records.

[@TheHSIHP]

@@camsellars oh course there are exceptions, but generally speaking best of comps are what we are typically after

[@Pluralofvinylisvinyls]

I don’t know, there’s people that spend hundreds of dollars because the disc is a different color

[@paulbrookes413]

Best of Cream

[@SirHatchporch]

I think you're right about the motives for this list being a little suspect. The fine print at the top says, "Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links." Also, the writer (sorry, "curator") of the article describes herself at the bottom as a "commerce editor" (whatever that means) who "scours the internet for the best deals and shopping trends." Oh boy. 😂

[@MickSupper]

If they haven’t already, I wonder if Esquire will be putting a woman on their cover like GQ has. All of these magazines are out of touch with reality, so their list totally makes sense.

[@grandhammer1555]

vomit.

[@coreymcdaniel5146]

The CLASH!! Everyone needs to have London Calling in their collection.

[@cjc363636]

IKR! I was so hoping to see it slide up right after Elvis Pressley, just due to the Clash referencing the cover design from Elvis. But, sadly, no. Esquire....!!!!

[@theoriginalbluey]

Yet Green Day are in there, who are shite! London Calling, the 7", was the first record I ever bought. It was Feb 1980 and I was 12. No looking back after that!

[@andy1179]

Never mind the bollocks

[@simonclowes1717]

I only buy albums to listen to, not because everyone else has them. I have thousands, but only 4 from this list, and I don't want any of the others 😂

[@BigCraig]

I got thrown out of the back of the pickup with Maroon 5. After that it was obviously just the writer's attempt to trumpet some personal favorites. If you want to go that direction I'd have included Be Bop Deluxe, BTO, Captain Beefheart and The Damned. Not Tony Bennett...

[@thetownspeople6486]

Here’s 40 for you in no particular order. AC/DC Back in Black, Aerosmith Rocks, Pink Floyd Dark Side, Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti, Deep Purple Machine Head, Stevie Ray Vaughan Couldn’t stand the weather. Beatles Abbey Road or White Album, Kiss Alive, Fleetwood Mac Rumors, Eagles Hotel California, Riot Fire Down Under, Rolling Stones Sticky Fingers, Rush Moving Pictures, Who’s Next, Van Halen 1 and 1984, Pearl Jam 10, Screaming Trees Sweet Oblivion and Dust, ELO Out of the Blue, Janes Addiction Nothing Shocking, Lynard Skinnard Pronounced, Boston debut, Bad Company debut, Guns and Roses Appetite for Destruction, Steely Dan Aja, Jimi Hendrix Are you Experienced, Doors debut, ZZ Top Deguello, The Cars debut, Ozzie Diary of a Madman, Sabbath Paranoid, Supertramp Breakfast in America, Metallica Black album, Sound Garden , Bob Seger Against the Wind, Cream, Jeff Beck band Truth, There you go not sure if there is 40 but you get the picture.

[@lenwennerberg1631]

I'm rolling with THIS guy 🤟

[@peterjohnson1734]

Good list, I'd alter it a little with Supertramp: Crime of the Century, Black Sabbath: Master of Reality (or Vol. 4), Led Zeppelin II (or 4) and Bob Seger: Live Bullet

[@thetownspeople6486]

@@peterjohnson1734 thanks and you certainly could. With Zeppelin it’s basically II and 4 have 8-9 songs on them. Physical Graffiti from start to finish kicks butt. 17 songs? Probably the best studio double album of all time. I agree on Seger I was just going studio. With Sabbath if I’m honest it’s Sabotage. 💀🎸☠️

[@peterjohnson1734]

@@thetownspeople6486 As far as Zeppelin, I was thinking about albums that are easy to listen to straight through. Sabotage was probably Sabbath's last great album, and a case could probably be made for any of the first six albums.

[@mariosiaven2965]

This would be a way more sensible/objective list definitevely.

[@mrhoffame]

Great vid Frank. I can't really figure out this list. There are albums on this list that I actually have and LOVE....and wouldn't think they come close to earning top 40 albums to own. I guess if they don't state a clear standard it's hard to formulate or accept a list like this.

[@Channel33RPM]

Good point... they didn't state what criteria an album had to meet to make this list.

[@7JANEWAY]

@@Channel33RPMThat’s because there were no criteria except what they have for sale. Any list that puts The Beatles at #10 and The Stones at #4 is clearly a mish mosh at best and fake at worst. They clearly just made it up as they went along.

[@7JANEWAY]

PS-the fact that you clicked on one and the vinyl wasn’t available just proves how fake this list is!

[@Faustustopheles]

weirdly I do have the Gaga Bennett album and I feel like it is one of the best sounding albums I have . again, likely my personal taste but I think it's pretty great.

[@Peterrdee]

Love for sale is also really good, I have it on yellow LP and it sounds amazing also! Gaga really doesn’t miss with the quality of her pressings, even her rain on me/stupid love picture disc singles sound really good for being picture discs.

[@Faustustopheles]

@@Peterrdee nice! I'll be on the lookout. Merry Christmas!

[@danielgeiger7739]

As you pointed out, the only "must haves" are the one each of us loves. -- Be it as it may, the only band/artist from that list I have in my 1500-disc collection is Fleetwood Mac. For a general purpose list, how about some Clash, Depeche Mode, Devo's "Freedom of Choice", B52's, David Bowie, Mike Oldfield? -- My "essentials" are very off kilter, and I would be very cautious about recommending them to others, also changes quite frequently. One for sure is The Ex "Blueprints for a Blackout" [Avantgardish postpunk]. Then also The Cure "Faith" and "Pornography". Siouxisie and the Banshees "Tinderbox". Razzia "Tag ohne Schatten" [German HC Punk]. Canal Terror "Zu Spät" [German HC Punk]. Zanias "To The Core" [Coldwave]. Big Black "Songs about XXXXing" [Hardcore Punk]. Rites of Spring "Rites of Spring] [HC Punk/Metal-crossover] ...

[@jhutt8002]

I started listening music with my parents LP collection around 2001 when I was 9 years old. They didn't have use for them so I still have all of them, Rumours is there but I've never actually listened that album! Maybe I should someday, since every "essential albums" list out there seems to bring it up😅 Not that I care about owning "essential" LP's.

[@randytoth4350]

Spot on Frank, I’m with you on most of your thoughts. Loving Gaga & Jagger on the new tune, great pairing, great song!!!🎵

[@johnrogers2826]

Diana Krall, Canadian jazz singer married to Elvis Costello. great channel. I just got back into vinyl at 58. Had a pretty good collection but sold it in the 80's during some tough times. Including original Kind of Blue, Love Supreme and other really cool discs my dad gave me. I've kicked myself around the block several times for getting rid of them.

[@wulver8207]

40 best, not even close and this make me happy. If a list from Esquire magazine applied to me It would make me very very sad. keep on spinning Frank.

[@TheVinylDen]

I think a better title for this article would have been "Common Albums That Are Popular That We Would Like You to Buy So We Can Make Some Money" 😂

[@mq42]

It seems like the research for this list was flipping through the bin at Walmart.

[@richdavis5459]

Haha! I've been collecting music for 40+ years, and I have maybe 10 from that list, which only 1 or 2 would make my top 40! Great vid!

[@rEdf196]

I remember years back when our local Walmart stocked up on these expensive $230 Michael Buble Christmas vinyl box sets 4 in all, but like the infamous Adel Lp, none sold.

[@sinbysin666]

I don't have a single one of these (I have around 700 records), and I'm not itching to change that lol

[@garymoen930]

Rule #1 of any article. Make it slightly controversial so people talk about it and get clicks. See any Rolling Stones Magazine list in the last 20 years.

[@bobby666666]

Just a list to sell these particular albums. Sure I have some of them. Led Zeppelin II is my fave by them. I also prefer Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here to The Dark Side Of The Moon.

[@jamesriley72281]

These articles are such a money grab. I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon gave them a list of records they wanted to move and they made the list from records on that list.

[@paulfraser1971]

Title of this article should be; a bunch of records Esquire wants you to buy so Esquire can make money.

[@johngray7791]

The beauty of record collections are finding great albums few have heard of,and then feeling a bit smug.😂

[@corporalquigg7873]

That man on the moon 3 and Adele 30 are definitely putting off "amazon overstocked these items" vibes over "essential albums" 😂

[@corporalquigg7873]

This whole dang list puts off "amazon overstocked these items" vibes. What they need to do is mark em down instead of making bogus lists.

[@tinostabile3256]

Hi Frank. Another interesting video. Yep lists are a way of making us talk... compare... like love... it is on the eye of the beholder.... or the ear and soul of the listener.

[@niamahmah666]

might be Yuppies essential list

[@CBail95]

I see that Robert Finley album on the shelf. My parents just got the signed one with the braille cover! Great stuff

[@tompatchak8706]

Sooooo glad to not see Dark side on there. This list looks like something a bunch of kids put together.

[@raggeragnar]

Hello Frank ! I’ve got 9 of those. Additionally , I got 8 more of the bands/artists on the list. Just not those specific albums. And I want albums from 8-10 more. To sum it up ; I’ll approximately 50/50 when I got the ones I want. I can live with that.

[@johng2149]

I enjoy your channel very much! Thank you for posting! This is quite an odd list. Having a Christmas album by Michael Buble in the top 15 disqualified this list for me. The essential 40 vinyl albums anyone should have on their list are whatever one chooses for themselves. I am entertained by these sorts of lists, and I like to refer to them for the sole purposes of checking out albums I’ve never listened to before to see what they’re about. Other than that, I don’t give them much weight.

[@braddecker1857]

I remember when Much Music made it to the states. I discovered a bunch of hard rock and metal bands from them.

[@tsonaqua]

When my buddies and I talk about favorite albums we don't allow compilations or soundtracks. But pretty much expected from Exquire that I place right next to Forbes in the respectability list. To be clear, pretty low.

[@tompatchak8706]

I think I have 5 of these. Looks like they are covering all the styles and bases. Except for heavier rock music

[@kraig7777]

You put a lot more thought into that article than the actual author did.

[@curtbradley549]

Love your honesty. Most ill PASS on and ill leave it there ,those in charge should note > CHEERS >THE VERY POLITE!

[@jeremybirdwell2623]

Steely Dan’s Aja? How can anyone have a vinyl record collection without arguably the most perfect recording ever made? Seriously. The fist press of that record,(ABC label, Bob Ludwig master) though a dime-a-dozen sounds soooooo good.

[@calconnolly5413]

They didn't mention "The Nightfly" either. The big omission for me wasn't any particular release, but that they didn't mention what their criteria was. The only common element throughout the list that I could discern was popularity of the artists (even if the time frame of that popularity was short and recent). So if they're focusing on artists that Esquire's demographic will be aware of (whether they are recent or legacy artists), I can understand the list to a degree.

[@theoriginalbluey]

They won't have heard of Steely Dan over at silly Esquire. Because Steely Dan are bloody FANTASTIC! Can't Buy A Thrill and Pretzel Logic are two other absolute classics IMHO!

[@neilfisher7999]

Kind of a strange list I thought. That said, I do have 5 of the albums on here and maybe 8 or 9 of the artists but different albums. A few of my essentials are: Boston, Dire Straits Brothers in Arms, Tom Petty Damn the Torpedos, AC/DC Back in Black, Eagles Hotel California, Clapton Unplugged, Foreiner, Journey Escape, Led Zeppelin IV, Steely Dan Can't Buy a Thrill. I could go for a while but those are pretty solid.

[@anotherguy2741]

I know this article has Amazon links but Walmart had most of these albums when I worked the vinyl racks until about 6 months ago.

[@georgeprice4212]

Why is a fashion magazine giving opinions about music?

[@twohandsandaradio]

Chat GPT did better. From 1 to 40. The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Pink Floyd - The Dark Side of the Moon Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Led Zeppelin - IV David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Michael Jackson - Thriller Prince - Purple Rain The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds Nirvana - Nevermind Radiohead - OK Computer Jimi Hendrix - Are You Experienced The Who - Who's Next Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life Queen - A Night at the Opera U2 - The Joshua Tree Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison The Clash - London Calling Elvis Presley - Elvis Presley Arcade Fire - Funeral Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures Muddy Waters - Folk Singer Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico Aretha Franklin - I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You The Eagles - Hotel California Bob Marley and the Wailers - Legend John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Moby - Play R.E.M. - Automatic for the People The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die Van Morrison - Moondance The Doors - The Doors Talking Heads - Remain in Light The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead Amy Winehouse - Back to Black Jeff Buckley - Grace Frank Sinatra - In the Wee Small Hours

[@Channel33RPM]

This is awesome... I may have to do a follow up video... who can make a better list of essential records? Esquire, or a robot? The robot wins!

[@BluDeadwaxOutpost]

All these magazines and their lists.....I always disagree with them. Thats why I love them😂😂😂. Makes my own 'list' feel more special.

[@AlexandruBurda]

Absolutely. 🙂👍

[@Kane26510]

This is the list of a wanker. While Door Dashing with my wife (she Dashes, I drive), I came up with a much better list - without even looking at my collection. Here's a sample: Aja - Steely Dan A Charlie Brown Christmas - Vince Guaraldi Trio Special Beat Services - English Beat December - George Winston Armed Forces - Elvis Costello Speaking in Tongues - Talking Heads Thriller - Michael Jackson Night and Day - Joe Jackson It's not hard to come up with a list. Some should be on there - Kind of Blue - Miles Davis, for example. But honestly, this is a list for those who want to APPEAR to look like they're into records.

[@324cmac]

Yay! They got Kind of Blue right!

[@unstablenetwork4744]

Thanks Frank, for another entertaining video. Strictly my opinion, but there needs to be more structure for a top 40 list of albumns. So much music out there spanning half a century or more.

[@Channel33RPM]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed the video.

[@lakerfan2874]

I would add the "The Best of Both Worlds" Van Halen compilation for anyone wanting to get into Van Halen but wants to listen to the best of the two eras while getting 3 new songs from 2004 with Sammy Hagar, and decide which era they like more. Also, Bon Jovi's Greatest Hits Ultimate Collection, Whitesnake's 1987 studio, Tom Petty's The Best of Everything compilation album for a new listener or just a casual listener who knows "Free Fallin'" and "I Won't Back Down" from the Full Moon Fever studio and decide if they want to get every single studio album from him and the Heartbreakers plus Mudcrutch, Jimmy Buffett's compilation album or his new album to see if they like his stuff or not, and ELO's compilation album after Zoom. I do have Johnny Cash's Number Ones compilation. I also bought 3 Willie Nelson's compilations, 2 are the Super Hits, and the other is the more recent one that I thought was old, as it went under my radar. Hell, I'd even add Aerosmith's new Deluxe Greatest Hits and all of their studios besides the blues album they did in the 2000s after Just Push Play.

[@aaronrojas5399]

Hi Frank. I'm in agreement with you. All of these lists are subjective. I like to see what other people are choosing/selecting for record collection must haves, but that's as far as I'd go with it. Essential is what you absolutely can't live without in your own collection. Peace Out!

[@andrewmachado6988]

The real title of this list should be “the 40 records Amazon has too much stock of in their warehouses and needs to get rid of”. Lol I own some of the albums from some of the artists on this list, but those albums I wouldn’t consider “the essential” albums to own from those artists. Where’s all the classic rock, metal and punk? This list is a joke.

[@AlexandruBurda]

Ok...ok...first of all, this list includes to many compilation for my taste. I prefer albums. For many reasons. From this list I only have that Buble Christmas album (and I would also say that it's not the best; is on my purge list) and Kind of Blue by Miles Davis (which I like but I am not very enthusiastic about). I do have ABBA (all their albums on CD, the 80s pressings with the best mastering but I am not really passionate about them) and Diana Krall (most of her albums; some I like, some not really but I hang on to them). Otherwise nothing from this list is "essential" for me. What I would consider essential is: - Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire (absolutely awesome and really influential albums; love them and have them on CD and vinyl) - Vangelis: Earth, Heaven and Hell, Blade Runner (and others but these are also very influential; I have all his albums anyway) - Jean-Michel Jarre: Oxygène (really essential and influential) - Jan Garbarek Group: Afric Pepperbird (free jazz at its best, set some trends). - Dave Brubeck: Time Out (essential and influential, generally considered a must have) - Bill Evans (his albums from the Scott LaFaro period; superb) - Annie Lennox: Christmas Cornucopia (to have something really good and powerful for Christmas) - Norah Jones: Come away with me (style setting) - Keith Jarrett: The Köln Concert (emblematical, also considered a must have) And others...again, essential for me. Anyway, this ideea of an essential list is funny to discuss but not really something to follow. As you said at the beginning, music tastes are very personal and this is how they should be. 🙂

[@cmhirsch825]

Essential albums are ones that make up the soundtrack of YOUR life, IMHO.

[@Anthony-MK]

Eeeeek!! I'm with you Frank, these lists are "fun" to look over but hard to take too serious. To your point, who's the target audience for this list.............that said, it seems like an odd list even for an Esquire demographic. I guess I should be proud of myself, I recognized and have heard all of those albums, not to be confused with owning, I do have a few ;)

[@adambennett1098]

List is definitely way out there unless I’m just to old. Not heard of a few.

[@spectator1996]

I have never heard a pressing of Born to Run that sounds a good. If other viewers do, I’d love to hear what they are!

[@fredjohnson9856]

I have a copy of the 1st issue (1975) that sounds fantastic on my system.

[@monkee5th]

In no particular order Love Forever Changes, the Beatles Revolver, Janis Joplin Pearl, MC5 Kick out the Jams, Jimi Hendrix Are You Experienced, The Beatles Abbey Road, the Who Tommy, Bob Marley Legend, Beach Boys Pet Sounds, The Rolling Stones Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed, George Harrison All things Must Pass and John Lennon Plastic Ono Band

[@kniknayme9865]

I have all these next to the 40 best books to impress your friends.

[@miss80smoviesandmusic]

They need to make some $$$ off those affiliate links looks like to me.

[@e_dharmalog]

My biggest problem with this list is all the compilations. Vinyl is a format for albums, unified pieces with deep cuts. If you're just listening to greatest hits, get the CD.

[@DorianPaige00]

Not much soul music but the one they chose is a remix with symphony. That's a head scratcher. Fleetwood Mac and Miles Davis are the only ones I'd consider on my list.

[@cjc363636]

That Esquire is making this list out of currently sale-able records - with links - is telling.

[@nikolashaidar7890]

To me, my record collection is "MY" record collection. It speaks to, or invokes something in me. If my choices overlap with other's recommendations, fine.....but my choices were, are & will always remain mine. Not someone else's 😉

[@calconnolly5413]

I found this interesting ... "there's a mix of styles and genres that are sure to make your guests feel welcome" (from the article introduction) Just as long as your guests aren't into metal, or 70s R&B, or pretty much most of the music from the 80s, or ... (one other thing I just realized - it's trying to list 40 albums from an almost 70 year time frame relative to them having Sinatra on there with his mid-50s tunes, not to mention the Elvis, Johnny Cash and Miles picks; I would venture to say that even the most revered musicologists of the last 70 years would be challenged by that task, never mind a "commerce editor ... scouring the internet for the best deals and shopping trends"; not that there's anything wrong with being a commerce editor - I mean that's fine if that's what you are)

[@JohnCran]

My must have list changes constantly so making a list is rather pointless. Most of my must have are from obscure bands such as The Band Who Shot Liberty Balance and lesser know albums such as Diamond Mine by Blue Rodeo.

[@carravagio16]

so subjective, you should poll your house, get Sherris, top 10 albums, then ask your daughters, heck then make your own list...just so much music appealing to different generations

[@BillAdams-fb3jm]

I love the fact that that, while my record collection is not small by any stretch of the imagination, Led Zeppelin II and The Doors' self-titled album are the only titles from this list in my collection (the happiest day of my life was the day I got rid of the last Pink Floyd album I had but never listened to). If I was going to make a list like this (stuff that everyone should hear -- not just stuff from my collection that everyone should hear), I'd say that School's Out by Alice Cooper, Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust (or Hunky Dory) by David Bowie, Decksanddrumsandrocknroll by Propellerheads, either Carnival by Wyclef Jean or The Score by The Fugees, Double Nickels on the Dime by The Minutemen, London Calling by The Clash, Nevermind The Bollocks by The Sex Pistols, Nevermind by Nirvana, Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement, Rocks by Aerosmith, Exile in Guyville by Liz Phair, Beggar's Banquet by the Rolling Stones, Mule Variations by Tom Waits, The Beatles' red and blue albums round the bases for essentials (especially now that they're 3LP sets - not 2LP sets), Raising Hell by RunDMC, I'm Your Man by Leonard Cohen, Horses by Patti Smith... that's a good place to start.

[@thetownspeople6486]

You forgot Riot Fire Down Under 😜

[@ricardoe.aliceanatal2287]

​@@thetownspeople6486🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelsevilla3697]

I like all those classic albums you listed except that overrated never mind the bollocks sex pistols album that album is a slog to get through by far the most overrated punk album of all time most of the songs sound dumb and horrible ✌️

[@BillAdams-fb3jm]

It's hard for your social and political commentary to not sound dated when you're writing it at the age of nineteen (which was about how old John Lydon was when the Pistols formed in 1975) Was still true when Bollocks was released in 1977. How good was your songwriting when you were 21? @@michaelsevilla3697

[@theflipside-vinylcommunity]

Oh snap bro just say no. I would not trust any magazine essential albums lol 😂

[@davidellis5141]

Lots of Trolls & Bots in the comments ! Check em out 😆 🤣

[@sandr6769]

tbh, I would go with that list but on SACD.

[@kerrydavidsadler980]

This gave me a good laugh , I'm just a fat old gray stoner and I have 11 albums off there list, Esquire magazine list 😅😆😅

[@leland242]

If you're a fan of Gaga's voice, then the records with Tony Bennett are the place to be. That white variant (and I'd assume all the color variants) were sold out a long time ago. You might be surprised to learn that Gaga's a big 80s metal fan. She used to do club gigs in nyc with the opening act on her first few tours (lady starlight (seriously)) and essentially get drunk on stage and sing over Motley Crue and Judas Priest. Even now, the background music before her shows start is mostly metal and punk - which is always funny, when 90% of the room has never heard any of it.

[@davidellis5141]

The list is comically awful ! Definitely , unintentionally funny 😁

[@river86012]

Great video

[@Channel33RPM]

Thanks!

[@MickSupper]

If I wanted to read the list I could go find it myself.

[@mikel5582]

To quote Eric Burdon quoting Bo Diddley, ""Man, that sure is the biggest load of rubbish I ever heard in my life..." I knew Esquire was a magazine but that's about all I knew about them. Seems I wasn’t missing anything.

[@LeroybrownLR3mk02]

Why do magazines ever make these lists? Totally agree with you. ''What is essential to me, is not necessarily essential to you''.

[@kevinjohnson8220]

Well, now I know why I never subscribed to Esquire. I don't have any of them! But I do have other albums by some of the artists.

[@demonovationable]

Lol Bo Burnhams Inside is the only one of these records I have. I love it and it holds a special place for me but I don't see how it's essential for everyone to own.

[@teekaynh]

Is this actually meant to be ranked order or just a list of 40 in no particular order?

[@michaelturner4457]

Most of them are over 30 years old. Does that say something about modern or recent records?

[@kingzozo19]

I prefer Wish you were here too. It feels more emotional for me.

[@dburt0021]

Wow! Nothing included by THE WHO, The Kinks, SRV, John Coltrane, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sly and the Family Stone, The Clash, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, John Lee Hooker, AC/DC, Isley Brothers, Motörhead, Ramones, The Cars, David Bowie, Cream, RUSH, Aerosmith, The Spencer Davis Group (like Frank, I could probably name 500 more artists/albums to consider for an essential top 40 LP record list)

[@2shoestoo]

Maybe 1 or 2 could be 3 of these albums but that’s about it for me and I’m older

[@tompatchak8706]

On the Arctic Monkeys first started a bunch of years ago ago one of my best friends said he they’d be the new Beatles. Like they would take the world by storm and all this other stuff. I’m still waiting for that to happen and I bug him about it constantly.

[@inmyhouse11]

Esquire writers must have been smoking way too much weed when they put together this ridiculous list

[@Channel33RPM]

Or... maybe not enough weed....

[@ernger531]

Hawkwind-Space Ritual Golden Earring-Eight Miles High The Monks Dio-Holy Diver Demon-The Plague Frank Zappa-Yellow Shark Marillion-Misplaced Childhood Talk Talk-Spirit Of Eden

[@MK-tj5bf]

Like videos like this. Thanks Frank

[@muldoon67]

Geez that was rough.

[@meow-wv9yc]

saint pepsi hit vibes is an underground classic, personally pink floyd animals should of been there

[@willyb3463]

It's pointless, just buy the ones you like. It's as simple as that, that's all its ever been about.

[@philipwren7509]

I'm happy (or hopeful) that most of us don't listen to these so called essential lists

[@TheDreamtimezzz]

You lost my interest at “esquire magazine “ . No Michael Jackson or Bowie or …. Just a big Amazon ad Edit $50 for abba voyager? I found a sealed copy for $5 online.

[@PrankZabba]

I always stay away from these lists, as they are always a disappointment. And this one is a great example. It may have some good bands, but i would have picked other albums. There's only 3 i would pick off this. Ten, Purple Rain, and the first Doors album. But wtf!?! Where is Van Halen? No Sabbath? Then to hell with this list. And why is Kind Of Blue always on these lists? If it's not that then its Rebirth Of The Cool. But it will never be Bitches Brew or In A Silent Way. I would even put those Steamin' Relaxin' Cookin' and whatever other ones I missed out of that series. Even Sketches Of Spain. But then it goes into, where is Time Out by Dave Brubeck? That is a must own. Even if you dont like jazz, but want to hear some insane borderline death metal drums from the 1940's then you want Uptown by Duke Ellington. Just check out the first song Skin Deep, and turn that damn stereo up! I used to blast the hell out of that cd in a store i worked at. They had a decent sized shelf system. But when the double bass drum kicks in. OMG! Make sure the subwoofer is also on max. But you'll never hear this in one of those 1000 watt car stereos because it's not macho enough. Jazz? Eww! So without any long winded story, i would vote for these 5 essential albums. Deerhunter - Microcastle / Weird Era...take everything you like about that 80s college alternative scene and throw it all into 1 album. This is one of those album or cd only things so you keep the flow going. But yeah, some indie band so no one cares. Widowmaker - Too Late To Cry...Before Bob joined Ozzy on his solo career. Want that dirty ass blues music. Then this would be a must own. I have a feeling they aren't well known. As almost everyone i talked to, has never even heard of it. I remember it as a kid, so i probably played it way more then my dad did. Max Webster - Live Magnetic Air...the only live album i will add, but this is up there with Speak Of The Devil and Frampton Comes Alive. Swear they aren't even known, but probably forgotten about outside of Canada. Blood, Sweat & Tears - Self Titled 1st album...You know the hits. But wait til you hear what this is surrounded by. Just picked this up the other day, again. But this is just outstanding. Butthole Surfers - Locust Abortion Technician...sure, Independent Worm Saloon may be polished up by John Paul Jones. But if you want the full on acid inducing nightmare. Then this is a must. I once played this album straight for about 24 or 30 hours. Guess in some ways, it saved my life that time. Bjork - Post...dont go blowing your speakers when the low end kicks in on track 2. It's happened to me a few times. Was that 5? I can't see due to this tiny reply window. I would also pick... Orff - Carmina Burana Stravinsky - Rite Of Spring Holst - The Planets Glass - Einstein On The Beach Branca - Symphony #8 It pairs well with Razor's Evil Invaders. D.R.I.'s Dealing With It. Minor Threat's Complete Discography. Anvil's Metal On Metal. And of course Mountain Music by Alabama.

[@calconnolly5413]

I'm giving you a thumb's up exclusively for mentioning Widowmaker. I'd have clicked twice if you'd mentioned Ariel (Luther) as well as Bob D.

[@mikeables]

This list was written by a girl in her 20s. She most likely went on Amazon and clicked best sellers for some particular month a couple of years ago and posted the results. These youngster do not have enough years on the planet to understand 90% of these albums from any cultural perspective. It is just a top sellers on Amazon list.

[@Madjack32]

i think they missed a area the 80's punk a.k.a. blondie "parallel lines" , Violent Femmes (self titled), The Clash "Combat Rock". some of the new stuff they listed haven't cut there teeth long enough in my opinion to qualify as a essential best to own.

[@gb-nz]

No foreign music, like a Putumayo compilation, Buena Vista Social Club, Bossa Nova or French music? Rock is fairly represented while other major genres are missing completely... Buble Xmas album but no Stevie Wonder, James Brown or even Phil Collins? Harry Styles but no Madonna, Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston? 40 records is a pretty short list, they must be all bangers - desert island stuff! I would love to watch your 40 Desert Island records, by the way. Cheers from NZ 🇳🇿

[@rocketrod1444]

40 different copies of Iron Maiden 'Number of the beast' would do it for me 😂

[@mileshigh1321]

I think this is a list for guys with Man bun's and Man bags and monthly beard grooming supply subscriptions! 🤣

[@Smashbro2013]

As a punk guy I would have put Dookie or American Idiot over Nimrod for Green Day. Still a good album though

[@markgamba4495]

Chicago (CTA).

[@mikeroeder]

I guess it is okay for that list to cover a lot of ground-- I'd say it's hard to know what the readers of Esquire would listen to. But, I think that the one or two sentence writeups do a disservice to the reader. Most of them are just "these songs are here" or in the case of ABBA Voyage "listen to this and you'll understand." Maybe this is the symptom of lists. It would have been more useful to have something that attempts to describe the albums-- at least in the more obscure ones. It seems just kind of thrown together, and maybe is based on top sales of vinyl on Amazon.