Top 20 Records You Need For Your Vinyl Collection | Essential Albums To Own (Rock, Jazz, Rap, Indie)

[@TooManyRecords]

Leave a comment with how many of these you own, and which ones!

[@botdfErika666]

One sadly I only have one of them.

[@TooManyRecords]

@@botdfErika666 Which one?

[@jacobniehaus]

Lol only 2 Neutral Milk and Kanye

[@jacobniehaus]

I lied! 3 - Beach Boys as well!

[@brianshickey]

I own everything you listed except for Eva Cassidy, the Zombies, Getz. (Edited)

[@Skips1964]

I don't believe in owning records just because the community thinks everyone should have one in their collection. That said, I have found some new artists/music from these list that I like, and others I have been disappointed with. From your list I have the Getz/Gilberto, Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin & Pink Floyd. With the exception of Getz/Gilberto, I bought all of the others brand new when they came out decades ago (yes I'm old).

[@TheBp77]

Agree. Must have only applies to the individual. These lists are pointless.

[@noahlinforth7823]

Surely the essential 20 is everyone's favourite 20 albums? I personally got into this hobby as I liked to physically own my music, it's a great list, but to those starting out I would start buy buying the albums most dear to you.

[@lenwennerberg1631]

I never grasped the concept of buying "essential" albums, just because some musical authority tells you should own it. The same 20-30 titles appear on these lists over and over. I agree, just collect what you like.

[@lethalassassin1754]

@@lenwennerberg1631 Couldn't agree more. I've listened to a good amount of his list here. The albums people claim are masterpieces really aren't most of the time. OK Computer was alright, not a masterpiece, it lacks way too much to be praised as much as it is. As far as Hip Hop is concerned Kanye is a great producer but My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy isn't even his best work and compared to some of the best the genre has to offer Kanye isn't even at the top.

[@cookiesontoast9981]

Yeah definitely, screw buying albums I don't love. That's just a waste of money and space in my house. I'm only ever going to buy albums I already know I love, no blind buys, no artists I won't regularly want to listen to.

[@oleugh]

Came here to comment just that. I'd never pick up and listen to most of these albums. it's one of the things I never understood. "You NEED to own this" , nah you don't :D

[@steam_jane5580]

​@@cookiesontoast9981I agree somewhat. I buy albums and artists I know I will want to listen to. But if cheap say in a second hand shop it can be fun to get something you might not know or only know a bit off and if you like it keep and discover something and if not, no need to keep it and it can go.

[@VertigoeIsReal]

Yes! OK Computer is one of if not my favorite album of all time and I was really happy to see it on here.

[@SomeSong2]

I don't listen to them often but anything by Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Etta James, Willie Nelson or Nina Simone is essential for anybody's turntable.

[@MuzikJunky]

Nina’s voice, however, is an acquired taste. Peace.

[@DefenestrateYourself]

@@MuzikJunky I disagree. "Sinnerman", for example, is a song anyone can immediately connect with. It's a tour-de-force musical journey that you can't help but feel in your bones. The passion and comping rhythms stir an intense emotional response in everyone who listens to it.

[@nickthemilkmanlost3928]

A Johnny Horton album, a Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra album, a classical composition, and a couple others

[@rickjett6538]

I have 10 of these I also think pink Floyd the wall should be essential for sure nice collection

[@antoninosimic]

I'm gonna say Miles Davis - Kind of Blue, Paul Simon - Graceland or Still Crazy After All These Years, Neil Young - Harvest, George Harrison - All Things Must Pass. Cool list anyway. 👏🙌🤟

[@ilj1259]

I have about half your records in some form or another. My Essential 20 albums in no order: Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water Deep Purple - Machine Head Genesis - Abacab Rush - Moving Pictures Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Black Sabbath - Paranoid Beastie Boys - License To Ill John Prine Debut The Doors - The Soft Parade Sex Pistols - Never Mind The Bollocks Violent Femmes Debut The The - Soul Mining Raspberries - Starting Over The Sweet - Desolation Blvd Peter Gabriel - So Depeche Mode - Violator King Crimson - In The Court Of The Crimson King Beatles - White Album The Cars Debut Metallica - Kill Em All

[@ShaNaNa242]

I agree witg a good deal of this

[@SoundlabStudios63]

Somebody else that likes ABACAB? I thought it was just me

[@mathijnd]

How are Born to Run, Back in Black and Thriller not on here? Those are must haves like Dark Side and Abby Road

[@TooManyRecords]

I only had 20 albums to talk about! LOL

[@Manays]

@@TooManyRecords at least we agree that those 3 should be also must owns right?

[@skinovtheperineum1208]

Wtf is Abby Road? lol, you edited it and STILL managed to fuck it up!

[@mateonelson3862]

@@Manays for me it’s like, why would i own an album that i’m never going to listen to, ya know?

[@BD_MEDIA.]

The Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish, the Eva Cassidy, the Notorious BIG, and the Zombies are all on my want list. Thanks, Matt!

[@t3dewys]

I am definitely not missing a darn thing without your first selection.

[@SoundlabStudios63]

Never listened to that record, and I never will

[@tomsmith1125]

@@SoundlabStudios63 why

[@JustPlainNicki]

I’m so happy you included Eva Cassidy. Her voice gives me goosebumps. If you ever get the chance, please pick up her live album Nightbird. It was recorded at the Blues Alley Club in Washington DC in January 1996. She passed away in November of that year. It is heartbreaking to listen to, but captivating & stunning also. She was so incredible!!

[@TooManyRecords]

I have the 4 disk Nightbird, it's absolutely amazing.

[@wifflewiffle]

I want to start off saying that I like your videos. They are super detailed and informative and I watch them all the time. That being said, I do take some issue with “important albums to own”, “albums every collector needs” type lists. Every vinyl channel has them, I definitely understand the mentality behind them, but in my opinion they kind of perpetuate this notion that there is a right and wrong way to listen to, collect and appreciate vinyl as a hobby, and a lot of newcomers can be duped or pressured into spending bucks and devoting shelf space on albums that in the long run they don’t enjoy. Especially in the age of internet streaming, I think the notion of what a “record collection” should be needs to be seriously rethought so that people devote more energy toward buying what they love instead of what they expect others will love. You can listen to anything you want online, use that to curate your tastes and steer you toward the records you’d like to invest in. I watch so many “haul” videos where kids are clearly going out and spending waaayy too much and essentially blind buying albums that they know nothing about. The VC could put more effort into steering newcomers away from obvious pitfalls like this. Save the completist bullshit for the truly insane audiophiles……..rant over. (I actually thought you do alright raising these issues in a lot of your videos.)

[@TooManyRecords]

I appreciate the comment John! Just to elaborate, this isn't a "you need to own these albums or you aren't a collector", it's more-so "these are 20 albums I love that I think (and hope) most people would too" -- the wording needs to be the way it is in order to play "the game" on KZbin sadly.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

WOW. Did you not listen to first couple minutes where he explains this is just his opinions? That everyone has their own lists? It's a guideline, from his opinion. Nobody is being "dupped" or pressured, lol. If people are making blind buys that's a choice. Nobody is forcing their hand. They can easily preview albums online before purchase. If people don't have the common sense to do that well too bad, so sad... Also nobody is making anyone watch "List" videos either. Everybody has choices. Chill...

[@dondowell8697]

Very good list of essentials. I would add Public Enemy “It Takes A Million”, Kate Bush “Hounds of Love”, Frank Sinatra “Songs For Swinging Lovers”, Steely Dan “Aja”, Pantera “Far Beyond Driven”, Johnny Cash “Fabulous Johnny Cash”, & Jackson Five “Greatest Hits”. Also, no collection is complete without Miles Davis “Kind of Blue”.

[@brianshickey]

You do a great job representing our culture, from top to bottom. I tend to agree with most of what you say, what topics you cover, and making what you put out appealing to vets and newbies. Keep it movin’!

[@TooManyRecords]

This is such a kind comment, thank you.

[@brianshickey]

@@TooManyRecords My pleasure. It’s important to me that cats like you who are advocating vinyl culture get the respect they deserve.

[@thelifeofjuly9960]

THRILLER, IS A RECORD ESSENTIAL!!

[@TooManyRecords]

Almost made the list!!

[@craigblack7076]

@@TooManyRecords Forever, Michael (1975) is his best album. I've heard them all.

[@tomboyd8]

Getz/Gilberto is amazing. Thanks for sharing, will be adding this one to the collection soon!

[@anthonybest7193]

Awesome list Matt! I only own Illinoise, OK Computer, When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go?, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea, and Rumours, but I agree the rest of the records you mention are absolutely worth owning; I just haven’t gotten around to picking them up yet haha

[@TooManyRecords]

Knowing you, that'll happen soon... ;)

[@denisdaigle3696]

16 out of 20! Pretty good. Love it when you present lists of albums!!! ✌️

[@brianshickey]

No joke, we have almost identical takes related to what records are essential owns. I showed this to my girlfriend and she laughed out loud because she knows my musical taste better than anyone. Well done.

[@TooManyRecords]

Hell yeah Brian

[@MelindaMurphy]

Great list! Odessey And Oracle is definitely a favorite of mine. I love that Getz/Gilberto album and had no idea that it came out on Mobile Fidelity. Nice. 🤩 I still need Nirvana's Unplugged album. Take care.

[@TooManyRecords]

Thanks Melinda! I'd be curious what you consider to be essential!

[@davidellis5141]

The dark horse record here is Mezzanine by the brilliant Massive Attack. So much great music in the trip hop genre & it's the most influential.

[@TooManyRecords]

I wholeheartedly agree David!

[@tobiasvilainnewman3569]

Protection is amazing as well.

[@TheDirge69]

TYSM for turning me onto Eva Cassidy, amazing tone...

[@TooManyRecords]

It's otherworldly.

[@melissacorbett4180]

I love that you have recommended the best audio versions of the classics! I'm trying to backtrack and pick up some of the classic albums so this is really helpful!

[@TooManyRecords]

Thank you for noticing, Melissa! I don't know the absolute best for each one but I tried to share what I do know :)

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

Anything from Analogue Productions is going to be a good/great reissue.

[@j.bxtz22]

I just recently started with my vinyl collection and videos like this are great for me as a beginner. I think my essentials might be: Dark Side of The Moon Californication A Night at the Opera Smoke + Mirrors Crimes of the Century What’s the Story? (Morning Glory) Continuum Don’t Mess Around with Jim Parachutes Liam Gallagher MTV Unplugged

[@CSGOSeries]

I’m familiar with most of these albums but the only ones I have are ok computer and mezzanine. I guess it just comes down to personal taste lol. Some albums I would put on my own list would be illmatic, remain in light, is this it, the stone roses, and loveless now that it’s got a brand new reissue

[@TooManyRecords]

I thought about Illmatic.

[@presstoeject]

My record collection needs what I want it to need.

[@Homebrew58]

OK, I was skeptical when I saw the video title. Everyone does the "essential" list and it ends up being just them talking about their favorites often in an attempt to justify their choices. But I can't fault your choices. And I appreciate you admitting that some are not your favorite but you deem them essential on their merits. Nice job. Thank you.

[@TooManyRecords]

Thank you for watching and getting what I was going for!!

[@lucillechilds9767]

Hello Matt, I like everything you posted except the trip-hop or the rap but I do think the Doors should be on that list and you right about the Rumours album press at Pallas if you can find one it will blow your mind but make sure you get the 45rpm it like having Fleetwood Mac in your living room(not kidding)I would add Lana Del Ray NFR, Prince- Purple Rain, Boston- S/t, Nirvana- Never Mind. Would love to see a second half to this video.

[@heyyitsmel]

miles davis- kind of blue! absolutely changed the course of jazz and popular music

[@steevenfrost]

Records I have Dark Side... Abbey Road/ZiggyStardust...Rumours. I think other essentials are Elvis at Sun Records. Take 5 by Brubeck The Nice Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack Close to the Edge by Yes. On The Court of the Crimson King. Lynerd Skynerd. Allan Brothers Live Fillmore. Kraftwerk Man Machine.

[@timmorin2304]

Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sorry to correct you.

[@steevenfrost]

@@timmorin2304 Thanks. Think I must have had a senior moment

[@edwardgonczy3170]

Since we had much common ground I am willing to look for some of the others I am not familiar with. I think "Let It Bleed" and "Who's Next" are two essentials. And my favorite Pink Floyd is "Meddle". "Echoes" (side 2) is a beautiful, slightly cloudy late afternoon fall day at Conant Park in Hillside NJ, 1969, friends and "our heads in the clouds."

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Watch the Pink Floyd Live In Pompeii "concert" movie on KZbin. They perform the Meddle album, and shows the beginnings of Dark Side. Really cool. I dunno why there is no official Sountrack from that movie, its stellar. I've watched it many many many times. Smoke a bowl and watch it, trust me people...

[@SmartDave60]

Cool idea. For interesting sound quality I’d add some 1950s jazz records such as Billie Holiday - Lady in Satin or Dave Brubeck - Take Five. I don’t know if it’s the placement of the microphones during recording or whatever but you can almost see the musicians in different spots in your room when you play it. I find this to be more common during that era of recording.

[@MuzikJunky]

Also essential: Fela Kuti (your choice), Aphex Twin’s “SAW II,” “De La Soul is Dead,” “Stunts, Blunts, and Hip-Hop” by Diamond D, and Kraftwerk (your choice)! Peace.

[@TooManyRecords]

SAW II may be the best ambient record of all time, but I'd wager ambient would never be essential. It takes a specific music listener to appreciate ambient music. These should theoretically be loved by most.

[@MuzikJunky]

@@TooManyRecords, then I think that Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, and Billie Eilish are overrated to death-but that’s my opinion. Peace.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Kraftwerk isn't for most...lol I'd rather listen to DEVO.

[@alex_dot_org5512]

i clicked, i saw the MF DOOM and druckQs in the background, i knew this list was gonna be good

[@TooManyRecords]

Ah, a man of taste I see

[@richardelliott8352]

this guys enthusiasm makes me want to go play a record, I dig that. there is an essential question , what kind of collection do you want? I would answer to buy only what you desire to play often. Having essential albums needed for a complete collection is only for investment quality collections, in my opinion. where one hires professional buying advisors, like any other investment . What good is owning an album that you don't care about? just because it is considered important, means nothing . believe me, you will get enough duds just trying to buy stuff you think you will like. This is not to dispute the choices made here. As a matter of fact, I own a few of the selections, and some I need to get.

[@rebels5785]

You lost me at Billie Eilish then IMMEDIATELY pulled me back in at Getz / Gilberto - that album rules!

[@TooManyRecords]

Widcard energy

[@TLA1014]

I own 11 of the 20 records you covered, Matt. Great selections, BTW! These are my own essentials that are MUST HAVES, IMHO: Supertramp "Crimes of the Century", k.d. lang "Ingenue", Johnny Cash "At Folsom Prison, AC/DC "Back in Black", Patti Smith "Horses", The White Stripes "Elephant", Boston "Self Titled", Joni Mitchell "Court and Spark", Metallica "Black Album", The Doors "Self Titled", Dusty Springfield "Dusty in Memphis", Jeff Buckley "Grace", Beastie Boys "Ill Communication", Miles Davis "Kind of Blue", Funkadelic "Maggot Brain", Dire Straits "Brothers in Arms", Beck "Sea Change", Steely Dan "Aja", Peter Gabriel "So" and Jefferson Airplane "Surrealistic Pillow".

[@TooManyRecords]

Some solid picks. A few almost made this list!

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Can't argue much with your list. I'd throw in some Neil Young and Jethro Tull.

[@everytimeidad]

I think this is actually a really solid “essentials” list. The only thing I would add would probably be Black Sabbath - Vol 4

[@TooManyRecords]

Sabbath could be on one of these lists for sure... but which one?! You could make arguments for Paranoid too.

[@moisesperez5997]

@@TooManyRecords I’d say paranoid because of its commercial hits. Even tho you can argue self titled because of its heaviness, or even masters of reality.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

​@@TooManyRecords Their first record, and Mob Rules and Heaven and Hell Dio era Sabbath. Good shit.

[@rich_t]

Master of Reality.

[@SlambosCarofIdiots]

Of course, "essential" is based on the type of collection that you want to build. For a comedy collection like mine, the list is entirely different and would (if I made the list) include acts like Weird Al Yankovic, Bob Newhart, Spike Jones and Monty Python. Oh, and my score on your list is 2. I have both Songs From The Big Chair and Dark Side of the Moon, but on CD.

[@tylersquanto8938]

No Ween, They Might Be Giants, or Frank Zappa?

[@SlambosCarofIdiots]

@@tylersquanto8938 I've almost got a complete TMBG collection (my copy of BOOK is on its way to me right now, and there are only a couple others I'm missing), I'm building my Zappa collection, but haven't started with Ween at all yet.

[@tylersquanto8938]

@@SlambosCarofIdiots Ween’s vinyl is hard to find. They really should reissue it

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Steve Martin, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Edddie Murphy, Cheech and Chong and early Bill Cosby as well. And let's not forget Sam Kinison and The Diceman.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

​@@tylersquanto8938 Very acquired tastes. Not for everyone.

[@324cmac]

My picks: What's Going on - Marvin Gaye. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Black Messiah - D'Angelo. Grace - Jeff Buckley. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis. Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix.

[@richardlawrence6749]

6 - Dark Side of the Moon, Pet Sounds, Getz/Gilberto, Rumours, To Pimp a Butterfly & Songs From the Big Chair

[@rEdf196]

I have two Beach Boys Pet Sounds LP,s one is a mono pressing from Simply Vinyl from early 2000’s and a Capitol stereo pressing version from late 2000’s.

[@ajmhobby]

Good video. So many essential records you missed. Miles Davis “Kind Of Blue”, Dave Brubeck “Time Out”, Michael Jackson “Thriller”, Toto “Toto IV” and Blood, Sweat & Tears self titled to name a few.

[@TooManyRecords]

I agree. Tons I missed. There were only 20 to talk about, so there were bound to be ones left out.

[@andyshacks7812]

Great to see Massive Attack on the list. Mezzanine is good but I think Blue Lines is better. That’s just my humble opinion. And oh the Beach Boys! God Only Knows is one of my favourite songs of all time ! Will be checking Getz/Gilbert and the Zombies if only for that cover lol Great vid Matt. Look forward to part 2 sometime. 👍

[@TooManyRecords]

I love Blue Lines too! Mezz just edges it out a bit.

[@jessesmith555]

I have 14/20 1. Pink Floyd 2. The Beatles 3. The Beach Boys 4. Bob Dylan 5. David Bowie 6. Fleetwood Mac 7. Kendrick Lamar 8. Notorious B.I.G. 9. Massive Attack 10. Nirvana 11. Radiohead 12. Led Zeppelin 13. The Zombies 14. Tears For Fears

[@TooManyRecords]

Solid list!! You're so close.

[@mrguyinthesky1]

Great video Matt! I would happily watch another installment!

[@TooManyRecords]

Thanks Parker! If this one does well, there likely will be another!

[@trevorprivratsky]

Yankee hotel foxtrot is one of the first that come to mind for me. Great list, I own a handful and there are a couple I’ve never listened to

[@johnroseaz1]

Another expert on KZbin conceptualizing played to death albums by Pink Floyd, Beatles, Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac, Kendrick Lamar, Neutral Milk Hotel, Massive Attack, Kanye, Nirvana, Zep, Tears For Fears etc. Heavy!

[@blaster1093]

Here's my version of the essential Top 10 .... 1. Abbey Road (Beatles) 2. Led Zeppelin IV (Led Zeppelin) 3. Hotel California (Eagles) 4. Who's Next (The Who) 5. Rumours (Fleetwood Mac) 6. The Stranger (Billy Joel) 7. Machine Head (Deep Purple) 8. Disraeli Gears (Cream) 9. The Dark Side Of The Moon (Pink Floyd) 10. Deja Vu (Crosby Stills Nash & Young)

[@gregsnarke610]

I just collect vinyl records for the ones that I’m looking for that make me happy 😃 I’m not doing for any body else just for me!

[@DocJJohnson]

Great list...

[@JoeyMannino]

I need that Tears for Fears album. And I can't believe I'm a huge Billie fan and don't own her debut on vinyl. Just don't want the glow in the dark I guess and that's the only one I ever see out in the wild. If I could add one record to your list, I'd add Funeral by Arcade Fire!

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

I've owned a glow in the dark album, and a clear album and they sounded great. It's all about the Mastering and Press, not the color. Although picture disks sound like crap, usually.

[@niklassvensson6543]

Hey Matt. What pressing do you have of Odessey and Oracle? When you read reviews on Discogs there seems to be a liitle bit of hit and miss. Thanks.

[@TooManyRecords]

I'd have to double check next time I'm home. I think it's a repress from the 2000s, honestly. I'd like to grab an original.| MOFI or AP should really do a version.

[@thearchivechannel466]

at one point i had a og of ziggy stardust with the shrink, but i decided to give it to a close friend of mine. man, what a dumb move. i still wish i had that ziggy stardust pressing. but one day, i will buy ziggy stardust again

[@pauldemars2891]

Music is subjective, isn’t it? I love your list and I agree with a lot of these. For me, you need more metal and jazz though. I love hearing others take on the hobby of record collecting. Cheers!

[@Franfarts]

Subbed as soon as you said animals is your favorite pink floyd aha. Great list

[@TooManyRecords]

🐷🐷🐷

[@DannerPlace]

Needs... 1. Gene Parsons - Kindling 2. Ozark Mountain Daredevils - Men From Earth 3. Steve Goodman - Somebody Else's Troubles

[@podcastwasmitrockundvinyl9387]

Great Great Choice. Halleluja.

[@verseessential]

you were so correct on the Fleetwood mac rumors album. The song "you make loving fun" has brought me to tears because of makes me think of my wife and my mom a lot. I got a orifial press copy for 8 bucks. I love that album.

[@EzaVinylAddict]

For newbies to the hobby I have a great tip with respect to Beatles records. I find th best way to clean Beatles records is using a belt sander it immediately makes them sound better.

[@ThiKu]

Three. Abbey Road, Rumours, DSOTM. Gonna go check out Eva Cassidy and Zombies right now. Illinoise is already in my must-buy list as are loads of others in here 👍

[@timmydnb]

Nice well rounded list. I have 11 of 20. These sorts of essentials list are so hard to pair down, so nice work!

[@TooManyRecords]

Thank you!! I could easily do another part.

[@TimFerber]

I just got into collecting vinyls, my first one was kavinskys outrun, followed by his Nightcall EP, Parcels: Parcels, Parcels: Tideuprightnow 7" and Skylar Spence's Prom King (Gold Vinyl edition) . I don't need to buy the essentials for now, as my father has more vinyls as I can count, there are every essential albums. But I will start picking those classics up, if I see them used and for a decent price.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

You know what is VERY essential? That you stop calling them vinyls! The are records, ir albums, or LPs which are made of vinyl.

[@carywhitt]

I own all of these. Props for including mezzanine. Some misses for me so you get a 12/20. I think you missed any representation of a punk/post punk record (Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures, Talking Heads Remain in Light, The Clash’s London Calling, Television’s Marquee Moon, etc…) I would’ve included a Stones, Stevie, Black Sabbath, and/or Kinks record. Also Kind of Blue needs to be on every list, despite it’s extreme popularity and accessibility. But about the list at hand: Sufjan - not really “essential” at all Nirvana - it’s a better call just to grab Nevermind, picking Unplugged is like picking a greatest hits. Billie Eilish - Nah, I’d give it at least another decade Eva Cassidy - Nope, there are way better options in that style/genre

[@TooManyRecords]

I'd love to hear the way better option in Eva's genre

[@carywhitt]

@@TooManyRecords Jeff Buckley for one, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones…

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

You cant talk Punk without Descendents/ALL, Black Flag, Fugazi, Ramones or Sex Pistols. Essential.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Tell us what you REALLY think, lol. Nothing wrong with a greatest hits package dude, however they are acoustic arrangements and contains odd covers and deep cuts, so it's not really a hits album. I'll take In Utero over Nevermind, it's just way too played out.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

​@@carywhitt Nora Jones first album is so fuckin sultry and sexy. Not to mention she was stunningly beautiful. She's Ravi Shankar's granddaughter.

[@taillightsandtachometers5861]

I only own 3 of the records on this list on vinyl, great list

[@TooManyRecords]

Which ones??

[@taillightsandtachometers5861]

@@TooManyRecords Abbey Road, Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, and Dark Side of The Moon

[@christophervehon9554]

*takes notes* Lots of great titles here. Rumors is my all-time favorite album. Never gets old, and reading about what the band was going through at the time brings a whole new appreciation. Definitely picking a couple of these titles up this weekend. (Minus Radiohead. Just can't get into them)

[@TooManyRecords]

Let me know which ones you grab and if you like 'em! As for Radiohead, what albums have you tried?

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

For me Fake Plastic Trees and Creep are their only good songs.

[@uvafan940]

Songbird is not the only Eva Cassidy album to own. All of them sound good. Amazing voice and recorded very well.

[@vidform]

Great list. A few other great albums are: "Live It Up" by The Isley Brothers (1974) "Rhapsody In White" by Barry White/The Love Unlimited Orchestra (1973) "Super Fly" by Curtis Mayfield (1972) "Shaft" by Isaac Hayes (1971) "Car Wash" by Rose Royce (1976) "Method To The Madness" by The Undisputed Truth (1975) "Perfect Angel" by Minnie Ripperton (1974) and obviously "Purple Rain" by Prince (1984) and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (1982).

[@mikeoliver7261]

I like your style but how could you forget Stevie Wonder 'Innervisions,' 'The Best of Otis Redding' Al Green' Greatest Hits, James Brown 'Live at the Apollo, Thin Lizzy "Jailbreak,' and Jimi Hendrix 'Smash Hits.(And anything by Aretha.'

[@rorymannix4544]

Great video Matt, have a couple and appreciate the objectively of the list. I'd have put in Damned Damned Damned by The Damned - not my favourite or the best but a great I introduction to British punk.

[@TooManyRecords]

I don't doubt, but I feel like punk is a genre that is fairly polarizing. I tried to keep the hip hop as albums that are widely accessible. The only real accessible punk to ALL is probably The Clash

[@steam_jane5580]

Music is just like any art you can no more think for a person, than you can decide their taste for them. Saying that you can still acknowledge the importance of certain artists or vinyls to an era or way a genera went etc without having to like it.

[@benjagzz]

Really cool video! Please make another one. I have 5/20

[@thejoojooman6538]

4 pure sonic brilliance here R my 20: Michael Jackson - Thriller Eagles - Hotel California Dire Straits - Dire Straits Rufus & Chaka Khan - Live...Stompin' At The Savoy Cameo - Knights Of The Sound Table Fleetwood Mac - Rumours Prince - 1999 The Time - What Time Is It? Stevie Wonder - Hotter Than July Quincy Jones - Back On The Block Superman OST Steely Dan - Aja Brothers Johnson - BLAM! Miles Davis - On The Corner Breakin' OST Run DMC - Raising Hell AC/DC - Back In Black Miles Davis - Tutu Crusaders - Street Life Earth Wind & Fire - All 'n All

[@TooManyRecords]

Some great picks for sure on here. I'd say 1999 and Raising Hell could be on a future version of this list.

[@KeithTaylorPhoto]

Thank you for bringing Eva Cassidy to my attention. Her voice is angelic.

[@johnmarkzimm]

OMG, I am listing to “To pimp a butterfly”! It’s amazing. Thanks

[@lawdood]

Fantastic video Matt, I have 19 outta 20 of those all except Eva Cassidy but I do have Songbird on CD somewhere. Thanks for reminding me I need to hunt down a vinyl copy. All in all a well rounded list and would love to see another installment.

[@TooManyRecords]

Thank you!! Let's see how this one does ;)

[@timbaldwin6283]

Loved your 'essential list'. I'm an old dog so it was helpful in discovering the few newer ones that i do not own.

[@visualspark6308]

Would definitely throw Joni Mitchell in there as well. Hejira and Blue are essential folk albums.

[@gfyne1893]

I will buy all of these! Don't forget the beauty of metal on vinyl too

[@TooManyRecords]

Maybe there'll be some if I ever do a part 2 ;)

[@jacko250]

My essential 20 are: Bad Brains - Bad Brains For Your Pleasure - Roxy Music Glassworks - Philip Glass Harvest - Neil Young Heartwork - Carcass Igor - Tyler the Creator Kind of Blue - Miles Davis The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest Nonagon Infinity - King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Oxygène - Jean-Michel Jarre Parallel Lines - Blondie Revolver - The Beatles Second Edition - Public Image Ltd Selected Ambient Works 85-92 - Aphex Twin Songs in the Key of Life - Stevie Wonder Strawberry Jam - Animal Collective To Be Kind - Swans Tubular Bells - Mike Oldfield Unknown Pleasure - Joy Division The Velvet Underground & Nico - The Velvet Underground These are all a pleasure to experience on vinyl :)

[@yellowdacrous8431]

Where'd you get the pet sounds? Looked up analog productions and couldn't find one

[@TooManyRecords]

Their site before it went out of stock :(

[@yellowdacrous8431]

@@TooManyRecords alright thank you : (

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

Wait until it comes back. Its probably the best reissue out there.

[@natalie_rose2861]

IMO the only albums I think should be considered essential are your all time favs & maybe some bigger hits of your fav genres. For example, I listen mostly to pop punk, pop, alternative, & a variety of bands from the early 2000s so like my essentials genre wise would be: •Green Day, American Idiot •P!ATD, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out •FOB, Cork Tree •blink 182, Untitled •MCR, The Black Parade •TØP, Blurryface •Neck Deep, Life's Not Out To Get You •Taylor Swift, 1989 & Red •Lady Gaga, The Fame •Katy Perry, Teenage Dream •Sum 41, All Killer No Filler •Dua Lipa, Future Nostalgia •Paramore, Riot

[@shinrasboy]

I dig the list and have a few of them that definitely fall into my essentials too. I would throw in a bid for Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders and Fugees - The Score. Mostly buy jazz and Brazilian but if anyone’s trying to get in there I’d throw these: Definitely agree with your choices. Some of my essentials are: ※ Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue ※ Miles Davis - Kind of Blue ※ Chet Baker - Chet Baker Sings ※ John Coltrane - Blue Train ※ Gal Costa - (1969 Self-titled) ※ Idealism - Growth (okay not jazz but you need lofi right so that’s probably a great start)

[@TooManyRecords]

These are great picks and wow @ Growth, that is such a great record. A top 5 lofi for sure.

[@henrym6411]

I have two! OK Computer and Abbey Road. I do wanna get Billie and Bowie eventually☺️

[@TooManyRecords]

B and B, Bay-Bee!

[@grapefruitplussoda]

I need to go buy that Tears for Fears album. Long overdue. Is there a pressing that sounds best?

[@TooManyRecords]

Original press sounds amazing.

[@carywhitt]

I have a Japanese, original and a Mofi pressing. The mofi is the best sounding and is probably easier find in nm condition these days.

[@ajmhobby]

I also recommend the MoFi over the original. I have both and the MoFi sounds fuller.

[@Gabesmusicdiscography]

No particular order: Ween-The Mollusk Jane’s Addiction- Ritual de lo Habitual LCD Soundsystem-American Dream DJ Shadow-Entroducing Sonic Youth-Daydream Nation Tool-Lateralus Shellac-At Action Park Swans-To Be Kind Miles Davis-Bitches Brew Tropical Fuck Storm-A Laughing Death in Meatspace John Coltrane-A Love Supreme Minor Threat-Complete Discography NIN-Downward Spiral Radiohead-Hail to the Thief GNR-Appetite for Destruction Yeah Yeah Yeah’s-Show Your Bones Sigur Ros-() Thursday-Full Collapse Beastie Boys-Check Your Head Wookiefoot-Out of the Jar

[@TooManyRecords]

I'm shook that your LCD pick is American Dream LOL

[@Gabesmusicdiscography]

@@TooManyRecords i know we disagree on LCD. TBH, I had never heard of them until AD. Maybe that gives me a little newbie forgiveness?

[@APaulMyers]

Thanks, man. I didn't know about Eva Cassidy. Nice discovery. Keep it up.

[@slapshot0417]

Headhunters herbie hancock, john barleycorn must die traffic, american beauty grateful dead.... even if you dont like the dead that album is a masterpiece

[@TheRenard10]

I am a vinyl fan. I've been purchasing online, or in a store/thrift shop for nearly 12 years. I have over 400!!!

[@tacobor]

I LOVE that you picked the top 2 albums from 1966. Blond On Blond was the number one album the day I was born. There is not one single song I can think of that doesn't get daily radio airplay. I've literally never heard an album that solid. The Cars debut comes close. You need to see the Sound City documentary. It goes into the Rumours recording in depth. Spoiler: I'm glad Dave Grohl now owns the board Rumours and so many other great albums were recorded on that board.

[@BJWanlund]

I’ve listened to 7 of them (but not on vinyl): Kendrick TPAB, Billie Eilish (I think she sounds like Enya), Led Zep IV, OK Computer, Illinoise, Rumours and Pet Sounds. I only own Pet Sounds, but the mono/stereo CD version.

[@saxonjulin7482]

I’ll have to check out Eva Cassidy. Very proud of you for including Tears For Fears. They don’t get enough credit

[@TooManyRecords]

Eva's going to blow your mind.

[@user-sw4qd2up2s]

Actually that album gets decent love online. I can tell you more people like it now than when it first came out. It was considered new wave pop and rock people hated it, me included. Now I love that album.

[@jamesburke2311]

If you only have one copy of Pet Sounds it should be a mono pressing. Brian Wilson was deaf in one ear, mono is the way he heard it and it's the way you should too.

[@juliakirkpatrick9429]

Great choices and a great shirt!

[@TooManyRecords]

;)

[@adrianstafford321]

Love this channel. Learn so much,thank you.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Awesome list man. Thanks so much

[@wallerrecords4103]

I'm glad someone agrees with me about Tears For Fears. Musically and lyrically that album is pure genius, as is Sowing The Seeds of Love. Pet Sounds goes without saying. It's the greatest record ever made. Not much on the newer stuff so I don't have an opinion either way, but if you're gonna go back to the 60s and 70s, you gotta have What's Going On, Are You Experienced, and The Doors (self-titled).

[@memyselfmyvinyl894]

The Tears for Fears RSD live album is great. Its from 1985 right when they were at their height of popularity. It was top 2 on my want list and was so happy to grab a copy of it.

[@Lozhedgehog]

Totally agree with Billie Eilish, it's a sort of shouldn't like but do like, but as you say it's amazingly produced and not what I expected for a US teen girl singer. Awesome. Again, not my usual stuff (1970/80 rock/metal) I reckon Tracy Chapman ST is worthy of any must have list, beautiful vocals, musicianship and the original pressing sounds simply awesome. Thanks for the channel, love it 🤘

[@TooManyRecords]

I'm so bummed that the Tracy Chapman album has gotten so pricey lately, I neglected to pick it up...

[@tomdecola5988]

Have half what you spoke of and of the other half definitely going to pick up several of them. Great list of the essentials. I always see neutral milk hotel and have always stopped myself from picking up but will definitely give it a chance now.

[@TooManyRecords]

It's an amazing journey. The lyrics are such bizarre poertry.

[@damonodonnell7867]

YES!!!!! Songs from the Big Chair is a must have for sure!!. I have also picked up Tears For Fears RSD release. It's deffs worth checking out considering its a live show from the Song from the Big Chair tour.

[@TooManyRecords]

Yes, I have it en route to me via mail. I can't wait to hear it!

[@damonodonnell7867]

@@TooManyRecords You're gonna love it :)