Being my last BASD ECHO, I’ve decided to list my top-ten albums of all time. Here are my personal favorites crossing all genres and decades . . . Enjoy . . .
Norman ••••••• Rockwell! - Lana del Rey (2019)
Favorite Track: The Greatest
Featuring some of the finest lyricism and production of this century, NFR established Lana del Rey as one of the greatest living songwriters. Her vocals never sounded better than this album, and thanks to co-production from Jack Antonoff, del Rey effectively pinpoints her best possible sound, and NFR as an execution is a perfect example of that. A 16 track comment on American culture, love, sadness, and legacy, NFR allows Lana del Rey to be the best version of herself she can be.
Ray of Light - Madonna (1998)
Favorite Track: Ray of Light
Ray of Light cemented Madonna’s legacy as the queen of pop, and was the comeback album that allowed her to remain relevant 40 years into her career. Its sound is still fresh even for today, and her vocals on the album are the best they would ever be. Vastly more introspective than her previous works, Ray of Light was as influential on the pop culture scene as it was the music scene, which is another aspect that has always been important to Madonna's music.
Magdalene - FKA twigs (2019)
Favorite Track: Cellophane
Magdalene is an almost musical renaissance painting, home to stellar production and twigs’s awesome operatic vocals. FKA twigs manages to seamlessly mix the experimental electronic production with stunning symphony production making each track stand out while still sounding cohesive. Magdalene, like all of twigs’s work, is paired with phenomenal music videos and visual art that adds to the album’s aura even more.
The Turning Wheel - Spellling (2021)
Favorite Track: Boys at School
One of the most distinguished examples of synth pop in the last 20 years, The Turning Wheel is full of immaculate vocals, intricate and layered production, and out of the ordinary musical themes. Former elementary school teacher Chrystia Cabral AKA Spellling, takes her experience as a Bay area teacher and juxtaposes it into her music, making the already amazing music even more fascinating. The Turning Wheel’s strengths lie in its unusual approach to song structure, Cabral’s vocal mannerisms, and new age feel.
Fetch The Bolt Cutters - Fiona Apple (2020)
Favorite Track: Cosmonauts
Fiona Apple’s fifth yet best album, Fetch The Bolt Cutters, is a response to the feeling of confinement during the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic and the emotions she was forced to face in the light of it. Apple’s lyrical compositions take center stage on this album, being filled to the brim with quick and wordy lyrics that really should not fit in a song, yet Apple does it flawlessly. Completely recorded and produced in her home, the album features guest appearances from pots, pans, and her dogs, adding to the scrappy and familiar feel of the album.
De Todas las Flores - Natalia Lafourcade (2022)
Favorite Track: Vine solita
Although I unfortunately cannot understand a single word of this album, I don’t need to for it to be one of my favorites. Lafourcade’s mixture of classical, slow jazz, Spanish folk, and flamenco make for a beautiful listen. Her vocals are mixed in a way that makes you feel like you’re in the studio with her. There are also a number of tracks on the album that go past the six minute mark and allow for instrumental breaks that sink you further and further into the album’s vibe.
Living in the USA - Linda Ronstadt (1978)
Favorite Track: Back in the U.S.A.
One of my favorite vocalists of the 70s and 80s, Ronstadt's Living in the USA is heralded as her comeback album after a slight lull in her career. Most of Living in the USA was actually covers of earlier songs, like the first track, Back in the USA, a 1962 Chuck Berry track. Despite this, her phenomenal vocals and the fun Americana production have earned it a spot on my list. I find myself coming back to this album frequently for the vibe.
Vespertine - Bjork (2001)
Favorite Track: Unison
Electronic music pioneer Bjork's fourth album, Vespertine, is the highlight of her career—and of music in general. Vespertine relies on subdued beats deemed “microbeats” by Bjork and choral arrangements to give the music a more intimate and quiet atmosphere. The music also was made to be performed in opera houses as opposed to concert venues, and so that's where Bjork toured: opera houses. Vespertine was the first of its kind and arguably the best of its kind in the electronic music scene, and its acclaim is easily warranted.
Emotion - Carly Rae Jepsen (2015)
Favorite Track: Emotion
The greatest contemporary pop album, Emotion pushed Carly Rae Jepsen from one-hit wonder to pop music savior with a loyal fan base despite still not making it all that big. Emotion showed the music community Jepsen’s maturity and drive to create meaningful pop music, qualities rarely found in pop. Emotion is ever so slightly influenced by the synths and music of the 80s, but only enough to give it a fresh sound in an era defined by EDM and “emotionless” music.
The Sensual World - Kate Bush (1989)
Favorite Track: This Woman’s Work
Although swept under the rug due to the success of her previous album, Hounds of Love, Bush’s The Sensual World is easily the pop legend's greatest work. Bush’s vocals were at the peak of their ability in 1989, and she had refined her music production to its cleanest point. The Sensual World is still very much an 80’s sounding album, yet it does not succumb to the overbearing glimmer of many 80s pop albums. Instead, Bush put her theatrical spin on the sound creating a timeless piece of work.