10.) Exile on Main Street-The Rolling Stones
Alongside #4 on this list, this is one of the two greatest double albums ever released. Loose and ambitious at the same time, Exile demonstrates a band on the top of its game, effortlessly delving into New Orleans blues ("Rip This Joint"), psychedelic soul ("I Just Want To See His Face"), country ("Torn & Frayed") and even gospel ("Shine A Light"). Beginning to end, this is the Stones' magnum opus, a work that sounds stunning on the first listen and still manages to grow on you on every conditional spin.
9.) Elephant-The White Stripes
No album blew me away on the first listen quite like Elephant. Maybe because it's just so damnheavy. Of course, there's "Seven Nation Army," the rock anthem of the new millennium. But there's so much more to Elephant: the blues-rock epic "Ball and Biscuit" is as explosive as anything you'll hear from a rock band today, as is the Burt Bacharach cover "I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself" and the paranoid "Little Acorns." And when you think it might be hard rock overkill, Jack White gets all tender on your ass (see: "You've Got Her In Your Pocket"). If White Blood Cells and was their breakthrough, this is their confirmation: Elephant establishes the White Stripes as one of the most electrifying acts in rock music today.
8.) Houses of the Holy-Led Zeppelin
The highlights stick out immediately: the amazing boogie rock of "Dancing Days," the band's unique take on reggae on "D'yer Mak'er," and "The Ocean," one of Jimmy Page's greatest moments as a guitarist. But what perhaps makes Houses of the Holy so remarkable is what each band member brings to the table, supporting my belief that Led Zeppelin is the single most talented collection of rock musicians to ever play together. John Paul Jones' haunting arrangements on "No Quarter," Page's work on "The Ocean," John Bonham's insanely complicated drumming on "The Crunge," and Robert Plant's vocals on "D'yer Mak'er" are prime examples.Fans and critics often call Led Zeppelin IV/ZOSO the band's greatest work, but I beg to differ. Houses of the Holy is not only Led Zeppelin's most eclectic album, but also, I find, their most rewarding.
