In the November of 2008, the Deftones were most of the way through completing 'Eros', which was to be their sixth album. However, bass player Chi Cheng became involved in a car accident that left him in a coma that he still hasn't completely woken from and plans changed. Putting 'Eros' on the backburner until Cheng is well enough to be able to complete the album, the band instead recruited Sergio Vega to fill in, and recorded an album of all new material. 'Diamond Eyes' is that album, and it's a satisfying return to form for the band whose previous two albums were disappointments. In contrast to their current state after dealing with their friends' near death, the lyrics of the album are some of the most optimistic that they've ever recorded.
Best Songs: Diamond Eyes; Rocket Skates
233) Queen - Sheer Heart Attack (1974)
The image on the cover of this album is obscene. Seriously... it looks like they've all just collapsed in exhaustion after a particularly strenuous orgy. Look at their faces! The expressions, and the sweat! Knowing Freddie Mercury's promiscuous reputation, it wouldn't surprise me if that's exactly what it is.
Anyway... music. Yes. This album is among Queen's very best with classics like 'Killer Queen' and 'Now I'm Here' in the tracklist, as well as some great lesser known tracks like 'Stone Cold Crazy'.
Best Songs: Killer Queen; Now I'm Here
232) Queens Of The Stone Age - Songs For The Deaf (2002)
The follow-up to the breakthrough (and dare I say, overrated) 'Rated R', is the album that put Queens Of The Stone Age firmly on the map, thanks to the participation of Dave Grohl on drums, and the hit single, 'No One Knows'. The final album until later this year to feature bass player Nick Oliveri, whose firing after a falling out with Josh Homme led to a lot of criticism. What a lot of people didn't realise is that Oliveri didn't join the band until recording had been completed on their debut album which was recorded entirely by Homme and drummer Alfredo Hernandez... so he was evidently not as vital to the band's sound as people thought. Musically, 'Songs For The Deaf' is my favourite of QOTSA's albums so far, but I'm hopeful that their next release will better it.
Best Songs: No One Knows; A Song For The Dead
231) The Presidents Of The United States Of America - These Are The Good Times, People! (2008)
The last album from PUSA actually manages to be their best, despite the absence of founding member Dave Dederer. They still have an uncanny knack of being able to write songs about absolutely anything (including one about a balloon floating away after a kid lets go of it, and one about a butterfly they found drowning in petrol at a truckstop), and again they prove that not everyone in Seattle is so damn serious all the time.
Best Songs: Loose Balloon; Deleter
230) Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral (1994)
Released a month before the suicide of Kurt Cobain, this album made Nine Inch Nails one of the three bands in the wake of that tragic event to kind of "replace" grunge as the voice of the generation. Combining the distorted electronic sound effects of industrial music, the loud guitars of metal, and the soul-searching lyrics and pained vocals of gothic rock, NIN forged ahead with one of the most unique sounds in the last 30 years. Nearly 20 years after 'The Downward Spiral', and after many people attempting to imitate them, there's still no one quite like them. I say them, but one of the most impressive things about NIN records is that they are 99% the sole work of half of my internet namesake, Trent Reznor, who merely brings in collaborators as needed (in this including then-frequent collaborator Chris Vrenna, former King Crimson and David Bowie guitarist Adrian Belew, Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, famed producer "Flood", and the band of that time's touring members Danny Lohner and Charlie Clouser). One of the things I always loved about NIN is that each album sounded different, but even within this album, a lot of people would be surprised that songs like 'March Of The Pigs' and 'Hurt' could come from the same band.
Best Songs: Piggy; March Of The Pigs
229) Led Zeppelin - Physical Graffiti (1975)
This will be the only Led Zeppelin album on this list for the reason that I'm only including full albums that I've heard. Zeppelin are one of the few band's to still not allow their music to stream on Spotify, and after getting stung a few times I have a thing against buying albums that I don't know I'm going to like... and illegal downloading is a big no-no for me. So I have to make do with the Best Of collection I have and 'Physical Graffiti', the band's sixth studio album and a solid collection of blues-based rock 'n' roll.
Best Songs: Trampled Under Foot; Kashmir
228) Aerosmith - Music From Another Dimension! (2012)
Most people have a preference for either "classic" Aerosmith - the influential hard rock band that released some of the best records in the 1970's - or "modern" Aerosmith - the commercial pop-rock group responsible for some of the most popular rock ballads in the world. So 'Music For Another Dimension!' is a confusing record, because instead of catering to one or the other, they decided to split the album down the middle... one half music that sounds more like the stuff they did in the 70's, and one half sounding like their 90's selves. This means that almost everyone was disappointed, except for people like me, who happens to like both... one of the songs that most influenced me to check into the band and later most of the music I listen to now was 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing'... that song was playing as my wife walked down the aisle. So yeah. This album has been almost universally panned, but I love it.
Best Songs: LUV XXX; Street Jesus
227) Foo Fighters - In Your Honour (2005)
Double album from Dave Grohl and co. with disc one concentrating on the band's heavier side, and the other half delving into almost experimental, acoustic music. One of the most surprising highlights of the album is 'Virginia Moon', featuring a collaboration with jazz singer Norah Jones.
Best Songs: Free Me; Virginia Moon
226) Bob Marley & The Wailers - Natty Dread (1974)
The first album to be released as Bob Marley & The Wailers (they were previously known as simply The Wailers), this is Bob Marley's finest hour.
Best Songs: Lively Up Yourself; No Woman, No Cry
225) Thin Lizzy - Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979)
The ninth album by Thin Lizzy, considered by some to be the band's last true classic.
Best Songs: Waiting For An Alibi; Roisin Dubh (Black Rose): A Rock Legend
224) The Pretty Reckless - Light Me Up (2010)
Former actress, Taylor Momsen who was best known for her roles in Gossip Girl (which I've never seen), and as Cindy Lou Who in The Grinch, is someone I can't take too seriously. She seems to think that what it takes to be a "rock chick" is to be as offensive as possible, and flash her only recently legal tits at every opportunity. It's a shame, because she can genuinely sing. I first became aware of The Pretty Reckless whilst walking out of the cinema at the end of Kick-Ass, and was so intrigued I looked up the soundtrack and was shocked to find out who they were. The Pretty Reckless' music is often blues-based, trashy garage punk, and at points veers into nu-metal territory. I'm interested in hearing what the band have in store for the future, and am hopeful that Taylor will realise that she doesn't have to overcompensate with crazy antics.
Best Songs: Make Me Wanna Die; You
223) Nightwish - Over The Hills And Far Away (2001)
An EP from the Finnish symphonic metal band, featuring a cover of the Gary Moore song as the title track.
Best Song: 10th Man Down
222) The Cure - The Head On The Door (1985)
Sixth album from the goth rock legends. 'In Between Days' is among my favourite songs.
Best Songs: In Between Days; A Night Like This
221) Bumblefoot - Uncool (2002)
A strange album by the extraordinary guitarist that combines his usual rock/metal style with that of lounge music. It's a surprisingly effective combination, too, with crooned vocals suddenly turning into a heavy metal assault with no warning on songs like 'T-Jonez'. Other than the songs mentioned below, other highlights include two covers... 'What's New Pussycat?', and a punky version of 'Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You'.
Best Songs: Kiss The Ring; Delilah
220) Jeff Beck Group - Truth (1968)
Before joining The Faces, Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood were members of Jeff Beck's eponymous Jeff Beck Group. This album of mostly covers is one the highlights of the 60's.
Best Songs: Shapes Of Things; You Shook Me
219) The Black Crowes - Southern Harmony And Musical Companion (1992)
The second and best album by The Black Crowes, featuring 'Remedy', the definitive Black Crowes track.
Best Songs: Remedy; Thorn In My Pride
218) Skunk Anansie - Post Orgasmic Chill (1999)
Skunk Anansie's final album before breaking up for 10 years. It's the best of the albums of their's that I've heard (still haven't heard their second album, 'Stoosh').
Best Songs: Charlie Big Potato; You'll Follow Me Down; I'm Not Afraid
217) Slayer - Reign In Blood (1986)
I'm not a huge Slayer fan, and mostly consider them to be too samey, only ever going as hard and as fast as possible. However, it's hard to argue against this, their third album, being anything less than a speed metal masterpiece. In less than 30 minutes, 'Reign In Blood' throws so much aggression at you, that it's hard to take if you're not in the mood for such things, and definitely not for the faint of heart. I definitely don't understand the people who only listen to this band, but this album is pretty much as metal as it's possible to get.
Best Songs: Angel Of Death; Raining Blood
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