The best thing to come out of Covid was the publication, by Joe Williams, of his top 50 albums of all time. This has inspired me to write my own list (with far less thought and in far less depth). Here it is. On another day some of these might move around by a few places, but here's where I'm at right now.
50 - Dance - Santiago
One of the most niche on this list, Santiago were a band of teenagers from Durham, a couple of whom I knew through church connections. This is just a really great album from a promising group of young musicians.
49 - Out of Nothing - Embrace
Typical indie-pop, but there’s nothing wrong with that. While no song is outstanding, no song is bad. Ashes is probably the highlight.
48 - Rising with the Sun - Cat Empire
Not really my usual fare, but I will happily listen to most of their stuff. This is the first album of theirs I got into. Track 7, Bataclan, is phenomenal.
47 - Welcome to the Rock’n’Roll Worship Circus - The Rock’n’Roll Worship Circus
A mouthful of a name, but really quite appropriate for their music. Some really great tracks including Loving You, Glorify the Son, The Undiscovered and Everybody Awake. I listened to a lot of Christian music in my youth and they remain probably the most unique.
46 - Falling Down - Steve
Aside from the might of Delirious, for several years Steve was my next favourite Christian band. There are now several other albums of this ilk above them in this list, but Falling Down retains a place in my heart.
45 - Teenager - The Thrills
A recent entry (the first of two in this list) following their mention by Joe Williams in his own top 50 list. Simply a lot of fun to listen to.
44 - Jars of Clay - Jars of Clay
A little more acoustic than my usual tastes but still deserving of its place here. Nothing is bad here, Liquid is excellent and Worlds Apart is on the list of ‘contenders for greatest song ever’.
43 - Spirals - Tom and Olly
A Christian artist though not necessarily a Christian album. Acoustic guitars plus rap. And a knack for outstanding melodies - very catchy and enjoyable.
42 - Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Take Me Out is one of the most iconic songs of my lifetime. Possibly the track that most encapsulates my formational university years. The rest of the album is great too.
41 - Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park
The most metal album on this list, and heavier than what I’d normally go for. But those who know metal know how highly Linkin Park’s debut is thought of. It’s an obvious choice, but In The End is the standout track amongst many strong ones.
40 - Pushing the Senses - Feeder
It’s hard to say exactly why this is in this list. Aside from Morning Life, which is excellent, the songs are simply ‘fine to good’. But for some reason I keep listening to it. Easy to listen to, energetic but with softer moments.
39 - Rumours - Fleetwood Mac
What more can be said? Of all the albums here this is the most famous and most highly-acclaimed. Also the one which is on here on the strength of its objective excellence as much as my personal taste - though I do also enjoy it. Go your own way and The Chain are the standouts.
38 - Burn Out - Cathy Burton
Another Christian artist but not an explicitly Christian album (though others of hers are). I love her voice. The songs are really solid, and Hollow is hauntingly beautiful.
37 - A Day Without Rain - Enya
Enya has always been special to me and this is the album with the greatest concentration of loveliness. Wild Child, Only Time, Flora’s Secret and One by One are highlights.
36 - Dog Man Star - Suede
The second recent entry from Joe’s list, read his review for full details. The first half is banger after banger (aside from the weaker Daddy’s Speeding) and the second half isn’t a massive decline from that.
35 - Bad Blood - Bastille
I discovered Bastille by accident listening to a much less well-known band (see #33), when Pompeii happened to be number 2 in the charts. I listened to a couple of other songs online and quickly ordered the album. Possibly my shortest lag-time between hearing an artist and buying the album. A good decision; lots of great songs here.
34 - A Rush of Blood to the Head - Coldplay
Not much to say that hasn’t been said by others. I joined the Coldplay bandwagon early and this was the high point. Although Fix You is their next song, In My Place is second and this album is their strongest overall.
33 - Cannibals with Cutlery - To Kill a King
The artist I was listening to when I discovered Bastille, who featured in the music video for TKAK’s best song, Choices. These guys are proper musicians and this is their best album by far. Cold Skin is another epic highlight.
32 - The Man Who - Travis
I remember playing this a lot in the car on the way to school. I also remember a classmate breaking into song whenever fossils of driftwood were mentioned in Geology lessons! Driftwood is one of the highlight songs, as well as Writing to Reach You (which also features in my favourite mashup, Boulevard of Broken Songs), Why does it always rain on me?, and Turn.
31 - Happiness - Hurts
More poppy and more electronic than I’d usually enjoy. But these guys are special. Although Sunday (track 4) might be my favourite, the other contenders are the last 3 tracks: Devotion, Unspoken and The Water. Having a strong finish is one of the most important things in a great album.
30 - Wilder Mind - Mumford and Sons
I got into Mumford quite late but am now a firm fan. I enjoy their heavier music more than the earlier folky stuff, hence choosing this as my favourite of their albums.
29 - Empty - Tait
Fronted by Michael Tait, formerly of DC talk (see below). A little poppy in places (yes that is a criticism) but overall very good.
28 - The Reaches - Silicone Boone
I discovered this album following a shout-out on a YouTube video by Alex Magrath. Such a good recommendation and a real joy to listen to. The first time I heard Found You I knew it was a great song - only the second time I’ve been able to make such a judgement after only one listen (see #1 for the other occasion).
27 - Divine Discontent - Sixpence None the Richer
This band is so much more than their big hit Kiss Me (which isn't on this album). This one is just beautiful from start to finish. So many highlights: Breathe Your Name, Still Burning, Melody of You, Tension is a Passing Note, A Million Parachutes.
26 - More Than Animals - Stoney
I discovered Stoney when he supported Athlete in concert. Two good albums of which this is marginally the stronger. If this was a list of best ‘top ten songs by an artist’ he would probably be even higher.
25 - Conditions - The Temper Trap
A very consistent album, in that the worst song isn't a long way behind the best, it's strong throughout. Good live performers, too.
24 - Greater Things - Bluetree
The strength of this album had me believing that Bluetree were the heirs to Delirious’ crown. Alas, that never really materialised, but the statement speaks for itself. It's an excellent album.
23 - Beneath the Skin - Of Monsters and Men
Although I also really like their debut My Head is an Animal, which features their best song Little Talks, Beneath the Skin is stronger overall. Another great live act too.
22 - Lifesong - Casting Crowns
After Switchfoot (see below), Casting Crowns are the best Christian act from the US. The music is good, the lyrics are excellent. And this is their best album. Stained Glass Masquerade and Prodigal are two particular high points.
21 - Black Swan - Athlete
On any given day, any of Athlete’s four albums could be my favourite, but I've settled on this one for now. Good throughout, a really strong finish, and Black Swan Song is their only song that comes close to matching the majesty of Wires.
20 - Faint Not - Jenny and Tyler
I've been in touch personally with Tyler and he seems like the loveliest guy. I told him, and I hold to this, that half these tracks are good and the other half are masterpieces. Song For You is a contender for greatest song of all time.
19 - Takk - Sigur Ros
It can be difficult to compare Sigur Ros because they're very different from most of the other music I listen to. But this position feels about right for their best album. Another band who would probably be higher if this was a list of top ‘best ten songs by an artist’.
18 - Cities - Anberlin
Anberlin were part of the soundtrack of my twenties. Fast-paced, vibrant rock. Very listenable. Cities is excellent, featuring several of their strongest songs and also some lighter, more acoustic touches.
17 - This is Where I stand - Easyworld
I discovered Easyworld in my teens and listened to the album a lot. It does decline towards the end, but the first seven tracks are ridiculously good. If that standard was maintained this could be top-ten.
16 - (What’s the Story?) Morning Glory - Oasis
One of the more mainstream albums on this list. Is it better than Definitely Maybe? I don't know, but for now I'm saying it is, just. Wonderwall is possibly the most iconic song in my life. And most of the rest are pretty great as well.
15 - Origin of Symmetry - Muse
In its own way it’s just as iconic as the previous and subsequent entries on this list. On another day Absolution or Black Holes and Revelations could be here. Showbiz and The Resistance aren't far behind. But this was my first Muse album and while it declines a little towards the end the run from New Born to Micro Cuts is just amazing.
14 - By The Way - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The soundtrack to sixth form, By The Way is insanely iconic. The centerpiece of the holy trinity of RHCP albums. John Frusciante at his best. Zephyr Song is my favourite RHCP song. I have this above Californication because, while both decline in the second half, this one does less so. It's also the album I closely associate with reading my favourite book series.
13 - An End has a Start - Editors
Another band that have several good albums, of which this is the best. Smokers, The Weight of the World, Bones and Escape the Nest are the standouts but there's not a weak track here.
12 - Sam’s Town - The Killers
For all the strengths of Hot Fuss, it pales in comparison with this masterpiece. The majority of their best songs are on this album. It's incredibly consistent, with My List the only dip in quality.
11 - Escape - Sabio
The highest-placed of all the really niche stuff. Only 8 tracks but packed with depth and quality. If I could choose one band on this list to write more music it would be Sabio - this was their only release. Mother is not only a contender for greatest song ever, it's probably the frontrunner.
10 - Vice Verses - Switchfoot
My love for Switchfoot was delayed by several failed attempts to enjoy their work. Then they released Vice Verses and everything changed. This album gripped me and that opened the floodgates to the rest of their work.
9 - All that you can’t leave behind - U2
U2 were originally a ‘dad influence’ but I am a fan in my own right. The hits from this album are well known (Beautiful Day, Elevation) but the lesser-known tracks hold their own (Kite and Grace are particular favourites). This album is probably objectively weaker than some lower down the list but it was a big influence on my teenage years and beyond.
8 - Harmonies for the Haunted - Stellastarr*
A very underrated band with a distinct sound (thank you Amanda Tannen for your backing vocals). Sweet Troubled Soul alone warrants the place in this list, a truly remarkable song. Less consistent than others in the top ten but the high points are very high indeed.
7 - Jesus Freak - DC Talk
An album I talk and think about less than I should. If you discount the two short filler tracks, it's an unbelievable album. And, critically, it finishes so well with In The Light, What Have We Become, and Mind’s Eye.
6 - Frengers - Mew
This album gripped me from the first time I heard the first few bars of Am I Wry. Thematically darker than the music would suggest, and than I would usually gravitate to - but it’s so well done. Another very consistent album, not a single track lets it down.
5 - The Decline of British Sea Power - British Sea Power
Another thematically unusual album. After a very odd start, tracks 4-11 are unbelievable and hang together perfectly. Carrion is the contender for greatest song of all time, but Fear of Drowning isn’t far behind, Remember Me is iconic, Lately is majestic and Wooden Horse and Blackout are beautiful.
4 - Glo - Delirious
Despite competition from the likes of Switchfoot, Sabio, Casting Crowns and more, Delirious still take the highest Christian album spot. Most of their albums have incredibly high highs but also fairly low lows, but this one’s floor is the highest (its ceiling is also the highest, My Glorious being their best song). The addition of the excellent ‘Glo in the dark’ tracks enable the album to flow more coherently than any other on this list.
3 - The Remote Part - Idlewild
From the first drum beat of You Held the World to the final lines of poetry in Scottish Fiction, this album nails pretty much everything. The perfect balance of Idlewild’s earlier, slightly thrasher music, and the later, more folky stuff - with the usual enigmatic lyrics and soaring guitar riffs.
2 - A Weekend in the City - Bloc Party
This is pushed the #1 album hard for years but has never quite made the top spot. But it is fantastic in its own right. Thematically these last two albums are the strongest and most coherent on this list. Another outrageously consistent album - to say that Where Is Home is the weakest track shows how high the standard is.
1 - No Name Face - Lifehouse
July 2001, HMV Cardiff, £16.99 - expensive, but the best money I ever spent. A few months after borrowing the CD from Joe Williams (the guy could donate a kidney to me and that loan would still be his greatest gift). I knew Hanging by a Moment was special from the very first listen (an experience I’ve only had one other time, see #28) - but incredibly, it’s only the fifth best song on this album. I’ve not listed my top 50 songs of all time, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the top 6 from this album were all on that list. Of the remaining 8, only two fall below excellent. The combination of quality and quantity leaves No Name Face in the top spot.
