Rolling Stone's 500 "Greatest Albums" Part 49 Quiz

Answer: Public Enemy

In 1988, "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" was the second LP from Long Island, New York, hip hop group Public Enemy. It reached the top of the Billboard Billboard Top Black Albums chart. It was a number eight on the Official UK Album Charts.

This was, according to Chris Jones at 'BBC Music': "...possibly the greatest rap album ever made."

Answer: The Rolling Stones

So, the highest placed Stones album on our list, but not their best ever according to other lists - that accolade goes to "Sticky Fingers" on several countdowns.

Indeed among those who felt it was overrated was...Mick Jagger. In an interview with 'Rolling Stone', he said: "It's a bit overrated, to be honest. Compared to 'Let It Bleed' and 'Beggars Banquet', which I think are more of a piece, I don't see it's as thematic as the other two. I'm not saying it's not good. It doesn't contain as many outstanding songs as the previous two records."

In 1972, "Exile On Main Street" was the 10th album from the Stones. It topped the charts in Canada, the UK, and the USA.

Answer: Aretha Franklin

In 1967 "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" was album number 10 from Aretha Franklin. It reached number two on the Billboard 200.

'Rolling Stone' called it her greatest album, it certainly contained some of her best loved songs, including "Respect".

Answer: Michael Jackson

Seventy million record buyers cannot, surely, be wrong: that is the number of sales claimed for Michael Jackson's sixth album, "Thriller". Released in 1982, it became the world's biggest-selling album. It spent 37 weeks at the top of the Billboard 200. It reached number eight in the UK.

Seven of the tracks became top ten entrants on the Hot 100, two topped that chart, "Billie Jean" and "Beat It".

In a 1982 review in the 'New York Times'., John Rockwell called "Thriller" "....a wonderful pop record, the latest statement by one of the great singers in popular music today".

Did Jackson peak with "Thriller"? There are some in the music business who believe his output was never as good thereafter.

Answer: The Beatles

Naturally at a time when The Beatles were at their height, their sixth LP, "Revolver", topped the charts in the UK and the USA. It was a number one in Australia and West Germany, also.

In 2019, the 'Independent' newspaper ranked all 12 Beatles studio albums and put "Revolver" as their number one.

"Revolver" came out at a time when the Fab Four quit touring - they were fed up that their songs could not actually be heard over all those screaming girls - and began to concentrate on recording. That, and the place they had already achieved, allowed them the freedom to write and play songs they could not have done a few years earlier.

Answer: Lauryn Hill

"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was the debut album from the Newark, New Jersey rapper. The album made it to the top of the Billboard 200 and was a number one in Canada, number two in Australia and number two in the UK. It was also nominated for 10 Grammys and won five.

The album was well received by the critics. Some said it was near perfect, even if Hill was never to reach such dizzy heights again.

Answer: Bob Dylan

In 1975, "Blood On The Tracks" was the 15th album from Bob Dylan. It reached the top of the charts in the USA, Canada and New Zealand.

The album contained some of Dylan's most accessible songs, including "Tangled Up in Blue", "Simple Twist of Fate", "Shelter from the Storm" and "Buckets of Rain".

In May 2021, the "Irish Times" ranked 39 Dylan albums and placed "Blood On The Tracks" at number four. In 2015, "ultimateclassicrock" placed it at number five on their countdown.

Answer: Prince and the Revolution

In 1984, Prince topped the Billboard 200 with his sixth album, "Purple Rain", and stayed there for 24 weeks. It also reached number one in Canada and in Australia. Deluxe and extended editions were later released. It won three Grammys, including soundtrack.

The critics held the album in high esteem. 'Rolling Stone' called it "a masterpiece". They were less kind about the movie.

In 2016, the 'Guardian' placed it at number three on a countdown of Prince albums, calling it "A concise showcase for Prince's wares, from instant to experimental to epic. Uber-pop perfection." (Since I know you are eager to know, their number one was "Sign O' the Times").

Answer: Fleetwood Mac

Released in 1977, "Rumours" was the 11th album from Fleetwood Mac and went on to sell more than 40 million copies. It reached number one in the UK and on the Billboard 200, where it occupied the top spot for 31 non-consecutive weeks. Three singles made it to the top three on the Hot 100.

Writing for 'New Musical Express' in 2016, Matthew Horton called the album "A beautiful, peerlessly accessible record", but added that it was "mired in strife". Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks broke up; Christine McVie left her husband; and Mick Fleetwood split from his wife - though found solace with Nicks.

Answer: Nirvana

In 1991, "Nevermind" was the third album from Nirvana. It topped the charts in both Canada and the USA and hit the top 10 on charts around the world.

Lou Thomas, writing for 'BBC Music', called it "an awesome mainstream rock record". Thomas wrote that the vocals of Kurt Cobain ensured it was "a flawed classic".

Answer: The Beatles

In 2020, 'Far Out' magazine ranked all the albums from The Beatles and placed "Abbey Road" at number one. Released in 1969, it became "a defining moment in the illustrious career of one of the greatest bands to have ever walked the planet", or so wrote Jack Whatley.

This, the Fab Four's 11th and final LP, topped the charts the world over - indeed the 2019 re-release was also a number one in the UK. It became the first Beatles album to sell more than ten million copies.

'Record Collector' magazine hailed the production quality of the album and said that, sonically, it was ahead of its time. The album had its critics, though: "Unlike any other Beatles album, 'Abbey Road' veers toward blandness. There are few rough edges. Melody and harmony are everywhere, but there's no oddness, no grit", according to 'Record Mirror'.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

In 1976, "Songs In The Key Of Life", the 18th album from Stevie Wonder, topped the Billboard 200. It was also a number one in Canada and won three Grammys and was added to to the National Recording Registry of the US Library of Congress in 2005

Writing for the Library of Congress, Bill Hart said the album had a profound effect on other singers. It was, he said, a groundbreaking album and "Its influence is evident in everything from R&B and hip-hop to jazz and modern pop music; it laid the foundation for much of what followed in the works of artists like Prince and Michael Jackson. The plaudits by reviewers are still being written, four decades after the album's release."

The double album - and its accompanying EP - was said to be a favourite LP for the likes of Elton John and George Michael.

Answer: Joni Mitchell

"Blue" was the fourth LP from Joni Mitchell and its significance gathered pace long after its 1971 release. At the time it topped out at number 15 on the Billboard 200, but made number three in the UK and number nine in her native Canada.

For the body of her work, Mitchell was cited as an influence by other singers as diverse as Bob Dylan, Prince, Taylor Swift, and Björk. Chaka Khan said Mitchell had been a pioneer for other women singer/songwriters. Cristopher Cross named her among the songwriters he aspired to emulate.

Answer: The Beach Boys

Belying its place at number two on this list, "Pet Sounds", the 11th LP from the Beach Boys, met with general indifference on its release in 1966.

The Beatles claimed "Pet Sounds" was an influence on them before they made "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", but the Beach Boys were already playing catch-up after "Rubber Soul".

Now regarded as a masterpiece of psychedelic rock, the album was the outcome of months of writing by Brian Wilson. The other 'Boys' had minimal roles in the recording: much of the heavy lifting was done by the infamous 'Wrecking Crew' bunch of musicians.

When 'ultimateclassicrock' ranked 30 Beach Boys LPs, they put "Pet Sounds" at number one, calling it "Arguably the most gorgeous pop record ever made and certainly one of the greatest albums ever conceived".

The LP contains some of the BB's best known songs, including "Wouldn't It Be Nice", "God Only Knows" and "Sloop John B" (be careful playing that in places like Belfast and Glasgow where the tune is associated with a less wholesome set of words.)

Answer: Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye wrote, sang and produced the tracks that made up his 11th album, "What's Going On". Released in 1971, it reached number six on the Billboard 200 and topped the Soul Albums chart.

There are those who regarded this as the best soul album of all time. Writing for the 'Guardian' in May2021, Emily Lordi opined that the album was "A divinely inspired work driven by social rage - one that braided doo-wop harmonies, jazz and the hymns Gaye had loved as a child - 'What's Going On' was also Gaye's declaration of creative independence from Berry Gordy's Motown machine."

Calling it "one of the greatest albums of all time", David Katz writing for 'BBC Music', said it was nothing short of a masterpiece and added "It mixes gritty social commentary and anguished dissatisfaction with expressions of religious devotion; indeed, the singer once stated that the album had been written by God, with Gaye merely the vehicle selected to deliver its messages."

So, if it was surprise for you to see the number one, remember the 'Rolling Stone' list was subjective. I am reminded of the journalist who said "If I relied on 'Rolling Stone' for music recommendations I would have a collection of garbage".

Still, four Beatles albums in the top 30 seems right; also the Stones, Dylan. Prince and Michael Jackson. It was also a long wait for The Beach Boys.