From Radiohead's OK Computer to St. Vincent's self-titled album
Alexandra Pollard

14:13 8th February 2016

It's a difficult thing to make a good album. Anyone can write a good, catchy song or two (disclaimer: no they can't) but to write a full LP of great material, every track of which connects seamlessly to the next - now that's a real skill. 

In fact, one of the most thought-provoking things Kanye West said during his recent Twitter spat with Wiz Khalifa was that "no one I know has ever listened to one of your albums all the way through." Because it's probably true. 

If you do fancy listening to a whole album, from start to finish, then leave Wiz on the shelf - and get your ears around these, as suggested by Reddit users. 

  • Pink Floyd - Animals: "Animals is one of those albums you can't properly enjoy if you're listening only one or only a few songs. They succeeded in the whole concept album thingy - it really sounds like a story with multiple chapters. And because of that it's probably my favorite Pink Floyd album. Also, that guitar." (FightFromTheInside)

  • Pixies - Doolittle: "Their early work was a little too new wave for my taste. But when Doolittle came out in '89, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost." (MrFrenchTickler)

  • Kanye West - Graduation: "Once I dug into his albums it was like, oh my god, I've been totally ignoring one of the best artists of our time. And it's not even like he's some random underground band -- he's probably the most famous male artist out there and I had no idea his stuff was actually great." (whatswhat61)

  • David Bowie - The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars: "This was the first album I sat and listened to all the way through. I remember the experience vividly still today. It honestly changed the way I listen to music in a way." (Wearethegears)

  • Amy Winehouse - Frank: "Back To Black was great but I love Frank. 'Take The Box' is the most powerful soul song I've ever come across. There is a live version from before she went off the rails that is my favorite live song version ever. It gives me chills." (Seabenbrew)

  • Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City: "Kendrick's albums are absolutely made to be listened to as a whole. Although you can enjoy almost any song off his albums alone, they are complemented by the tracks that came before it and after it. Kendrick's albums aren't just albums. They're stories too." (LiamPlaysWhatever)

  • Weezer - The Blue Album: "Listened to that album this morning on the way into work... 'Only In Dreams' is the most perfect final song to an album I can think of." (jackruby83)

  • Radiohead - OK Computer: "This is my favorite 'pop' album (in the same sense the Beatles were 'pop'.) I could not only listen to this one all the way through, but on loop for the whole day." (HellsquidsIntl)

  • Daft Punk - Discovery: "Its songs just follow each other perfectly and almost invite you to stick around for the next song. I especially love how 'Aerodynamic' flows seamlessly into 'Digital Love." (IrrelevantLeprechaun)

  • St. Vincent - St. Vincent: "I am definitely a huge fan of her. Her self-titled is more geared towards cool guitar sounds and synth which I really like." (RykerRoberts)

  • Frank Ocean - Channel Orange: "That album is a deep and important part of my life. its speaks to my soul and i have listened to it back to front well over 1000 times." (Swissies)

  • Goldfrapp - Felt Mountain: "Such an amazing album. I haven't really liked anything else they've done, but I've listened to that album at least once a month for years now." (clonedhuman)

  • Jethro Tull - Thick As A Brick: "I've skipped classes to listen to it in vinyl at my Dad's, when I was a kid. He would come back from work, and see me laying on the floor, with headphones, mesmerized. He would then bring me back to mom's, half mad, half amused." (Lucifer_Hirsch)

  • Nas - Illmatic: "Best hip hop album of all time as far as I'm concerned. Many have come close but nothing has topped it. And it ain't hard to tell.." (GiftedGreg)


Photo: Artwork