Previously Unreleased

This is the first part in a series of posts that look at what I believe are the top 40 albums released from 1980 through 2008.

40-36

40. Elvis Costello and The Attractions – Imperial Bedroom (1982)
Must Hear: Beyond Belief
Underappreciated Gem: Man Out Of Time

While some will say “King of America” was a better album, I believe this was the perfect bridge between Elvis Costello’s earlier punk and rock oriented records and his later more complex recordings. “Beyond Belief” gives notice immediately that this is a special work and the next three songs work as an almost seamless piece of music leading into the moving “Man Out Of Time” and the simply gorgeous ” Almost Blue”. Imperial Bedroom stands as a wonderful achievement in a career full of extroardinary music.

39. Outkast – Stankonia (2000)
Must Hear: B.O.B.
Underappreciated Gem: Humble Mumble

When Big Boi and Andre 3000 decided to “change the game” they released one of the best hip hop albums in years. Channeling the best parts of P-Funk, the sexuality of Prince and the electricity of Southern Rap, Stankonia comes at you in many different ways but never disappoints. From the laments of love long gone in “Ms.Jackson” to the big pimpin’ style of “We Luv Deez Hoes” to the breathtaking poetry of “Humble Mumble” and bombastic explosion of “B.O.B.”, Outkast show that when true vision meets ambition that a great album can be realized.

38. They Might Be Giants – Flood (1990)
Must Hear: Your Racist Friend
Underappreciated Gem: Hearing Aid

They Might Be Giants (TMBG) were always considered the “cool” band for the “uncool”. Feted as “OUR” band by the math geeks and computer dorks, TMBG was the best kept secret in fringe rock for years until the release of “Flood”. When “Birdhouse In Your School” gained heavy rotation on MTV and the radio, TMBG gained a whole new audience and after hearing this album many of the new fans decided to come along for the whole ride. Songs like “Particle Man”, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” and “Birdhouse” draw you in with their catchy sing-a-long verses and melodic mix-ups like “Hearing Aid” and “Minimum Wage” make you want to visit again and again. Truly the Giants’ best album and one that hasn’t lost it’s ability to make you want to play it loud and dance by yourself just like you did the first time you heard it.

37. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)
Must Hear: To Zion
Underappreciated Gem: Superstar

With her distinctive voice, Lauryn Hill created an album which served as a voice for anyone who was looking for something more from hip-hop during the late 90’s. Focusing not only on her personal life (“To Zion” and “Lost Ones”) but also the state of hip-hop (“Superstar”) and the social concerns of not only the past but the future as well (“Every Ghetto, Every City” and “Final Hour”), Hill imagined a complex and thoughtful album that still somehow found time to explore the fun side of hip-hop.

36. The Cure – Disintegration (1989)
Must Hear: Lovesong
Underappreciated Gem: Homesick

Anyone who has experienced the joy and pain of being in love can recognize all of their most personal feelings laid out for them in the most poetic way in the words of Robert Smith on this epic album. “Disintegration” is the fully realized dream of a pop album for the affected masses. All 12 songs on the album are pieces that develop slowly around the listener and bring an evocative lush sound that captures your ear as well as the pit in your stomach.