Everyone has their opinion on great albums. At ‘The Gothic Times’ we have our own
rendition of top best albums over the last three decades. We listed our personal choices and explain why our readers should go out and purchase these classic albums. With a collection
of hip hop, Latin, metal, and pop we provide varies of genres everyone can find appealing.
80’s
Artist: Iron Maiden
Album: The Number of the Beast
Year: 1982
The first album to feature former Samson vocalist Bruce Dickinson, “The Number of the Beast” made a drastic move in terms of musicianship by drifting away from the Punk-like sound from their two previous albums- 1980’s “Iron Maiden” and 1981’s “Killers”. The album title song is the band’s most famous song, being played in almost every live show they perform. “Children of the Damned”, which is based on the films “Village of the Damned” and “Children of the Damned”, starts off with a ballad tone and features a harmonic guitar solo between Adrian Smith and Dave Murray.
Arist: Bon Jovi
Album: Slippery When Wet
Year: 1986
If you’re from New Jersey then Bon Jovi must strike a chord in your mind. The album Slippery When Wet holds classic hits such as You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin’ On a Prayer, Wanted Dead or Alive, and I Die For You. The smash hit video game Rock Band features Livin’ On a Prayer while modern day metal band Atreyu covers an angry and heavy version of You Give Love a Bad Name. This album was the best selling album in 1986 beating Michael Jackson’s Bad.
Artist: N.W.A
Album: Straight Outta Compton
Year: 1988
“Parental Discretion iz Advised” when listening to the controversial gang “N.W.A”. The trash-talk, in-your-face, all-out album will take you back, way back (before auto-tune), to the rhythmic beats of early Hip-Hop. Hearing this album isn’t just my opinion, but has been on numerous “albums you must listen to” lists, including (but not limited to): Rolling Stone, Time Magazine, Q, Alternative Press, and Spin magazine. You don’t have to be from Compton, CA to appreciate the poetic and artistic words of a young Ice Cube, MC Ren, and, now deceased, Eazy E. You’ll soon figure out that Straight Outta Compton even has “Something 2 Dance 2” when you’re bored.
90’s
Artist: Nirvana
Album: Nevermind
Year: 1991
Nirvana can easily be the seen as the birth and death of grunge music. Nevermind consists of songs such as In Bloom, Come As You Are, Lithium, and the most famous and well known song, Smells Like Teen Spirit. The current adults that were teenagers in the 90’s can hear the first riffs of Smells Like Teen Spirit and remember the teenage angst behind the lyrics.
Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
Album: Life After Death
Year: 1997
Released posthumously after the death of The Notorious B.I.G., “Life After Death” changed the world of Rap/Hip-Hop completely, being considered as the most influential album of that genre. The double-album includes the popular hits “Hypnotize”, “Mo Money Mo Problems”, “Sky’s the Limit”, and a dark toned “Notorious Thugs”. This album demonstrates collaborations with 112, Jay-Z, Lil Kim, Mase, Bone Thug-N-Harmony, Too Short, Carl Thomas, Run-D.M.C., Total, R. Kelly, The Lox, Kelly Price, and Puff Daddy.
Artist: Blink 182
Album: Enema of the State
Year: 1999
The 90’s era was the era of Pop and Rock, with boy bands and rock bands topping the charts. Blink 182 was neither. The Punk band consistently poked fun at the groups, (check out the “All the Small Things” music video), and pushed punk to the top of the charts. Hits like “Dumpweed,” “Mutt,” and “Adam’s Song” showed music lovers that even though you do grow old, you never have to grow up. If you want music you can just laugh along with, then Blink 182’s Enema of the State is the album you need to tune into.
2000’s
Artist: Slipknot
Album: Iowa
Year: 2001
This album showcased the band’s lowest point and they weren’t afraid to air out the anger. According to ArtistDirect.com, “It’s [Iowa] an uncompromising, unsettling, and unique exorcism from modern metal’s most important band, and it rose from their darkest and most dangerous period”. If you’re having a rough day and want to know there are others who are relating to your emotions, listen to People=Shit.
Artist: Aventura
Album: We Broke the Rules
Year: 2002
The follow-up album to the then-newcomers Aventura’s debut, “Generation Next”, “We Broke the Rules” was the album that put them on the Latin map music. Although their worldwide hit “Obsesion” is in this album, songs like “Todavia Me Amas”, “Amor de Madre”, and “Enseñame a Olvidar” showed the group’s potential in route to becoming one of the greatest Bachata groups of all-time or as vocalist Anthony “Romeo” Santos says, “the Kings of Bachata.”
Artist: Evanescence
Album: Fallen
Year: 2003
The nu-metal band’s debut album Fallen quickly reached the top of the charts with “Bring me to life” already receiving popular reviews because of “The Daredevil Soundtrack.” The Grammy-winning and international chart-topping band’s Fallen album has many hits including “My Immortal,” “Everybody’s Fool,” and “Going Under.” These songs make you want to finish something you started giving you the right frame of mind in order to get things done. Even if you just want to just sit on your bed and fall asleep, the symphonic and relaxing music puts you in a feel-good mood. Fallen is an album you should take a listen to.
