The last “great” album was.....

[T-ski]

Inspired by Kev’s Purple Rain thread.. what do you consider to be the last “great” album released?

Any genre goes.

[Stadler]

Inspired by Kev’s Purple Rain thread.. what do you consider to be the last “great” album released?

Any genre goes.

Folklore by Taylor Swift.

[Fritzinger]

Haken - Vector & Virus

[Crow]

metal machine music by lou reed

[Evermind]

Arch/Matheos - Winter Ethereal

I don't think anything hooked me as much as this since 2019.

[The Letter M]

Random Access Memories - Daft Punk

I felt like it bridged a lot of gaps between musical genres and those genres' fans. I feel like there's something for everyone on that album.

Of course I'm trying to be as objective as possible and not pick anything prog (because as a mostly niche genre, it doesn't have the wide reach a truly "great album" should have, like the ones in the other thread about Best Selling Albums, most of which would be considered great albums, even if you don't listen to those specific artists).

But if I had to pick a personal favorite, and a prog one at that, I'd probably pick Transatlantic's The Whirlwind. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that one.

-Marc.

[DTA]

Sepultura’s Quadra from January 2020. The best metal album I’ve heard in many years from a band who many thought peaked in the mid 90’s.

[kirksnosehair]

Fates Warning - Theories of Flight


That was the last album that completely blew me away

[WilliamMunny]

Not sure how many folk-rock fans are around here, but the last Lumineers album (III) blew my mind, and has been on constant rotation since last year.

[Elite]

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question.

[Zantera]

In terms of recent release date I'm thinking maybe Wilderun's latest, or the Vennart album from last year. Digging the new GYBE too.

[emtee]

Halen- Virus
IQ- Resistance

[NoseofNicko]

Digging the new GYBE too.

That’s my pick.

[SoundscapeMN]

Random Access Memories - Daft Punk

I felt like it bridged a lot of gaps between musical genres and those genres' fans. I feel like there's something for everyone on that album.

-Marc.

I follow this as I've said the last stone cold banger track that had mass appeal was "Get Lucky." Even though its been 8 years now, which is sad.

If I picked a personal, last record that I found to be perfect, flawless, and still holds up:

2015's Small Leaks Sink Ships - Face Yourself and Remove Your Sandals.
Just by default, it's the last album that I've rated at a perfect 5-stars.

[PixelDream]

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - L.W.

Latest album from a band I was already quite into, but this is easily their best album yet IMO.

[MirrorMask]

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question.

Yeah, same.

"Great" album as in...? an album I think it's great? an album that will become a classic?  an album that since its release, nothing else came around that was even better? an album that if it was released in another era it would have entered the list of best selling albums of all time we're currently discussing in another topic?

[ariich]

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question.

Yeah, same.

"Great" album as in...? an album I think it's great? an album that will become a classic?  an album that since its release, nothing else came around that was even better? an album that if it was released in another era it would have entered the list of best selling albums of all time we're currently discussing in another topic?

Yeah, all this.

Great albums come out all the time.

[Stadler]

I've clearly answered this differently than others did.  There are plenty of records I really, really love - the new Transatlantic is a "great" album.   But I answered more existentially; "great" as in "Thriller" or "Back In Black".  Iconic, transcendent of genre, appealing cross-generationally.   There are records being named that are in no way shape, or form "iconic", "transcendent of genre" or "cross-generationally appealing". 

[TheCountOfNYC]

Somehow these threads keep leading me to the same answer.

Billie Eilish-When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?

This collection of songs completely changed my view on pop music. The music Billie and her brother Finneas create is nothing short of amazing. They deserve all of the accolades they’ve been receiving.

[EPICVIEW]

I gotta think,,,, alot...  not sure I can process the question  LOL

[KevShmev]

I've clearly answered this differently than others did.  There are plenty of records I really, really love - the new Transatlantic is a "great" album.   But I answered more existentially; "great" as in "Thriller" or "Back In Black".  Iconic, transcendent of genre, appealing cross-generationally.   There are records being named that are in no way shape, or form "iconic", "transcendent of genre" or "cross-generationally appealing".

I totally know what you mean. I think Evermore is great as well, but Folklore was the first, and will likely be viewed as the more iconic and transcendent album over time.

[Setlist Scotty]

I'll go with the new LTE! Killer album, and one where I don't feel the need to skip any tracks (unlike the first 2 LTE albums or any DT albums for that matter). Maybe it's that new car smell that's clouding my objectivity, but I don't think so. Before that, I'd go with The Breath of Life version of The Absolute Universe (yes, I prefer it over Forevermore).

[NoFred]

Inspired by Kev’s Purple Rain thread.. what do you consider to be the last “great” album released?

Any genre goes.

Folklore by Taylor Swift.

1989. It ruled the world for awhile

[Skeever]

Covet - "Technicolor" would be my pick. 2020 album so not too long ago.

[Architeuthis]

Clockwork Angels 

[jingle.boy]

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question.

Yeah, same.

"Great" album as in...? an album I think it's great? an album that will become a classic?  an album that since its release, nothing else came around that was even better? an album that if it was released in another era it would have entered the list of best selling albums of all time we're currently discussing in another topic?

Yeah, all this.

Great albums come out all the time.

Truer words have not been spoken in this thread.

[Skeever]

I'll go with the new LTE! Killer album, and one where I don't feel the need to skip any tracks (unlike the first 2 LTE albums or any DT albums for that matter). Maybe it's that new car smell that's clouding my objectivity, but I don't think so. Before that, I'd go with The Breath of Life version of The Absolute Universe (yes, I prefer it over Forevermore).

Inclined to agree with this too.

[Stadler]

I honestly don’t know how to answer this question.

Yeah, same.

"Great" album as in...? an album I think it's great? an album that will become a classic?  an album that since its release, nothing else came around that was even better? an album that if it was released in another era it would have entered the list of best selling albums of all time we're currently discussing in another topic?

Yeah, all this.

Great albums come out all the time.

Truer words have not been spoken in this thread.

But albums for the ages do not.   That's the real difference in some of the answers here.

[T-ski]

Sorry I wasn’t specific enough in my original post.

Basically what I’m looking for is any album that in 20-25 years will be considered among the best albums ever released.

[Stadler]

Sorry I wasn’t specific enough in my original post.

Basically what I’m looking for is any album that in 20-25 years will be considered among the best albums ever released.

That eliminates about 94% of the answers here!   (I kid!  I kid!) 

I'm sticking with folklore.  If not, then 1989. 

[TAC]

I thought 1988 was a good year too!

[Skeever]

I don't care about the general pop culture as much as I care about other music, but I'm rarely surprised when the big albums of the day wind up being things that no one really cares much about in the future, while stuff that seems overlooked at the time often generates a surprising amount of life. I've having fun googling "2001 albums". Here's the top 10 albums I got from "albumoftheyear.com", and what I think of them now.

1. The Strokes - This is It. Could not care less. As for others, I have no idea. They were down with Bernie, so maybe they have some fans who like them for that.
2. Radiohead - Amnesiac. I'd say I still like this, and so do a lot of people.
3. Daft Punk - Discover. Not my cup of tea, but arguably more popular now.
4. Bjork - Vespertine. Love it. Still a classic, too.
5. The Microphones - Glow pt 2. Who? What?
6. Gorillaz - Gorillaz. Thought it as OK then and still feel the same about it now. Not really sure how Damon Albarn has managed to wiggle into relevancy for like 3 decades but I'm not against it.
7. System of a Down - Toxicity. Loved in then. Don't care about it now. Seems like it's still loved in the metal community.
8. Muse - Origin of Symmetry. Never cared for it. Never really got Muse beyond a few tracks. I wonder how popular they are now?
9. Jay Z - The Blueprint. Some nice songs. But Overrated then, and rated just right now (I think most people consider it overrated these days, too). But I guess it was kind of like an artistic awakening for Jay, with more soul beats and introspective songs and stuff. 
10. Tool - Lateralus. Loved it then. No feeling toward it whatsoever now. Most metal fans people would probably say it's still great.

I tried doing the same thing for 2020, but honestly, I haven't heard any more than a third of what came up.

Sorry I wasn’t specific enough in my original post.

Basically what I’m looking for is any album that in 20-25 years will be considered among the best albums ever released.

On this note, I would have NEVER imagined that LTE1/2 and those early Transatlantic records would wind up being so adored that people would still be hyped about those projects 20ish years later. I like them at the time too, but never imagined they'd become such fixtures in terms of how people think about the artists involved. TA especially is pretty much bigger than any of the main projects of the guys involved at this point.

[HOF]

On this note, I would have NEVER imagined that LTE1/2 and those early Transatlantic records would wind up being so adored that people would still be hyped about those projects 20ish years later. I like them at the time too, but never imagined they'd become such fixtures in terms of how people think about the artists involved. TA especially is pretty much bigger than any of the main projects of the guys involved at this point.

For me, both of those albums expanded my interest in prog beyond the prog-metal sphere significantly (TA more than LTE, but LTE pushed some boundaries in terms of fusion and non-heavy stuff as well). I’d go so far as to say the first two Transatlantic albums are possibly the most important prog albums since the 70s in terms revitalizing the genre and pushing it to a bigger audience (even though the individual members were already starting to revitalize things in their own respective bands before that).

[soupytwist]

Sorry I wasn’t specific enough in my original post.

Basically what I’m looking for is any album that in 20-25 years will be considered among the best albums ever released.

For that you have to have...

Huge commercial success.
Huge critical success.
A couple of huge singles that will likely still be being played years later.
An album that is accessable to as many people as possible, including music snobs.
A unique sound that others copied.
A story behind it.

So I'm going for Amy Winehouse - Back to Black.

[Stadler]

On this note, I would have NEVER imagined that LTE1/2 and those early Transatlantic records would wind up being so adored that people would still be hyped about those projects 20ish years later. I like them at the time too, but never imagined they'd become such fixtures in terms of how people think about the artists involved. TA especially is pretty much bigger than any of the main projects of the guys involved at this point.

For me, both of those albums expanded my interest in prog beyond the prog-metal sphere significantly (TA more than LTE, but LTE pushed some boundaries in terms of fusion and non-heavy stuff as well). I’d go so far as to say the first two Transatlantic albums are possibly the most important prog albums since the 70s in terms revitalizing the genre and pushing it to a bigger audience (even though the individual members were already starting to revitalize things in their own respective bands before that).

But are either of those albums broad enough to qualify here?  My kid knows (and likes) Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours".  She knows "Back In Black" (and likes the single, "You Shook Me...").   She has no idea of LTE or TA.  She MIGHT get it if I said "TA is a band with the guy you went to his songwriting seminar", or maybe "he's the Jesus guy" (I say that with no disrespect whatsoever). 

I don't make it a habit of listening to mid-20's female pop-stars writing songs from their diaries.  But folklore (or 1989) are THAT GOOD.  There's a connection there for this 50+ year old twice-married father of four.   I can RELATE to "Wildest Dreams", maybe even MORE now that I'm older.  folklore too.  That to me is what makes a great - transcendent - album.