If you are to create an album, what other albums should you consult first?

[Taverner]

Here's what I have:


Basement Tapes - Dylan and the Band
With the Beatles - The Beatles
Revolver - The Beatles
London Calling - The Clash
Sandanista - The Clash
Bringing it all Home - Dylan
Hunky Dory - David Bowie
Low - David Bowie
Green Onions - Booker T and the MGs
Accept no Substitute - Delaney and Bonnie
Layla and other Love Songs - Derek and the Dominoes
Cruisin with Ruben and the Jets - Zappa (original version)
All Things Must Pass - George Harrison
Plastic Ono Band - John Lennon
Fold your Hands Child you Walk like a Peasant - Belle and Sebastian
Dear Catastrophe Waitress - Belle and Sebastian
Camper Van Beethoven
Lawn Boy - Phish
Workingmans Dead - Grateful Dead
American Beauty - Grateful Dead
Saucerful of Secrets - Pink Floyd
Heroes are Hard to Find - Fleetwood Mac
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John
Rock of the Westies - Elton John
Jesus Christ Superstar - Original Cast (Ian Gillian and Murray Head)
Switched on Bach - Wendy Carlos
La Historie de Melody - Serge Gainsbourg
Exile on Main Street - Rolling Stones
Let it Bleed - Rolling Stones...

Any additions?

[denem]

1. Rock of the Westies - Elton John?

Umm The Bitch is Back but ....?

cf Captain Fantastic.

[Taverner]

2. CF, RotW, DSMIOTPP, etc....

I guess I should specify, being a big fan of EJ...

[gratuitous]

6. Rock of the Westies - What to avoid at all costs

A mess of an album, horrid songs, the only redeeming feature being the work of Ray Cooper. I think EJ was drinking heavily at that time. Very heavily.

But if you're looking for an album to emulate, I'd say go with Bruce Cockburn's "Humans" album. Not a clinker in the bunch, and top to bottom probably his best album ever, which is saying a LOT.

[Taverner]

7. It's an awesome album! But if you insist, let's go with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

[tinymontgomery]

3. Great list

can't add to it. Basement tapes as a start is outstanding. I would follow with Blonde on Blonde then move on to the Beatles and others. Again outstanding list, can't add to it.

[MilesColtrane]

4. Depends on what I'm looking for as a reference point

It could be individual composition and form (music and/or lyrics), the order of the songs and internal thematic unity, the approach to production and sonic design, non-musical aspects-graphic design, song titles, album notes, etc...

Or, it could be all of the above.

There's plenty to learn in studying what you would consider "perfect" albums, but there is equal value in analyzing something you don't like and specifically articulating to yourself why it doesn't work.

[some guy]

5. That many references,

you're probably going to end up with a mess.

MilesColtrane has the best response so far.