Posted on 23 September 2020

I’m linking to the discussion in a forum rather than the piece itself because I find people’s reactions more interesting, and there’s lots of good thoughts in the comments. Myself: It’s cool to see the old favourites shook up (The Beatles/Stones/Dylan much lower), especially since I used lists like this to shape my own musical discovery nearly two decades ago. I am surprised at some choices, like why Pet Sounds remains at number two while Sgt. Pepper’s (the former number one) plummets to 24. I’ve always thought both benefited from being technically impressive for their time so as fewer people who experienced that shape these lists, it makes sense for each to drop, but Pet Sounds is the only old favourite to really retain a top spot.

Also, no shade to Harry Styles, but was it even a top album of the year? I can’t help but feel like if this were a couple years ago, it would have been Justin Bieber and if it were the same attitude ten years ago, Timberlake. As one commentator put it:

2000s: Rolling Stone, you need more pop, come on, you need more…poptimisim…

2020s: Oh no Rolling Stone, noooo, too much poptimisim, nooooooo

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