Stuck at home? Classic music can help provide solace and relief. With that in mind, here’s a subjective list of 23 essential albums worth revisiting. To enjoy, dig through your stacks of CDs and LPs in the corner or just cue the titles on your preferred streaming platform.
CLASSIC POP/ROCK
“Darkness on the Edge of Town” (1978): Filled with characters at a crossroads, Bruce Springsteen’s songs were influenced by film noir.
“Exile on Main St.” (1972): Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and company cast a dark, captivating spell on this double album highlighted by “Tumbling Dice.”
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973): A true testament to the Elton John and Bernie Taupin partnership with classics like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle in the Wind” and the title track.
“Pet Sounds” (1966): Creative mastermind Brian Wilson conceptualized a sonic masterpiece by the Beach Boys.
“The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars” (1972): David Bowie’s riveting conceptual trip to “Suffragette City” and beyond viewed through a glam rock lens.
“Rumours” (1977): Thanks to Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, complicated interpersonal dynamics rarely sounded so invigorating.
“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967): Groundbreaking tunes and no filler from the Fab Four.
PUNK
“London Calling” (1979): The double album encompasses a variety of styles and landed British import The Clash on the U.S. pop chart with “Train in Vain.”
“Ramones” (1976): Fast and fun, the New Yorkers blitz through 14 songs in a self-titled album in less than half an hour.
REGGAE/SKA
“Exodus” (1977): Espousing peace, love and equality within his lyrics, Jamaican superstar Bob Marley made an indelible mark with the oft-covered “Jamming,” “The Little Birds,” “One Love” and “Waiting in Vain.”
“The Specials” (1979): The 2 Tone movement leaders’ Elvis Costello-produced self-titled debut perfectly captured the bleakness of late ‘70s British life with several socially conscious tunes.
ADULT ALTERNATIVE/POP
“Hats” (1989): Longing vocals and meticulously crafted electronic arrangements equals some majestic mood music by The Blue Nile.
“Raintown” (1987): Deacon Blue recorded an engaging aural snapshot of working-class Glasgow, plus a little romance thanks to the future married singers.
ALTERNATIVE ROCK
“Automatic for the People” (1992): Haunting in tone, with a rich sounding tapestry, R.E.M.’s eighth album is also its best.
“Funeral” (2004): From a French song to frantic interconnected tunes, Arcade Fire’s dramatic tunes are an emotional rush from start to finish.
“The Joshua Tree” (1987): The American experience serves as a backdrop for U2’s magnetic gem-laden commercial breakthrough.
“OK Computer” (1997): Radiohead’s sophomore studio effort began a deft experimental streak that continues today.
“Stone Roses” (1989): Merging elements of ’60s psychedelia, dance and rock, the English quartet Stone Roses crafted one of the decade’s most influential releases.
FOLK/AMERICANA
“After the Gold Rush” (1970): Containing signature Neil Young songs like “Southern Man” and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” it’s an impressive folk-leaning collection.
“Car Wheels on a Gravel Road” (1998): A poetic and picturesque effort by Lucinda Williams, the grainy- drawled singer’s fifth album went gold and won a Grammy.
“The Houston Kid” (2001): The influential country tunesmith Rodney Crowell cuts to the bone with a confessional, autobiographical effort and a Johnny Cash assist.
“Wrecking Ball” (1995): Teaming up with Daniel Lanois on this celebrated, ethereal wonder was a wise move for Emmylou Harris.
ECLECTIC
“How Will the Wolf Survive?” (1984): Before a hit cover of “La Bamba” made the East L.A. band Los Lobos a household name, this street-smart album infused R&B, blues, rock ’n’ roll and traditional Mexican styles like no other.
