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The top 50

Rock albums on vinyl

Fifty researched picks for the rock albums on vinyl, selected for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

How we choseSongwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability. Rankings balance consensus with lasting ownership value and current buyability.
#1

Revolver

Revolver by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#2

The Dark Side of the Moon

The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#3

Rumours

Rumours by Fleetwood Mac is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#4

London Calling

London Calling by The Clash is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#5

Nevermind

Nevermind by Nirvana is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#6

Slanted and Enchanted

Slanted and Enchanted by Pavement is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#7

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground & Nico by The Velvet Underground & Nico is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#8

Abbey Road

Abbey Road by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#9

"Love And Theft"

"Love And Theft" by Bob Dylan is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#10

Wrecking Ball

Wrecking Ball by Bruce Springsteen is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#11

Elephant

Elephant by The White Stripes is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#12

Magic

Magic by Bruce Springsteen is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#13

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#14

Help!

Help! by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#15

Modern Times

Modern Times by Bob Dylan is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#16

Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#17

Licensed to Ill

Licensed to Ill by Beastie Boys is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#18

The Beatles

The Beatles by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#19

The Rising

The Rising by Bruce Springsteen is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#20

Moon Pix

Moon Pix by Cat Power is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#21

A Hard Day's Night

A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#22

Sea Change

Sea Change by Beck is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#23

Dookie

Dookie by Green Day is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#24

No Line on the Horizon

No Line on the Horizon by U2 is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#25

Live at Reading

Live at Reading by Nirvana is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#26

Please Please Me

Please Please Me by The Beatles is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#27

The Union

The Union by Elton John & Leon Russell is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#28

Working on a Dream

Working on a Dream by Bruce Springsteen is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#29

Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?

Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? by The Replacements is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#30

Rain Dogs

Rain Dogs by Tom Waits is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#31

Painful

Painful by Yo La Tengo is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#32

The Final Cut

The Final Cut by Pink Floyd is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#33

Doolittle

Doolittle by Pixies is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#34

The Queen Is Dead

The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#35

Let It Be

Let It Be by The Replacements is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#36

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin II by Led Zeppelin is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#37

Electr-O-Pura

Electr-O-Pura by Yo La Tengo is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#38

Appetite for Destruction

Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#39

Psychocandy

Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#40

Pet Sounds

Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#41

Exile on Main St.

Exile on Main St. by The Rolling Stones is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#42

Led Zeppelin IV

Led Zeppelin IV by Led Zeppelin is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#43

Who's Next

Who's Next by The Who is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#44

Born to Run

Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#45

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust

The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#46

OK Computer

OK Computer by Radiohead is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#47

Kid A

Kid A by Radiohead is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#48

Highway 61 Revisited

Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#49

Are You Experienced

Are You Experienced by The Jimi Hendrix Experience is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →
#50

Automatic for the People

Automatic for the People by R.E.M. is a durable rock album choice, recognized for songwriting, influence, album cohesion and vinyl availability.

Why it belongs →

Research starting points

Rolling Stone rock album ratings via Album of the Year ↗Rolling Stone rock album ratings via Album of the Year, page 2 ↗Rolling Stone: 500 Greatest Albums ↗