Definitive 200 Albums

[gusmahler]

In some ways, their choices of country albums are the most "out there".

It looks like it's mainly a rock list, with a few rap, country, and jazz albums thrown in.

Rap could be better. But if a person who never listened to rap before wanted some exemplary albums, their choices aren't too bad: (the first few selections are Eminem, Dr. Dre, Beastie Boys, 50 Cent, BIG, and 2 Pac, a veritable who's who of rap.) Jazz isn't too bad either: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Brubeck, Frank Sinatra, and George Benson. All classic artists (there'll be those who argue for Duke Ellington over Benson, but it's not like Benson is an egregiously bad choice.)

But their country choices are atrocious: Shania Twain, Faith Hill, and 3(!) Dixie Chicks albums interspersed with token males Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. What? Garth Brooks is easily the most important country artist (for good or for bad) since 1990 and he's not on the list? George Strait has 50 #1 songs and not a single album on the list? Not to mention the huge number of "classic" artists that I just am not familiar with as a new fan of country.

If someone was brand new to country, and wanted 5 albums to buy, I doubt there's a single country fan who would recommend that they buy an album Shania Twain, by Faith Hill, and 3 by the Dixie Chicks.