10 Timeless Albums We Wish We Could Experience Again for the First Time

10 Timeless Albums We Wish We Could Experience Again for the First Time

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most memorable, enduring, and/or influential albums we want to hear all over again.

#10: “Tidal” (1996)

Fiona Apple

In her impressive debut, this songwriter emerged as a generational talent. Fiona Apple was more than ready to throw the pop world for a loop. “Tidal” showed her as both confrontational and heartfelt, with songs to sell her visionary outlook. She’s able craft stunning productions that feel fresh and urgent. “Criminal” is just one highlight of a stellar record. It’s maybe the most popular hit, but one that’s just scratching the surface of her abilities. Apple would only grow from there as she embarked on a critically-revered decade. All these years later, this Grammy winner remains a singular voice in music. Her piano playing, singing, and writing skills can’t be overstated either.

#9: “The Fame” (2008)

Lady Gaga

Like a pop-powered rocket, Lady Gaga launched into stardom with her debut. The artist arrived as a fully-formed star. “Just Dance” was just one in a series of hit singles that established her. With “Poker Face,” her knack for dance, electronic, and pop music really revealed itself. The vocalist doesn’t quit in a series of electric numbers. Making you want to move, the album perfectly encompasses the end of the 2000s. It also gave people an early glimpse at the next decade of stratospheric work. Without this trailblazing artist, where would we be as a culture?

#8: “Jagged Little Pill” (1995)

Alanis Morissette

While it wasn’t her first album, “Jagged Little Pill” helped to bring Alanis Morissette to a global audience. The record finds her on a streak of biting, emotional, and powerful statements. It’s the kind of effort that feels as energetic and vital as the first day it was released. From “Ironic” to “You Oughta Know,” Morissette finds every angle to examine her outlook on life. You don’t have to be just like her to sing along, but it’s hard not to relate to this staggering catalog. Collaborating with Glen Ballard, the artist made a decade-defining work that inspired fans, musicians, and a Broadway show.

#7: “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” (1998)

Lauryn Hill

With only one solo album thus far, Lauryn Hill remains an R&B legend. Her work with Fugees introduced her to the world and this effort earned her further acclaim. “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” is a Grammy winner that everyone can enjoy. She manages to combine genres, while also delivering on a reliable formula of musical excellence. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” is just one standout from a masterpiece. Through this all-encompassing record, the artist set the bar high for everyone else to follow in her footsteps. Even if she never makes another piece of music, the vocalist would be among the more celebrated acts of her generation.

#6: “Post” (1995)

Björk

From pop to trip-hop, this musician takes you on a journey for her follow-up to “Debut.” It’s an extraordinary mix of old and new sounds. Björk’s second record builds upon her first, with even more introspective and impactful lyrics. A song like “Hyperballad” gives incredible insight into relationships without being cliché. On the other end of the spectrum, “Army of Me” shows the artist in one of her most aggressive and engaging moments. Saluting classic pop and pushing towards the future, “Post” goes places that few vocalists are willing to go. It has an experimental feel that likely inspires many others to diversify their work.

#5: “Hounds of Love” (1985)

Kate Bush

In the middle of the 1980s, Kate Bush was already a celebrated popstar. Her vanguard style separated her from typical acts of the era. “Hounds of Love” finds her at one of her most successful and satisfying moments. A song like “Running Up That Hill” still works to this day, with TV shows like “Stranger Things” using it as a needle drop. There’s also the heartwrenching title track, with brilliant and unforgettable lyrics. It’s an altogether stellar album full of wonderful compositions. The track “Cloudbusting” feels years ahead of its time, with a baroque style that commands your attention. Bush pushes her voice and songwriting skills, setting the stage for generations of vocalists to think outside of the box.

#4: “Fearless” (2008)

Taylor Swift

At the end of the 2000s, Taylor Swift was already reaching unprecedented levels of fame. Her album “Fearless” helped the artist cross from country star to pop icon. In hit after hit, the songwriter reveals a talent that few possess at a young age. You have a track like “Love Story” drawing people in with its catchy chorus and Shakespeare references. There’s also the entertaining storytelling on a single like “You Belong with Me.” Older fans might still count this as a favorite, but even younger listeners can appreciate the pact of this massive record.

#3: “Back to Black” (2006)

Amy Winehouse

After her debut, Amy Winehouse defied the sophomore slump with this album. Her second and final record “Back to Black” is an astounding work of art. The title track is just one amazing effort, with “Rehab” finding her in personal territory. She’s able to take low moments and make them sound triumphant. Collaborating with Mark Ronson, the album reaches soaring heights thanks to some vintage production sounds. It could’ve been released in any decade of the last half-century and been a hit. That’s a high compliment for a singer of her abilities, with the timeless tunes still packing a punch. It’s a shame that she left us too soon with more music left to share.

#2: “Tapestry (1971)

Carole King

Before she became a solo artist, Carole King was a hit maker behind the scenes. She then stepped out in front of the spotlight and created albums like “Tapestry.” It’s a quintessential record that’s inspired everyone from her contemporaries to Taylor Swift. King knows how to craft a ballad, but she can also brighten up the room with “I Feel the Earth Move.” Her warm voice lures you down a rabbit hole of poetic observations. When she isn’t making you cry, she’s writing a song that later became a beloved theme for “Gilmore Girls.” This album makes you connect with a bygone era while keeping your attention in worthy ways.

#1: “Rumours” (1977)

Fleetwood Mac

There’s a reason that this album still shows up on the radio. Even after all these decades, “Rumours” remains vibrant and relatable. It also traces the personal journeys of musicians at the top of their game. Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham write emotional lyrics with incredible hooks. While it might be from the 1970s, this collection aged much better than other soft rock or disco hits. It’s full of legendary pop rock that influences artists and memes to this day. Chock full of quality work, this project includes classics such as “Go Your Own Way” and “The Chain.”

Did we forget another album that’s worth another listen? Let us know in the comments below.