My top 20 albums of all time 

Love this. A good change of pace from your normal videos. It’s always interesting to hear personal bits about people whose work you respect.

“This album came out around when I was 16...” *album came out in 2007* How the hell is this man nearly 30?!

David: This was a very close competition, but my favorite Radiohead album and my favorite album of all time . . . Me: In Rainbows? David: . . . is In Rainbows. Me: My guy.

I literally said, out loud “HOLY SHIT; ME TOO!” to having In Rainbows as my #1 most favorite album. There is an unparalleled level of hollow, hopeful sadness in that record that I’ve yet to find anywhere else.

Gets to number three, hasn’t mentioned Bowie, the Beatles or Radiohead: It’s about to get good

Everytime someone mentions Pink Floyd there's something like: "My dad..."

How did I miss this? What a great list - thanks so much for sharing, I feel like everyone should do this.

Hounds of Love by Kate Bush blew my mind when I listened to it the first time and it still does after decades. Her voice, the harmonies, the sounds, the storytelling - everything is masterfully done and there is nothing like it.

20. Carrie & Lowell - Sufjan Stevens 19. Reflection - Brian Eno 18. Oracular Spectacular - MGMT 17. Giants Steps - John Coltrane 16. Either/Or - Elliott Smith 15. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan 14. 3+3 - The Isley Brothers 13. So - Peter Gabriel 12. Begin to Hope - Regina Spektor 11. Sometimes I Just Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit - Courtney Barnett 10. Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes 9. How Dare You - 10cc 8. Currents - Tame Impala 7. GroundUp - Snarky Puppy 6. The Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd 5. Pure Comedy - Father John Misty 4. Time Out - The Dave Brubeck Quartet 3. Hunky Dory - David Bowie 2. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles 1. In Rainbows - Radiohead

This list is actually really useful for discovering some really good musicians. Thanks!

Man, you are so cool. So kind, generous and true in your manner. Its really a joy to hear you speak about things. Thanks so much for your hard work.

I can’t describe how happy I was when you chose In Rainbows as your number 1 album, I really can only describe In Rainbows with one sentence: It melts my heart. The beauty and the atmosphere of this album is just so magical. Loved the video and I’m excited to check out some of the artists you mentioned.

My top albums list could be called "Am I slowly becoming my father?"

Giant Steps, aka, “what key is this in?” “Yes.”

Some of my fav’s: -Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life -Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On? -Joni Mitchell’s Blue -Bob Marley’s Rastaman Vibration

I love hearing people talk about their favorite albums. I'd love you to go in depth about which songs are your favorite and why I love time out too. my go to coltrane album is a love supreme

When it starts with Sufjan, you know it’s gonna be good.

Haven't even watched the video yet but I know its gonna be good. This guys quality is unbelievably consistent

What a surprise! I had your top 2 switched. I'm interested to check out many of the "new" artists you introduced me to in this video. Thank you for sharing it!

In Rainbows is so good man. When you were playing the snippets I found myself just listening to the entire song in my head once you moved on to the next one. Probably my favorite all time album as well

Revolver is my favorite Beatles album, I feel like it has been underrated next to an album like sgt pepper. The sound of the group is just so tight and there is not a single track on that album that feels out of place other than yellow submarine. I also really like the B-side medley on Abbey Road.

Loved the list, David. Would love to see your top 10 lists of albums for different genres (jazz, folk, prog, etc.).

And I thought I was the only one who loved 10cc. They don't get nearly enough love these days. Monumental work.

Thank you for including Elliott. He’s left off of a lot of lists that both his songwriting and guitar playing should have him on

I don't mind if your entire list are The Beatles and Radiohead. That's why I subscribed at your channel at the first place, because you talk and analyzed those two band so much! ;)

I loved this! I had to stop the video a couple times to jump into Spotify and save some of your favourites albuns. Thank you! Such an inspiring video :)

Fantastic list! Thanks for the videos. They've been a bright spot.

I bloody love you mate. You have such great content on all your videos. And now I have a lot of great new albums to listen to.

I love to see Brian Eno on this list! I listen to him for all the same reasons that you do, study, sleep, nice background music for things that require a bit more concentration, etc.

I really appreciated this video especially hearing your opinions but also some more personal infos of you. It wasn’t just Music Theory etc which you normally do, but also little stories for each album and why you like it so much.

Thank you for opening my ears to some contemporary artists that I missed because I was immersed in performing classical music at the time. I’ve purchased most of the albums you mention here that I did not already have. Am especially blown away by Father John Misty…such a wonderful fusion of so many elements of folk and popular music. Love his harmonic progressions.

Your list has introduced me to some great 'new' music - good to see you have chosen some of my top albums too

man such a calming voice and videos...am so in love with this

If you like Pure Comedy and Elliott Smith, I think you'd like the Weyes Blood album Titanic Rising. Super sophisticated harmony and melody in a deceptively simple indie folk package. Also, I just want to say that you have the best musical tastes of any music RU-vidr.

Well done, not just the staple albums you see, I will definitely check out these albums

This is the best top 20 all time album lists I have ever heard... This guy knows his stuff!

It's really nice to see how you relate to all of these albums, the way you list them not just by "overall musical qualities" but also because they influenced a particular moment of your life. Thanks for expressing yourself so much and for not fearing to be emotional about your favorite music.

I always love seeing Regina Spektor mentioned on these kinds of lists. Her music always feels like a dream to me whether it's wierd, tragic, or uplifting

What a great top 20 - many of these albums are are in my top 20. Great work!

Love your video expositions and lessons, but it's heart rending (and gut wrenching). Thanks much

I know it's gonna be a cool list. And as a Beatle fan myself, I'll enjoy the albums I already know, and surely I'll listen to the ones I don't know! Great material, as always. Greetings from Argentina

I find it interesting how there are often songs that we skip over until much later in life where we find an appreciation for it. It's like we aren't ready for that song just yet. For me it was "third eye" by Florence and the machine.

David, your knowledge of music theory is amazing. I’m fascinated by your videos. Thank you!

cool to see Fleet Foxes in here, I feel they have been unfairly forgotten by most people. Way more talented group than most of the indie pap that came out in the late 2000’s.

For those that want a full list: A * means I have listened to and love this album before I watched the video. If there's no star it means I haven't listened to it, not that I don't love (or think I would love) the album. 20. Carrie & Lowell by Sufjan Stevens* 19. Reflection by Brian Eno 18. Oracular Spectacular by MGMT * 17. Giant Steps by John Coltrane 16. Either Or by Elliott Smith 15. The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan * 14. 3+3 by The Isley Brothers 13. So by Peter Gabriel 12. Begin to Hope by Regina Spektor 11. Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit by Courtney Barnett 10. Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes 9. How Dare You! by 10CC 8. Currents by Tame Impala 7. GroundUp by Snarky Puppy 6. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd * 5. Pure Comedy by Father John Misty 4. Time Out by The Dave Brubeck Quartet 3. Hunky Dory by David Bowie 2. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles * 1. In Rainbows by Radiohead* Lesson for me is that I have a lot of music and artists I need to look into. Some of my favorites not on the list are: Sheer Heart Attack by Queen Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel Way to Normal by Ben Folds Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends by Coldplay Congratulations by MGMT Mind the Moon by Milky Chance The Queen is Dead by the Smiths Abbey Road by the Beatles and of course Kid A by Radiohead Endorsing David and these albums, LISTEN TO THEM, YOU'RE BOUND TO FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE

« In Rainbows », the album that makes me fall in love with music. So happy that you choose this one :)

Really nice job with this video!! And I especially like the fact that the Isley Bros made your list! Well Done!

Thank you so much for existing, I have just discovered your channel. I'll Patreon you next month!!

This felt like watching an award show, I cheered and sang along every time a snippet of my favorites came on :) great video and great taste

Shout out to Regina Spektor and her amazing music.

Great list thanks David. Theres a lot here i need to check out!

Thank you! Will check a few out that I had not listened to before.

What I like about music, being introduced to new music and expanding from that ♥️. Thank you

Noooooo - I wanna go to sleep! Ah, well, whatever... 22 more Minutes won't hurt...

Im definetly going to listen to some of these, thanks it was really interesting

Super nice mix of artists, I respect the wide range of years here as well!

Discovering Regina Spektor because of you and I'm loving it, thank you David!

Cool to see Courteney Barnett getting some love! Was surprised and delighted when I heard you list her debut album title, didn't think she had much reach outside Australia.

I'm not a musician due to being born with two left ears. But I've always appreciated your channel and though most of your discussions go over my head, was interested in hearing what you listen to. Especially since I'm an old Fart and you're just a young Whippersnapper. Thanks for your list, there were many new artists that I don't know, but I will search them out and listen. Thanks.

Thanks so much for this list. I knew about 9 of these, knew of 2 others but the rest are brand new to me. The Fleet foxes album was my coming of age album on the list.

Exquisite music taste! I love all these albums.

My favourite album is probably Music Has the Right to Children by Boards of Canada. I can’t recommend this album and, in fact, Boards of Canada’s entire oeuvre, enough. It’s really something you have to listen to a lot of times to really get into, but once you’ve familiarised with the tracks, it’s really something magical.

David you are one of my favourite teachers I often watch your videos several times (slow learner) it's probably my age that I missed 7 of your top 20 ,great treat though ,Thank you so much

Checking out Sufjan Stevens for the first time. I thought he would be an oldies artist based on the cover but my jaw dropped when I saw he did an album in 2021. Now I'm on course to binge his entire discography from 2015's Epic Fail. This guy's music is amazing so far

Ugh its impossible for me to say that but you are actually my favourite youtube channel of all time and I mean it. Very high quality, huge effort stuff and just enjoyable to watch. Thank you!

I really loved this, you have a very similar taste to my mother. I'm missing her a lot while I'm in college. I love your breakdowns, and I also love your music (the song in the credits actually made it to my master playlist and homework music playlist). You are one of my favorite channels.

After watching a few videos, I really love your channel!

great vid, now i wanna listen to some of these!

Your favorite track off Dark Side of the Moon really surprised me, that's quite an unusual choice.

The way you talk about music is so, like, organized and satisfying. I heard a lot of songs that I’m excited to vibe to now :)

Quite a lot I haven't heard, or heard of. Excellent. Have made a note of the whole list and will go through it, only skipping the albums I already know and love (about three of them, I think :) )

You're bloody marvellous, David

your taste is absolutely immaculate

Great list! Pet sounds is in an elite class when it comes to the vocal melodies/harmonies. Like the pure sheet music of the vocal parts. Songs like God Only Knows, Don’t talk. Also recommend Merriweather Post Pavilion by Animal Collective, which is my personal favourite album of all time. In rainbows is #2 for me

Any Colour You Like - yes! I can listen to the album version and live versions just on a loop and not get bored, can't help picking up the guitar and noodling along

Wow, your musical background is awesome! Great list

Thanks for all your work David. Not sure if you have heard this album but it’s a pretty much unknown gem. The band Supertramp’s self titled album.

I love this list!! Here are some of my faves: -Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys -Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins -Summer Sun by Yo La Tengo -Band on the Run by Wings -and of course Revolver :)

Very interesting list! Nice to see some titles other than the usual picks (Pet Sounds, etc.).

I love the fact that you have chosen albums that affected or influenced you directly or thought of it's melodies and what the songs have to say. One of the most honest, and actually cerebral, even quite surprising choices, in my opinion, of any of the "I like this because it's great" reaction or top whatever lists. Great job. Maybe the next 20?

Wastn't aware of Regina Spektor but you've definitely turned me on to her, I'll be looking for her albums - hopefully on vinyl.

hunky dory is my absolute favourite bowie album, tho blackstar is a VERY close next

Thanks - some new ones for me to explore and some good reminders of folks I haven’t listened to awhile.

Thanks for the music to check out!& In rainbows Disc 2 is awesome too! Bangers n Mash and Go Slowly are two of the best songs on the album I think!

My mom always had So playing, but it wasnt until adulthood I developed appreciation for it. Tony Levin absolutely nails the bass on that album.

i'm so excited to watch this :)) i can't wait to find out what your favourite albums are and if some of them are mine too!! i really hope hunky dory is on the list because that's definitely one on my favourite albums of all time

It has been a very relaxing 20 minutes. I'm happy to find out that we like the same kind of music. Going to listen to the albums from your list which I haven't listened to yet. Also looking forward to more music theory, as I have been learning a lot from your channel! Here goes a glass of raspberry jam mixed with water! Cheers, mate!

love your videos! You have such a good music taste. Greetings from Germany!

Oh yes, this is good content. Thanks!

Had the pleasure of seeing Fleet Foxes in concert about two weeks ago and oh my God. They are so amazing. Their harmonies just, fill you. Brought me to tears once or twice. Truly no one else like them.

So good to see Snarky Puppy on this list! I’m so glad they’re blowing up and getting the recognition they deserve! As a jazz-obsessed freak, I’m also delighted see Giant Steps and Time Out on here. Absolutely perfect albums. And thanks for introducing me to Tame Impala, I’m really getting into his music! Wouldn’t have found him without you. 🙏

Love the variety in here

Pepper’s is my favourite Beatles album too and my favourite album ever. Within You Without You is also a highlight for me.

I'm so pleased with half your choices, and so the other half are immediately going on my list to listen to

Thank you for this video and getting me into Brian Eno. His discography goes way back into the early 70's!

Wow I was not expecting time out (I’m glad you did)

Im sure theese albums have so many modal interchange so ı will listen all of them to train my ear, thank you...

I've listened to Courtney Barnett's album so many times this week. Thanks for the discovery. 🦄

Thanks mucho... I'm so locked into what I know that recommendations from someone I respect so much really broadens my horizons and gets me into new music... helps me cut through hype, BS, and marketing 👍

Great list!