cover image 100 Greatest Albums

100 Greatest Albums

VH-1. MTV Books, $16 (240pp) ISBN 978-0-7434-4876-5

A companion to the VH1 show of the same name, Hoye's compilation of the 100 greatest albums of all time is a solid effort in the""best of"" listmania (a phenomenon for which VH1, which has covered greatest songs, artists, teen idols and pop icons, must claim some responsibility). After sending ballots to over 700 songwriters, disc jockeys, radio gurus and musicians ranging from Art Garfunkel to Britney Spears, the station's powers that be tabulated and compiled a ranked list of the best of the best in rock and roll history. From the Beatles (who reign with both the number one album, Revolver, and the most albums on the list) to Elvis, from NWA (who could forget Straight Outta Compton?) to Lauren Hill and Curtis Mayfield--all the big shots of the last 50 years are here. Colloquial thumbnail essays by VH1 producers, pop aficionados and even Harlan Coben accompany each selection: the one on Bridge Over Troubled Water argues that hints of Simon & Garfunkel's break-up can be heard in certain tracks, while the one on Led Zeppelin's eponymous first album hails it as gasoline doused""on the formerly flickering flame of English blues."" Spiked with celebrity quotes, but written by the everyman, each essay offers a personal flash of recognition for the individual sounds, collaborative efforts and occasionally even the social implications of each album. Enjoyable for a straight read-through but even better for browsing, this little book should prompt readers to add some missing essentials to their collection and pop in a few old favorites to listen to anew.