The five hundred and thirty-sixth album: #536 Minor Threat - Out of Step
Out of Step is ultimately a loud, hardcore punk album that brings a sound that it felt we'd started to lose at this point in the British bands. It works well at producing that sounds, but its short twenty (or so) minute length is enough to get it, much more than that and it would have been too much.
The five hundred and thirty-fifth album: #535 Cocteau Twins - Treasure
When describing this album earlier, I called it Kate Bush with a rock band. While not quite the same, the album features similar ethereal vocals, but backed with a far more aggressive rock sound instead. It feels deeply gothic and mystical in a way that works quite well, drawing you into this dream-like world.
The five hundred and thirty-fourth album: #534 Sade - Diamond Life
Diamond Life is a good soul album. Quite emotional at times, all of that shines through, with an incredibly strong throughline of it through the different tracks.
The five hundred and thirty-third album: #533 Run-DMC - Run-DMC
While not the first rap album by far, Run-DMC's debut does set the tone for at least one version, with them setting the stage for the Beastie Boys, for example. The rhythm and sounds are set up better, the repetition more focused on their musicality than the rhythmically spoken word album that it feels were there before. It's got mass appeal and still sounds as strong here. It's Like That is obviously the most influential title track, incredibly powerful without feeling like it compromised too much either. Wake Up, for example, really has its message in there as well as being incredibly accessible. A real delight that I am looking forward to hearing more of as the list develops.
The one hundred and ninety-fifth classical recording: #201 Ludwig van Beethoven - Piano Concerto no. 5 in E flat major
Not specifically themed, this concerto is exciting and friendly, giving a real spring feeling as the energy propels the piece forward. It's bold and great to listen to because of that.