Rolling Stone: The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time

The Indestructible Beat of Soweto is a compilation album released in 1985 on the Earthworks label, featuring musicians from South Africa, including Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mahlathini. The album was placed in the top 10 in the annual Pazz & Jop poll in the magazine The Village Voice. AllMusic calls it "an essential sampler of modern African styling, a revelation and a joy." Leading critic Robert Christgau gave it an A+ rating, and called it the most important record of the 1980s. It was ranked number 388 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

The Gilded Palace of Sin is the first album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1969. It continued Gram Parsons' and Chris Hillman's work in modern country music, fusing traditional sources like folk and country with other forms of popular music like gospel, soul, and psychedelic rock. In 2003, the album was ranked number 192 in Rolling Stone the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The Velvet Underground was one of music's most influential rock groups. Often referred to as the dark side of the psychedelic era, The Velvet Underground was rock's first great underground band. Its members consist of singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist/bassist Sterling Morrison and percussionist Maureen Tucker. Their daring and politically-charged lyrics help shade music forever.

The Smiths are one of music’s most influential alternative rock bands. "Complete" features the 2011's hi-definition remastering and includes the band’s historic studio recordings: "The Smiths" (1984), "Meat Is Murder" (1985), "The Queen Is Dead" (1986) and "Strangeways, Here We Come" (1987).

"Legend" is the definitive multi-platinum collection of greatest hits from Reggae pioneer Bob Marley. The global superstar, one of Rolling Stone’s 100 greatest artists of all time is joined by his extraordinary band, The Wailers. Marley led the Reggae charge with his rich political lyrics and moving beats, forever revolutionizing the music scene and setting the precedence for all musicians to follow. This compilation is one of Billboard’s longest charting albums of all time and was included on Rolling Stone’s 500 greatest albums of all time.

In many facets, Big Brother and the Holding Company's Cheap Thrills is the quintessential album to spring from the outcome of the Summer of Love. Best known as Janis Joplin's major-label debut, the 1968 set arrived when the countercultural movement was in full swing and before co-optation, drugs, and violence signaled the fall of the era. Ranked #338 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, it puts a female singer in the prominent position traditionally given to a male and showcases a band pouring a potent cocktail of fiery psychedelic, blues, and folk sounds that informed the unfettered creativity of the San Francisco scene. Produced by John Simon, Cheap Thrills also features one of the most iconic and elaborate album covers in history.

Catch a Fire is a 1973 album by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was their first album released by Island Records. The album's supporting concert tour throughout England and the United States helped establish the band as international stars. Catch a Fire peaked at number 171 on the Billboard 200 and number 51 on the Billboard Black Albums charts. Critical acclaim has included the album being listed at number 126 on Rolling Stone's 500 greatest albums of all time, second only to Legend among five Bob Marley albums on the list. It is regarded as one of the top reggae albums of all time.

"Cheap Thrills" is the band’s sophomore album and the final to feature Janis Joplin as lead vocalist. The band members were pioneers of the psychedelic era and their 1968 classic is widely considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the genre. It features the hits “Piece Of My Heart,” “Summertime” and “Ball And Chain.” It is included on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and listed in the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Absolutely essential.