What do think is the best rock alblum of all time?

[hobub]

The Wall!

I'm a huge fan of:
The Doors
Zeppelin
Yardbirds
Beatles
Floyd
Metallica
Megadeth
Skynyrd
Hatchet..
and several others from the 60's through the 90's but have been recently been rediscovering Cash of all people as a favorite. Through the help of Johnny Cash Radio online

But when all said in done to answer your question on the spot. The first album that came to my mind was "The Wall".

[megojim]

I can't just pick one; I'd have a hard time picking ten. For me, it's got to be an album that I can listen to straight through, and not really want to skip any songs. Don't get me wrong, I think GnR was brilliant, but there are some of their songs that I HATE. Some that do fit that criteria for me are:

Boston's debut
Van Halen's debut
Black Sabbath's debut
Ozzy - Blizzard of Oz
Led Zep I and IV
The Who - Who's Next
Deep Purple - Machine Head
Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance
Metallica - The Black Album
****edited to add the obvious - Dark Side of the Moon

If you consider some of the "softer" stuff to be rock, then I'd add some Beach Boys, Beatles, Clash, and the Jane's Addiction already mentioned.

Wow!Steve,our list is very similar . . . .
For me I'd omit The Led Zep & Deep Purple and Add
Queesnryche: Operation Mindcrime
Skillet: Comatose (something more recent)
-jim

[Blue Meanie]

If I had to go with one Album I'd have to say The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (either version Mono or Stereo).

[EMCE Hammer]

Wow!Steve,our list is very similar . . . .
For me I'd omit The Led Zep & Deep Purple and Add
Queesnryche: Operation Mindcrime
Skillet: Comatose (something more recent)
-jim

I gotta admit I wouldn't know Skillet, but Operation Mindcrime is a solid pick. Those Queensryche guys are TIGHT. Very under-appreciated if you ask me, and I even forget them sometimes.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

Queen's A Night at the Opera.

I bet some of you are really shocked I listed this one.

Nice, that'd be in my top ten for sure.

[kingcarm]

From many of these answers I am getting the impression many people are putting more their "favorite" rock albums rather than "best" rock albums of all time.

Of all time, it is next to impossible to list just one. So here are my top five.

1. Sgt. Pepper:Beatles
2. Blonde On Blonde:Dylan
3. Exile On Main Street:Stones
4. Physical Graffiti:Zeppelin
5. Are You Experienced:Hendrix

I love Physical Graffiti

[Vortigern99]

Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

Black Sabbath - Paranoid

Blind Melon - Soup

Budgie - Never Turn Your Back on a Friend

Pink Floyd - Animals

[apes3978]

Bob Seger's "Live Bullet" would be my top live album.

Top live album in my book: Jerry Lee Lewis: Live at the Star Club.

[Adam West]

Dark Side of the Moon. Pink Floyd isn't my favorite band but when I look at all of the pheonomenal songs that came from that album, I can think of no other.

[megoscott]

The Wall and Dark Side are hard to argue, they were/are very important to me.

To be different, I'd mention Prince's Purple Rain...It's an extremely complete album.

Number one for me is Born to Run.

[Cosmicman]

'nuff said

[SeattleEd]

I love all the albums everyone posted. Great choices.
My personal preference for the best "Rock'N' Roll" album would be hard to narrow since there are so many.

I personally focus on production and technicality of the entire album.

The only way to approach this I would use my top 5 R'NR desert island discs.

No particular order:
The Beatles - Revolver
The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
TREX - Electric Warrior
Velvet Underground - Velvet Underground & Nico
Led Zeppelin - Houses of the Holy

[JPkempo]

or

[Thadiun Okona II]

Hmmm....just one? Ok, I'll go w/U2's Unforgettable Fire Album just for when it came out, and what the album means to me personally.

[SeattleEd]

I hate to bring up semantics of genres but I assume we are encompassing all bands that are labeled under certain genres but generally deemed to be rock such as alternative, heavy, rock or indie. Of course there are more.

If that's the case, I would toss in Starfish from The Church, Kid A from Radiohead, Psychocandy from Jesus and Mary Chain, Nevermind from Nirvana and 41 from Swell.