Our friends across the sea over at Q and HMV recently took a poll of the top 50 Best Ever British Albums. (They seem to do this a lot, don’t they?) Regardless, the British public voted on the latest list and the top nod went to Oasis. The winning band also managed to squeeze in at #2, #14 and #22. Impressive. The list in full is below.
According to BBC6, Q Editor Paul Rees said: “Having voted in their thousands, Britain’s music fans have demonstrated a number of things through the results of the poll, not least of which is an abiding passion for great music. It’s clear that, having polled three times more votes than any other act, Oasis are undoubtedly the nation’s most loved band.” Rudy Osorio, HMV Head of Music added, “Most album polls of recent years have tended to see the likes of The Beatles, Radiohead and Stone Roses vie for the top five spots. However, as our perspective changes, it looks like many more of us are starting to recognize the iconic appeal of Oasis and the brilliance of Definitely Maybe as an era defining album. The likes of Keane, Arctic Monkeys, Muse and Amy Winehouse have emerged in recent years to be seen as genuinely classic artists in the eyes of the people that matter most - those who buy music.”
We have to wonder what would happen if the same poll was done for American artists. Something tells us it might be a little harder to decide.
01. Definitely Maybe Oasis
02. (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Oasis
03. OK Computer Radiohead
04. Revolver The Beatles
05. The Stone Roses The Stone Roses
06. Sgt Pepper The Beatles
07. London Calling The Clash
08. Under The Iron Sea Keane
09. Dark Side Of The Moon Pink Floyd
10. Urban Hymns The Verve
11. The Bends Radiohead
12. Abbey Road The Beatles
13. Hopes And Fears Keane
14. Don’t Believe The Truth Oasis
15. Violator Depeche Mode
16. The Queen Is Dead The Smiths
17. A Night At The Opera Queen
18. Whatever People Say I Am… Arctic Monkeys
19. The Beatles The Beatles
20. Nevermind The Bullocks Sex Pistols
21. Rubber Soul The Beatles
22. Be Here Now Oasis
23. Absolution Muse
24. Rio Duran Duran
25. Parklife Blur
26. A Rush Of Blood To The Head Coldplay
27. The Holy Bible Manic Street Preachers
28. Origin Of Symmetry Muse
29. IV Led Zeppelin
30. The Wall Pink Floyd
31. Up The Bracket The Libertines
32. X&Y Coldplay
33. Who’s Next The Who
34. Black Holes And Revelations Muse
35. Back To Black Amy Winehouse
36. Songs Of Faith And Devotion Depeche Mode
37. Word Gets Around Stereophonics
38. The Fat Of The Land Prodigy
39. Different Class Pulp
40. In Rainbows Radiohead
41. Hunky Dory David Bowie
42. Favourite Worst Nightmare Arctic Monkeys
43. Everything Must Go Manic Street Preachers
44. Wish You Were Here Pink Floyd
45. Behaviour Pet Shop Boys
46. Ziggy Stardust David Bowie
47. Parachutes Coldplay
48. Exile On Main Street Rolling Stones
49. Unknown Pleasures Joy Division
50. Let It Bleed Rolling Stones
