I’ve spent lunchtime today, and about three hours tonight compiling what I think is the definitive list, although in Ridley Scott terms, I reserve the right to issue “Director’s Cuts” and “Final Cuts”.

It’s an interesting experiment traversing the lists and having to choose one over the other… The 1980s were fertile ground for lots of great albums, especially 1987 was unbelieable. The late nineties and noughties where often spartan and I found myself struggling to pick anything some years.

So without further ado, here are my 36 albums.

Feel free to comment on my list, dispute my selection, or point me to your list…

Other lists I’ve found are:

• Werner Vogels
• Nick Carr
• Phil Edwards
• Martin Wise

Enjoy, but be warned compiling your own list is a labour-intensive, brain-draining, and difficult activity. Cancel all appointments, notify family members, and switch off all phones: you may be some time. (unless your 6 years old, in which case I suggest the you start with The Sugababes).

Edits:

1973, 24 Carat Black “Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth” replaces Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly”
1988, Queensryche “Operation Mindcrime” replaces Cowboy Junkies “Trinity Sessions”
1978, Kate Bush “The Kick Inside” replaces “Grease : The Soundtrack”