Binding: Paperback
Date Published: 15 Oct 2026
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is the ultimate critical guide to history's greatest music. You'll find a mouthwatering choice of listening here: from Miles Davis's jazz landmark Kind of Blue (1959) to David Bowie's tragic final release Blackstar (2016), alongside groundbreaking releases by contemporary artists.
Explore musical history from the symphonic pop of The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds to the gargantuan grunge of Nirvana's Nevermind. As well as the acknowledged milestones without which no collection is complete, you'll discover many unexpected treats, such as Einsturzende Neubauten's power tool-enhanced soundscapes and Aphex Twin's sonic troublemaking.
1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die pays homage to the forces that have shaped rock and pop - but also dips into dance, jazz, funk, punk, disco, soul, hip-hop, world music and the avant-garde. Fascinating insights and trivia accompany detailed reviews of each album. What did Time magazine consider the twentieth century's greatest album? Which anthem by Prince was an attempt to emulate Bob Seger? And what links Count Basie and Batman?
With inside knowledge and incisive criticism from 90 internationally acclaimed music journalists, this updated edition provides an indispensable companion to the music itself. Illustrated with more than 900 iconic images of album covers, bands and artists, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die is a must-have for the musically inspired.