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ROUND 2: Hot Fuss vs. Jagged Little Pill

The Killers - Hot Fuss (2007) Genre: Alternative rock, new wave, synth-pop Singles: Mr. Brightside, Somebody Told Me, All These Things That I've Done, Smile Like You Mean It Grammys: Two nominations RIAA Certification: 6x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

The Killers' debut album saw immediate and enduring success, to little surprise; bright, witty, and packed with infectiously catchy tunes, Hot Fuss bursts with undeniable energy. The band was inspired by the raw, minimal melodic sound of post-punk and new wave in determining the direction of the album, with which they wanted to preserve the spontaneity of their demo recordings. The single "Mr. Brightside" in particular has achieved considerable lasting success, spending a remarkable eight straight years on the UK singles chart.

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill (1995) Genre: Alternative rock, post-grunge Singles: You Oughta Know, You Learn, Hand in My Pocket, Ironic, Head over Feet, All I Really Want Grammys: Six nominations (including SOTY), Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, Best Female Rock Vocal Performance, Album Of The Year RIAA Certification: Diamond (17x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 69

The third studio album from the so-called Queen of Alt Rock Angst, Jagged Little Pill was Alanis Morissette's first album recorded as an independent adult. Her voice is an unmistakable focal point of the album, sliding easily through emotional modes and drawing listeners in with its range and power. The success of Jagged Little Pill and Morisette's skyrocketing career was hugely influential on female artists in the decade that followed, with many popular artists across genres citing her as an inspiration and labels seeking out more female talent.

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Spider's Moon

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ROUND 2: Songs of the Humpback Whale vs. E•MO•TION

Roger Payne - Songs of the Humpback Whale (1970) Genre: Environmental, whale song Singles: N/A Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: N/A Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

Inspired by the traumatic experience of witnessing a desecrated whale corpse, bio-acoustician Roger Payne would spend the next several years investigating whalesong with his wife, eventually collating selected examples into an album. Payne's research was the first to discover that all male whales in a given ocean sing the same song, that songs changed from year to year, and that the songs contained rhyme analogues that indicated the possible use of mnemonic devices. Songs of the Humpback Whale had tremendous impact on public awareness of the intelligence of whales, leading to the "Save the Whales" movement and, eventually, the UN's 1972 moratorium on commercial whaling.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

Carly Rae Jepson - E•MO•TION (2015) Genre: Pop, dance-pop, synth-pop, disco Singles: I Really Like You, Run Away with Me, Your Type Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: N/A Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

Although not a commercial success, Canadian singer Carly Rae Jepsen's third studio album has come to be regarded as one of her most endearing pieces and the work that saw her reborn her from a one-hit wonder to an indie darling with a very queer cult following. The disco inspired album bubbles with feeling, managing to maintain its sugary sweet fantasy even as it dips into heartbreak and yearning. E•MO•TION soars through loves won and lost in irresistible celebration, shattering the memory of Jepsen's former fame and remaking her sound into something more complex and joyfully human.

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I do think that despite the fact that people like to blame the bits of twin peaks that they don't like on Mark Frost, I do think that that show as a whole doesn't work without him. David Lynch needed Mark Frost coming up with insane lore for him to be vague and metaphorical about to keep the show from just becoming completely incomprehensible. It provides some much needed structure to the strange abstraction that was a favorite of Lynch that you need if you're gonna make a whole tv show instead of just a movie.

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ROUND 2: Appetite for Destruction vs. Licensed to Ill

Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987) Genre: Hard rock, heavy metal Singles: It's So Easy/Mr. Brownstone, Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child o' Mine Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: Diamond (18x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 62

A bombastic celebration of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll, this hard rock debut is praised by many for bringing a bit of rebel spirit back to the commercial hair metal scene of the 80s. Although panned on release, Appetite for Destruction is retroactively considered one of the most influential rock albums of its decade, with a track listing full to bursting with songs that still remain instantly recognizable.

Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986) Genre: Rap rock, hip-hop Singles: Hold It Now, Hit It; Paul Revere; The New Style; (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!); Brass Monkey; No Sleep till Brooklyn; Girls Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: Diamond (10x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 192

The first rap album to top the Billboard 200, the Beastie Boys' debut album would help introduce rap to a wider, more mainstream (and mostly white) suburban audience. Combining influences of hip-hop and punk rock, Licensed to Ill was critically lauded both upon release and in retrospect, and continues to be regarded as a landmark in hip-hop history, in spite of its at-times obnoxious frat boy shtick.

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ROUND 1: Tommy vs. Demon Days

The Who - Tommy (1969) Genre: Rock, hard rock Singles: Pinball Wizard / Dogs Part Two; I'm Free / We're Not Gonna Take It; See Me, Feel Me / Overture from Tommy Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 190

Primarily written by guitarist Peter Townshend, the Who's fourth studio album was one of the first rock operas, telling the story of the titular Tommy Walker, a fictional "deaf, dumb, and blind kid" who goes down a path that leads to him becoming a messianic figure. Considered to be the Who's breakthrough to wider audiences, Tommy is widely regarded as an extremely influential rock album and has been reinterpreted in many forms, including a ballet, a stage opera, a film, and a Broadway musical.

Gorillaz - Demon Days (2005) Genre: Alternative rock, hip-hop Singles: Feel Good Inc., Dare, Dirty Harry, Kids with Guns / El Mañana Grammys: Four nominations (including ROTY), Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 437

The second album from acclaimed fictional band Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and a wide variety of collaborators (including acclaimed rap acts like De La Soul, MF DOOM, and the Pharcyde) would take a darker turn from their debut, exploring post-9/11 politics and apocalyptic themes in a loose concept album about "the world in a state of night." Demon Days would establish Gorillaz as a serious act rather than a one-off gimmick, and its eclectic blend of genres and extensive multi-media promotion would cement the band as an innovative and creative project the likes of which had never been fully explored before.

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ROUND 1: Watermark vs. A Rush of Blood to the Head

Enya- Watermark (1988) Genre: New-age, celtic Singles: Orinoco Flow, Evening Falls..., Storms in Africa, Exile Grammys: Two nominations RIAA Certification: 4x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

Created under a very lax contract providing her considerable artistic freedom and no deadlines, Enya's sophomore album would be the one that would catapult her into global popularity. Establishing her trademark sound of multi-layered vocals and keyboards, Watermark's collection of emotional and ethereal tracks (including songs in Irish and Latin) would introduce the world to her immense vocal talent, earning her fans ranging from Princess Diana to Nicki Minaj and cementing her an automatic top spot on the New Age charts for the rest of her career.

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002) Genre: Alternative rock, post-Britpop Singles: In My Place, The Scientist, Clocks, God Put a Smile Upon Your Face Grammys: Two nominations, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal RIAA Certification: 4x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 324

Following in the footsteps of their worldwide hit "Yellow," Coldplay's second album gained both critical and commercial success and would be hailed as one of the best albums of the 21 century. Dealing strongly with themes of regret, idealized love, and urgency and inspired in part by the events of 9/11, A Rush of Blood to the Head has an undeniable magic that can only come from a band confidently hitting their stride as icons.

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ROUND 1: Songs of the Humpback Whale vs. Take Care

Roger Payne - Songs of the Humpback Whale (1970) Genre: Environmental, whale song Singles: N/A Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: N/A Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

Inspired by the traumatic experience of witnessing a desecrated whale corpse, bio-acoustician Roger Payne would spend the next several years investigating whalesong with his wife, eventually collating selected examples into an album. Payne's research was the first to discover that all male whales in a given ocean sing the same song, that songs changed from year to year, and that the songs contained rhyme analogues that indicated the possible use of mnemonic devices. Songs of the Humpback Whale had tremendous impact on public awareness of the intelligence of whales, leading to the "Save the Whales" movement and, eventually, the UN's 1972 moratorium on commercial whaling.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

Drake - Take Care (2011) Genre: Hip-hop, R&B, pop Singles: Marvins Room, Headlines, Make Me Proud, The Motto, Take Care, HYFR (Hell Ya Fucking Right), Crew Love Grammys: Three nominations, Best Rap Album RIAA Certification: 8x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 95

A moody, introspective production, Pharrell William's biggest fan would launch his sophomore album to great critical acclaim, garnering praise for his confessional style and low-tempo, sensuous blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop. Mixing braggadocio and emotional honesty, Take Care has been hailed as a modern classic that inspired a new wave of melodic and conscious rap/R&B fusion.

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this is actually like my third or fourth rodeo so i sort of get it but sort of dont

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i'm sort of between graves right now

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ROUND 1: AM vs. A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

Arctic Monkeys - AM (2013) Genre: Indie rock. blues rock, pop rock Singles: R U Mine?, Do I Wanna Know?, Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?, One for the Road, Arabella, Snap Out of It Grammys: One nomination RIAA Certification: 4x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 346

Indie rock darlings the Arctic Monkeys would attain massive mainstream success with their fifth studio album, particularly with the chart- and radio wave-dominating single "Do I Wanna Know?." AM garnered significant critical praise for its moody, heavy atmosphere and strong rhythm and guitar riffs; the album would go on to heavily influence modern rock with its vintage stylings, and is considered by many to be a defining record of the decade.

Panic! at the Disco - A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005) Genre: Pop-punk, emo, baroque pop Singles: The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide is Press Coverage; I Write Sins Not Tragedies; But It's Better If You Do; Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off; Build God, Then We'll Talk Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: 4x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

Released to mixed reviews from critics, many of whom described its wordy, theatrical lyrics as overwrought and hollow, Panic! at the Disco's debut album would nonetheless go on to become a mass commercial success, particularly with the iconic single "I Write Sins Not Tragedies." Divided roughly into two halves, with the former being mostly electronic-influenced pop-punk and the latter vaudeville-esque baroque pop, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out is an undeniable classic of emo and pop-punk.

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ROUND 1: Weezer vs. Abbey Road

Weezer - Weezer (Blue Album) (1994) Genre: Power pop, geek rock, pop-punk Singles: Undone - The Sweater Song, Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So Grammys: Two nominations RIAA Certification: 5x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 294

Credited with breathing new life into a 90s alt-rock scene that had been left gasping for air after the death of Kurt Cobain, Weezer's debut album mixed the chart-friendly hooks of power pop with the self-deprecating irreverence of geek rock to make an instant hit. Filled with unforgettable guitar work and some of the 90s' most enduring hits (as well as iconic and oft-recreated cover art), Weezer is fondly remembered as a high point of the decade and would go on to heavily influence pop-punk and emo acts for years to come.

The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969) Genre: Rock Singles: Something / Come Together, Here Comes the Sun* Grammys: One nomination RIAA Certification: Diamond (12x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 5

The Beatles' eleventh studio album barely requires an introduction. Although released to mixed reviews, Abbey Road is now widely regarded as the Beatles' best and as one of the greatest albums of all time. The band's last release before the public announcement of their breakup (perhaps foreshadowed by its subdivision into two halves, one written by Paul McCartney and one written by John Lennon) the album is precisely constructed and masterfully engineered, and the cover, which features the band walking across a zebra crossing outside of Abbey Road Studios, is one of the most singularly famous and most imitated pieces of imagery in music history.

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ROUND 1: Flower Boy vs. American Beauty

Tyler, the Creator - Flower Boy (Scum Fuck Flower Boy) (2017) Genre: Hip-hop, jazz rap Singles: Who Dat Boy/911, Boredom, I Ain't Got Time!, See You Again Grammys: One nomination RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

A stark contrast to the shock rap of Tyler's earliest projects and completing his reputational transition from industry-disregarded bit act to critically acclaimed artist, his fifth album was a smooth, surreal, and introspective record. Containing themes of fame, loneliness, and ennui, as well as some of the first indications of his bisexuality, Flower Boy also garnered praise for its uniquely lush and dreamy sound produced by Tyler himself, with some of the most popular songs on the album built on beats rejected by other rappers.

Grateful Dead - American Beauty (1970) Genre: Folk rock, country rock Singles: Truckin/Ripple Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 215

Titanically popular live jam band the Grateful Dead's fifth studio project is their most critically acclaimed, and arguably most beloved, release out of their non-compilation discography that numbers a staggering ninety albums. The archetypical example of their innovative take on American bluegrass and folk, American Beauty is an elaborated constructed but effortlessly free sounding record that typifies the Dead's iconic sound.

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ROUND 1: illmatic vs. Straight Outta Compton

Nas - illmatic (1994) Genre: East Coast hip-hop, boom bap Singles: Halftime, It Ain't Hard to Tell, Life's a Bitch, The World Is Yours, One Love Grammys: One nomination RIAA Certification: 2x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 44

Nas' debut album, which he began at 16 and released at only 20, would become a landmark for East Coast hip-hop and is considered by some to be the best hip-hop album, period. Hotly anticipated before and anything but a disappointment upon its release, illmatic tackles gang rivalries, poverty, and the ravages of the 90s Queensbridge projects with poetic deftness and unprecedented complexity that pushed the art of rap to new heights.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton (1989) Genre: West Coast hip-hop, gangsta rap Singles: Gangsta Gangsta, Express Yourself Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: 3x Platinum Rolling Stone Rank: 70

N.W.A's notorious debut album would draw massive attention, both positive and negative alike. Earning the group FBI warning letters and getting them banned from MTV due to their contentious, exaggerated lyrics around gang violence, militant anti-authoritarianism, and blatant disregard for women, Straight Outta Compton would contribute significantly to the defining sound of gangsta rap and shift the focus of the West Coast rap scene. Despite its controversies, the album would become a smash success, being the first gangsta rap record to reach platinum certification with it's bombastic style and strong sense of personality.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

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ROUND 1: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars vs. Van Halen

David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972) Genre: Glam rock, proto-punk Singles: Starman / Suffragette City, Rock 'n' Roll Suicide Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: Gold Rolling Stone Rank: 40

Often considered the greatest album of Bowie's career, this rock opera is a defining piece of glam rock and chronicles the life and times of alien messiah and rockstar Ziggy Stardust as he arrives on Earth to save its people and is later torn apart on stage by his fans. Ziggy's tale comments on the nature of celebrity and is charged with sexuality, drug use, and reflection on the artificiality of the culture from which it arose. The character of Ziggy would gain icon status in his own right, with his avant-garde, kabuki inspired appearance becoming the most recognizable of Bowie's stage personas.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

Van Halen- Van Halen (1978) Genre: Hard rock, heavy metal Singles: You Really Got Me, Runnin' with the Devil, Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love, Jamie's Cryin', On Fire Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: Diamond (10x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: 292

Recorded over the course of several weeks and consisting mostly of their live catalogue, Van Halen's eponymous debut was unlike anything that rock had heard before. Van Halen famously features the fully instrumental track "Eruption," on which Eddie Van Halen's groundbreaking, virtuosic guitar skill was fully on display. "Eruption" is widely considered one of the greatest guitar solos of all time and is credited with popularizing tapping.

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ROUND 1: The Velvet Underground & Nico vs. Tragic Kingdom

The Velvet Underground, Nico - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) Genre: Art rock, experimental rock Singles: All Tomorrow's Parties / I'll Be Your Mirror, Sunday Morning / Femme Fatale Grammys: N/A RIAA Certification: N/A Rolling Stone Rank: 23

A flop on release, The Velvet Underground's debut album has gone on to be regarded as one of the most influential and important albums in rock history for its trailblazing, avant-garde contents, spanning themes of drugs, prostitution, sadomasochism, and modern urban life. Its impact is best summarized by Brian Eno: despite the low sales of the album, every person who bought it went on to start a band. Or, to put it in other words, The Velvet Underground & Nico is your favorite band's favorite album.

*This album is preserved in the National Recording Registry.

No Doubt - Tragic Kingdom (1995) Genre: Pop rock, alternative rock, ska punk Singles: Just a Girl, Spiderwebs, Don't Speak, Excuse Me Mr., Sunday Morning, Happy Now?, Hey You! Grammys: Two nominations RIAA Certification: Diamond (10x Platinum) Rolling Stone Rank: N/A

No Doubt's third album was mainly penned by lead singer Gwen Stefani, and the lyrics reflect many of her life experiences with relationships and misogyny. Tragic Kingdom would become the bands greatest critical and commercial success, and was largely responsible for the ska revival of the 90s, helping pave the way for many other ska acts to attain popularity and and critical acclaim.