I'm hoping this is somewhat original, but this is the internet so the chance that I struck upon something unique is impossible.
Anyway, I love music. Everything is a little bit better with the right tune playing along and I love so many diverse styles. This is as much for me as anybody else so maybe I can find some new stuff.
The premise here, though, is not great songs, there are so many of those, but great albums. Kids, when I was a little scientist, not quite mad yet, more mildly irritated, there were these things called "albums" which were made of PVC "vinyl." they work like this
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/record-player3.htm
Ask your hipster douche friend, you know the one that wears glasses frames with no glass in them and hates anything that they don't feel is old enough; they can explain with more snootiness than me.
The point is, the recommendation should be a recording in its entirety, not singles, not a one hit wonder buried in a recording full of otherwise forgettable claptrap (ask that hipster again, they know that word).
There aren't a lot of albums that are strong from end to end so it should narrow it down a bit. I will start with a few from across the spectrum that IMO are seminal works that should be a crucial part of a collection of their relevant genre.
Child of the 80's here, like my heavy metal. I dig the progenitors, but I will leave it up to my elders to bring up the Zeppelins and Sabbaths.
Judas Priest. They were rocking before I was born, but they never really stopped and I was able to discover them, rock out to their music, see them live and I actually met Glenn Tipton at the top of Tokyo Tower! They are a special group for me. They have a pantheon of pivotal albums, but this was an early favorite. Screaming for Vengeance
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhJrK9czQjk"]Judas Priest - Screaming For Vengeance (Full Album, 1982) Lyrics on screen - YouTube[/ame]
When the door was opened on the British metal scene, I next discovered Iron Maiden. Again, tons of great albums, but this was my first one, Powerslave.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meNeY0iDs_I"]Powerslave Full Album - YouTube[/ame]
The west coast metal scene was not missed either. I soon discovered Motley Crue. Not the Girls Girls Girls era, mind you, that was enjoyable, but that's not Crue to me. OGs will ding me on the misspelling of the name, but I'm too lazy to look up the code to get the dots.
If you must shout, instead, Shout at the Devil.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfchZKSGKcI"]Mötley Crüe - Shout at the Devil (Full Album) - YouTube[/ame]
Metallica, what can you say? they are the Zeppelin of my generation. I don't really dig the new stuff, but when I was a little headbanger they were on my short list. I had to struggle with which one, Puppets or Lightning? they are both worthy of the list, but I would argue that Lightning just edges out Puppets and For Whom the Bell Tolls is the first tune I learned to play on the drums so here it is, Ride the Lightning.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2YNRfw7r2E"]Metallica - Ride The Lightning [Full Album HD] - YouTube[/ame]
Now Kirk versus Dave, there is no struggle there. Dave Mustaine is a metal god and after that bus ride back from getting fired it didn't take him long to get something going. Their first outing was great, I feel that their sophomore effort really charted what that Megadeth sound would be. Peace Sells, but Who's Buying.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2wY73W2UKc"]peace sells full album mas link de descarga - YouTube[/ame]
There are so many more, but let's cross over to rap. Yes, rap. No tracks about chick's asses or big spinny rims, just Chuck D dropping science on your punk asses. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold em Back!
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxzXx-DK9MY"]Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (Full Album) - YouTube[/ame]
Not everything needs to be serious, though. Some folks want to just ride slow and low and fight for their right to party. The Beastie Boys are such individuals, but don't worry, they are Licensed to Ill.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdutu8sWmbQ&list=PLjIuADMrDKIZh24r0bnqFlNT V8N5WD958"]beastie boys - Rhymin & Stealin - Licensed To Ill - YouTube[/ame]
Wildcard time. I live in Japan and being a big music lover, it doesn't bother me a great deal if most of the lyrics miss me. Good music is good music and great artists can put the emotion into the music that crosses the language barrier. I'll wrap it up with X and Blue Blood
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEejXP4valY"]Blue Blood DISC1 - X Japan - YouTube[/ame]