here's a list (in no particular order) of 35 major-label releases, all of which were considered very successful albums for these artists. these 35 albums each had a particular influence on my musical tastes and/or development, either lyrically, sonically, or in terms of overall production. many of these i don't listen to anymore, but most are still in rotation. these are my top 35 major label releases:
01. nin - the downward spiral (1994)
02. van halen - diver down (1982)
03. tears for fears - elemental (1993)
04. the police - synchronicity (1983)
05. cibo matto - stereotype a (1999)
06. u2 - achtung baby (1991)
07. crash test dummies - god shuffled his feet (1993)
08. jeff buckley - grace (1994)
09. queens of the stone age - rated r (2000)
10. sneaker pimps - becoming remixed (1998)
11. michael jackson - thriller (1982)
12. xtc - skylarking (1986)
13. fleetwood mac - rumours (1977)
14. david bowie - earthling (1997)
15. wilco - yankee hotel foxtrot (2002)
16. aphex twin - richard d. james (1997)
17. blonde - parallel lines (1978)
18. the police - ghost in the machine (1981)
19. cardigans - first band on the moon (1996)
20. u2 - zooropa (1993)
21. yes - 90125 (1983)
22. sting - ten summoners tales (1993)
23. van halen - 1984 (1984)
24. peter gabriel - us (1992)
25. roni size reprazent - new forms (1997)
26. faith no more - the real thing (1989)
27. radiohead - ok computer (1997)
28. the beatles - abbey road (1969)
29. foo fighters - there is nothing left to lose (1999)
30. prince - purple rain
31. pink floyd - the dark side of the moon (1973)
32. radiohead - the bends (1995)
33. the cars - the cars (1978)
34. the strokes - is this it (2001)
35. no doubt - tragic kingdom (1995)
01. nin - the downward spiral (1994)
02. van halen - diver down (1982)
03. tears for fears - elemental (1993)
04. the police - synchronicity (1983)
05. cibo matto - stereotype a (1999)
06. u2 - achtung baby (1991)
07. crash test dummies - god shuffled his feet (1993)
08. jeff buckley - grace (1994)
09. queens of the stone age - rated r (2000)
10. sneaker pimps - becoming remixed (1998)
11. michael jackson - thriller (1982)
12. xtc - skylarking (1986)
13. fleetwood mac - rumours (1977)
14. david bowie - earthling (1997)
15. wilco - yankee hotel foxtrot (2002)
16. aphex twin - richard d. james (1997)
17. blonde - parallel lines (1978)
18. the police - ghost in the machine (1981)
19. cardigans - first band on the moon (1996)
20. u2 - zooropa (1993)
21. yes - 90125 (1983)
22. sting - ten summoners tales (1993)
23. van halen - 1984 (1984)
24. peter gabriel - us (1992)
25. roni size reprazent - new forms (1997)
26. faith no more - the real thing (1989)
27. radiohead - ok computer (1997)
28. the beatles - abbey road (1969)
29. foo fighters - there is nothing left to lose (1999)
30. prince - purple rain
31. pink floyd - the dark side of the moon (1973)
32. radiohead - the bends (1995)
33. the cars - the cars (1978)
34. the strokes - is this it (2001)
35. no doubt - tragic kingdom (1995)