{"id":23083,"date":"2026-07-13T14:41:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T18:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/?p=23083"},"modified":"2026-07-13T14:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T18:41:31","slug":"one-decade-100-albums-endless-conversations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/one-decade-100-albums-endless-conversations\/","title":{"rendered":"One Decade. 100 Albums. Endless Conversations."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Led by Professor Ken Womack, Monmouth\u2019s \u201cbook club for records\u201d brings listeners together to unpack landmark albums and the stories behind them. The series marked its 100th album discussion last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Hits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>
\n

First album featured: Nevermind\u2014Nirvana (September 2016)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Nevermind felt like a terrific place to start. It wasn’t so old that nostalgia had set in\u2014yet it already enjoyed a kind of classic status.” \u2014Ken Womack<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

100th album milestone celebration: Off the Wall\u2014Michael Jackson (May 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Album that surprisingly resonated: To Pimp A Butterfly\u2014Kendrick Lamar<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“To Pimp a Butterfly is hardly a nostalgia piece, yet our audience gamely gave it a chance.” \u2014Womack<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Most requested album to cover: Bat Out of Hell\u2014Meat Loaf (coming on Aug. 4) <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Album that sparked the most spirited debate: Rubber Soul\u2014The Beatles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Songs that haven’t aged well, like ‘Run for Your Life’ from the Beatles’ Rubber Soul, have sparked some of our strongest discussions.” \u2014Womack<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>
\n

Longest <\/strong>album <\/strong>discussed: Live\/1975-85\u2014Bruce Springsteen (3.5 hours long)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By the Numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n

The first 100 sessions drew a total of 13,955 attendees <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Bruce Springsteen had the most albums in the first 100, with 10 albums<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Among the first 100, there were a total of 9 concept albums<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Selections spanning multiple LPs in the first 100: 5 albums<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Albums by Decade<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The 1970s dominate the club’s selections, followed by the 1960s and 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Genre Breakdown<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rock and classic rock account for just over one-third of the first 100 albums discussed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

The Full Catalog<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. Nevermind\u2014Nirvana<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Blonde on Blonde\u2014Bob Dylan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Parallel Lines\u2014Blondie<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Sgt. Pepper\u2019s Lonely Hearts Club Band\u2014The Beatles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Nebraska\u2014Bruce Springsteen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Are You Experienced?\u2014Jimi Hendrix<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Rumours \u2014 Fleetwood Mac <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Kind of Blue \u2014 Miles Davis <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Purple Rain \u2014 Prince<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. OK Computer \u2014 Radiohead<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Darkness on the Edge of Town \u2014 Bruce Springsteen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. The Dark Side of the Moon \u2014 Pink Floyd<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. A Love Supreme \u2014 John Coltrane<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. The White Album \u2014 The Beatles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars\u2014David Bowie<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Tracy Chapman \u2014 Tracy Chapman<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. London Calling \u2014 The Clash<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  18. Aja \u2014 Steely Dan<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  19. Tunnel of Love \u2014 Bruce Springsteen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  20. Abbey Road \u2014 The Beatles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  21. Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ \u2014 Bruce Springsteen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  22. What\u2019s Going On? \u2014 Marvin Gaye <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  23. In the Wee Small Hours \u2014 Frank Sinatra <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  24. Time Out \u2014 Dave Brubeck <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  25. Let It Bleed \u2014 The Rolling Stones <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  26. Let It Be \u2014 The Beatles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  27. The Joshua Tree \u2014 U2 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  28. Lemonade \u2014 Beyonc\u00e9 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  29. Tommy \u2014 The Who<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  30. Revolver \u2014 The Beatles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  31. Jagged Little Pill \u2014 Alanis Morissette <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  32. Girlfriend\u2014Matthew Sweet<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  33. Wish You Were Here\u2014PinkFloyd<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  34. So\u2014Peter Gabriel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  35. Horses\u2014Patti Smith<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  36. Remain in Light\u2014Talking Heads<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  37. The River\u2014Bruce Springsteen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  38. Songs in the Key of Life\u2014Stevie Wonder <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  39. Celia \u2014 Angelique Kidjo <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  40. Blue \u2014 Joni Mitchell <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  41. Double Fantasy \u2014 John Lennon & Yoko Ono <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  42. Crosby, Stills, & Nash \u2014 Crosby, Stills, & Nash <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  43. All Things Must Pass \u2014 George Harrison <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  44. Love Letters \u2014 Anoushka Shankar <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  45. Zenyatta Mondatta \u2014 The Police <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  46. Violator \u2014 Depeche Mode <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  47. Graceland \u2014 Paul Simon <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  48. Pet Sounds \u2014 The Beach Boys <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  49. Who\u2019s Next \u2014 The Who <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  50. Sweet Baby James \u2014 James Taylor <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  51. Look Sharp! \u2014 Joe Jackson <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  52. Live\/1975\u201385 \u2014 Bruce Springsteen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  53. Bridge over Troubled Water \u2014 Simon and Garfunkel<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  54. Band on the Run \u2014 Paul McCartney & Wings <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  55. The Velvet Underground & Nico \u2014 The Velvet Underground & Nico <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  56. Sign o\u2019 the Times \u2014 Prince <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  57. Tapestry \u2014 Carole King <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  58. Low \u2014 David Bowie <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  59. Physical Graffiti \u2014 Led Zeppelin <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  60. The Wild, The Innocent, & the E Street Shuffle \u2014 Bruce Springsteen<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  61. Beauty and the Beat \u2014 The Go-Go\u2019s <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  62. Pretenders \u2014 The Pretenders <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  63. The Rising \u2014 Bruce Springsteen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  64. Days of Future Passed \u2014 The Moody Blues <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  65. To Pimp a Butterfly \u2014 Kendrick Lamar <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  66. American Beauty \u2014 The Grateful Dead <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  67. Young, Gifted, & Black \u2014 Aretha Franklin <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  68. Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ \u2014 Bruce Springsteen (revisited for a 50th anniversary symposium) <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  69. Murmur \u2014 R.E.M <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  70. There\u2019s a Riot Goin\u2019 On \u2014 Sly & the Family Stone <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  71. Exile in Guyville \u2014 Liz Phair<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  72. The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society\u2014The Kinks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  73. Close to the Edge\u2014Yes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  74. The Cars\u2014The Cars <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  75. Thriller\u2014Michael Jackson<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  76. Odyssey and Oracle\u2014The Zombies<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  77. The Stranger\u2014BillyJoel <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  78. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road \u2014 Elton John <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  79. Tracks \u2014 Bruce Springsteen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  80. Fleetwood Mac \u2014 Fleetwood Mac<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  81. The Pretender \u2014 Jackson Browne<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  82. Hotel California \u2014 The Eagles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  83. Meet the Beatles! \u2014 The Beatles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  84. Ella & Louis \u2014 Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  85. Back to Black \u2014 Amy Winehouse<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  86. Breakfast in America \u2014 Supertramp <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  87. A Hard Day\u2019s Night \u2014 The Beatles <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  88. Surrealistic Pillow \u2014 Jefferson Airplane <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  89. Ram \u2014 Paul and Linda McCartney <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  90. Imperial Bedroom \u2014 Elvis Costello <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  91. Sticky Fingers \u2014 The Rolling Stones <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  92. Tea for the Tillerman \u2014 Cat Stevens <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  93. The Ghost of Tom Joad \u2014 Bruce Springsteen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  94. A Night at the Opera \u2014 Queen <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  95. The Doors\u2014The Doors<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  96. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill\u2014Lauryn Hill<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  97. Dusty in Memphis\u2014Dusty Springfield<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  98. IV\u2014Led Zeppelin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  99. Cheap Trick at Budokan\u2014Cheap Trick <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  100. Off the Wall\u2014Michael Jackson<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A statistical snapshot of Tuesday Night Record Club.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":23370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"image_focus":"","hide_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[104],"class_list":["post-23083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-currents","tag-faculty"],"thumbnail":"\"\"","catString":"Currents","issue":"Spring\/Summer 2026","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/57"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23083"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23287,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23083\/revisions\/23287"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/magazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}