#173 - Unplugged, Eric Clapton

"A huge success for Clapton (and for the "unplugged" genre as a whole), Unplugged is an effective acoustic album from the British blues master. Fans of Clapton's more rugged originals might find it a little infuriating, but the record works (and garnered Clapton a whole new generation of fans). The pleasant, easy atmosphere just can't be denied." (real music guide)

#172 - Brothers In Arms, Dire Straits

"A monster seller that was kicked off by the defining single and MTV hit, "Money For Nothing," Brothers In Arms hasn't aged as well as Dire Strait's earlier studio albums. That said, "So Far Away," still gets plenty of FM rock airplay and "Walk of Life" continues to get dragged out at every single sporting event happening anywhere on the planet, at any time." (real music guide)

#171 - Piano Man, Billy Joel

"Thanks to the hit title track, Billy Joel's breakthrough album remains a radio staple. Joel brought an old fashioned sense of Broadway flair to the sensitive singer-songwriter genre, and the album has aged very well. "The Ballad of Billy The Kid" remains one of his best numbers." (real music guide)


#170 - Boston, Boston

"Boston's debut may be the apex of studio tech nerdiness, the most soulless rock 'n' roll of all time and unspeakably trite, but the fact remains: you know every single lick that weirdo Tom Scholz plays and when you are alone you sing along with Brad Delp with all your white afro-ed might. And if you ever wanted to play the keyboards, you'd learn "Foreplay."" (real music guide)

#169 - Rain Dogs, Tom Waits

"Rain Dogs is the middle chapter in Waits' dark, Kurt Weill-styled triumvirate of ornate storytelling. But this album features Marc Ribot, whose distinct, pointed guitar work adds an element of scratchy chaos to the murky beauty found on tracks like "Clap Hands." "Anywhere I Lay My Head" is one of Waits' best moments." (real music guide)

#168 - Shoot Out The Lights, Richard & Linda Thompson

"There is a palpable tension to Shoot Out The Lights which gives songs like "Don't Renege On Our Love" and "Did She Jump Or Was She Pushed" an edgy bite different from the Thompsons' other albums together; there's a subtle, unmistakable undertow of anger and dread in this music that cuts straight down to the bone." (allmusic guide)