The critically acclaimed greatest album of all time, according to science

It is a quote that will go down in history along with anything from the quill of old William Shakespeare: “People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis. You can’t trust people”. There are some who would argue that you can trust music critics even less—the thousand “that’s just your opinion, man” gifs I have received over the years are testimony to that. Alas, at least my ‘opinion’ is professionally accountable and, in the case of Far Out, entirely independent.

The issue is that not every opinion online is independent nor accountable, objective or delivered with any prior knowledge, training or basis. In a world of trolls, sponsored posts and underhand tactics, finding anything verifiable is a task unto itself. This makes the work of Henrik Franzon all the more incredible. This humble Swede, who would prefer not to be contacted, began a journey in 1994 that resulted in the most complete and accredited database of musical criticism in, well, history.

As Franzon explains, “In the late 1990s, I wrote a computer program to determine ‘ultimate’ lists of albums and songs”. His mission was to scientifically determine what the pages of the music press had decreed as the greatest began. His method is a complex one designed to be as fair and fitting as possible, and the process has been rigorously rolling since 2001—gathering critical reviews into one mass database.

The result of all this number crunching places one classic rock album proudly on the first-place podium. Much like IMDb’s safe standing for Shawshank Redemption, which has been first in the top 250 films ranking since 2008 and never lower than fourth, Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys proves impossible to topple, sitting ahead of Nirvana’s Nevermind and Revolver by The Beatles in second and third place, respectively.

Why is Pet Sounds so acclaimed?

Well, you don’t need science or data to tell you why critics might find ‘God Only Knows’ somewhat appealing, and that’s a key aspect as to why it ranks so highly. Though trained ears might look for the minutia in music a little more than a casual listener, at the end of the day, the objective aim of music is still to move people—it is pointless without that prerogative. And boy, does Pet Sounds move you. In fact, it has timelessly been moving people since 1966. At this stage, perhaps it always will.

This much is also testified by musicians themselves, whose opinions Franzon also factor into his list. Modern greats such as Alex Turner have continued to heap praise on the prised record in the present era, proving its continued relevance, but perhaps its highest point of pride comes from the opinion of its most esteemed peer. As Sir Paul McCartney famously put it: “I figure no one is educated musically ’til they’ve heard Pet Sounds“.

His eulogy continues: “I love the orchestra, the arrangements – it may be going overboard to say it’s the classic of the century – but to me, it certainly is a total, classic record that is unbeatable in many ways. I’ve often played Pet Sounds and cried.” That’s not just hot air from a man greatly inspired by his friend’s record, either. He aptly highlights the many facets of the record. This is why it is so lauded: it ticks every single box that an album should ever need to.

Firstly, it was a pioneering leap forward in stereo sound, taking a technological advancement and not only utilising it but incorporating it into the art to render pop baroque and provide the world with its first keyless masterpieces. Then there is the astounding poetry that sits atop of these brand-new melodies, taking the deeply personal and profound impetus laid out by Bob Dylan and applying it as the cornerstone of their orchestration. Then there’s the faultless performances, the musical originality, the easy appeal, and the hits, the many, many hits.

Finally, there is the album’s justly deserved legacy. More so than any other record, with the exception of perhaps The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, you could argue that those beneath it on the list wouldn’t have been made – or at least wouldn’t have been the same – without it.

What other albums make up the most critically acclaimed list?

While our musical tastes and retrospection continually form and reform what stands as the greatest, Franzon on Acclaimed Music always has the top ten list covered. There is much to learn from its constitution, such as the eerie way in which nothing from the 21st-century features despite adjusted weighting in the algorithm to account for the passage of time, with the most modern record bemoaning the dystopia of online automation.

Did we peak in the late 1960s, or have we simply become more cynical?

• Pet Sounds – The Beach Boys (1966)
• Nevermind – Nirvana (1991)
• Revolver – The Beatles (1966)
• The Velvet Underground & Nico – The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
• What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971)
• Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles (1967)
• London Calling – The Clash (1979)
• OK Computer – Radiohead (1997)
• Blonde on Blonde – Bob Dylan (1966)
• Exile on Main St. – The Rolling Stones (1972)

You can find these albums compiled into one single playlist below.

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