What Makes An Album A Classic Album?
 

Obviously there would not be a single answer, but what's your opinion? What elevates an album to the status of classic, either in your own estimation or in the worldview of music fans in general? And while we're at it, are there any albums considered classic that you think do not deserve the honour?

Basically, it has to have a significant impact on its genre. That can either be through innovating on/inventing the genre or by having crossover appeal and bringing new life to the genre. Not only that, it has to be recognized as well. You can invent a genre, but if another band in your town carries that genre forward without pointing at where they got it from, they're more likely to gain that status as the genre classic.

I don't let how much I enjoy an album influence whether or not I consider it a classic, or at least ideally I don't. This is one of the few instances in music where you'll see me give popularity credibility as a relevant factor.

There’s only one criterion:

Have I declared its unassailability?

Wrong thread

What Makes An Album A Good Album?

It's a "Classic" if you never get tired of listening to the album. An album you can always go back to. An album you always have a fond memory of even if you haven't heard it in a while.

It's "Groundbreaking" would be what Frownland said here:
Most bands don't invent a "genre" It's more likely they are part of movement where the critics or the public see a shift in the evolution of music. And it's more likely to be just a sub-genre.

I've seem people call obscure albums (that are of no consequence to public) "classic" so there are instances where it can be used subjectively. "Classic" can also be used as if there is some kind of object truth behind calling an album a classic, like VH1 Album Classics series. Rolling Stone has their Greatest Albums of All Time and that is basically what Frownland is saying here:
People only understand history if it is presented as a great man theory. So there is this need for a "flag ship" band paving the way with a groundbreaking album ... whatever. And some bands miss the ship to be known as the first, but people will find out years later.

I think it's an inarguable fact that a lot of albums that even music geeks frown at now will be future classics. In that way, old music has it easy when it comes to getting respect.

Name one

Damn.

I can't. Cause there's no way of knowing for sure what will inspire imitators, new genres, etc. Many future classics will be indistinguishable from artistic dead ends in the present.

Oh yeah KL is really hated on.

Nap time!