You have heard more than you think because it’s used all over TV and film.
Strictly chronological is not how I would go either. Personally I would say Led Zeppelin 2, 4 and Houses of the Holy are where you should start. If you like those three go back and listen to the rest in order.
I kinda hear you, but I’d totally go 808s first. ESPECIALLY after Graduation, it’s mind blowing the completely different direction he goes in (and creates the whole “Drake rap genre” for lack of a better word). It’s also one of my favorite albums.
I also had bad thoughts about Kanye before I actually listened to him and 808s really made me realize how brilliant he was.
It’s also his most vulnerable, I’d say, because it’s right after his mom’s suicide and his engagement falling apart, so it’s vocal therapy. And then you see what grows out of that in MBDTF.
Other thing to remember when listening to 808s (whenever it is listened to in the Kanye exploration) is that it was HATED when it came out. It was just 10 years ahead of its time.
I don’t have an opinion on Yeezus v. St Pablo (in terms of which to listen to first), but I did like Yeezus a lot more.
I was one of those that hated 808s. I get it now, but it took a LONG time for me to warm up to it. That’s part of the reason I would skip to Dark Fantasy, because the change to 808s is so hard left I would be afraid it would stop someone from continuing. I don’t see how anyone can dislike MBDATF, so I always suggest people listen to it early. 
I personally think Pablo is absolutely genius, Yeezus is fine but I feel is coming from a much less musically creative place. But it’s splitting hairs at that point.
His mother killed herself? I thought she died from complications from cosmetic surgery.
May have been right. I listened to the first album and it was almost entirely forgettable. Nothing there. I will move on to two, but first I am listening to 808s & Heartbreak.
Zep 1 is entirely forgettable?
Weird, ain’t it?
Yeah, yeah, I know I’m a bit late to the party, but the only album I can think of that even approaches the “Everyone’s Heard All Of It” status is Boston’s debut album. Nirvana’s “Nevermind” might be a distant second.
eta: excluding “greatest hits” compilations, of course.
Yes, I heard nothing particularly interesting.
Heard Nevermind many, many times. I discovered it growing up somehow.
Fleetwood Mac Rumors too. It’s practically a greatest hits collection.
Maybe it’s a function of my age, but would have said Thriller comes closer than either of these.
As soon as I read this “Second Hand News” came on the sound system at the pub.
It’s a fantastic album.
I will say that even being pretty clueless/sheltered about music, I had heard Thriller. Well, not every song, but over half of it. It helps that we did watch TV and Michael Jackson was on TV a lot. I’d seen the Thriller video and the Billy Jean one, too.
Never heard Fleetwood Mac Rumors until this thread. Never heard Boston’s debut until last week. Had heard Nevermind, but I had found that one on my own.
Maybe the only album where I listen to it and think “this is their most famous song” for every single track.
Your favorite band is Nightwish, and you can’t get into Babe I’m Gonna Leave You off Zep 1?! Dude. It’s as high drama as anything NW does, going from gentle strumming to full bombast. And it kicks ass.
What are you looking for?
I’ve listened to the album twice and that track about 4-5 times. It is a stand-out track, for sure. I’m not sure what to say. I like the opening parts more than the parts where his voice goes way up high(mid-way or so).
What am I looking for?
Lordy, who knows? I’ve never made a big mission statement for this thread. I guess I’m trying to expand my musical knowledge, give my thoughts on albums most people already know about, and hopefully find some music that I’ll like.
:shrugs:
Can’t ask for more than that. You’re giving stuff a listen. I guess I just connect dots differently than you 
It’s cool and it’s kind of like anything. Give me time. Maybe I’ll realize later that I’m wrong and their first album is great.
I started this thread thinking Joshua Tree was only an OK album. I now realize even the deeper cuts are great.
I’ll be continuing Zeppelin soon enough. We’ll see.
Anyway, moving on.
Kanye West - 808s & Heartbreak
What can I say? I’ve heard this was met with surprise and criticisms. I think the direction he took on this album was bold and great. I don’t actually think too many songs stood out for me, but I liked the whole album better than any previous album. I have to admit, I thought “Gay Fish” on South Park was spoofing Kanye, not that it was actually a “Weird Al” style thing. South Park soured me on the song in a way…I can’t not hear Gay Fish when Heartless plays. I was exposed to the South Park thing first.
Anyway, I think it was a cool direction to go. I get that people who like the first three albums would be disappointed, though. He basically abandoned the genre he was in and release and experimental album.
I didn’t mind at all. Liked it.
Many people now list this as one of his best. It took until about 2013 for pop music to catch up to what he was doing here. It is possibly the most influential album (in terms of pop music) of the 21st century. For me its just ok. It’s the last album he made that doesn’t have a concept narrative that follows the whole album.
The next album is my favorite… Be nice.