Being the huge Philly music advocates we are here at The Key, of course we’re going to look at the 2,021 All-Time Greatest Albums list and think our city is underrepresented. But at the same time, the 53 albums from the greater Philly region that did make the cut are an incredible range of genres and eras, a perfect cross-section of our regional music community.

From blue-eyed soul to simmering indie-rock to expressive hip-hop and introspective folk, a broad spectrum of Philly-adjacent albums and artists were deemed “classics” by the XPN community. Read below for a rundown…and happy listening!

No. 154 — Abandoned Luncheonette by Hall & Oates

No. 161 — A Deeper Understanding by The War on Drugs

No. 187 — Lost In The Dream by The War on Drugs

No. 299 — A Wizard / A True Star by Todd Rundgren

No. 337 — Something / Anything? by Todd Rundgren

No. 365 — Things Fall Apart by The Roots

No. 494 — Fate by Dr. Dog

No. 505 — Private Lives by Low Cut Connie

No. 616 — Mission Bell by Amos Lee

No. 773 — Jubilee by Japanese Breakfast

No. 770 — Throwing Copper by Live

No. 894 — The Köln Concert by Keith Jarrett

No. 910 — You Don’t Mess Around With Jim by Jim Croce

No. 955 — Kids in Philly by Marah

No. 988 — Life and Times by Jim Croce

No. 998 — Beelzebubba by The Dead Milkmen

No. 1050 — Nervous Night by The Hooters

No. 1055 — Plastic Soul by Mondo Cozmo

No. 1057 — Runt by Todd Rundgren

No. 1120 — Lady Sings The Blues by Billie Holiday

No. 1149 — Do You Want More?!!!??! by The Roots

No. 1150 — Undun by The Roots

No. 1158 — Hermit of Mink Hollow by Todd Rundgren

No. 1190 — Eventide by Grey Eye Glances

No. 1237 — Amore by The Hooters

No. 1267 — Philadelphonic by G. Love & Special Sauce

No. 1342 — Amos Lee by Amos Lee

No. 1403 — Private Eyes by Hall & Oates

No. 1417 — Phrenology by The Roots

No. 1425 — Wakin On A Pretty Daze by Kurt Vile

No. 1461 — Mental Jewelry by Live

No. 1472 — Cooleyhighharmony by Boyz II Men

No. 1519 — Wake Up Everybody by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes

No. 1528 — Who is Jill Scott? Words And Sounds Vol. 1 by Jill Scott

No. 1601 — Glow by The Innocence Mission

No. 1609 — Pandemonium Years by Kenn Kweder

No. 1626 — Walkin’ On The Water by Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers

No. 1628 — Supply and Demand by Amos Lee

No. 1640 — Lady In Satin by Billie Holiday

No. 1649 — Big Lizard In My Backyard by The Dead Milkmen

No. 1713 — Time Stand Still by The Hooters

No. 1729 — Let’s Cut The Crap and Hook Up Later On Tonight by Marah

No. 1736 — I Don’t Live Here Anymore by The War On Drugs

No. 1746 — Get Disowned by Hop Along

No. 1747 — Voices by Hall & Oates

No. 1785 — Juturna by Circa Survive

No. 1806 — Todd Rundgren’s Utopia by Todd Rundgren

No. 1823 — Santigold by Santigold

No. 1851 — Chocolate and Cheese by Ween

No. 1889 — Sidewinder by Lee Morgan

No. 1937 — School Days by Stanley Clarke

No. 1959 — Beach Music by Alex G

No. 2004 — The Pod by Ween

WXPN - All Time Greatest Albums

All Time Greatest Albums