Critical Listeners/Melody Obsessives: What artists or albums have the strongest melodies?

I haven't bought a new album or discovered a new artist in forever. I have always associated music with melodies first and foremost. When I write music, I am obsessive compulsive about melodies and I always strive to write them in a way that is as welcoming as it is complex, always trying to straddle the fine line between predictability and chaos. As a listener, I don't even know half the lyrics to many of my all time favorite songs because I'm always so fixated on the melodies.

To my ears, The Beatles are the pinnacle of melodic genius. "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a prime example of this. I also consider Radiohead to be a modern equivalent. "The Daily Mail" is a great example of how good they are with melodies: interesting piano chords, amazing progressions.

My favorite albums (at the moment), in terms of melody:

All Beatles albums

Pink Moon - Nick Drake

What's Going On - Marvin Gaye

Dusty In Memphis - Dusty Springfield

In Rainbows, OK Computer - Radiohead

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

Currents - Tame Impala

Comedown Machine, Angles, Room on Fire - The Strokes

Any ideas for other artists or albums that have really strong melodies or interesting chords and progressions?

Posted Feb 17, 2017, 3:24 AM UTC

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