It's always a pleasure to get together with musicheads to talk about bands, music, album or songs that inspired them to get into music. While discussions like this never end or there aren't usually clear answers for what makes a band or an album/song really good, that isn't the main goal of comparative discussions when it comes to music. Instead, the endless dialog and discussions on the music that influenced society, the music scene, or individuals themselves can often generates more insights and exposure if not for a resolution. Although I'm more of a rocker, I hope everybody can participate and recommend albums or artist regardless of genre or being mainstream/non mainstream just as long as you discuss why it's awesome or what makes it critically good. Below are some of the guidelines of what makes the album/artist/song that you hold as important that you feel was the best thing that got you started on music.
Best/Great
1) Production
2) Mix
3) Songwriting/composition
4) Concept album
5) Arrangements
6) Unusual techniques
7) Impact - Musical/Social
8) Drums/Beat/Rhythm