Rodimus wrote: Bon jovi 'these days', is a classic album, I never hear much about it, doesnt get much radio play, as it came out in 95, also in the grunge era. These days, was and is a classic album by bon jovi, and has alot of songs I can listen to time and time again. That album is also underrated.
OK, I have tried to stay out of the "classic" album conversation. But this comment gave me something to say. Escape is widely regarded as a classic album. And it was recognized very early on because of the amount of success it enjoyed. In fact, I think it was an episode of "Ultimate Albums" on VH1. If it wasn't, it should have been.
But you are listing "These Days" as a classic album. Now it is not universally talked about as a classic album. You have the personal opinion that it is. That is the difference. It is widely accepted that Slippery When Wet is a classic album. VH's VH1 and 1984 are widely acknowledged as classics. Hotel California is a classic.
For an album to be acknowledged as a classic I think 2 things must happen: it must be very successful and it must stand the test of time publicly. A classic album must practically define a genre/era/time period. It must give a band identity.
"These Days" is a good CD. It is full of good music. But I don't believe it will ever be looked on as a classic by anyone other than hardcore fans. Critics, journalists, music/culture historians are not going to cite that CD as a classic. And they won't about TBF either. That does not mean the CD does not have all the makings of a classic CD...but it takes a social impact to create the label of "classic".
A classic (IMO) requires social, cultural, popular impact.