superb article on the 50 albums that (according to observer) changed music
i agree with their first 3
1 The Velvet Underground and Nico
The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)
2 The Beatles
Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
3 Kraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express (1977)
below the link, so you can see the rest
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1821230,00.html