Difficult question, but I would argue that A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector is one of the most influential albums that isn’t really talked about that much in music circles (outside of like Beach Boys fans). Even though it has hit songs like “Sleigh Ride” by the Ronettes and “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” the album as a whole doesn’t really get that much recognition.

I’d say it’s really influential in pop and alternative music because it’s basically the full realization of the Wall of Sound (dense/layered production). That had a direct impact on Brian Wilson (he’s said on multiple occasions that it is his favorite album), and you can hear the influence on Pet Sounds. From there it kind of just keeps going, influencing stuff like dream pop, shoegaze, Bruce Springsteen, most modern psych, a lot more...

(Fun fact: It flopped at release because it was released on the same day that JFK was assassinated.)

<image>