So @stereo5, what should I have for breakfast? Good grief...you ever heard of asking a question to strike up a conversation? I find threads like this enjoyable and informative -- if you play along you might discover some "new to you" music.
Difficult but fun question, @hbarrel. Trying to narrow it down to JUST three albums would lead to many nights tossing and turning going over the pros and cons of each finalist. But, I did my best -- and number one on the list was a no-brainer for me.
1) Pink Floyd -- "Animals"
2) Led Zep -- "IV" (or Zoso as some Led Heads call it)
3) Opeth -- "Damnation"
Honorable Mention:
Dire Straits -- "Love Over Gold" & "Dire Straits"
Porcupine Tree -- "Fear of a Blank Planet" & "Deadwing"
Led Zep -- "Physical Graffiti"
Pink Floyd -- "Dark Side of the Moon" & "Wish You Were Here"
Dream Theater -- "Images & Words" & "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory"
King Crimson -- "Red"
Robin Trower -- "Bridge of Sighs"
Rush -- "2112" & "A Farewell To Kings"
Rainbow -- "Rising" & "Long Live Rock 'n' Roll"
Opeth -- "Still Life", "Blackwater Park", "Pale Communion" & "Watershed"
I could type for the next week.....