No. 22 Pearl by Janis Joplin (1971)
Joplin remains a tragic figure in musical history. Her best-selling album was released months after her untimely death from a heroin overdose at age 27; and it showed that the Texan was still growing by leaps and bounds. Having detached herself from Big Brother and the Holding Company, Joplin found her blues-rock voice and identity on this bittersweet collection.
