Beck - Mellow Gold/Odelay
Madonna - Ray Of Light
Alanis Morrisette - Jagged Little Pill
Alisha's Attic
Garbage - Version 2.0
etc
Anything quirky/could-be-interpreted-as-shit pop & rock but essential nevertheless
Bleach is 89. Still counts.
Personal opinion, standard...one man's dinner is another man's vomit of course. Particularly if you're living rough. Share and be shared. Albums are a lost factor of today. Cherry pick the tunes, why bother putting a skit or comedy track if it's not going to sell on iTunes?
Define essential