American Songwriter has published a guide recommending four essential Billy Joel albums for anyone starting a vinyl collection, tracing his artistic and commercial development from the mid-1970s through the early 1980s. The list matters to fans and collectors because Joel released 13 studio albums over his career, making it difficult to know where to begin, and the selection focuses on the run of records where he moved from finding his musical identity to achieving major chart success.

The four picks are Turnstiles (1976), where Joel insisted on using his touring band rather than session musicians and wrote about returning to New York from Los Angeles; The Stranger, made with producer Phil Ramone, which delivered hits such as "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)" and "Only the Good Die Young" alongside deeper cuts like "Vienna"; Glass Houses, often labelled a New Wave record, featuring singles "You May Be Right", "Don't Ask Me Why" and "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me"; and The Nylon Curtain, a Beatles-influenced, studio-heavy album with socially engaged songs including "Allentown" and "Goodnight Saigon".

– American Songwriter recommends four Billy Joel albums as a starter vinyl collection
– Turnstiles (1976) marked Joel's move to using his own touring band in the studio
– The Stranger, with producer Phil Ramone, brought major commercial breakthrough hits
– Glass Houses and The Nylon Curtain round out the list, spanning 1980-1982