Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese

Counting crows august and everything

Hunky Dory - David Bowie

The one that immediately comes to mind is Wolfgang Amadeus, by Phoenix.

Carbon Based Lifeforms - Hydroponic Gardens (definitely a Carbon Based album, but it's a tough choice)

I can't figure out if I'd want something with vocals to give me a sense of companionship, or something without vocals so it doesn't drive me insane.

With vocals: Grateful Dead - Cornell 5/8/77

Without vocals: John Coltrane - Live at Village Vanguard

Neko Case, Middle Cyclone.

I'll go with something current. 'The Loveliest Time' by Carly Rae Jepsen. People around me seem to like this album a lot...

For the rest, I'll just bang some coconuts against each other to create sound. This way I'll become the best tribute band for various classic works on the island. Everyone's welcome!

really hard to say, but the first one that jumped to mind is Miles Davis - Filles de Kilimanjaro

22, A Million

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco

Off the top of my head, Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

I'd have to go with the album that's verbal instructions for how to build a two way radio out of a coconut and seaweed.

Distinguishing Marks by Fingerprintz. I've been listening to that album since 1985 and it never got old.

...even though apparently I did

Incubus - Morning View

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins

a-ha - Scoundrel Days

The Clash - London Calling honestly has everything

I think you have an error in your question. My first thought when you said "desert album" album was to take that literally and say Mdou Moctar - Ilana: The Creator.

But I suppose you mean "desert island" album so I'll say Sigur Rós - Takk...

I also thought about The Avalanches - Since I Left You but I fear that Frontier Psychiatrist will drive me insane.

The Wind at Four to Fly, by The Disco Biscuits

But I'd have that Basis on repeat

https://open.spotify.com/album/4etr7gvpwHOeN7EJTEjZrT?si=VfHmT3WPT2qZzk3pzQHgIA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4etr7gvpwHOeN7EJTEjZrT

The Duran Duran Tribute album (1997)

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs