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This is the start of a potentially long list but I've always wanted to create this, so here goes.
By the way, this is in no particular order, although I'll start with some recent stuff I've been listening to. I will add more as they come to me.1The Format: Dog Problems
I bought this CD for my wife for Christmas, after coming across it by sheer chance. It is one of the best CD's I've heard in a very, very long time. Indy-pop goodness at its very best.
Every song is well crafted, well written and fantastic. I'm one of those people that will listen to a CD 20-30 times straight, and Dog Problems has only gotten better and more infectious with every listen.
Every song is well crafted, well written and fantastic. I'm one of those people that will listen to a CD 20-30 times straight, and Dog Problems has only gotten better and more infectious with every listen.
2Neutral Milk Hotel: In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
This disk was actually difficult for me to listen to at first. It reminded me of something Wilhelm Reich said about the psyche, describing mental illness almost as a mechanical problem with the 'floodgates' of the conscious mind, unable to keep the storms of the unconscious mind at bay.
For me, this CD pushed those limits somehow, as corny as that may sound. Some of the lyrics seem psychotic.
But worth it. As you listen, it gets deeper and better. At this point I think it is one of the strongest, most cohesive albums I've heard in the last 10 years.
Don't expect it to have monster hooks (although there are a few), etc. - this is definitely an acquired taste. But there's something about this disk that is absolutely wonderful to me.
Warning: people who are into this disk are **freakishly** into it, and many people think it's one of the best albums ever written. Look around out there and you'll see what I mean.
For me, this CD pushed those limits somehow, as corny as that may sound. Some of the lyrics seem psychotic.
But worth it. As you listen, it gets deeper and better. At this point I think it is one of the strongest, most cohesive albums I've heard in the last 10 years.
Don't expect it to have monster hooks (although there are a few), etc. - this is definitely an acquired taste. But there's something about this disk that is absolutely wonderful to me.
Warning: people who are into this disk are **freakishly** into it, and many people think it's one of the best albums ever written. Look around out there and you'll see what I mean.
3Guided By Voices: Mag Earwhig!
I am a fan of GBV, after my brother Dan turned me onto them many years ago. They are self-described indy rock icons, and
I agree.
Mag Earwhig is just plain good, although I will offer up my normal critique of GBV - some of the strongest songs are nothing more than a passing thought. I wish that they'd have developed some of them more.
"Bulldog Skin" and "I am a Tree" are worth the price of admission alone.
I agree.
Mag Earwhig is just plain good, although I will offer up my normal critique of GBV - some of the strongest songs are nothing more than a passing thought. I wish that they'd have developed some of them more.
"Bulldog Skin" and "I am a Tree" are worth the price of admission alone.
4Smashing Pumpkins: Gish
I think this is one of the best rock albums I've ever heard. In fact, it's got several 'absolutes' for me:
-- Jimmy Chamberlin is one of the best rock drummers ever.
-- "Snail", as a stand-alone song, is one of the best alt-rock songs ever written.
-- The transition to the ending riff on "Crush" is about the best I've ever heard, by any band, ever.
I love this disk, and it's aged extremely well since I got it in '92. In fact, I may have to put it on right now...
-- Jimmy Chamberlin is one of the best rock drummers ever.
-- "Snail", as a stand-alone song, is one of the best alt-rock songs ever written.
-- The transition to the ending riff on "Crush" is about the best I've ever heard, by any band, ever.
I love this disk, and it's aged extremely well since I got it in '92. In fact, I may have to put it on right now...
5The Killers: Hot Fuss
I caught the Killers on Austin City Limits one night after studying for an MBA final, and loved it. I bought this disk, and it's a blast.
6The Strokes: Is this it?
If you want monster indy-pop hooks, look no further. These guys have it down to a science.
This is a fun disk.
This is a fun disk.
7U2: War
I started listening to this album back in the early 80's, and it's absolutely fantastic.
I would argue that the trinity of War->Unforgettable Fire (see list item there)-> Joshua Tree is among the strongest consecutive albums of all time, in the company of the Beatles, Zepplin, and Elton John (in the early 70's).
I pulled War back off the shelf last year, and had a full-blown rediscovery of how good it was ( I love that!). It's been in semi-regular rotation ever since. A true classic.
I would argue that the trinity of War->Unforgettable Fire (see list item there)-> Joshua Tree is among the strongest consecutive albums of all time, in the company of the Beatles, Zepplin, and Elton John (in the early 70's).
I pulled War back off the shelf last year, and had a full-blown rediscovery of how good it was ( I love that!). It's been in semi-regular rotation ever since. A true classic.
8U2: Unforgettable Fire
This is as good as any album I've ever heard; I really can't say any more than that. It's one of those disks I have to listen to alone, preferably late at night with headphones and the lights out.
9U2: The Joshua Tree
This one finishes out the Holy Trinity of U2, and for me it was the end. Since the Joshua Tree, U2 seems to have lost the thread. Sure, they've done some good stuff, but nothing like this.
I don't blame them - very few bands can be so brilliant for so long. The Joshua Tree, from a production standpoint, is the most cohesive album ever made.
I don't blame them - very few bands can be so brilliant for so long. The Joshua Tree, from a production standpoint, is the most cohesive album ever made.
10Elton John: Captian Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
One of my all-time favorite albums, in regular rotation since I was 8 years old, literally. I'm pushing 39 now. Taupin and John were an unstoppable force during this period.
This one is among the best in anyone's collection.
This one is among the best in anyone's collection.
11Elton John: Tumbleweed Connection
Another great album (among several) by John and Taupin.
12My Bloody Valentine: Loveless
I can't really articulate why I like this disk so much, but I do. It's an alt-rock classic, for sure.
13Unrest: Perfect Teeth
A great friend of mine turned my on to this (thanks, Ian) when someone in my family was gravely ill with cancer. It sunk in during that time, and it's never left.
Although it is hard for me to listen to now, I still love it.
Although it is hard for me to listen to now, I still love it.
14Rage Against the Machine
This self-titled disk is surely one of the definitive albums of the 90s. When I need to get really pumped up for something (climbing, surfing, a big test, etc), I put this on, LOUD.
15Led Zepplin I
No comment needed. It's Zepplin.
16Led Zepplin II
...Did I say that Page is 100%, absolutely the best rock guitarist ever? This is an incontestable truth.
17Led Zepplin: Physical Graffiti
Ten Years Gone has one of my all-time favorite guitar solos. It's perfect.
Night Flight has that killer beat that so many drummers are still trying to figure out...
Night Flight has that killer beat that so many drummers are still trying to figure out...
18The Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
Very good and incredibly well produced. It reminds me of my trip to Australia.
19The Flaming Lips: Clouds Taste Metallic
Another good Flaming Lips album.
20The Beatles: Everything from Rubber Soul forward
Yep, it's true. The definitive band with the definitive albums.
21David Bowie: Spade Oddity
I am a huge Bowie fan, and when I finally really dug into his early stuff, I never looked back.
22David Bowie: Hunky Dory
Fantastic, from start to finish.
23David Bowie: The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from
One of the best concept albums ever.
24David Bowie: The Man Who Sold the World
More Bowie goodness.
25David Bowie: Alladin Sane
Ok, enough Bowie. Let's move on.
26The Clash: London Calling
An all-time classic.
27The Clash: Combat Rock
28Joni Mitchell: Blue
This album is considered one of the classic albums of all time, and rightly so. It's just amazing.
29Prince: Sign O' the Times
One of my all-time best friends turned me onto this album (thanks Jimi). It's brilliant.
"The Ballad of Dorthy Parker" is the first song on this double album that I really took to. The rest soon followed. I think this is his best vocal album, and the guy can *sing*.
"The Ballad of Dorthy Parker" is the first song on this double album that I really took to. The rest soon followed. I think this is his best vocal album, and the guy can *sing*.
30Guided By Voices: Alien Lanes
A wonderful album. If you've not heard GBV, start with Isolation Drills, which is more approachable, then get this.
31Built to Spill: Keep it Like a Secret
My friend Chad and I disagreed as to which was better: Keep it Like a Secret -or- Perfect from Now On.
I sided with the latter, Chad the former. One day while I was rocking my son to sleep, we were listening to Keep it Like a Secret and I realized that Chad is right. This album is fantastic.
I sided with the latter, Chad the former. One day while I was rocking my son to sleep, we were listening to Keep it Like a Secret and I realized that Chad is right. This album is fantastic.
32Built to Spill: Perfect from Now On
This was my introduction to Built to Spill, and I still love it.
33The Dave Brubeck Quartet: Time Out
Simply amazing. My favorite track is Katie's Waltz.
I've got an autographed copy of this disk, after seeing Brubeck completely tear the house down in his late 60s. An amazing guy.
I've got an autographed copy of this disk, after seeing Brubeck completely tear the house down in his late 60s. An amazing guy.
34The Waterboys: Fisherman's Blues
This album reminds me of when I was living with two amazing people in Jacksonville, FL. It brings me right back to those times, and all of the fond memories there.
35REM: Life's Rich Pageant
36REM: Murmur
37REM: Fables of the Reconstruction
38REM: Green
I missed this show in Tucson, AZ, and I still regret it.
39The Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique
40The Beastie Boys: Check Your Head
41Sugar: Copper Blue
There's something about this album that I love. Such a lush sound.
42The The: Mind Bomb
"August and September" blows me away every time I hear it. "The Beaten Generation" reminds me of my University days in Gainesville, FL.
43The The: Dusk
I am a huge fan of both Johnny Marr and Matt Johnson, so I was stoked to snag this one. It's extremely good.
44The The: Soul Mining
Killer hooks.
45Wilco: Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
46His Name is Alive: Stars on ESP/Nice Day
One of the killer 4AD albums that came out in their heyday. What a label...
47Radiohead: The Bends
Whoa. One of the most creative bands going at the moment, hands down. This album is an absolute must-have.
48The Sea and Cake
This self-titled disk is super clean and groovy. A must have.
49The Smiths: Meat is Murder
I started listening to this a LONG time ago, and I still love it. And yes, I would argue that it is better than "The Queen is Dead".
50The Smiths: The Queen is Dead
At some point in the '90s a few people across the pond started the argument that this disk was better than Sgt. Pepper's...I'm not sure about that, but it is very, very good.
51George Michael: Listen Without Prejudice
I really wish he would have followed this one up, as planned. Although, if I wrote an album this strong I may be reluctant too.
52Hem: Rabbit Songs
This disk is absolutely wonderful. I found it on the excellent NPR music list. If you're into mellow, well written songs with great vocals, run - don't walk - and grab this disk.
53Counting Crows: August and Everything After
I actually didn't like this when I first heard it - I dismissed it, citing that it borrowed too much from Van Morrison. This is a cheap, easy indictment and it's not fair.
I actually forget how it happened, but somehow it got me. When it sunk in, I never looked back. It's very good, and may have one of the best introductory lyrics ever:
"Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white."
So over time, my original criticism of this album has turned into seriously high praise: it reminds me of Van Morrison, but only in the best ways. They did a great job with this one.
I actually forget how it happened, but somehow it got me. When it sunk in, I never looked back. It's very good, and may have one of the best introductory lyrics ever:
"Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white."
So over time, my original criticism of this album has turned into seriously high praise: it reminds me of Van Morrison, but only in the best ways. They did a great job with this one.
54Counting Crows: Recovering the Satellites
My friend and I have a debate - which CC disk is better? This one or August and Everything After? The truth is that I still don't know.
I think this one is as strong for sure, but I still maintain that there's something missing with the mix on this CD.
That said - it's still as well written as you'd expect from these guys, and the songs are just great.
I think this one is as strong for sure, but I still maintain that there's something missing with the mix on this CD.
That said - it's still as well written as you'd expect from these guys, and the songs are just great.
55Beck: Odelay
Beck is a creative force, and this is easily one of the best albums of the 90s.
56Beck: Midnight Vultures
More Beck goodness. If you want to put on a disk that refuses to let you sit still, pop this one in the player.
57Stevie Ray Vaughn: all of them
Instead of homing in on a single work, I'll just share a few thoughts:
-- One of the most monster tones even produced from a Stratocaster.
-- Certainly one of the best guitarists, ever. His attack is clean and vicious.
-- He plays the best cover, of any song by any artist, ever: Little Wing (the version found on The Sky is Crying). When I first heard this, I felt that nobody should ever dare cover this song again.
-- One of the most monster tones even produced from a Stratocaster.
-- Certainly one of the best guitarists, ever. His attack is clean and vicious.
-- He plays the best cover, of any song by any artist, ever: Little Wing (the version found on The Sky is Crying). When I first heard this, I felt that nobody should ever dare cover this song again.
58Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
When I first got this I was skeptical - I felt like Siamese Dream was good, but how can you follow Gish? Shouldn't you retire and go into 'side project' mode?
I'm glad they hung in there. I had a rediscovery of Mellon Collie when my son was born - he and I would listen to it together. As we did, it got better and better.
Overall, it's just excellent. No, it's still not Gish, but how could it be?
I'm glad they hung in there. I had a rediscovery of Mellon Collie when my son was born - he and I would listen to it together. As we did, it got better and better.
Overall, it's just excellent. No, it's still not Gish, but how could it be?
59Michael Jackson: Off the Wall
This is the definitive Michael Jackson, and every song on it represents him at his very best. Thriller had some high points, but it was all downhill from there...
60Pavement: Slanted and Enchanted
This one is a no-brainer. Killer hooks and a great sound.
61Pete Yorn: Musicforthemorningafter
62Portishead: Dummy
The very first time I put this disk in I listened to it straight through, with 100% attention. The sound was so completely unique, the songs so well done, and the production quality so high, I was left slack-jawed.
My friend Meri came over and I sat her down in front of the speakers, rambling like a madman about this new music. We listened to it straight through - she felt the same way as I did. She went right out and bought it that week.
My friend Meri came over and I sat her down in front of the speakers, rambling like a madman about this new music. We listened to it straight through - she felt the same way as I did. She went right out and bought it that week.
63The Beach Boys: Pet Sounds
This is on pretty much everyone's list, for good reason.
64Fleetwood Mac: Rumors
Hardcore FM folks will dismiss this outright. Too bad for them - this is a wonderful album that is worthy of its acclaim.
65Eric Clapton: Unplugged
A clinic on clean acoustic blues. We listened to this one over and over while restoring our house.
66The Cure: Disintegration
I had the good fortune of catching this on tour. I was outside in the desert on the outskirts of Phoenix, and this show blew my mind. Easily one of the best live shows I've ever seen - probably #2 behind Joshua Tree.
67The Cure: The Head on the Door
Loaded with great Cure. This is the first Cure CD I really got into. I've liked every one since (and before, for that matter).
68Neil Young: Harvest
I really got into this album when I started playing guitar. It's a classic.
69Run-DMC: Raising Hell
I was a huge fan of Rap in the early days, and this album was a blast. Not only that, but it should be recognized as one of the critical transition points when Rap hit the mainstream.
Rick Rubin deserves a whole bunch of credit for this one.
Rick Rubin deserves a whole bunch of credit for this one.
70Black Sabbath: Paranoid
Two words: Tony Iommi. A definitive album in the history of rock and roll.
71Led Zepplin: Houses of the Holy
If you don't like Zepplin, do this:
1) Hang your head in shame
2) Go buy this, suspend your disbelief, and listen to it
If you still don't like Zepplin after this, call your shrink.
1) Hang your head in shame
2) Go buy this, suspend your disbelief, and listen to it
If you still don't like Zepplin after this, call your shrink.
72The B-52's: The B-52's
This has to be one of the funnest albums ever written. This was my first concert - the Stray Cats opened for them, and ROCKED.
They totally tore the house down. I've been a huge fan of the B-52's ever since. Also, the guitar on this album is among the most driving I've ever heard. Simplistic? Sure - but that's the point. Sometimes simple is best, and the guitar on this album typifies that.
The second half of rock lobster is the loudest song I play on the stereo. I try to be careful with my ears, but when Rock Lobster comes on I turn it up, LOUD.
They totally tore the house down. I've been a huge fan of the B-52's ever since. Also, the guitar on this album is among the most driving I've ever heard. Simplistic? Sure - but that's the point. Sometimes simple is best, and the guitar on this album typifies that.
The second half of rock lobster is the loudest song I play on the stereo. I try to be careful with my ears, but when Rock Lobster comes on I turn it up, LOUD.
73A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory
74AC/DC: Highway to Hell
I've really warmed up to AC/DC over the last couple of years. It's hard not to succumb to Angus's (yes, that is the correct grammar here) monster riffs. It's just plain good rock music.
As a side note - for some reason there are two songs that I sing to my son for bed time: "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll)". If AC/DC is good enough for him, it's damn sure good enough for me.
As a side note - for some reason there are two songs that I sing to my son for bed time: "Whole Lotta Rosie" and "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock and Roll)". If AC/DC is good enough for him, it's damn sure good enough for me.
75Pantera: A Vulgar Display of Power
I'm not too much of a metal guy, but Diamond Darrell (I think he was later referred to as DimeBag, could be wrong) plays so insanely well on this album it's on my list forever.
He rips, plain and simple. If you've heard this CD, you know what I mean. Incredible.
He rips, plain and simple. If you've heard this CD, you know what I mean. Incredible.
76The Cars: The Cars
Reminds me of being a young kid in Ft. Lauderdale. We'd play it on the Pioneer stereo in my mom's crappy Alpha Romeo. It couldn't have sounded better...
77Jeff Buckley: Grace
My wife turned me on to this. I'm glad she did - it's wonderful.
78Modest Mouse: The Moon & Antartica
Modest Mouse has made several strong albums, but this one is my favorite.
79Rage Against the Machine - self titled
To me, this is one of the more important bands of the 90s, especially given the epic riffs that Tom Morello kicks out.
For me, this music must be heard loud. Very loud.
For me, this music must be heard loud. Very loud.
80Crash Worship
This isn't about an album at all - this entry is to log one of the most intense musical experiences I've ever had: a Crash Worship show. I saw them in Tucson in '88 or '89 (can't remember), in an old warehouse. They started their beats, and the crowd went into a state that I would have never believed had I not been there to witness it.
I had heard about the intensity of CW shows and went for the novelty of it, by myself. I stood near the back of the room, slack-jawed at the intensity of the experience and the beats. Frankly, it was out of my league - at a certain point you have to join in the experience or you you should leave.
At any rate, I will never forget it. This is what live music should be.
I had heard about the intensity of CW shows and went for the novelty of it, by myself. I stood near the back of the room, slack-jawed at the intensity of the experience and the beats. Frankly, it was out of my league - at a certain point you have to join in the experience or you you should leave.
At any rate, I will never forget it. This is what live music should be.
