Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Ever wonder....

I read somewhere that for a blog to be successful, it should stick to one theme. I’ve tried to do that—politics and beer—but occasionally find the need to go off topic, like about my family, figurines, and music. Here’s another one of those times.

Last night, a buddy and I had a couple beers (see--not entirely off topic) and like we do on so many occasions, put together a list of best albums ever. Of course that can be pretty subjective, and so to build on that subjectivity, below is the Top 10 List of Most Influential Albums on My Musical Tastes. They’re in no particular order, and in some cases where there is maybe a better album by that performer, I’ve listed it parenthetically.

I should also note that there are better albums and artists, I believe, but they weren’t necessarily as influential on my musical tastes as these. For example I feel guilty about not including Wilco or Beastie Boys or Bjork or…well you get the point.

So without further ado……

Led zepLed Zeppelin – IV You remember the first time you heard the opening line to “Black Dog.” Which 14 year old wasn’t influenced by this album? (III or Houses of the Holy or maybe Coda)


Bob MarleyBob Marley – Legend I don’t even own this album anymore, but it was the album which introduced me to BM&W and to a whole genre and way of thinking. Irie mon. (Rasta Man Vibration)


jayhawksThe Jayhawks - Tomorrow the Green Grass TTGG opened up my eyes to alt-country, and expanded my musical world-view to include a little bit of twang. (Hollywood Town Hall)



Run DMCRun DMC - Raising Hell One of the first rap albums I owned. Half of my musical collection is because of the guys with Kangols.



phishPhish – A Picture of Nectar Appropriately, I saw Phish live before buying an album. “Nectar” was the first one I bought, and taught me a lot about freedom in music. (Rift)


PEPublic Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet Taught what it meant to sample and to speak out. I owe much of my political career to PE. (It Takes a Nation of Millions)


furnace roomNeko Case – Furnace Room Lullaby Sure, Neko entered my world a little late, but geez, can this woman belt out a song.



radioheadRadiohead – OK Computer I bought this album on a recommendation, not knowing a thing about Radiohead. Mind shattering.



tribeA Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory Completely changed my outlook on hip-hop, and IMO, changed hip-hop’s outlook.



j and bJazz and Blues – A Mix Tape A friend of mine in high school made a mix tape for me with a great mix of—you guessed it—jazz and blues. It was my formal introduction to the genres, and had as big of an influence on my musical tastes as any store-bought album.

6 comments:

Eric said...

what's on your top 10 album list...?

Anonymous said...

1. Slobberbone "Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today"
2. Neutral Milk Hotel "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea"
3. Neil Young "On the Beach"
4. Drive-By Truckers "Southern Rock Opera"
5. Jayhawks "Sound of Lies"
6. Grand Champeen "The One that Brought You"
7. Centro-Matic "All the Falsest Hearts Can Try"
8. Rolling Stones "Exile on Main Street"
9. Uncle Tupelo "March 16-20, 1992"
10. The Who "Quadrophenia"

Eric said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Eric said...

who the hell is neutral milk hotel?!

Anonymous said...

Violent Femmes -- self-titled & Add it Up
Tori Amos -- Under the Pink
Pearl Jam -- (the one with the dog's face in the net on the cover)
Indigo Girls -- Rights of Passage

I'll have to think about the rest....

Anonymous said...

NMH was a psychedelic folk rock band fronted by one Jeff Mangum of Ruston, LA. "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" is described as "a spiritually motivated work conceptually based on the beauty to be found in the horrific fate of Anne Frank and similarly overwhelming tragedies."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_Milk_Hotel

Shit rocks.

And all this was brought to you by a bored conservative who found your blog through MDE. Isn't life strange?