|
Last night my neighbor came over to borrow some CDs; all
of his had just been stolen. So I began to weed through all
my discs until I had assembled the ten that meant the most
to me. This is not to say that these are the best albums,
simply albums that have come in handy in my life.
The Sex Pistols
Never Mind The Bollocks
This album is not one of the finest ever to be recorded, but
is also responsible for inspiring countless new bands to form
in their wake.When I think what Nirvana, The Doors, and Jimi
were able to do in less than three years with only a few records,
and then consider that the Sex Pistols had only one record,
it's even more remarkable. But they had the right idea: stand
up, play loud music that says something, and don't give a
fuck who likes it and who
doesn't.
Standout track: Holiday in the Sun
The Clash
London Calling
This one piqued my interest initially because it has one of
the best covers of all time - a shot of bassist Paul Simonon
smashing his bass at a show at the Palladium in New York.
From the opening riff of the title track, I was completely
hooked. They had a rare ability to play dark music about bad
people doing bad things, but still make you feel better for
having heard it.
Standout track: The Card Cheat
The Misfits
Walk Among Us
Although word has it Glenn Danzig goes postal when people
talk about The Misfits, I'm gonna take my chances and salute
this one anyway.When you think about all the things that bands
like the Stones had - rockin' tunes that moved and made you
want to get up and start breakin' stuff, The Misfits had it
all. In my opinion, they're one the finest American bands
of all time. Truly a travesty that we live in a world where
Fred Durst has mansions and millions of dollars and Danzig
doesn't.
Standout track: Teenagers from Mars
Pink Floyd
The Wall
This is the granddaddy of all rock records - the Beethoven's
Ninth of today. Note for note, the single greatest album that
has ever been
made by anyone. This one hit my ears in seventh grade, just
as my brother and I was asked to leave St. John's Lutheran
for starting a Sin Club. Anyone who still feels deep down
that the world is a cold, scary place filled with larger than
life cartoon characters that are out to get 'em - this is
the record for you.
Standout Track: The Trial
The Rolling Stones
Exile On Main Street
Back in the day, British musicians making money in America
were in something like the 95% tax bracket (see The Beatles
- Tax Man: 'here's one for you, nineteen for me'). Well this
didn't sit well with former London School of Economics student
Mick Jagger, who dragged his band into French exile to record
this 1972 classic.Now, factor in the epidemic heroin use,
unlimited fame, money, and power, add a horn section and some
good old fashion misogyny, and you've got Exile on Main Street.
From the opening riff of 'Rocks Off', it is literally four
vinyl sides of pure joy. I read recently somewhere that Mick
Jagger's standout memory of recording this album is trying
to sing into the mic, but not having enough slack in the mic
cord, because someone was using it to tie off their arm to
shoot up. Enough said.
Standout Track: Lovin' Cup
Smashing Pumpkins
Siamese Dream
Billy Corgan has more talent trapped under his fingernails
than anyone in music right has in their entire being. Perhaps
I'm just a Chicago boy giving props to another, but I challenge
anyone to listen to this album and not say 'fuck!" The
best thing about this band is Jimmy Chamberlin - the greatest
drummer in the history of rock and roll. Anyone who disagrees
with this is full of shit.
Standout Track: Geek USA
Eminem
Marshall Mathers LP
This is the first rap album that made me realie rap could
be art. There's a brilliance of storytelling on this album
that rivals Bob Dylan and Paul Simon. I still remember the
look on my friend's face when I told him that Eminem was the
John Lennon of today.
Standout Track: What I Am
Kiss
Kiss Alive!
Start to finish the best live album ever made. Recorded in
1975 at the height of their powers, this album is what put
Kiss on the map to a mass audience. This is the one Kiss album
everyone must own.
Standout Track: Deuce
Bob Marley
Catch A Fire
This is another example of the cover inspiring me to pick
up the album: Bob with the biggest, fattest joint I'd ever
seen. Fuck 'Legend" - his greatest hits compilation,
this is the one to own. Turn it on late at night, kick back,
and enjoy.
Standout Track: Slave Driver
U2
Achtung Baby
This was the U2 album that made me finally concede that these
guys were the shit. The hype that had always surrounded them
distracted me, so I for the most part wrote them off as a
good, but over-rated band.When I got my hands on this one,
it didn't leave my disc player for the entire summer of '92.
What I didn't realize then, though, was that these guys had
risked their careers by making such a huge departure from
what had gotten them famous in the first place.
Standout Track: Light My Way
Printer
Friendly
Version
|
