10 Favorite Albums That Need A Listen (Part 1)
The spirit of spring and summer time lurks just around the corner. Family parties, beach bum fun, and the feel of ninety degree temperatures are sure to arrive. We all love music. Writers especially tend to be inspired by art of any form. Music can put you in any zone you so desire. The list below is a handful of albums that serve either as favorites, or a slice of sweet nostalgia if you are a 90’s kid like me.
80’s music always carries a fun vibe, and Cyndi Lauper is an absolute must on this list. She has always been someone who exuded quite the “who cares” attitude.” Classic songs such as “Time After Time,” “Money Changes Everything,” and “True Colors” are three stand out tunes from this gem. (Giving the whole album a try is highly recommended!)
2. Michael Jackson : Thriller (1982)
Michael Jackson may have been one of the strangest humans to walk this planet, but his musical genius is undeniable. The whole album from start to finish is incredible. Seven out of nine songs were hits, and the music videos were nothing short of iconic. Everyone knows “Thriller.” If you live under a rock and haven’t given this album a stream on Spotify, there’s a need to reconsider! “Human Nature” is a personal favorite.
The Eagles. What is there to write about the Eagles? A truly talented group of musicians is the only way to describe them. The live albums they released are even better quality than the studio performances, because it is 100% live and no one could tell the difference apart from the obvious cheering of the audience. Amazing album! Great for the long and boring car rides
4. Selena: Dreaming of You (1995)
The story of Selena Quintanilla Perez might be one of the greatest and most unfair stories of all time. The movie is what captivated me and forever sealed me as a fan of her music. Dreaming of You was the final project she had the chance to work on before her tragic murder on March 31, 1995 at the age of twenty three. The album was released in the following months. If you aren’t familiar with the movie and her story, this album was supposed to be her English crossover album. She was mainly a Tejano music artist, first earning a Spanish speaking fan base, although she was raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. Selena was on the verge of launching a career as an artist in the mainstream pop market and was set to become the next Gloria Estefan. “I Could Fall In Love” is the mesmerizing opening track and shows the exciting direction her career was headed. “Dreaming of You” is another track people may be familiar with. This album is unique because the first half is in English, while the second half provides a sharp sting to the heart, as it is comprised of remixes of her previous Spanish hits. “Amor Prohibido” is a great tune and another track called, “El Toro Relajo,” is a song from a movie she had finished with Johnny Depp and Faye Dunaway, called “Don Juan DeMarco.” A sad tale, and Jennifer Lopez’s finest moment in film.
5. Britney Spears: …Baby One More Time (1999)
Old school Britney is the finest version of the super star; nothing compares to the sweet, southern, bubblegum pop era of this woman. She could sing and dance, but these days her career feels worn out and pushed as far as it will go. Say what you wish, but “Baby One More Time” is unmistakable and the video for “(You Drive Me) Crazy” can’t get any more 90s than a cameo by none other than Melissa Joan Hart and the wearing of crop tops. “Soda Pop” is a favorite track. She truly was the “it” girl of the 90s and early 2000s. The mental health struggles she has faced throughout recent years seem to have stolen the passion right out of her artistry. The childhood nostalgia is real for this one.
6. MercyMe: Welcome to The New (2014)
A jump into current day music ends the first part of this compiled list. I am a Christian and while I am not a die hard contemporary Christian music fan and go more for the traditional old timey church hymns, I do enjoy a handful of songs. MercyMe is a great band. A stand out song is “Finish What He Started.” This song has served as a personal encouragement to me in my walk with Christ and I think it would do the same for anyone. Bart Millard is amazing and this band deserves a listen. MercyMe is also famous for the song, “I Can Only Imagine.”
