20 Albums That Changed My Life
Good LAWD, teh boy done made a listicle!!!
Aight aight, not going to make it a habit, but as many of you know, I’m a huge music lover. I can trace my life to a soundtrack, songs of new discoveries, heartbreak, fashion changes, even haircuts.
These are 20 of the most import albums that I can recall off the top of my head, a far as the impact they have had on my life.
In no particular order:
1. — The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
(David Bowie)
I wasn’t even born when this came out, but I wasn’t much older than 6 years, or so, when I questioned what “well hung and snow white tan” meant as my older sister filled my head with Ziggy mythos. Thank you, Tracy! You can throw this on, any track, and I’m instantly happy. This album is a masterpiece as far as I’m concerned. It is so hard to pick favorites, but you have to dig Ziggy Stardust, and Hang On To Yourself, Suffragette City, and Rock ’N’ Roll Suicide are fantastic!
2. — Doolittle
(Pixies)
Not necessarily my favorite Pixies album… that would be a tough choice, but my introduction, and what a hell of an introduction it was! This is one of those that did not come from the musical influences of my parents or older sister or brother. This was one of those discoveries that was all mine. It changed the way thought about music. Passion over perfection. Primal over pretentious. Debaser rocked my world right away. Monkey Gone to Heaven, fucking wow. №13 Baby, bury me to this song.
3. — Frank Black
(Frank Black)
Front man from the Pixies, gone solo. This album just rages and slides from start to finish. To me, it’s a nearly perfect album. It hangs perfectly between the Pixies and the sound Frank Black would settle a bit more into. Because of this it’s stands apart from the rest of Frank Black’s stuff. It’s my personal favorite out of his catalog. Don’t Ya Rile ’Em, Two Spaces, I Heard Ramona Sing, and 10 Percenter are among my favorites from an album of favorites.
4. — …The Dandy Warhols Come Down
(The Dandy Warhols)
Unabashed fun neo-psychadelic glory. I fell in love with this gem at first listen and it’s always on my play list. 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia might technically be a better album, but this one was magic for me. I’ve never been able to understand why everyone doesn’t know of this band. This album accompanies fond memories of USC dorm parties. Ah, nostalgia. Favorites are Cool as Kim Deal, Not if You Were the Last Junkie on Earth, Green, and the epic most lovely song to ever accompany a pot high, Be-in.
5. — The Midnight Organ Fight
(Frightened Rabbit)
I don’t remember where I first heard The Twist but I remember feeling like my head had just exploded, I mean, my god, this was so fucking real!
I got the album and it just amazed me. A few of their albums since have been called better, but to me this was one of the most amazing things I’d ever heard. It’s hard to express how much I love this album and this band. Seriously, if you are reading this, check them out. Want to get even more real? Check out Keep Yourself Warm and then check out Good Arms vs. Bad Arms and Head Rolls Off.
They’ve got several more albums out after this one and ever damn one of them is incredible. Do yourself a huge and just slather Frightened Rabbit all over you and roll around in it.
6. — Revolver
(The Beatles)
Every says Sgt. Peppers, and yes, it’s an absolutely incredible album, but what really got me interested in The Beatles was this album. It blew my mind!
To me, this is where they really took over the studio. All four are in excellent from. Paul is conducting an orchestra, John is playing with tape loops, George is being George, and Ringo… well there’s Yellow Submarine. This was the last Beatles album that was truly a collaborative effort. Without this album pushing all the boundaries, Sgt. Peppers probably would not have happened. Highlights: the beautiful sad commentary of Eleanor Rigby, the acid trip induced conversation with Peter Fonda freaking George out and John jumping in to defend him: She Said She said, the incredibly booming flowing river ride down a river of awesome: Tomorrow Never Knows, and a big middle finger to taking away people;’s hard earned money: Taxman.
7. — Uknown Pleasures
(Joy Division)
I’m not going to lie, if you’re walking into this from Beyonce or Justin Timberlake, you should really have an ear cleanse first. This is not easy music.
This album crawled into my head and never left. I can’t honestly put my finger on what exactly it is, but it’s special. Dark, brooding, out of left field… if you can let your preconceived notions go and let this one run a few times, you’ll start to get it (or you’ll hate and I feel sad for you :( you’re still cool, but now sad…)
This is one of those 100% no bullshit albums. Seriously. What you have to understand is this isn’t dance music (though you can) or sing the chorus together music (though you can... I do :p but don’t be like me, your mother would cry). This is music to clench or cleanse your soul to. The opening track, Disorder, is pretty catchy in a sparse spastic sort of way. I love it. What is likely to really catch you ear, though is She’s Lost Control whose excellence cannot be denied. Seriously, if you can’t appreciate this song on some level you will make my head explode like in Scanners. Shadowplay is a great example of the real cohesiveness and talent of this band as opposed to the beautiful chaos of Disorder.
8. — Walk Among Us
(Misfits)
Brutal, evil, scary, funny, and ridiculous, the Misfits took punk, American style, and went Horror Movie with it. Not for the faint of heart. If you are easily offended, skip it.
Glen Danzig just incredible, with a Punk Elvis type vibe, in my opinion the best vocalist in the genre (and even though he’s not well known for it, and not credited, he re-recorded or doubled almost all of the guitar on this album). The songs are ridiculously catchy with choruses that you almost have to sing along with.
My personal favorite is Astro Zombies with what’s really an amazingly well done set of chord progressions and vocal melody that’s pretty stand out among Punk (there is a trigger word in there, but not in the context of the trigger, still, avoid if you think it might trigger) followed by Hatebreeders with the best sing along chorus in Punk, Night Of The Living Dead with it’s fantastic 2 chord verses and full bore vocal delivery, more energy than any song should be able to contain, and then I Turned Into a Martian, absolutely ridiculous, full speed, fantastic vocal delivery and a nice little unexpected bridge.
9. — Floodland
(The Sisters of Mercy)
You might not be familiar with The Sister of Mercy, which is a shame. For those who know, I might get some flack for listing this album, but I heard it before First and Last and Always (which you should go listen to immediately after you finish reading and recommending this informative piece of journalistic gold, right? This is for your own good!) and the moment I heard Lucretia My Reflection my hair tried to stand on end. Slow it down to .75 for amazing goth sex. Seriously, if this song hasn’t graced you with it’s eargasmic deliciousness, please, for the love of all that’s holy, click it and listen, and not on something with shitty bass. Good speakers or earphones. Please. Trust me. I won’t steer you wrong. Seriously… I’m waiting.
Okay, do yourself a solid and just listen to the entire album. However, if you can’t do that, then listen to these, in my own order of awesomeness: This Corrosion (I DARE you to not love it), Driven Like The Snow (one of my favorite songs to write to), Flood II (ahhhhh, so beautiful…), Colours, and, not my favorite, but it seems to really resonate with some people, 1959.
10. — Animals
(Pink Floyd)
Yes, The Wall is epic, no doubting that. This however, is my Pink Floyd album (along with the terribly unappreciated Piper at the Gates of Dawn).
I think this album shows off so much of what makes them, as songwriters, musicians, and a band, so damn special. From its split intro/outro song, to the fanged lyrics, pulling no punches, to the grooves and the straight ahead rock, I just love this album so much. Five songs (a few of them are quite long) and no filler whatsoever.
This is another one you just need to listen to in it’s entirety. If you refuse, then here: Sheep (the sheer epicness CANNOT be denied… don’t believe me? check out 7:00 (dammit, skip if you insist!) and dig that bass! And then the way the guitar dips/chops in all staccato-y just behind the beat in an almost JAZZ move, it blows my mind, and Roger Waters is snarling/spitting every word perfectly.
But wait!! 8:06 is one the of the most GAWD YES! (thank you Tremaine) guitar moments in any song ever in the history of the world! okay, you’re welcome, now clean yourself up and listen to Pigs On the Wing (part 2), the perfect wind down from the bad-assery you just bore witness to. Ah.. I need a cigarette now.
11. — Queen II
(Queen)
Sadly unappreciated initially, if you weren’t aware of how seriously Queen could rock, or even if you think you know, it’s time for school. These dudes kicked it hard back in the day.
I know I know, you heard it before, but just listen to the entire thing. It’s so good. Those layered vocals are already showing beautifully. The album is cleverly divided into the White side and Black side. The White side, written primarily by Brian May (the badass at the top in the pics) and deals with slightly more conventional topics, emotions, etc. while the Black side, written entirely by Freddie Mercury (if you don’t know which one his him, shame on you!) and is all about some elves and ogres, just trust me it’s pretty gnarly stuff.
Okay, so if you still refuse to listen to the whole thing, then check this bad boy out: Ogre Battle. That crazy shit you hear at the beginning is the real actual voice of the drummer, Roger Taylor. Dude got range for days. Brian May loved doing symphonic numbers on guitar (no synthesizers used on this album). On Procession, everything you hear, except for the drum thump that comes in, is his guitar. White Queen (As It Began) gives me chills, and again with the guitar swells, no synths. Sooooo goooooood. Seven Seas of Rhye, just come and get it.
12. — 2112
(Rush)
I’ll grit my teeth and sigh and tell you, this is not for every one. Some people find Geddy’s voice…off-putting… which is a shame because this is one of the greatest bands that has ever existed. Each of them at the very top of his field. I first heard this album when I was about 6 years old. My older sister was playing it, and the beginning of it blew my impressionable little mind. This album was so ahead of its time, it’s ridiculous. Intelligent, masterfully musical, rocks your ass off when it’s time, quiet and peaceful, in turn, and utterly EPIC.
I’m not going to tell you to listen to the whole thing, just play this: 2112
Turn it up loud. Yes, there are vocals eventually. The first bit is called Overture because it’s, well, and overture. When the Priests of Syrinx come in, hold onto your nu-nus, or they might get rocked right off.
You’re welcome.
13. — Bad Vibes
(Lloyd Cole)
I was torn between this, and the first album of his I heard, Don’t Get Weird On Me Babe. I went for Bad Vibes for a few reasons. DGWOMB was recommended to me. I loved it right away. Seriously you should get it, it’s wonderful. However, Bad Vibes was my discovery. Also, people who jumped all over DGWOMB didn’t seem to get Bad Vibes, and shit-mouthed it pretty vemously. I love them both. BV pulls ahead with me due to the more experimental nature of it. DGWOMB sounds quite polished whereas BV has some nicely produced songs but some sound a bit more like they were trying to capture a slightly more raw feeling. I have no idea.
No? Dammit. Okay, here are my highlights: Morning is Broken, one of the most amazingly awesome songs ever. Sooooooo gooood! Never ever gets old. You might even catch a direct lyric influence on something I wrote. Mr. Wrong is a bit more downbeat, with a slightly harsh whisper so fitting to a guy smoking and drinking down his sorrows. Seen the Future rocks pretty damn nicely, a bit psychedelic, a kickin horn section, and some badass lyrics. Can’t Get Arrested is a long, beautiful, somewhat bluesy song, just made for drinking whiskey to.
14. — The Head On the Door
(The Cure)
Technically the first thing I heard by The Cure was from a video for Why Can’t I be You. I was a metal head at the time so seeing a dude in big fuzzy suit with lipstick, hopping around to that song put him and The Cure on my Ass Kick list. It wasn’t until much later on, having successfully avoided them for years, that I heard Mixed Up and suddenly I was interested. The Head On the Door was my fist proper Cure album. That’s all it took to become a die hard. Love them. Always.
Go listen to the whole thing, now!
*sigh* okay… but I’m going to piss some people off. Close To Me, iconic, catchy, odd, fantastic. If you like it find the “mixed up” version, very very cool! In Between Days is a Cure classic, perfectly hoppy, bouncy, and awesome. Six Different Ways fantastic in every possible way. Dig how the percussion at the beginning sounds like creaking ropes on a sailing ship. The Baby Scream is a perfect example of why it was amazing to have Simon Gallup back in the band on bass guitar. The Blood is a gorgeous Spanish flavored acoustic number.
15. — Broken
(Nine Inch Nails)
I had never heard of Pretty Hate Machine when I came across this. Yes, it’s loud, aggressive, self-loathing, self-destructive, and a bit depraved.
I had never heard someone express themselves the way he did on this album. Just unremitting confession and self hatred, and it sounds awful, I know, but we all go through self loathing at some point, unless you’re just super-awesome, in which case substitute Christina Aguilerra’s “Genie in a Bottle” and move on.
I never cared much for “Industrial,” but this one was a game changer.
It’s really only 4 songs (technically it’s an EP) not counting the the crappy little mini CD with two shite songs on it to round it out into an album length release. With rage this genuine, it doesn’t always take 12 songs to do the job. Now, get it out of your system.
16. — Haughty Melodic
(Mike Doughty)
I bought this because a girl I liked had the t-shirt. Yes, I’m a dufus, BUT I ended up discovering one of my favorite albums!
I’m not entirely sure how to categorize this one, and maybe that’s a good thing. It’s Indie, a little too rock for Americana, a little too acoustic for rock. Maybe a touch of folk? It’s great stuff, regardless. Mike is a real troubadour, a lyrical genius who makes me feel like an illiterate fool sometimes, but without ever sounding even the slightest bit pretentious. Listen to it all, go buy it, it’s amazing as hell.
Looking At The World From The Bottom Of A Well is the proper starting place for this album. A shimmering, driving, masterpiece. My next suggestion is Your Misfortune, a song I have actually covered live. No, I’m not going to link that right here next to his. I’d sound like ass. Now, for my personal favorite, Sunken-eyed Girl. I cannot say enough things about this damn song… from the lone driving drum beat to start, to the subtle way the rest of the music comes in, to the incredibly beautiful steel guitar just lingering at the edge of hearing, never intruding, to the AMAZING lyrics. White Lexus is just a gorgeous acoustic guitar, steel guitar, piano, and vocal composition that recalls the best of the singer-songwriters.
17. — Legend
(Bob Marley)
Another introduction from my older sister. She always had good musical taste. This is a bit of a cheat since it’s a compilation, but it’s the one I really fell in love with.
I feel a little stupid even suggesting songs from him as they are so well known and loved. I’ve since gone back and listened through most of his albums. It seems this dude was always just bursting with song, but later on some of the feeling coming out in his songwriting was really touching on another level. Redemption Song is, without a doubt my favorite. I like to think this acoustic version is a ghost of sorts, a picture of the raw beautiful spirit of the man. Buffalo Soldier has to be included. If you’ve never paid close attention to the lyrics, you should. One Love, is a sort of motto of mine. “Is there a place for the hopeless sinner, Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?” Genius, and so apropos these days. I could go on and on, really… but I’ll wind this up with Three Little Birds. “Every little thing gonna be alright.”
18. — Gretchen Goes to Nebraska
(King’s X)
It’s no secret I love the Beatles, but what you may not know is how much I love the passion, strength, and rawness of good black gospel, blues, and soul vocals.
Well, combine Ty Tabor’s Beatlesque vocals with Doug Pinnick’s soulful roots vocals and excellent musicianship and you have one of my favorite bands on earth. I love King’s X to the moon and back. I don’t even remember why I bought this album, completely unheard. I remember putting headphones on while reading a book, and this album taking me into another world. More than at any other time before, I suggest listening to this entire thing.
However, I know you are probably not going to :) so here are some suggestions: First off, a song that really showcases Doug’s vocals, Over My Head. Then a little something with Ty on lead vocals, The Burning Down, which is actually difficult for me to listen to at the moment. Okay, so now to my favorites, I love how driving King’s X can be. They don’t push or pull, they just kind of… do it. Send a Message is one that shows that off very well and is one of my favorites songs of all time. Dig that bass line when it doubles the drums and that howl at the start, shivers. Mission is another favorite with some niiiice chord progressions, the booming tom drums, and Doug is just killing it on vocals.
19. — The Queen is Dead
(The Smiths)
It’s going to be extremely difficult to suggest just some of the tracks off of this one. Everything about this band is excellent. Every instrument is played impeccably, the lyrics are biting, clever, and often touching, and no one needs to even go on about Morrissey’s vocals. This music is largely free from commercial interference. Amazing indie brilliance.
Okay, so I’d start with Bigmouth Strikes Again, musically and lyrically brilliant. Seriously, check that bassline out. After that There Is A Light That Never Goes Out needs to be heard. I love the words to this one, so over the top but in a way that begs you to consider that he’s serious. The chorus, well… I’ve felt that way before. Next is an odd one, but rewarding, Frankly, Mr. Shankly makes a cleverly pointed jab at soul destroying 9–5, and even though the music is somewhat polka flavored, don’t miss one of the most brilliant and beautiful bridge bits ever recorded at 0:39. Cemetery Gates is gorgeous, with jangly guitars, hoppy bassline, fantastic vocals, and lyrics that range from literarily aware to a super-satisfying rip on the kind of person who appropriates other’s thoughts to appear thoughtful or creative.
“You say: ‘ere thrice the sun done salutation to the dawn’
And you claim these words as your own
But I’ve read well, and I’ve heard them said
A hundred times, maybe less, maybe more”
20. — Positive Thinking
(The Pack A.D.)
The newest thing on the list. These two women have mixed garage rock with a dose of punk rock, a little roots rock, and they send out the power chords straight to my heart.
A few of you might recall my declaration of love for Becky Black, on guitar and vocals. THIS is the woman for me. Marriage, kids, jam sessions, hell yes, sign me up NOW.
Seriously, they out-rock the dudes. They are so incredibly good. The reason for this particular album out of all the crazy good stuff they’ve put out is that I’m lazy about buying new music. I heard Yes, I Know off of this one and could not get it out of my head. I had to have it. It reminds me of that raw edge that I’ve gotten jaded into no longer noticing most of the time, and it’s got me excited about my own music again.
Other tracks off this album I’m currently (like, while writing this) rocking out to are So What, Gold Eyes, and Error, which I am digging the hell out of, especially the almost yodel-ly thing she does with her voice.
21. — Dare to Be Stupid
(“Weird Al” Yankovic)
Okay, so I added a #21 because, frankly, he deserves a spot.
Don’t get me wrong, I love me some Weird Al, but as far as life-changing albums? Well, this was one I heard when I was a kid and it actually did kind of change my life. Yoda (Lola) hooked me immediately, which led me to later listening to the Kinks. Besides, the lyrics are genuinely clever and funny and the music is great. The title track Dare To Be Stupid, while being silly and amusing, is kind of a badass song. While it’s a Weird Al original, it’s done in a Devo style prompting Mark Mothersburg to comment “We hate him because we didn’t come up with it.” I make no apologies for rocking out to this song. One More Minute (another original) is at once very well done, painfully funny as hell, and kind of actually says something (in extreme hyperbole) very easy to relate to. This is the Life is another original showing how damn talented this guy is. If you’re not humming this song later on, you must be a replicant.
Okay, so there are more, but my mind is a labyrinth, but not the hedge kind. Mine would have hedges made out of giant Cheetos.
Anyway, here are some that deserve mentioning due to their huge impact on me:
Around the World in a Day
Prince and the Revolution
Mixed Up
The Cure
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Moving Pictures
Rush
Grace
Jeff Buckley
Your New Favorite Band
The Hives
The Chronic
Dr. Dre
Elastica
Elastica
Tidal
Fionnna Apple
Elephant
White Stripes
Straight Outta Compton
NWA
The Colour and the Shape
Foo Fighters
Ill Comunication
Beastie Boys
Nevermind
Nirvana
