A few weeks ago Bobbie tagged me in her fave albums note. I decided to make a list as well. But like any list I make, I have to narrow it down. When I first made a list of albums I might want to include on here I had a list of 34 different albums. I tried to narrow it down by how much the album made an impact on the rest of what I listened to and how it related to my life. As many have said before music is just the soundtrack of our lives.
So here are the albums I picked for my 15:
Boyz II Men – II 1994
This is more a sentimental childhood favorite. When I first really really started listening to music, this was the best. I was debating either to put either this or Mariah Carey’s Daydream album. I was really into love songs and such and was a huge hopeless romantic until the college. That and every dance in junior high had to include a Boyz II Men slow dance song like “On Bended Knee.” My fave on this album is probably “Water Runs Dry.”
This is more a sentimental childhood favorite. When I first really really started listening to music, this was the best. I was debating either to put either this or Mariah Carey’s Daydream album. I was really into love songs and such and was a huge hopeless romantic until the college. That and every dance in junior high had to include a Boyz II Men slow dance song like “On Bended Knee.” My fave on this album is probably “Water Runs Dry.”
Weezer – Weezer (The Blue Album) 1994
The epitome of a great CD in my opinion. An album you can listen to all the way through without skipping any tracks, fun and catchy music, and awesome songs to sing along to. I didn’t get into it until a couple years after it was released, but as they say better late than never. Listening to this album now reminds me of times in junior high hanging out at friends’ houses dancing around and listening to music. Fave track: “Only In Dreams.”
The epitome of a great CD in my opinion. An album you can listen to all the way through without skipping any tracks, fun and catchy music, and awesome songs to sing along to. I didn’t get into it until a couple years after it was released, but as they say better late than never. Listening to this album now reminds me of times in junior high hanging out at friends’ houses dancing around and listening to music. Fave track: “Only In Dreams.”
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom 1995
Ska never sounded better. When I first heard “Spiderwebs” I thought wow this is really fun sounding. I think that Christmas of 1996 everyone and their mom got the CD as a gift. “Don’t Speak” really hit me because when I first got the CD for Christmas not even a week later my grandpa died. I would play that song over and over and over. Then “Don’t Speak” came out as a single a couple months later and blew No Doubt up wide open. Needless to say fave track on album is “Don’t Speak.”
Ska never sounded better. When I first heard “Spiderwebs” I thought wow this is really fun sounding. I think that Christmas of 1996 everyone and their mom got the CD as a gift. “Don’t Speak” really hit me because when I first got the CD for Christmas not even a week later my grandpa died. I would play that song over and over and over. Then “Don’t Speak” came out as a single a couple months later and blew No Doubt up wide open. Needless to say fave track on album is “Don’t Speak.”
Bush – Razorblade Suitcase 1996
I got into music a little after the grunge era, so this was a new sound to me. When I first hear the album it opened up doors to all of the sounds of earlier in the decade like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots. Although Bush’s lyrics were often nonsensical, I was drawn to how they fit into the music and the big guitars. Fave track: “Swallowed.”
I got into music a little after the grunge era, so this was a new sound to me. When I first hear the album it opened up doors to all of the sounds of earlier in the decade like Nirvana and Stone Temple Pilots. Although Bush’s lyrics were often nonsensical, I was drawn to how they fit into the music and the big guitars. Fave track: “Swallowed.”
The Wallflowers – Bringing Down the Horse 1996
The album like most in the late 1990s came out when I was still trying to figure out what I was into as far as music. I was definitely into this album. This and Counting Crows August and Everything After are albums where I listen to them now and remember what it was like being a hopeless romantic teenager or evenings talking to old friends over a dinner table reminiscing of years gone by. Very easy listening. Favorite track: “One Headlight.”
The album like most in the late 1990s came out when I was still trying to figure out what I was into as far as music. I was definitely into this album. This and Counting Crows August and Everything After are albums where I listen to them now and remember what it was like being a hopeless romantic teenager or evenings talking to old friends over a dinner table reminiscing of years gone by. Very easy listening. Favorite track: “One Headlight.”
Hootie & the Blowfish – Fairweather Johnson 1996
This is another that kind of plays off that hopeless romantic. Lots of love songs on this album. Not as catchy and a bit darker in lyrical content compared to their mega-hit “Cracked Rear View,” this album probably took a good five or six years before I really appreciated it. I then put it away for a while and gave it a listen after my son was born and this album really resonates with me now. Not much of today’s music can grow with you over time. Fave on the album: “Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn.”
This is another that kind of plays off that hopeless romantic. Lots of love songs on this album. Not as catchy and a bit darker in lyrical content compared to their mega-hit “Cracked Rear View,” this album probably took a good five or six years before I really appreciated it. I then put it away for a while and gave it a listen after my son was born and this album really resonates with me now. Not much of today’s music can grow with you over time. Fave on the album: “Earth Stopped Cold at Dawn.”
Blink-182 – Dude Ranch 1997
I had listened to pop-punk before and after this album, but this is probably my favorite of the genre. It was a mix of teen angst and humor unlike what I’ve heard before. I enjoyed the pace most of all. And then about five years later I was in the most amateur and fun punk-cover band and we covered my favorite track on the album “Dammit.”
I had listened to pop-punk before and after this album, but this is probably my favorite of the genre. It was a mix of teen angst and humor unlike what I’ve heard before. I enjoyed the pace most of all. And then about five years later I was in the most amateur and fun punk-cover band and we covered my favorite track on the album “Dammit.”
Third Eye Blind – Third Eye Blind 1997
My brother always makes a joke about it, but I used to play this CD over and over and over again. All the songs were catchy and guitar driven. I could never really get into their albums after this one, but this one seemed like lightning in a bottle. My best memories of this album were all the times me and various groups of friends at various times of my life sang along at the top of our lungs to “Semi-Charmed Life.” Fave track: “Motorcycle Driveby.”
My brother always makes a joke about it, but I used to play this CD over and over and over again. All the songs were catchy and guitar driven. I could never really get into their albums after this one, but this one seemed like lightning in a bottle. My best memories of this album were all the times me and various groups of friends at various times of my life sang along at the top of our lungs to “Semi-Charmed Life.” Fave track: “Motorcycle Driveby.”
Foo Fighters – The Colour and the Shape 1997
How could the drummer of one of the greatest bands of the 1990s reinvent himself and start anew? This album is how. I know Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters had an album before this, but The Colour and the Shape gave the band a definite sound. What I remember most about this album? The music videos oddly enough. My favorite track: “Everlong.”
How could the drummer of one of the greatest bands of the 1990s reinvent himself and start anew? This album is how. I know Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters had an album before this, but The Colour and the Shape gave the band a definite sound. What I remember most about this album? The music videos oddly enough. My favorite track: “Everlong.”
Deftones – “White Pony” 2000
In the whole “nu-metal” scene with acts like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, and the like, the only band that has really resonated beyond those initial years the sound was popular to me are the Deftones. I remember my brother getting this CD and we had friends over and we all were listening to it on the stereo in his room. This was much the gateway for their other work. Fave track: “Passenger.”
In the whole “nu-metal” scene with acts like Korn, Limp Bizkit, Disturbed, and the like, the only band that has really resonated beyond those initial years the sound was popular to me are the Deftones. I remember my brother getting this CD and we had friends over and we all were listening to it on the stereo in his room. This was much the gateway for their other work. Fave track: “Passenger.”
Linkin Park – “Hybrid Theory” 2000
When I first heard this album, it was in a portable CD player hooked up to a tape deck in my old Ford Taurus. And for a good year it would be my most played CD. I considered it separate from the whole nu-metal and rap-rock phase of rock music simply because that scene was almost dead by the time this CD came out and the fact that the songs on the album were so layered sonically. It basically put together most of the type of music I liked and spit out something both familiar and something unlike I’d never heard before. Reminds me of senior year of high school (don’t worry, fond memories). My fave track: “Pushing Me Away.”
When I first heard this album, it was in a portable CD player hooked up to a tape deck in my old Ford Taurus. And for a good year it would be my most played CD. I considered it separate from the whole nu-metal and rap-rock phase of rock music simply because that scene was almost dead by the time this CD came out and the fact that the songs on the album were so layered sonically. It basically put together most of the type of music I liked and spit out something both familiar and something unlike I’d never heard before. Reminds me of senior year of high school (don’t worry, fond memories). My fave track: “Pushing Me Away.”
Jimmy Eat World – Bleed American 2001
Whenever I listen to this, it reminds me of freshman year of college. Lyrically this album relates very well to that year. The fun of the first taste of freedom and the sort of loss of that innocent feeling after high school or even post 9/11. I remember Ethan once told me that whenever he rode in my car that he wasn’t surprised this CD was stuck in my CD player. And then there is a great memory of riding down country roads in Justin’s car blaring “Sweetness” out the windows. Favorite track: “Sweetness.”
Whenever I listen to this, it reminds me of freshman year of college. Lyrically this album relates very well to that year. The fun of the first taste of freedom and the sort of loss of that innocent feeling after high school or even post 9/11. I remember Ethan once told me that whenever he rode in my car that he wasn’t surprised this CD was stuck in my CD player. And then there is a great memory of riding down country roads in Justin’s car blaring “Sweetness” out the windows. Favorite track: “Sweetness.”
Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends 2002
A girl named Jennifer my freshman year of college tried to get me into emo. She burned a CD full of Dashboard Confessional (and I don’t remember where that CD is anymore). Then based on the music I already listened to, she figured I’d be more into Taking Back Sunday so she sent me a few tracks off this album. I listened to them and kept them around but didn’t really get into them until a couple years later. Now Taking Back Sunday is one of my faves. Thanks Jenn, where ever you are. Fave track: “There’s No ‘I’ in Team.”
A girl named Jennifer my freshman year of college tried to get me into emo. She burned a CD full of Dashboard Confessional (and I don’t remember where that CD is anymore). Then based on the music I already listened to, she figured I’d be more into Taking Back Sunday so she sent me a few tracks off this album. I listened to them and kept them around but didn’t really get into them until a couple years later. Now Taking Back Sunday is one of my faves. Thanks Jenn, where ever you are. Fave track: “There’s No ‘I’ in Team.”
Eminem – The Eminem Show 2002
Although I think his best album is probably the Marshall Mathers LP, my favorite from him has to be The Eminem Show. Like most of his work, Eminem spends most of the album analyzing himself and the relationships around him. He still disses a couple celebrities, but in this album he was growing past that. In the era I have lived in, Eminem is probably my favorite rapper (but my fave rappers are probably for another list). I related the most to his music because it felt real and not some caricature of some gangster persona (like say Ja Rule or 50 Cent). My fave track: “Sing For the Moment.”
Although I think his best album is probably the Marshall Mathers LP, my favorite from him has to be The Eminem Show. Like most of his work, Eminem spends most of the album analyzing himself and the relationships around him. He still disses a couple celebrities, but in this album he was growing past that. In the era I have lived in, Eminem is probably my favorite rapper (but my fave rappers are probably for another list). I related the most to his music because it felt real and not some caricature of some gangster persona (like say Ja Rule or 50 Cent). My fave track: “Sing For the Moment.”
Kanye West – The College Dropout 2004
Another fave rapper of mine. Now he might be a complete asshole as a person, but I really like his music. First time I listened to this album the whole way through I was impressed with the witty lyrics and introspection. Adrian always says that “All Falls Down” is on the 1821 soundtrack and the epitome of our college careers. I then remember a house party where they were bumping to “Jesus Walks” and that memory makes me laugh a little bit. My favorite track: “Jesus Walks.”
Another fave rapper of mine. Now he might be a complete asshole as a person, but I really like his music. First time I listened to this album the whole way through I was impressed with the witty lyrics and introspection. Adrian always says that “All Falls Down” is on the 1821 soundtrack and the epitome of our college careers. I then remember a house party where they were bumping to “Jesus Walks” and that memory makes me laugh a little bit. My favorite track: “Jesus Walks.”
What albums impacted your life?
