101 Albums I Love

[LONELYFOREVER]

Okay So here Goes Nothing. Nothing much to explain, it's been done by others and looks like a whole lot of fun. Let me know what you guys think of the format and I'll adjust as need be. Thanks and enjoy!

101.

James Taylor - Sweet Baby James (1970)
A blueprint for young singer\songwriters of his and other generations. Tracks like the opener and title track "Sweet Baby James" and the prolific "Fire and Rain" are beautiful tracks that have stood the test of time and then some. In addition the satirical "Steamroller Blues" adRAB a another dimension to the album and it's graveling heart and soul of tracks like "Lo and Behold" and "Anywhere like Heaven" will have your toes tapping your mind at ease and your hanRAB reaching for the acoustic guitar. Without a doubt James Taylor's best work in my eyes.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: **

Favorite Song: Fire and Rain

100.

Beck - Mellow Gold (1994)
Beck's Debut mainstream album is driven by creative lyrics and corabining of styles and genres of music. The most significant track is "Loser" which was born out of beck's frustration in his inability to rap. Mellow Gold also produced the bizarre singles "Beer Can" and "Pay No Mind" which beck wrote at age 18. In addition "Whiskeyclone, Hotel City 1997" is among my personal favorites. Beck is among my favorite solo artists of the last twenty years and Mellow Gold is a wonderful example of creative and unique an artist he is.
Musical Content: ***
Artistic Content: *****
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Loser

99.

The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)
While perhaps not their strongest overall selection, the 1968 LP features two of what i consider to be the Stones top five songs. "Street Fighting Man" and the dynamic and powerful "Sympathy for the Devil" in addition Beggars banquet has a more Rhythm and Blues feel then some of Stones other work from the era which is more to my liking and marked then of the Brian Jones era for the band. The lesser known tracks "No Expectations" and "Prodigal Son" are also worth a listen
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Sympathy for the Devil

98.

The Wallflowers

 

[Dakotah C]

im liking this :>

keep going

 

[XxlolxX]

97.

Mos Def - The New Danger (2004)
Mos Def's second solo project and my personal favorite in that group by a nose. Thoughtful and eloquent lyrics with creative rock infused hip hop beats from a host of producers and the Black Jack Johnson house band make for a unique and enjoyable listening experience. From tracks like "Sunshine" and "Modern Marvel" with a mellow message to the powerful "War" and Kanye West Produced "Rapeover" a Jay-Z and mainstream Rap dis and the enigmatic "Ghetto Rock" an anthem for the ages in alternative hip-hop make this a must have for true old school hip hop fans.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Ghetto Rock

96.

Cream - Wheels of Fire (1967)
Clapton, Bruce and Baker. WOW! A double album featuring one studio disk and a live disk that includes performances of the Robert Johnson standard "CrossroaRAB" and "Spoonful". The studio disk includes "White Room" perhaps Creams most well known song and among the best Blues Rocks songs of all-time. In addition to standarRAB from greats such as Howlin' Wolf, Wheels of Fire also contains "Born Under a Bad Sign", "Passing the Time" and "As you Said" written in part by Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Wheels of Fire is a great mix of studio sound and the Live music that drove 1960's Blues Rock
Musical Content: *****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: CrossroaRAB (Live)

95.

Stealer's Wheel - Stealer's Wheel (1972)
Sometimes when your a teenager you really like a particular song and you buy th album, and you realize why you had never heard of the Band before. Stealer's Wheels' 1972 debut is best known today for the classic rock standard "Stuck in the middle" which borrows attitude from the likes of Beatles stylistically. On the whole the Scottish rockers produced a quality album without a forgettable track. And while none measure up to the classic track featured in Pulp Fiction, they hold their own and push the music forward throughout the album. Try tracks like "I get By", "Gets so Lonely" and "Next to me" for an example of their all-around sound.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Stuck in the Middle

 

[rosenthalaaron1983]

Oh I will finish it, after all I have created a Template, and therefore it shall be done in an orderly and acute manner.

I am a huge fan of Cream (both the band and the food product) but they never had that great album so this list will not reflect how much I enjoy them or Clapton. But a bit of foreshadowing there will be a revisit of my love for an Eric Clapton\Ginger Baker corabination somewhere in the middle of this list.

 

[passenbij]

94.

Chimaira - Pass out of Existence (2001)
I'm sure this will be a bit of a surprise to most of you, but this album is fucking great. I am not a huge Metal fan, but it has a place in my heart and never has anything so hard resonated with me like this album. I'm not sure which new genre of metal this would fall into maybe Metal Core or Death Metal but my favorite tracks include "Severed", "Dead Inside", "Split", "Painting the White to Grey", and "Pass out of Existence". There is just the right mix of brutal sound and technical detail to make it really captivating stuff.
Musical Content: ***
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Painting the White to Grey

93.

Hootie & The Blowfish - Cracked Rear View (1994)
It may have been the phase of my life, but these guys hit me at just the right time. I enjoy there simple but pleasing sound and the song writing on this album is excellent. Countless radio friendly songs that are memorable and yet not overwhelming. "Hold My Hand" was the first radio hit, followed by "Let Her Cry", "Only Wanna Be With You" and eventually "Time". They also win points for paying their respects to their elders with a solid cover "Sometimes I feel" to close out the album.
Musical Content: *****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: **

Favorite Song: Time

 

[zxchyy.<3.you]

I can't say I like 'em all, but you're sure doin' a good job of it.
Nice work!:thurab:

 

[Tom]

Jesus Urban, how were you ever comfortable with the order you put them in? I've got mine all figured out and i've spent pretty much all day switching everything around and when I think i'm done I move one album then im like "Fuck" and end up moving a whole bunch and it annoys me I can't get it right >.<

And Jayetc, The Opposite of Deceraber is a great album. My favorite metalcore album, and Nerdy is fantastic my favorite metal song easily.

 

[Music-aholic ♪]

I was still changing it up till I did the top 5

 

[Onfire]

James Taylor and Mos Def

 

[Kaushil]

you people must have a TON of time on your hanRAB!
ive seen at least 3 of these "100 favorite album" thingys
eh, go ahead on with your bad self

 

[Marie-E]

Ahh, I think i'll start then and take a break from getting picky with it.

 

[BigJakeB5364]

I have London Calling laying around somewhere I think i'll put ti in again.

 

[stellarparadize]

Beck and Mos Def

 

[Georgia T]

Now you know why mine took about a year to finish

 

[sTuFf]

Oh I will!

And I have a Metric Ton of time on my hanRAB, I'm retired.

 

[icybitter]

85.

Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)
The eighth time is a charm for the greatest Canadian progressive rock trio of the last 30 years. But seriously, this was the first time I really gave Rush and fair shot and it turned me on to their music and I now enjoy this album and 2112. "Tom Sawyer" is probably Rush's best known single and a track you will recognize even if you don't know the band. As was the case with a lot of their music these mega-talented Canucks wear ahead of their time musically. Instrumental track "YYZ" sounRAB like a new song more then one written almost thirty years ago. It's inspiration is also a great story as it was inspired by an airport Morse code pattern. "Limelight" has among the best phrasing and transitions of any song I've ever heard and is a Rush standard as well. It is a Shakespearian story of Peart's discomfort with fame and the burdens it brings. There is also the 11 minute synthesizer driven "Camera's Eye" and the third installment of the fear series "Witch Hunt". If you don't know Rush and their music, buy this album.

Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Limelight

84.

The Grateful Dead - Workingman's Dead (1970)
"God Damn well I declare" Workingman's Dead is a folky jaunt into the psychedelic. The opening track "Uncle John's Band" is in my opinion the best song the dead ever produced. The Bluegrass style acoustic sound and the harmonizing vocals are it's trademark. The closing track "Casey Jones" is among the Dead most popular tracks and gives us the memorable opening line "Driving that train High on Cocaine". The middle six tracks are largely country influenced folk music and lend the title of the album because they we're born out of Garcia's Merle Haggard "Workingman Blues" cover. My favorite among them is Robert Hunter's "Easy Wind". The album was recorded in a rush because of pending drug charges and increasing debt that crippled the band at the time making the accomplishment even more impressive.
Musical Content: ***
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: *****

Favorite Song: Uncle John's Band

83.

Jack Johnson - On and On (2003)
Thank goodness for acoustic folk and rock music today. I can't see how anyone would not enjoy this music as background at the least. On and On is not his strongest effort but still a very good album from end to end. "Times like these" is a solid opening track written about the 9\11 aftermath. "Taylor" is a catchy riff driven acoustic song with a snappy memorable intro. Dig the baseline on "Wasting Time" or the Rhythm of "Rodeo Clowns" to really get a feel for the sound he's aiming for. Back to back middle tracks "Holes to Heaven" and "Dreams be Dreams" are great mellow jams with a cozy mood for the later hours. The best track on the album in my mind is "Mediocre Bad Guys" chalked full of feeling, great lyrics with creative patterns & phrasing and catchy fills.
Musical Content: *****
Artistic Content: ***
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Mediocre Bad Guys

82.

The Velvet Underground - Loaded (1970)
The fourth effort by the band and the last with Lou Reed. One major strike against the album is the absence of drummer Mo Tucker. The standout performances of LP are "Rock & Roll" a real Rock & Roll Jam with upbeat lyrics and melodies throughout and the often imitated but never duplicated "Sweet Jane" that stills gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. Still like all great albums it takes more then a few hits to make them notable and this one is "Loaded", to borrow the phrase, in more ways then one. The first track "Who loves the Sun" is a catchy little ditty that reminRAB us of their Andy Warhol days. There is also the far out track "Cool it Down" with a haunting dual lead vocal effect. While this is a sort of Velvet Underground swan song, it is also an evolution for the group. Warhol's influence and gravitas are gone and the music is still brilliant. To close their final album it'd be hard to write a better song then "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" a harmonious lighters up swaying in the breeze type nuraber.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Sweet Jane

 

[Mrs. Ashley♥]

The list will take a temporary hiatus, but return shortly with a frenzy as I recalibrate some of my rankings. I'm already upset I left "London Calling" and a few others so low. You forget just how much you like something when you have not listened to it in 8-12 months or longer.

 

[Kevin]

I totally feel y'alls pain already. I have been swapping all week. In the end though, I'll not be as concerned with the exact order as much as the list as a whole. It's be a shame to exclude on of my favorite LP's simply by forgetting to mention it.

That's awesome about Poison the Well too Crow, it's among my favorite new metal as well. You can call me J.J if you want, everyone I know does.

 

[The Hawk]

I did

 

[Travel N Livin]

62.

Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)
The Pinnacle of the Chili Peppers discography is this Rick Rubin produced 75 minute foray into the personal torment and eccentric compulsions of Anthony Kiedas, the aggressive bass play of Michael “Flea” Balzary the now refined drumming of Chad Smith and the passion of super fan turned lead guitar player John Frusciante. Blood Sugar Sex Magik marks a progression into a more funk driven alternative rock style for the band with songs like “Give it Away” a Grammy award winning punk anthem born out of a jam session and “Suck My Kiss” containing one of several sexually charged lyrical efforts. Daring from the outset with the raucous opening track “Power of Equality” and groove laden tracks mixed with the soraber “Breaking the Girl”. The acoustic motivated “I Could Have Lied” is a stand out song demonstrating the range the now polished band has. Fleas Bass lines are perhaps the most resounding mark this album makes, the intro to “Apache Rose Pea****” (for fucks sake they bleeped out cock in the context of the animal) will stick in your head for hours. “Sir Psycho Sexy” is the heaviest and grimiest funk effort on the album and solidifies the funk as the defining sound for the compilation. Despite this undoubtedly the crowning achievement of the album is “Under the Bridge” which has become a sort of Magnum Opus for the band. Now more then 15 years old it remains there most popular and revered song. The ballad is of course a first hand account of Heroin addiction from Kiedas’ point of view. A defining album for one of the most unique banRAB of the modern era and always a good listen cover to cover so to speak.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Under The Bridge

61.

Incubus – Morning View (2001)
The third mainstream effort by Incubus marked a further departure, for better or worse, from their modern metal roots into a more expressive intricate style while sill maintaining a good portion of the tranquil aggression. Regardless of preference the album demonstrates further the massive variety of influence that Incubus incorporates into their sound. The first highlight is the introductory riff in the albums second track “Circles” one the albums stronger songs featuring a solid vocal performance by Brandon highlighted by a harmonious chorus and a nonchalant mellowing bridge. Now track better illustrates the evolution from organic Incubus to all grown up better then “Just a Phase” which is layers and layers of contentment and intrigue that lulls you into a sense of security comfort. With intentionally ironic metaphorically lyrics and an enjoyable musical cadence complete with a looping pre-chorus that explodes the second time around into a traditional Incubus symphonic audio experience. The rough edged “11 am” follows telling the story of one particular morning from a first person perspective. “Blood on the Ground” is a more traditional Incubus effort featuring up-tempo lyrics and intense hard rock riRAB. “Mexico” is a surprise to steal the show as a chilling acoustic ballad demonstrating Brandon’s outstanding range as a singer and developing ability as a song writer. “Warning” is a true gem with an arabient light hearted melody and outstanding lyrical phrasing. Among Incubuses finest song writing efforts before or since; a favorite moment is the understated piano in the songs final movement. The subsequent song “Echo” serves as both a bridge between Incubuses styles a sort of prelude or foreshadowing to the albums final track the glorious middle-eastern stringed experiment in relaxation “Aqueous Transmission”. “Are you in” serves as a respite from the intensely poignant (either musically or vocally) tone of the album while continuing the soothing theme established throughout. Morning View, on the whole, its greatest detriment is coming on the heels of two outstanding efforts previous and additionally is victimized in terms of consistency as a result of the evolving musical direction the band was taking at the time. It is still a uniquely good album and a frequent disc in my rotation.
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: *****
Impact: ***

Favorite Song: Warning

60.

The Rolling Stones – Exile on Mainstreet (1972)
Retrieving Review File
Musical Content: ****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Turabling Dice

59.

Van Morrison – Saint Dominic’s Preview (1972)
Opening with a rousing tribute and concluding with a dynamic ten minute opus, Saint Dominic’s Preview is seven thrilling R&B and folk rooted tracks jammed in between two more generic efforts in Van’s discography. Often overlooked and underestimated by the casual fan, its allure is undeniable when its rhythm is laid upon you. As with most of Van’s albums Saint Dominic’s Preview is best listened to and therefore reviewed in its attentive order. So…“Jackie Wilson Said” is the afore mentioned opening tribute track and the most notable single from the album is a snappy upbeat jam that does its muse proud. The gripping “Gypsy” is a step by step accent into the esoteric, a burgeoning theme for the album. The tour of homage continues with the jazzy “I’ll be there” as Van provides praise for Count Basse. Following next is the mind relocating first side finale “Listen to the Lion” with a very Vanesque improvisation, streaming outro. Like in his previous release, 1968’s Astral Weeks, the careful rhythm lifts you into the world of imagery the lyrics create as you experience the dream as it pours from Van. At more then eleven minutes it is the longest track on the album. The eponymous side two opener “Saint Dominic’s Preview” is a seemingly autobiographical ballad as evidenced by the reference to cleaning windows in the songs opening lyric. With a personal message and some of Van’s most epic lyrics, the intricate fills of the verses and the swelling momentum of the exclaimed title chorus make this one of my favorite songs ever. This song both in it’s context and as Van improvises outside the box is further evidence of Morrison’s amazing ability to say the same worRAB over and over again without ever saying the same thing twice. On the heels of that masterpiece “Redwood” seamlessly corabines country\folk\funk\jazz\gospel\soul and pop elements into another indubitable masterpiece of childhood memories and simplicity. Concluding the album a superfluous but brilliant intro bleeRAB into the plot of “Almost Independence Day” as Morrison and Ron Elliot duel on guitars behind the anticipatory lyrics and more direct metaphorical imagery. One of five Van Morrison albums that qualify as more of an experience than an album and the first of four on my list; Saint Dominic’s preview will draw you in with it’s jazzy charm and grab a hold of you with it’s poignant spirit. An essential listen.
Musical Content: *****
Artistic Content: ****
Impact: ****

Favorite Song: Saint Dominic’s Preview