#45: Janis Joplin - Pearl (1971)

Zack: Janis Joplin was an odd bird. While watching a documentary on the Monterey Pop Festival a few years back, some dude claiming to be an expert confirmed this by telling a story of a time when Janis met a record producer who wanted to sign her. She agreed to do so, but only if the man sexed her brains out. That’s a deal I would take in a second, but I’m sure it caught that lucky guy off guard. Behind all of that craziness, however, was an incredibly talented voice. To me, her voice is both soothing and sharp. These two contradictions don’t alternate, however, but somehow mesh together flawlessly. Her voice seems to beckon you forward but at the same time warn you of the world that you are entering. It’s almost like the song of the harpies, but that comparison doesn’t quite capture the majesty of her sound. The most haunting part of the album isn’t her voice, however, but rather the lack of it. This album was released about four months after she passed away from a heroin overdose. The day her body was found also happened to be the day she was to record the vocals for the song Buried Alive in the Blues. As if that song title wasn’t macabre enough, they included the song as it was. The quiet makes the listener feel as if the ghost of Janis Joplin is hovering right next to them, remaining silent as they are left to contemplate what Janis would have said. Through all her quirks and oddities and flaws, the time spent listening to that song is enough to make anyone miss the beautiful individuality that was Janis Joplin.

Favorite Tracks: Buried Alive in the Blues; Cry Baby; Get It While You Can

Emily: Janis Joplin’s voice is like no other. Pearl, which was Joplin’s last album before her untimely death, pays great homage to that. The instrumentation, although strong enough to stand on its own (as in the instrumental track Buried Alive in the Blues), takes a backseat to Joplin’s heartbreaking vocals. The listener can feel the pain and emotion with every word she belts. Janis Joplin was a troubled soul, but an amazingly talented one. This album is a testament to both her troubles and her talent.

Favorite Tracks: Trust Me; Cry Baby; Get It While You Can

#44: G. Love and Special Sauce - G. Love and Special Sauce (1994)

Emily: Two reasons to listen to G. Love and Special Sauce: one, they're from Philadelphia (gotta rep my hometown!); and two, they are one funky bunch of white guys. They infuse blues with soul, alt rock, and a laid-back sensibility. The combination of harmonica and guitar echo their blues predecessors, but they make it modern with their lyrics and G. Love's staccato delivery. To me this would be an ideal summer album - the relaxed vibe would be perfect for the beach.
Favorite Tracks: Cold Beverage; Garbage Man; Fatman

Zack: It’s difficult to define G. Love & Special Sauce’s sound. It’s very unique. There are elements of alternative hip-hop, blues, alternative rock, R&B, and just about everything else mixed into it. The one constant is the delivery of the lyrics by the one and only G. Love. It reminds me of spoken word poetry. The words aren’t sung or rapped, but simply stated. Despite this fact, emphasis and power is never lost during the entire album. There is a quiet forcefulness to way G. Love delivers his message. The instrumentation is well utilized to compliment the vocals. The bass is very prominent, but not overpowering. Overall, this is a well-crafted album by a very different and special band that deserves more than just a single listen by anybody and everybody.

Favorite Tracks: Baby’s Got Sauce; Eyes Have Miles; Shooting Hoops

#43: Johnny Cash - At Folsom Prison (1968)

Emily: More often than not, concert albums do not encapsulate the concert experience. Though the tracks are recorded live during an actual concert, the listener doesn't get the sense that they are in the crowd listening to the band perform. The instruments are overdubbed, mistakes are fixed, and stage banter and crowd interaction is filtered out, making it more of a sanitized studio album than a concert experience. I say all this because At Folsom Prison breaks all of these concert album norms. It is pretty much a straight recording from his 1968 concert for the prisoners at Folsom - bloopers, cheers, jokes, and all. It even includes announcements from the prison staff so that concert was kept in order. Cash really understood who his audience was, singing multiple songs about the prison experience and incorporating novelty songs to get the crowd laughing. He ends the concert with something truly unique - a song written by one of the Folsom prisoners. This personal connection from artist to audience is genuine and powerful, and rings true throughout the entire album.
Favorite Tracks: Cocaine Blues; Folsom Prison Blues; 25 Minutes to Go

Zack: Normally, I don’t enjoy country music, but Johnny Cash is iconic enough to earn an exception. In the first handful of tracks on this album, he displays pretty clearly why he is good enough to earn that special status. However, about halfway into the album, right after Orange Blossom Special, comes a section that he describes as full of ballads that is really just quite boring. When he slows everything down, he loses some of the oomph that makes him so entertaining in the first place. Once he gets those out of his system, however, the album picks back up with a pair of duets with June Carter and a few other terrific gems. But the real selling point, for me at least, was the beginning. To be more specific, Folsom Prison Blues and Cocaine Blues simply blew me away. Both songs are heavy on subject matter (a common theme for Cash, especially on this album) and dynamic in sound. Right there, in those two songs, it becomes very visible why Johnny Cash was such an important and influential musician in the first place.

Favorite Tracks: Cocaine Blues; Folsom Prison Blues; Green, Green Grass of Home

#42: Ravi Shankar - The Sounds of India (1968)

Zack: Well, readers, this is our first foray into the intriguing and somewhat intimidating world of global music. Fortunately for yours truly, Temple nearly held me at gunpoint and forced me to take a World Music class. It seemed so useless at the time, but it looks like I’ve finally found an outlet for the knowledge that was beaten into my cranium. Unfortunately for yours truly, I can’t really lord my knowledge over you because if you listen to the album, Mr. Shankar explains pretty much all you need to know about Indian music in a less-than-five-minute introductory track. That’s right, a less-than-five minute introductory track that basically sums up what we spent well over five HOURS learning. Indian music is driven by a system of ragas, which are rules that dictate what notes to ascend and descend in. The other engine that drives Indian music is improvisation. During the introductory track, Ravi Shankar points out that in this respect, it is similar to jazz, but the two genres are very, very different. Indian music is very dynamic and sounds like nothing else you will ever hear in your lifetime. Ravi Shankar, a master of the sitar, displays this very clearly in this album and also gives explanations of what exactly he is doing so that Western listeners won’t be confused and flustered. That’s what really sets this album apart from any other Indian music album. It attempts and succeeds in bridging the gap between West and East, and in the process becomes an album that can be appreciated by anyone willing to give it a chance.

Favorite tracks: Sindhi-Bhairavi; Bhimpalasi; Dádrá 

Emily: Unlike Zack, I took an acting class instead of world music for my art requirement. As such, I know next to nothing about Indian music (except from what I head when Zack was studying for his World Music tests last year, and from background tunes at Indian restaurants). This album was definitely a good introduction to this wide-ranging genre. It is a comprehensive overview of Indian music. Shankar explains the distinct musical techniques and tones of Indian music, making it much more accessible to the unknowing American listener. I liked having these explanations - they were much more helpful than intrusive, especially because I had never forayed into the genre before. Though it wasn't one of my favorite albums, The Sounds of India was an interesting peek into Indian culture. I can now appreciate the music along with the food.

Favorite Tracks: Máru-Bihág; Dádrá; Sindi-Bhairavi

#41: Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays everyone! In the spirit of the season, we've reviewed a Christmas classic - Phil Spector's A Christmas Gift for You.

Emily: Even though I don't celebrate Christmas, I really enjoyed this album. Phil Spector's artists take classic Christmas songs and put a '60s Motown-style spin on them, plus a couple new songs of the season. Although the arrangements aren't traditional by any stretch, the fun and poppy sound of the album has made it a Christmas classic. I can see it being a great soundtrack to any Christmas party or celebration - even if your idea of celebrating Christmas is movies and Chinese food :)
Favorite Tracks: Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love; White Christmas - Darlene Love; Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love

Zack: Well loyal readers, it is that time of year again and we thought we would celebrate by reviewing a certain famous Christmas album on the list. This album was made long before the so-called “War on Christmas,” in a time when the song White Christmas meant simply that minorities would be chased away by the neighborhood watch. This is America, the so-called land of the free, and I refuse to sing to people “and may all your Christmases be white!” Most of the songs on this album are well-known Christmas classics that really just make you want to sit down by a fire with a cup of hot cocoa and be exploited by rampant market-capitalism. After all, ‘tis the season. From both of us here at 1001 Reviews, have a happy non-denominational winter holiday season!!!

Favorite Tracks: Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love; Sleigh Ride - The Ronettes; Frosty the Snowman - The Ronettes

#40: The B-52's - The B-52's (1979)

Zack: The B-52’s are so cool I almost can’t stand it. Their music is always fun and upbeat. They may slow the tempo down in songs like Dance This Mess Around, but the lighthearted feel to their sound never changes. Whenever a song of theirs comes on I (and I’m sure a lot more people) need to fight the urge to either dance, party, or both. Their influence on New Wave music cannot be overstated, and yet no other New Wave band has a sound anything even remotely resembling the B-52’s.

Favorite Tracks: Dance This Mess Around; Rock Lobster; Downtown

Emily: New Wave can be very hit-or-miss - it is such a reflection of '80s culture that New Wave album's are either influential and classic, or imitative and terrible (see: Soft Cell). Luckily, the B-52's fall into the first group. They're New Wave, but they do their own thing. This album has such a great kitschy, retro vibe that it's impossible to not like it. All of their songs are upbeat and a lot of fun - and I too had to resist the urge to dance throughout this entire album. The band is still around and touring to this day - I can only imagine how much fun their concerts must be.

Favorite Tracks: Rock Lobster; Dance This Mess Around; Planet Claire

And now for something completely different! Introducing our first guest writer, Zack's younger sister Heather. She has absolutely adored the B-52's for years, and we thought it would be perfect for her to listen to the album and come on as our official B-52's expert. We're not sure how often we'll have guests on, or if we'll even do it again, but to hell with planning for the future. For now, just sit back and enjoy.

Heather: I came across the B-52’s a few years ago when my dad was singing their hit song, Love Shack, in the car. The song wasn’t on the radio or anything, he just started belting it out randomly. When put into his voice, the song seemed weird, but when I found it online I fell in love. My kind brother actually purchased their greatest hits album for me when he found me listening to Love Shack so many times. After experimenting with their hits I knew this band was one to be timeless and irreplaceable. The B-52’s are simply a band like no other. In this album they bring their intriguing sound to a completely different level. I really enjoy how some songs are predominately female vocals, and others are mainly men. They offer a change up with every track. No matter the song, when you hear a rhythmic beat like this you’ll know it’s a B-52’s original.

Favorite Tracks: Planet Claire; Dance this Mess Around; 6060-842

#39: Prince and the Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)

Zack: If you are going to listen to any music by Prince, there are two things you should know. One, he is a musical legend whose genius extends into a variety of genres including R&B, pop, dance, rock, funk, and even a little new wave. Two, he is a horny little man. His musical erection may not be as pronounced on this particular album, but the song Darling Nikki is still rumored to have been one of the songs that sent Tipper Gore into a tizzy and got those little parental advisory stickers slapped on the front of everything cool. Not bad for one of his tamer works. This Grammy-winning album is deep and complex both lyrically and instrumentally. The lush layers create more of a sensation of exploration rather than simple listening. In short, it is an awesome album by an awesome artist that will have you doing the uncommon combination of both dancing around the room and air guitaring.

Favorite Tracks: Darling Nikki; Purple Rain; Let’s Go Crazy

Emily: Prince is one funky, bizarre little man. He throws together so many disparate elements in his music, and they all interconnect wonderfully. He's one of the only musicians ever who can make badass guitar solos, R&B crooning, funk beats, and lyrics about a girl masturbating with a magazine sound amazing together. Although there's no distinct plot, there is a sense of a story throughout (perhaps because it is the soundtrack to Prince's movie of the same name). All in all, Purple Rain showcases Prince's genius talents as a songwriter, singer, guitarist, and creative mind.

Favorite Tracks: When Doves Cry; Darling Nikki; Let's Go Crazy

#38: Simon and Garfunkel - Bookends (1968)

Emily: This album is split into two halves - Part 1 is a concept album about aging, and Part 2 is unused songs from the soundtrack to The Graduate. Oddly enough, the outtakes are much more compelling than the new material. The concept part was just strange to me. I mean, there's an entire track of just old people talking. Although the second half is perhaps less cohesive than the first, the individual songs are strong enough to stand on their own as singles. Overall the tone is quiet and wistful, which is not too exciting but is the classic Simon and Garfunkel sound.  I much prefer when they up the tempo, adding musical interest to Paul Simon's clever lyrics.
Favorite Tracks: Mrs. Robinson; A Hazy Shade of Winter; Save the Life of My Child

Zack: My first inclination for this review was to have Emily’s and my own overlap in a beautiful harmony. But then I realized that that may be a bit hard on our readers because our words would be so soothing that when you doubled them up it would just be too much. When I think of Simon and Garfunkel, I think soothing. Well, that, and this clip from an episode of Futurama… Bookends is no exception. It will caress you down into a relaxed state and sing to you beautiful words that mean very little when actually contemplated. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from an interview between Paul Simon and Dick Cavett where Simon explains that the reference of Joe DiMaggio. “It's about syllables, Dick,” he said. “It's about how many beats there are.” The pair would later go on to claim that the shout-out was because they wanted to honor the great DiMaggio for his integrity, but we all know that the real answer is the simple one. Bookends ultimately comes down to simplicity. There is nothing terribly complex about it, and its beauty lies in that fact.

Favorite Tracks: Mrs. Robinson; A Hazy Shade of Winter; Old Friends

#37: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme (1965)

Zack: Well, dearest readers, this is our first recorded experience with the jazz genre so how about we try and make it memorable? There are two perceptions about jazz defined by two very different people: those who think it’s what you hear when you get into an elevator that makes you want to go at the speaker with a crowbar, and those who are casual listeners but wouldn’t say they love jazz. These people, best described by the term “aficionados,” won’t say they “love” jazz because jazz is too cool for emotions of that magnitude. In order to be a true jazz fan, you have to have a slight tinge of ambivalence towards jazz. Otherwise, it just doesn’t work. Once you find a jazz aficionado that matches that description, it is important to find out what their instrument of choice is, for that is the key to unlocking the secret of their true personality. Some people, like my mom, enjoy the saxophone. These people are classy individuals who have a bit of an inner freak. My reason for saying so? Funk music. A lot of the best funk bands around have a prominent saxophone blasting out the most ridiculous noises you’ll ever hear, but still with a smattering of jazz roots in there. If the person is a trumpet fan, watch out! They’re probably very masculine and virile. This dates back to European monarchies where trumpets introduced the king, aka the biggest badass in all the land. Personally, I love when a nice drum solo comes along, especially in the beginning of the track Pursuance of this album (don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten what I was writing about in the first place). People who favor drums in jazz instrumentation like to march to the beat of their own drummer but are still fond of hearing what others' have to say. At this point, you may be wondering what I have based this album analysis/horoscope on. Absolute speculation and nonsense is your answer. But seriously, jazz is a genre that is often thought of as being boring, but everyone should at least try it out and see what they think. This album is perfect for just that. There are plenty of instruments that are all given opportunities to shine, and hopefully one of them will connect with you.

Favorite Tracks: Pursuance; Resolution; Psalm

Emily: ...there's really not much I can say after that. What I liked about this album was the spirit of improvisation. Each instrument feeds off of the others, working together to create a multilayered sound that is the essence of jazz. Since it was recorded live in one session, the listener can truly feel the musicians interacting, organizing, and developing the sound of the album. Though I'm not usually a jazz fan, that feeling made the album exciting to me.

Favorite Tracks: Pursuance; Acknowledgment; Resolution

#36: Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables (1980)

Zack: If you want to know what punk is/should be, then you need not look farther than this album. Every single one of the criterion are met. It’s loud, fast, and anti-establishment. Their sound is somewhat a compromise of the punk rock sound of bands like The Ramones with the hardcore punk movement that formed in the 80s. The songs are short, averaging a bit more than two minutes apiece, but they pack those two minutes filled with rebellious goodies. Tracks like Let’s Lynch the Landlord and Stealing People’s Mail carry a sense of anarchy that is to the point of ridiculous, but other songs like When Ya Get Drafted contain a legitimate political message that isn’t lost amongst the cacophony of guitars and drums. The album ends with a punk rendition of Viva Las Vegas, which I took as an illustration of how the music scene has progressed through the years.

Favorite Tracks: Viva Las Vegas; Holiday in Cambodia; California Uber Alles

Emily: Dead Kennedys are punk with a sense of humor. This album doesn't have one cohesive message, which is a good thing. It allows them to vary the tone of the album between over-the-top calls for anarchy (Stealing People's Mail, I Kill Children, Let's Lynch the Landlord), tongue-in-cheek nostalgia (a cover of Elvis's Viva Las Vegas), and more serious political messages. Songs like Kill the Poor, When Ya Get Drafted, and Chemical Warfare are still relevant today, which can either show how progressive the Dead Kennedys were, or how little the country has progressed (but that's a rant for another day). What brings the album together, rather than content, is the sound. Dead Kennedys are classic punk, through-and-through. Through short, fast bursts of guitar-and-drum rage, their message(s) are conveyed with a sense of rage, urgency, and anarchy - the core mission of the punk movement.

Favorite Tracks: Kill the Poor; Viva Las Vegas; California Uber Alles

#35: Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

Emily: Thriller is the top-selling album of all time. Not of the '80s, not of pop music, not of Michael Jackson - but the best selling album, period. After a complete listen, it's easy to see why. Michael Jackson was truly a pop showman. He knew exactly what worked to appeal to the widest range of listeners. Thriller is neither a pop album nor an R&B album. Jackson pulls from both genres and many more to create a unique sound anchored by his distinctive, unmistakable falsetto voice. Because of this, its appeal spans across genres, races, cultures, and generations. Thriller is as relevant today as it was in 1982 - it is a quintessential example of pop music at its best.
Favorite Tracks: Billie Jean; Thriller; PYT

Zack: If Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, then Thriller has to be the biggest jewel in his crown. As Emily pointed out, Thriller is the best selling album of all time, but she didn't point out how big of a margin it wins by. It over doubles its nearest competitor. Thriller was and is a cultural phenomenon. Its something that can never be duplicated by an artist whose likes this world will never see again. What made this album really special for me was the fact that we decided to listen to it on vinyl. Listening to any great piece of music is awesome, but getting to do it on vinyl always enhances the experience.
Favorite Tracks: Beat It; Billie Jean; Thriller

#34: The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)

Have you missed us? School kinda took over our lives for the past two weeks. But finals are over and we're back with new reviews!

Zack: It’s not difficult to see why this album is on the list. Pet Sounds is one of the best classic rock bands of all time at their absolute best. Sure, it’s a little off balance as far as subject matter (an old teacher of mine once said that The Beach Boys knew three things and that’s it: surfing, cars, and girls). Every song seems to be a hit love song, but that may just be because the way The Beach Boys construct their songs is so poppy and fun that they all feel like love songs. There are a pair of instrumental tracks that help keep the flow of the album moving as a whole. Let’s Go Away for Awhile and Pet Sounds are both awesome on their own rights. But the best part of the album is, without a doubt, Wouldn’t It Be Nice. It’s just such a perfect example of what The Beach Boys are all about. You put that song and it doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re at, or what your day was like, you’re going to be smiling and bobbing your head and loving every second of it.

Favorite Tracks: Wouldn’t It Be Nice; Here Today, Sloop John B

Emily: The Beach Boys seem simple on the surface, singing pop songs about love, girls, and California, but beneath that pop mentality is complex yet beautiful melody. This really shines through on the instrumental tracks, which to me were two of the best on the album. They have a lush and romantic sound complemented by exotic instruments. This sound is reflected throughout the album, but by no means does that mean every song is the same. Each one is intricately crafted with unique instrumentation, melody, and lyrics - and each could stand on its own as a classic pop single.

Favorite Tracks: Wouldn't It Be Nice, Pet Sounds, God Only Knows

#33: Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time (1999)

Emily: This album brings back fond memories of being 8 years old and dancing around my bedroom, and of singing and dancing around my dorm room with my roommates ten years later. Either way, this album is nothing more than it claims to be - fun, light, bubblegum pop sung by an innocent(?) 16 year old. The ballads are a bit bland, but the upbeat singles are a lot of fun to sing and dance like a fool to, especially the iconic title track. A hell of a lot has happened to Britney since then, and arguably her music got better, then worse, and then better again, but it's fun to look back at where she started.
Favorite Tracks: ...Baby One More Time, (You Drive Me) Crazy, Deep in My Heart

Zack: Well if we must discuss this album, I suggest we start with the cover. She's so cute but there's a clear gleam of brewing badness in her eye. Big props to everyone involved in that one because I'm a huge fan. Musically, this album is exactly what it says it is going to be: upbeat and poppy. It's pretty heavily sanitized, silly, and shallow, but that's what pop music was in the late 90s and, more or less, what it is like today. Britney is on this list not because of how talented she is but because of how influential she was. This album is arguably the most important of all from the teeny-bopper era and it earns its place because of that.
Favorite Tracks: ...Baby One More Time; (You Drive Me) Crazy; The Beat Goes On

#32: Daft Punk - Homework (1997)

Zack: Let me start by saying that I was not under the influence of any mind altering substance during the listening of this album...and I think that really impaired my experience. A friend of mine who is really into house/electronic/dance music told me that others are responsible for the creation of the genre but it is Daft Punk who molded it into what it is. Some even say that their work here on Homework is the first example of a house/electronic/dance album that people could listen to outside the confines of a club. Could have fooled me. If I was hanging out in a dark room with a minimum of a dozen friends, I think I would have been more interested in this album. But listening to it in a brightly lit room with only 3 people just doesn't seem to suit the nature of the music.
Favorite Tracks: Around the World, Da Funk, Indo Silver Club

Emily: To me, techno is techno. This album was no different. It was loud, repetitive, and not too interesting. One song in particular, Rollin' and Scratchin', was seemingly just 7 minutes of noise. Multiple times I found myself saying to Zack, "This is unpleasant." I can see how in a club environment this would work, especially with glowsticks and a lot of Ecstasy, but it just doesn't work for simple, drug-free listening. Later Daft Punk is definitely more listener-friendly, like Technologic and Harder Better Faster Stronger. I would recommend those songs much more highly than anything on Homework.
Favorite Tracks: Da Funk, Burnin', Around the World

#31: Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Rust Never Sleeps (1979)

Zack: After listening to this album, I immediately started listening to it again. In fact, as I’m writing this, I am on my third listen through. It’s that good. I really don’t even know what to compare it to. The intro and outro tracks, My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) and Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) have a grunge sound to them that is oh, only about 10 years ahead of its time. The middle all fluctuates between folk and hard rock effortlessly. There are absolutely no dud tracks. Neil Young’s lyrics are diverse, ranging from serious ones that sent shivers done your spine (“It’s better to burn out because rust never sleeps/The king is gone but he’s not forgotten” hits me particularly strong) to jokingly provocative lines (“I wish I was a trapper/ I would give a thousand pelts/ To sleep with Pocahontas/ And find out how she felt” makes me giggle a bit every time). I’m about to start listening to this album from the top for the fourth time. If that doesn’t convince you to check this out, then I suspect nothing will.

Favorite Tracks: Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black); Ride My Llama; Thrasher

Emily: "It is better to burn out than to fade away." Certainly Neil Young has neither burned out nor faded away, and I think this album alone could have ensured it. It was recorded live, and everything, from the instrumentation to the vocals, sounds effortlessly natural and emotional. The faint cheers in the background make you feel as if you're actually hearing Young live. The first half of the album is stripped down and acoustic, all the better to showcase Young's masterful songwriting. The second, electric half incorporates hard rock elements and showcases Young's range beyond the folk he is known for. Young created two halves that reflect and complement each other, but can also stand on their own as individual testaments to his diverse career.

Favorite Tracks: Ride My Llama; Welfare Mothers; My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)

#30: Pixies - Doolittle (1989)

Zack: While this is my first time actually sitting down and listening to Pixies, in a way I’ve been listening to them for years. They have been so influential that almost any alternative or grunge band will trace their sound back to Pixies. All of these musicians listened to them and found something in their music that they enjoyed and sought to emulate. Whether it’s the fast paced punk sound of songs like Debaser, the subdued tempo akin to pop rock in tracks like Here Comes Your Man, or the myriad of tunes in between, something on this album will strike your fancy.

Favorite Tracks: Monkey Gone to Heaven, Hey, Debaser

Emily: This album is solidly “alternative.” By that I mean they take every element of alternative music that we know today and combine into one unique sound. There’s some punk, some late new-wave, some classic rock, and some hints of grunge – many of the genres that proliferate alternative airwaves (and my iPod) today. It sounds like it would be a total mishmash, but it’s effectively cohesive. I’m excited to listen to more Pixies. Their music is very much a turning point in alternative rock.

Favorite Tracks: Mr. Grieves, Debaser, La La Love You

#29: Rage Against the Machine - Rage Against the Machine (1992)

Emily: I did not expect to like this album at all. My only real exposure to RATM before this was via Guitar Hero, and I would never play their songs anyway. I thought every song would be loud and screamy, and that holds true for the most part. However, two things elevate this debut album above headache-inducing metal – Zack de la Rocha’s lyrics, and Tom Morello’s guitar playing. De la Rocha is angry, no doubt, but he doesn’t lose artistry through his anger. His lyrics are fresh and powerful, and he spits them as if he can no longer contain his rage within his mind. Morello adds a throbbing pulse to the album with his guitar, building up the sense of anger in each song until it boils over and explodes. Rage Against the Machine is certainly not for every listener. This album is loud, mad, and in-your-face – but it’s also smart, political, and full of potential.

Favorite Tracks: Know Your Enemy, Wake Up, Bombtrack

Zack: Rage Against the Machine has always had a distinctive sound to me. The combination of Tom Morello’s ability to create totally abnormal sounds from his guitar with Zack de la Rocha’s voice creates a sound unlike any other nu metal band out there. Besides for their sound, the other distinctive feature about this album is the lyrics. If you were wondering why they chose that particular band name, you need not look farther than the words they use. They are pure rage, but the recipient of this anger is a group as ambiguous as “the machine.” At times, it seems like the band is angry because it is the fashionable to be so. More maturity and focus would have gone a long way towards their message, but then again accusing the government of raising taxes isn’t as inflammatory as saying they murdered Malcolm X or Martin Luther King.

Favorite Tracks: Killing in the Name, Township Rebellion, Wake Up

#28: TV on the Radio - Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes (2004)

Zack: I absolutely adore TV on the Radio. They have such a unique and distinctive sound that incorporates all sorts of genres and instruments. I first started listening to them when Return to Cookie Mountain came out in 2006, 2 years after DYBTB. This is my first time listening to this album but I think it'll soon have as many listens as RTCM, which I've listened to 3 or 4 times this week alone. DYBTB is a perfect example of TV on the Radio's sound, meaning that it's somewhat difficult to pinpoint exactly what their sound is. Some songs lean more towards a jazz, others are more experimental rock, and there's even a little a cappella in there. This album is just a lot of fun and very creative and definitely has a little something for everyone.

Favorite Tracks: Wear You Out, Staring at the Sun, Don't Love You

Emily: I really like that TV on the Radio can take elements from a bunch of very different genres, throw them all onto one album, and still make it sound cohesive. It flows nicely from songs that lean a little more rock at the beginning, to 2 a cappella tracks mixed into the middle, and reconvening with an experimental rock sound at the end. The a cappella songs in particular were a pleasant surprise. The repetition in Ambulance creates an eerie ambiance, and the mix of rock with the a cappella sound was unique and very effective. I definitely will be exploring some more TV on the Radio after this fine introduction.

Favorite Tracks: Poppy, Ambulance, Dreams

#27: Soft Cell - Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981)

Emily: After listening to an entire Soft Cell album, it's clear why the band is a one-hit wonder. Tainted Love is a classic piece of synth-pop, fun to sing along to with a catchy beat that inevitably gets stuck in your head. But overall, this album failed to impress me. The low-budget sound was very distracting - it was difficult to hear the lyrics and the synthesizer spare instrumentation was muddled by static (except on Tainted Love, which might have been a remastered track). New-wave minimalism is great when it works, but it needs more polish than Soft Cell provides.
Favorite Tracks: Tainted Love, Sex Dwarf, Chips on My Shoulder

Zack: Honestly, there was very little I loved about this album. Two things to be exact. Tainted Love (of course) and the title of the album. Non Stop Erotic Cabaret is such a ridiculous name for an album that really sums up New Wave as a genre. My displeasure with this album probably has a lot to do with my overall disinterest in New Wave music as a whole. It just doesn't do anything for me. Throw in the fact that this album is lacking the typical high-tech aspect of New Wave and all you get is a static-y version of a genre I don't like in the first place. If you're into New Wave, then you should check this album out. If not and want to try and get into it, I recommend listening to another band like The B52s or The Eurythmics first.
Favorite Tracks: Tainted Love, Sex Dwarf, Seedy Films

#26: The Specials - Specials (1979)

Emily: I'm embarrassed to say that in all of my ska fandom I have never listened to The Specials. I had really only heard of them through Mustard Plug's Brain On Ska with the line "respect the Specials!" Truth is, The Specials are the founding fathers of third-wave ska. They pioneered the two-tone sound which is commonly associated with ska today. And they were one of the first to combine the island reggae of Jamaica with the punk beats and sensibility of the UK. The combination, although on paper it sounds a bit weird at first to non-ska fans, works together seamlessly. Rather than mashing both sounds together entirely on every track, they tweak the balance a bit from track to track. Some songs feature heavy reggae vibes, while others are guitar-driven, shout-along punk songs. Each song stands out, but they all work together as a whole. If you are a ska fan, you need to listen to this album. Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake, and Streetlight Manifesto are all amazing in their own right, but The Specials started it all.
Favorite Tracks: Concrete Jungle; Little Bitch; A Message to You, Rudy

Zack: There's definitely something special about the debut album by The Specials, appropriately named, Specials. It isn't the narcissism involved in the naming process or the fact that it is a masterful piece of production by Mr. Elvis Costello himself. What makes this album so special is the focused rebellion of the lyrics. Jerry Dammers, the primary songwriter for this album, puts actual meaning into each song that truly represents the feelings of the Skinhead culture of the late 70s and early 80s in the UK. There are songs about growing up, free will, the Clockwork Orange-esque streets of the grimy parts of London, the foolishness of marriage, and birth control. Some are covers or adaptations of 1st wave ska bands from the Caribbean but every song is done in such a way that makes them all uniquely The Specials.

Favorite Tracks: Concrete Jungle; Stupid Marriage; Little Bitch

#25: Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004)

Zack: Say what you want about Kanye West's character (Barack Obama sure has), but the guy pumps out great albums. The College Dropout, the first of his university-themed releases, is a fantastic debut. Everything about it screams excellence. The production is off the charts good, his lyrics are witty, his flow is smooth, he collaborates with some of the best in the game, his skits are funny and help the flow of the album, the singles are all great, and there's plenty of gems that you just need to bob your head to. Whatever your stance on hip-hop, you should be able to appreciate this album. I bought it when I was really into rap, and even when I spurned the industry for a couple of years, I'd occasionally throw this album into the CD player and be blown away. Kanye is just terrific and I am insanely excited for the release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy one week from today.
Favorite Tracks: Two Words, Slow Jamz, School Spirit

Emily: Even though I'm not a rap fan, I always like Kanye. I like that he doesn't just rap over beats; most of his songs have actual melodies. Samples really add to that sound, which to me makes core hip-hop more mainstream-friendly. He's also a great lyricist. The songs tell stories, but with a lot of wit and clever wordplay. Even though Kanye is always pissing people off, from President Bush to Taylor Swift to pretty much everyone, he makes great music, and his public image shouldn't overshadow that.
Favorite Tracks: All Falls Down, Spaceship, Slow Jamz

#24: Living Colour - Vivid (1988)

Emily: I was a bit underwhelmed by this album. It starts out extremely strong with Cult of Personality, a badass rock anthem with a throbbing riff and a touch of funk thrown in. However, only until the end did that strength return. The middle of the album was not bad persay, but just generic. The best moments are definitely when their harder edge comes out - all of the guitar solos and riffs are awesome.
Favorite Tracks: Cult of Personality, What's Your Favorite Color?, Which Way to America?

Zack: Come, my precious readers, on a journey through this album with me. We start with Cult of Personality, an absolutely mind-numbingly awesome song, complete with clips of JFK. Immediately following is the song I Want to Know, as in I want to know what happened to the powerful guitar and funky lyrics of the first song. You pick up from there, but only slightly, and weave your way through several generic songs until you hit Broken Hearts and Glamour Boys, which don't really sound much like the previous tracks. Broken Hearts is an attempt to slow it down which I sort of liked, but only as a contrast to some of the heavier songs. Glamour Boys is a total stylistic departure from the previous songs and is a bit weird, although not terrible. You end with What's Your Favorite Color? and Which Way to America? You may have noticed that each of these songs is a question, and it made me ask some questions as well, such as "Why weren't all the rest of the songs as good as these?" The album as a whole was decent to good range, but the promise from the first and last two songs leaves you knowing that Living Colour could produce a more consistent album.
Favorite Tracks: Cult of Personality, Which Way to America?, What's Your Favorite Color?

#23: Sly & The Family Stone - Stand! (1969)

Zack: You've got to love the funk. It just fills your soul with its funkitude and makes you want to get funky all over the dance floor (or in this case, the floor of my dorm room). It is also important to note that one of my favorite things about funk music is how you can put funk in front of anything, noun, adjective, verb, et cetera, and it automatically works. Maybe spellcheck doesn't agree, but we all know in our hearts that it's true. This album is a perfect example. It's got all the elements necessary for a funktastic experience. The horn section is on point, the beat is danceable, and the lyrics are either interesting or non-existent. This album as a whole is one of the earliest examples of funk music as we know it today, and you can really see where other groups got their roots from.
Favorite Tracks: Sing a Simple Song, Everyday People, Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey

Emily: Funk was a big part of '70s music, both as an influence and as its own genre, and Sly Stone is very much responsible for that. He just makes you want to get down and get funky, for lack of a better word. This album was a lot of fun to listen to (and dance to, of course). We want the funk! Gotta have more funk!
Favorite Tracks: Sing a Simple Song, You Can Make It If You Try, Everyday People

#22: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch a Fire (1973)

Original cover art, designed to look and move like a Zippo lighter. Only 20,000 were produced.

Emily: In choosing what to listen to today, I was looking for something laid back and relaxed. Bob Marley fit my mood perfectly. Although the songs tend to sound the same, each one has a super-chill vibe that evokes laying on the beach in a hammock, or smoking weed, or perhaps the two together - whichever you prefer is cool with me and Bob.
Favorite Tracks: Stir It Up, Baby We Got a Date (Rock It Baby), Kinky Reggae

Zack: Oh, the things I would give for hair as awesome as his. It's so rich and luxurious! Anyway, Bob Marley is just Bob Marley. All the music he makes is relaxing and you just want to lay down and vibe off it. Really, vibing is all you can do to this album. You can't listen to it because listening implies concentration and if you're concentrating on this music, you're missing a huge part of it. Bob Marley isn't about listening; it's about experiencing. If you are going to enjoy his music, you have to let yourself crawl into it. If not, you'll probably just find it boring.
Favorite Tracks: Kinky Reggae, Concrete Jungle, No More Trouble

#21: The White Stripes - Elephant (2003)

Emily: This album is just plain cool. The guitar-and-drums sound is minimalist, but that makes it powerful. Their style is so unique, a mix of garage rock, alternative, and hard rock that sounds like no other band. Jack and Meg both play with a lot of passion, and that translates into the intensity of every song. The simple throbbing guitar riff of Seven Nation Army is enough to get anyone pumped up. (the Temple marching band played it last year for a few football games and it was awesome. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOTemZdLuxc)
Favorite Tracks: Seven Nation Army, The Hardest Button to Button, I Just Don't Know What to Do With Myself

Zack: I'm a fan of all three of Jack White's bands and each is very unique. What makes The White Stripes so unique from either The Raconteurs (or The Saboteurs if you're one of our mates from Down Under) or The Dead Weather is the minimalism that defines their sound. Jack White throws the bass out the window and makes sure you won't miss it on every song on this album. The distortion effects he uses have helped him earn his place in the Hall of Guitar Gods (if you think I'm making an outlandish claim check out Rolling Stone magazines 100 Greatest Guitarists and see with your own eyes that he cracks the top twenty). Every song is an elegant combination of simplicity in instrumentation with complex sounds that merge garage rock, punk, alternative, and blues.
Favorite Tracks: Seven Nation Army, Ball and Biscuit, The Hardest Button to Button

#20: OutKast - Stankonia (2000)

Zack: I'm a pretty big OutKast fan and this album has a lot to do with it. Andre 3000 has one of the sickest flows in the game and Big Boi is pretty spectacular as well. On my first couple of listens, I definitely did not pick up on all of the ridiculous lyrics that are present. Don't believe me? In Ms. Jackson, Andre apologizes to the title character for her daughters inability to talk "because my dick's all up in her mouth." Wow. Anyway, this album is pretty much terrific and OutKast is one of the few southern rap acts that I really enjoy so if you haven't done it already, listen to this album.
Favorite Tracks: B.O.B.; We Luv Deez Hoes; So Fresh, So Clean

Emily: I'm not a big rap fan overall, and this album really wasn't an exception. I thought the album was a bit too long and some of the tracks were kind of unnecessary. However,  I like the tracks where Andre 3000 sings, and the lyrics are so ridiculous that you can't not like them. And even though I don't like rap, B.O.B is just awesome. I have no idea how they can rap so fast and still make sense and sound great.
Favorite Tracks: B.O.B, Ms. Jackson, We Luv Deez Hoes

#19: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Are You Experienced? (1967)

Zack: Picking which Hendrix album is my favorite is like picking which supermodel I would like to sleep with. But if I had to pick, I would go with Marissa Miller...I mean Are You Experienced?! The entire thing is simply splendid. My least favorite song on the album, Manic Depression, could very easily be another person's favorite, mostly due to the fact that being the worst track on a Hendrix album is really not a bad thing at all. I absolutely adore this entire album. No matter what mood I'm in, there's a song for it. Plus, have you heard that guitar? It has the ability to become emotion. Hendrix truly was a genius, but the studio albums can't capture all of his genius at work. If you don't believe me, go to Youtube and look up Hendrix Hey Joe Woodstock. It's incredible. He dominated that instrument in a way I have never heard anyone else do.
Favorite Tracks: Hey Joe, Red House, Highway Chile

Emily: Somehow, in all of the time I have known Zack, I had not listened to any Hendrix with him. Which means I barely listened to any Hendrix at all. Now, I'm definitely a convert. I've never heard anything like this album - there's so much emotion and intensity through every single song. Anything else I write will simply echo Zack's sentiments - Hendrix was simply a musical genius.
Favorite Tracks: The Wind Cries Mary, Hey Joe, I Don't Live Today

#18: Joy Division - Closer (1980)

 

Emily: To me this album was surprisingly modern-sounding for being 30 years old. Clearly it's transitional - the punk origins are clear, but there's also a new-wave feel to the album. A few of the songs could easily have had a background synthesizer with little impact on the overall song and feel of the album. I enjoyed listening to this album, and couldn't help but think about how great it would sound live. I envisioned the band playing in a tiny venue with tightly packed fans dancing and singing along.

Favorite Tracks: A Means to an End, Passover, Decades

Zack: This album was definitely way too cool for me. I can see a bunch of hipster kids sitting around talking about how cool Joy Division and how they hope they don't sell out like all the other good bands do while drinking fancy coffee. I knew that Joy Division was from the 80s, but the sound is so modern that you forget that this didn't get released a few years ago. Also, my favorite hip-hop artist (Lupe Fiasco) has a Joy Division inspired post punk band called Japanese Cartoon that is absolutely spectacular and everyone should listen to. As a final thought, is it closer or closer? Well, I guess that didn't really help at all. Is it like to close something or to more closer to something? Just another mystery that will go unsolved I suppose...

Favorite Tracks: A Means to an End, Decades, Colony

#17: Gorillaz - Gorillaz (2001)

Zack: My brother bought this album in what now feels like ages ago and I loved it immediately. I listened to it a few times and then pretty much put it aside until the second Gorillaz album, Demon Days, rekindled my love for their animated style of genius. The first half is damn-near flawless and the second half is used for an expansion in terms of style. The variance is incredible. There are straight hip-hop tracks like Clint Eastwood, somber songs like Tomorrow Comes Today (one of my all-time favorite songs), dancefloor packing jams like Rock the House, and whatever the hell Latin Simone is. Every song has its own unique signature and the listener is constantly kept guessing. In short, I LOVE THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!1!!!!!11!!!!!
Favorite Tracks: Tomorrow Comes Today, Punk, Clint Eastwood

Emily: I approached this album thinking it was completely hip-hop, but I was pleasantly surprised by the wide array of genres and sounds. They span from hip-hop to alternative to punk to experimental. They even throw some Latin salsa in there for good measure. I liked this album a lot more than I thought I would, especially the more alternative tracks. It's definitely worth another listen (or even more).
Favorite Tracks: M1 A1, 5/4, Re-Hash

#16: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (2006)

Emily: This album is simply amazing. Winehouse combines a retro soul sound with intimate lyrics and a voice rife with raw emotion. It is clear that she puts her entire heart and soul into her music. Every lyric is personal, every arrangement unique. Unfortunately, all of the troubles she sings about have played out in her personal life and the public has lost sight of her music. She's capable of a comeback, though - the music is just too good.
Favorite Tracks: You Know I'm No Good, Rehab, Back to Black

Zack: I would be willing to forgive the drug addiction, overall craziness, and even Britishness for anyone with a voice like that. Go ahead ladies, open another tab and try to find a voice coach in your area. I'll wait. What I love most is how she takes the most classy and refined forms of music and adds dirty lyrics about drugs and infidelity. The contradiction that lies between the gospel-like feel to her voice and the content of her words, or the reversal of starting with rehab and ending in addiction, is simply magnificent. Everything about this album is well-crafted and hearkens back to another era of music that I, for one, am quite fond of.
Favorite Tracks: Back to Black, Addicted, Rehab

#15: R.E.M. - Document (1987)

Zack: I'd never listened to an entire R.E.M. album before this one and I've got to say, it was a bit underwhelming. I love all of the singles by them that get radio play which probably preconditioned me to have high expectations because I was left wanting more. That isn't to say it wasn't a good album, though. It started out pretty weak but by the time you hit the half-way mark, the album had picked up and it carried its strength all the way through to the end. Also, they named a song after my favorite blues musician! You gotta love that.
Favorite Tracks: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Lightnin' Hopkins, Oldfellows Local 151

Emily: R.E.M. was one of the first and biggest college-rock bands, and it's clear why. Their sound is laid back and chill, great for tailgating perhaps. This album was solid, if not too exciting. The first few songs all sounded alike, but after the fun novelty of It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - who doesn't love yelling "LEONARD BERNSTEIN"? - things picked up a bit.
Favorite Tracks: The One I Love, It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Lightnin' Hopkins

#14: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (2004)

Zack: This album definitely is very catchy and fun to listen to. For a debut album, it is certainly a strong performance, although several tracks are a bit weak. While there are some exceptions, most of the songs sort of sound the same, although that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Favorite Tracks: Take Me Out, This Fire, Auf Asche

Emily: I always group Franz Ferdinand along with Arctic Monkeys. Both came out around the same time, both generated a lot of hype, and both extol a neo-Britpop sound. I personally think the Arctic Monkeys do it better, but that doesn't mean they don't do it well. I agree with Zack that many of the songs sound the same (with the notable exception of the foot-stompingly good Take Me Out), but this album definitely showed potential for the band and genre.

Favorite Tracks: Take Me Out, Michael, This Fire

#13: Destiny's Child - Survivor (2001)

Emily: Destiny's Child can do no wrong. Every single they release is a hit for good reason. All three ladies have great voices and are stars in their own right. They shift from upbeat dance tracks to soulful ballads with ease, and their girl-power-with-sex-appeal vibe is always fun. As great as Beyonce is solo, I still hold out hope for a Destiny's Child comeback.
Favorite Tracks: Independent Women Pt. 1, Survivor, Emotion

Zack: It doesn’t get much better than three super-sexy ladies singing in a beautiful harmony about their booties. They have such soulful voices that can fluctuate between powerful and soft effortlessly. And what makes it better is that they sang about things they know. Whether that was persevering through a tough break-up, being a strong woman, or men who are so sexy that they make you think of delicious baked goods, they made sure every word was a genuine representation of their experiences. Finally, just for the record, your bodies wouldn’t have been too bootylicious for me, ladies.

Favorite Tracks: Bootylicious, Survivor, Emotion

#12: Norah Jones - Come Away with Me (2002)

Emily: I haven't actually listened to this album in years, and I may have listened to it twice back then. It was (and still is) not really my type of music. Norah Jones has a beautiful voice, but the arrangements are very soft and light, too much so that they become a bit sleepy. I'd like to see her do more of a traditional jazz or blues album, or perhaps even rock. With her voice, she could do anything and it would sound great.
Favorite Tracks: Don't Know Why

Zack: To be honest, I wasn’t too interested in this album. It was just too plain and simple for me, but I could see how it would appeal to other listeners. All instrumentation is stripped down to the barest of minimums in order to showcase Norah Jones’s voice, and it is quite lovely.

Favorite Tracks: Don’t Know Why, I’ve Got to See You Again, Come Away With Me

#11: Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977)

Emily: My parents are both big Billy Joel fans (their wedding song is Just the Way You Are), and once I found their vinyl collection this was the first album I listened to. I think part of what makes these songs so popular is that everyone can relate to them. Every song tells a story, and Joel's masterful songwriting makes the characters real. From the chilling piano and whistles of the title track and the sweet melodies of Just the Way You Are, to the rebellious streak of Only the Good Die Young and the fly-on-the-wall saga of Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Joel created a pop classic.
Favorite Tracks: The Stranger, Only the Good Die Young (which I quoted for my high school yearbook), Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)

Zack: Several times during the listening of this album, I thought Billy was singing directly to me…and it was wonderful. He has a terrific voice and I loved the wide variety of instruments used. Each song has its own feel to it and I could see how your particular mood would affect the songs you enjoyed the most.

Favorite Tracks: Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song), Vienna, Only the Good Die Young

#10: The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)

Now that we have the albums we know out of the way, let's jump right in with our first new listen.

Emily: I'm not really a fan of the electronic space-y sound on its own. However, when they add in acoustic guitar it adds a lush new dimension that makes the sound very interesting and unique. All of the songs really flow together, so I think it would make great music to concentrate to. It's worth another listen for sure.
Favorite Tracks: It's Summertime, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Parts 1 & 2

Zack: This album sure was interesting. The electronic space rock parts fit together really well with the lyrics which are...unusual. Everything is simultaneously well-structured and random, from the individual songs to the entire album. The layering is simply exquisite. To be honest, I don't think I was fully able to comprehend the album after just one listen. The songs are just so complex that it begs to be repeated.
Favorite Tracks: It's Summertime, Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1, Do You Realize?

#7-9: Familiar Territory: Part 3 (Last One. We Promise.)

The Killers - Hot Fuss (2004)

 

Emily: This is by far the best Killers album. Their New Wave-y sound was fresh and different, yet still catchy enough to be mainstream friendly. I wish they had stayed truer to this sound in their later albums than switching to a more arena-rock style - I think it's much more interesting.
Favorite Tracks: Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, All These Things That I've Done, Somebody Told Me

Zack: I remember hearing Somebody Told Me on the radio and wondering who exactly The Killers were. Honestly, I thought they were going to be a one-hit wonder, but that surely has not been the case. Personally, I don't think it has been influential enough to warrant inclusion on the list, but that doesn't mean it's not worth a listen. It's fun and poppy while still maintaining its alternative credentials.
Favorite Tracks: Smile Like You Mean It, Somebody Told Me, Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)

Emily: I actually came across Arctic Monkeys just by reading about them in Rolling Stone and thinking, "Hm, they sound cool." Then I listened to I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, and my inclination was confirmed. This album has a frenetic feel that just makes you want to dance like crazy. It's a very impressive first album that's a lot of fun.
Favorite Tracks: When the Sun Goes Down, I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor, The View From the Afternoon

Zack: I'd heard about the Arctic Monkeys a while ago but didn't really have any interest in them until recently. I started with this album and was immediately impressed. It's just plain fun. Plus I love their name. Arctic Monkeys. It's so fun to say. They earn an A for name alone.
Favorite Tracks: The View From the Afternoon, Perhaps Vampire is a Bit Strong But..., Red Lights Indicate Doors are Secure

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (1999)

Zack: Californication may very well be the Red Hot Chili Peppers best album. At the very least, it's the most underrated. It spawned, by my count, 6 singles and features a superb blend of hectic, super-sexual and slow, emotional songs. Everything about this album, from the way Flea slaps his bass to Anthony Kiedis's lyrics that are positively dripping with sexual juices (go ahead, let your mind wander), is pure RHCP at their best.
Favorite Tracks: Scar Tissue, Parallel Universe, Savior

Emily: There really isn't much more I can add to what Zack said - he summed it up perfectly (well, I wouldn't have used the phrase "sexual juices," but that's not the point). This album just has great songs. Everything fits together perfectly to create the classic RHCP sound.
Favorite Tracks: Otherside, Around the World, Californication

#3-6: Familiar Territory: Part 2

Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)

Zack: I am the proud owner of all three of Nirvana's live albums (that's right, there's three) and what I like most is that each is has its own separate personality. Unplugged shows off an acoustic side, and the track selection for it is perfect. Some of their better songs don't fit well with an acoustic sound, and so they were rightfully discarded from the setlist. Instead, songs that weren't singles but are amazing in their own right were given a chance and the result was spectacular.
Favorite Songs: Polly, Where Did You Sleep Last Night?, The Man Who Sold The World

Emily: This is probably my favorite Nirvana album. Something about the acoustic guitar combined with Cobain's voice is so haunting and beautiful at the same time. The mix of hits, covers, and lesser-known tracks show a simpler, toned down side to grunge that puts the focus on the lyrics. What's more is that I love that they can take a David Bowie song and make it uniquely, distinctly Nirvana.
Favorite Songs: About a Girl, The Man Who Sold the World, Where Did You Sleep Last Night?

Green Day - Dookie (1994)

Emily: This is the Green Day album that started it all. For the world, of course, not me - I was 3 years old when Dookie was released. I came to Dookie as a so-called "new" Green Day fan discovering their "old" sound. Even after almost 20 years and an ever-changing sound, Dookie continues to hold its own as a prime example of 3-chord teenage punk. I've seen Green Day in concert twice live, and both times the crowd has gone crazy for the now-classic Basket Case and Welcome to Paradise.
Favorite Songs: Welcome to Paradise, Basket Case, Longview

Zack:  If that crazy clown/puppet thing from the Saw movies kidnapped me and locked headphones over my ears and told me that he was going to play a Green Day album on repeat and that they only key to unlock the headphones was located in my small intestine, I would pray to any deity that would listen that it was Dookie. Then Shenanigans would start and I'd attack my gut with toenail clippers or whatever I could find. In case you couldn't tell, I'm not much of a Green Day fan, but Dookie really isn't half bad. It tells you right off the bat that it's going to be snotty and rebellious and that's exactly what it is. You have to respect anything that's that authentic.
Favorite Songs: Welcome to Paradise, Longview, When I Come Around

Green Day - American Idiot (2004)

Emily: This is the album that made me a Green Day fan. Yes, it's inconsistent, and, yes, the storyline is hard to follow, but American Idiot was a milestone for the band and popular music. This was a whole new sound for Green Day at the time, and the world hadn't seen a punk rock opera, let alone a successful one. Personally, this is the first album that really got me interested in rock. I borrowed the CD from my best friend in 8th grade, and I've been a fan ever since, 7 albums, 2 concerts and 1 Broadway show later.
Favorite Songs: Jesus of Suburbia, Holiday, St. Jimmy

Zack: I give Green Day credit for this album because it showed real maturation and ambition for them as a band. As far as rock operas go, while certainly not a Tommy or The Wall, it is a pretty solid attempt as a whole. It starts out strong and develops a storyline that is semi-well defined, but drifts off towards the end. The singles off the album were all in the decent to good range. Most importantly, this album had a strong influence on a young teenage generation who was largely unfamiliar with Green Day (me included) and it certainly is worth a listen for that alone.
Favorite Songs: American Idiot, Holiday, Whatsername

Muse - Black Holes and Revelations (2006)

Emily: Muse is great for over-the-top arena rock with lyrics that don't really make sense, and this album exemplifies them best. We saw them in concert earlier this year, and the concert experience definitely fits the music. Elevated sets, giant video screens, and Zack's favorite - lasers! Muse is definitely an arena band - they take themselves a bit too seriously but they put on a great show.
Favorite Songs: Supermassive Black Hole, Knights of Cydonia, Map of the Problematique


Zack: Black Holes and Revelations is a fantastic album from start to finish. From the slow, winding start of Take a Bow right up to the triumphant Glorious, it is a well-structured and well-executed album. Really my only complaint is that the singles are forever associated with Twilight. When we went to see them earlier this year (they are fantastic live and you should definitely go if you have the chance) we had to deal with a bunch of black-clad fourteen-year-olds climbing over seats, but we also got to see a guy fist-pumping, so it worked out pretty well.
Favorite Songs: Knights of Cydonia, Map of the Problematique, Exo-Politics

Fist-Pump Guy! This photo took approximately 20 minutes to get the perfect misplaced fist-pumping moment.

#1/2: Familiar Territory: Part I

Out of Zack's 53 and Emily's 19 there were only 9 that overlapped (not even 1%). We figured we'd get these out of the way first before we start listening to anything new.

Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

 

Zack: What can you say about Nevermind that hasn't been said a thousand times over? It is simply flawless. Polly, In Bloom, Lithium, and I haven't even mentioned the two biggest singles yet. Smells Like Teen Spirit has always gotten the recognition as the song that changed the music scene, but I've always found Come as You Are to be their magnum opus. Something about the way Kurt Cobain moans "And I don't have God " has always sent shivers down my spine. Sure, Nirvana purists may say that Nevermind is too polished to be a true Cobain work, but they can shut the hell up. Nevermind was a revolution for under $15 and it remains that way today.

Favorite tracks: Polly, Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come as You Are

Emily: I didn't really get into Nirvana until Philly got alternative radio back on the airwaves a couple years ago, and even then I only knew a few random singles. Not until last year did I finally hear all of Nevermind, and I've listened to it many times over since then. There are so many layers to Cobain's writing that I'm still discovering underlying meanings in his lyrics with every listen.

Favorite tracks: Smells Like Teen Spirit, Lithium, In Bloom

Nirvana - In Utero (1993)

Zack: I've always been impressed with In Utero, not just because of how strong an album it is, but also because of what it accomplished. An album like Nevermind is a once in a generation affair, and yet Nirvana was able to follow it up successfully while completely changing their sound. It's not hard to imagine Cobain, Grohl, and Novoselic sitting around, staring at Billboard charts with their album sitting right above the King of Pop, and saying, "Well this is cool. Next time, let's be more abravise and less listener friendly." The fact that they were able to make such an album and it still be a success is a testament to how uniquely gifted they were as a band.

Favorite Tracks: Dumb, Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip, Rape Me

Emily: While I think In Utero is less consistent than Nevermind, a few tracks always blow me away. The  emotion in Cobain's voice contrasts with the heavier, rawer sound of tracks like Heart-Shaped Box and Rape Me, yet they fit together perfectly. The lyrics tie it all together, taking it from good to genius. It still leaves me wondering what else Cobain could've done for music.

Favorite Tracks: Heart-Shaped Box, Rape Me, Pennyroyal Tea

First Impressions

We found this list through a Sporcle quiz (where all of our greatest useless knowledge comes from). After epically failing at the quiz we went through the full list to check out how many albums we had actually listened to so far. The results were, in a word, pitiful. Zack had 53 and Emily had an impressive sum of 19. Some of you may be wondering how we had gotten through life having only heard a tiny fraction of the greatest albums of all time. In that case, fuck you. We're working on it, and you will witness our progress. You're welcome.

A little more about our music tastes before we start (as this very well may change as we work our way through the list):
Zack: My musical tastes are pretty eclectic. I listen to a lot of classic rock, alternative, hip-hop, and blues. I'll admit, I stole my love of ska music from Emily. I'm usually down to try any kind of music, except country. Country pretty much sucks.
Top 5 Bands (as of 10/20/10)
1. The Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Pink Floyd
3. Nirvana
4. Streetlight Manifesto
5. Lupe Fiasco

Emily: My range is a bit more limited. I mostly listen to alternative rock, and I love ska - I've seen Reel Big Fish and Streetlight Manifesto 4 times each. My iPod is a random smattering of old stuff, new stuff, and stuff I stole from Zack.
Top 5 Bands (as of 10/20/10)
1) Streetlight Manifesto
2) Reel Big Fish
3) Green Day
4) Less Than Jake
5) No Doubt

A little more about us when we're not listening to music/writing this blog. We're both sophomores at Temple University in Philly. Emily is a marketing major, and Zack is political science/journalism. Oh, and we've been dating for almost a year (insert awws and/or gagging noises here, whichever you prefer).

If you're looking for a mission statement, we don't have one. We're just going to enjoy listening to some really good music and see where it goes from there.