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[pwhodges]

To help moderate the enthusiasm for the uncritical dumping and downloading of complete discographies on the mediaf!re thread, perhaps we should tell people what we think is the one album  that they should get to hear for any particular artist/group.  Of course, different people will have different choices, but that's OK so long as there is an explanation and some real attempt at discernment.  I'll start the ball rolling with a couple...

The Beatles - Let it Be

There is an argument for choosing at least half of their albums as "the one". I select this because, as the one they recorded when they were trying (and failing) to stop it all falling apart, it is in some ways the most human and emotional - and, as always, there are some bloody good songs on it.

Jamie Cullum - Pointless Nostalgic

His first published album is the least affected.  While his subsequent ones show development, they haven't yet reached a mature style.  It will be interesting to watch his progress, of course.

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

Why not The Joshua Tree?  Well, I just prefer the earlier album which marked their change of direction.  But then, you can probably see that I like work-in-progress possibly more than arrival.

And because you wouldn't expect me to ignore the classics:

Britten - War Requiem

All of Britten's art is contained in this work somewhere; and it is one of the great musical creations of the twentieth century.

Your turn now.  You don't have to give more than one suggestion, of course - just continue the theme as you think it will work and benefit other people.

[imapiratearg]

Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me

The last record to be recorded with the original line-up for nearly ten years.  It is arguably one of the finest collection of Dinosaur Jr. songs, including some of the most memorable tunes they've recorded.  The cover of Peter Frampton's "Show Me the Way" at the end is also awesome.

[valley_parade]

I'm disagreeing with Paul here. Let It Be, over Revolver? *sigh*

[imapiratearg]

I'm still counting on someone coming in and saying Abbey Road, but I more or less agree with Paul.

[michaelicious]

The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground (1969)

When I tell people this is my favourite Velvet Underground record they usually try to convince me how wrong I am. They usually give me a well-reasoned argument about the merits of White Light/White Heat or say "I like the one with Andy Warhol best".

I love the honesty of this record. It seems more like the collaborative effort of a band than their other records. The songs seem more personal, and while the subject matter is often the same as previous records, it seems to be explored with more depth and humanity (I guess, I probably could have picked a better word). While I'll never turn down an opportunity to blast "Sister Ray", I find myself becoming more an appreciator of the quiet moments. Plus I just about lose it at the end of "Beginning to See the Light" when they are all "How does it feel, to be looooooooved?"

It feels damn good.


Television - Live at the Old Waldorf (2003)

Being a pretty avid Television fan, I was surprised that I was unaware of the existence of this album until about two months ago. I mentioned my love for The Blow-Up on the Electrical Audio forums and someone suggested I listen to this.

Television were pretty much an entirely different band on-stage than they were in the studio. If any dick tries to tell you that Television wasn't a punk band, just play them any song from this record (I would pick "Foxhole"). The songs are looser, louder, and about one hundred times more badass. The live environment offers an entirely new urgency to Television's songs, especially the songs from Adventure. The first time I listened to this, it gave me goosebumps when "The Dream's Dream" finally picks up at around the 1.18 mark.

[imapiratearg]

Oh phew.  I always felt weird because I enjoy Loaded and The Velvet Underground more than the other two.

[Catacombs]

Although I personally like Abbey Road the best, i think I'd pick Revolver over Let It Be.

[onewheelwizzard]

Although I personally like Abbey Road the best, i think I'd pick Revolver over Let It Be.

^This.

Kyuss - Welcome to Sky Valley

Words like "epic masterpiece" should do justice to this album but they're so overused and misapplied that they end up slightly failing to cut the mustard.  "Welcome to Sky Valley" is the sound of a thousand-foot bass amplifier made of stone, reverberating across an endless desert underneath an infinite sky.  It's my immediate and unhesitating pick for best rock album of the 1990's.  It founded a legion of imitators that, despite falling short, still managed to sound fucking great.  On a personal note, it has had a greater influence on my own taste in music than any other musical work I've ever listened to, and I credit it with an indispensable role in shaping my relationship with sound in general.  I love this album.  Listen Without Distraction.

[the_pied_piper]

Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water

Last album released by the folk greats as a duo before their official breakup (after a 'separation' in 1965) and the first folk album i ever heard. Containing the tracks 'El Condor Pasa', 'Cecilia' and 'The Boxer' as well as title track 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' to me its an outstanding contribution to the progress of folk music, if not the most outstanding of all. Obviously, the duo have gone on to influence so many more artists after them but i believe this is their greatest moment.

Tarkio - Sea Songs For Landlocked Sailors

As a huge Decemberists fan i couldn't believe i hadn't heard of Tarkio until about 1 year ago and since then this has been my favourite EP of all time. Only 6 songs long but with 'Devil's Elbow', 'Tristan and Iseult', 'Mountains Of Mourne' and other great songs i believe it is an unrecognised great. Not really influential in any major way but criminally unknown and underappreciated.



Slightly Off Topic: After reading the threads about changes to the music forum i can only agree that it is a good thing. I have been guilty recently of dumping albums into the MF thread but i've always looked for someone to start discussion threads aswell. I didn't do it myself because being a relative newbie and lurking a while i saw how many threads get shot down straight away but certainly this should start to help.

[Thrillho]

The Beatles - Let it Be

There is an argument for choosing at least half of their albums as "the one". I select this because, as the one they recorded when they were trying (and failing) to stop it all falling apart, it is in some ways the most human and emotional - and, as always, there are some bloody good songs on it.

Say what now?

Okay, mine:

Weezer - Weezer (1994)
Their first, greatest album - and even if you disagree on that score, you've got to accept it's far more accessible than Pinkerton, so if you're potentially only buying one, this is the one to go for.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Abattoir Blues/The Lyre Of Orpheus (2004)
A double CD that shows his two sides; Elvis filtered through Satan on Abattoir Blues, a doom-laden balladeer on Lyre.

[RedLion]

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

The Wild, The Innocent and E Street Shuffle is really the apex of Springsteen's early work, and one could argue that Born to Run isn't really representative of the rest of his discography, since after that album his work became much darker and more depressing. However, to understand the full, rich sound that is his hallmark, to grasp the sense of longing for purpose, the desire to find that ever-fleeting "freedom" that is the consistent theme among all of The Boss's work, Born to Run can't be beaten. And it contains a huge number of his best songs. Every single track is a masterpiece.

[Jackie Blue]

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

Could only disagree more if you actually had said The Joshua Tree.  My vote would be either Achtung Baby or Zooropa, no question.  To me they are miles and far away the most interesting and well-written of their catalogue.

[CScheiner]

Spiderland - Slint
Is there anything else I really need to say? Such simple written songs with enough meaning to make your head spin.


Art Of Motion - Andy McKee
One of my favorite acoustic albums, Andy McKee blindsides you with an amazing display of not only world champion finger picking, but also manages to encompass many emotions through a display of unique songs.


Continuum - John Mayer
Probably the most well written out of all of his albums (at least, that's how I feel seeing as I have his discography). Though many songs maintain the general primitive emotions many people write, he still captivates me as a person who can use blues-rock to influence modern music (of course pop and soul make a big part of the album too).

[Jackie Blue]

Spiderland - Slint
Is there anything else I really need to say?

Well, you might add that they only have two albums anyway and the other one sucks so what's the point of saying this?

OK, on-topic:

The Flaming Lips - Clouds Taste Metallic

The tail end of their drug-soaked, guitar-heavy, acid-washed glory days, before Wayne grew a beard and they got more interested in furry suits and pop orchestration than blistering sonic psychedelia.  A perfect 10.

[imapiratearg]

I really need to give that one a shot.  Would you really say it's more quintessential than Transmissions from the Satellite Heart?

[Jackie Blue]

Well, I would probably, if pressed, have a hard time saying that Hit to Death in the Future Head, Transmissions or Clouds are better than each other, but I do think Clouds has the best production and lyrics of the three, and that nothing on the prior two rocks nearly as hard as "Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus With Needles" or "Lightning Strikes the Postman".

[JayJayD]

The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground (1969)
When I tell people this is my favourite Velvet Underground record they usually try to convince me how wrong I am.

... and I was starting to think I was the only one! Always get the same reaction, mostly people try
to convince me that "...with Nico" is better.

[onewheelwizzard]

Guys I do not know where you get off snubbing The Soft Bulletin like that but it is one of the greatest albums in history.

I mean, I love Transmissions from the Satellite Heart AND Clouds Taste Metallic, but The Soft Bulletin is perfect.

[Jackie Blue]

I honestly do not much care for The Soft Bulletin.  I hated it the day it came out; since then I've mellowed and consider it a "good" record but still nowhere near their earlier work.

[onewheelwizzard]

But the joy!  The pure joy!  It's so beautiful!

[Christophe]

June of 44- Tropics and Meridians
This one was actually a hard one for me to decide on, since all of their albums (excepting the comparatively lacklustre Anahata) are all quality. I don't think T&M is my favorite Jo44 album (which would be Four Great Points), but this one is probably the most engaging and immediate of their albums. The balance between all-out rawk and quieter, sparkly guitar parts is more towards the former, but Lawn Bowler is seven minutes, thirty-nine seconds worth of the latter.

Elliott Smith- XO
Smith's first album on Dreamworks, it is essentially the turning point between his more lo-fi work on his first three albums and the more densely layered, produced sound on the following Figure 8. Some of the dude's best songs (Pitseleh, Waltz #1, Waltz #2) are on this album. I don't know if I still think it's his best album but by far it's probably the best introduction to his body of work.

Jawbox- For Your Own Special Sweetheart
Lots of the band's fans shitcanned this one because it was their first after jumping the good ship Dischord for the majors, but damned if they didn't turn their back on the band right when they released probably their best album (I haven't heard their last one yet). It's full of smartly-applied punk aggression tossed into the washing machine of angular guitar lines and odd time signatures and fuck, I can't even describe this one anymore. It's just so good.

[Wardial3r]

Ben Folds - Rockin' The Suburbs.

Ben Folds at his best, an album full of piano pop that hits all kinds of emotions and nails all of them.  Not a single bad song.

Blink 182 - Enema Of The State

Although I personally prefer Take Off Your Pants And Jacket, this album has to be the definitive blink.  The catchy choruses, the simple chords, awesome drumming, teenage angst.  It shows the bands move away from their earlier potty humor, and where they will go with a more produced sound and songs that might mean something to them.  Mutt and Adam's Song are both examples of this.  They still haven't lost their sense of humor though, and it makes a perfect album.

[Scarychips]

Xiu Xiu - Fabulous Muscles

Xiu xiu at the peak of their creativity. The albums starts with pop-oriented gems to descend into weirdness. If I'm not mistaken, it's their last "weird albums by Xiu xiu standard", La Forêt being more minimalist while The Air Force and Women as Lovers were considered poppy. If you want only one of their albums, you should buy/download Fabulous Muscles.

[You Are Brahman!]

The Offspring - Americana 
Perhaps it had something to do with the number of times I listened to this album in my youth, but this belongs in everyone's collection, even if you're not big into punk.  I have come to appreciate the songs I used to hate (Pay The Man) as I got older.

Barenaked Ladies - Stunt
If Americana wasn't in my CD player, it was Stunt.  This classic is fun, fast paced, and offers a good variety of tunes. 

[ImRonBurgundy?]

The Replacements- Let It Be

The apex of The Replacements' career, the point where their scrappy punk roots collided head on with Paul Westerberg's commercial aspirations, achingly melodic pop sensibilities, and burgeoning songwriting skills.  Was there a better document of teenage angst in the 80's than the forlorn strains of "Sixteen Blue"?  Methinks not.

Minutemen- Double Nickels On The Dime

Ambitious, sprawling, but locked into a furiously consistent groove, the band from Pedro proved definitively that they were the punk rock band of their generation, simultaneously subverting and reiterating the movement's core foundations (As the band put it, "We said to the punk kids, 'You want no rules?  Well, here's what no rules sounds like!'").  Even besides that, it's a fucking barnstormer of an album.

[Zingoleb]

For the record, The Beatles top album is Abbey Road for me. Revolver is a close second.

Geez...Pink Floyd is a hard one to pick, but I'm going to say...

Pink Floyd ~ The Division Bell

The other possible ones on the list are Wish You Were Here or Animals. The Division Bell was Pink Floyd's last album, from 1994, and it shows what happens when the rest of the band finally takes hold of the sound and edges away from Roger Waters' influence. Good, solid songs that come together to make an album that's more than the sum of its parts.

Anoushka Shankar ~ Rise

A very eclectic album of world music. There's a lot of sitar on this album, seeing as she *is* the daughter of Ravi Shankar, but it also deals with a lot of different sorts of cultural sounds, from Indian raga to Australian didgeridoo. Very atypical vocals.

Enya ~ The Celts

Her other albums I've listened to seem a bit hit and miss, or even a bit boring, but this one is different. Mostly simply songs, but they stay with you after they're finished and leave an impression with you. I'm trying to avoid using the word 'haunting'...damn.

Melanie ~ Freedom Knows My Name

While she has other great albums, this is the one that feels consistently good with each song, and wildly varied on each one. Morbid humour of "Estate Sale" to the strong choir on "I Will Get Over" to the complex guitar on "Arrow" to the folk rendition of "Purple Haze," each song is strong on its own and come together to make a great album. (The 'special release' version has an extra song that I don't like, though)

Penny Whiskey ~ Half-Corked

Superbly done Irish folk music. Alternates between strong lyrics and off-the-wall humour. A decent album altogether, but each song stands out individually.

[Koremora]

Here's somma mine! It's all pretty modern, but that's just a general trend in some of my music I suppose.

Sigur Ros - Takk... 
Some might disagree, but in my opinion Takk... is hands-down the BEST album Sigur Ros has put out. There is not a single song on there that is anything less than heart-meltingly tear-inducingly beautiful. The mood is there, the weird atmosphere, and the songwriting is just impeccable. One of my favorite albums of all time.

The Sound of Animals Fighting - The Ocean and the Sun
A perfect mash-up of the mathy guitar work of their first record and the atmospheric experimentalism of their second. What may be their final record is also their best.

Clutch - Robot Hive / Exodus
Some of the best blues-tinged stoner rock out there. Neil Fallon's bellow is fantastically fitting, and the rest of the band is just pulls some air-tight solid grooves.

Torche - Meanderthal
Okay, I know this is only their second album but HOLY SHIT GUYS. It's fucking amazing. A stellar combination of doom metal and pop, of all things. Loud, heavy, fast, bonecrushing triumphant guitar songs.

Yndi Halda - Enjoy Eternal Bliss
Yes, again, this is their first album. When I was first about to listen to it, I was a bit leery of it sounding like generic post-rock, as many reviewers had indicated. However, once the LA LA LA's of Dash & Blast kicked in, I was hooked. Enjoy Eternal Bliss almost sounds like a Godspeed record, only a little more focused and with less ambient noise passages (not that there was anything wrong with them). Also, the inclusion of clarinet, of all things, really sticks out in the mix and really nails the mood.

Sunn O))) - Black One
This album is fucking TERRIFYING. I first listened to it past midnight with good headphones. When I was done, I was actually shaking a little. The pure musical embodiment of dread and terror. In short, a masterpiece of doom.

Meshuggah - ObZen
Another one of those NEWEST AND BEST albums. Their old thrashier days run headfirst into their more technical work like I, resulting in the PERFECT Meshuggah record. Jaw-dropping-through-the-center-of-the-earth instrumental work, with Tomas Haake once again proving that he is the product of an angel fucking a demon-possessed robot. If you don't shit yourself from the bass drum in Bleed, your bowels are not properly functioning.

[Thrillho]

Geez...Pink Floyd is a hard one to pick, but I'm going to say...

Pink Floyd ~ The Division Bell

The other possible ones on the list are Wish You Were Here or Animals. The Division Bell was Pink Floyd's last album, from 1994, and it shows what happens when the rest of the band finally takes hold of the sound and edges away from Roger Waters' influence. Good, solid songs that come together to make an album that's more than the sum of its parts.

As much as I love that record, you'd struggle to find anyone else of this opinion. I'd definitely say WYWH.

[David_Dovey]

The Division Bell is fine and all but is it seriously the one album you would choose to represent Pink Floyd above all others? And can we keep in mind that is what we are trying to do here? Not just say "hai guyz this is my fave album."

I feel like I may be stepping on toes by doing this because I am by no means not even the tenth best person on this forum to make this judgement but

Fugazi- Repeater

Not the band's best  but I feel that Fugazi's career can be viewed much as a linear progression from one style to another, so in that way it would make sense to go from the start. Obviously there was 13 Songs that came before this but I feel that, despite containing some of the band's most iconic songs, was a bit of a false-start, the band finding it's feet. On Repeater the band achieve exactly what they set out to do at that time. It is cohesive, instantly catching (important if you are trying to introduce someone to a band) emotional, political and good fun at the same time. Repeater was my favourite Fugazi album for a fair while but that is because it takes a few listens for the other records to catch up.

The Stooges- The Stooges

"but dude, what about Funhouse? Funhouse, dude"

Once again, the self-titled album is not their best, but I feel that the production on Funhouse and the shambolic nature of the songs could be an impediment to someone who isn't already used to The Stooges. The self-titled also has all of their most obvious "hits" (1969, I Wanna Be Your Dog, No Fun). Just noisy and chaotic enough to let you know what the Stooges are about, without being off-puttingly abrasive.

[Thrillho]

The Division Bell is fine and all but is it seriously the one album you would choose to represent Pink Floyd above all others? And can we keep in mind that is what we are trying to do here? Not just say "hai guyz this is my fave album."

Exactly. In which case, I changed my answer to DSOTM. As much as I'm sick of that record, it's pretty much the best entry point or representative. Wish You Were Here is the better album but isn't the best starting point.

[Catacombs]

If I had to start someone on Pink Floyd, it'd absolutely be Dark Side of the Moon.  It sums up their sound and presence the best, and is more accessible than Wish You Were Here.  The Division Bell is too late in their career.

[spoon_of_grimbo]

I'd have to go with "Caution" by Hot Water Music.

A brilliant combination of melodic, gritty rock, post-hardcore, and punk.  Seriously, everything about this record is perfect, the lyrics, the way the two vocalists interact, the way they manage to make seemingly the most obtuse and angular guitar parts mesh together perfectly and smoothy, the almost jazzy approach of the rhythm section, and the overall mood of the album.  Amazing, and topped off with some really nice artwork too.

[michaelicious]

June of 44- Tropics and Meridians
This one was actually a hard one for me to decide on, since all of their albums (excepting the comparatively lacklustre Anahata) are all quality. I don't think T&M is my favorite Jo44 album (which would be Four Great Points), but this one is probably the most engaging and immediate of their albums. The balance between all-out rawk and quieter, sparkly guitar parts is more towards the former, but Lawn Bowler is seven minutes, thirty-nine seconds worth of the latter.

I would have picked this too. I am kind of a fickle June of 44 fan though. I kind of can't stand Engine Takes to the Water and I never really got what the big deal about Four Great Points was. I think they hit their peak with Tropics and The Anatomy of Sharks.

[valley_parade]

Boris - Amplifier Worship

Why? It's not my favorite Boris album (that's Akuma No Uta). I think Amplifer Worship captures pretty much every angle of what Boris do as a band. There's droney bits, there's balls-out rock, twinges of the hardcore punk scene they started off in (see the beginning of "Hama"), and even the quieter side that emerged on Mabuta No Ura. This was also the album that started their switch from more noisey drone (see Absolutego) to the heavier rock that's on Heavy Rocks, Akuma No Uta, Pink, and Smile.

Also, the bit in "Huge" when the drums kick in and they start screaming (4:49) is SO rad.

[Harun]

The Jester Race - In Flames
An album that displays the mastery this band had over the Gothenburg metal sound. Lots of Swedish folk influences, beautiful melodies, guitar harmonies and solos galore, solid drumming, and excellent songwriting - something you don't hear very often in this genre today.

Sweet Vengeance - Nightrage
Another Gothenburg metal band, but this one is more recent, having been made a couple years ago. It's one of the most solid albums I've ever heard, and there are absolutely no filler songs. Considered a supergroup, this album contained Thomas Lindberg of At the Gates fame and Tom Englund of Evergrey on vocals. The hilariously ironic thing about this album was that both of the guitarists are from Greek power metal bands, but managed to create one of the greatest recent Gothenburg metal albums in memory.

A Diamond For Disease - Arsis
The guitarist in the band, James Malone, is one of the greatest guitarists I've ever heard. Not just in his technical prowess, but in his songwriting, and his ability to utilize these incredibly beautiful overlapping melodies that no other band can replicate. The title track of this particular album (EP rather), is almost thirteen minutes in length, and was actually written for Ballet Deviare. It's one of the most incredible songs I've ever heard, and it's one of those songs where you can listen to it and discover new things because it's so beautifully complex. There's also an awesome cover of an Alice Cooper song.

[RedLion]

The Offspring - Americana 
Perhaps it had something to do with the number of times I listened to this album in my youth, but this belongs in everyone's collection, even if you're not big into punk.  I have come to appreciate the songs I used to hate (Pay The Man) as I got older.

Americana is a fun record to listen to, but it's by no means the Offspring's best, quality-wise. I would say that would be Smash.

Then again, I haven't listened to that band since the end of my teenage rage days, so maybe my opinion isn't well-founded enough.

[spoon_of_grimbo]

The Offspring - Americana 
Perhaps it had something to do with the number of times I listened to this album in my youth, but this belongs in everyone's collection, even if you're not big into punk.  I have come to appreciate the songs I used to hate (Pay The Man) as I got older.

Americana is a fun record to listen to, but it's by no means the Offspring's best, quality-wise. I would say that would be Smash.

Then again, I haven't listened to that band since the end of my teenage rage days, so maybe my opinion isn't well-founded enough.

Ixnay on the Hombre's probably their best overall, but I'd agree with him on Americana simply because it was the record that got me into music.

[RedLion]

Okay, but see, this isn't about "I prefer this album." It's what is the most representative of the band's work as a whole? Americana was a red herring. They didn't do many songs like Pretty Fly or Why Don't You Get a Job on their other albums.

[spoon_of_grimbo]

Okay, but see, this isn't about "I prefer this album." It's what is the most representative of the band's work as a whole? Americana was a red herring. They didn't do many songs like Pretty Fly or Why Don't You Get a Job on their other albums.

they did, just not as well.  i still maintain that Pretty Fly is a pretty damning and spot-on satire of it's subject matter.  but yeah, as far as "most representative," that'd still be Ixnay.  There's hints on the first album of what they'd acheive with Ixnay, and there's several songs that came after it which reference it sonically. 

[imapiratearg]

The thing to remember about the Offspring is they are boring as all hell.

[valley_parade]

The thing to remember about the Offspring is they are boring as all hell, WUH-HOOOOO

fix'd.

[Christophe]

YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH YEAH

*plays some Crazy Taxi*

[boneykingofnowhere]

I'd disagree with You're Living All Over Me. While that's a great album, I still think Where You Been does a better job of putting everything they're good at into one cohesive whole.
Built To Spill -Keep it Like a Secret
This is the album that perfected the three-guitar attack that BTS is so well known for. They took all the great angular riffs from Perfect From Now on and added all the extended jams and improvisation that Martsch is so awesome at.

[imapiratearg]

I had a tough time choosing between the two.  Where You Been is certainly J at the apex of his songcrafting abilities, but You're Living All Over Me is the most impressive collection of the whole group's work.  It's does everything every other Dinosaur Jr. album does but better.

[valley_parade]

I think Where You Been is my personal favorite.

[greenMonkey]

Sigur Ros - Takk... 
Some might disagree, but in my opinion Takk... is hands-down the BEST album Sigur Ros has put out. There is not a single song on there that is anything less than heart-meltingly tear-inducingly beautiful. The mood is there, the weird atmosphere, and the songwriting is just impeccable. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Sorry, have to disagree.  The first Sigur Ros album I listened to was ( ), and I enjoyed it, though I still can't really sit through it.  Then I got Agaetis Byrjun, and I literally had my ears opened to good music.  Looking back now, I no longer worship it like I did, but Agaetis Byrjun is by far the best album Sigur Ros has ever put out, and has their best songwriting and timbre experimentation.  The darkly atmospheric blues of Flugufrelsarinn and Hjartad hamast (bamm bamm bamm),  the sunny orchestral dreamy pop of Svefn-g-englar and Staralfur, the absolutely epic introspection (paradox? perhaps) of Vidrar vel til loftarasa, and the simplicity of the title track...there is not a bad song on this album, with the exception of the intro track and the final track, which serve as effective bookends to a dreamy whirlwind of emotion and sensation.

Fugazi- Repeater

It is ridiculously difficult to pick one Fugazi album, but I think Repeater is the correct choice to document their musical and ethical origins.  However, one of my favorite things about Fugazi is that they so visibly challenged themselves to grow and evolve as artists, and their later albums are so interesting and engaging.  I think End Hits is my absolute favorite Fugazi album.

[snakes]

Neil young - on the beach
If you haven't heard this, hear it. please. at some point in my life, this fit perfectly with the way that i felt because of the gritty, raw, hopelessness that it presented to me. i could relate to it. i though that it was beautiful. i still do. absolutely perfect. it begins with a song saying "fuck it" to any quarrels that may have once been, and continues on with a batch of tracks infected with loneliness, paranoia, disdain, and an immediate loss of innocence. neil young is able to create a complete masterpiece with his despair on this record, and for a time this was the only album i cared about.

arcade fire - neon bible
when this first came out i sort of just cast it off, thinking that it was not as good as funeral. i probably only listened to it entirely two times before about three months ago. i randomly turned it on one day, and since then, it has been one of the only albums i have listened to. i have become very aware of religion in the past year (something i disregarded for my entire life until now), and this album is something that i can really relate to now. great example of religious angst and, really, a loss of faith in society as a whole. a very effective album.

can - tago mago
just listen to it if you haven't.

radiohead - amnesiac
at first i was completely obsessed with kid a. i'm sure many people were. i love them both, but after years of them both, amnesiac has to be my favorite. it is the first album that i decided not to listed to while on drugs because it was too fucking much.

[_yoda]

radiohead - amnesiac
at first i was completely obsessed with kid a. i'm sure many people were. i love them both, but after years of them both, amnesiac has to be my favorite. it is the first album that i decided not to listed to while on drugs because it was too fucking much.

aw man, that's not the album to introduce someone to Radiohead!

great album, of course, and maybe it's your favourite, but maybe you should revisit the conversation about Pink Floyd above.

I guess it's OK Computer, much as it isn't my favourite album of theirs (Kid A FTW)

[_yoda]

can - tago mago
just listen to it if you haven't.

Also, this.

[MadassAlex]

Imaginations From The Other Side - Blind Guardian

Thrash-influenced power metal in all its angry, intense, yet deliciously melodic glory. This album isn't just everything that's good about Blind Guardian - it's everything that's good about melodic metal. Deliberate, well-measured riffs, soaring, full-bodied vocals and relevant, attention-grabbing solos make this an album (and band, really) to remember.
This album marked the point where Blind Guardian really stepped up their album production, but were still holding on to the heavy thrash influences in their music. Basically, this album isn't just one of their very best, but an excellent median between their earlier, thrashier work and their later, more melodic music.

Highly recommended to anyone who digs melodic metal, or who likes intense, driving hard rock but is put off by elements of extreme metal.

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

This is a necessity, not only because of the way this defined Sabbath's sound, but because of this album's worth in any study of the development of rock and heavy metal music. The songwriting on this is magnificent, especially considering this album acts more like a high distorted blues record than a rock record at the time. Plus, the riffage here is just amazing. Black Sabbath wrote the best doom-metal riff before doom metal was a goddamned term. Tony Iommi is irrefutably one of the alpha gods of rock guitar, crafting rhythm and lead sections with equal deftness and quality.

Led Zeppelin I - Led Zeppelin

*I had a large paragraph here, but I was wrong about song placement.

So I'll just say that people should start with the first one. And witness the progression for themselves.


Any Album From '69 to '75 - Deep Purple

Seriously, so many great songs here. Purple are basically the rock band as far as I'm concerned. Black Night, Highway Star, Speed King, Stormbringer, Burn, Soldier of Fortune, Strange Kind of Woman, Space Truckin', the list does not stop for a long time. Any album within this time frame paints a good picture. I'm a bit tempted to err towards In Rock. But really, any album within the time frame will do here.
The rock band.