24th
My Top 12 Albums List
Okay, I came across a facebook survey and although I rarely—if ever—complete any of these anymore, I thought this one would actually be fun. Most people would just list their top 15 albums and no comments. But since I’m trying to maintain this blog, I figured why not add some thoughts on each selection.
However, because 15 is a lot to write about, I decided to cut it down to 12 albums and then list a few honorable mentions.
These aren’t necessarily my favorite artists, or in any particular order, but they are 12 albums that really meant a lot to me at some point in my life, whether it was in 1986 or yesterday. I probably could’ve replaced a couple but I wanted to mix it up a bit with significant albums that have made their way through my tape player, CD player, and all the way up to the MP3s collection in i-Tunes. (Oh yeah, if you want to do this survey, you are supposed to list your top 15 albums that meant something to you, and then tag 15 other people. Or something.)
1. Curtis Mayfield – Superfly
I’ll have to admit that I didn’t get into Curtis Mayfield until a few years ago. But after I checked out his entire collection, he immediately became one of my favorite artists. His soulful funk and story-telling paved the way later for a lot of artists today (most notably in the hip hop biz). The album Superfly was the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film of the same name and featured such classics at Pusherman, Freddie’s Dead, and of course Superfly. Mayfield was inspiring to many during the civil rights movement due to his songs being heavy on social consciousness.
One of the things that impressed me most about Curtis Mayfield was that not only did he compose his own songs, but he also contributed to his music by playing the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums. But perhaps the main thing about Mayfield that stood out to me was that he just epitomized the definition of cool. I’m pretty sure if you look up the word “cool” in the dictionary, he’d be right there next to the Rat Pack, the Fonz, and Joe Camel.
Curtis Mayfield: Cooler than anybody you will ever know.
2. Bob Marley – Legend
The greatest reggae artist of all time. The greatest selling reggae album of all time, containing most of his best cuts that transcended reggae music throughout the world forever (yes, I know it’s a compilation album but screw it). Although I truly enjoy the bulk of his earlier, lesser known albums that included more of the Wailers as well as Peter Tosh, I would have to say that Legend is one of those albums that you would want to have with you if you were ever stranded on a deserted island. But then again, you probably wouldn’t have an i-Pod or CD player anyway—and if you did—its juice would run out shortly. Nevertheless, this collection of Marley hits will never stray far from my stereo.
Irie
3. Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
I first heard the single Protect Ya Neck while a freshman in high school and I immediately knew these guys from Staten Island were going to blow up soon thereafter. They were—and still are—one of the only crew of rappers that were all legitimately talented. Sure, there are a couple of them that aren’t quite as gifted, but you gotta have those underachievers to make the GZA’s and the Ghostface Killas of the group stand out. Although the album was extremely raw, it had enough fire to catapult each artist onto their own successful solo careers. Aside from each member having their own unique style of rhyming, the group as a whole also took on a dark, martial arts persona which just happened to fit them perfectly.
This W is more popular than the W that just left Washington.
4. Radiohead – The Bends
Radiohead has always been one of my favorite bands. Thom Yorke could be considered a “musical genius” even though that label is thrown around way too much nowadays. A lot of people don’t like the direction Radiohead took with some of their later albums but the Bends allowed them to explore more of an artsy kind of rock that had some edge to it while also maintaining their mellow down-tempo tracks. Fake Plastic Trees is still one of my all-time favorite songs.
Thom Yorke: Incredible musical talent, awful comber of hair.
5. Dr. Dre – The Chronic
I remember when I first heard Nuthin’ but a G thang. It was my first real taste of West Coast rap I got into, and the beats, introduction to Snoop Dogg, and attitude of the album made it an instant classic to me. Although a talented producer, I can’t say I’m interested in many of Dr. Dre’s current projects (i.e., 50 cent) but the Chronic is timeless to me and I can still recite many of the lyrics and perhaps a few of the sketches off the album as well.
Biiiiaaaaaaaatch
6. Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced?
Not much needs to be said about this debut album from the Jimi Hendrix Experience. This album was so cutting edge with its distortion, and amazing guitar riffs that made Jimi the legend he is today. Hendrix revolutionized the way the guitar is played and there will most likely never be somebody who will ever duplicate his ability or sound. Sadly, like many of my other favorite artists, Hendrix died way before his time.
Jimi Hendrix was experienced.
7. Rancid – Let’s Go
The reason this Rancid album sticks out to me so much was it just so happened to be one of the bands I most listened to when I dabbled in garage bands back in the day. Their raw, gritty, sound was easy to emulate on the drum kit and I also dug their style. Their hits Radio and Salvation weren’t musical masterpieces, but this punk rock group knew how to get loud, have fun, and it all seemed to work for me when I was rocking out on my drums.
In hindsight, Rancid did appear to be a pretty acceptable name for the band.
8. Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots
This is another band that I didn’t really pick up until I got into college. They had a bizarre psychedelic feel to them and were versatile enough to put out different sounds from spaced out rock to a more industrial, noisy style of music. A lot of their other albums are hit or miss to me. Yoshimi did have some commercial success with their hit Do you Realize? but overall the album was very well put together while being experimental at the same time.
Flaming Lips during a live performance.
9. Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmusik
This debut album from Andre 3000 and Big Boi put me onto southern rap at the time. Their smooth flows talking about Cadillacs and pimpin’ put Atlanta on the map and it also introduced the world to the styles of Mr. 3000. Outkast is another one of those groups with staying power although they did decide to evolve and experiment in their own unique way throughout the years. But nothing compares to their first cuts such as Player’s Ball and Crumblin’ Herb.
Can you guess which one is the crazy one?
10. Michael Jackson – Thriller
This is a very nostalgic album for me because it was one of the first albums I heard growing up in my parents’ house as a kid. I’ll never forget hearing the opening sequence to “Thriller” and being somewhat taken aback. Michael Jackson was the man and I honestly try to remember him as the person from this album. There’s a reason why this is the best selling album of all time. Thriller, Beat it, and Billy Jean. I could even go into his smooth white jacket he rocked for the cover of the album.
Way before plastic surgery and bizarre relationships with children.
11. The Roots – Things Fall Apart
Considering the Roots are one of my favorite bands, it was a no-brainer to include this album as part of the list. I dug their live instrument style for a hip hop group and they also had a solid group of producers on this album including Jay Dee and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Questlove is also one of the coolest cats to ever get behind the drum kit. Although I understand their reasons, I did shed a tear the day I learned they were going to be Jimmy Fallon’s house band on his new late show.
The backbone behind The Roots
12. Prince – Purple Rain
Prince is another type of musician who doesn’t fit into any category other than his own. I don’t think I ever saw the movie of the same name, but when I first heard Prince wail out in the songs on this album, it was indeed like listening to doves cry. I don’t know if Prince does in fact have sick basketball game or offers pancakes to his friends, but dude was nasty and his music is just as close to “art” as music can get.
I guarantee you don’t have a blouse as sexy as this one.
Also receiving votes: Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On, Sublime - Sublime, Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, 2 Pac – Me Against the World, Stone Temple Pilots – Purple, Notorious B.I.G – Ready to Die, Jack Johnson – Brushfire Fairy Tales, DJ Shadow - Endtroducing…, Geto Boys – Till Death Do Us Part, Led Zeppelin - Untitled (IV)
