Think of 15 albums – whether they be CDs, LPs, EPs or whatever – that had such a profound effect on you they changed your life. This is the music that dug deeply into your soul, the songs that brought you to life when you heard it, the sounds that literally socked you in the gut. When you finish listing your favorite records, tag 15 (or more!) fresh people, including me (the person who tagged you). Be sure to copy and paste this part so the new participants know the drill.
(And yes, I did jack this from Facebook. Sue me. I thought it would be interesting enough and cause for conversation around these parts.)
These records appear in the chronological order in which they first appeared in my life.
1) Lead Me On – Amy Grant
2) Free At Last – DC Talk
3) IV – Led Zeppelin
4) Ten – Pearl Jam
5) Gold – Starflyer 59
6) 5 Stars For Failure EP – Joy Electric
7) The Joshua Tree – U2
8 ) Murmur – REM
9) Where Blood And Fire Bring Rest – Zao
10) The Queen Is Dead – The Smiths
11) Being There – Wilco
12) Whole EP – Pedro The Lion
13) Audible Sigh – Vigilantes Of Love
14) Kid A – Radiohead
15) You Are The Quarry – Morrissey
Are these my “Desert Island Records,” my Top 15 Records of All Time? Not necessarily, though some of the selections on this list are among my favorite records. For example, Control from Pedro The Lion is most assuredly a Top Ten Record for me, but it was his Whole EP that originally hit me hard in my gut.
Furthermore, I notice that, outside of the highly white and highly Christian Free At Last by DC Talk, there’s not any rap, hip-hop, R&B, soul, or gospel records on this list. I would have to say the following as a form of explanation: that record opened the door to me in terms of what was out there musically. From here, I learn about the East v. West rap battles in the ’90s, Gaye/Green/Redding, The Roots, and so much more.
Out of all of this, what is most important is that Lead Me On was, is, and always will be Number One in my heart.
And now it’s your turn! Feel free to contribute in the comments section or compose a similar list on your site (just make sure you return and give us the link to your list).
February 20th, 2009 20:57
Hard to say, but off the top of my head I think my most influential albums are the following (not in order). Many are also desert islanders.
The Alarm, Declaration
New Order, Low-Life
The Smiths, The Queen Is Dead
The Jam, All Mod Cons
Pink Floyd, Meddle /Dark Side…
Various, The Blasting Concept (SST Records comp from the 80s)
Miles Davis, Kind Of Blue
John Coltrane, Soultrane
Whiskeytowm, Stranger’s Almanac
U2, Under A Blood Red Sky
R.E.M, Murmur
Black Flag, In My Head
Siouxsie & The Banshees, Through The Looking Glass (full of covers of stuff I wanted to listen to)
The Verve, A Storm In Heaven
Radiohead, OK Computer
And yes, no hip hop. I was thankfully late to its suburban advent in the 80s and it never really stuck. I like the smarter hip hop stuff now, but not a steady diet.