I haven’t posted for awhile, and while this was supposed to be a quasi-professional blog, I thought this would just be a good place to post a list of my top 10 favorite albums.
In no particular order:
David Bowie – Low: I first listened to this on cassette on my Sony Sports Walkman. It’s an album full of contradictions: cold, hopeful, despondent, groovy.
Depeche Mode – Songs of Faith and Devotion: Contemporary Christian music copies the Psalms. Depeche Mode of all groups one ups them.
Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti: When I read polls of the best three song sequence on an album, I always think of Custard Pie, The Rover, and In My Time of Dying.
Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible: The first time I heard of the Manics was when Richey went missing. My friend Jenny gave me a tape of The Holy Bible. I was appalled by the cover and couldn’t get through the first song. It sat in my car for 5 years until I gave it another try in 1999. Intense. Aggressive. Honest. Amazing.
The Smiths – Strageways Here We Come: If Morrissey and Marr say it’s their favorite, how can I disagree?
Exile on Main Street: I bought a used cassette of this on my 21st birthday in Vegas. I believe my friend Brian purchased the CD single of “Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot” off Sting’s “Mercury Falling” album. I got the way better purchase.
Dog Man Star – Suede: From June 1993 to 1997 I would say 75% of the music I listened to was Suede. Of their first three albums, which are all great, this one is the best.
U2 – Achtung Baby: It’s worth noting that this album came out before the internet existed. Where Joshua Tree had an American history vibe to it, Achtung Baby, recorded after the fall of the Berlin wall, was focused on a European future. In a lot of ways this album was a harbinger for the 90’s.
Appetite for Destruction: 12 year old me with my mouth open watching corn-fed Axl step off the bus and watch rock star Axl slither on the tv.
Sign O The Times – Prince: I didn’t get into this album until college and I wore out my vhs copy of the concert film. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker is a deep cut that is deeply underrated.
Lael Wageneck 