Tuesday, January 6, 2009

My Top 10 Records Of All Time


1. Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run (1975)


If there's one album to sum up the whole genre of Rock & Roll and the definition of Rock & Roll music, this is it. Listening to this album is always a life changing experience. I listen to it religiously. It's like going to church; everybody gets a second chance.


2. Tom Petty - Wildflowers (1994)

This is the best sounding album I've ever heard. Everything here is so crystal clear. And the production by Rick Rubin is absolutely incredible; not to mention the beautiful string arrangements. There's all kinds of stuff here--blues romp, a little country/folk, slow burning rock & roll, ballads and plenty of 'soul'.


3. U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

The Dublin quartet gained worldwide recognition on this album. I love the Edge's atmospheric guitars here. What amazes me is that the music manages to paint a vivid picture of a desolate American landscape. The lyrics are not really specific, and that's good, because the songs here can be interpreted on many different levels.


4. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

Like A Rolling Stone broke tremendous boundaries in music. It totally changed the way a song could be written and performed. This record is impossibly brilliant. Dylan is still the greatest songwriter of all time, and every musician that came after him owes some sort of musical debt to him (seriously).


5. Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon (1973)

This is the ultimate mind-fuck album--a brilliant concept album about alienation. But whenever I listen to it, I'm always reminded of The Wizard Of Oz. This is one record where it's essential to listen to continuously from start to finish, without skipping any songs.


6. The Who - Who's Next (1971)

This is an essential for any record collection. I feel sorry for anyone who claims to be a music fan but hasn't listened to this. No one plays guitar like Pete Townshend. No one sings like Roger Daltery. No one plays bass like John Entwistle. And definitely no one plays drums like Keith fuckin' Moon.


7. The Beatles - Revolver (1966)

This is one of those 'Oh My God, it's fucking incredible' moments. But then again, every Beatles record is like that. Albums like Revolver, Rubber Soul and Sgt. Peppers constantly remind us why The Beatles are still the greatest band of all time.


8. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)

Aside from being the greatest singer of all time (IMO), he too could write great social and political songs. This album is still very relevant in today's context. It's a shame Marvin Gaye isn't here anymore. He truly was God's gift to the world.


9. Billy Joel - The Stranger (1977)

I didn't know he could really play piano until I listened to this record. My favorite song is Scenes From An Italian Restaurant. A really great inspirational record.


10. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

You can't think of 80's music without thinking of Thriller. Michael Jackson's influence on pop music is enormous. The songs here, though only nine, are incredibly catchy and calls for repeatedly listening.