10. Smashing Pumpkins- Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Apparently there was a summer when my family was on vacation and my father played this CD a lot. I have no recollection of that, but perhaps it was that early influence that made the album stand out to me. It’s epic in ever way. Duration, songwriting, arrangements, music videos, presentation, everything about this album is incredibly epic. But while some pieces of music that are as grand as this fail because the quality of the music gets caught up in the concept, Corgan and crew flourish in it. And the best part is that while it does swoon through emotions with string sections and acoustics, it can just as easily turn around and kick your ass with its rock tracks. And while “1979” and “Tonight, Tonight” are mainstream almost to the point of being played out, they still hit exactly at the right spot sonically every time. While Billy Corgan has sort of lost his writing edge in the post-Zwan era Pumpkins, it’s good to know I can always go back to Mellon Collie and enjoy utter brilliance.
9. Devo- Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
There was a time in my musical life when I would listen to and pretend to enjoy everything that was weird or abnormal. Some of the stuff I actually dug, some of it I bumped because it was different and most of the time had some musical merit. For a little while I thought Devo, and specifically their debut, fell in the latter category. I don’t know when it was when this album went to bizarre to great, but it was a pretty quick change. Maybe it’s because Devo combines some elements of progressive rock with the straightforwardness of punk, or maybe it’s because of the bizarre lyrics and themes but I really do love me some Are We Not Men? This is an album that downright turns a lot of people off to the non “Whip It” sound that Devo had before they got popular, but it certainly has made me appreciate them a lot more.
8. Red Hot Chili Peppers- Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik
While many of the bands that I have already mentioned on this list and will mention as the post goes on are consideremd my favorites, the Chili Peppers really aren’t. Just like every musician (bass players especially) there is that essential period of time when one falls in love with RHCP, and with some they stick, but with me everything following their breakout is just sort of weak. Their work prior was good, but aside from a few tracks on Mother’s Milk, none of it was particularly memorable. And the stuff after BSSM is good, but it lacks the raw power and vigor that BSSM has. But coming back to the point, Chili Peppers made a great album that change the face of popular music. Hair metal dominated the 80’s and grunge and pop punk prevailed over most of the 90’s but the Chili Peppers really made it acceptable to be weird and funky and still be able to make money. They didn’t play to conventions and they clearly loved what they were doing (or the drugs made them love it). BSSM has some classic tracks like “Suck My Kiss” “Under the Bridge” and “Give It Away” but it also has a lot of great groove based songs that go under the radar like “Mellowship Slinky in B Major” and the title track. Every few months I arbitrarily try and tell myself the Chili Peppers are too mainstream ans sellout for my taste, and then I hear a track off this album and just get schooled. They were awesome. They aren’t so much anymore, but this album makes me wanna pick up my bass and just jam.
7. Beastie Boys- Paul’s Boutique
There are some albums that really mark a radical change in the way music is looked at, and in my opinion, if it wasn’t for Paul’s Boutique, acts like Girl Talk and Super Mash Bros. would be without a job. The Beasties created a sonic atmosphere unlike any other following their one note debut, it shows growth on all fronts by the group. Lyrically it’s good, but the Beasties have never been considered top tier lyricists as much as they have been admired for their creativity. I can rap along with them and just have a good time, and they don’t seem to care about not challenging the world, so why should I? And the beats are just so cool, they sample so much stuff, but it’s not like modern mash-up artists where the samples make the art, here they add a foundation to the crazy lyrics crafted by the Boys. If there was an album that brought me from being a casual hip-hop fan to hardcore one, it is this without question.
6. The Beatles- Let It Be
NOT Sgt. Pepper! NOT Abbey Road! NOT Revolver! Number six on my list? Am I crazy? Yes. Let It Be is one of the first 2 CD’s I ever purchased, and for the first few years of having it, I never really listened to it. I skipped to the title track and “Get Back” and turned it off. Then, in my post puberty classic rock phase I dusted off the disc and popped it in, and it fit. It fit every mood. I remember driving around post breakups during high school with this album and feeling like there was hope for me yet (THERE STILL IS DAVE, HANG IN THERE!) and there were times when I just felt like hearing some great tunes and I’d put this on and get that. While every Beatles album has a resounding effect on me, as they should with most listeners, Let It Be is the one the evaded me in my youth, only to come back ten fold when I gave it a second chance. And did I mention “Get Back” is easily in the top five Beatles songs for me? Dare I say it is the best?!
ONE MORE TO GO! WHAT WILL BE ON THE LIST?! WHO KNOWS?! ME!
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