I've been talking
about doing this list for years and finally I'm
making it happen. I'm making it happen. This list is comprised
of albums that for one reason or another I have grown to love
over the years. Some of them date all the way back before I
was born. I was a child of the 80's. So most of the 80's entries
are kind of nostalgic.
Many
of these albums I dare to consider some of the best
ever written. I hope you enjoy the list and maybe even
feel drawn to check out a few that you are unfamiliar with.
80.
Blessid Union Of Souls-
Home
(End
Of The World)
"Home" is another one of those albums that is close to my heart. This one is among a select few of albums that I still listen to from my high school years. This is an romantic intimate affair. Musically, they are diverse and most importantly, these guys got soul. This debut is truly a showcase of sincere, fresh optimism expressed through a mixture of rock and soul
79. Bob Dylan- Freewheelin' Bob Dylan
(Masters
Of War)
"The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan"
was one of Bob's
most groundbreaking efforts. It could be held responsible for putting Dylan
on the map in the first place.
With instant classics
like: "Blowin' in the Wind,"
"Girl From the North Country" and
"Masters of War" It's hard to deny how
great this album is. Along with "Blonde on
Blonde'" and "Blood on the Tracks." This is considered one of Bob's best
albums.
78. Pigeon
John-
And The Summertime Pool
Party
You have to love Pigeon John's oddball persona. He's a charming rapper that never disappoints. I think it's his clever use of humor that has always appealed to me the most. He seems like the kind of guy one would want to hang out with on the weekends. He comes off like a very fun entertaining dude. I tell you what, I want to be at whatever pool party PJ is hangin' at.
77. Maxwell- Now
(Now/At
The Party)
I've always considered
Maxwell a modern day
Marvin
Gaye. Much like any
Marvin Gaye album,
Maxwell always comes to the table with
a few smooth grooves that get your head swayin'. You can call the mood of
this album a lot of things chill, sultry, relaxed, soulful whatever but I
like to call it simply smooth, not only referring to the album but also to
Maxwell as an artist. The majority of
the album are slow jams with very smooth beats and vocals, both of which
don't ever get too aggressive and or carried away.
Now is a very nicely sexy smooth album
from a very smooth artist.
If you are looking for an album to drink a little wine to, relax and get in
the mood, then you should give this one a try.
76. Sting- Nothing Like the Sun
Sting is easily one of my favorite artists. I love all of his work he did with The Police and all of his solo stuff. Nothing LIke the Sun remains one of his best to date. On his solo recordings he moved onto jazz-rock. But the pop sensibilities of The Police are still present on all of his solo discs. While his first solo album The Dream of the Blue Turtles, proved that Sting had solo potential, it was Nothing Like the Sun, that proved that the ex-Police frontman was going to be around for awhile. A big part of what makes the album so great is that, unlike on The Dream of the Blue Turtles, he just lets the music flow. The result is an instant pop masterpiece far different from the other pop albums of the time.
75. Lenny Kravitz- Mama Said
This just might be his best album to date. But it wasn't my first exposure to Lenny's music. The first album of his I owned was Circus. Which has some great moments but lacks the cohesiveness of Mama Said. from start to finish the whole album is really really good. The songs on the album were about Lisa Bonet and dedicated to her, documenting his depression over their failed divorce. That right there should tell you enough. Many great albums are drenched in depression and heartbreak.
74. Van Halen- 5150
I've been into Van Halen as long as I can remember, third grade to be exact. 5150 was the soundtrack to my Junior year in high school. So naturally it has a special place in my heart. I still love this album. So many good jams. Summer Nights has got to be one of the best summer songs ever written. I know I am in the minority, but I prefer Sammy Hagar over David Lee Roth in every way. David always bothered me with his inflated ego and the way he sung about women like they were objects. Sammy really steps up and belts out some great vocals. And sings about love towards women in a respectful way. No matter what front man you prefer there is no denying that this is one of their best albums.
73. The Police- Zenyatta Mondatta
In my opinion this is easily their best album. Firstly, it's the one coherent album in which every track flows very well and there are really no weak tracks here. All of the rest of their albums have filler, but not this one. These guys were on the cutting edge of the New Wave movement of rock 'n' roll bringing their mix of reggae & rock to the mainstream public. Though The Police had their commercial breakthrough with 1979's Reggata De Blanc, but it was on 1980's Zenyatta Mondatta, their next album, that they firmly established themselves as one of the biggest bands in the world. And established Sting as one of the best song writers around. If you don't have any Police albums, this is the one you should own. It's stellar in every way, a must have for any true music fan.
72. Pepper- No Shame
Pepper is one of those bands that have been around for awhile. But for some reason have always managed to stay under the radar. After all of those years they finally scored their first radio hit with the infectious "Ashes." Which isn't even on this album, but thanks to that very song I started checking out their catalog. Which I have to report is pretty darn good. Even with all the obvious Sublime comparisons. No Shame is easily their best effort. An instant party album. You can't but help but be in a good mood when listening to it.
71.
Other Desert Cities-
On The Verge Of
Collapsing
(On
time)
The album opens up
with the heart felt "On Time." The
harmonica slips in atthe perfect time. Like most of the music on the disc
perfect and timeless. He's singing about driving across the country with his
girl and describing how everything is well because she is there with him.
C. Charles Bowden mixes the instruments
together so well, never forcing things. Once
"These Things Happen" comes along it's
pretty evident that this cd is for real. This song makes you want to cry.
