There used to be this thing in Rolling Stone magazine called "desert island discs", where musicians/actors would list the albums they would want if stranded on a desert island. With so many Mp3 players out there, this idea is a little dated. The album is becoming a lost artform. This saddens me, as i recall listening to albums from end to end ( with one stop to flip to side B), going on a sonic journey through many changes of landscape, with continuity. Many still respect the integrity of albums as more than a collection of singles, and will keep them intact in their collection. Here's a list of 10 of my favourite albums. It was hard to choose only 10, but i went with the whole desert island idea. I limited my selectons to only one album from any band/artist, none of my own music, no greatest hits, and no live albums.
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Automatic
This is how blues should have evolved. This is not a flashy album, but it does attain perfection.
Jane's Addiction - Ritual de lo Habitual
From the spanish intro 'till the last drop of "Classic Girl", a feast for the ears.
Pink Floyd - The Wall
Many would have chosen "Darkside of the Moon", but I like this one better. Rocks harder, more diversity, and more emotion.
INXS - Full moon, dirty hearts
It was hard to choose only one. This masterpiece of an album is representative how INXS is the best band in the world of all time ever, even the Beatles( just my opinion). Starts out with tons of energy, rocks and funks up to the title track, and then it's like a beautiful trillogy of songs, back to rocking funk, and ends with the end of rock and roll. Genius. I wonder how many times those drum/bass lines have been sampled. Notable duets with Ray Charles and Chrissie Hynde.
Ohgr - Welt
I don't know why he's not on every radio station with a billion clone bands like Dave Mattews has.... oh, that's right-corporate art is an oxymoron. Inspirational and educational. Confusing, enlightening, rotting, and beautiful.
Nine inch Nails - the Fragile
Someone's going to talk a bunch of crap about OhgrVs.NiN, but OH WELL. Trent Reznor is a genius. Not only musically, but somehow it was even undeniable in the mainstream that this music is the future. As usual, there is an underlying melody linking songs of all different moods. This guy knows how to make albums, not just songs. I am starting to get a little too detailed on the comments, i'll slow it down.
They might be Giants - Flood
On the surface, a fun time. Beneath that, a fun time with hidden musical complexity and intricate wordsmithing. "Dr. Worm", my theme song, is not on this album, but if i had to choose only one...
Nirvana - In Utero
They really had it. After the success of Nevermind, the art did not suffer. It's as if they had more room to be creative. If your record company sues you for the music you make, you know you're doing it right.
Neil Diamond - Tap Root Manuscript
I'd have to have some Neil on the island, so instead of 12greatest hits or 12greatest hits vol II,(would break my rules) i'll take this one, although i only have it on vinyl. It has "Cracklin' Rosie", "Soolaimon", "Done too Soon", a cover of "He Ain't Heavy..He's my Brother", and the 'african tillogy', which has a folk/gospel feel. Released in 1970, and holds up to todays music no problem
the Pixies - Surfer Rosa
What hasn't been said about this one? When David Bowie covers your song, you are an undeniable master songwriter... not to mention the beauty in the performances. More popular now than ever, i guess that means they were ahead of their time... or that you can only supress good art for so long.
DISCLAIMER*** All this is opinion, so don't get mad that i left out theBeatles, Zeppelin, Concrete Blonde, Leonard Cohen, U2, REM, B-52's etc. It was very hard for me to limit it to ten, but, again, i was going on the notion of stranded on a desert island. Hopefully i'd have a guitar when i got stranded so i could still play lots of the others, but these were the ten i would grab from the burning boat. What are some of your favourites? What if you could only have ONE?!??( scary Psycho screetches )