In no particular order:
The Fragile - nin
The Downward Spiral - nin
(See nin_man's post for details, he says it all).
Mental Jewelry - Live
Yes, this band has gone far south. This album, though, perfectly expressed its time, Every single track is good (as opposed to just listenable). This is probably one of my most played albums ever.
Tracy Chapman - (self titled)
Much the same reasons as the Live album
The Wall - Pink Floyd
Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
The epitomes of the rock concept album (well, with Tommy). If Mental Jewelry's not my most played, one of these two is.
Erasure - Wild!
This is perhaps more a sentimental choice than a really perfect album, but I'm giving my list, not "the ten most critically acclaimed" list. Andy Bell has the voice of a god, the songs really spoke to me when the album came out (and many still do), there's a fairly broad range of styles and material covered - it's all good.
U2 - Rattle and Hum
Possibly falls into greatest hits, but there are also some new tracks. As to why it's here? Look at what's *on* the thing: BB King. "Watchtower". All their biggies. And the Edge even gets to sing lead! :)
Tool - Lateralus
Seamless. One song flows into another, one mood flows into another. Amazing dexterity with the instruments without being Yngwie pretentious about it. This is also still in heavy rotation here.
Radiohead - (Not sure which one)
I had to get a radiohead on here, but I've not heard Hail to the Theif enough to decide if it supplants Amnesiac for #10. Radiohead proves that experimental music *can* develop a following, and for that alone I respect them, but it's also *damned good* experimental music.
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And yes, I respect that the Beatles (Sgt. Peppers, White Album) and some others (Bitches Brew, etc.) belong on a true 10 Best list, and I respect that many of my choices are in the last 20 years. This is the 10 albums that *I* like the best, not a critical evaluation. That list would be quite different (although four of these would definitely stay). |
