Favorite Albums of All Time

When I first started this blog, I mentioned that I’d be writing some “fun” posts that weren’t so serious, but two years have come and gone and I’ve only written a single one of that ilk. Since I’ve been dealing with a lot of heavy personal stuff of late, this seems like a good month to write something like that, so today I’m going to highlight some of the most influential music albums in my life. Apologies in advance to anyone I forgot!

Some notes: To be included on this list, the album had to be in my regular rotation for an extended period of time, and had to be one that I occasionally revisit even to this day, despite my regularly evolving musical tastes. I limited myself to one album from each artist to keep it manageable. Even so, it was difficult to reduce this list to a lean 25, so I decided to include an overflow that acknowledges some other important albums that didn’t quite make the cut. Also, I really enjoy video game music, but I decided that I’d make a separate list at some point for my favorite game soundtracks, so they are not represented here. Anyway, enough explanation. Enjoy!

Stevie Ray Vaughn: Texas Flood

I remember that in college, whenever I’d play some Stevie Ray, just about everyone would enjoy it. Regardless of their musical tastes, everyone would agree that damn, that boy can play. SRV was my first guitar hero. I loved listening to Texas Flood and Couldn’t Stand the Weather, but I really enjoyed listening to him go at it live. What_a_phenom. His flow was a sight to behold, as he had phenomenal control over what he wanted to do with the instrument. He played with a unique heart and soul that screamed out of every note, and he’s surely had an outsized influence in my and countless other musician’s designs on playing the guitar. Rest In Peace, Stevie Ray.

Steve Vai: Passion and Warfare

My other lifelong guitar hero is Steve Vai, another uniquely gifted artist who feels like they are truly one with the guitar. The first time I heard Steve was after finding a cassette tape of Passion and Warfare; it was in a bin of tapes my brother had that I think he might have got from a guitar player in one of his bands (possibly you, Poncho, if you’re out there!), and I was attracted to it because of the beautiful artwork on the cover. Listening to the tape, I immediately fell in love. Setting aside the technical wizardry necessary to produce all these crazy guitar sounds, or the technical proficiency required to play fast complicated licks, or the masterful ear and strategy for music production, this album was my first exposure to someone essentially making love with the guitar. Really! His raw emotion was on full display, every note in each song seeming like it had found its place in nature. Steve continues to inspire me to this day as he speaks about self-awareness and the need to be fully present while avoiding eating animals and generally trying to be a good and conscious human.

Phish: A Live One

For most of the bands on this list, I decided to select studio albums, as it felt like that format would be most relatable for most readers. However, I had to make an exception with Phish, because they really are defined by their live sound. So, I did a bit of a compromise, in picking their officially released “A Live One” album. While I wouldn’t put Trey in the “guitar hero” camp for me personally (though I do love his playing!), Phish has been my favorite band for over 20 years now. I’ve seen over 15 shows live, which, by Phish standards is quite low, but which, in my own personal show history, stands atop all others with the exception of my brother’s old band (which you’ll see below). I’m quite impartial to experiences that can produce altered states of consciousness and—speaking outside of psychedelics—Phish jams are one of the experiences that can reliably produce a pleasurable altered state, with or without the addition of a substance. Just like when I’m personally jamming on the guitar or playing tennis, listening to Phish rock out puts me in a mind state where I’m not plagued by worry or fear or anger or pride or any of those things. I just am. They are truly special.

Death: Sound of Perseverance

Chuck Schuldiner was a phenomenal guitar player, and it feels like everything all came together on his final album—yet another example of brilliant artists departing far too soon, he succumbed to brain cancer soon after finishing this record. For me, it was a seismic jump from previous albums, bringing together the clarity of what he was trying to express in his music with musicians who could make it happen. Featuring some of my favorite percussive work on any album, ever—props to drummer Richard Christy—Chuck belts out meaningful lyrics that go far beyond what most metal albums could ever hope to achieve, matching the tone of the music with the depth of the satire. Where most metal songs fell into a familiar camp of a short and simple structure, every original song on this album had a multitude of different parts and interludes, creating a unique feeling of depth in the genre. Sound of Perseverance stands the test of time and continues to regularly appear in my playlists.

Mahavishnu Orchestra: Birds of Fire

I continue to be self-conscious about my own music knowledge and abilities—though I am improving at that—and it has certainly occurred to me that I shouldn’t like Mahavisnu Orchestra as much as I do. It’s almost like I feel I have no right to enjoy music that I can’t understand. But, thankfully, I got over it, and came to recognize that I could appreciate and adore musical forays that I can’t begin to appreciate past what seems like a surface level. Because then I got to thinking, what does understanding it on a “surface level” even mean? If music makes me feel a certain way and evokes meaningful highs and lows and everything in between, whereas someone else is able to follow all the chord changes and unique timing but is not affected in those ways, who’s to say that the second person “understands” it more deeply? Couldn’t it be the first person who understands it more deeply, since they experience it most deeply? I laugh as I write this, but suffice to say I love the band; John McLaughlin and Jerry Goodman and Billy Cobham are all out of this world and bringing them all together makes for a rare treat.

Rage Against The Machine: Self-titled

It’s hard to imagine a more fitting album for my early days when I was so full of anger and energy and a desire to take down the systems that have enabled so much greed, hatred, and delusion. This was pretty much the quintessential album of the time, it spoke the language we needed to hear and it did so with the urgency and the outrage that was so clearly appropriate. I was one of the young kids who had a bumper sticker “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” I’m sure I didn’t understand a lot of what they were talking about at the time, and I’m also sure I don’t understand all of it now. But there’s enough there that one didn’t need to understand it all; it was enough that we knew we were raging, together, against a machine. It’s sad that so many of these lyrics still ring true today.

Jimi Hendrix: Are You Experienced?

It was tough to pick a single album here, but Are You Experienced? has so many classics that I had to go with it. That said, I think his live Band of Gypsys performances stick in my mind as some of the most memorable and deserve mention as well, as it was there that I felt like we really got to see him rocking out. Regardless of which album I put on the list, the man was a visionary, a medium for bringing together some of the most iconic songs of our time. And he did it all without any kind of advanced music degree, or even being able to read music; he just listened and spoke through voice and guitar. One of my favorite quotes is often attributed to him, but some research suggests that there’s no actual evidence that he said it, and that instead it might refer to the philosophy of Socrates. Plato reports that Socrates stated “I only know that I know nothing’ and the supposed Hendrix quote goes “knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” Whoever said it, I’m a fan.

Nirvana: Nevermind

Yeah, I’m picking the boring obvious one here, but this was definitely what found its way into my rotation most often. Angsty but raw, apathetic but genuine, Kurt was too real for this world, certainly too real for the fake world of fame and stardom. Geeze, yet another visionary on this list who we lost far too soon…I’m starting to sense a pattern. Nirvana was emblematic of the 90s counterculture, in a similar vein as Rage for me and my circle; they brought a sincere fuck you to social conventions in a way that became a battlecry. After being somewhat deluded into thinking that only technically proficient music deserved our appreciation, Nirvana was my way back into realizing that it didn’t matter how skilled you were, or how fast or clean you could play. It’s about what you bring to the music.

Ozzy Osbourne: Tribute

OK, so I’m kind of flubbing my own rules, again, by not picking a studio album. But, as you may have come to appreciate at this point, I’m a guitar player, I have my guitar heroes, and I wear them on my sleeves. Randy Rhodes was one of those…good grief, YET ANOTHER star whose light was extinguished at a sad young age, this one even younger than the other young ones on this list at the mere age of 25. Anyway, he was one of those players who just completely embodied what they were playing, who knew who they were and what they could bring and just brought it all, every minute of every song. What brilliant, impassioned, metal. He could fire off a fast yet soulful lick with the rest of them, and this album is a tribute to his work with Ozzy.

Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon

This album was pure play for me. Just lovely, interactive theater, a complete novel with ebbs and flows that takes you through all sorts of emotions in a tight little package. Iconic album art that spoke volumes, a spacey set of innovation mixed with beautiful chord progressions, beauty in simplicity. It wasn’t that there was any one song that did it for me, it was the full run that made it all work. For those in the know, this album also inexplicably links up nicely with the Wizard of Oz, something which I found myself watching on occasion as a teenage space cadet.

Megadeth: Rust in Peace

Back when metal was just, like, well, I didn’t know what it was then, or what it is now, but back when, to me, it was basically just Metallica and Megadeth, I had every single album for both of those bands. Standing atop them all was Rust in Peace. Every song just rips, from the start to the end; the first song on this album also happens to be the most iconic song I remember from the first concert I ever attended, which was Megadeth in Chicago at the Aragon when I was 15 years old. Megadeth was in an adjacent boat to Nirvana and Rage in terms of social raging—not quite as explicit but definitely with things to say—and since I loved to be upset with the mainstream and all that our “leadership” did to placate the population, I loved me some Megadeth. “Brother will kill brother, Spilling blood across the land / Killing for religion, something I don’t understand” and “Military Intelligence / Two words combined that can’t make sense” were some of the most iconic words of my youth.

Metallica: Ride the Lighting

Metallica didn’t have the social commentary of Megadeth or Rage that resonated so deeply with me, but what they did have was some outstanding catchy hard rock tunes that paved the way for much of what followed. A lot of people give more credit to Black Sabbath for the rise of modern metal, which is fair, but for me it was Metallica that deserves the most credit. Their iconic riffs and ripping solos rocked my world in my early days. Ride the Lightning is yet another album full of bangers, taking this young impressionable misanthrope through a wide range of emotions within the space of an hour. Some interesting history here is that the front man for Megadeth, Dave Mustaine, was actually in the band Metallica in the early days, but he got kicked out for his alcoholism (or so Metallica says).

Cosmosis: Cosmology

What a discovery. I don’t think this is the best Goa trance album out there, but it was my introduction to the style, and it pretty much blew my mind. What cool, explorative music. This was my first taste of music being able to produce an altered state without relying on a spacey jam session, but instead on the repeated droning beats that carry the bottom line of every song mixed with intertwining melodies. Mesmerizing, inquisitive yet satiating, this is an excellent example of pure 90s Trance for your pleasure. Headphones are a must.

Lamb of God: Ashes of the Wake

I learned about Lamb of God when I found this album at a used cd store called Record Revolution and bought it on a whim, and good gravy it did not disappoint. This was a new type of metal for me, so heavy and raw and caustic and driving yet also so melodic. It brought an energy unlike anything else I’d listened to, and it’s still my favorite of their albums. I’m sure songs like “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” played a role, since as we’ve established I’m always keen on critical social commentary, but really, it came down to the energetic and gritty rhythms that they nailed at every beat. And what a great guitar sound; heavily processed, yes, but just outstanding for what they’re trying to do. Shoutout to Chris Adler for some monster drumming here; he’s easily my favorite metal drummer. Christy has my favorite drumming on a single album for Sound of Perseverance, but Adler is consistently amazing.

Pat Metheny: Bright Size Life

Yes, this was a “Pat Metheny” album, but to me it was just as much a Jaco Pastorius album, with Bob Moses rounding out the trio. I’d put this in a similar camp as to Birds of Fire; it’s another album that I know I’m not appreciating fully in any sense of the word, but it just doesn’t matter. I’m able to appreciate the buttery smooth guitar leads and those heavy anchors and melodies that Jaco drags up and down with an elegance beyond compare on the bass. There’s so much personality here; the first few notes of the first song still make my body tingle.

System of a Down: Toxicity

Another band on this list who wears their hearts on their sleeves, Toxicity felt like the album where everything came together for the group. They still had some great social commentary, leading off with “Prison Song” which sadly stays as relevant today as it was when it was written, but then managed to modulate between catchy radio friendly tunes and abrasive jarring rhythmic structures. There was almost some sort of folksy metal aspect to it all, like you’re beeping and bopping while you’re head banging to it. It was a great package.

Green Day: Dookie

This album holds the honor of being the first cd that I owned; I acquired it after hearing one of their singles during its launch year. And, I have to say, this totally, 100% holds up today. This is an album that I felt “bad” liking in some ways because it was just full of simple power chords, but thankfully I’ve learned that it just doesn’t matter, at all. Listening to this album, it’s one song after another song after another song that sits the listener down and says ok, shut your mouth, listen up, we’re pissed off and we’re about to play some catchy shit for you. I really can’t believe how many of these simple tunes still knock my socks off. Awesome album.

Garbage: Self-titled

Shortly after acquiring Dookie, this was my first experimental purchase. I had seen the video for “Only Happy When It Rains” on Mtv and dug it, so I went to pick it up the album. The funny part of this story was that I actually bought two cds at the store with my pathetic disposable income at the time—this was indeed a big deal, to get two cds at once—and this was the one that I was really unsure of, since I had only heard that one song. The other album was a Hootie and the Blowfish cd. I distinctly remember walking out to the car with my dad after purchasing them and telling him that I don’t know if I’m going to like this one (the Garbage cd), but I’m sure I’m going to love this one (the Hootie one). Well, I didn’t like the Hootie album at all and fell in love with Garbage, so I guess that was an early lesson in keeping expectations in check. They really nailed it with this first album, as the songs were just weird enough and just rocking enough and just radio-friendly enough that they really managed to nail the best of many worlds.

John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, and Paco de Lucia: Friday Night in San Francisco

Not another live one! And not another one that Jon’s going to tell us he doesn’t understand but likes it anyway! Well, sorry, but that’s where we’re at. Look, I can be a simple guy, and I love me some fast guitar playing. These three guys came together for a night of unforgettable tunes and this tiny sampling was particularly special. They didn’t all play on each song but each musician brought something unique when they did play, and I listened to this album on repeat many times. There’s another album of the three of them but it really didn’t touch this one, for me at least; there was something so interesting about the way that each song felt so developed and filled out. Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin are particular favorites, and you’ll see albums from both of them a bit later.

The Miles 4 Monty Orchestra: Music 4 Humans

What a unique, captivating group. Holding the honor of being the band that I saw the most times, I rocked out with Miles 4 Monty in person well over 20 times. Yes, this was in large part due to my brother playing bass in the band—and that I got to know his bandmates, and genuinely enjoyed being around all of them—but I really did love the music! Again I couldn’t appreciate a lot of it, but I knew it was often weird, always interesting, and full of explorative jams. And so many different types of percussion! I always felt like they would have taken on the jam band scene with a storm given their unique value offering, if they had just caught that first ever important “big break.” That didn’t happen, but it didn’t stop me from seeing them every single chance I could, staffing the table at their shows, and passing out flyers to drum up attendees. This album is solid for sure, but the real magic happened on the stage, and I have many fond memories watching M4MO at the good ol’ House Cafe.

Alanis Morissette: Jagged Little Pill

What can I say? This kinda felt like “the” album of the 90’s. There were so many hits—for good reason—that it felt like there never was a lull in the entire package. She brought such strength and passion behind every lyric that it felt like you could feel whatever she felt, which is a pretty remarkable accomplishment. I even dug this album out just last year after not listening to it for at least 10-15 years, and it still holds strong, all of it. What was unfortunate was that this really was one of those one-offs; her future work never really resonated with me. But this one is outstanding.

Alice In Chains: Dirt

Another 90’s gem, Dirt was raw, honest, and, well, dirty. It brought the grim reality of addiction and depression to the forefront, sharing oftentimes personal struggles that spoke to the attitude behind the masks we wear, to the ways we cope, to the ways we fail. Combined with a heavy grunge that really stood out at the time, with some excellent guitar work and impassioned vocals, Dirt felt relatable even if you weren’t dealing with the same problems that the band was at the time. It was an earnest representation of difficult aspects of the life experience that many of us share but tend to hide.

Killswitch Engage: Alive or Just Breathing

The title says it all. Are you alive, or are you just breathing? Continuing my preference for meaningful lyrics that question the status quo, this album asked difficult questions and brought a heartfelt message to wake up and take the action necessary to actually live your life. It’s so easy to fall in line with what society tells us to do; we’re pandered to from every angle imaginable, far more today than when this album was composed 20 years ago. Even as someone who tries to be skeptical and maintain an independent mind, if I don’t pay attention then I find myself gravitating toward what I’m told to be, what constitutes a “successful” and well-liked human. Thankfully I surround myself with entities who question those norms and that helps me break free when I start to fall in line. Albums like AOJB do a great job of using powerful lyrics, with a mix of growls and soulful interludes, to accompany powerful metal rhythms that help stimulate the listener to keep questioning and keep moving forward.

Mindwave: The Concept of Freedom

The most recent release in this first list, having come out in 2012, I wanted to add another representation of trance music—technically psytrance—because that’s become such a pillar of the music that I listen to most frequently these days. It’s great at putting you in a different mind state, it’s fun to groove to, and it’s excellent for background music while you do computer work because it has driving rhythms with no lyrics. I honestly find great fun in just listening for all of the little elements that you can hear especially while wearing headphones, diversions and explorations that captivate my attention when I focusing on them while also allowing me to let go. If you’re wanting to explore trance but the goa trance of Cosmosis from earlier in the list either feels dated or a little too heavy on the repeating beats, then consider giving this one a try.

Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite

I really enjoy classical music, but for the purposes of this list I mostly just focused on modern day music. I suppose that in some way I had figured that my favorite classical music would need to be another list, just like the video game music. Ultimately I decided I had to at least include something, and so I picked one of my favorite arrangements in the Firebird Suite. Not exactly an album, but close enough. It’s only about 20 minutes in total but the story being told here feels so fleshed out that it’s experienced as a much longer duration. I love the way this takes my mind in so many different directions; I imagine all sorts of elaborate exchanges taking place with the absolutely beautiful backdrop of highs and lows, sometimes rushed, sometimes at ease, and it takes me a different route every time I hear it. There’s so much going on here in fact that I can’t really work to it, I need to give it my full attention.

Other Important Albums

Yes: Fragile

The Beatles: Revolver

Iron Maiden: Fear of the Dark

John McLaughlin: My Goals and Beyond

Victor Wooten: A Show of Hands

Al Di Meola: Elegant Gypsy

Chick Corea: Friends

Indigenous: Chasing the Sun

Lacuna Coil: Comalies

Gustav Holst: The Planets

Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy

Tool: 10,000 Days

Unearth: The Oncoming Storm

Guns N Roses: Appetite For Destruction

Bella Fleck & the Flecktones: Outbound

The Police: Synchronicity

2Pac: All Eyez On Me

Radiohead: Ok Computer

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Bloog Sugar Sex Magik

Rush: Moving Pictures

Oasis: What’s the Story Morning Glory

Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Soundgarden: Superunknown

The New Deal: Live

Eminem: The Slim Shady LP

Daft Punk: Human After All

Machinehead: The Blackening

Nine Inch Nails: Pretty Hate Machine

Snoop Dogg: Doggystyle

Bush: Sixteen Stone

The Mars Volta: ​​De-Loused in the Comatorium

Eric Johnson: Venus Isle