Ladies and gentlemen, what follows is the most epic blog entry of my life. One of the most time-consuming, and also one of the most fun. I learned that my childhood provided a foundation for my taste in music, but much of it solidified in my late high school/early college years. I re-learned that my taste in music is all over the map. And I had a blast compiling this blog entry.
I'm not really an "album-oriented" music enthusiast. I'm song-based. Inherently. I generally rate bands by the percentage of their SONGS I like, and only really pay attention to ALBUMS when they're just not the same as individual songs. Albums like "Dark Side of the Moon" or "Abbey Road." But dating Jacob Chapman has changed things a little. I've come to realize that there ARE albums that I always come back to.
And so, I've compiled a "Top Twenty" list here. The rules? First of all, it's actually a "Top Thirty-Five" list. I kept thinking of more that HAD to be on here. They are in no particular order, and greatest hits albums totally count. I had to exclude soundtracks for the sake of keeping it narrow. I should also note that these are not necessarily what I consider the BEST albums of all time, but so far, they are my FAVORITE. A difference that many casual critics tend to ignore. Although some of these albums do fall in both categories of "best" and "favorite," we're leaning completely on the favorite end of the spectrum...the albums I keep coming back to. I encourage each of you to check out these albums. (If you want a taste, often there are posts of the songs on youtube or freenapster.) Also, my placement of albums into "genres" are based on my current slightly limited instincts/understanding, and I exonerate myself from any wrongful categorization. You may also note that the Beatles are absent from this list. That's not because I don't love them. It's because I couldn't pick a favorite album.
Album: Waiting for My Rocket to Come
Artist: Jason Mraz
Genre: Indie rock/lyrical
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: Freshman year at BYU-I
Favorite tracks: Sleep All Day
Least favorite tracks (if any): Tonight, Not Again
Favorite thing to listen to when: Laying in bed after a long day
Album: Elephunk
Artist: The Black-Eyed Peas
Genre: Hip hop
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: Summer of 2005, when we (Sarah/Annie/I) worked at Walmart
Favorite tracks: Let's Get Retarded, Smells Like Funk, Shut Up
Least favorite tracks (if any): Latin Girls
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving around in the summer
Album: Songs About Jane
Artist: Maroon 5
Genre: Rock/Funk
Who introduced me: don't remember, but likely Kevin Ellis
When it was constantly playing: Off and on since I got it about 5 years ago
Favorite tracks: Harder to Breathe, Secret, Not Coming Home
Least favorite tracks (if any): Sweetest Goodbye
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving between West Yellowstone and Rexburg
Album: Divine Discontent
Artist: Sixpence None The Richer
Genre: Emotional rock
Who introduced me: don't remember
When it was constantly playing: The year after I graduated high school
Favorite tracks: Eyes Wide Open, Tonight
Least favorite tracks (if any): Dizzy
Favorite thing to listen to when: driving between Medford and Applegate (when I lived w/Brette); when I'm having a hard day
Album: Yield
Artist: Pearl Jam
Genre: Rock/grunge
Who introduced me: Jacob Chapman. Clearly.
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2010
Favorite tracks: Given to Fly, Do the Evolution, Faithful, All Those Yesterdays
Least favorite tracks (if any): Push Me, Pull Me
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking. Breathing.
Album: Tragic Kingdom
Artist: No Doubt
Genre: Funk/Rock/Ska
Who introduced me: Ella Hoff, maybe?
When it was constantly playing: freshman year of college, and probably the year after that. So yeah, the first two years of college.
Favorite tracks: Tragic Kingdom, Excuse Me Mr, You Can Do It, Sixteen
Least favorite tracks (if any): Don't Speak
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning.
Album: Greatest Hits
Artist: Janis Joplin
Genre: classic rock/blues
Who introduced me: Walmart? Rolling Stone?
When it was constantly playing: Since I discovered it about two years ago
Favorite tracks: Ball and Chain, Try
Least favorite tracks (if any): Summertime
Favorite thing to listen to when: doing anything.
Album: Time Capsule: Songs for a Future Generation
Artist: The B-52's
Genre: Classic rock/funk
Who introduced me: my mom
When it was constantly playing: When I was a kid, pre-teen
Favorite tracks: Rock Lobster, Private Idaho, Debbie
Least favorite tracks (if any): Planet Claire
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing.
Album: Comfort Eagle
Artist: Cake
Genre: Indie/rock/ska
Who introduced me: Ben Parkes? Alexis Kragenbrink?
When it was constantly playing: Summer of 2005
Favorite tracks: Comfort Eagle, Short Skirt/Long Jacket
Least favorite tracks (if any): World of Two
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, driving, cleaning, walking.
Album: Twentysomething
Artist: Jamie Cullum
Genre: Jazz
Who introduced me: Mallori Evans? Ben Parkes?
When it was constantly playing: Freshman year, and the summer afterwards
Favorite tracks: Wind Cries Mary, Next Year
Least favorite tracks (if any): none. I love them all.
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking.
Album: The Ultimate Bobby Darin
Artist: Bobby Darin
Genre: Jazz/crooner
Who introduced me: the public library
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2008
Favorite tracks: Mack the Knife, Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey, Irresistable You, Lazy River
Least favorite tracks (if any): Things
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking between classes
(NOTE: This album is sort of a guilty pleasure. But I really listen to it a lot.)
Album: Oh No
Artist: Ok Go
Genre: rock
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: When I first got it
Favorite tracks: Invincible, A Million Ways, Let It Rain
Least favorite tracks (if any): Oh Lately It's So Quiet
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking.
Album: History
Artist: Michael Jackson
Genre: Classic rock/classic funk
Who introduced me: my dad
When it was constantly playing: my senior year of high school/summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: SO MANY! Black or White, The Girl Is Mine (w/Paul McCartney), Remember the Time, Wanna Be Startin' Somethin', Earth Song
Least favorite tracks (if any): Heal the World
Favorite thing to listen to when: driving between West Yellowstone and Rexburg
Album: The Aquabats Vs. The Floating Eye of Death
Artist: The Aquabats
Genre: Ska
Who introduced me: my sister Beckah
When it was constantly playing: around 3rd year of college...like 2005 - 2006?
Favorite tracks: Chemical Bomb, The Ballad of Mr. Bonkers, The Thing on the Bass Amp, Amino Man
Least favorite tracks (if any): Canis Lupus
Favorite thing to listen to when: Road-tripping, cleaning, dancing, driving, walking
Album: 19
Artist: Adele
Genre: Chick lyrical
Who introduced me: Hmmm...I think I heard it playing on the radio?
When it was constantly playing: Fall 2008, when I was living in the Bay Area
Favorite tracks: Most of the album. Daydreamer and My Same, especially.
Least favorite tracks (if any): Tired
Favorite thing to listen to when: Biking, walking, surfing the net.
Album: Made of Bricks
Artist: Kate Nash
Genre: Chick funk/pop
Who introduced me: Allison Park
When it was constantly playing: Winter semester 2008
Favorite tracks: Mariella, Merry Happy
Least favorite tracks (if any): Play
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking to class
Album: Experience the Divine
Artist: Bette Midler
Genre: Broadway/Jazz/Pop
Who introduced me: Rachel Hutches
When it was constantly playing: during my life
Favorite tracks: One For My Baby, Shiver Me Timbers, Friends, Hello In There
Least favorite tracks (if any): Wind Beneath My Wings, From a Distance
Favorite thing to listen to when: in the mood to reminisce, dancing, cleaning, driving
(NOTE: This album was the very first CD I ever owned.)
Album: 20
Artist: Harry Connick, Jr
Genre: Jazz
Who introduced me: my stepdad
When it was constantly playing: end of high school?
Favorite tracks: Imagination, If I Only Had a Brain, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Least favorite tracks (if any): Stars Fell on Alabama
Favorite thing to listen to when: laying in bed, driving
Album: Life in Cartoon Motion
Artist: Mika
Genre: funk/pop, Indie
Who introduced me: Beckah
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: Grace Kelly, Billy Brown, Stuck in the Middle
Least favorite tracks (if any): Erase
Favorite thing to listen to when: needing background music
Album: Room on Fire
Artist: The Strokes
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: Beckah
When it was constantly playing: First semester of college
Favorite tracks: Reptilia, I Can't Win
Least favorite tracks (if any): Under Control
Favorite thing to listen to when: walking to class, driving
Album: Poses
Artist: Rufus Wainwright
Genre: Jazz/Pop
Who introduced me: Alexis Kragenbrink
When it was constantly playing: freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk, Rebel Prince
Least favorite tracks (if any): One Man Guy
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, roadtripping.
Album: Extraordinary Machine
Artist: Fiona Apple
Genre: Chick Piano Pop/Indie
Who introduced me: myself
When it was constantly playing: a few months ago, actually
Favorite tracks: Extraordinary Machine, Window, Please Please Please
Least favorite tracks (if any): Oh Well (?)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping.
Album: Greatest Hits
Artist: Billy Joel
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: my mom (used to listen to this one on vinyl as a kid)
When it was constantly playing: my childhood, and on the drive to see Billy in concert with Annie and the Thorsons in 2007 =)
Favorite tracks: Big Shot, Pressure, Uptown Girl, The Stranger
Least favorite tracks (if any): none
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping, driving.
Album: Wreck of the Day
Artist: Anna Nalick
Genre: Emotional chick pop
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: summer after my freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Catalyst, Wreck of the Day, In the Rough, Consider This
Least favorite tracks (if any): Forever Love
Favorite thing to listen to when: having an emotional breakdown, or feeling emotional in general
Album: Two Against Nature
Artist: Steely Dan
Genre: Jazz/Funk
Who introduced me: Mom
When it was constantly playing: a couple years ago?
Favorite tracks: Janie Runaway, Gaslighting Abbie
Least favorite tracks (if any): Negative Girl
Favorite thing to listen to when: you need background music, cleaning, or walking to class.
Album: So It Seems
Artist: Inside Out
Genre: Studio-enhanced a cappella
Who introduced me: Jared Doshier
When it was constantly playing: summer after I graduated high school
Favorite tracks: I'll Fly, Forever Young
Least favorite tracks (if any): When I Fall in Love (I hate this song in general)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, roadtripping.
Album: Franz Ferdinand
Artist: Franz Ferdinand
Genre: Rock
Who introduced me: Sarah Jagger
When it was constantly playing: for about two years, starting with the summer after my freshman year of college
Favorite tracks: Take Me Out, This Fire, 40'
Least favorite tracks (if any): Come on Home (?)
Favorite thing to listen to when: Walking, cleaning, road-tripping, dancing, driving, biking.
Album: Room for Squares
Artist: John Mayer
Genre: Pop
Who introduced me: myself
When it was constantly playing: from about my senior year of high school onwards
Favorite tracks: Neon, 83, Why Georgia
Least favorite tracks (if any): Great Indoors
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving
Album: Let It Die
Artist: Feist
Genre: Indie
Who introduced me: JD Taylor
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2006
Favorite tracks: Mushaboom, When I Was a Young Girl, Secret Heart
Least favorite tracks (if any): Leisure Suite
Favorite thing to listen to when: Laying in bed, walking, driving
Album: Begin to Hope
Artist: Regina Spektor
Genre: Chick Piano Rock/Indie
Who introduced me: Curtis McOsker
When it was constantly playing: summer of 2007
Favorite tracks: That Time, Samson, Hotel Song
Least favorite tracks (if any): 20 Years of Snow
Favorite thing to listen to when: Driving
5 comments:
You need to fix your Adele one...it's got B-52's encroaching upon it.
And you need to listen to Far by Regina Spektor. It's topped Begin to Hope for me...I love it so much. And I love you a lot too. Bravo by the way. I would never have the patience for this sort of thing.
And my word verification word is: prolamb. I'm also procow and prochicken.
Dude...this blog may or may not have just changed my life a little.
So totally serious.
-Jillian
Notes I wrote at 1: 49 AM as I read this post:
Epic. It was really satisfying to read "exonerate." The Aquabats are way fun & good! Listened to "Chemical Bomb" today, they are goofy and genre-bending. This list is so clearly Liz--these are bands and songs and albums that have kept popping up the entire time I've known her. Except for Anna Nalick. Who the…? Why haven't I heard of her? I've heard of everyone else. I am not the music god I have supposed I was. My world is shattered. Regina Spektor's album previous to "Begin to Hope" is insane. Does Liz have that? Is Steely Dan an American band? I want every Billy Joel album. Literally. All 20 million copies spread over the earth. Why am I adverse to Jason Mraz? Why haven't I listened more than once to the only Strokes album I actually have? My eyes hurt. That Feist album is so precious. Monkey Mondays could be a band name. Hellogoodbye is British?
I love you.
Wow, I don't know if I could do that--I'm so bad at making decisions. You know what I've always wanted to do? Make a timeline of my life in music.
Kate Nash's new album: http://promo.interscope.com/katenash/
I don't have it, so I can't comment on how it is. But I do like the most recent single: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqV-embx_tA
You need to fix the Adele 19 info! And, I'm happy to have contributed to your musical loves. Love you! Mom XOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
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