The Real 75 Albums every guy should own...
Esquire magazine, that rag that every man should listen to to find out how to be a man (?), gave up their 75 essential albums for guys this week. Well, besides the fact that Esquire has not been relevant since say...'82, I thought I would come up with a real list of 75 albums that men should own, here is my first 25:
1) Pogues - Peace and Love - What can I say, Irish Punk at its finest. Shane Macgowan spurting out lyrics through gallons of gin has never been better than when he sings of a "Misty Morning Albert Bridge". And to all of you asking why this article is relevant just listen to "Young Ned of the Hill" and try not to get fired up.
2)Jane's Addiction - Jane's Addiction - Before Lollapalooza, before the reality shows, before RHCP, before they broke up, Perry gave us an album that soothed our angst. "1%", screams of non-conformity during an era where conformity wished it rivaled the 1950's. For a topper listen to Jane's version of the Stone's, "Sympathy for the Devil".
3) Roger Whittaker - The Very Best of Roger Whittaker - If you were thinking about it, whistling is cool. You wanna know why, listen to this album. The British crooner is at his best on "Durham Town" and "New World in the Morning". Trust me.
4) Teenage FanClub - Bandwagonesque - If any of you were wondering why Pop music is still, well, popular listen to its perfection on this album. "December" is a prime example.
5) Dave Matthew's Band - Under the Table and Dreaming - Heck, even my mom likes this album. In this writer's opinion it his finest work, even though it was his first album. For a great example listen to the sublime simplicity on, "Pay for What You Get".
6) Buddy Holly - Memorial Collection - Does anyone epitomize dying young more poeticly. Just listen to, "Well...alright", and tell me it would not stand the test of time.
7) David Allan Coe - The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy/Once Upon a Time - The long haired redneck is not well known enough. I still cannot understand why. This guy just sounds like a lawbreaking outlaw especially on, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name", and check out, "Would You Lay With Me", and tell me why he is not more reknowned.
8) Metallica - Ride the Lightning - Its too bad they were not popular until, "One" came on the scene, but for this writer's money their is no finer example of Metallica's power than on this 1984, 8 song bombastic album. If you need a tune to boost your workout try, "For Whom the Bell Tolls".
9) The Old 97's - Hit By a Train - All of alt-country's unsung heroes best songs on one album show why anyone should care that there is a genre called, "alt-country". For all of you suckers for songs about heartbreak check out, "Valentine", and for the Old 97's at their best take a listen to, "Timebomb".
10) U2 - The Unforgettable Fire - Approximately 30 years later and these guys are still out there touring, putting out albums of signifigance, preaching, etc. But through the years there is no better example of U2's simple artistry than on this album. Check out the bass line on the album's title track and their may be no finer song in honor of an American icon than, "MLK".
11) Various Artists - Soundtrack to "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" - How many albums can say they changed an industry and made people buy an album of songs from 60 years prior. T-Bone Burnett filled this contemporary classic album with songs that are timely in any time. A couple of its finest are , "Big Rock Candy Mountain" and "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby".
12) the Lemonheads - Come On Feel - A promising band from the late '80's showed what they could have been had it not been for Evan Dando's drug habits. "Into You Arms", is one of the finest Pop songs from the '80's or any time.
13) Replacements - Please to Meet Me - Do you want to know what 1980's suburbia sounded like take a listen to this masterpiece. Who would have guessed that music this good could come from Minneapolis. And for all those who think alcohol lessens the artistic compulsion checkout, "Red Red Wine", this song is no UB40 wannabe. And is there any better version of melancholy than "Skyway".
15) Sublime - 40 Oz. to Freedom - An ecclectic mix of reggae, rap, punk, and the kitchen sink is what drives this sing-a-long classic. This is a "feel good" album if there ever was one. And just shows how dissappointing drugs can be on our culture (R.IP. Brad). Two great covers, "We're Only Gonna Die", and "What's My Number", are done to perfection.
16) Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant - If you have never heard this almost 19 minute song-where have you been-which covered the entire first side of the vinyl album, you are in for a treat. A laughable and timely tale from Woody's son, is raucous and hysterical no matter its political bent.
17) Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World - Everyone has heard and seen "Wicked Game", but here's a question for ya', is the double negative at the end of the song implied? For another great song off this album try, "Blue Spanish Sky".
18) Sly and the Family Stone - Stand - Funk if you want funk can be found on this album from '69. Some of these songs are famous like, "Everyday People", but I dare you not to dig on, "I Want to Take You Higher".
19) Elliott Smith - Either / Or - Many of you have seen Good Will Hunting, well this guy did the music. It is melancholy and self-absorbed and magnificent. Like so many other singer songwriters, Elliott took his own life in 2003. But he did leave us with some great songs. Check out, "Angeles", and "Between the Bars".
20) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III - For all those that have always wondered, what's the big deal. Check out this quintessential album and my personal favorite Led Zep tune, "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp". And for a primal example of their music, "Immigrant Song", of course.
21) Blind Melon - Blind Melon - These guys from Louisiana supposedly only played live twice before they were signed to a major label deal, but their most well known song is probably the worst of this under appreciated album. "Change", and "I Wonder", show what this band could have been.
22) The Irish Tenors - Heritage - The "real" three have never sounded better than with the London Symphony Orchestra. Singing mostly classics like, "Whiskey in the Jar", the Irish Tenors truly were never more harmonious than when they sing, "God Bless America". And you thought Ronan Tynan was good by himself.
23) Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind - Most would scoff when they see the name of this band, but few would know that National Review once did an article about this band's catalogue. And fewer still would know that one of their classics off this album, "The Trooper", is actually about the infamous charge of the lighthorse at the Crimea.
24) Outkast - Speakerboxx/the Love Below - Rap? You say, well Andre 3000 was rumored to be at the 2004 RNC. And besides that, "Hey Ya!", and "The Way You Move", are just flat out great songs.
25) They Might Be Giants - Lincoln - These guys can now be heard doing extremely listenable and educational children's songs, but back in the late '80's they produced some fine Pop songs. "Ana Ng" and "Purple Toupee", are fine examples but who the heck knows what they are about.
1) Pogues - Peace and Love - What can I say, Irish Punk at its finest. Shane Macgowan spurting out lyrics through gallons of gin has never been better than when he sings of a "Misty Morning Albert Bridge". And to all of you asking why this article is relevant just listen to "Young Ned of the Hill" and try not to get fired up.
2)Jane's Addiction - Jane's Addiction - Before Lollapalooza, before the reality shows, before RHCP, before they broke up, Perry gave us an album that soothed our angst. "1%", screams of non-conformity during an era where conformity wished it rivaled the 1950's. For a topper listen to Jane's version of the Stone's, "Sympathy for the Devil".
3) Roger Whittaker - The Very Best of Roger Whittaker - If you were thinking about it, whistling is cool. You wanna know why, listen to this album. The British crooner is at his best on "Durham Town" and "New World in the Morning". Trust me.
4) Teenage FanClub - Bandwagonesque - If any of you were wondering why Pop music is still, well, popular listen to its perfection on this album. "December" is a prime example.
5) Dave Matthew's Band - Under the Table and Dreaming - Heck, even my mom likes this album. In this writer's opinion it his finest work, even though it was his first album. For a great example listen to the sublime simplicity on, "Pay for What You Get".
6) Buddy Holly - Memorial Collection - Does anyone epitomize dying young more poeticly. Just listen to, "Well...alright", and tell me it would not stand the test of time.
7) David Allan Coe - The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy/Once Upon a Time - The long haired redneck is not well known enough. I still cannot understand why. This guy just sounds like a lawbreaking outlaw especially on, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name", and check out, "Would You Lay With Me", and tell me why he is not more reknowned.
8) Metallica - Ride the Lightning - Its too bad they were not popular until, "One" came on the scene, but for this writer's money their is no finer example of Metallica's power than on this 1984, 8 song bombastic album. If you need a tune to boost your workout try, "For Whom the Bell Tolls".
9) The Old 97's - Hit By a Train - All of alt-country's unsung heroes best songs on one album show why anyone should care that there is a genre called, "alt-country". For all of you suckers for songs about heartbreak check out, "Valentine", and for the Old 97's at their best take a listen to, "Timebomb".
10) U2 - The Unforgettable Fire - Approximately 30 years later and these guys are still out there touring, putting out albums of signifigance, preaching, etc. But through the years there is no better example of U2's simple artistry than on this album. Check out the bass line on the album's title track and their may be no finer song in honor of an American icon than, "MLK".
11) Various Artists - Soundtrack to "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" - How many albums can say they changed an industry and made people buy an album of songs from 60 years prior. T-Bone Burnett filled this contemporary classic album with songs that are timely in any time. A couple of its finest are , "Big Rock Candy Mountain" and "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby".
12) the Lemonheads - Come On Feel - A promising band from the late '80's showed what they could have been had it not been for Evan Dando's drug habits. "Into You Arms", is one of the finest Pop songs from the '80's or any time.
13) Replacements - Please to Meet Me - Do you want to know what 1980's suburbia sounded like take a listen to this masterpiece. Who would have guessed that music this good could come from Minneapolis. And for all those who think alcohol lessens the artistic compulsion checkout, "Red Red Wine", this song is no UB40 wannabe. And is there any better version of melancholy than "Skyway".
15) Sublime - 40 Oz. to Freedom - An ecclectic mix of reggae, rap, punk, and the kitchen sink is what drives this sing-a-long classic. This is a "feel good" album if there ever was one. And just shows how dissappointing drugs can be on our culture (R.IP. Brad). Two great covers, "We're Only Gonna Die", and "What's My Number", are done to perfection.
16) Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant - If you have never heard this almost 19 minute song-where have you been-which covered the entire first side of the vinyl album, you are in for a treat. A laughable and timely tale from Woody's son, is raucous and hysterical no matter its political bent.
17) Chris Isaak - Heart Shaped World - Everyone has heard and seen "Wicked Game", but here's a question for ya', is the double negative at the end of the song implied? For another great song off this album try, "Blue Spanish Sky".
18) Sly and the Family Stone - Stand - Funk if you want funk can be found on this album from '69. Some of these songs are famous like, "Everyday People", but I dare you not to dig on, "I Want to Take You Higher".
19) Elliott Smith - Either / Or - Many of you have seen Good Will Hunting, well this guy did the music. It is melancholy and self-absorbed and magnificent. Like so many other singer songwriters, Elliott took his own life in 2003. But he did leave us with some great songs. Check out, "Angeles", and "Between the Bars".
20) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin III - For all those that have always wondered, what's the big deal. Check out this quintessential album and my personal favorite Led Zep tune, "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp". And for a primal example of their music, "Immigrant Song", of course.
21) Blind Melon - Blind Melon - These guys from Louisiana supposedly only played live twice before they were signed to a major label deal, but their most well known song is probably the worst of this under appreciated album. "Change", and "I Wonder", show what this band could have been.
22) The Irish Tenors - Heritage - The "real" three have never sounded better than with the London Symphony Orchestra. Singing mostly classics like, "Whiskey in the Jar", the Irish Tenors truly were never more harmonious than when they sing, "God Bless America". And you thought Ronan Tynan was good by himself.
23) Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind - Most would scoff when they see the name of this band, but few would know that National Review once did an article about this band's catalogue. And fewer still would know that one of their classics off this album, "The Trooper", is actually about the infamous charge of the lighthorse at the Crimea.
24) Outkast - Speakerboxx/the Love Below - Rap? You say, well Andre 3000 was rumored to be at the 2004 RNC. And besides that, "Hey Ya!", and "The Way You Move", are just flat out great songs.
25) They Might Be Giants - Lincoln - These guys can now be heard doing extremely listenable and educational children's songs, but back in the late '80's they produced some fine Pop songs. "Ana Ng" and "Purple Toupee", are fine examples but who the heck knows what they are about.
posted by Daedalus at 3/13/2009 08:52:00 PM
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