Tyler, the Creator - Igor
Favorite Tracks: Igor's Theme, Earfquake, I Think, New Magic Wand, A Boy Is A Gun, Puppet, Gone, Gone/Thank You
(Released May 17, 2019)
This feels like the album Tyler has wanted to make his entire career. This is his left field pivot to making something that may not have resonated with all his fans, but it's what he was feeling and what he wanted to make and that makes it even doper to me. Lots of personal narrative, lush production, and singing. Tyler has a great ear for melody and his usage of background vocalists to color his vocal manipulation tools create a one-of-a-kind, listening experience meant to be enjoyed and played all the way through. Side note: I really enjoyed the vinyl bonus track, Boyfriend.
The Zombies - Odessey and Oracle
Favorite Tracks: Care of Cell 44, Maybe After He's Gone, I Want Her She Wants Me, This Will Be Our Year, Friends of Mine, Time of the Season
(Released April 19, 1968)
Though Time of the Season has become one of the most recognizable and sampled songs of all time, the Zombies are far from one-hit-wonders. This classic album is filled to the bring with bangers that all showcase a happy-go-lucky, bright sunshine-y pop feeling with stacked vocal harmonies to match. This album perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being a flowerchild in the year the world forever changed.
Paul & Linda McCartney - Ram
Favorite Tracks: Too Many People, Dear Boy, Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey, Smile Away, Eat At Home, The Back Seat Of My Car
(Released May 17, 1971)
At the height of post-Beatles breakup drama, amid shots and disses between former bandmates, Paul McCartney and his late wife, Linda, came together and crafted one of the seminal albums in music history. This album seemingly created the indie pop genre and at its core, it's a brilliant songwriter doing what he loves most and sharing with the the person he loves most. You can legitimately hear the joy and fun they had making this in every song.
De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising
Favorite Tracks: The Magic Number, Change In Speak, Eye Know, Me Myself and I, Buddy, Potholes in My Lawn
(Released March 3, 1989)
De La Soul's music wasn't available on streaming until very recently, so I had only ever heard Me Myself and I from this album, but after listening to the whole thing, I see why they are pioneers within the alternative side of hip-hop. Sampling Schoolhouse Rock, Funkadelic and Steely Dan, while having a plethora of great flows and pockets, as well as skits that work well within the album... This project is an undiputed classic, and this is one of the most iconic cover artworks I've ever seen.
Alvvays - Alvvays
Favorite Tracks: Adult Diversion, Archie, Marry Me, Next of Kin, Party Police, Atop a Cake, The Agency Group, Dives
(Released July 22, 2014)
Alvvays' self-titled debut immediately allowed them to occupy a space within Alternative music with their retro, Beach Boys-esque surf pop and elements of dream pop that they would expand upon later in their discography. Lead singer Molly Rankin's strong yet indifferent soprano gives each song the feeling of realism and relatability. Almost as if it is the soundtrack to what is happening in the room next to you. A concise 9 song effort, its an easy listen with tons of replay value. "If everything you say is true, then why would I disagree?... What's it gotta do with you? What's it gotta do with me? How can I lose control when you're driving from the backseat?"
Remi Wolf - Juno
Favorite Tracks: Liquor Store, Volkiano, Grumpy Old Man, Sexy Villain, Street You Live On
(Released October 15, 2021)
Remi is one of the most mind bogglingly creative artists in music right now and her ability to craft hooks out of every nook and cranny of song are unmatched. After you listen to Sexy Villain there are at least 6 parts you might get stuck in your head throughout the day. The creativity of a lot of Remi's videos during this time especially in the midst of the pandemic were just further instances in which she showed her boundless creativity. In addition to the insane flows she has throughout the album, we get to hear some of her strongest writing. Street You Live On is one of the most beautifully heartbreaking songs I've ever heard.
Charli XCX - Crash
Favorite Tracks: New Shapes, Constant Repeat, Lightning, Used to Know Me, Twice, Beg For You, Baby
(Released March 18, 2022)
Charli dares to change the idea of what pop music sounds like with every release and her latest effort is her brightest shining moment to date. Crash is right there with any pop album in the last five years when it comes to standout singles, iconic videos, replay value, and the effort of a pop star to put everything they have in to cultivating a theme, image and aesthetic for their marketing, rollout and tour. I got to see the Crash Tour in Houston and it was one of the best shows I've ever seen live. This was her moment has the main pop girl. "All the things I love are gonna leave me, one day you're never gonna be there, I tell myself to take it easy, don't think twice about it baby."
Paramore - Riot!
Favorite Tracks: That's What You Get, Hallelujah, Misery Business, crushcrushcrush, Let the Flames Begin
(Released June 12, 2007)
I remember watching Hayley Williams absolutely riot on stage during the live performances of Misery Business on MTV and trying to sing as well as she did when performing that song on Guitar Hero. As Paramore has continued to evolve, its cool to look back to where they came from and remember how I thought this band with this feisty little punk rock redhead lead singer was the coolest band in the world. This album really holds son to the feeling of the late 00s and the edgy, punk direction Pop headed into in the back half of the Bush Administration. This would definitely make it into a coming-of-age movie about my life.
London Grammar - If You Wait
Favorite Tracks: Wasting My Young Years, Strong, Nightcall, Maybe
(Released September 6, 2013)
My biggest snag at Record Store Day this year, London Grammar released an indie pop album in the year 2013, which was one of the greatest years for alternative music in recent decades. Vocalist Hannah Reid's emotive, dark, heavy vocal tone floats over minimalist pop piano production. Several standout singles that have aged gracefully, yet still evoke a sense of nostalgia for the era in which it came out.
Sufjan Stevens - Illinois
Favorite Tracks: Chicago, The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts, Casimir Pulaski Day, Jacksonville, John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
(Released July 4, 2005)
Only Sufjan could pull off an album of this magnitude... Seamlessly weaving through tales of historical Illinois events and landmarks while also writing some of the most heartbreakingly introspective, and thought provoking songs in a catchy, charming and brilliant manner. This is the standard bearer for concept albums, and there are few indie folk songs that can stand head to head with just about anyof the cuts from this album.
Steely Dan - Can’t Buy A Thrill
Favorite Tracks: Reelin' In The Years, Dirty Work, Do It Again, Fire In The Hole
(Released November 1972)
That "Reelin' In The Years" is on the shortlist of songs I can listen to everyday without ever getting tired of it showcases just how special this project is to me. Steely Dan represents to me everything music can be. The guitar-monies, the tasteful 70s palette, the philosophical lyrics... "The things that pass for knowledge I can't understand" sings Donald Fagen on the aforementioned single in his distinct vocal snarl. This album gives me a feeling of not knowing where the world is headed, but trusting that everything will be ok as long as music like this exists.
Lana Del Rey - Did You Know That There’s A Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd
Favorite Tracks: The Grants, Kintsugi, Paris, Texas, Taco Truck x VB
(Released March 24, 2023)
Since her debut, Lana Del Rey has done a better job that just about any artist at crafting a unique sound, style and aesthetic that is unapologetically her's. With Lana projects, I listen for feelings and moments that magically transport me to a different place and time. Her ability to utilize imagery and style captivate listeners and bring them to this world she's created makes the listening experience a true event.
Outkast - Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Favorite Tracks: GhettoMusick, Bowtie, The Way You Move, Happy Valentine's Day, Spread, Prototype, She Lives In My Lap, Hey Ya!, Roses, Pink & Blue, Take Off Your Cool
(Released September 23, 2003)
The greatest hip-hop duo of all time had already been bringing prominence to the south after a very East/West Coast dominated 90s, and created some of the most innovative, genre pushing albums of that decade. Having already become commercial mainstays with their first few releases of the 00s, they ambitiously decided to release a double album acting as a solo album for each member. What we got was Speakerboxxx, a southern rap/funk album with clear George Clinton influences and a display of skill that would lead Big Boi to solo success throughout the 2000s and 2010s evene until today. On the other side we received The Love Below, a psychedelic funk, pop jazz album that showcased the eccentric half of the duo Andre 3000 in the closest thing we've ever gotten to a solo album from him. In addition to being the greatest duo of all time, they each showcased why they are individually among the greatest musicians ever as well.
Michael Jackson - Thriller
Favorite Tracks: Baby Be Mine, The Lady In My Life, Wanna Be Starting Something, PYT (Pretty Young Thing)
(Released November 29, 1982)
The blueprint to a perfect pop album. Off The Wall might be his best... Bad may have more number ones... But this album is Michael at his peak. This is what made him the biggest celebrity the world has ever seen. Perfect opener. Perfect closer. And the middle is filled in with some of the greatest songs in the history of popular music. When you factor in what he was able to do with the videos, live performances, iconic dances, and moments, it's easy to see why this is the most successful album in the history of music.
Taylor Swift - evermore
Favorite Tracks: Long Story Short, Happiness, No Body, No Crime (ft. HAIM), Ivy, Dorothea, Cowboy Like Me
(Released December 11, 2020)
Taylor & Jack Antonoff used their time during the Pandemic to cosplay as The National and along with that band's Aaron Dessner, the three of them put on a masterclass of songwriting. Some of Taylor's most memorable hooks and bridges of the last few years reside on this album. The acoustic easy listening nature of the album also contributed to the project heavy replay value in winter months and in more somber playlists. In my opinion, she can easily step back into this lane later on in her career and extend it a few more decades. This may not be everyone's taste, but it's among my top 3 Taylor projects.careers.
Oasis - (What’s The Story) Morning Glory
Favorite Tracks: Hello, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger, Some Might Say, Cast No Shadow, She's Electric, Morning Glory, Champagne Supernova
(Released October 2, 1995)
The last proper Rock & Roll band, at what was probably their peak... It's insane how many hit songs the Gallagher brothers crafted in just their first two projects, but it's this second LP that led to the groups greatest success and achieving the status of the world's biggest band. Anchored by classics such as Wonderwall, & Champagne Supernova, the standard vinyl doesn't even include the plethora of hit B-sides that were made during this time and became crowd pleasers in their own right. This album represents a moment in time: the peak of Britpop as a movement and the end of superstar rock bands.
Kids See Ghosts - KIDS SEE GHOSTS
Favorite Tracks: Freeee (Ghost Town Pt. 2), Feel The Love, Cudi Montage, Reborn
(Released June 8, 2018)
Though this musical partnership has seemingly permanently disbanded, for a moment in time 2018, two innovators of modern popular music came together to continue pushing the genre forward with futuristic, psychadelic production, lyrics diving into the well documented mental health struggles of both artists. These two just have a musical chemistry not easily matched by many other pairings today. Two artists who seemingly bring the best out of each other created a succinct, impactful album that has since pushed each of them further into their solo careers.
Heart - Dreamboat Annie
Favorite Tracks: Magic Man, Crazy On You, Dreamboat Annie (Fantasy Child), (Love Me Like Music) I'll Be Your Song
(Released September 1975)
In their debut album, Ann Wilson firmly establishes herself as one of the greatest vocalists in music history with exceptional displays of range, emotion and songwriting that could go toe-to-toe with any of their rock comtemporaries of the 1970s. Plenty of tasteful 70s slide guitar, simple, romantic singer-songwriter lyricism and the harder rock edge the Wilson sisters would become known for on future releases.
Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
Favorite Tracks: Love Is A Losing Game, You Know I'm No Good, Rehab, Me & Mr. Jones, Back To Black
(Released October 27, 2006)
"I told you I was troubled", sings Amy in the album's second track "You Know I'm No Good", serving as an eerie foreshadow in to her tragic future. In what would be the final project during the short life of this once-in-a-generation artist, she partners with producer Mark Ronson to make effortlessly cool, jazz influenced throwback tunes, reminiscent of The Ronettes. The raw, emotive vocals and distinct tone of Amy's voice creates an aesthetic and feeling unique to Amy, thus allowing this project to continue to live on as one of her amazing gifts to us in this lifetime.
Beach House - Bloom
Favorite Tracks: Myth, Wild, Lazuli, Other People, The Hours
(Released May 15, 2012)
Bloom is possibly my favorite album from one of my favorite bands, Beach House. Victoria LaGrand's haunting vocals over the band's enchanting electropop production creates a vibe and signature sound unique to the band. This is an album I listen to for its overall sound and feel, however, its also lyrically impecable. This album feels like an ethereal, nostalgic lullaby being played in the photography dark rooms and Urban Outfitters of early 2010s America.