My Bottom 5: CDs feature comes up a lot around here. I still think it’s funny. Well, I decided to respond to it almost a year later by doing a feature of the top five albums I own as of this moment. I’ve tried to not let my current feelings on the subject cloud my judgement, by which I mean just because I’m obsessed with the band now doesn’t mean I will be years from now. I try to take that into account. That disqualified Fallen by Evanescence right there, alas. Whereas the previous feature was in order, this one will not be. And to have a best album, you don’t necessarily have to be one of my favourite bands. A good album has to sound cohesive, not just be filled with good songs. A good album should let someone recognize a song from it stylistically. Of course, it also has to have some freakin` great songs. And yes, I own all of these, and I would put any of them up for best album of all time. With that said, here we go.
Nirvana: Unplugged in New York : This is in the running for the best album of all time, period. This is the Nirvana album for people who don’t understand why anyone bought Nirvana albums. This is the Nirvana album for people who bought all those Nirvana albums and just want to listen to an old friend play one last, great concert. This is the Nirvana album for people who want to know why we mourn Cobain. My mom likes this album. If you can listen to this, and not love it, please write me with your address. You’re not fit for human society. It’s time for you find out where bad folks go when they die…
The Beatles: The Beatles (White Album) : My favourite Beatles album may be Revolver, but this is by far the best. There isn’t a single song from this album that I couldn’t recognize as being from this album, just by sound alone. And that’s amazing when you consider how diverse the music selection on tap is. Rocky Racoon is practically country, Yer Blues is just that, Back in the USSR is old school rock and roll…it’s the Beatles at their best. And that says something.
Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral : Again, not my favourite album by the band. But when you think of Nine Inch Nails or Trent Reznor, you think of The Downward Spiral. Hell, you might not even know you’re doing it. If you’ve heard ANY NIN song, and you probably have whether you know it or not, it’s from this album. Nine Inch Nails, if there is justice in the music world, will go down as one of the greatest artists of all time. And this will the opus. And how many times do those have lines like “I want to fuck you like an animal” in them?
Tool: Aenima : This album has a lot in common with the one above it. You either get it, or you don’t. And there’s nothing wrong with not falling in love with either. But for those of you out there who think Tool and NIN are horrid pieces of trash that the kids listen to to warp their minds, I’m sorry. For the rest of you…I don’t really have to explain.
And, finally, #5 : The 50,000 runners up I had for this feature. Mer De Noms. The Wall. And Justice For All. In Utero. Opiate. Fallen. Broken. Too many others…so I picked the most obvious four and left #5 open for you all.
The Jux Entente 