These are the albums I feel actually changed my life:
REM - Monster (1994)
I am pretty sure I listened to the song "Tongue" about 4 million times....in a row. Ive always been an REM fan, but this cd is the most memorable.
Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
I don't know when I first started listening to Simon and Garfunkel, I have no idea why I love them so much....I just do. Bridge over Troubled Water is one of my favorite cd's of all time. "The Boxer" is a song that, not because of the lyrics, but because of the sound, changed my life. It's art. I remember having some of the lyrics to The Boxer written on my mirror in my bathroom when I was 20 years old and moved out to Philadelphia by myself without knowing what the hell I was doing with my life or where I was going. Every single song on this album is beautiful.
Sublime - 40oz to Freedom
Alright, so most everyone I know would list Sublime as a favorite. Reggae, Punk, Ska, Hip Hop, Funk, Rock....damn, I love Sublime. It's a tragic story w/ lead singer Bradley Nowell overdosing....he hopefully knows how much of a success and impact that Sublime has had on the lives on millions. "54-46 That's my Number/Ball and Chain" is a big favorite of mine, the way they change the melody of the song is awesome. "KRS One", "Smoke Two Joints", "Rivers of Babylon"...man the list goes on. I could listen to this entire cd at any time, it's flawless. FLAWLESS. 'Nough Said.
They Might Be Giants - Flood (1990)
Ahh, memories of snowboarding at Mr. Brighton....screaming at my brother about what the correct lyrics were to "Birdhouse in my Soul". The only reason I know of TMBG is from my older sister and brother. I don't love every cd by them (ie. Mink Car), but Flood and Apollo 18 are great albums. They are weird, funny and experimental. What's best, is that they are now making childrens albums (Here come the ABC's), which is a favorite of my Nieces. TMBG is timeless, not loved by everyone but definitely a huge part of my life.
Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill (1986)
"Girls" "Paul Revere" "Fight for your Right" "No Sleep til Brooklyn" "Brass Monkey"....I mean come on, this should be in every single persons Mp3 collection and if it isn't, you suck. Again, Beasties were introduced to me on cassette tape by my sister and brother. I don't know how you classify there style. It's rap, but like....campy rockrap. Whatever it is, it works, and has worked for decades now. Hits and misses, yes, but long live the Beasties. They are badass, their music is fun and catchy and I love it.
Dave Matthews - Crash (1996)
Alright. So Dave Matthews is soft. He's doing Amex commercials.....he has "sold out"....whatever. His music is sick, it's moving, it's beautiful, it's art and I love it. I can listen to Dave Matthews all day long, no matter if it's music i've heard or not. I got his cd in 1996, I was 14. I loved every song on this cd. I have bought probably 4 copies of it throughout my life, due to it getting lost of stolen. When I was 18 and just moved to Breckenridge Colorado, I remember listening to this cd as I went out in my Ford Explorer to explore Colorado. I drove up the Continental Divide and was on top of the world while listening to this cd. This might not make sense to anyone, but I remember listening to this whole cd once and thinking that it could possibly be the soundtrack to Beauty and the Beast. Which is weird, but oddly true. It matches.
That's all I got for now. Might not seem super ecclectic and deep, but it's music I loved when I was younger. I grew up listening to Motown and Oldies mainly because of my mother, which is my roots....but this is music that was found and that was different than what I was used too. You dig?
One Love,
Jamie
jamie@theexperience.fm
www.theexperience.fm
www.jamielynndirect.com
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