EJ Camburn

This was a very good album. I didn’t appreciate it at the time since ‘Purple’ (which melted my face off) came out the year before and paled in comparison, to me. Some absolute stand out tracks but a few that I still skip today.

This was a hell of a lot of fun. Not on the level of ‘Core’ or ‘Purple’ but was great to just turn up in the car.

This is a terrible cliche but it’s true. This album was like a movie to me. ‘Nevermind’ is probably a better record… but this one his me more on a gut level. Definitely in of my Top 5 of the 90’s.

Imagine Godzilla stomping around the benign neighborhoods of South Jersey and laying waste to everything in its path during the Summer of 1995 and that gives you an idea of how this album knocked me and my friends on our asses.

To say this album was an influence on the explosion of great rock, alternative and otherwise, by female artists in a gross understatement. Record companies finally learned there was an audience of men and women who wanted authenticity no matter the gender producing the music. Not sure ‘Jagged Little Pill’ ever happens without this undeniable masterpiece coming out first.

If you like electronic pop, even a little bit, this will be the best listen of your week. 46 minutes of living in a completely different universe.

If there was ever a late 90’s electronic pop time capsule, this and Daft Punk’s ‘Alive 1997’ are it.

A real moment in folk / country (?) … It feels like it could’ve been written in 1860 or 2011. An act that tragically folded in mysterious circumstances… thank goodness they left us this quiet gem.

Vividly remember driving to the Tower Records on South Street in Philly at midnight on release day to pick up two copies of this for myself and a friend. The first sounds of the opening track said it all, new beats, same heat. The second half of the album brought some real songwriting depth we haven’t heard from the Boys before. It might not be for everyone, but I loved it.

When I heard this album for the first time, it made me feel like I was the only one listening. Still does. Beautiful.

Always been more of a Bon Scott guy, but this is not only AC/DC’s best, IMO, but it’s one of the top 5 metal albums of all time. There isn’t one non-perfect note or feeling in this masterpiece.

What can I write that hasn’t been written? This was the first album I listened to as a 14 year old that said “There is music and then there is MUSIC.” ‘The Beautiful Ones’ dropped me to my knees. My path changed from a suburban teen listening to the Miami Vice Soundtrack to a long journey into ‘listening’.

Don’t ask me why I picked this Bowie album to review first… maybe it’s because of the melodies. They were so transcendent to me at the time. Sure it’s probably over sentimental. But that didn’t stop me from listening to this on repeat along with OK Computer in the spring/summer of 1998.

Melts my face off every time. ‘Wake Me Up When September Ends’ is a gut punch.

This is my favorite Pink Floyd album and is maybe the best introduction album for non-fans that want to dip their toe. This actually gives you their full range in just a handful of songs. And if David Gilmour isn’t one of the top 5 guitarists of the 1970’s… then I guess I just don’t know what I’m talking about.

Ok. So I bought this as a kid because of ‘You Can Call Me Al’ in ’86. But I didn’t REALLY listen to it until maybe 1991/92. I quickly realized some songwriting was different than others. When I HEARD the title track with fresh ears, it crushed me.

THE gold standard for a 60’s Soul/R&B album. This mother will drop you to your knees. This is also the album that introduced me to Stax drummer, Al Jackson, Jr. One of the most influential drummers no one seems to talk about. Oh and by the way, ‘Day Tripper’ is right up there with Stevie Wonder’s ‘We Can Work It Out’ for best Beatles cover tune ever.

I wish I was listening to rock stations when this bad boy hit the airwaves. (I was seven.) It must’ve blown the doors off the joint. No knock to the guitarists at that time, but no one changed the direction of rock guitar faster or more prominently than Eddie Van Halen did with this album. ‘Eruption’ continues to be the Mount Everest of tunes for aspiring rock guitarists to master almost 50 years later.

First and foremost, this is arguably the best Rolling Stones album. Then mix in the fact that Keith Richards played every single guitar part except for slide on ‘Country Honk’ and the title track. (Hats off to Mick Taylor for those.) Read the story behind Keith’s writing of Gimme Shelter, and it changes the way you listen to the whole album. It’s not necessary to enjoy it obviously, but it adds a delicious twist.

In my opinion, Johnny Cash is America. He sits with artists like Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Bob Dylan in that regard. While ‘At Folsom Prison’ is the apex of JC, Orange Blossom Special is his best studio album. Give it a listen and realize this guy was playing chess while most were playing checkers.

I mean, if you don’t listen to this and don’t realize the perfection of the entire, I feel sorry for you. Prince played every instrument on 9 of the 16 tracks, which are all masterpieces. You could make the argument that the weakest track was the hit single “U Got The Look”, that’s how freaking good it was.

Listen to this Giles Martin mix. 20 years ago I would’ve told you this was in the bottom half of Stones albums for me. Now it’s become the one I return to the most. Also - don’t sleep on the extra tracks. Holy smokes. Two words: Jimmy Page.

I knew I was a real Beatles fan when I heard She Said, She Said and realized it was my favorite track along with I’m Only Sleeping. God bless John Lennon.

I never listened to a Black Sabbath album in my life until this one a year ago. I’m so far gone now, I will put Ozzy up there with Elvis, Dylan, The Stones, The Beatles, Prince as a life changing artist for me.