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Metro Boomin ‘Heroes & Villains’ (2022)
Metro Boomin was one of hip hop’s top hitmakers in the mid-2010’s and it shows considering the lineup he trots out on Heroes & Villains— John Legend, 21 Savage, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Young Thug, A$AP Rocky, and Morgan Freeman (yes, that Morgan Freeman) all make appearances. It’s effectively a love letter to the dark…
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David Gray ‘White Ladder’ (1998)
White Ladder was self-financed and self-recorded in David Gray’s London flat. Considering the album went triple platinum, earned a Grammy nomination, and remains to this day the 28th highest selling album in the United Kingdom, it’s an incredible accomplishment. That intimate approach to the writing and recording process can be felt in every corner of…
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Joe Jackson ‘Night And Day’ (1982)
Joe Jackson’s Night And Day has all of the elements that make the 80’s such a wild time in music history. The album throws elements of jazz, new wave, salsa, classical, and pop into a blender with a laissez-faire panache. What comes out the other end is an album of absolute excess, filled with big…
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U2 ‘The Joshua Tree’ (1987)
The Joshua Tree is one of the best-selling albums of all-time. You can read all about the cultural impact it had here. That’s not what we’re here for. What we are here for is to talk about the impact The Edge (aka David Howell Evans) has had on popular music. Specifically, we’re here to analyze…
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Moulin Rouge ‘The Soundtrack’ (2001)
Moulin Rouge was a cultural earthquake in my early teen years and one of the formative films for many millennials now in their mid-30’s. It’s a visually stunning film and an operatic soundtrack that fits the mood perfectly. The soundtrack is composed almost entirely of cover songs with their own over-the-top spin on them– it’s…
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The Honorary Title ‘Anything Else but the Truth’ (2006)
Once upon a time The Honorary Title served as a transformational musical intersection for me, blending teenage love for emo music and burgeoning adulthood love for indie/folk into one clean experience. At one point in my life they may have been my favorite band, and at the same point in my life I’m confident one…
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Linda Ronstadt ‘Simple Dreams’ (1977)
Linda Ronstadt is one of the most well-rounded singers in history, effortlessly spanning genres. Throughout her 45-year career she effortlessly put out pop, rock-n-roll, folk, opera, and ranchera albums, covering an incredible range of styles. Simple Dreams is the highest selling album of her career, and probably the one she is most recognized for as…
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Bluey ‘Bluey The Album’ (2021)
Children’s music has the unfortunate stereotype of causing severe bleeding of the ears. The soundtrack from Bluey definitely puts that stereotype to rest, showcasing an abundance of musical depth that should appeal to parents and kids alike. The first track of this album, which triumphantly parades out a variety of instruments including trumpets, guitars, violins,…
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Jim Croce ‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’ (1972)
Jim Croce’s tragic death in an airplane accident at the age of 30 years old tragically cut short the life of one of folk music’s most interesting artists. I’ve always felt that the swag Croce brought to his melodies, lyrics, and arrangements separated himself from his early 70’s folk contemporaries in a really unique way.…
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Grateful Dead ‘Cornell 5/8/77’ (1977)
As probably the greatest jam band of all-time, doing a live album listen of Grateful Dead (and nearly a three-hour experience at that) is pretty much a requirement if you’re listening to a full album each day for an entire year. The band is legendary for its extended live sets and Cornell 5/8/77 is no…
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Nas ‘Illmatic’ (1994)
Let’s not bury the lead here. Nas’ 1994 debut Illmatic is one of the most honestly authentic albums I have ever listened to. It is strikingly personal. There isn’t a single track, let alone a single bar, that feels out of place or begrudgingly coerced to fit into a specific theme. It’s as raw and…
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The Bronx ‘The Bronx’ (2003)
The Bronx is a shot of adrenaline after getting punched in the face. Pure hardcore punk rock poetry. Besides the fact it’s just a fun as hell 28-minute ride, this album deserves a spin based solely off its killer cover art. It’s one my favorite album covers of all-time because it tells you exactly what…
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Eric Church ‘Chief’ (2011)
Blending together traditional country music arrangements with a dash of rock and roll, Eric Church’s Chief is an adequately solid country album. In my mid-20’s this album meant a lot to me, speaking to my long-lasting love for rock as well as my ever-growing appreciation for country music. As the years have gone by I…
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The Association ‘Insight Out’ (1967)
You can hear The Beatles influence everywhere in The Association’s 1967 album Insight Out, straight away from the barroom sing-along medley of “Wasn’t It Bit Like Now”. Frankly it’s a damn good song, and about as much of a banger you were liable to get in the 60’s. Being completely unfamiliar with the band ahead…
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CAAMP ‘CAAMP’ (2016)
I have a lot of soft spots in music. One of those soft spots is undoubtedly dark folk music that describes broken characters in search of better days who, despite their best efforts, either unwittingly fall back into bad habits or self sabotage on their path to redemption. In other words, CAAMP’s 2016 self-titled debut…
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Fela Kuti ‘Gentleman’ (1973)
Fela Kuti is the godfather of Afrobeat, and his 1973 record Gentleman is a must-listen for anyone getting into the genre. Combining elements of funk and jazz with traditional West African music is a helluva thing, and the frenetic ride that is “Gentleman” takes you on so many twists and turns throughout that it’s easy…
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Foals ‘Total Life Forever’ (2010)
Total Life Forever hits the perfect blend of spacey math-rock guitar lines, catchy vocal melodies, and drum/bass grooves that sound like they’re pulled straight out of a trendy London nightclub at 2am. It’s as good as it was when it dropped in 2010. Keyboardist Edwin Congreve, bassist Walter Gervers and drummer Jack Bevan are incredibly…
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Aretha Franklin ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ (1972)
There are only two singers in the GOAT conversation for me— the incomparable Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. And no matter where or when you get an opportunity to spin one of their records, it’s just simply a goddamn pleasure. 1972’s Young, Gifted and Black is no exception. There’s something simply stunning listening to the…
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John Mayer ‘Continuum’ (2006)
At one point in his career John Mayer was a great dichotomy. He soared to incredible mainstream popularity with a rogue smile, a holier-than-thou intellectual superiority, and catchy pop tunes. His virtuouso guitar playing was alluded to, but never really focused on, the press focus instead covering his lurid dating history. In other words, one…
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Janelle Monáe ‘Dirty Computer’ (2018)
Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer is a cyberpunk dream trip through R&B and pop influences, bouncing around like a pinball amidst the synths, spacey guitars, and percussive elements. There’s an air of hope underpinning each track on the record, a sense of self exploration which drives everything forward thematically. When combined with all of the hooks…
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Alexisonfire ‘Otherness’ (2022)
Alexisonfire is the band that best encapsulates what I love most about melodic post-hardcore sound. The drop-D tunings, heavy riffs, and distorted screams interspersed with gorgeous clean vocals and euphonic guitar melodies. It’s a recipe that is pretty much irresistible for me. 13 years on since their last studio album, Otherness is an emphatic statement…
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Rilo Kiley ‘More Adventurous’ (2004)
One thing I love most about Rilo Kiley is the witty lyrical wordplay that frontwoman Jenny Lewis is known for. From the opening lines of “It’s A Hit” it’s hard to tell if Lewis is singing a song or doing a tight ten at the Laugh Factory, waxing poetic about all the idiosyncrasies of human…
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Orleans ‘Waking and Dreaming’ (1976)
Orleans is one of those “your favorite band’s, band” kinda, well, band. Their eclectic blend of pop, yacht rock, blues, and Dixieland jazz led to some pretty massive hits in the 1970’s, the most prominent being “Still The One” which is featured on this record and at one point was actual the damn theme song…
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Sam Smith ‘In The Lonely Hour’ (2014)
When I first heard Sam Smith’s debut album In The Lonely Hour, I was immediately reminded of the same things that struck me when I first heard 21 by Adele. Undeniable and generational vocal talent, timeless musical arrangements, piano-driven ballads, and an innate ability to draw the listener in and make them feel like they’re…
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Cocteau Twins ‘Heaven or Las Vegas’ (1990)
Soaring synths. Pulsing bass. Lucious landscapes. Tom’s and snares pitched for maximum reverb. This is dreampop at its finest, delivered in a way only true pioneers of the genre Cocteau Twins could deliver. Elizabeth Fraser’s vocals in particular stand out on this record, her mysterious Scottish-tinged soprano floating above dense arrangements like a ray of…
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NOFX ‘So Long & Thanks For All The Shoes’ (1997)
NOFX has been at it for 40 years now, which is frankly incredible for a punk band. They are one of the most commercially successful independent bands of all-time, has never been signed to a major label, and has stayed unwavering in their dedication to their DIY roots. 1997’s So Long & Thanks For All…
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Audioslave ‘Audioslave’ (2002)
With all due respect to Robert Plant, Axl Rose and Bon Scott, Chris Cornell is the GOAT of pure rock-and-roll vocalists. In fact, I would argue it’s not even very close. Along with his incredible four-octave range, Cornell’s ability to hit that distorted gravel scream in an explosive chorus after an intimate verse delivered in…
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The Bangles ‘Different Light’ (1986)
There’s effectively no middle ground when it comes to 80’s pop music– it’s either heartwarmingly cheesy, or just plain cheesy. The Bangles 1986 sophomore effort Different Light is filled with a lot more of the latter unfortunately, a saccharin sweet concoction of jangly guitars and reverb that feel empty despite taking up so much space.…
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Atlanta Rhythm Section ‘Are You Ready!’ (1979)
Whenever someone says the words “classic rock” the sound I hear in my head is Atlanta Rhythm Section. Their sound is a perfect encapsulation of what makes the genre so evergreen– the smooth lead vocals, layered background harmonies, reliance on major chord progressions, overdriven guitar solos, tasteful piano, and drum fills that feature the toms…
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Jorge Ben Jor ‘Samba Esquema Novo’ (1963)
If I had to describe Jorge Ben Jor’s debut album Samba Esquema Novo in one phrase it would be “relaxed energy”. This 28 minute samba rock album puts you at ease while compelling you to get up and move, all at the same time. It is a calm call to action. Compared to American jazz,…
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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony ‘E. 1999 Eternal’ (1995)
There’s a handful of artists that when you hear a song come on you immediately know who it is. Louis Armstrong’s gravelly croon, the wistful falsetto of Alt-J’s Joe Newman, the punch of Angus Young’s guitar, and Bob Dylan’s nasal pitch are all distinct calling cards. And in the world of hip hop, there’s nothing…
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Avril Lavigne ‘Let Go’ (2002)
Somewhere in the pantheon of pop punk’s meteoric rise to the mainstream lies a statue of Avril Lavigne, transfixed with a deadpan stare, clad in a black t-shirt and frayed jeans. It’s hard to overstate just how much Lavigne changed the game for punk in the early aughts, especially for female artists whose role in…
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Paul Cauthen ‘Room 41’ (2019)
Here’s the headline– Paul Cauthen’s Room 41 is one of the best country records ever made, should be on every critic’s Top 100 list, and will be a mainstay in my rotation forever. The backstory of “Room 41” is stuff legends are made of. Following an abrupt breakup with his long-time fiancee, Cauthen rented a…
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Blind Faith ‘Blind Faith’ (1969)
Blind Faith managed to get rock icons Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, and Ginger Baker together to write a full length album, play their first show in front of 100K people, tour the globe, and eventually break up over creative differences, all in the span of less than a year. If that’s not the most 60’s…
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Incubus ‘A Crow Left of the Murder…’ (2004)
Incubus means a lot to many people who mean a lot to me. This was a special album to get under the belt early in the year. The album kicks off with an absolute howitzer in “Megalomaniac”, which still stands as one of the best album openers in rock history. This is Incubus at their…
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Volcano Choir ‘Repave’ (2013)
If there’s one thing Bon Iver has mastered throughout his career, it is his innate ability to take a basic human emotion and somehow translate that into an auditory experience that feels tangible. There’s simply no one better at conveying emotion, in all of its assorted colors, over a 3-5 minute timespan. He is our…
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About the Author
Jason Matthew Plank listens to copious amounts of music and writes about one album each day. He is currently active in the bands Related to Strangers (post-hardcore) and Kindergarten Cartel (punk covers of children’s nursery rhymes).
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