Ok, why make a top 10 album list based on my collection? Why not a top 10 of the albums I think made history at some point or another? Well, I wanted to make it simple, of course! This list is more of my favorite genres of music, not anyone elses. So all you rockers and metalheads out there can either agree or disagree with my personal taste, not that I care that much, but I may glean some insight from others comments on this. I may do some brainstorming later and make a more “historical” list, like the albums I think were most influential to their genres. A project for another time, that’s for sure! This is more of a top 10 of the albums that were most influential in my life and/or the most overplayed. By overplayed, I mean “wore two tapes out and finally bought it on CD” overplayed! Well, here it is:
1) Pyromania - Def Leppard
Hey, what can I say about the Leps? A tape of this album was a Christmas present to me back in ‘86. After the first song, “Rock, Rock (’Till You Drop)”, I knew I’d be listening to this album for years to come. I was right! The songwriting is just timeless, with just enough good-time feeling and attitude without diving into crotch-rock nonsense. Definitely rock of ages! Standout tracks: the aforementioned, Photograph, Too Late For Love, Foolin’, Rock Of Ages
Honorable mention: Def Leppard’s “Hysteria” album… one of the few times in any band’s existence where lightning struck twice.
2) Moving Pictures - Rush
Yes I liked other Rush songs that were on radio back when I was a youngin’, but this is the album that fully converted me into a Rush fan. All the songs are magical, especially “Red Barchetta”, and Neil Peart’s lyrics are timeless poetry. Standout tracks: all of them!
3) Images and Words - Dream Theater
This is probably the only album that, when I heard the first track in a record store, made me nearly scream “Who is this!!? I’ve gotta get this NOW!!”. I got it that day, of course, and not one track disappointed me. From the first track “Pull Me Under” to the last “Learning To Live”, this album captured my full attention. Every minute of music is truly a work of art. Metal intertwined with new age, blues, jazz and classical influences and done in a breathtaking way. Standout tracks: again, all of them!
4) Passion & Warfare - Steve Vai
One of the best rock instrumental albums. Like Eddie Van Halen’s solo “Eruption”, this album made plenty of guitarists look down at their hands in shame. His composition and playing in P & W were a breath of fresh air back when I was in high school listening to the rest of the formulaic 80’s hair bands. And his skills only grew even more with each album since! One of the few guitarists I’ve heard that, IMHO, earns the title of master musician. Standout tracks: Erotic Nightmares, For the Love of God, Blue Powder, Greasy Kid’s Stuff.
5) Operation: MindCrime - Queensrÿche
The first rock “concept album” I had heard of was The Who’s “Tommy”. Well, this is a metal concept album that details the plight of a young man hooked on drugs and being used as a pawn in a wide-ranging conspiracy. The theatric music and lyrics captured my imagination and also made me realize I needed to pay more attention to the world around me. Geoff Tate is still considered one of the best rock singers of his time, and the rest of the musicians in the band did top-notch work on this album. Standout tracks: the first three tracks, Suite Sister Mary, Breaking the Silence, Eyes of a Stranger.
Honorable mention: their “Operation: LiveCrime” album. One of the only live albums I’ve heard that actually sounds better than the studio version!
6) Master of Puppets - Metallica
The album that introduced me to the world of Metallica. From the beginning spanish guitar playing on “Battery” to the full-scale aural assault of “Damage, Inc.”, This album was as complex musically, yet primitive in ferocity, as some classical pieces. Probably why some of these songs translated well into performances with a full orchestra (see S&M). Standout tracks: Battery, Master of Puppets, Disposable Heroes, Orion.
Honorable mention: Metallica’s “Ride the Lightning” album which, while being just as complex, was even more raw than MOP.
7) Surfing With the Alien - Joe Satriani
As a young kid playing guitar during my high school years, this album was a must-have. His publishing moniker, “Strange Beautiful Music”, aptly fits the music. This was actually the first instrumental album I ever listened to, and it influenced my music choices for years. Listening to this album, I had to agree on one thing… Joe is the alien!! And Steve Vai was one of his students! Standout tracks: Surfing With the Alien, Ice Nine, Circles, Lords of Karma.
So Far, So Good… So What! - Megadeth
After the first song, there’s a sound clip of a bomb dropping, then exploding. That’s pretty much the impact that this album had on me. Dave Mustaine wrote some of his most thoughtful lyrics in this one, with intricate rhythm and lead guitar work to match. Indeed, the first song sounds like an orchestral piece, translated into speed metal form. Standout tracks: Into the Lungs of Hell, Mary Jane, In My Darkest Hour.
9) Under Lock and Key - Dokken
Some may think “Dokken!!?”… Well, yes. They only influenced their hair-metal bretheren to write better songs than the usual crotch-rock fare! Plus their guitarist, George Lynch, influenced young aspiring axe-slingers like myself to learn other chord structures other than “the almighty power chord”! While I was in high school, this album had me learning lots of new lead and rhythm techniques while making me forget I had homework to do! Standout tracks: In My Dreams (has the best guitar solo, hands down!!), It’s Not Love, Will the Sun Rise, Don’t Lie to Me.
10) Reckoning Night - Sonata Arctica
The newest musical influence on my life. All I can say to all who read this is please, please, please give this Finnish band an honest listen. Standout tracks: Misplaced, Ain’t Your Fairytale, The Boy Who Wanted to be a Real Puppet, White Pearl Black Oceans, Shamandalie.
Does anyone else have their own personal, definitive top 10 list, album or otherwise? Share it with me!
Wow! This is probably the longest post I’ve ever written! Ok… Time to go to bed now. Cheers!
