Some of my All-Time Top-Ten Best-Ever Record Albums. Some of them.

This could be an enduring project as I continually discover new stuff. But here's the stuff that's been here for a while that I still listen all the way through.



White Stripes - Elephant (2001)
Contains the best guitar playing in the last thirty years. The best rock song-writing in a while. And more heavy rock attitude than we've seen in a while. And all while recalling song styles that are over 75 years old. Key track: Too many, but for starters, try "Ball and Biscuit"


The Newsboys - Step Up to the Microphone (1998)
Here (in my humble opinion) is where the Newsboys hit their creative peak. John James left the band and drummer Peter Furler took over vocals for this album. The song-writing is appropriately hard-edged and fun loving at times, while reverent and praise-worthy at others. Key track: "Woo hoo"


Led Zeppelin - I (1969)
This was Led Zeppelin's freshman project. Before this, they were known only by the notoriety of guitarist Jimmy Page, who was coming off of his stint with the Yardbirds. This album captures the energy and raw talent of this lineup, from Jimmy Page's riffing to Robert Plant's howling vocals to James Bonham's "hammer of the gods" drumming. Key track: "Good Times Bad Times"


Delirius? - Mezzamorphisis (1999)
This collection from the extremely talented UK group Delirius? Every song here has moments of real beauty. The production is phenomenal. These songs are all pre-cursors to the explosion we've seen in the melancholic emo-rock music of Coldplay and their followers. Come see it from the beginning. Key track: "Follow"


Radiohead - Amnesiac (2001)
Radiohead's fifth album may not be critically regarded as their finest, but for me, this is when I discovered the group, so it will always have a special place in my heart. Radiohead's aproach to their sound hasn't changed drastically since their smash-hit "Ok Computer" so the sonic language is familiar, but I feel their song-writing is better than in Kid A and demonstrates a wider range of sonic capabilities. Key track: "Pullk/Pull Revolving Door"


Okay, I gotta go practice now, so I'll have to conclude this later. . .

T.