Here are my 5 favorite CDs, in no particular order.
Big Black -- The Hammer Party: If you like your music raw, energetic, and angry, it really doesn't get much better than Big Black. This disc has their earliest songs, and it's perfect if you're new to them (which I predict will be most of you). If you ever jump into a convertable and start crusing across the country for no reason, this is your soundtrack.
VNV Nation -- Empires: What struck me after listening to this CD for the first time is that I never skipped any tracks. Every single song on here is a joy to listen to, and if I was on a desert island, this would be the one disc I'd take with me. The vocals are unique, and the beats, while sometimes minimal, are nonetheless highly expressive.
Nightwish -- Once: Holy cow. This band does what so many others try to do, but Nightwish succeeds completely: Blend metal and opera into an epic, Earth-shattering masterpiece. Of course, Tarja is a professionally trained sapranno. Tuomas's keyboards form the orchestral backbone for the band, but on this CD, they had help from the London Philharmonic Orchestra (the same as was used in Lord of the Rings). Marco's "beastly" supporting vocals and bass provide a rough counterpart to the ethereal Tarja, and Emppu's thunderous guitar round out a simply awesome band. Not to be missed.
Goldie Lookin' Chain -- Greatest Hits: This eight (possibly more) man rap ensemble from Wales is absolutely hilarious. You will become a believer after hearing such classics as "Guns Don't Kill People, Rappers Do" and "Your Mother's Got a Penis." Do they reference Robocop? Lara Croft? Steven Hawking? ALL IN THE SAME SONG. You knows it.
The Prodigy -- Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned: This is Liam Howlett at his best. If you like your techno with funk, energy, and a slightly darker tone, pick up this CD. Then listen to it. I mean, you can't hear a CD just by holding it. ;-)
"That's all I have to say about that." -- Forrest Gump
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My 5:
5: Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me: This album, unlike Brand New's previous two, exudes a mature and profoundly sad atmosphere that makes every track feel deeply personal.
Best track: Degausser
4: Coheed and Cambria - The Second Stage Turbine Blade: CO&CA's first album, while not as polished as the others, gives a good background to the over-arching story, as well as containing many replay-worthy tracks.
Best track: Neverender
3: Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3: CO&CA's second, and in my opinion, best album, captures the story's epic atmosphere, as well as providing many ABSOLUTELY ROCKIN' songs.
Best track: The Light and the Glass
2: Dropkick Murphys - Blackout: The Celtic Punk band's energetic collection of hits includes many of my favorites, and has more stick-in-your-head-worthy tunes than any other album I have ever listened to.
Best track: Fields of Athenry
1: Seether - Disclaimer II: The second album from the South African alt/metal trio, Disclaimer II contains over twenty songs, with each and every one being a powerful and memorable anthem.
Best track: Sold Me
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Mr. Shiny
Hammer Party instead of Rich Man's 8-Track Tape? Curious choice, even if both of them are great (as is Songs About F***ing). Another Big Black fan here :)
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My five, in some sort of order:
Motörhead: Another perfect day. I am just about the only ‘Head fan I know about who likes this album. New guitarist Brian Robertson was by all social indicators a complete disaster, and he flat-out refused to play old classics like "Overkill" and "Ace of spades". Musically, however, he was a complete triumph. AFD is essentially the world’s hardest, most ass-kicking blues album - and I love the cover art!
Best track: "I’ve got mine", with "Back at the funny farm" as a close second.
Opeth: Blackwater Park. The best metal album ever made. Ever. Intricate without being boring, powerful without losing its subtlety, cerebral without becoming pretentious.
In a set of fantastic songs, "Bleak" is the standout.
Obituary: Cause of Death. One of those albums that sounds soooooo good that I could listen to just to enjoy the production job. However, it has a bunch of great songs as well; also, in a field where most bands opt for all-out speed, these guys slow it down and gain incredible punch in the process. Face-stomping music of the highest order.
Best track: probably "Chopped in half". "Body bag" and "Find the arise" are gems as well.
Sepultura: Beneath The Remains. Nobody had more and better riffs than the Boys From Brazil. In a sequence of superlative late-1908s to mid 1990s albums, this is the best one.
Best track: the title track; I also like "Primitive future" and "Mass hypnosis".
In Flames: Whoracle. In a very crowded field (apologies to Arch Enemy, The Haunted, Dark Tranquillity and LOK), this is Gothenburg’s finest musical moment. It has great melody, enormous power and excellent songs - an unbeatable combination.
Best track: "Jotun" stands head and shoulders above the reat of a very strong set.
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Mr. Shiny
My revised 5:
5: Coheed and Cambria - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3: CO&CA's second, and in my opinion, best album, captures the story's epic atmosphere, as well as providing many ABSOLUTELY ROCKIN' songs.
Best track: "A Favor House Atlantic"
4: Black Tide - Light from Above: This album motherf#&*ing ROCKS. It manages to channel classic metal (in the vein of Iron Maiden and Metal Church), while keeping a contemporary sound. It's going to move up in my 5 as time goes on.
Best track: "The Black Abyss"
3: Brand New - The Devil and God are Raging Inside Me: This album, unlike Brand New's first, exudes a mature and melanholy atmosphere that makes every track feel deeply personal.
Best track: "Limousine"
2: Richard Shindell - South of Delia: This collection of folk covers of other folk and rock songs seems to make each and every one more cohesive and somehow better-sounding than the originals.
Best track: "Mercy Street"
1: Seether - Disclaimer II: The second album from the South African alt/metal trio, Disclaimer II contains over twenty songs, with each and every one being a powerful and memorable anthem.
Best track: "Sold Me"
Runners-up:
- Dethklok: The Dethalbum
- Coheed and Cambria: The Second Stage Turbine Blade
- Nine Inch Nails: The Downward Spiral
- Black Flag: Loose Nut
- Devo: Are We Not Men?
- Marilyn Manson: The Golden Age of Grotesque
- Richard Shindell: Sparrows Point
- Peter Mulvey: Kitchen Radio
- NOFX: Punk in Drublic
- Dropkick Murphys: Blackout
- Seether: Karma and Effect
- Word to the Whys: The Word to the Whys EP
- Brand New: Deja Entendu
- Refused: The Shape of Punk to Come
- Rollins Band: Come In and Burn
My current top-five albums are:
DRAGONFORCE 'VALLEY OF THE DAMNED'/ This amazing fantasy-themed metal bands debut album. Amazing tracks are Valley of the Damned and Starfire.
OPETH 'BLACKWATER PARK'/ The best prog/doom metal out there. Simply astounding stuff. All of these tracks are the best but The Leper Affinity is probably my favorite.
DEFTONES/ This very talented band's 4th self-titled album is more metal-themed than their hit album 'White Pony' and their newest album 'Saturday Night Wrist'. Standout tracks are Minerva and Anniversery of an Uninteresting Event. Deftones will likely remain my favorite band of all time and they have the honor of being my first tattoo.
DEFTONES 'AROUND THE FUR'/ My favorite band's 2nd album is pretty heavy and matured from their debut album in 1994. It has alot of sweet tracks but My Own Summer and Be Quiet and Drive are the unquestionable hits on the record.
TEAM SLEEP/ The first album of the Deftones lead singer's side project, Team Sleep is alot of ambient electro and beats with some great guitar and vocales. Really soothing and attractive stuff. Atarix and Delorian are probably my favorites.