To help pass some time, I've taken it upon myself to make a list of 10 albums you should listen to before you die (as the title so clearly states). They aren't necessarily the best albums I've ever heard, but they're all favorites of mine. If you're looking to broaden your tastes, you've come to the right place.
Now before you start saying things like "Where's the Beatles?!", or "Zomg! Where's Radiohead?!", or "How could you leave out Bruce Springsteen?!", I'd like to say this: if you want to see any of those bands on this kind of list, go to Rolling Stone or something. You won't find any of these albums in there, though (with the exception of
Grace), which is why I thought they should get some type of recognition.
In no particular order:
Incubus- S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (1997)
Incubus' second full length album,
S.C.I.E.N.C.E., is a collection of jazz, funk, electronic, and hip hop influenced songs all put together to form Incubus' signature sound. It features brilliant vocals from Brandon Boyd (back in the 90s, you actually had to have some talent to be a band's singer) that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. If you're looking for something fast, heavy, creative, and eclectic, this is an album for you.
Listen to: "Deep Inside", "A Certain Shade of Green", "Redefine"
RIYL: early Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Mr. Bungle (all of which the band sites as influences)
Jeff Buckley-
Grace (1994)
The only studio album Buckley ever finished,
Grace is perfect from start to finish. Not only did he have an unbelievable voice and range, he could also play guitar with the best of them. Most people would only recognize the song "Hallelujah", and it's a shame it was his only hit, but it still remains one of the greatest (if not
the greatest) cover songs of all time. This album is perfect for sitting in a dark room with nothing but your iPod and a pair of headphones.
Listen to: "Hallelujah", "Lover, You Should've Come Over", "Last Goodbye"
RIYL: Nick Drake
Gatsby's American Dream-
Volcano (2005)
Gatsby's American Dream are famous for their lack of choruses, their constantly changing time signatures, and their allusions to literature and pop culture. Not afraid to take any chances, they created
Volcano, an album sometimes poppy, sometimes progressive, but always beautiful. The lyrics are also well-written and clever, and they sound even better when sung by Nic Newsham, who has a unique voice that perfectly compliments the band's unique sound.
Listen to: "Theatre", "Shhhhhh! I'm Listening to Reason", "The Giant's Drink"
RIYL: Forgive Durden, Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground
Arcade Fire- Funeral (2004)
For once, an album that actually lives up to the bountiful praise and numerous awards it's received.
Funeral is a baroque pop album and also Arcade Fire's debut full-length. The beauty of this album lies in the fact that it never tries to be bigger than itself. It features all different kinds of instruments (which is to be expected of a band with 7 members) layered over one another, and Win Butler's honest and sometimes puzzling lyrics will keep you coming back for more.
Listen to: "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)", "Rebellion (Lies)", "In the Backseat"
RIYL: Wolf Parade, Bon Iver, The National
Arctic Monkeys-
Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)
There's something to be said about the fastest-selling debut album in UK history (though I should note Leona Lewis topped them a year later), and the Arctic Monkeys deserve all the hype they received. A fast-paced, in-your-face album,
Whatever People Say... shows obvious influences from British indie bands such as the Smiths, the Libertines, and the Strokes. If you love British music and culture at all, this album will fill your appetite time and time again.
Listen to: "I Be You Look Good on the Dancefloor", "Mardy Bum", "Fake Tales of San Francisco"
RIYL: The Libertines, The Cribs, The Smiths, The Strokes, Oasis
Third Eye Blind-
Third Eye Blind (1997)
Let's face it- everyone here (unless they lived under a rock) has heard "Semi-Charmed Life" and "Jumper", and possibly even "How's It Going To Be". However, not everyone has listened to this whole album all the way through. Stephen Jenkins' lyrics are absolutely brilliant, and his unique half-rap vocal style and the lisp in his voice make the band instantly recognizable. Kevin Cadogan also gives the music plenty of texture with his spot-on playing and different, sometimes awkward tunings.
Listen to: "Narcolepsy", "Losing a Whole Year", "Motorcycle Drive By"
RIYL: Gin Blossoms, Better Than Ezra, 90's music
Thrice-
The Artist In the Ambulance (2003)
Thrice's third album (first on a major label),
The Artist In the Ambulance, is alternative-metal at it's best. Kensrue's lyrics are dark and occasionally relatable, but they always fit the music provided to you by Teranishi and the Breckenridge brothers. Teranishi has a reputation as one of the finer guitarists of our scene, and while you can see that more on later releases, it still shines through here. Even if you're not a fan of metal or harder music, you can still enjoy this album if you give it time.
Listen to: "Under a Killing Moon", "All That's Left", "Stare At the Sun"
RIYL: Thursday, The Receiveing End of Sirens, Brand New
John Mayer-
Heavier Things (2003)
If you know me at all, you know this is my favorite album. It's about a quarter blues, a quarter rock, and half pop, but they all fuse together into a creative, soulful album. Mayer writes lyrics that are usually relatable, and even if you can't relate, you know exactly what's going on in his head. He can also play guitar like no one's business, which makes for seriously catchy riffs. The album has an overall somber, reflective atmosphere, but it definitely has some upbeat and happy sections.
Listen to: "Split-Screen Sadness", "Only Heart", "Wheel"
RIYL: Jason Mraz, "Daughters", music for driving around at night
Cursive-
The Ugly Organ (2003)
Tim Kasher is a lyrical genius, though sometimes when you listen to him, you have to wonder if he was a troubled child. However, he also knows how to make some damn good music, and the fact that during this album Cursive had a cello player in the band helps to separate them from other bands in the scene. It may take a couple of listens to really understand what Kasher is saying, but you can tell immediately upon first listen that the main character (The Ugly Organist) is in pain.
Listen to: "Some Red-Handed Sleight of Hand", "Art Is Hard", "The Recluse"
RIYL: The Good Life, Desaparecidos, Bright Eyes
The Matches-
E. Von Dahl Killed the Locals (2003)
I knew from the moment I heard the first song on this album that I'd love it, and I was right. The great thing about the Matches is that they always strive to be different. Shawn has incredibly unique vocals (although not always as noticeable as their later albums or his guest spot on
Razia's Shadow), and for a pop-punk band, the lyrics are pretty well done. Jon Devoto, the guitarist, also shines throughout this album, as the riffs and solos are both impressive and kickass.
Listen to: "Dog-Eared Page", "Chain Me Free", "Scratched Out" (also known as "Track 11")
RIYL: blink-182, David Bowie, "weird" pop-punk
Hopefully you find something new here, but if you already like some of the albums on here, feel free to share your thoughts.
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