In response to GenFX's blog, I'm writing, in this age of singles, about my personal favorite albums -- albums that I listen to from start to finish and enjoy as a cohesive albums.
OK, here's mine:
Pink Floyd -- Momentary Lapse of Reason
OK, so Roger Waters had left. And there are some that consider him the "genius" blah blah. But Roger Waters without the rest of Pink Floyd is inaccessible, and even The Wall showed us a bit too much of Roger Waters' inner turmoil and a bit too little of the genius music that Floyd was capable of. No, I'm sorry, I have to go with the first post-Waters album as my favorite cohesive Floyd album. (Dark Side of the Moon? Got a bit self-indulgent. I know, I'm weird.)
Sarah McLachlan -- Fumbling Towards Ecstasy
Before she became famous, and the face of Lilith Fair, she put out my personal favorite album of all time. Her lyrics are, admittedly, a bit overly florid, but her voice is lovely, and her songs are gorgeous and more varied than in later albums.
Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes
Every song is a little gem. From start to finish, this album hangs together. The songs vary in mood but flow smoothly. And it's more accessible than her later albums, which some fans hail as masterpieces but I personally don't like nearly as much, even if I buy every one.
Depeche Mode - Some Great Reward
Depeche Mode hit it big in the 80's for good reason; they're fantastic. Great songwriting that's different from the pack, with lyrics that are truly masterful and melodies that dig in and hit hard. Some Great Reward is wonderful, from "People Are People" (their only big hit) to the jagged "Master and Servant" to the eerie and affecting "Blasphemous Rumours." Even after all these years, I still cry when I hear "Blasphemous."
Shawn Colvin - A Few Small Repairs
Confessional, heartfelt lyrics, well-crafted melodies, and an accessible album that varies in mood but goes down smoothly. How can you lose?
Green Day - American Idiot
Varying in style but always coherent, with fantastic melodies and forceful lyrics, it got labelled as "epic" for very good reason. In an era where the writing of a coherent, cohesive album has all but disappeared, this album hangs together beautifully from start to finish. And I don't even like punk music.
The Muppets -- The Muppet Movie Soundtrack
Umm... duh. The Muppets rock! I was a young child when I first heard "The Rainbow Connection," and it still moves me every single time. Plus, "Movin' Right Along" - classic road tune that I still flick on when I head out on a trip. The over-the-top theatrics of Miss Piggy on "Never Before." The wistful Gonzo on "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday." The hopeful "I Hope That Something Better Comes Along." And the marvelous instrumentals. Plus, for me, great memories of time spent with my sister. (All together now -- AWW!)
