The 15, party two

Here's the second part to 15 albums that had a 'profound' effect on me. I've decided that it's waaay too damn long for the FB. So the only people who get to read it are you guys. Also, I just had my first re-tweet on twitter! It was exciting because I got re-tweeted by the columbus Underground, one of the free papers in "the bus." very cool.

8. Piano Concertos 19 and 23 performed by Murray Perahia – Mozart. I listened to this album almost every day during my 3rd year in law school, banking on the Mozart effect to help my brain learn. I wonder if it worked. I later saw Mitsuko Uchida perform Concerto 23 with the Cleveland Orchestra. It was WAY better than the CD. If it were up to me, classical music would only be listened to live.

9. Sea Change – Beck. When people tell me they don’t like Beck, I almost immediately burn for them this album. I didn’t like Beck before I listened to this. Now, I’m a proud, born again Beck fanatic. If there is an album that rivals the heartbreaking honesty of Pinkerton, it’s Sea Change. Honest story, every time I listen al the way through, I get misty eyed. It’s just so sad and beautiful.

10. When I Woke – Rusted Root. During my senior year in high school, I listened to three things during my drive to and from school (about a 40 minute total drive each day): classical radio, NPR, or When I Woke. It’s still a great album, even if I don’t listen to it as often any more. Musically, its outstanding. Rusted Root was also my first concert (I’ve seen them 3 times now) and it was all because of this album.

11. The Music from Les Miserables. I should be ashamed of how many times of screamed “do you hear the people sing” at the top of my lungs while listening to this album. I should be ashamed, but I’m not.

12. Here Come the ABCs – They Might Be Giants. How can I choose one album by TMBG that’s the most important to me? I can’t. Apollo 18 is a better album. Sever Tire Damage was my first. Factry Showroom is probably the one I listen to the most. But why this one, then? I’ve seen TMBG live 4 times now, and each time was better than the last. I chose this one, however, because its signed by the Johns (they don’t do autographs that often) and because when I got ti, Kevin and I had gone to Borders store 1 in Ann Arbor Michigan to see the Giants perform a free show for kids. It was awesome. At one point, I honestly thought we were going to stomp right thru the floor and crush the customers below. Man, that was amazing.

13. London Calling – The Clash. Another perfect record. I’m not even sure how one band could pack so much greatness into 1 hour over 19 songs. I return to this album with frequency and it never seems to get old. Brilliant.

14. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness – The Smashing Pumpkins. People like to say that they don’t like the Pumpkins, but I never actually believe them. Why? Because this album is a double disk of pure awesomeness. The range is amazing: hard-hitting metal tracks mix perfectly with sweet, sappy, lovey dovey songs. And then there are Billy Corgan’s bizarre-genius lyrics. Great record.

15. Graceland – Paul Simon. I used to listen to A LOT of Paul Simon. This album is undoubtedly one of the best records of all time. Again, start to finish, it’s perfect. Anyone—ANYONE—can enjoy it. And, Paul Simon has about my vocal range, so I feel ok singing alone.

Honorable mention: Whipped Cream and Other Delights – Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. There’s a reason this album was the 3rd best selling record of the 60s—because its great. While I was at Borders, my manager John and I were on a quest to sell the crap out of this record. And we did. Basically every time I put it on, someone would buy it, often after saying something like “I remember my DAD listening to this!” It’s great; seriously, give it a listen some time.