Today I was driving home from the office listening to the radio when maybe the most popular song of my generation came on..."Thriller" by Michael Jackson. I havn't listened to this song in years and as I drove down the road jammin to the former king of pop I realized how influencial this song was on me as a 13 year old. It was the Thriller album that made me want to learn to break dance and for about 4 years my life revolved around parachute pants and the soundtrack to "Breakin" as I did my thing on a giant piece of cardboard. Well, this had me thinking that I would think of a Top 10 list of albums that influenced me the most as a teen and young adult. These aren't neccasarily the best albums, just most influencial. I would love to hear your thoughts and maybe your own top 10 albums.
Why do I suddenly feel like Jack Black from the movie "High Fidelity"...
Here it is...
10.
Phil Collins- No Jacket Required - The song
Sussudio was so cool!
9.
Lionel Richie- Can't Slow Down -
Hello was the first love song I ever got into.
8.
Queensryche- Empire- Maybe the best studio recording ever as well as best album at high volume while in a car.
7.
Michael Jackson- Thriller- See above
6.
Van Halen- OU812- I have to admit that as a junior in HS I thought Sammy Hagar was the man, and I wanted to sing just like him!
5.
Sade- Love Deluxe- This album was played in my headphones many a night during college to help me sleep. There is no voice like that of Sade!
4.
Pearl Jam- Yield- My favorite of all PJ albums...because of this album I bought a guitar , but never took lessons. :(
3.
U2- Rattle and Hum- My first exposure to social justice through music.
2.
Alice in Chains- Dirt- Great album, but had big-time negative influence on me during a period of my life where faith was difficult.
1.
Pearl Jam- Ten- This album spoke to Gen X better than any other...at 35 years old, PJ is still my favorite band of all-time!
Peace and Love,
Rex