Life-changing albums

This was a harder list to make than I thought it would be. This definitely isn’t a list of what I consider to be the top five best albums I’ve ever heard — that list would differ rather significantly from this one. This list is of the top five albums that have significantly altered the course of my life, my behavior, my interests, my hobbies, my style…etc.

5. Almost Famous motion picture soundtrack

This album (and the movie, too) re-introduced me to a lot of music that I had almost forgotten. While it’s probably not the greatest compilation of 1970s rock ever made, it’s a decent sampling of some of the music my parents played around the house when I was a kid. Back when I was doing freelance work, this became my go-to album for background music while I was writing. Now, I put it on or I watch the movie whenever I feel like I’m becoming too jaded as a journalist. Come to think of it, I’m probably long overdue.

4. No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom

This was the first CD I ever personally bought. That actually says a lot, as with my initial forays into popular music, No Doubt was the first band that I liked enough to want to be able to listen to them any time. I remember how my friends and I once listened to it rather excitedly in my room not long after I’d gotten it. I think that might have been one of the first times in my life where I felt either “cool” or “grown-up.” Because, obviously,all of the cool, grown-up people hang around with their friends listening to their new CDs.

3. Wallflowers – Bringing Down the Horse

I probably wouldn’t consider the Wallflowers among my favorite bands, but I can’t think of another band that I’ve never seen live whose album I’ve listened to more. “One Headlight” is one among many tracks that evoke a phantasmagoria of images and emotions relating to a very unusual period in my life. This was one of a select few albums that I would crank up to full volume and fall asleep to after I came home from a particularly taxing day. (A practice which my mother could never understand the purpose or efficacy of. Something about how can I possibly fall asleep during or find relaxation in medically counterindicated volume levels of music.)

2. Seven Nations – Big Dog

I was introduced to Seven Nations by a (now ex) boyfriend who had come by the band and this album at a highland games festival several years prior. I went on to become nearly obsessed with Seven Nation’s music. Of the albums on this list, this is one of two that spurred me to actively seek out live performances that I could attend. This album and the interest it spurred in the band also helped spur my interest in my Scottish heritage.

1. Hanson – Middle of Nowhere

If there is a single album that has significantly altered the course of my life, Middle of Nowhere is it, hands down. I can’t even begin to describe or explain the series of events that was set into motion with my purchase of this album. I found myself; I met dozens of wonderful, brilliant and unique people of all ages and walks of life; I became part of something…huge; I had the opportunity to do, see and experience things that most people never will — things that don’t have anything to do with Hanson, but I can trace the path of inspiration and motivation back to my purchase of this album. Mock me all you want, but anyone who has ever been a fan of this band knows exactly what I’m talking about.