When we were kings.

What does a girl with too many thoughts do? She gets a blog and four years later still doesn't know how to express herself.

So she posts about the twelve albums that changed her life and hopes you'll sample the tracks, love the albums, and understand writer's block.


The Beatles - The White AlbumFor proving that the music my parents listen to can be good. To this day, this stands as my favorite Beatles album (barely). Thanks to my father for introducing me to this classic collection of songs.
Favorite track: "Happiness is a Warm Gun," "Sexy Sadie," "Honey Pie."


Jimmy Eat World - ClarityBecause someone had to understand me in high school. One of the first albums that I played obsessively, and one of the few albums from this time period I still occasionally listen to.
Favorite track: "Table For Glasses."


U2 - Achtung BabyFor being the first album that hit me really really hard. Also the first album to demonstrate that the track order of an album can be arranged to perfection. Track listing is crucial, case in point. If I had to pick my favorite album of all time, it would probably be this one.
Favorite track: "Until the End of the World," "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses," "Ultraviolet (Light My Way)," "Love Is Blindness."


John Frusciante - To Record Only Water for Ten DaysFor redefining how I thought about music in general. While it's not my favorite Frusciante album, it's definitely the gateway into the bizarre New Wave-psych rock-electronica world that would pave the way for some of his greatest works.
Favorite track: "Murderers."


Radiohead - Hail to the TheifFor introducing me to the concept of being completely and totally overwhelmed by music. I don't know how to put into words the extent of this album's influence on me better than that.
Favorite track: "Sit down. Stand up. (Snakes & Ladders.)," "I Will. (No man's Land.)"


Mos Def - Black on Both SidesFor introducing me to hip hop -- REAL hip hop. Thanks, Godsey.
Favorite track: "Speed Law."


Low - The Great DestroyerFor proving that you don't have to be a huge band to change everything. For blowing my mind wide open. For making me cry over and over and over again.
Favorite track: "Everybody's Song," "Cue the Strings," "When I Go Deaf," "Pissing."


Red Hot Chili Peppers - CalifornicationIt's hard to pick just one, to be honest, but this came first for me. Melodically, one of the best albums I've ever heard. I don't think I can accurately describe all of the reasons why I love this album, and you didn't really expect me to, did you?
Favorite track: "Easily."

         
Tom Waits - Small Change and Blue ValentineFor everything.
Favorite track: "Invitation to the Blues," "Pasties & a G-String," "The One That Got Away," "Small Change." / "Somewhere," "$29.00," "Wrong Side of the Road," "Whistlin' Past the Graveyard."


Journey - EvolutionFor writing timeless, epic songs that I will fist pump to until I am dead. For creating these bizarre butterflies in my stomach that crash against my ribcage every time I hear Steve Perry hit a seemingly impossible note. For proving that Journey is not a guilty pleasure or a novelty lover -- for constantly surprising me how great they actually are.
Favorite track: "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," "When You're Alone (It Ain't Easy)," "Sweet and Simple."


Charles Mingus - The Black Saint and the Sinner LadyFor changing my mind about jazz. I always liked classic jazz (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk) and big band jazz (Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington) but hated experimental jazz, jazz fusion, anything bizarre and free form-esque. Charles Mingus came along with a bass, a muted trumpet, and a hardcore baritone sax and totally rocked my face off. This shit is fucking brilliant.
Favorite track: "Track B — Duet Solo Dancers: 'Hearts' Beat and Shades in Physical Embraces.'"



(I realize I never posted a follow-up: I still have my job.)