Five Albums That Changed My Life
March 4, 2009 by controversy
A couple of my friends did this on Facebook, so I’m gonna put a twist and explain why they changed my life, and put them in chronologically, in terms of when they changed my life. Of course, I’m not claiming that these are my favorite albums, only that because of where I was in my life when I discovered (or re-discovered, in one case) them, they each had a profound effect on me.
1. Bad by Michael Jackson 1987 Michael Jackson was my first hero, and this was the first album that came out where I was old enough to be aware of its impact, and know all the lyrics (and dance moves).
2. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill 1998 This album was one of the earliest albums that I bought, mostly because I never had money before this time, and my parents wouldn’t let me get the music I wanted to get. This album was, and still is, in my opinion, genius. Lyrically and vocally, Lauryn Hill’s absence from anything more than intermittent recording still leaves a hole, such that at every rumor of her reemergence, I get excitedly hopeful.
3. Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder 1976 Stevie Wonder broke the ice for so much great R&B music in the 1970′s. So much of his work sounds as fresh today as it did back then, and he continues to be a great influence in music. When I was in college, after hearing some of my parents’ old Stevie Wonder tracks, I became interested in hearing more of his stuff. This was the first album of his that I bought, and the beginning of his classic period.
4. Black on Both Sides by Mos Def 1999 This album was the first album that made me interested in hip-hop lyrics. If you’ve not heard it, Mos’ blend of witty lyricism, confident but extremely humanistic delivery, and populist message over diverse musical textures is an instant classic.
5. Electric Circus by Common 2002 I bought this album as soon as it came out, off the strength of Like Water For Chocolate and the recommendation of a good friend. While I liked the album back then, I didn’t appreciate all the musical genius that the album is until several years later. The album is chock full of amazingly creative musical styling from all the various Soulquarians that made neo-soul so great in its short popularity. Where Black on Both Sides may be my favorite album, lyrically, this album inspires me, musically. Note: This is possibly Common’s least-popular album of all time, but I think it’s really, really, really musically genius.
Anyone else wanna play? What were the five albums that changed your life and why?
