I saw this new trend going around on the Topster subreddit called “About You Music,” which asks people to pick different albums for different categories (favorite overall, best cover art, etc.). I don’t actually use Topster templates, so I figured I might as well just list out all my picks here instead, providing a quick explanation for each…
So here’s another pointless list of mine:
Favorite album
Guns N’ Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)
At this point I really just consider this album my favorite cause it was my “gateway drug” into being a metalhead when I was a kid. That said, even now, I still feel like every song on here sounds like it could’ve been a hit single. Also, just as a quick side note; part of me thinks the original cover art fits much better with the “story” that the whole album tells, though I understand why they needed to change it.
Best narrative
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (1999)
I know when most people think of albums with strong narratives, they’d choose something like Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979) or even The Smashing Pumpkins’ Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness (1995) over this. And while I love those other albums too, there’s something about the way the songs are ordered on this one that really “takes me on a journey” to California and back (which singer Anthony Keidis said was the intention anyway). This isn’t even my favorite Chili Peppers album (not anymore at least), but I definitely think it’s the closest they’ve ever come to making a “concept album,” in the traditional sense.
Favorite cover
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)
This cover art is just simply badass. There’s nothing more striking than watching a man shake hands with another man who’s on fire. He’s saying goodbye to a friend who’s dying (literally and/or figuratively), wishing that friend could stay.
I’ll listen someday
David Bowie - Blackstar (2016)
Everyone says this is the best “farewell” album of all time (Bowie apparently already knew he was dying when he made this). Not sure why I haven’t gotten around to it yet, but I will.
Personal impact
White Zombie - Astro-Creep: 2000 (1995)
I’ve said elsewhere on this blog that this album is basically what gets me up in the morning. It’s pure caffeine for my ears.
Bad day cure
Red Hot Chili Peppers - By the Way (2002)
When I think of a “bad day cure,” I think of something that’s beautiful, and I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything more beautiful than this album, though The Smashing Pumpkins’ Siamese Dream (1993) comes close. Nevertheless, even people who absolutely despise the Chili Peppers admit that this album is good.
You enjoy it but most don’t
Guns N’ Roses - Chinese Democracy (2008)
I get why most people don’t like this. It took too long to make, it’s overproduced, it’s not even really Guns N’ Roses, and most of the songs are either too sappy or too industrial. Nevertheless, in Slash’s absence, Axl found some pretty badass guitarists to replace him (most notably Buckethead), and being a “guitar head” myself, I can’t help but enjoy this album in a guilty-pleasure sorta way.
You don’t enjoy it but most do
Slash’s Snakepit - Ain’t Life Grand (2000)
In keeping with the theme of GN’R-related albums, I’ve noticed that most diehard fans say this is Slash’s best work outside of GN’R proper, and I just don’t get it. Only about half of the songs are good, in my opinion. This is the first album Slash made after leaving GN’R, and to me, it sounds like he had yet to figure out his new identity here.
Underrated
Metallica - Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
For me, this is the album that really put Metallica back on track. I understand that it’s not as “thrashy” as Death Magnetic (2008), but that’s kinda why I like it. This was the first time since …And Justice for All (1988) where they were neither chasing specific trends, nor trying too hard to be their younger selves again. They found a solid middle ground here.
Overrated
Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008)
Look, I don’t think this is a bad album. In fact, I have it ranked as my second-favorite album of 2008 (behind Chinese Democracy, funny enough). Furthermore, this was definitely a step in the right direction after St. Anger (2003). That said, while I felt St. Anger and the few albums that preceded it were trying too hard to “chase trends,” this entire album felt like Metallica saying “look everyone, we sounds like the 80’s again! Please like us again!!” Nothing new here, really. For better or worse, it’s Metallica’s The Force Awakens.
Not usually my thing but…
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
Probably my favorite non-rock album of all time. Don’t even know what to say about it that hasn’t already been said. It’s just simply awesome.
Best instrumental
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Stadium Arcadium (2006)
I assume by “instrumental,” Topster doesn’t mean a purely-instrumental album, but rather the instrumental layer of an album. If I’m wrong, then replace this with Buckethead’s Claymation Courtyard (2014). If I’m right, then I would like to state that John Fusciante’s work on here is probably the best guitar tracks I’ve ever heard in my life (I’ve said that elsewhere on this blog, but can’t say it enough). In fact, I’m listening to the isolated guitar tracks while I write this (as I do for most of my longer blog posts).
Best vocals
Soundgarden - Superunknown (1994)
Whenever I listen to Chris Cornell’s voice on here, I can’t help but think “how the fuck does he do that?!”
Simple but fun
The Beatles - A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Of all the early Beatles albums, where they prioritized short, simple love songs, this is easily my favorite. Not sure why. Just something fun about it.
Best mixtape
n/a
While I like some hip-hop (Outkast, Eminem, NWA, Dr. Dre, Run the Jewels, etc.), I’m not familiar enough with mixtape culture to make a fair call here.
Consistent discography
Alice in Chains
Not only was original vocalist Layne Staley one of the best of all time, but the band somehow managed to continue making great music even after his death. The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013) is the only AiC album I feel mixed about. Everything else they’ve done has basically been gold, as far as I’m concerned.
Biggest letdown
Velvet Revolver - Libertad (2007)
For those who don’t know, Velvet Revolver was basically just Guns N’ Roses with a different singer (in other words, what the other oldschool members of GN’R were doing while Axl was taking forever to make Chinese Democracy with other people). I loved the first Velvet album, Contraband (2004), so I was pretty stoked for this one, as I was still a kid at the time, at the peak of my GN’R fandom. Sadly, right away I could tell something was wrong with this LP. I only ended up liking about half of the songs, and my opinion hasn’t changed much since.
Biggest surprise
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Unlimited Love (2022)
When it was announced that Frusciante was rejoining this band (again) in 2019, I was pretty pumped. The thought of him making a new album with them is basically what got me through covid. Then the first three singles leading up to the album’s release came along, and while all those songs have grown on me now, I felt pretty lukewarm about them at the time. So when it came time to listen to the rest of the record, I was pretty nervous, to say the least. Thankfully, I ended up loving all of the other fourteen songs upon first listen. My overall experience with this album ended up being a nice combination of surprise and relief. UPDATE: I still like this album, but not as much as I used to.
Best soundtrack
Lin-Manuel Miranda - Hamilton (2015)
I assume vocal albums count here. If not, then replace this one with John Williams’ soundtrack for Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980).
Most unique
Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle (1991)
I don’t even know where to start with this one. You’ll just have to listen to it for yourself.
Favorite band
Red Hot Chili Peppers
I understand why these guys aren’t for everyone, but I think the reason I like them so much is that they have a huge catalog that feels consistent, yet varied. If I wanna listen to something chill, I got By the Way, or the Josh-era albums. If I wanna listen to something epic (especially in terms of guitar), I got Blood Sugar Sex Magik or Stadium Arcadium. If I wanna listen to something that sounds kinda like a concept album, I got Californication. If I wanna listen to something a bit heavier, I got Mother’s Milk or One Hot Minute. If I wanna listen to something “punky,” I got The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. If I wanna listen to pure funk, I got Freaky Styley. And that’s not even factoring in the b-sides, non-album singles, etc.
Favorite solo artist
Michael Jackson
Not really sure how to explain this one. I just find his music, voice, etc. to be on another level. I guess I also like that he always challenged himself to be different every time he made a new album. Shit, I even like 2001’s Invincible!
Best EP
Alice in Chains - Sap (1992)
I consider Jar of Flies (1994) to be a full-length album (it has seven songs and is over half an hour long after all), hence why I’m picking Sap here instead. Either way, they both showcase just how great and diverse Alice in Chains can really be.
Most depressing
John Frusciante - Smile from the Streets You Hold (1997)
This was the album Frusciante made when he was at his absolute lowest with drugs, poverty, etc. Right from the opening screams, you can tell that he’s crying out for help, and you can feel his pain across nearly all 17 songs on here (or 18, since the title track was split into two songs on later pressings). I like it, though.
Well, that was a nice way to waste a Saturday.
Peace!
Related: List Repository
