So, let me start off my saying that this is my first blog, and, to be honest, I never considered even creating one until a few days ago. So why the change of heart? It’s not that I’m pretentious enough to think that people would really want to read my thoughts, but, instead, a former teacher/fellow music fanatic suggested I write one on music. And, considering my passion for it, I thought that was a brilliant idea. There are so many artists/bands and industry aspects that I would love to share with people, but, let’s be honest, Facebook isn’t very conducive to such sharing, especially considering how it’s becoming more like Twitter every day. (And for those of you offended, I have a Twitter, so I can judge). So here it is: my thoughts regarding music, the music industry, and those things that make it still worth listening to, despite what you hear on the radio.
Let’s start off with something basic. Here are my top 50 albums at the moment, starting with my most favorite, although, after #5, the order is more or less is arbitrary. Keep in mind these are my favorites, not what I consider to be the best albums. And ask me again next week and I can guarantee half of them won’t be there. Why make a list of my favorite 50 albums of the moment? Because I’m on a plane, and there’s nothing else to do. (Well, I was when I wrote this.)
- 1. Elton John-Tumbleweed Connection (Hence, the name of the blog)
- 2. Jackson Browne-Jackson Browne (also known as “Saturate Before Using”)
- 3. Bon Iver-For Emma, Forever Ago
- 4. William Fitzsimmons-”The Sparrow and the Crow
- 5. John Mayer-“Where the Light Is: Live from Los Angeles
- 6. Missy Higgins-The Sound of White
- 7. Alexi Murdoch-Time Without Consequence
- 8. David Gray-Draw the Line
- 9. Mat Kearney-Nothing Left to Lose
- 10. Andrew Belle-Live at Hotel Cafe
- 11. Brandi Carlile-Live from Downtown Studios
- 12. Damien Rice-BBC 4 Sessions
- 13. Elton John-Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
- 14. Elton John-Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player
- 15. Elton John-Honky Chateau
- 16. Jackson Browne-Solo Acoustic Volumes 1 & 2 (They’re technically two albums, but I like to think that they were released separately so he could go on tour with them)
- 17. Thriving Ivory-Thriving Ivory
- 18. The Killers-Hot Fuss
- 19. City and Colour-Bring Me Your Love
- 20. City and Colour-Sometimes
- 21. Josh Groban-Awake
- 22. The Script-The Script
- 23. Counting Crows-August and Everything After
- 24. Bruce Springsteen-We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
- 25. Eminem-Curtain Call
- 26. Augustana-All the Stars and Bolevards
- 27. Adele-19
- 28. James Blunt-Back to Bedlam
- 29. Nas-Hip Hop Is Dead
- 30. The Swell Season-Strict Joy
- 31. Alanis Morisette-Jagged Little Pill
- 32. Jay-Z-The Blueprint 3
- 33. J Cole-The Warm Up
- 34. Tyrone Wells-Hold On
- 35. Ray LaMontange-Trouble
- 36. Eminem and DJ Green Lantern-Invasion Theory Invasion (Part I, II, & III)
- 37. Kings of Leon-Only by the Night
- 38. Eminem and DJ Semi-White America 2
- 39. Kid Cudi-That Kid from Cleveland
- 40. Eli Mattson-Eli Mattson
- 41. Train-Alive at Last
- 42. Natalie Merchant-Live in Concert
- 43. Cold War Kids-Robbers and Cowards
- 44. Amos Lee-Amos Lee
- 45. Chris Ayer-Don’t Go Back to Sleep
- 46. The Fray-Live from the Electric Factory
- 47. Diane Birch-Bible Belt
- 48. Brandi Carlile-Give up the Ghost
- 49. Angel Taylor-Love Travels
- 50. The Cast of Rent-Rent Soundtrack
