YorkeDaddy

Hi. I'm YorkeDaddy. I'm the type of individual that likes to quickly integrate himself into a community, especially a musical community with as much intelligence and brilliance as this one. I'm also one to take on ambitious projects such as this one, and the type of person that likes to put his writing abilities to the test against some of the people on this forum who's writing talent is almost jaw-dropping at times. Those are the reasons why I'm doing this, and hopefully people will enjoy my writing and musical selections to the point where I can become a (decently) recognized member of this community.

Now, onto the actual musical analyses I plan on writing. I have compiled a list of fifty works of music that have changed me in some way over the years. They're not necessarily my favorites (although I do happen to love almost all of them), and they're not necessarily my picks for the 'greatest albums ever' or anything like that. This is still a countdown of sorts, though, in order of importance in my life. There were many to choose from, but only these select fifty have made my list, and I've decided to share my choices with the fine people of this forum. Hopefully some of you care to read about my choices and accept them for what they are, and hopefully some people will discover new music, which, that's a big reasons for why we're all here, right? To discover new music?

While in my circle of real-life friends I consider myself the one with the music taste that is by far the most bizarre, I'm sure my choices will probably be seen as "typical" among the members here. I assure you that I'm trying not to be classified as "typical," I just haven't been exposed to enough of the unique artists that are out there. Anyway, without further adieu, let's start my little list.


I hate to start things off with such a cliche, but I really couldn't think of a better album to put down first here. How does one go about introducing an analysis of a record like this? A record that is almost universally considered by music critics and aficionados to be one of the greatest in the history of music? There really is no way to introduce an album that has been thoroughly discussed by so many people since its release in 1989. What I can talk about, however, is how it's influenced my life.

It's almost embarrassing to discuss the manner in which this record was introduced to me. I was a little boy in middle school that prided himself in wearing Linkin Park shirts and jammin' out to Avenged Sevenfold in my room at nights. For Christmas that year I was given Guitar Hero 3 for my birthday, which may just be the most used birthday present I've ever received. Nevertheless, I can confidently say that it helped introduce me to one of my favorite bands of all time.

Some of you may know that "She Bangs the Drums" is a bonus song in that game's setlist. Well, upon unlocking that song and playing it for the first time, it's safe to say I was slightly mesmerized. Never had a work of music ever made me feel so...blissful. The song invoked feelings of happiness in its purest form deep within my soul. There have been times where it's almost brought tears to my eyes. Tears of joy. When I heard the song, I felt blissful. Invigorated. Inspired. Could there be more music out there that can evoke such feelings? Is there more out there besides Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin?

I downloaded this self-titled record soon after and devoured each and every second of this magnificent work. It's safe to say that The Stone Roses was the first work of music I had ever listened to that was located strictly out of the mainstream rock scene. I had never experienced music with such lyrical elegance, such well-placed guitar and riff mastery. This is the album that introduced me to what music really can be. It can be emotional, it can be political, it can be powerful on more levels than simply anger or frustration. Every track is masterfully written with pristine focus and intricacy to the point of utter amazement, and it is for this reason that the album struck such a chord with me.

Over the years I discovered new bands through my further research into the realms of good music. The Stone Roses received less and less plays, as I had discovered new things. However, this record will always live on in my heart. I feel as if I'm truly in love with this album, and it's a love that will never fade.

jackhammer

Not a big Stone Roses fan but I like your attitude and I am sure you will fit well into MB. Keep it up!

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YorkeDaddy

Thanks! I've seen a lot of your posts around here during my brief lurking sections, and you appear to be one of the more knowledgeable members of this community. It's definitely nice to have your approval.

Paedantic Basterd

Looking forwards to this. More new members should jump right in like you have.

Blarobbarg

Nice post, nice pick. Hope to see ya around.

Although I have to say, ya don't need to be so proper dude. You are allowed to write conversationally.

YorkeDaddy

I guess it's a tad strange that an album that seriously contends for one of my favorites of all time is getting dropped this high on the list. Once again, however, this list isn't exactly just a list of favorites...it's mostly a list of potentially life-changing albums.

I remember the first time I discovered Mew, and thus, this record that has become one of my all-time favorites. Believe it or not, I have a friend that lived in Denmark until 2007. He moved to the states and I befriended him pretty quickly upon his entrance into my quaint little school. It took him a while to adjust, but eventually I began becoming closer to him, until one day I took a trip to his house. We sat in his room and listened to some of his music collection, which included some respectable yet generic acts such as Nirvana or U2. Sure, they're both excellent artists in their own right, but nothing I'd ever heard before.

"Here, let me pop in a CD by a group from Denmark," he told me. I expected some silly pop singer to spout some Danish lyrics in my face that only my friend would understand and that I would have no appreciation for. Not that I don't have appreciation for artists that sing in different languages, in fact, Sigur Ros is one of my favorites, but I still didn't expect much to come out of his Danish CD collection.

He pulls out a CD case containing one of the most...interesting album covers I've ever seen. The writing is almost incomprehensible. He sets the CD down in his player and sends me on a ride down Mew Lane.

Ever since that moment, Mew has been one of my favorite bands. And here I am, four years later, attempting to write an essay about why this album is one of the most important works in my life.

As I gaze into the utterly bizarre picture that functions as this record's album cover, I try to come up with a few words that best describe this album. The energetic guitar riff of Circuitry of the Wolf pounds through my speakers. Jonas Bjerre's gorgeous voice serenades me through the strangely uplifting yet foreboding Chinaberry Tree. His voice is almost ethereal and archaic through the mind-blowing choruses of The Zookeeper's Boy, which is my favorite chorus in any song I've ever heard in my entire life.

Through all of these images and sounds, the only words I can muster to sum up this album are: simply incredible.

Every single song is a beautiful work of dream pop at the genre's very best. It's impossible for me to listen to this record without just laying back and staring up into the ceiling in wonder. This is the album that introduced me to obscure foreign bands. Not everything has to come from America, Canada, or Britain. In fact, some of the best works can come from unexpected places; looking at you, Iceland and Denmark.

RVCA

Contender for worst album art in my library

YorkeDaddy

lol, yeah, but I've always found that the best way to get people to like you initially is to just be really polite and stuff for a while at first.

Yeah, it really doesn't get much worse than that...

Zer0

I love these list type thread thingys. Good work, will keep an eye on this.

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YorkeDaddy

I love them too. That's why I'm doing this

P.S. the write-ups will get longer as I go along.


I'm sorry to disappoint all of you, but not every album on here will have a strong back story regarding my discovery of it. Some albums will simply be lucky finds or quick downloads I decided to initiate on a simple whim. This is one of those cases.

I had heard of The Who, but honestly, who hasn't? I had friends, family, colleagues that talked about them, mostly positively but in some cases in a negative fashion. But really, why should I care? I just liked to jam out to the guitar solos by Avenged Sevenfold's guitarist who's name I can't even remember anymore. Nevertheless, one day I decided to see what all these mysteriously named guys were about. Were they really "the greatest rock band of all time", or were they just a generic late 60's act that would fail to impress me like so many had already done before.

I fire up Who's Next first, and I'm immediately taken on a ride by the incredible, world-famous introduction to Baba O'riley. It's very rare that a song leaves me in pure awe throughout it's entire duration. Well, Baba O'riley successfully did that to me. The lyrics spoke to me. The powerful all-major chord progression resonated within me. D Major, A Major, G Major, each chord vibrated through my entire being. The song summarized my years of teenage angst and inspired me like so many others before. I lived by this song, I thrived through its message.

Little did I know, the rest of the album would soon inspire me almost as much. Behind Blue Eyes's heart-breaking tale pulled at my strings like I was some kind of cheap beginner's mandolin. Won't Get Fooled Again was the most epic and politically inspiring song I had ever had the pleasure to listen to. For a large amount of time in my life, this was the only record I listened to, and remains my favorite Who album to this day, and that spot will never be replaced.