Some albums will stand the test of time and others will become instant classics. In my life of listening to music, there have been a few records that have just been so good that I keep on revisiting time after time. Some of them I would give anything to see performed live front to back, as that's becoming a trend more and more. Here's a list of 10 of them. This list isn't in any particular order.
Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown
Switchfoot has been my favorite band for almost 5 years now. Although I knew of this album and listened to it since its release, I never really listened to the album and its lyrics until I started listening to the band more. Sure enough, the album just kept getting better the more and more I listened to the album (and it still applies today), the more and more I found myself listening to and relating to the lyrics. Now, almost 14 years since release, all I want is for the band to do at least one date in their hometown of San Diego and play this album in full. What a special night that would be.
Anberlin - Cities
How about another one from the golden age of Christian rock? Anberlin's breakout album turns 10 in just under a month, so I'm not ruling out anything just yet. Bands like Underoath and Boys Like Girls have reunited just to play a tour of their biggest album in full, with many more who are together playing 10 year tours and/or festivals. After hearing the live recording of this album, I can't help but hope each of the guys has a spark inside them to do one more tour to celebrate this record. I guess we will see what 2017 holds.
I can already tell you that this will be the only metal in this list, but it's just as deserving as the rest. When Underoath announced their Rebirth tour and that they were going to be playing Self Help Fest 2016, I knew I wasn't going to miss it. I also knew that I needed to refresh my memory on their music. So I listened to all their albums with Spencer front to back, and to me, this one is by far the best. Even they agree. I wouldn't knock them out for doing a 10 year tour for this album next year and if they do, I will be first in line for tickets.
Before Switchfoot, Skillet was my favorite band. I still love them, just Switchfoot's music has been there for me through hard times. Anyway, I used to jam this record so much back in the day. Being that its the album that really brought Skillet to mainstream success, I am honestly surprised that they didn't do a 10 year tour for this album last year. But that's besides the point. The second I heard Rebirthing for the first time, I was hooked. I then listened to the album and trust me when I say, its one of my favorites of all time.
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Coldplay was the hardest band to pick for just one album I want to see live in full. Their entire discography is just amazing and I love the fact that no 2 of their records are the same, musically and lyrically. Chris Martin is one of my biggest inspirations and what he does from album to album just amazes me. They are a phenomenal live band and this album played live front to back would be INSANE.
What an album this was. Thousand Foot Krutch had been playing music for over a decade when this album came out. I don't know what they did to make this such a great record but props to them. To me, this is their best record and that's funny, considering it was their last record before leaving their label. If you've never listened to this record, do it now. It's not too Christian and there is something for everyone
Switchfoot - The Beautiful Letdown
Switchfoot has been my favorite band for almost 5 years now. Although I knew of this album and listened to it since its release, I never really listened to the album and its lyrics until I started listening to the band more. Sure enough, the album just kept getting better the more and more I listened to the album (and it still applies today), the more and more I found myself listening to and relating to the lyrics. Now, almost 14 years since release, all I want is for the band to do at least one date in their hometown of San Diego and play this album in full. What a special night that would be.
Anberlin - Cities
How about another one from the golden age of Christian rock? Anberlin's breakout album turns 10 in just under a month, so I'm not ruling out anything just yet. Bands like Underoath and Boys Like Girls have reunited just to play a tour of their biggest album in full, with many more who are together playing 10 year tours and/or festivals. After hearing the live recording of this album, I can't help but hope each of the guys has a spark inside them to do one more tour to celebrate this record. I guess we will see what 2017 holds.
My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
Even though My Chemical Romance ruled the mid-2000s, I never truly listened to them until last year. So far, The Black Parade is the only album I have listened to by them and despite how much I love the record, I haven't gone to check out their other material. With that being said, though, I heard none of their albums are anything like this one. And no album I have ever listened to is like this one. It is an amazing album from beginning to end. To me, its like if Elvis made a record in 2006.
Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation
Underoath - Lost In The Sound Of Separation
I can already tell you that this will be the only metal in this list, but it's just as deserving as the rest. When Underoath announced their Rebirth tour and that they were going to be playing Self Help Fest 2016, I knew I wasn't going to miss it. I also knew that I needed to refresh my memory on their music. So I listened to all their albums with Spencer front to back, and to me, this one is by far the best. Even they agree. I wouldn't knock them out for doing a 10 year tour for this album next year and if they do, I will be first in line for tickets.
U2 - The Joshua Tree
Now this one is happening for me, but I'm still going to put it on the list. I got blessed with growing up with great music. My dad would always be playing artists like Journey, U2, Stevie Ray Vaughn, among others. But there's one record that he played a lot that still sticks out to me. So much so, that I consider it, in my books, the greatest record of all time. I'm probably going to get tickets for their 30 year anniversary tour for this record and dang it, I can't wait.
Flyleaf - New Horizons
Flyleaf is one of those things that went away way too soon. But it's understandable and as sad as it is, I totally support them. To me, they didn't have a bad record but out of all of them, New Horizons is by far my favorite. I wish they would do one last tour with Lacey and play the 3 albums with her front to back because I just miss them so much.
Skillet - Comatose
Before Switchfoot, Skillet was my favorite band. I still love them, just Switchfoot's music has been there for me through hard times. Anyway, I used to jam this record so much back in the day. Being that its the album that really brought Skillet to mainstream success, I am honestly surprised that they didn't do a 10 year tour for this album last year. But that's besides the point. The second I heard Rebirthing for the first time, I was hooked. I then listened to the album and trust me when I say, its one of my favorites of all time.
Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
Coldplay was the hardest band to pick for just one album I want to see live in full. Their entire discography is just amazing and I love the fact that no 2 of their records are the same, musically and lyrically. Chris Martin is one of my biggest inspirations and what he does from album to album just amazes me. They are a phenomenal live band and this album played live front to back would be INSANE.
Thousand Foot Krutch - Welcome To The Masquerade
What an album this was. Thousand Foot Krutch had been playing music for over a decade when this album came out. I don't know what they did to make this such a great record but props to them. To me, this is their best record and that's funny, considering it was their last record before leaving their label. If you've never listened to this record, do it now. It's not too Christian and there is something for everyone
From Indian Lakes - Absent Sounds
Rounding out the list today is Yosemite-based Indie Rock artist Joey Vanucci, better known as From Indian Lakes. Normally, when I go to shows, I'm there for the main artist and to enjoy the opening artists, without buying anything from the opening artist. But, when I saw Relient K on their MMHMM 10th Anniversary tour, this guys (along with his supporting band) impressed me so much that I had to buy their CD. 2 years and a couple of months later, it is truly one of the best albums I have heard ever.
___________________________________________________________________________________
I know 10 doesn't seem like a lot, but I'm keeping it at 10 for now so I can keep this post as short as possible. If you have never listened to the albums on this list, you seriously need to. I might do another one like this soon, as well so keep your eyes out.
Until Next Time, Alex
No comments:
Post a Comment