List 5 to 10 albums that have had a huge influence on your life and/or musical development

[verreauxi]

Whether it was an album that introduced you to a whole new genre of music, an album you listened to over and over to get you through a rough time, an album that invokes a certain period in your life such as travel/roadtrip, etc. You don't need to explain the context if you don't want to, just list (or post a photo) of the album. Some might double as your favorite albums ever, but some might not. For me, I realized most of the albums were ones that introduced me to a whole new genre of music... Only two of these below would be in my "favorite album of all time" list.

















This one I always associate with a rough break-up:

 

[Nymzee]

Not necessarily the best albums ever but definitely the 5 that popped into my head from growing up.

 

[chrismpw]

Simon & Garfunkel - concert in Central park - opened the door to explore 70s music more in my teens during the horrendous 80s.

Pink Floyd - Wish you were here - a PF gateway drug.

Jethro Tull - Songs from the Wood - similar gateway drug

Billy Bragg - life's a riot - pointed me to folk protest songs

Oysterband - Trawler - opened to door to a world of modern folk rock and folk festivals

W.A.S.P. - the last command - heavy metal

Dvorak - new world symphony - dramatic and emotional music that reminds me of sailing in the solent, with it playing on an 8 track

Mike Oldfield - Hergestridge - showed me how much detail and texture there can be in instruments and saved me from a life of monotony when I could've easily fallen into electronic music with J-M Jarre.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

This is a great thread idea.

The Chronic - Dr. Dre - Evokes memories of the summer of 1993 riding around town with my boys, 16 year old bliss, no cares in the world.

Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream - Didn't sound like anything else at the time, really hits as a young high schooler. My favorite band from that era.

Under the Table and Dreaming - Dave Matthews Band - Was the foundation upon which I explored other types of music as I went into college. It was different than anything else I had heard up to that point, and then it essentially was the soundtrack of my freshman year of college - it was everywhere.

Meddle - Pink Floyd - In one of life's cruel jokes as an Evertonian, Fearless is my favorite Pink Floyd song. Found Pink Floyd in college and this album was the beginning.

Billy Breathes - Phish - My favorite band as an adult. I can pick any number of albums here, but this was the one that hooked me forever in college.

Kid A - Radiohead - Already a fan by this point, it's the best album of all time for me. When the first notes hit, I immediately get locked in back to the first time I heard it. It's perfection

Transatlanticism/Plans - Death Cab for Cutie - Two albums that got me through a period of reflection and growth in the late 2000s

Okonokos - My Morning Jacket - It's a live album and the original soundtrack for my life post-2009 with Mrs. PF and our friends since that time.


There are literally hundreds of others I can add to this list, but these pop out off the top of my head as real gamechangers for me either in regards to personal change or marking life events.

 

[Kurt.]

NOW 1
NOW 2
NOW 3
NOW 5 (4 was poor)
NOW 6
NOW 7
NOW 8
NOW 9
NOW that’s what I call Xmas

 

[smileychap]

Cheating slightly here to include People that have influenced me. I play piano really badly but the life stories and recordings of the following people have proved pretty inspiring:

Steve Wonder, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, The Beatles, Freddie Mercury, Simon and Garfunkel, Bill Withers to name but a few.

But to stick to the question... Albums that kinda led me on that journey from cassettes in Mum's Ford Capri to Spotify would be:

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Simon and Garfunkel - Central Park Concert
Queen - The Works
Simple Minds - Street Fighting Years
U2- Achtung Baby
Depeche Mode -Violator
James - 7
Primal Scream - Screamadelica
Ben Folds Five - Whatever and Ever Amen
There was a guy called Gavin Clarke, who performed with Uncle, and wrote scores for a few Shane Meadows films. The songs he penned for Summerstown (and the film itself) are I think, brilliant.

I started Peer to Peer, Napster, Spotifying 25 years ago and have sort of discovered the artists I listen to most in the format of Spotify lists and Greatest of albums. The resent passing of Quincy Jones created a host of Quincy Jones 'Radio' play lists some of which were phenomenal. It's never been easier to discover amazing music.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Could be anyone of about 20 or 30 but these are all really influential or very nostalgic albums I go back too regularly. They're really all from fairly early on in my life. I may do an update from later stages in my life at some point.

 

[Jamestrueblue]

Good topic this
Two albums that stick out massive for me at different times of my life are
George best by the wedding present
Telling stories by the charlatans

 

[verreauxi]

I'm sure I'll have more to add, but I can't believe I forgot this one. @dublinbluenose posting of Husker Du reminded me of the album that became my definitive entree into the punk scene, especially in Chicago:

 

[Exeter_Gently]

Van Morrison...Veedon Fleece
The La's...The La's
Kings of Leon..Ah Shake Heartbreak
City and Colour...Sometimes
Creedence Clearwater...Live in Europe
(Keeping on Chooglin) Incredible song live.

 

[magicjuan]

The Clash- Give em enough Rope
The difficult second album took the fire of punk and turned it into storytelling

The Jam- The Modern World, like above showed anger and angst can be controlled and observant, Weller began to give directions as well as observations.

Prefab Sprout- Steve McQueen. If you know it you'd understand. One of the greatest wordsmiths this country has produced.

Cocteau Twins- Victorialand. Of all their works this shines a light on Guthrie's music production, but above all Liz Fraser's voice, at her ethereal best (close to Moon and the Melodies).

Propaganda- A Secret Wish. Pre new beat thundering electronic pop, stunning production from Trevor Horn and Claudia Brückens voice sings out above it all.

VA- Techno 2- the next generation. Weird that a compilation shifted that much, but along with Biorythms was the soundtrack to journeys to many an illicit rendezvous

Steely Dan- Aja. Everyone should own it.

 

[dublinbluenose]

Good topic this
Two albums that stick out massive for me at different times of my life are
George best by the wedding present
Telling stories by the charlatans

They did a 30th anniversary reissue where they re-recorded the album. A great great album from a great great band.

 

[RufusCat]

Looking at my list it seems to show how my tastes evolved from teenager to grumpy old(ish) man:
Bachman Turned Overdrive - Not Fragile
Barclay James Harvest - Live (double album)
Camel - I Can See Your House From Here
Pink Floyd - The Wall
Led Zeppelin - Presence
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Ed Alleyne-Johnson - Purple Electric Violin Concerto
Anathema - A Fine Day To Exit
Pinhani - Inandigin Masallar

 

[Papa Shango]

Poppy - I Disagree: My favourite album. Came out just before lockdown so had a lot of time to listen to it. I love how she just throws loads of stuff together into the mixer.
Marillion - Clutching at Straws: The first ever album I bought, I must have been about 9 or so. Still gets a listen to this day.
REM - Reckoning: A masterpiece. I got into REM around when Green came out, started delving into their back catalogue via regular trips to Penny Lane Records and this one was my favourite.
Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister: Great album by a great band, just reminds me of younger times when life was easier.
Cat Stevens - Teaser and the Firecat: Another one that reminds me of just sitting off and having a good time. How Can I Tell You is for me the most underrated song ever.

 

[Papa Shango]

Simon & Garfunkel - concert in Central park - opened the door to explore 70s music more in my teens during the horrendous 80s.

Pink Floyd - Wish you were here - a PF gateway drug.

Jethro Tull - Songs from the Wood - similar gateway drug

Billy Bragg - life's a riot - pointed me to folk protest songs

Oysterband - Trawler - opened to door to a world of modern folk rock and folk festivals

W.A.S.P. - the last command - heavy metal

Dvorak - new world symphony - dramatic and emotional music that reminds me of sailing in the solent, with it playing on an 8 track

Mike Oldfield - Hergestridge - showed me how much detail and texture there can be in instruments and saved me from a life of monotony when I could've easily fallen into electronic music with J-M Jarre.

W.A.S.P.! There is a band I have not thought about for years!

I remember them and the Sugarcubes were always mainstays on the "specialist charts" on The Chart Show.