Less Talk, More Rock: Or, Yet Another List
Via The Onion A.V. Club Blog: There’s a new survey circulating in the blogosphere, which asks you to pick a favorite album for each year you’ve been alive. I enjoy these things, so I’ve accepted the challenge of my fellow geeks. It seems to me that my final list is a mix of no-brainer classics (London Calling and Purple Rain are represented) and weird stuff that I enjoy (Almost Blue and Ragged Glory). I mostly resisted the urge to get cute and pick multiples, but, frankly, it was impossible to pick just one for 1987. (Trying to pick between those two albums is like saying, “Hey, Danny, who do you like more: Gandhi or Einstein?”)
I’m curious to see your lists if you have a couple of minutes. Just for fun, I’ll tag Mrs. M, The American Mastodon, and William Harryman.
1979: London Calling by The Clash
1980: Back in Black by AC/DC
1981: Almost Blue by Elvis Costello and the Attractions
1982: Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes
1983: Swordfishtrombones by Tom Waits
1984: Purple Rain by Prince
1985: Tim by The Replacements
1986: Songs from Liquid Days by Philip Glass
1987: (tie) The Joshua Tree by U2 & Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen
1988: I’m Your Man by Leonard Cohen
1989: Paul’s Boutique by Beastie Boys
1990: Ragged Glory by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
1991: “After Awhile” by Jimmie Dale Gilmore
1992: The Future by Leonard Cohen
1993: In Utero by Nirvana
1994: Grace by Jeff Buckley
1995: Wrecking Ball by Emmylou Harris
1996: Call the Doctor by Sleater-Kinney
1997: Either/Or by Elliott Smith
1998: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill
1999: The Soft Bulletin by The Flaming Lips
2000: Gung Ho by Patti Smith
2001: “Love and Theft” by Bob Dylan
2002: The Rising by Bruce Springsteen
2003: World Without Tears by Lucinda Williams
2004: My Mother’s Hymnbook by Johnny Cash
2005: Devils and Dust by Bruce Springsteen
2006: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood by Neko Case
2007: Back Numbers by Dean & Britta
2008: (so far) Real Emotional Trash by Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks
