I want to be on a mountain top with a radio and good batteries . . .

I was sitting downstairs on my couch this evening . . . just wrapping up the days events in my head, and I suddenly had the first few lines of "our harry" by the innocence mission run through my head. "Our Harry" is one song that would constantly pop into my head on my mission. I would be sitting at home planning for the next day or out walking up a hill, and I would just have that first line poke into my head. "we will squint into the sun" I'm sure my companion thought I was weird. but hey, a good song is a good song! One of my most vivid memories involves that song. I won't divulge, but it involved my precious little bro. and a late night run to the pool.
so now, after pulling up "glow" on iTunes and realizing what a wonderful album it is, here they are. the albums I wish everyone in the world could hear and cherish. In no particular order . . .

The Innocence Mission
glow
Catchy melodies and deep Christian undertones make this album one of the most life-changing and cherished albums I own. Favorite Song: hard to choose, but the song that hooked me was "happy, the end". You may have heard "bright as yellow" on the Empire Records soundtrack. Song most commonly stuck in my head: "our harry". Enjoy.


Bjork
homogenic
an album of genius, it took me time to convert to this one. listen with headphones on. the song that converted me was "unravel" - listen and read the lyrics. a fond memory of this album is of walking between classes back in 98' (before it was "cool" to walk between classes donning headphones) and listening to this album on my walkman because i couldn't get enough of it. The entire album is an experience. put those headphones on and enjoy.


Radiohead
ok computer
sheer genius. not much more to be said. don't let paranoid android scare you away . . . it fits perfectly. the song that hooked me (and still hooks me again and again today) is "let down". sit back and enjoy - and rock out!





Blur
the best of - disc one
Blur is an amazing band with some of the catchiest tunes I've ever heard. I have a good friend who is a huge blur fan - so I felt a bit blur'd out for a while, but then I got this album - and although some of the older stuff had to grow on me, it wasn't long before this was all I was listening to day in and day out. "Beetlebum" is an excellent song. "Coffee and Tv" is one of my most repeated songs ever. Give it a spin and have fun.
Oh, and for the record - my favorite blur album on its own is "blur"


Imogen Heap
speak for yourself
How could this list possibly be complete without Imogen. She amazes me. Every song is catchy at first and then they all just grow on you. "hide and seek" is my most listened to song of late with at least 150 plays and counting. Each song is good. Each song is worth listening to. Put this one in and get hooked. Support the independent artists of the world.

speaking of imogen . . .


Frou Frou
details
the first time I listened to this album, it was too poppy for me, but then I came to the last two tracks, and that was it - it was love. "flicks" contains a certain consistent movement that pulls me in each time I listen to it, and "the dumbing down of love" is one of the most beautiful album finale's I've ever heard - and it includes one of my favorite lines "music is worthless unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry". You have to hear imogen sing the line to fully appreciate it - but it stands profound on its own. The album in its entirety has grown on me immensely from that first listen, and now I can cruise through it loving each and every song. This one is a keeper.


John Mayer
heavier things
If you don't think you like John Mayer because he sounds like a rip-off of dave matthews, think again. Unfortunately, John's first big song on the radio (played in the grocery store aisles big) was "no such thing" - and "no such thing" has a very DMB feel to it. Believe me, John Mayer's style is very different from Dave Matthews. Not that Dave Matthews fans wouldn't like Johnny boy, just don't get the two confused. heavier things is my favorite album to work out to. the opening lines of "clarity" get me warming up, and then "bigger than my body" kicks in and I just can't help but feel pumped! This album is timeless . . . John's best work to date, and I can't wait for more!


Death Cab for Cutie
transatlanticism
it's difficult to choose between this one and plans. they're both wonderful, but I feel like transatlanticism has a better flow. my favorite aspect of this album? the song transitions. each song is linked to the next by some sort of rhythmic background noise . . . even the last track to the first. that's genius. pick this one up and listen to it from start to finish. you won't be sorry.


and finally . . .

The Beatles
abbey road
I grew up on this album. I cleaned floor boards and dusted furniture and scrubbed walls to this album. I rocked out with my sisters to this album - in its true form: vinyl. I love the beatles, and I love this album. A good solid rock album with just the right balance of creativity . . . every song is dear to my heart. My favorite point on the album would most likely be the medley of tunes at the end - perfectly joined together. Many thanks go to John, Paul, George and Ringo for this work of art.
and no - Paul is not dead!

and now, I *think* that that's all she wrote. this was a spur of the moment decision . . . so I may have left something out, but I feel fairly confident with the choices I have made. Please, if you have not already checked these albums out, check them out. There are so many more albums that I adore, but I think that this is really the cream of the crop in my book. For more ideas, you can always visit my last.fm music profile and see what else keeps me going.

all listings in this post are strictly my opinion and my opinion alone. if you disagree with me, good for you! the world would be a pretty boring place if we all listened to the same thing. hoorah for diversity!