Soundtrack of My Life - Part 4

After much thought, I've decided to list "The Soundtrack of My Life". Yeah there'll certainly be some terrible stuff on here, but oh well, it's part of my life. In no particular order, the artist and song or album will appear, with reasoning below:

NOTE: This post is on-going, it would take forever to catalogue everything and why, so stay tuned!

Oasis - What's the Story Morning Glory (Album)
The band and album that would be the beginning of my semi-obsession with Brit-Rock/Brit-Pop. Wonderwall was the non-ballad ballad that's become a classic. With Noel's Beatles-esque writing formula, and Liam's whiney voice, it had me hooked. It's simple (Don't Look Back in Anger), complex (Champagne Supernova), loud (Hello), romantic (Wonderwall), depressing (Cast No Shadow), angry (Morning Glory) amongst other things all at once. If I had one album to define high school for me, it would be this album.

Aerosmith - Nine Lives (Album)
My introduction into "real" American rock. Though way past their prime (Toys in the Attic, Back in the Saddle, etc...), it was also past their campy 80s (Dude Looks Like a Lady, Angel, Deuces are Wild).

Puff Daddy - No Way Out (Album)
An unfortunate introduction to hip hop. When there were much better options available, somehow No Way Out became hip hop for the masses. This was beginning, if not close to, of the change of direction of hip hop's message of "life on the streets" to "cash/money, hoes". IMO, Puff Daddy cashed in on his friend (and much better rapper) Notorious BIG's death with his so-called tribute album. For better or worse, Mo Money Mo Problems was the "song of the year" my graduating year.

Coldplay - A Rush of Blood to the Head (Album)
While Parachutes was amazing in its own right, A Rush of Blood to the Head was in a league of its own. I can't think of any other album, where songs 1-5 (Politik, In My Place, God Put a Smile on Your Face, The Scientist, Clocks) are incredible. While Parachutes didn't include any clunkers (Daylight, A Whisper I could've really done without), it was not nearly as emotionally charged.

Bob Schneider - I'm Good Now (Album)
An album with songs about life and acceptance. A feel good album without being preachy or bouncy. Serious and introspective, yet remains fun and upbeat. What life should be...

John Mayer - Continuum (Album)
While he might be the biggest douchebag in music, and his lyrics ultra shmaltzy, he still is a decent singer and super talented guitarist. At his worst, he's commercial, empty, and tries too hard. And at his best, (and this album really is him at his best for the most part), he's introspective, thoughtful and emotive.

Fleetwood Mac - The Dance (Album)
The long awaited reunion of Fleetwood Mac's strongest line up of Fleetwood, McVie, McVie, Nicks, Buckingham. While I wasn't old enough to experience the original classic album Rumours, The Dance brings the players together again, older, reconciled and retrospective. The songs are just as amazing as the originals, and in some ways even better, now that they are sung from a much more experienced place.

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Single after single, his sound is just as relevant and holds up today. As a person, yeah kinda creepy, but we'll never know for sure, but as a singer, performer and artist, a cultural phenomenon, the influence is still felt today. I'll take Billie Jean over anything that Usher, Ne-yo, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, etc... can throw out.

Zero 7 - Simple Things (Album)
Best album to just chill out to, great for evenings after work, or lazy sundays.

Paolo Nutini - These Streets (Album)
A young man's documentation of ranges of experiences dealing with love, written in song.

Franz Ferdinand - Fire (Song)
An angry song that I can get on board with. It perfectly describes (at least to me), anger/rage.

Travis - Flowers in the Window (Song)
A love song I can get on board with. Until I heard the story behind the song... oh well.

Travis - Re-Offender (Song)
If you've ever been with somebody only to have the same issues occur over and over again, this song's for you.

Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (Song)
The song is great, but the music video is one of the most memorable.

Van Halen - Right Now (Song)
The piano intro alone is enough, but the song was one of the first with a message that hit me. Also amazing music video.

Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song (Song)
One of the only times you see Scott Weiland's vulnerable, softer side.

Tom Petty - Walls (Song)
"Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks" nuff said

Johnny Cash - Hurt (Song)
We'll call this my "crying song", because I can't help but get emotional when I hear it. If you haven't seen the music video, go on youtube and watch it now.

No Doubt - Don't Speak (Song)
The quintessential break up song in high school (and to this day I think). No Doubt's only classic off their multi hit Tragic Kingdom. Gwen Stefani should go back to writing about life, and stop writing songs with lyrics like, B-A-N-A-N-A-S (though I have to admit, I find that song super catchy).