12 Most Influential Albums of My Life (Part 1)
Music has had a tremendous influence on me throughout my years. While there is a multitude of albums that I have loved, a handful stand out as significant points in my life and have influenced some aspect of me. In this two-part blog, I’m taking a look at some of the most influential albums that I’ve come across. Here they are in no particular order.
Michael Jackson - Dangerous
This one's going back to the days of cassette tapes for me. I got this album for Christmas along with a brand new yellow Sony Walkman. You know the one I’m talking about. I didn't know what was inside. I just put on the headphones and hit play. After I heard the glass shatter, I started jamming. It was a magical moment. "Jam," “Remember the Time," “Dangerous," “Will You Be There," this album is full of hits. And let's not forget that music video with Michael Jordan.
Favorite track: “Will You Be There”
Kris Kross - Da Bomb
You thought I was going to go with the Totally Krossed Out album because of “Jump,” didn’t you? While I did own and enjoy that album, I enjoyed this much more. When my mom started teaching middle school, there was a stash of confiscated stuff from students. This cassette was in that stash, and the student never returned to get it, so I inherited it. This was my first real foray into the world of hip-hop. It's more mature stylistically than their first album, and it really got me into the genre that I still love today.
Favorite track: “I’m Real”
Project 86 - Project 86
In a complete switch of genres, this band really brings it. Up until I found this album, the only thing I knew of "Christian" music was worship and CCM. While that has it’s own place, it doesn’t always scratch my itch. I love hard rock, and this album did not disappoint. It became my pump-up album before every wrestling match I had in high school, and let me tell you, it worked. I got totally fired up with an adrenaline rush every time I listened to it, even still today. Plus, another song of theirs is what inspired the title for Forever Hollow.
Favorite track: “Six Sirens”
Linkin Park - Hybrid Theory
Now, a lot of people hate on the rapcore genre, but I don't care. This album, and the band itself, hit on everything I love. The cadence, flow, and lyricism of rap combined with adrenaline pumping drums and guitar of hard rock. Sappy as it may sound, the lyrics in many of these songs really with my melancholy side. It also doesn’t hurt that I used to watch some really sweet DBZ music videos set to their songs.
Favorite track: “In the End”
Foo Fighters - The Color and the Shape
For me, this album is the epitome of 90s rock. I know there are a lot of other great bands in our holdings out there like Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Bush, and so on, but nothing beats the Foo Fighters in my book. This album has longevity and is one that I still return to to this very day. Plus, it has one of my favorite all-time songs on it.
Favorite track: “Everlong” (no contest)
Propaganda - Crimson Cord
Propaganda quickly became one of my favorite hip-hop artists when I discovered him. His lyrics are masterfully composed, his sound is amazing, and his music has a strong purpose behind it. He weaves faith and social issues into well-thought-out lyrics that never cease to leave me in a pensive mood. Listening to his music opened my eyes to the reality of racial issues.