Top 100 of all time (in no particular order) Vol. 1

(First published between 8-27-22/ 6-11-23 on middleageoutrage, http://instagram.com/middleageoutrage )

Pink Moon by Nick Drake. (1972)

I’ve loved this for dozens of reasons, most recently I requested it as I woke up after surgery.

I started listening to this in my office when I was a youth pastor in south Denver, it was great to write sermon material to. It was minimal and haunting, it made me act serious.

When I left my full time ministry job I was working graveyard shifts at a grocery store. I have a distinct memory of writing my wife and daughter’s love letters in my dining room while listening to Pink Moon before one of those grating shifts.

There is a beautiful pain that comes with Pink Moon. A song like Parasite resonates hours after you hear it. That’s why it is great to listen to if you are waking up out of a painful surgery.

Wiretap Scars by Sparta. (2002)

I got this the day it came out the summer before my jr year of high school.  I listened to it from start to finish hundreds of times that terrible year. Every time I revisit it I remember what a treasure this album is. I think it is underrated & still undiscovered by too many.  Thank you @spartaband

Bless The Martyr, Kiss The Child by Norma Jean.  (2002)

This band & this album introduced me to a whole new world of possibilities.  It was the single biggest shift in taste I ever made, and the sounds that come from it still inspire me today. Some of my favorite lyrics ever and the beautiful brutality of the crushing noise have kept me listening for over 20 years.

@normajeanband

The Fashion Focus by Starflyer 59.  (1998)

I’ve always enjoyed this band, but they had a huge back catalog I still haven’t fully explored. The guitarist from Zao mentioned this album on a podcast a couple years ago and I downloaded it on his recommendation.  It has made a tremendous impact on me and gets played on a regular basis. It’s soundtracked our family roadtrips, my (former) abusive workplace, and late night work sessions.  I just listened to it twice over as I held my newborn daughter in the NICU, she loves it too! 

@sf59

You’re Nothing by Iceage (2013)

I read a rave review for this when it came out, saw they were playing Denver the next day, and decided I would check it out. I mostly go to shows by myself, I wish I could have shared this one with someone. This album helped shift my taste to love noisier and more discordant music.

@iceage