Photo by Simon Noh
This isn’t an open forum, it’s a statement.
I love music. I listen to music as much as I can. I play music. I sing music. I pray to music. I run to music. I most certainly dance to music.
Music has most certainly saved my life on several occasions. You know, those moments when you’re 19 and you think you’re in love, so you blast Joss Stone “Fell in Love with a Boy” on repeat in your 1998 Mercury Cougar hoping they get the hint. No? Just me?
That’s cool, that’s cool, cool, cool, cool, cool…
As a tween, my prized possession was my 5 CD disc changer, and eventually my first generation iPod which also connected to my custom speaker system aforementioned Mercury Cougar.
I also have the musical attention of a goldfish since upgrading to Spotify Premium two years ago, and I now have as many skips as I damn well please. Unlimited skips? That gets me drunk on power… Here’s how I spend my time on Spotify.
……………..
8 Albums I can listen to from start to finish
#TeamNoSkips
Chariot Stripped by Gavin DeGraw
I know, in recent years Gavin has been giving us a discreet Confederate flag pin on the lapel + cowboy boots vibe, but his musical talent is undeniable. I remember skipping school, and dragging my friend to the House of Blues in Chicago because I just had to hear “I Don’t Want To Be” because OnE TrEe HilL for liFe. This album has the raspiness you crave, lyrics that make sense, and a few bop moments.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Crush or Nice to Meet You Anyway
Song that makes me melt: Over-rated or Change is Gonna Come
I’ll always dance to: I Don’t Want to Be or Chemical Party
(basically the whole album is gold)
Ps. Saw him live in Madrid, and yes, I did lose my voice from screaming like a teenage girl… and what?
Songs about Jane by Maroon 5
Did you just feel a strong urge to close the computer and walk away? Please don’t. I’m really glad you’re still here.
This album is beautiful and perfect and I won’t hear anything else about it, especially from people who haven’t listened to it from start to finish. Adam Levine used to actually make good music. There are instruments being played, and the occasional lyrical combo that makes you purse your lips, and nod your head in agreement.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Harder to Breathe
Song that makes me melt: Sunday Morning or Sweetest Goodbye
I’ll always dance to: This Love
Room For Squares by John Mayer
Wait, do I just like swarthy white men with a bit of rasp to their voices? BRB having an identity crisis…
This album has it all: guitar, fun lyrics, and lots of heart without the melodrama. I love this album so much because I appreciate a singer who also plays an instrument and real talk, John Mayer has magical guitar-playing twiddle fingers.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Why Georgia or My Stupid Mouth
Song that makes me melt: No Such Thing
I’ll always dance to: Neon or City Love
The College Dropout by Kanye West
I don’t want to like Kanye West as he is today. Actually, I feel for Kanye West. He’s got a mental illness, and that sucks, and I can only imagine the trauma that comes with grieving your parent in front of millions of people demanding you sing for them and design (weird) shoes… and then there’s his (ex-) wife and her blood-sucking, attention-crazed family to boot.
That’s a lot for a dude from the South Side who just wanted to make music…
Anyway, Kanye is a genius when it comes to rap. He’s a regular dude when it comes to life choices (he got blinded by the booty!)
This album is a masterpiece, and no one can deny it.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: All Falls Down
Song to workout to: The New Workout Plan
I’ll always dance to: Slow Jamz
Back To Black by Amy Winehouse
Ugh. So much flippin’ talent!
If someone told me that Nina Simone and Whitney Houston had a baby and called her Amy Winehouse, I would believe them. This album is timeless.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Valerie
Song that makes me melt: Some Unholy War
I’ll always dance to: Tears Dry on Their Own
How to Save a Life by The Fray
Okay, so yeah, I dig a pop-rock-angsty-but-soft moment. The Fray is still a talented group of pop-rock-angsty rockers with feels.
It’s like elevator music, with pizazz…
Favorite song to sing in the shower: How to Save a Life
Song that makes me melt: Look After You
I’ll always dance to: Over My Head
We Move by James Vincent McMorrow
I think I listened to this album once a day for 6 months in 2019. I don’t know why his voice is so hauntingly beautiful, but here we are! I also saw James in concert and my God— I just, the immense talent that man possesses is insane.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Last Story
Song that makes me melt: Lost Angles
I’ll always dance to: Rising Water
Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper
So much fun! I love rap that doesn’t make me want to throw up! Right?! *air high-five* Anyone?
Chance is a force, and he’s a Chicago native, so that combo of talent and raw hustle is in his bones and it shows.
Favorite song to sing in the shower: Blessings
Song that makes me melt: Same Drugs
I’ll always dance to: Angels
