My Top 5 Albums

#1 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik

This album is frequently heralded as one of the defining albums of the 90s. The funk/punk style that had permeated previous album's is most definitely still there, but mixed with it is a strong melodic feel which adds a different dimension to the tracks. There's a structure and thought process to the songs that hadn't existed before. Despite being cited as an inspiration to countless artists since its release, the brilliance of Blood Sugar Sex Magik is that no one else has managed to do anything quite like it.

#2 Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon

What gives the album true power is the subtly textured music, which evolves from ponderous, neo-psychedelic art rock to jazz fusion and blues-rock before turning back to psychedelia. It's dense with detail, but leisurely paced, creating its own dark, haunting world.
Pink Floyd may have better albums than Dark Side of the Moon, but no other record defines them quite as well as this one.

#3 The Doors - The Doors

A tremendous debut album, and indeed one of the best first-time outings in rock history, introducing the band's fusion of rock, blues, classical, jazz, and poetry with a knockout punch.The Doors debut from 1967, is arguably their best full-length work. On this album, the band and Morrison are definite equals - both inspiring the other to new heights.

#4 N.W.A. Straight Outta Compton

Decked out in identical utility gear and sporting enough lyrical artillery to frighten all of middle America, N.W.A quickly upended hip-hop tradition with Straight Outta Compton. One of hip-hop's crucial albums, it paved the way for some of today's brightest stars.

#5 Radiohead - OK Computer

Not only is this a rock album, but it is infused with electronic sounds and instrumentation. Gloom undercurrents run through every song here in some wonderful way, and it's problematic to try to describe how bleak this album can get. Radiohead are their own Gods; they bear down on the music with such frightful power and emotion, creating one of the greatest pieces of music to ever be released.