Music to My Ears

I'm kind of a music junkie. Everyone who knows me well knows that I love singing in the car. I often annoy my passengers with my on-the-road performances. I find music to be pretty powerful. You can hear a song and associate certain memories with it. Music has the effect to change your mood. Some songs will excite and energize you while other songs may depress or sadden you. Anyway, one of my friends sent an email today saying that Tonic had released a new album a few years after initially breaking up. I didn't really care because I've never been a big Tonic fan, but this friend who sent the email and another one of my friends said that they were excited because Tonic's 1996 album "Lemon Parade" was in both of their Top 5 favorite albums of all time. It got me thinking about all the music I own or have owned and what albums would be in my Top 5 favorite albums of all time. I like a lot of music so it was tough to narrow it down. I decided to exclude "greatest hits" albums because they are basically a mixed tape of an artist's best songs. Of course it's going to be a good album. It's a collection of the best stuff. So choosing from my favorite regular albums I came up with the following Top 5 favorite albums of all time along with my reasons.

5) "Yourself or Someone Like You" - Matchbox 20 (1996)

This was their debut album and it inlcudes their best and most well-known songs. They hit it right on the head on their first try. They have always been one of my favorite bands and this is where it all started. Lead singer Rob Thomas is one of the most talented people in music in my opinion and his two solo albums are excellent as well.

4) "Under the Table and Dreaming" - Dave Matthews Band (1994)

Even though it was released in 1994, most people, including myself didn't discover it until 1995. Nothing reminds me more of my high school days than Dave Matthews Band. They were the new huge thing during my senior year. Dave Matthews Band was probably the first band that I was fanatical about. Too bad their music pretty much went downhill from there. This debut album still defines their career. It is such a classic album and every song brings back a memory of hanging with my high school friends. Good Times.

3) "Continuum" - John Mayer (2006)

I'll admit that it took some time for me to become a fan of John Mayer. I liked some of his first songs but he officially found a connection with me on this album. He's always been a great guitarist, but I think this is the first time he really displayed his incredible talent. The album has a great combination of rock, blues, and pop with a wide range of tempo. Mindy loves this album too and it's one of the ways we musically bond. She likes the song "Gravity" and I always remember that when I hear it. Even John Mayer himself admitted that this is his best album.

2) "Songs About Jane" - Maroon 5 (2002)

Probably the best debut album to come along in the last decade. Great stuff that brought a new, fresh, funky sound. The whole album is awesome. There is only one song that I sometimes skip. This album also reminds me of one of the most fun concerts I've ever been to. Matchbox 20 with Maroon 5 and Sugar Ray opening. Maroon 5 was brand new and they were great live. Everyone should own this album.

1) "Dosage" - Collective Soul (1999)

Obvious choice. My favorite album from my favorite band. I first heard this album in a CD store in Lugano, Switzerland while I was on my mission. I saw it in the window of the store and just couldn't bear not to go in and listen to it. I listened to the whole album once and went straight to the register and bought it. It is the only album I own that I NEVER skip a single song. It is everything that I love about Collective Soul. It is what the Soul Experience is all about. It takes me into a world of my own. Love it. Love it. Love it.

So that's my list. Hope you enjoy it. Now it's your turn. What are your Top 5 favorite albums of all time?