31. Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water - 1970

This is the fifth and last LP Studio record from Simon & Garfunkel.
It featured three top ten hits including "The Boxer", "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Cecilia".
Why "The Only Living Boy In New York" wasn't released as a single I'll never know. This is an incredible album.

Sounds of Silence, Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme, Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Waters are a streak of four consecutive records that stack up against any four consecutive records by anybody ever.

30. Simon & Garfunkel - Bookends - 1968

This, the fourth Simon & Garfunkel album, (not counting The Graduate) is an improvement over Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, and is just as good as Sounds of Silence. Check out these songs:
"America"
"Mrs. Robinson"
"At The Zoo"
"A Hazy Shade Of Winter"
"Fakin' It"
This is such a timeless record. It will always have an audience.

29. Simon & Garfunkel - Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme - 1966

This is the third Simon and Garfunkel album. What a powerhouse!
"Homeward Bound"
"The Dangling Conversation"
"Flowers Never Bend With the Rainfall"
"Scarborough Fair"
"59th Street Bridge Song"
"A Simple Desultory Philippic"
I love this record!

28. Simon & Garfunkel - Sounds Of Silence - 1966

I'm not crazy about Wednesday Morning, the first Simon and Garfunkel record. Too many covers. This album however, is one of the greatest ever. "Sounds Of Silence", "I Am A Rock", "Kathy's Song" and "Richard Cory" are such powerful songs! My favorite is "Kathy's Song" which is so well written. The sentiment of love is so strong. Very impressive.

 This is the first record I ever listed too. It left an impression on me that's for sure. This is one of my copies:

27. Edie Brickell & New Bohemians - Shooting Rubberbands At The Stars - 1988

I really enjoyed this record when it came out. All these years later it still holds up as one of the best albums of the 1980's. "What I Am" and "Circle" were hits, but "Little Miss S" should have been.

"Little Miss S" is about Edie Sedgwick, who was the subject of many songs, from The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" and Dylan's "Just Like a Woman", "Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat" and "Like A Rolling Stone". Maybe others too, I don't know.

"Air Of December" and "Love Like We Do" are also pretty good. A very solid album start to finish. Here's my copy:

26. Berlin - Pleasure Victim - 1982

When I was a teenager, I had a crush on Terri Nunn. She was so hot in that video for "No More Words". Beautiful face and that two toned hair. Man she was smoking. She wasn't only a hottie, she could sing! This record, their first, had three damn good songs on it. "The Metro", "Masquerade" and "Pleasure Victim". I think they were trying too hard with "Sex, I'm a ...". Still, it's a solid record.
Here's my copy:

25. Sting - The Soul Cages - 1991

This is Sting's third studio album. My favorite track is the instrumental "Saint Agnes And The Burning Train". I use that track along with "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" by Bela Fleck to test speakers. I really really like the sound of it. Simple and beautiful. This album deals with the passing of Sting's father. It tells the story of a guy named Billy who losses his father and deals with it. Sting had a long period of writer's block leading up to this. The big hit on this is "All This Time". Great record. Here's mine:

24. Sting - ...Nothing Like The Sun - 1987

Sting's second solo studio album. It's a strong record, popular too. Worldwide it's sold over 11 million copies. Included are "We'll Be Together Tonight", "An Englishman In New York", "The Lazarus Heart" and "Be Still My Beating Heart". Here's mine:

23. Sting - Dream Of The Blue Turtles - 1985

This is Sting's first solo record and in my opinion, his best. What a record! "Moon Over Bourbon Street" is about Lestat the vampire from Anne Rice's books and sounds sooo cool. "Children's Crusade", "Russians",
"Love  Is The Seventh Wave", "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free",  and "We Work The Black Seam Together" are all solid quality songs that make this a GREAT album. "Fortress Around your Heart" is the icing on the cake. This, in my opinion, is the best song Sting ever wrote. Talk about being at a creative peak! in just two years Sting made Synchronicity with The Police and this record back to back. Wow. Here's mine:

22. Pearl Jam - Vitalogy - 1994

This is Pearl Jam's third LP and my favorite of theirs. It's sold over 5 million copies. Great packaging too. I actually have this on CD, Cassette and LP. It was actually released on LP before CD or cassette. "Nothingman", "Better Man", "Immortality" and "Last Exit" are standouts on a record that is solid all the way through. I love the 1920's medical style insert booklet. Very cool.  Here's mine:

21. Suzanne Vega - Suzanne Vega - 1985

It must be nice having such a great voice with perfect pronunciation. Better still to be song writer with that kind of skill. Suzanne Vega is so talented. How radio can ignore someone like this and give worthless bitches like Madonna, Spears and Fergie unlimited time boggles my mind. Women like Vega, Patty Griffin  and Tori Amos deserve far more airplay. They'll never get it because they would never agree to shake their asses to get it.

This record, her first, featured "Marlene On The Wall", "Small Blue Thing", "Undertow", "The Queen And The Soldier" and "Knight Moves". GREAT SONGS!!!!! Get this if you can. You won't be sorry.
Here's mine:

20. Blink-182 - Enema Of The State - 1999

Yes, I like Blink182.  They're funny as hell and their music is damn good. I will not apologize for liking Blink182. This record is a retarded work of genius! "Dysentery Gary", "What's My Age Again?", "Adam's Song" and "Anthem" are the best on this record. I recently picked up this on LP and couldn't wait to drop the needle on it. Here it is in all it's red and white vinyl glory:

19. Belle And Sebastian - The BBC Sessions - 2008

First off I have to say that there is a big difference between the CD and LP. The CD has a second disc which is a live recording from a show in Belfast. The LP only contains the BBC tracks of CD one spread across two LPs. These recordings where made over the course of about 5 years and feature some of the bands best work. I have all of their stuff on CD and this is my only LP of theirs. I love this band! They are FANTASTIC!  The two best performances on this are "The State I Am In" and "Seymour Stein". Love this record! Here's mine:

18. R.E.M. - Green - 1988

For their sixth LP, REM broke with IRS and signed with Warner Bros. For the second time Scott Litt would serve as producer. This record is one of my all-time favorites. Sure, we all love "Orange Crush", who doesn't? My favorite song on this has to be "You Are The Everything". It's beautiful and touching and warm and friendly. It reminds me of a certain place and time. Walking barefoot in fresh cut grass at night with lightning bugs and crickets all around and the glow of an incandescent lightbulb through a screen door in the distance. "You Are The Everything" should have been a single. This LP produced a slew of singles and videos like: "Pop Song 89", "Stand", "Get Up" and "Turn You Inside Out". I though "I Remember California" would be released as a single, but it wasn't. "Turn You Inside Out" had a video, but wasn't a single. This is a great record!!! Here's mine:

17. R.E.M. - Document - 1987

REM's fifth album would give them an audience outside of College Radio and MTV. The song "The One I Love" went crazy on the radio. All of a sudden everyone knew who they were. As years go by, "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" gets bigger and bigger. It's arguably their most popular and enduring song. This is their first album with Producer Scott Litt and their last with IRS Records. Although it is a fine record, I don't believe it's any better than Reckoning or Lifes Rich Pageant, yet it's more popular due to the strength of it's two stand out singles. Honestly, I think I prefer Reckoning and Lifes. Document made it to number 10 on the US Album charts and sold over a million copies. Here's mine:

16. R.E.M. - Lifes Rich Pageant - 1986

This is the fourth LP from REM. It was recorded in Indiana. When this came out I couldn't wait to get it!!! "Fall On Me" was getting played on MTV and I recorded it on my VCR and watched it over and over. Odd video. Anyway, there are three great songs on this record. "I Believe", "Swan Swan H" and "Fall On Me". On the cover of the LP, the half face belongs to drummer Bill Berry. This record is so cool. Here's mine:

15. R.E.M. - Fables Of The Reconstruction - 1985

The third LP by REM. It was recorded in London England. Listening to it kicks off images in my mind. What can I say, it's just a good record that takes my back. "Wendell Gee", "Life And How To Live It", "Driver 8" and Can't Get There From Here" are stand outs on a record that's pretty solid. I love both sides of the cover and how it opens on the left not the right. How cool. Here's mine:

14. R.E.M. - Reckoning - 1984

This is the second LP from R.E.M. Like the first it was recorded in Charlotte North Carolina. This was my first experience with REM. I was 14 years old and sitting like a vegetable in front on the TV when the video for "So. Central Rain" came on. I was floored! I caught it again the next day, but this time I was ready with a video tape in the VCR. I taped it a watched it over and over again. I couldn't get that song out of my head. Still can't. It would be a few years latter before I would get my hands on Murmur and become enthralled by "Perfect Circle" just as I was by "So. Central Rain". Another song that I absolutely love on Reckoning is "Harbor Coat" with it's great harmonies and sweet guitar work. Other cool songs include "Don't Go Back To Rockville" and "7 Chinese Brothers". This album was an education. I learned that the cool guitar sounds Peter Buck was making came from a Rickenbacker. Reckoning is a wonderful album, this is mine:

13. R.E.M. - Murmur - 1983

This, R.E.M.'s first LP, was recorded In Charlotte North Carolina in 1983. It's nice to know that such a great record was made just a few miles from where I live! Everyone notices That it contains "Radio Free Europe" and "Talk About The Passion". Those are great tracks, sure. To me though, The best song on this has to be "Perfect Circle". What a great song. I think that it's one of their five best in their entire catalogue.
I love this record. If you like R.E.M., this is a great one to start a collection with. Here's mine:

12. R.E.M. - Chronic Town EP - 1982

Recorded in my home state of North Carolina in 1981, this set the tone for what was to come from R.E.M.
Chronic Town was released August 24, 1982 to good reviews. "Wolves, Lower" was released from it, but to me the stand out track was "Carnival Of Sorts". Damn that's a great song! This record is raw. Their cover of  The Velvet Underground's "There She Goes Again" is just too cool! Although it is contained in it's entirety within "Dead Letter Office", I have included it here instead because I'm proud to have the first R.E.M. release on vinyl and wanted to show it off. I have nothing against "Dead Letter Office" and have it on vinyl as well. Here's a pic:

11. The Rolling Stones - Exile On Main St. - 1972

While it didn't spawn any super hits, and the critics weren't crazy about it. It did stand the test of time and prove to be The Stones' dirtiest, grittiest and nastiest record. Hard blues and country swirled together and bound in drugs and whiskey. What a strong record this is. The whole damn thing is a good listen and some tracks are amazing.

Do yourself a huge favor and read the Wiki article on this record. It is fascinating.

My favorite track is Sweet Virginia. Standouts include Tumbling Dice, Torn and Frayed, Loving Cup, Happy, Rocks Off and Shine a Light. Rocks Off is a delight! Keith Richard's lyrics about sex with a dancer and shooting heroin. Not for the easily offended.

10. The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers - 1971

All you out there in high school back in 1971. You know this record! I was just a baby when it came out, but you remember it don't you? This is the nasty one your mama didn't want you to get. With that provocative zipper in the front! Andy Worhol's greatest achievement. Who knew what was lurking behind it! To find out, buy your own copy. Don't ask me, I'll never tell.

Zipper aside, this record is a heavy weight!

Dead Flowers and Wild Horses are awesome, but Brown Sugar is without a doubt one hell of a nasty song about people having sex with their slaves and IT MADE IT ON THE RADIO!?!?

This is a must have for a good rock n roll record collection.

9. The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed - 1969

This is one that should be in everyone's collection. This along with Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main Street are essential Stones records. Why Let It Bleed? Here are the reasons:
1. Gimme Shelter
2. You Can't Always Get What You Want
3. Let It Bleed
4. Country Tonk

Those are all the reasons you need. It is a must have.

8. The Police - Synchronicity - 1983

Over all, I'd say that this was the best record of the 1980's. Yes, this is the best of the decade. It trumps Joshua Tree, it really does. Sting was at the top of his game. Do these sound familiar?
Wrapped Around Your Finger
King Of Pain
Every Breath You Take
Synchronicity II
Four huge hits and three more strong tracks with Tea In The Sahara, Synchronicity I and Walking In Your Footsteps.
I wore the tape out when I got 27 years ago. What a powerful record. Their best.

7. Bad Astronaut - Acrophobe - 2001

Okay, this one is obscure, but well worth listening to. Joey Cape of Lagwagon got together with some pals and created this. There are three Bad Astronaut records, this is the first. What a record! Great all the way through. Vocals, music and lyrics are all top notch on this rocker. The stand out track is a cover of Elliott Smith's Needle In The Hay. I know that death threats will follow from the E.S. fans, but what an improvement! The song was so cool to begin with! What Cape did was turn it around in a whole new way that is a screamer. Unlucky Stuntman and Greg's Estate are other cool tunes on this unknown monster. Too bad more people don't know about this record. Here's a 2010 pressing on blue vinyl.

6. Ryan Adams - Rock N' Roll - 2003

While this is one of the least enjoyed albums of Ryan Adam's career, I like it!
Wish You Were Here, So Alive and Do Miss America are super concentrated awesome! This is a good record. I don't care how much people bitch about it. Here's a pic of my copy.

5. Whiskeytown - Stranger's Almanac - 1997

I do love this record! I mean love. I picked this up on cd right after hearing Yesterday's News on the radio. I found out that they, like me, were from North Carolina. It was a bit country for me, but I warmed up to it fast. Ryan Adams's song writing was SO mature for a guy at 22 or 23 years of age. Avenues, Houses on the Hill and Somebody Remembers the Rose are standouts on an album with NO weak tracks. This is Americana. This is art. It pains me that I never got to see them live.

This is my 2008 pressing of Stranger's Almanac with bonus tracks. I now have it on vinyl!

4. The Ramones - Ramones - 1976

Now THIS is THE landmark record in the history of punk. I don't even need to defend that statement in the slightest. To hell with London Calling or Nevermind the Bullocks. Without this record, there wouldn't have been a Clash or Sex Pistols. To this day this record stands up to all comers, Dookie IS dookie next to this.

God bless Johnny Ramone, the godfather of punk guitar and staunch supporter of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. All you whiney leftist pansies never ever forget, it was a Republican who created Punk Rock!

My God look at the first few tracks! Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy Is A Punk, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Beat On The Brat!

 Here is my new copy to replace my scratched up old one.

Johnny, Tommy, Joey and DeeDee

3. The Cure - Pornography - 1982

Now this one is really special. This isn't just great, it's a landmark record. That gets thrown around a lot, "landmark record". In this case it applies in spades. Almost every track is perfection. This is the granddaddy of all dark/goth records by a mile. Nothing else is even close in terms of both quality and impact. It starts off with One Hundred Years. The opening lines:
"It doesn't matter if we all die.
Ambition in the back of a black car".
That sets the pace. What follows is the most melodic trip through darkness and depression in rock and roll history. Written by an alcoholic deep in the grip of an overpowering disillusionment with the world and himself. Both the lyrics and music are stunning! Siamese Twins, The Figurehead, A Strange Day and Cold are among the best songs The Cure have ever made. Cold could easily be in an old horror film's soundtrack. The guitar work in A Strange Day gets better every time I hear it. The title track and Hanging Garden are the only tracks I skip on cd when listening in my car.

The Figurehead ends with Robert Smith wailing the line "I Will Never Be Clean Again". How appropriate.
Neither will I.

This is a new copy in pretty red vinyl to replace the old one I wore out.

2. The Cure - Faith - 1981

This is a wonderful record. Much darker than Seventeen Seconds and a harbinger of Pornography. At first listen I wasn't all that impressed, but it really grew on me. The opening bass line on The Holy Hour is a deep groove that leads you into a moody, beautiful and dark album. The last song is the title track and in my opinion, the best song on the album. This is the kind of record you can just, pour yourself a nice drink on a cold grey winter's day and lay back in an easy chair. Just let it play all the way through. When side two is over, you pick up the needle and put it back on the last track and listen to it again. Just relax. Drink your drink, and listen to the song Faith again. Listen to Robert Smith lament...
There's nothing left but Faith...
There's nothing left but Faith...

German Gema

1. The Cure - Seventeen Seconds - 1980

Seventeen Seconds is one of my all-time favorite albums and it seems like a great starting point being that it represents several firsts. It was the first great album from The Cure. It was the first of the dark trilogy that includes Faith and Pornography. This was the first Simon Gallup album. This is my first post, so, why not start with this one.

I LOVE this record. It features no less than three of The Cure's greatest songs. Play For Today, A Forest and Seventeen Seconds. Secrets is also a standout track. A solid record all the way through. Guitar, bass and drum driven with very light keyboard. This record has a sparse and dark tone to it. Absolutely brilliant to boot.  Atmospheric and dreamy in places. Far superior to other 1980 releases like Joy Division's CLOSER or U2's BOY. This record is tight and professional without being polished. The Cure showed what they could be with this gem.

The copy you see below is my German Gema issue.