Hi! It’s me (Billie) again. Doing 10 films that influenced my life was a fun little challenge so I wanted to do 10 albums that did the same, then I changed it to 20 albums that shaped my music taste, then I finally landed on 30 albums I just really enjoy. Trying to narrow down 10 albums that influenced who I am made me almost have a nervous breakdown (foreshadowing?) and even just 30 was difficult, so bear with me here.
This was the first album I thought of because it is practically the first album that served as a gateway to everything I enjoy today, not just musically speaking. The Velvet Underground opened my eyes to some of my favorite poetry, some of my favorite movies, and some of my favorite visual artists as well.
Who would’ve guessed Nirvana’s Bleach was the second album that popped into my head? One time I did ketamine and met Kurt Cobain’s spirit. That’s a whole different story that I might turn into a blog post, so put a pin in that.
This one also lacks in the surprise factor; Pile being in my top 3 albums I like off the top of my head is nothing short of predictable. I remember I first heard Pile in a Price Chopper parking lot at 6 am as the sun rose. Me and a few friends had gone there after sobering up from a whole box of Franzia Sunset Blush, because it was 24 hours, and well, we were 18 and bored. What else are you going to do?
Okay, I love this album with my whole heart. Every October I listen to it in full at least every day. I sometimes listen to it year-round, but only as a special treat. I found Voltaire through my favorite childhood cartoon, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, which aired an episode featuring a song by him that still to this day gives me chills because I love it so much.
Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga came out when I was 8, I remember my dad being so excited about it we had to make a family trip to FYE. Little did I know that 18 years later I would still harbor a visceral love for this album.
Sonically speaking, William Bonney is like crack to me. I can listen to this album over and over and never get tired of it. As my introduction to real screamo, All Ten has had a lasting and profound impact on my music taste.
The hold this album had on me when I was 14/15… I have very fond memories of listening to Deja Entendu while it was raining. My childhood home has a covered porch and during thunderstorm season I would sit out and play this album. I listened to it while it wasn’t raining I’m sure, but the fondest memories I have of Brand New are all while it was raining.
I found Mac on YouTube when I was 11 years old, Knock Knock had just released and I was completely obsessed. When I was 12, I stayed up til midnight waiting for Blue Slide Park to drop, and when I was 13 I saw Mac Miller live for the first time on his Macadelic tour. To say that I have a hard time listening to Mac is an understatement. But this album remains a favorite nonetheless.
Probably my most prized record in my collection, this is another album/discography I can listen to repeatedly and never tire of. I discovered Saetia right around the time I found William Bonney, I was going through a Phase.
Horses is adjacent to The Velvet Underground and Nico in that it was a complete gateway into a way of life I was utterly fascinated by and enamored with. Patti Smith is my idol I think. I don’t like to idolize people, but in my eyes Patti is otherworldly.
This is probably self-explanatory. David Byrne is a Beloved Figure in my life, much like Gordon Ramsay or Kyle Maclachlan. Big fan of Talking Heads, big fan of David Byrne, big fan of silly dance moves. What more could you ask for?
Talk about another album that had an absolute chokehold on me. Era Vulgaris was the soundtrack to my first semester at college. I remember sitting in my basement (pre-The Great Flood) before school one day, blasting music and making art. I just felt so at peace and so in my element. I was an art student, I was making friends, and I was in an optimistic headspace. Those were the days.
I hesitated to put this album on here because it has no real significance in my life other than it just puts me in a damn good mood. Great album to smoke weed to, wonderful to dance to, and just all-around a pleasure to have in class.
Finding Bauhaus when I was 15 was like the big bang in terms of my identity for the next 3 years. I really miss being younger only because I discovered such wonderful music that would set me up for a life of delight, I don’t often discover things on my own anymore, I usually just look at what my friends are listening to. I should start blindly finding music again.
Orchid is one of those bands I don’t listen to regularly but when I do listen, I question why I don’t more often. This album fucks ass and I’m going to listen to it right now, actually.
I love DANGERS. DANGERS is like yacht rock to me, it’s easy listening, it’s catchy, and I’m always in the mood for some Dangers doom and gloom. Unfortunately, their political songs get more and more relevant every year.
I love Black Flag, and Henry Rollins is a celibate aquarius, so we’re pretty much the same person. I’m kidding. But what a guy, am I right? I once saw him talk and share photos of his travels, that was a great experience. One of my Beloved Figures for sure. Nervous Breakdown is my favorite Black Flag album/EP but I can’t tell you why because my favorite song is TV Party and that’s off of Damaged, which is also a really awesome album. Maybe just pretend this is about Damaged.
Rohnert Park is definitely in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. I only saw Ceremony live for the first time about 3 years ago and crossing that off my bucket list was almost sad, I will never get to see them live for the first time ever again.
I found Touche Amore the same time I discovered Brand New, so those two albums sort of go hand in hand for me. Is Survived By is definitely a depression album though. If you see me listening to this you should probably check in and make sure I’m alright.
Turnstile is a band where upon the first listen, I was magnetized to their sound. I had never heard anything like it before, I was so thrilled to have found something heavy and happy at the same time, and it wasn’t until MSPAINT’s Post American that I found something equally as exciting and invigorating.
The Bravery is another band my dad turned me on to at a very young age. When I was little, I enjoyed it because of the upbeat sounds, but now that I’m older I am realizing how extremely depressing this album is. Which is why I like it. It sounds happy but is actually very upsetting. The Duality of Music.
I don’t know why I was listening to this at age 12 but I remember showing my 6th grade “music experience” teacher this and him saying something like “Oh okay this is pretty heavy. Very cool”. And I was like omg my music teacher likes what I’m listening to… I’m doing something right. He was always interested in what I was listening to throughout that class and I felt understood and validated for my wacky music taste. Thank you, Mr. Riccio.
This album is the exact length of my freshman-year bus ride home. It was long because I went to school two towns over, and I quite enjoyed the routine of the songs matching up with the stops on the route.
Also a childhood favorite of mine, GNFPWLBN has remained in steady listening rotation throughout my whole life pretty much. Float On was like my JAM when I was a toddler. This Devil’s Workday? Top 5 favorite songs of all time, it’s on there.
Do you ever have an album that serves a purpose in your life? Not just an emotional purpose, but acts as an actual tangible placeholder? When I paint, I listen to this album. I get carried away very easily when I paint so when the album’s finished, I get up, stretch my legs, get a snack, etc., and then I put it back on and continue painting. I don’t paint often, it’s more of a ritualistic practice rather than an artistic process. But something about Ratatat really gets those creative juices flowing. It’s like dubstep for intellectuals.
I have like a fourth edition pressing or something of this record and I got it for $2 at a flea market when I was 16. I had heard of The Doors before obviously, I was only familiar with Morrison Hotel, however, and I liked it enough so I bought Waiting For The Sun. I came home, put it on, and that was a transformative listen. I never went through an actual Doors phase, it’s always been a background presence in my life, but I do really love this album.
If you know me you know I love Jeromes Dream. This band is as close to perfect screamo as you can get in my humble opinion. I didn’t find out about Jeromes Dream until I was 17 or 18 somehow considering I went through my screamo phase at 15. But I am grateful to know this band, a bucket list performance for sure.
My dad bought me this album when I got my first record player. At 14 it felt like Milo really got me. Like this random dork I never met just really understood my 14 year old annoyance and apathy. 10/10 album.
I’m not straight edge. We all know this. So I don’t know if I’m allowed to have this on my list of albums I enjoy, but I’m doing it anyways because I so thoroughly enjoy Fugazi and Minor Threat. If you’ve ever seen the documentary Salad Days, you’ve fallen in love with Ian Mackaye. What a lamb.
Similar to Is Survived By, I only listen to this album when I need to cry. It’s not just a sad album to me, it’s suicidal ideation fuel. But the only way out is through, and sometimes you need to feel that shit in order for it to go away. La Dispute is so good at making me cry. Very helpful in an unexpected way.
That was fun! I had a good time. As always, I hope you enjoyed this little journey detailing bits and pieces of my life and the way music impacts me. I tried so hard to do this in a sort of chronological order but clearly I fell off at #3. Alas. A randomized list of various albums that make me feel emotions will have to do. Be good to each other, and have a beautiful sunshiney day.
Phrenectomy 