Common Place Blog

We get asked about our musical influences all the time. And I always say that we all listen to different types of music. I think what makes our band interesting is that we’re not influenced by one particular genre of music.

I decided to put together a list of my 100 favorite albums. I think some of my other bandmates might do their own lists and that will show the differences (and similarities) in our musical preferences.

I started listening to rock music in late 90’s. So many of the albums are around that time period. I got nothing against classic rock music, in fact I do listen to many artists, but I cannot honestly say that most of what is considered “classic” records by music critics is my favorite. Plus some of these newer albums have personal stories that makes them memorable for me.

Feel free to comment, share, bash or praise.

Without further delay here is the beginning of my list:

100. Fuel - Something Like Human (2000)
Very solid rock album. Superbly written songs. I love Brett Scallions’ voice. It’s interesting that Carl Bell, the guitar player is the primary song writer for the band and Brett is more of a voice. “Down” is one of my favorite songs with that crazy main riff and changing time signatures.

99. Jack Johnson - In Between Dreams (2005)
Great collection of some of my favorite, mostly acoustic, songs. This guy is just an awesome songwriter. The only downside is that most of the songs start to run the same after a while, but individually they’re all great. “Good People”, “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing”, “Staple It Together” are some of the standouts on this CD.

98. 3 Doors Down - The Better Life (2000)
I remember my HS history teacher played “Kryptonite” at a break in class. He said that this new band is gonna be huge. About 3 weeks later “Kryptonite” hit the radio, and of course he was right. It’s a pretty solid debut record for a band that just barely played together.

97. Ian Brown - Solarized (2004)
Ex-Stone Roses frontman has some intricate and original music to offer on this CD. Most of the songs have catchy hooks, and I’m a sucker for those. He also uses some unconventional instruments and experimental MIDI sounds that are definitely new and that makes it stand out from other electronic-pop music. “Keep What Ya Got” is the song that caught my ear on Pandora and made me check out this album.

96. Stone Temple Pilots - Tiny Music…Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop (1996)
STP started to move in a new direction with this one and the songs got all the more interesting. You still have the old STP in songs like Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart, but many others are opening up some new frontiers.

95. Frou Frou - Details (2002)
Yodeling never sounded more cool. Perfect combination of Imogen Heap’s patented vocal style and Guy Sigworth’s electronicly fused music, produce some awesome songs on this CD. “Let Go” is great opening song and catches your ear right away. “Shh” is another one of my favorites.

94. Injected - Burn It Black (2002)
Injected’s debut is great hard rocking CD with stellar vocals. Reminds me of Stone Temple Pilots in a way. I’m not sure what’s going on with these guys now as they haven’t put out a record since this one. I still remember seeing them live and the guitar player was cursing out the bouncer on stage for not letting the kids rock out too much.

93. Aqualung - Strange and Beautiful (2005)
I got this CD after hearing “Brighter Than Sunshine” and loved the whole thing. Sometimes I’m in the mood for this melancholic, Coldplay-esque music. Just really good songs all around. The first song “Strange and Beautiful” is one of my favorite songs ever.

92. Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth (2005)
Six years after “The Fragile” Trent Reznor finally comes back with a great CD. This one is not as ambitious as “The Fragile”. It has a more simplistic approach, but nonetheless the riffs, the trademark sound and the hooks are unmistakably NIN.

91. Air - Moon Safari (1998)
Air is like The Beatles of their genre. When I think of chill electronic music, Air is the first artist that comes to mind. This album just has great production and some of the most memorable melodies. Chances are, even if you never heard of Air, you probably heard their songs somewhere and didn’t even realize it.

90. Snow Patrol - Final Straw (2006)
I frigging love Snow Patrol. They got some of the most powerful, epic, soul-gripping music. This album was the first one I heard from them and it was a pleasant surpirse. “Run” was their biggest hit at the time and what really got me into them. When I first heard it, the vocals reminded me of Katatonia’s latest releases - even though the music is totally different. And the epic orchestra ending to that song is just insane.

89. The Beatles - The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles is one of my favorite bands, but it was hard to pick specific albums to be on this list. The White Album though is definitely one of my favorites. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Helter Skelter” are the standouts for me. Once again, Beatles just showed a whole other side of themselves with this one. It’s just amazing how in a span of 7 years they were able to accomplish so much and help span so many different genres of music.

88. Sevendust - Seasons (2003)
The fourth album from Sevendust is a perfect mixture of heavy metal and soul. I think it’s superbly written, it really sounds like the band is really together on this one. The first 2 albums were definitely heavier and the third CD was a revolutionary step for them. This album was just the next step for them. Sadly, Clint left the band after this album and I don’t think they have put out anything significant since then.

87. Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet (2007)
The latest full album from Porcupine Tree delivers big time. Steven Wilson is not even trying to write any radio-friendly songs for this album. It’s just great music from start to finish, including a 17-minute long centerpiece “Anesthetize”. Whoever knows me, knows that Porcupine Tree is one of my favorite bands. I think they are a Pink Floyd of our generation - perhaps a bit more heavy at times and rhythmically oriented.

86. Depeche Mode - Exciter (2001)
Depeche Mode takes you to yet another direction with this album. This CD has more of an industrial sound than previous work. I always thought that early Nine Inch Nails borrowed from Depeche Mode and later Depeche Mode borrowed from Nine Inch Nails. “Dream On” is just a great song with that catchy guitar sample riff, that gets stuck in your head for days.

85. Alice In Chains - Alice In Chains (1995)
AIC is by far my favorite band of the grunge era. Their dark vocal harmonies with Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell were never heard before in such a way and I don’t think anyone will come close to sounding like that again. It is hard to pick an album from them to be on this list, since their whole catalogue is great as a whole (much like the Beatles). “Heaven Beside You” and “Over Now” helped with that choice though.

84. Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways (1995)
If you listened to Fear of a Blank Planet (mentioned above) and this album, you would probably not even think it can be the same artist. And that is a big reason why Porcupine Tree is such a force - diversity. They rarely make the same album twice - from Electronica, to Soundscape, to Pop, to Singer-Songwriter, to Art Rock, to Heavy Metal, to Progressive Metal, to God knows what else they were classified as, these guys can do it all and the scary part is - it is always good.

The Sky Moves Sideways is a long non-radio-friendly Rock Soundscape album that takes you on a ride of emotions. It definitely reminds you of Pink Floyd era of when an album was great as a whole and needed to be listened to from start to finish.

83. Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero (2007)
The latest album from NIN (not counting the remix) is frigging awesome. I think it is the best one since The Fragile. It is a concept album that tells a story set few years in the future where the government has too much control of our daily lives, which unfortunately seems to be where we’re heading. Interesting thing is that Trent mentioned that he wrote and recorded this album very quickly, which is unusual for him, since we needed to wait many years in between his previous albums.

82. Muse - Black Holes and Revelations (2006)
Muse came back with something new this time. Many of the songs sound different, which is great. “Supermassive Black Holes” track is infused with some dance beats. “Starlight” is an instantly recognizable piano riff. “Knights of Cydonia” is like a frigging cowboy song on steroids. I love it.

81. KT Tunstall - Eye to the Telescope (2006)
One of the best female singer-songwriters in most recent memory delivers some of the most interesting songs on this one. Overall just good songwriting and a new spin on the old genre. In addition to some of the songs are in the non-standard time signatures, which is rare in the pop music genre.

80. Depeche Mode - Ultra (1997)
It’s interesting that Depeche Mode is the band mostly known for their work in the 80s, yet I picked two of their albums from 90’s and 2000’s. I guess unlike most of the classic bands, these guys just never let up and only continued to explore more musical ground and evolve their sound over the years. When “Barrel of a Gun” kicks in you just can’t help but get into it. I’ve seen them live just few years ago and it was one of the best shows EVA.

79. Staind - Dysfunction (1999)
This is one of those personal albums that means alot to me. I remember listening to it all the time in high school. I definitely did not think a heavy metal band like this could get as popular as they did, and was shocked when their next singles were all over pop radio and their next CD was #1 selling CD. I guess they always wrote catchy songs. It’s just that when they showed their softer side the masses noticed.

78. Silverchair - Neon Ballroom (1999)
This was Silverchair’s 3rd album and a big step up from the band’s previous sound. I think it represents the transitioning period of what Silverchair would later become. From 14-15 year old kids that recorded their first heavy grunge/rock cd to amazing musicians and growth that was shown on Diorama and Young Modern. Neon Ballroom seems to fit perfectly in the middle.

77. Vast - Music for People (2000)
Vast is an interesting and original band. It’s got elements of Rock, Acoustic songs, Electronica and boy do they like chanting. The overall hypnotic sound is completed by John Crosby’s vocals. I think the title of the album is very fitting. I remember hearing “Free” long time ago on the radio and thought it was really cool, but never bothered to pick up the album. One day I just saw it sitting amongst hundreds of CDs in Dannys collection and finally decided to check it out. Vast has been on of my favorite bands since.

76. Linkin Park - Reanimation (2002)
Ah - you probably did not see this one coming. First, yes, Linkin Park is one of my favorite bands. I don’t care that 14 year olds love it or that it is overplayed to death, or that musical critic snobs think that this band is responsible for destroying music forever. I love Rock and Hip-Hop and I think this band has their own original sound. And second, not too many people actually know about this album. To say it is a remix album of the first CD, is probably too much of a generalization. It is more of a revamping of an album, with a hip-hop flavor to it. New melodies, new production, and overall new look on the songs that is just as good as the original, is a rare feat.

75. Opeth - Blackwater Park (2001)
Opeth is pretty much the only death metal band I listen to. Not only that, they are definitely one of my favorite artists in all of the genres. Usually Death Metal bands are hard to distinguish amongst each other and it all sounds the same. These guys however, bring a level of musicianship, songwriting and innovation to a whole new level.

Come to think of it, I don’t even think throwing them into Death Metal category is right. They certainly have elements of that, but it is only one of many elements. They also bring in traditional Heavy Metal, Progressive Rock, Acoustics, Pianos, Elements of Jazz, etc. And all of these elements have been captured flawlessly on this album. Blackwater park is considered by many to be their best and most accomplished album. What I also love about them is the ability to fuse hooks and insanely difficult riffs and leads all in one. Rarely can a band do both at the same time.

74. Muse - Absolution (2003)
This is the album that broke Muse in US. Full of radio-friendly rock tunes with a pretty original sound. Although they do get comparisons to Radiohead and Jeff Buckley I never thought those were justified. They got their own thing going. I love the bass effect they use on the CD. Ever since then I call it the muse effect whenever I hear someone playing it.

73. Incubus - Make Yourself (1999)
Just like the previous entry, this album broke Incubus to the masses. It is definitely a growth from the early days of SCIENCE and Fungus Amongus. The songs on this album are much more polished. “Drive” is coincidentally my favorite song on the CD and it is their biggest hit. Just goes to show you that sometimes the public gets it right

72. Evanescence - Falen (2003)
I heard the single like everyone else - you know the one that was on the radio 24/7. I thought it was a pretty cool tune, but I didn’t think the rest of the album would be this good. What strikes me the most is that this is their debut album, and the production on this is through the roof. The piano/orchestra background they have over the guitars just sounds epic. Most of the bands do not have such great production on their debut albums. But this one sounds like it was made by a movie soundtrack veteran composer.

71. Stone Temple Pilots - Core (1992)
Speaking of debut albums, Core is my favorite STP album. The original STP was just crazy. I think every single song off of this CD was a radio hit, which is just unprecedented. “Creep” is definitely one of my favorite songs of all time.

70. Porcupine Tree - Deadwing (2005)
“In Absentia” set the bar pretty damn high and it was the first album that got me into this band, so when Deadwing Album rolled around I was definitely psyched. It was probably not as good as In Absentia; I mean it’s hard to top it, but nevertheless it was yet again - something new from the band. It seems that after this album it was evident that the Progressive Metal sound introduced by In Absentia is here to stay. The middle section of this album is still some of the best music you will hear; especially considering what was on the radio at the time.

69. Outkast - Stankonia (2000)
There are not too many hip hop CD’s on this list. I do like hip hop, but I think most of it sounds too much the same to stand out in my mind. Well… these guys are different. As soon as I heard Bombs over Baghdad, I was like “what the hell is that?” It certainly was different from any other cookie-cutter rap CD. The rhyming was just incredibly fast, the hook was killing, and then in the end it just goes off into this 2 minute rocking guitar solo followed by some epic chants of “Power Music Electric Revival”. I was like - “hell yeah - now that’s how you do it”. Hip Hop and good music should not be mutually exclusive, you just need to put some effort in it and quit sampling other people’s music.

68. Tool - Undertow (1993)
Speaking of ‘different’ Tool just took the music scene by storm and inspired a whole new genre. Best part is they just don’t give a shit about what traditional radio-friendly music is supposed to sound like and yet they still get tons of airplay. It is hard to believe that these guys are actually this popular. Most bands that try something different don’t get this big. Undertow is probably my least favorite Tool album, but that’s like saying Bobby is my least favorite child (sorry Bobby, that’s just how it is). “Sober” is just an insane song. And what’s in that box?

67. P.O.D. - Satellite (2001)
I had the Fundamental Elements of Southtown and thought it was a pretty good CD. Satellite however came out leaps and bound above that. The production and the songwriting have just skyrocketed here. Of course there are some people that just will never look past the Rap-Rock genre of that era, but it’s hard to deny that these guys have done something original from other groups of that time. “Youth of the Nation” is a definite standout and I heard even the haters who said that song was “all right”. Sadly Marcus left the band after this CD and he was a huge part of their sound, so they haven’t sounded the same since. Although he may be coming back now, or so I hear? Hope they have another one in them.

66. Dr. Dre - 2001 (1999)
Hands down the best hip-hop producer, period. Everything he touches is just gold and no-one else comes close. This CD is full of memorable beats that have been reused and played out since. Once again, I may be sounding like a broken record, but what I love about most of the albums here is diversity and being different from the rest of the scene, and Dr. Dre is definitely different in the Hip Hop genre.

67. Finger Eleven - Greyest of Blue Skies (2000)
I love every song on this CD. They got some awesome hooks and powerful songs. This album got some experimental stuff, but not as much as the latest two releases from Finger Eleven. This one is just full of great rock songs.

64. Creed - My Own Prison (1997)
OK, I know it’s a cool thing to hate on Creed now-adays, but I remember when things were different when this CD was released. I still remember seeing hardcore metal heads at the first Creed show, which were abruptly changed by teenage girls in pink in subsequent years. This album was very personal to me, and I still think it’s Creed’s best. The next 2 CDs I can do without, but this one is just good. I don’t care what anyone says. And you can say anything you want about Scott Stapp (I guess he just rubs people off the wrong way), but Mark Tremonti is one of the best Rock Riff writers ever. That dude never stays on one chord and always looking to spice it up with some extra notes behind each chord.

63. Korn - Korn (1994)
Their first and probably their best effort was a classic in its own. I guess they started the whole post grunge/nu-metal movement with this CD. This album manages to be heavy as shit and yet still have some great hooks at the same time.

62. Enya - A Day Without Rain (2000)
Something completely different yet again. I love how her vocals are recorded on this CD. Makes it sound as if she’s a ghost. Everytime she sings it sort of fades in and out in a very cool way. Not sure if that’s the studio magic or if that’s how she really sings or combination of both. Enya is a weird mix between pop music and classical, but sounds so good, you just can’t ignore it.

61. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (1999)
John Frusciante is back. Let’s celebrate by recording the greatest album of our lives. I’m pretty sure that’s what they were saying back then. OK, maybe BSSM is their best in the eyes of many, but this one is my favorite. It’s fairly long and got all kinds of different songs. This one still has some funk in them left, too; unlike the subsequent releases.

60. Rob Dickinson - Fresh Wine for the Horses (2005)
After Catherine Wheel’s breake-up Rob Dickinson emerged with a collection of some innovative pop-rock songs. It’s quite different from Catherine Wheel, but just as good. He’s got one of the best voices that is just meant for that kind of music.

59. Silverchair - Diorama (2002)
I remember when I heard this CD, I was like what the hell are these guys smoking. This definitely did not sound like Silverchair I know. Completely different band emerged with this one. The songs were very ambitious and complex. The orchestra sound was added on many of the songs. Far cry from early days of 15 year old angst rock. I guess they have finally grown up on this album and decided to make the music they want. I think this album made me explore other musical avenues at the time, instead of the same old stuff I was used to.

58. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
What can you say about this album that hasn’t been said already. Considered, by many, to be one of the greatest albums of all time, Pink Floyd is just masterful on this CD. When you put this CD on, you just phase out in to a whole other universe. They were just amazing at what they’ve done and were ahead of their time. What amazes me about Pink Floyd is that they are different from most of the classic rock bands in that their albums are still just as good today and do not sound dated at all.

57. Jerry Cantrell - Degradation Trip (2002)
For those who don’t know, Jerry Cantrell was pretty much Alice In Chains. Most of the elements that made AIC great are indeed present here. The albums is like a psychidelic trip, which is unusual for a heavy rock album. Jerry does have a great voice, it’s just that Layne had an out of this world supernatural voice, which made AIC bigger than life, but Jerry can definitely hold his own, as evident on this album.

56. Coldplay - X&Y (2005)
These guys just deliver with every album. Coldplay quickly became one of the biggest bands in the universe, and in my opinion deservingly so. Perhaps they do stick to one genre, but yet this album has some different things that they are trying out. This kind of music is just good for the soul. To me, music is all about diversity, so Coldplay for me just fills that soft, melancholic void by being one of the best bands in that genre.

55. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
I guess if Coldplay fills the chill, calm mood, this album fills the psyco, crazy void in me. When Eminem first came out, I thought he was like a Weird Al Yankovic of hip hop, just making joke songs and what not. This album though changed all that. First, as I mentioned Dr. Dre is the best producer and this album is filled with some of the best beats. Second, this dude can definitely rap over anyone and I love his flow. Once again, it is something way different from traditional hip hop. And of course Eminem is just out of his mind. Some stuff he says is weird insanity.

54. David Aaron - Poor Wally Pipp (2005?)
This is the only non-major label release on my list, but yet it is still one of my favorites. It’s just a collection of great songs all around. “The Mourning” is one of the songs that you know should be a hit. The production is great for a non-major CD and the usage of different instruments is great. “Waiting” is one of my favorite songs of all time and I think stands out on this CD. Dave’s voice sounds different on that song for some reason.

53. Outkast - Speakerboxx/The Love Below (2003)
I think it’s the best Outkast album, and I love the concept too. The double album is more of a 2 different albums. Andre’s side - the Love Below is not even Hip Hop anymore. The dude just went off into some experimental wonderland and came out with some of the greatest music. Big Boy’s side is still Hip Hop, filled with some great original music behind the Rap. These guys are truly an exception in their genre.

52. Stereophonics - Just Enough Education to Perform (2001)
I think what stands out most about this album to me is the vocal performance of Kelly Jones. I just love this guy’s rugged voice. It sounds like he’s been in miserable pain for eternity. Reminds me of Johnny Cash in a way. I get really emotional whenever I listen to this CD.

51. System of a Down - Toxicity (2001)
System of a Down just broke all the rules with this CD. I always laugh when Danny says that this band sounds like they’re just playing a practical joke on everybody. Like “Let’s see how much we can get away with”. Love it or hate it, most people do admit that this band is at the least “original”. They got their own thing going. “Chop Suey” definitely got everyone’s interest, some loved it, some hated it, but everyone took notice.

Stay tuned for the top 50 albums coming next week.