Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP. - some people dislike eminem, thats their choice, but this is the first album to really kick me in the balls, its lyrical themes and generally obscene nature was so different to anything else i was listening to as a 9 year old (destinys child, west life), it had a huge impact on me, making me realise music could be deeper and more meaningful than just churning out hits for fame and fortune.

The Beatles - Revolver. - Ever since my dad played me this record as a kid ive always had a personal affinity with all things melancholic (cliche, yet true nonetheless), in this sense not only did it get me into the beatles and consequently 50% of my music taste, but its also had a huge influence on the way i live my life and see the world.

The VU - VU & Nico. - I remember the day, was with freinds in HMV, i had £5 to spend so went to the sales section. The album cover stood out for me and, intrigued, i bought it on impulse. I played it as soon as i got in, and after listening to it the whole way through once, i replayed it all again. The chaotic, frantic and at times discordant tone of the album released in me an emotion of absolute aggression and energy no album has achieved since, its THE album that opened me up to more experimental, underground music and for that i will always cherish it.

Massive Attack - Mezzanine - i bought this at a time when i had grown seriously bored of the music i was listening to. I'd heard of it from my older brothers freind and thought ' why not?'. Immediatley i was in absolute awe of the brooding, macabre bassline of angel, it took me to another place, and the rest of the album just transfixed me. I remember my mum knocking on my bedroom door and confessing her hatred for it, thats when i knew id found a gem. Completely opened me up to a whole new avenue of music, without this i would not like DJ shadow, DJ Krush, Unkle, RJD2, Autechre, Aphex Twin or DJ spooky, music which im hugely into these days.

Radiohead - Hail To The Thief. To many its not even radioheads finest piece, but to me it is i think my favourite album of all time. its the fifth 'head album i bought, i was fascinated with what it would sound like after hearing Kid A. To my absolute delight, i discovered an album that not only blended the most adventurous, experimental moments in radioheads catalogue with their most anthemic, radio-freindly material, its lyrics also affected me greatly, dealing with issues of alientation, deindividualization and an utter anxiety towards what the future holds (3 things that register high on a personal level), it made me think about the deeper meanings in music a lot more, consequently changing my approach to it forever.

Pere Ubu - Dub Housing

There's something so utterly bizarre and alienating about this album that reaffirmed my faith in music. It sounds unlike anything else in the world because it brings together various disparaging styles with singular intent, and blends them into something unique. The very notion that there would always be music like this out there, so distant from experience and challenging in nature, waiting to be found by me, is what keeps me looking for new music. This album represents my first true interest in the possibilities of music.

Polvo - Today's Active Lifestyles

This album taught me that there is something intensely beautiful and alluring about dissonance; its haunting melodies still echo in my mind.

Ornette Coleman - Shape of Jazz to Come

I blame this album for getting me into jazz and improv.

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless

Introduced the idea of using a guitar for providing texture rather than melody or rhythm, which, once embraced, leads the way to countless other forms of music.

Merzbow - Aqua Necromancer

Challenged my concept of music by reducing it to noise. This is an album which you must either reject or it renders music boundless.

RHCP - Blood Sugar Sex Magik:
The album that got me into listening to music and showed me how amazing a bass guitar could be. It's still my favourite album ever and I've been playing bass for years because of it.

Metallica - Ride the Lightning:
The album that got me into metal and made me explore more music. Before then, I had never heard anything quite as heavy and aggressive as that album. Fade to Black was the song that really grabbed me.

Beatles - Abbey Road:
I've always liked the Beatles, but this was the first studio album of theirs which I had heard and was was the start of my love affair with the band (and McCartney). That album is incredible.

Isis - Oceanic:
This was the album that introduced me to more atmospheric music. It was primal, yet complex and above all, very atmospheric.

Windir - Arntor:
When I first heard this, I liked a bit of folk metal and didn't really like black metal. Arntor showed me how music so harsh in the form of black metal, could be so amazingly beautiful. I had seen beauty in music before, and even in extreme metal, but never on this scale. Huge influence.


And all of these apart from Ride the Lightning rank very highly on my favourite albums list.

Deep Purple - Machine Head
This is what got me started. This band flat out jammed.

Roxy Music - Country Life
Wildly varied and progressive. Kicked up my passion for hard rock bands that experimented w/ different genres.

Kyuss - Blues of the Red
Right when you think you heard of everything...there's this. Never heard of them before. Made me hunt for more bands like them.

Soundgarden - Badmotorfinger
Unbelievable singer. Heavy and psychedelic, new but retro.

Radiohead - The Bends
Ok Computer may have been grander, but they rocked harder on this.

Honorable Mention - Opeth "Ghost Reveries". So good it's scary.

1. Alice Cooper - Welcome To My Nightmare
Has to be the greatest album ever made.

2. The Beatles - Rubber Soul
Introduced me to Rock N Roll

3. Elvis - How Great Thou Art
Just the most amazing vocals!

4. Savatage - Edge Of Thorns
Can listen to it from beginning to end and it just flows.

5. GNR - Appetite for Destruction
OMG! GREAT ALBUM!

Beatles White Album
Neil Young Tonight's The Night
Pink Floyd Dark Side Of The Moon
Pixies
Nirvana Nevermind

Interesting choice. I like the cut of your cloth my friend. I still rate MBV's IS'NT ANYTHING much more than LOVELESS. I have heard a lot of good things about Polvo.

Loveless is a more immersing experience for me, though I love them both. As for Polvo, I love love love Today's Active Lifestyles but find all their other output to be mediocre. Weird little quirk.

It is for most people. I heard Isn't Anything five years before LOVELESS, so I can't help feeling it is superior.

in no particular order :
at the drive in - relationships of command
pearl jam - ten
radiohead - kid a
pink floyd - dark side of the moon
daft punk - homework

runner ups :
arcade fire - funeral
the velvet underground - the velvet underground and nico
the beatles - sgt peppers and the lonely hearts club band
of montreal - hissing fauna are you the destroyer
ratatat - ratatat