1. "Yourself or Someone Like You" - Matchbox Twenty
Essential track - "Hang"
You know all the hits, but the heart of this record lies in the last track, a ballad that could be a throwaway track, if not for the haunting lyrics. Fun fact: First CD I ever owned.
2. "Full House" - The J. Geils Band
Essential track - "Musta Got Lost"
Before its "Love Stinks" glory days, The J. Geils Band was a bluesy powerhouse that could blow the tops off of arenas. I listened to this over and over again on my dad's turntable.
3. "Pulse" - Pink Floyd
Essential track - "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"
The best live record I've ever heard, especially without one of Floyd's founding members - Roger Waters. This two-disc masterpiece includes a spot-on run-through of Dark Side of the Moon...all of it. Live. Suck on it Roger.
4. "Making Movies" - Dire Straits
Essential track - "Tunnel of Love"
Say what you want, but this is magnificent ballad writing. Screw "Money For Nothing."
5. "Room For Squares" - John Mayer
Essential track - "No Such Thing"
I still remember when I first heard "No Such Thing." VH1 at 2:30 a.m. Bought the record the next day.
6. "Australia" - Howie Day
Essential tracks - "Disco" & "Sorry, So Sorry"
Although Howie's looping is what garnered him attention, his first major studio release is an absolute triumph of melodramatic songwriting.
7. "Beneath These Fireworks" - Matt Nathanson
Essential track - "I Saw" & "Angel"
"It's amazing, with a look in your eyes like you could save me, but you won't even try."
8. "Bringing Down the Horse" - The Wallflowers
Essential track - "Sixth Avenue Heartache"
Jakob Dylan is better than his dad. There...I said it. Whew.
9. "Out of the Vein" - Third Eye Blind
Essential track - "Faster" & "Blinded"
An ex-girlfriend gave me a copy of this record after I claimed that there's no way Third Eye Blind did anything worth a damn after the disaster that was "Never Let You Go." Boy, was I wrong. This CD defines horny summers.
10. "Dizzy Up the Girl" - Goo Goo Dolls
Essential track - "Black Balloon"
Come on - this is pure radio gold.
11. "Welcome Interstate Managers" - Fountains of Wayne
Essential tracks - "Mexican Wine" & "Bright Future in Sales"
No other record combines my love of pop-rock with my hatred of blue-collar more.
12. "There is Nothing Left to Lose" - Foo Fighters
Essential track - "Learn to Fly"
I'm glad Nirvana ended as soon as it did so that we can all enjoy the spoils of more than a decade of Dave Grohl's unstoppable, unconditional hard rockin'.
13. "O" - Damien Rice
Essential track - "Volcano"
The first notes of "Delicate" to the last notes of Lisa Hannigan's "Silent Night" are totally unforgettable. Not a weak link in this folk troubadour's armor.
14. "The Last Waltz OST" - The Band
Essential track - All of 'em.
It's The Band. No explanation necessary.
15. "Closer" - Better Than Ezra
Essential tracks - "Closer" & "A Lifetime"
Much like Fountains of Wayne, Better Than Ezra makes unabashed pop rock. I first heard the song "Closer" in Amanda Leas' car in Southington, CT during my high school years. Totally mind-blowing.
16. "One Last Century" - The Damnwells
Essential track - "WWXII"
Easily the best totally, no-strings attached free record I've ever heard. Alex Dezen and his revolving group of studio geniuses crafted a gem with this one.
17. "Sugar" - Tonic
Essential track - "You Wanted More"
"You Wanted More" is the most underrated single of the 90's. Oh yeah, and one of the best videos as well.
18. "Absolution" - Muse
Essential track - "Sing For Absolution"
Gigantic, gorgeous stadium rock. Matt Bellamy can play the shit out of a guitar and sing like no one else.
19. "Purple Rain" - Prince
Essential track - All of 'em.
One of the most perfect records ever. Best ballad ever and best song about a girl masturbating...all in one!
20. "Monsters on Maple Street" - The Smyrk
Essential tracks - "Sweeter Cyanide" & "Monsters on Maple Street"
The best band you've never heard of. Proof that Connecticut can produce amazing musicianship...sometimes.
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