Life in A. Minor: The Final 10

By Broadside Columnist Andy Minor

Readers, I am finished. It’s been an excellent, musical two years writing for all of you, but come May 16, I will don my green robe and graduate into the world of adulthood—maturity notwithstanding. I can extend nothing but my deepest appreciation for those who have read me week in and week out, whether you agreed with me or not. I only hope that some of you began to think about music in new and exciting ways and at least—if you weren’t thinking—found something new to listen to. That was the hope driving every word I ever put down. Thank you all for reading.

For my swan song, I’d like to revisit what got me started at Broadside in the first place: top ten lists. I began making lists with songs about sex, cars, love, heavy metal, the list goes on. As hackneyed as the idea of the top 10 list is, I always appreciate one. I enjoyed writing them and I always understand them. Their simplicity often trumps a more indirect writing discussing the same topic. There’s no wiggle room in the top 10.

So for all of you, in my last-ditch effort to be heard, I present my top 10 albums. They are essential to my collection, and I feel I have neglected them over these past years in lieu of the more cutting edge, the less popular or the up-and-coming artists. I wouldn’t be able to write about music at all if it weren’t for these albums. I also wouldn’t be nearly as far along in life.

10—The Beatles, Abbey Road
Rather cliché to have a Beatles album on here, but spending countless hours sitting by my record player in my room listening to this album on vinyl will forever be a happy memory. The flow and construction of side two still marvels me to this day, with the godlike voice of Sir Paul entering in on “Golden Slumbers” adding a forbidden-fruit garnish to this incontrovertible masterpiece.

9—The White Stripes, De Stijl
I spent an entire summer listening to this album while I did yard work for my grandmother. The heat, dust, nails and sweat of that summer mold well with the earthy feel of this album. It has still got those blues roots from the Stripes’ debut, the pure analog feel and every song fits together like a well designed puzzle. “Death Letter” is a flawless cover and remains one of my favorite songs to this day.

8—Outkast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
As far as this double from the Atlanta duo is concerned, Love Below takes the cake for the better disc. It’s more musical, experiments more and covers every musical realm from the pure jazz to teen pop. Speakerboxxx, however, contains the first rap song I ever learned all the words to, so the nostalgic influences there are immense. No matter which you prefer, this double album is still a must have.

7—Sir George Solti & the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven Symphony No. 7
Besides his 5th and 9th, the symphony everyone should know by Beethoven is his 7th. And while I love every movement of this symphony, the power and sorrow embalmed within the notes of movement II showcase the incredible emotion Beethoven was capable of portraying. This particular recording was part of a nine symphony set I bought for 25 cents at a yard sale. It’s not the most definitive recording by any means, but it’s the one I’ve always cherished.

6—The Smiths, Louder Than Bombs
Some of you have heard me proclaim Meat is Murder is the best Smiths album, but Bombs is placed on this list because it was the album that introduced me to The Smiths. It gives the listener a more rounded view of the band, including the most intensely emotional Smiths song ever, “Asleep.” If you are to own one Smiths album—and you should—it must be this one.

5—Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die
Every song here is perfection, displaying the greatest-MC-to-ever-have-lived’s voice, rhymes, beats, rhythm and lyrical development at the highest level. Every subject Biggie ever cared about is discussed on this album, with a tastefully small number of guest artists (Method Man, and Method Man only). If you are into hip-hop and don’t have every word of this LP memorized, you need to get to work.

4—Miles Davis, Birth of the Cool
Perhaps the most influential album on this list, Cool, ushered in a new version of jazz, one that took the more intimate format of bebop and melded it with the smooth sound of a larger ensemble. In addition to that, this was the first jazz album that prominently featured the tuba, an instrument very near and dear to my heart. Getting to understand every song on this album will light a fire under the musical side of your brain that will never go out.

3—Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
This album is the apex of the alternative genre. It defined the 16th year of my life through the style it so perfected. The lyrics speak to an unrefined angst which one with any emotional conscious will never overlook. The music drives and pulls at the ears the same as the teenage mind drives and pulls with one's actions. If you haven’t already dissected this album with a tedious aural science, you’ve got serious catching up to do.

2—Led Zeppelin, Houses of the Holy
I could listen to this album multiple times before I ever get sick of it. It is the best Zep album in terms of flow, songwriting, style variation and fun. It will melt your face, swell your heart, shake your ass, and expand your mind. It is the best album from the best band of the ’70s. I’d say something else, but my words fall way too short of the music.

1—Parliament, The Mothership Connection
This album changed my life. I can’t say much more than that. Before I heard this album my life was noticeably different than after I heard it. This is the coolest album of all time. Make your funk the P-Funk and love this album today.