My Top 15 Albums of All-Time

Ah, "top album" lists. One of my favorite things to read. While I posted a "top 12 albums" list on the Skillet.com message boards a few months ago, I've decided to expand it to 15, add some insight and thought as to why each album is on said list, and the order of the albums have changed a bit, along with some of them being excluded this time around, and new ones being added. I've made a personal rule for myself as I made this list, however- I couldn't include any album that I had owned under 6 months. So I hope you enjoy reading this list, of what I consider the heart and soul of the genre's of music I love so much. :P

15. Switchfoot, "Oh! Gravity" (2006)

So to start the list off right, here we are at what many consider the "ugly duckling", "the failure" of Switchfoot's career- "Oh! Gravity". I couldn't disagree more. While I am not a huge fan of Switchfoot (only moderate at best) this is a solid piece of musical art, and shows off EXACTLY why Switchfoot went from primarily the Christian market to the mainstream market, yet still being able to serve the Christians, too. Songs like "American Dream" and "Head Over Heels (In This Life)" touch on commercialism, "Awakening" on... well, in my opinion, as I like to put it, a "self-renaissance" of sorts, and "Your Love is Strong" ends the album quite beautifully. This album contains no filler, from track 1 to 12, cover to cover, and is quite frankly the only album by this band I can sit down and listen to all the way through. Nice job, Switchfoot.

Top 3 tracks: "American Dream", "Oh! Gravity", "Amateur Lovers"

14. Michael Jackson, "HIStory" (1995)

Everyone and their grandmother should know by now that Michael Jackson is my very favorite musical artist. From the moonwalk, the white glove, short pants, soulful ballads, powerful vocals, creative music videos... the man mastered it all in his unfortunately short life. This album is perhaps his most underrated, mostly due to the shadow "Thriller" and "Bad" cast in the 80's. Written throughout the "child molestation" scandal and released a mere year after all that, the album wears his anger toward the press and his accusers like a fedora, and rightfully so. While on first listen, the album can seem a bit weird, seeing as it's a double disk, one of new (at the time, anyway) material, and the other of his greatest hits... the whole experience can be a bit jarring. You go from listening to "Heal the World", "Billie Jean", "Man in the Mirror", etc., to having "Scream" almost exploding out of your speakers when you put disk 2 in. However, MJ handled his anger maturely, and of the 15 tracks, there is only ONE filler song, the outright creepy "Little Susie". So pick this up, even if you may have to take out a second mortgage on your home to do so. :P (Seriously, $32.99 is a bit much for this. Oh well.)

Top 3 tracks: "Scream" (W/ Janet Jackson), "They Don't Care About Us", "You Are Not Alone"

13. Jars of Clay, "The Long Fall Back To Earth" (2009)

Ya know, Jars of Clay have been really consistent in making great CDs throughout their 15+ year career. The only one I have never really cared for is 2002's "The Eleventh Hour", and even that one is quality art. Last year, Jars of Clay decided to take their sound to a new level- electronica/dance/pop. No, they didn't go Lady GaGa on us (another amazing artist, I must add), they just took on new influences with their sound. And the main theme? Relationships. To be more specific, relationships, between one another. From end to end, this album is very consistent, never faltering. The lyrics are poetic, perhaps the most poetic since my 2nd favorite album from these guys, 1997's "Much Afraid". So while it may take some a good amount of time to digest this sound from the Jars guys, it's worth sitting and listening to, or perhaps taking it in the car, listening to it with your lover, while taking the "scenic route".

Top 3 tracks: "Safe to Land", "Closer", "Scenic Route"

12. Demon Hunter, "The Triptych" (2005)

Alright, so I'm gonna get this out of the way right now- I am not a metal fan... excluding Demon Hunter. This is definitely the "odd-ball" album of my top 15 list, but it belongs here. My friend Carrie actually introduced me to the guys many months ago, and this was the first album I listened to by them. Songs like "Not I", "One Thousand Apologies", "The Science of Lies", and the cover of Prong's "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck" prove to the anti-metal music fans (I used to be one myself) that there is a reason why hardcore music should be taken seriously. While I can't listen to these guys constantly, when I'm in "that" kind of mood, this is the CD I always put in.

Top 3 tracks: "Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck", "One Thousand Apologies", "Not I"

11. tobyMac, "Momentum" (2001)

I know, I know. What the heck am I doing, putting tobyMac here? Most hate him because "he's white, trying to do rap". Honestly? The closest he gets to rap is this album, and it's only hip-hop. Most of it is rock, with hip-hop influences. This is one of those albums that I like mainly because it brings a smile to my face due to fond memories. I remember my sister, Kayla and Micah (two friends from youth group), and myself being over at Kayla and Micah's house and us listening to this CD, many years ago, (where does time go?!) and while I'm not a huge of Toby anymore, I do pull out this album every once in a while. Throughout its 18-song length, the album doesn't lose my interest (excluding a couple of the skits...). This album showed Toby on his most energetic, fun album, and also on his first solo outing. So pick it up!

Top 3 tracks: "Love is in the House", "What's Goin' Down", "J-Train"

10. Steven Curtis Chapman, "Declaration" (2001)

This is another one of those "fond memories" albums. Truth be told, I'm not much of a Chapman fan anymore, only popping this one, "Signs of Life", and his most recent album, "Beauty Will Rise", in on occasion. This one barely beats out the other two to earn a spot here. The disk starts out strong with what is probably the most remembered song from this 2001 album, the infamous, "Live Out Loud". "No Greater Love", "God is God", and "God Follower" all help tell the story of "Through the Gates of Splendor", a story of courage and faith (you can check it out online or on Chapman's 2002 concert DVD/VHS, "Steven Curtis Chapman Live"), or the excellent metaphors and musicianship in "See the Glory". And while this disk isn't something I'd ever consider high art, it is a fun disk, filled with quality songs from top to bottom.

Top 3 tracks: "See the Glory", "God is God", "No Greater Love"

9. Hawk Nelson, "Smile, It's the End of the World" (2006)

Another genre' I don't listen to much? PopRock/Pop-punk. However, Hawk Nelson is a bit of an exception. This was the first CD I bought by these Canadians, so naturally, it's my favorite. The album artwork is perhaps my favorite of all four of their albums, being a drawing, in cartoon form, of various things in daily life- a stereo, a young couple, a motorcycle, the sun, etc. etc. etc., coming together, and showing how long each of their average life span is (most of it is pretty tongue-in-cheek), in a dark, grimy world. It's something you would just have to see. Anyway, onto the music! The CD is mostly comprised of party songs ("The Show", "Bring 'Em Out", and "It's Over", especially), but also touches on abandonment ("Everything You Ever Wanted") and suicide ("Zero"; their best song to date). Lyrics from "Zero" such as "When I hear your name / It's not the same / No matter what they say / I'm not okay!" could hit home with anyone whom has lost someone to suicide. "14" ends the album delicately, wrapping the whole "end of the world" theme up rather nicely. As the melancholy piano intro. comes in full force, and Jason starts singing, it's dark, dreary. But as we reach the end of the song and album, with Jason vocalizing freely as the drums and guitar kick in, mainly with a bunch of "woah, oh!'s, it's like the sun starts shining again, through the storm clouds. In a word, epic.

Top 3 tracks: "Zero", "14", "Everything You Ever Wanted"

8. Caedmon's Call, "40 Acres" (1999)

Here's an underrated album if I ever saw one. Caedmon's Call is admittedly a guilty pleasure of mine- their folk acoustic sound and "neighbor-hood" style of vocals (there are three lead singers on this album, to great results, I must add) can't help but hook people in. This might just be my favorite album from 1999. Whether it be Derek Webb's "relationship songs" ("Table for Two", "Somewhere North", "Daring Daylight Escape"), or another song, this album is pure gold, no filler. And while the musical side of things could stand to be a bit more varied, the insightful lyrics more than make up for it. So while this is perhaps the least popular entry in this list, it's one of the best CDs in my collection (obviously...).

Top 3 tracks: "Faith My Eyes", "Thankful", "Table for Two"

7. Owl City, "Ocean Eyes" (2009)

Ah, Owl City. You either love him or hate him (yes, it's only one person- Adam Young). And while "Vanilla Twilight" is my favorite song on the disk (for personal reasons... <3), there are many other good ones here- "The Bird and the Worm", "Fireflies", "Hello Seattle", and "Meteor Shower" just to name a few. And while some of the songs here aren't as "immediate" as others, they are all pop/electronica gems, featuring spot-on, deep, poetic lyrics. Adam Young is truly a breath of fresh air in today's current mainstream music scene.

Top 3 tracks: "Vanilla Twilight", "Meteor Shower", "Hello Seattle"

6. Newsboys, "Take Me To Your Leader" (1996)

Oh man, oh man! The memories that come along with this album! While I won't share any of these embarrassing stories with you, let's just say this album takes me back to a much simpler time in my life. This disk showed the Newsboys jumping on the grunge/alternative bandwagon (in Christian music circles, anyway), and to excellent results. This was the last album former lead singer John James would record with the band, before drummer/vocalist (at the time), Peter Furler, would take the lead (whom actually retired last year). *whew* Ya still there? Good. Now onto the music! This album was the Newsboys at their peak, musically and lyrically. Songs like "Breakfast", "Reality", and the title track all show off just how witty Peter Furler (with a lot of help from Steve Taylor) could be. It's unfortunate they haven't been able to reach this level of intellectuality in their music since.

Top 3 tracks: "Lost the Plot", "Breakfast", "Reality"

5. Audio Adrenaline, "Underdog" (1999)

Of course I can't have list of my favorite albums without including Audio Adrenaline! Easily my favorite band for a good four years (2003-2007, or so), so including them in this is a little way of honoring them for how much influence they have had on my life. While I'm not sure if this album is their "best" (that honor would most likely go to "Lift" or "Some Kind of Zombie"), this is the CD I find I listen to the most, of theirs, nowadays. The anthemic title track is one of the best title tracks I've ever had the privilege of listening to, with songs like "This Day", "Hands and Feet" and "Good Life" all being about how we look at life, finding the good in a bad situation, and helping and serving others. And of course, I can't forget "The Houseplant Song", the "free-style" track of sorts, which features then-member Bob Herdman playing an acoustic guitar, set in a coffee shop, singing his song about the effects music have on houseplants. Yeah, I know it sounds strange. It's just one of those songs you need to hear for yourself.

Top 3 tracks: "The Houseplant Song", "DC-10", "Underdog"

4. Family Force 5, "Business Up Front/Party in the Back" (2006)

Another band that is far too underrated, Family Force 5. Bursting onto the scene four years ago with their debut, this album, with a crunk/rock sound. Imagine Linkin Park on steroids, anti-depressants, and able to attain better lyrical abilities, and you have a decent idea of what Family Force 5 sounds like. While some may find "the family" immature or strange, I personally love them. Songs like "Kountry Gentleman", "Numb", and "Drama Queen" are songs that are begging to be thrown into your car's CD player and blasted with the sub-woofer all the way up, with your car windows down. So while these guys aren't the most "spiritual", the most this, the most that, oh well. They show us how to party, just don't check into this if you don't want that to be up front. ;)

Top 3 tracks: "Kountry Gentleman", "Lose Urself", "Numb"

3. Skillet, "Comatose" (2006)

It's kind of amazing how many albums from 2006 have made it onto this list. No matter. This album was the hit that thrust Skillet into the limelight- and rightfully so. It hits people, especially teenagers, right in the gut, and touches on things such as pornography, cutting, friendship, feeling alone, and more throughout the course of the album. Also, the orchestration (most noticeable in "Comatose" and "Rebirthing") ups the ante a bit from their previous albums, adding a certain edge. Some people say Skillet lost their originality with this one, that they were trying to "fit in" with the audience that bands like Nickelback target themselves to (and I can definitely see that in songs like "Say Goodbye" and "The Older I Get"), and I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing. But that is another discussion, for another time.

Top 3 tracks: "The Last Night", "Those Nights", "Looking For Angels"

2. Kanye West, "808s and Heartbreak" (2008)

This was the latest album to eligible for the list. This album, in all honesty, was set up to be a failure. Kanye had just lost his mother to death in the fall of '07, and had recently broken off a 12-month engagement. So yeah, his attitude was somber, and yes, it shows in this album. Also, Kanye was reported saying before the album released that "this was going to be a musical revolution". Now, on his previous three albums, he had samples all over the place, a variety of instruments, and he... well, rapped. But on this one, he was going to cut ALL that out. He was going to use 808s (a type of drum that is heard in every song here), a keyboard, a couple of strings, bass, and he was going to sing. Yes, sing. And he was going to use auto-tune (a pitch correction device that, while leaving your voice sounding technically perfect, it also ends up sounding wholly inhuman) to boot. So did he? Oh, yeah. Does it work out? Heck yes. This album is nothing short of a musical renaissance, and there isn't one song I wouldn't want to be here. At first glance, the album is a dull musical journey, seeming as if Kanye is tapped out. But look beyond the surface, and you see a man truly hurting, and this CD is an auto-biography of sorts. The deliciously tense-ful "Love Lockdown" is my favorite, featuring a pulsating tribal beat and piano, with lyrics that you just want to sink your teeth in. So check this out if you want proof that hip-hop/r&b/pop can make you feel emotion, too.

Top 3 tracks: "Love Lockdown", "Street Lights", "Robocop"

And the number 1 album is... *drum roll*

1. Michael Jackson, "Dangerous" (1991)

Honestly, this one should be a no-brainer. Like I said earlier, Michael Jackson is my favorite musical artist of all-time, so it's only fitting that one of his albums be my number 1 disk represented here. And "Dangerous" is far and away his best album. It showed MJ adapting his style to that of the 90's, and fitting into a musical landscape that was comprised of Nirvana and the like. Songs like "Who Is It" take us back to the paranoia that was so present on his previous two albums, "Thriller" and "Bad", but also throws a couple monkey wrenches into the mix- namely, going with producer Teddy Riley instead of former producer Quincy Jones to produce this album, making it fit into the genre' known as "jack-swing", which is basically pop/r&b with electronic samples and the like, most notable on songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time". First single "Black or White" was a call for racial unity, and its catchiness shot it right to the top. And while this is sadly overlooked by many music fans today, it is THE best album I've had the privilege of listening to. If an album can sell over 27 million copies and still be underrated, this is it (no pun intended... I swear).

Top 3 tracks: "In the Closet", "Give in to Me", "Dangerous"

Honorable mentions:
Switchfoot, "Hello Hurricane" (2009)
Family Force 5, "Dance or Die" (2008)
T.I., "Paper Trail" (2008)
Newsboys, "Thrive" (2002)
Jars of Clay, "Much Afraid" (1997)

Thanks for reading! :)