Okay, so it happened, you realized that pop is pre-fabricated garbage, and rap (not hip hop) is morons attempting poetry overy horribly annoying beats. Well good for you my friend, I'll even help you get started on your rock collection. First off you have to determine what type of rock you would like to listen to, but remember your not limited to one type, mix and match.
Alright then, lets start off with the classics.
Classic Rock
'Are You Experienced' An amazing album simply put, you can't beat Jimi Hendrix when it comes to guitar playing, pure magic.
'Who's Next' The Who's best work, with the instantly recognizable classics such as "Baba O'Reily", "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Won't get fooled again", you can't go wrong this one.
'"Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle, Vol. 1: The 20 Greatest Hits"' Hmm...it's tough to pick out CCR's best album, but this greatest hits collection should suit you just fine.
If your a teenage rock fan now a days chances are your going to end up liking punk, here are some of my personal favorites.
Punk Rock
'Land of the Free?' "Land of the free" is Pennywise's most recent release, also a great one, but make sure to check out their earlier work as well.
'...And Out Come The Wolves' Rancid are the modern day legends of punk and once you listen to "And Out Come The Wolves" (or any one of their albums) you'll understand why.
'From Here to Infirmary' The Alkaline Trio combining the sounds of emo and punk, great album.
Then we have our lighter, but just as good, alternative to punk, Pop Punk.
Pop Punk
'Take off Your Pants and Jacket' So what if they are on TRL, Blink is damn good and this is coming from someone who absolutely hates mainstream music.
'Blue Skies, Broken Hearts...Next 12 Exits' Honestly folks, "Blue skies..." is a pop punk/emo masterpiece, from one of my favorite bands The Ataris, it doesn't get much better than this in the Pop Punk world.
'The World According to Gob' Gob has a small yet loyal fan following, and it's never to late to jump on the band wagon. An incredibly talented group of guys, and "The world..." not only proves it, but makes you believe it.
'Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo' MXPX are one of the most gifted pop punk bands around, they don't mix in any styles (emo/alternative), instead they just stick to their own original sound (pop punk).
'Start Static' Incredibly structured pop-punk, Sugarcult's debut album is sure to please.
Light yet fast guitars, trumpets, fun lyrics...could it be? Yes it is! It's ska.
Ska
'Turn the Radio Off' Reel Big Fish are the most talented modern ska band around, hands down, no questions, I mean it! Oh yeah, "Turn the radio off" is their best release to date, with "Why do they rock so hard?" edging in second.
'Hello Rockview' Mixing ska and punk LTJ creates a memorable and original ska sound, also be sure to check out their earlier release "Losing Streak", both albums are great.
Alternative rock, harder than most rock, lighter than punk, its for the average rock fan.
Alternative Rock
'Clumsy [US]' In my opinion one of the most talented Alternative bands today, yet incredibly overlooked. Their best release to date is the infamous (with their fans) "Clumsy".
'Weezer (Green Album)' The mix between alternative and emo is memorably great, not one of Weezer's albums have ever let me down. Check them all out "Blue Album", "Pinkerton" & "The Green Album", you won't regret this one.
'Third Eye Blind' Lighter than most alternative, 3EB were there at their greatest with this album. Lyrical genius, musical genius, its all in there.
Hard guitar rifts with that dark tone, you can always rely on metal for your daily anger management and your intelligent lyrical input as well.
Metal
'Toxicity' Every few years an album comes along that just blows you away, well "Toxicity" did it for me. This was 2001's album, it not only reflected on the times, it reflected on most people's emotions as well. This is all you need to begin a metal collection, listen tothis one intensly my friend.
'Lateralus' You may have heard that one song on this album will strangely relate to something going on in your life, and I've found there is great truth to that.
Might as well check these out...
Other albums you may be interested in
'Nevermind' Like it or not, this was the most important album of the 1990's, Kurt Cobain was a genius, R.I.P.
'In Utero' Cobain's musical genius peaked on this album, brilliant just brilliant.
'MTV Unplugged in New York' If you only can hear one live album in your lifetime, make this it.
'Sublime' The band that fizzled out before they could hit it big, Sublime was riddled with talent via their front man, be sure to check out "40 oz. To Freedom" as well, R.I.P. Brad Nowell.
'Dookie' Now you don't NEED this one, but I strongly recommend it. "Dookie" brought forth a revolution in punk music that forever changed it.
'Whatever & Ever Amen' A piano, a bass guitar, a set of drums, Ben Folds' vocals and lyrics. That simple combination produced one of the top albums I have ever heard, "Brick" was the most well known song off of it but the entire album is an extremely solid showing.
'Jimmy Eat World' Jimmy Eat World are quite possibly the most talented emo/alternative band around today.
WELL, thats it, happy hunting! Remember to stay away from that rap rock garbage (except for 311), because in all honesty folks its crap. You might not like every style of rock but hey that's okay, find your favorite and go with it. Amazon.com is great at recommending you albums based on your tastes, just make sure to keep them updated! Okay then, you are about to embark on a journey into the world of real music, be brave and try new types, and always take time to laugh at pop and rap. Any further questions or comments I'm always available via Email, adios.
-nhl7890
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Sunday, 6 June 2004 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)