Here are ten records that seriously influenced my personal musical development. They're not necessarily the all-time greatest, nor my current favorites. But each one, heard in its time and place, profoundly changed my approach to music. Nothing too obscure here, and I recommend them all to anyone looking to broaden their musical palette.

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

A haunting, minimalist symphonic suite about detachment, surrounding a trio of rock tunes that warn of the dangers of the music biz. Good lesson in thematic development.

5150 - Van Halen

Proved that you can cut loose and be serious on the same record. Smokin' guitar plays well with melodic synth and wailing vox.  Bluesy, sweet, and metallic. Incendiary!

Scenes From a Memory - Dream Theater

A masterpiece of melodic math metal. The tightest band on the planet takes us on a roller-coaster ride of brain-frying synchronicity and prog-tastic progressions.

OK Computer - Radiohead

For me this is about sound, where man meets machine. Nigel Goodrich's spacey production made it ok to use reverb again, creating beauty from pain and shine through grime. 

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John

Something this good could not possibly have been created this fast. Simple songs that have endured for decades.

The Soft Bulletin - The Flaming Lips

Distorted drums. Off-key vocals. It's a punk aesthetic applied to pop music– a supermodel dressed in rags.

Grace - Jeff Buckley

His voice was fearless– vulnerable and strong. Deceptively complex structures, and the best cover ever: Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah."

If I Should Love Again - Barry Manilow

His '81 tour was my first concert, and these heartfelt ballads are full of genius arrangements. The way his chords intertwine taught me most of what I know about piano.

The Yellow Shark - Zappa (Ensemble Modern)

When I heard Frank's music performed by an avant-garde orchestra, it revealed the compositions in a new light, and I realized how relevant the seemingly silly music was.

Eat 'Em and Smile - David Lee Roth

This is the album (and videos) that made me pick up the guitar in 1986. The showmanship, humor, and raw power with which Vai & Co. performed was instantly intoxicating.
 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

 

 

 

ALL-TIME FAVORITE ARTISTS

 

Van Halen

Bela Fleck & The Flecktones

Gov't Mule

Tori Amos

Pink Floyd

Spock's Beard

Led Zeppelin

Dream Theater

The Beach Boys

Prince

Ben Folds

Jon Brion

      

 

 

    ALL-TIME FAVORITE SONGS

 

    "Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)

    "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" - Elton John

    "I Am Willing" - Neal Morse

    "Dogs" - Pink Floyd

    "God Only Knows" - The Beach Boys

    "No One is to Blame" - Howard Jones

    "September" - Earth, Wind, & Fire

    "Precious Things" - Tori Amos

    "Soulshine" - The Allman Brothers

    "St. Patrick's Day" - John Mayer

    "I Believe in Love" - Dixie Chicks

    "I Wish" - Stevie Wonder