Just because I'm a sucker
White Stripes
At first, I resisted this band because they just got so much damn press I became suspicious. Somewhere, I heard an album of theirs, and then joined the White Stripes army. Sounds best turned up loud.
De Stijl
This is the album that turned me on to the White Stripes, especially the songs, You're Pretty Good Looking (for a girl) and Hello Operator. Any reference to one of my favorite blues artists, Blind Willie McTell is just gravy.
Elephant
More foot-stomping garage rock.
Get Behind Me Satan
surprising fun album.
Ok, now it's all starting to blend in. Perhaps if I turned up the volume a bit....
Bukka White
Complete Bukka White
Strong, strong driving rhythms, recorded all on one day in 1940.
33 Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals
If you want to learn acoustic guitar, or are interested in the art of guitar picking, get this album. Clarence White was a member of the Byrds, who died, still young, in 1973. The songs on this album were recorded on a home tape in 1962.
The Who
A Quick One
The first concept album? No, but the first with operatic tendencies (the 10 minute song, A Quick One While He's Away).
Live at Leeds
A live album that actually rocks. Before the Who went so wrong....
Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy
Collection of singles from the Who's formative years. You've probably heard all these songs before. Some hold up better than others, depending on how often you ever listened to commercial radio. I had the foresight to despise commercial radio since about the age of 14, so much of the so-called classic album rock can still be listened to with fresh ears. Well, except for Pinball Wizard. If you weren't as lucky, I wouldn't be surprised if you hate the Who.
My Generation
Other than the overplayed My Generation, some good mid 60's mod/pop music contained therein. Hear the Motown influence, and the amphetamine influence on Keith Moon's drum fills.
Odds & Sods
Singles, outtakes, etc. Some good stuff, some dreck.
Sell Out
This might be the first album that is meant to be played as an organic whole, complete with fake-but-real-sounding radio spots between the songs. Probably the best Who album. Certainly my favorite.
“Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out” (Petra Haden)
ummm, I don't own this a capella version of The Who Sell Out, including drum and guitar solos (just have several tracks, recorded from my eight-track cassette from my CB radio), but I enjoy playing it together with the Who album.
Tommy
Skip over the light-weight songs, skip over the played-to-death Pinball Wizard, and there are some quality tunes here.
Who's Next
Again, if you've managed to avoid the desert of commercial radio playlists, there are some great, bombastic, cock-rocking songs here. Otherwise, these are almost nearly all over-played.
