My Top 20 All Time Favorite Bands/Records

Here we are going to focus on the more prominent records, while giving a simple explanation. I'll try not to elaborate too much on selected records, as many already share some deep connection to the period and lexicon it bore from. I will also try to explain briefly why these are my favorites, whereas the list will have some variety (which all music listener should always have)

On any given day this list will shift, but I've narrowed down specifics of what I have been influenced by. Though I've had a distant affinity to music, as it was a crutch to get me through some very difficult periods of my life, I've come back to reasoning, and examined why I like these groups/records.

Starting backwards:

20.  The Cure Three Imaginary Boys - No matter how shitty of a day I have, this record glints a positive smile from me. Its catchy, simple, and overall has a pronounce touch of class. 1979

19. Peter Gabriel - Melt. A very curious record, it hit me in a very unexpected way. I wasn't familiar with this until the late 90's. The overall feel is a oddity that has to be explored via an actual record player. The basswork by Tony Levin is fantastic! 1980

18. Prong - Cleansing. This record, was the right mix. Everything for what was happening met in the middle. This album has so much aggression, it seethes on every track. The guitar tone is phenomenal, it has its flaws, yes, but damn I can't fault it. (You know this was going to be here) Ted Parsons, Paul Raven, and Tommy Victor. Produced by Terry Date 1994

17. Suicidal Tendencies - Suicidal Tendencies. Hands down my favorite Suicidal record. The angst, cleft story telling, all encompassing around mental paranoia and some bits of truth is classic. 1983

16. Anthrax - Persistence of Time. This is the first metal record I was introduced to in fall of 1990. Will always be my favorite. I've listened to this countless times, and the overall flow, and inflection nothing can touch. The drumming is Charlie Benante's finest, while their cover of Joe Jackson's Got the Time is superbly cool. 1990

15. Corrosion Of Conformity - Blind. Pepper Keenan's beginning with COC, and the wording, attitude, and emotive guitar work is fantastic. So so many songs that wrap me in its electric field. The messages are as still poignant and current today as they were yesterday. I'm glad to have this in my collection. 1991

14. Napalm Death - Harmony Corruption. Introduced to this in the early 90's, I was blown away. Not to take away from Lee Dorians contributions to Napalm Death, I feel Mr. Greenway brings a very distinct attitude. Harmony is crisp, a little rough, but still has a sizeable heft that fell on the wayside for many of the style. Live Corruption just amplifies everything I like about Napalm Death. R.I.P. Jesse Pintado. 1990

13. Oingo Boingo - Boingo Alive. It is with this double album, done live, that has a very eclectic feel. Horns, jazz, and zippy live production to classic Oingo Boingo songs are included. Though Boingo never saw prominent popularity outside of a dedicated following, it is sad and ironic to witness so few remember this band. I have always listened to their catalog. 1988

12. Thomas Dolby - Aliens Ate My Buick. I was introduced to Thomas Dolby in 1988. Having had myriad styles I was introduced to, I've come back to this record. Its weird cadence, faux live instruments, some are, some aren't, and it tricks me into being otherwise. Underrated U.S. for his contributions to music, Mr. Dolby will always be a welcomed staple here. 1988

11. Type O Negative - World Coming Down. After the work of October Rust, I was in a much different head space when it came to crafting song structures. Here World Coming Down smacked me in the face in its tone, and approach. The work is beautiful and depressing at the same time. Peter Steele you are missed. 1999

10. Primus - Pork Soda. Out of the catalog I had a hard time choosing which record, until it occurred to me, Pork Soda is the record that eclipses their entire body of work. They peaked, and went in a totally different direction each release thereafter. They just don't make records like these anymore. I love the cover, as claymation and animation are my guilty pleasures. 1993

9. King Crimson - Discipline. The more I parse through my collection of various styles, one band creeps into each group I listen to. When I traverse much of the established format, there is no mistaking who and what. Though I have trouble picking a favorite, I always come back to this record Discipline.  1981

8. Cannibal Corpse - The Bleeding. My first introduction to Cannibal Corpse, instantly loved it. I don't know what it is about this record, I keep trying to analyze it, and I come back to the presentation. Its tight, groovy, and the last Corpse record to feature Chris Barnes before he jetted off to form Six Feet Under. Its mean, bass heavy, and guttural. I love this record. 1994

7. Machines of Loving Grace - Gilt. This band flew under the radar, like many great groups of that time (90s). This would also signal a concerted shift in major label interest for these groups. The problem was in the stasis being in or around the alternative (genre) market. Because of this I can't hear what Machines did with their final record, which was held up by Mammoth. Anyways, between Gilt and Concentration, this wins hands down with the mixture of live instrumentation, and industrial touch. 1995

6.  Siouxsie and the Banshees - Juju. I've been a long time fan of Siouxsie and the banshees. My introduction was Peepshow, and from there I wandered into their established sound. The mixture of drumming patterns, and Siouxsie's combination of soft and booming vocal touch makes this a standout. It was between this or Tinderbox, which I think was their swansong, as their popularity wained considerably into the early 90s. 1980

5. Meshuggah - Destroy, Erase, Improve. This record is the reason why I am a metal fan. Its different in the way it isn't expected. Though the formula is now more present today, this was unique when it arrived. The drumming, and guitar work is phenomenal because of the harmonics, interwoven structure, and a cadence that still blows me away. If ever there was a future sound, Meshuggah were it in 1995.

4. Novembers Doom  - Aphotic. No matter how shitty things are, this band gives great insight about reality. Through the palate in which the group paints, is a reflection of our troubling times. I like the allegorical prose, and each release since my introduction in 2007 is expanding that structure. It melds styles I prominently listen to without being to focal to one aspect. This is a fantastic record, and so many elements of diversity that is missing today. 2011

3. Ihsahn - angL. Here is my struggle with Ihsahn, his Emperor stuff is good, whereas his solo stuff straddles the line between been there done that. With angL it is a story about dark, and light melded into a deep conflict. I think it works succinctly. It has a polished approach, Ihsahn's guitar work is masterful, and heartfelt. Great textures throughout this offering. 2008

2. Killing Joke - Pandemonium. This was a challenge, as I'm deftly knowledgeable of Killing Joke's work. When I think of angst in its pure form, Killing Joke has this down. But, underneath there is a curiosity, and format that is hard to ignore. The more I delve further into into Killing Joke's prior catalog, the more I'm kicking myself for missing out. 1994

1. Devin Townsend - Infinity. I should add I'm cheating here because of the breadth of work Devin Townsend has put out with Strapping Young Lad, his Punky Brewster, and his work with Steve Vai. No matter, he is today's prolific guitarist. Virtuoso in his dedicated approach, but emotive in expression. There are hits and some misses, but I picked this one as the crowning texture. I'm kind of biased here, as I like all of his work. 1998