Off the Record: Desert Island Discs

So my wife had the wonderful idea that for this week's 'Off the Record' I should let you all know what I consider to be my favorite albums to give you a better idea of where I'm coming from musically. It will also give you a glimpse of auditory horizons that I haven't yet explored. And on top of all that, I love making lists so I couldn't say no. So I'm pleased to present this week's Off the Record: Desert Island Discs!

I've found over the years that my favorite albums change and that this list looks quite different from one I would have made even 5 years ago. Some of the records that at the time I thought I could never be without (Animal Collective's 'Strawberry Jam', for example), I hardly ever listen to anymore. Not that I don't enjoy them, but I've discovered others that, for one reason or another, I enjoy more. But as of August 30, 2013, these are the 10 records (presented in alphabetical order) that I would take with me to listen to forever and always on my lonely desert island. They are records that I consider to be basically perfect and ones that I listen to on a regular basis and enjoy more and more with each listen. I wholeheartedly recommend each and every one of these albums and if there are some that you haven't heard, I've linked a video to a song from each of the albums so you can give it a sampling. So without further ado:

1. The Beatles - Revolver (1966)

The Beatles are my favorite band and its always a challenge for me to pick my favorite of their records but 'Revolver' is really the cream of the crop for me. It hits the perfect balance of earlier 'I love you-ya-ya-ya-wooooh!' Beatles and their later more "mature" stuff. It never gets old for me.

Choice Cut: I Want to Tell You

2. Blur - Parklife (1994)

This is the Blur album that I find myself returning to the most. A great 90s British album with solid tunes wall-to-wall. It's a shame that to most American's they are just the group that did Song 2. This is a great place to start if you are new to Blur.

Choice Cut: To the End

3. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch a Fire (1973)

'Catch a Fire' is Bob Marley & the Wailers' overall strongest album in my opinion; probably because Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh were still with Bob and sharing vocal duties. I also prefer the original Jamaican version of the album (which is the one that I heard first) to the touched-up more Westernized version that was release originally by Island Records. A great place to go once you've worn out Marley's best-of collection 'Legend'.

Choice Cut: High Tide or Low Tide

4. Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)

This is my go-to feel-good record. Inventive, fun, and full of energy. It's a modern day classic. If you are looking for a good time, you can't do much better than 'Discovery'.

Choice Cut: Digital Love

5. David Bowie - Hunky Dory (1971)

This is the record where Bowie really clicked for me. A lot of people say that 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars' is Bowie's best early record (and it is a great one) but for me 'Hunky Dory' just edges it out. It's packed with so many great songs: Changes, Life on Mars?, Oh! You Pretty Things, and more. So very good.

Choice Cut: Changes

6. Joanna Newsom - Ys (2006)

Oh, Joanna. This is the only record on this list that I would recommend with slight reservations. At 56 minutes and only 5 tracks, it's a bit dense and overwhelming. Then when you mix in Joanna Newsom's "acquired-taste" vocals, it can turn many people off to the whole thing. But if you sit down with it and follow along with her wonderfully complex, literate lyrics and her beautiful harp playing; it reveals itself to be a truly magical album. Plus it taught me the differences between meteorites, meteors, and meteoroids.

Choice Cut: Emily

7. Kate Bush - Hounds of Love (1985)

Kate Bush rules. Plain & simple. One day the whole world will come to realize it. And 'Hounds of Love' sums up pretty perfectly everything that is great about her. Side 1 of the record contains great pop songs and Side 2 contains crazy, weird, experimental Kate. It's all there and it's all good.

Choice Cut: Hounds of Love

8. The Knife - Silent Shout (2006)

My favorite electronic album. Both insanely catchy and incredibly bizarre and spooky all at once. The opening track, Silent Shout, is probably my favorite opening to an album ever. It sets the mood and captures your attention and The Knife keep you fully engaged until Still Light fades out 48 minutes later.

Choice Cut: Silent Shout

9. Super Furry Animals - Rings Around the World (2001)

After the Beatles, Super Furry Animals are my second favorite group (though they are currently in a turf war with Blur; I'll let you know how it turns out). And like so many of the records on this list, 'Rings Around the World' captures every element of the band that I love. It has great storming rockers, beautiful ballads, and loony electro numbers. They really go all out on this one. Heck, it even features Paul McCartney eating a carrot and celery on one of the tracks.

Choice Cut: Juxtapozed With U

10. XTC - English Settlement (1982)

Out of all of XTC's wonderful records, this is the one that has given me the most mileage thus far. While it may not contain the pastoral perfection that you see on 1986's 'Skylarking' (which most consider their best album), 'English Settlement' has plenty to offer. 70 solid minutes of XTC goodness without a dud on it; a real treat. 

Choice Cut: Senses Working Overtime

Honorable mentions (if the universe saw fit to provide me with another bag):
Radiohead - Kid A; Gorillaz - Plastic Beach; Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures; ABBA - Gold; Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not; Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues; Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense (Live); Arcade Fire - The Suburbs; Kraftwerk - The Man Machine; Burial - Untrue

What about you? What are your favorite records? What couldn't you live without? Let me know in the comments, if you like!