I am constantly seeing my friends on Facebook posting statuses such as "make a list of your 10 favorite books," or "post a picture a day for the next week of you and your spouse," and then you have to tag 10 people to do the same. Inevitably, the posts and statuses get around they're all you can see on your feed, that is, if you haven't been tagged in a post already. I usually ignore them, but I recently saw one that said, "in no special order, list twelve albums that left a lasting impression on you. One album per artist without explanation and tag twelve friends to do the same." Now this caught my eye. So here I am, letting you know what 12 albums left a lasting impression on me (in no particular order).
1. "Aim and Ignite" by fun.
I have seen them in concert three times and they only seemed to get better and better every single time. I feel in love with this band when I was 16 and "We Are Young" came out. After I saw them play at a free concert in Philly, I was sold. "The Gambler" is probably my favorite song on the album.
2. "As I Am" by Alicia Keys
The Diary of Alicia Keys was one of the first albums I owned. My Mom gave me a copy of her CD when I was just an innocent youth and I was feeling grown even though it would take me years to fully appreciate some of the ballads such as, "Teenage Love Affair" and "If I Was Your Woman/Walk On By." But by the time this album came out, I was semi-grown and ready to appreciate tracks like "Like You'll Never See Me Again" and "No One."
3. "The Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance
I know every kid that was a middle schooler in the mid 2000's knows the sweet magic that is this album. MCR changed my life when I was feeling super angsty when my Mom made me take out the trash or when my friends were creating unnecessary drama. "Teenagers" and "Welcome to the Black Parade" will never fail to transport me back to my days of black nail polish and trips to Hot Topic.
4. "X" by Ed Sheeran
Need I really say anything else? Ed Sheehan is the most pure human being on this planet and his hiatus this past year has been slowly killing me. My favorite tracks are "Thinking Out Loud," "Don't," "Take It Back," and "Bloodstream." I saw this album tour in concert and he stood there with his guitar and a loop peddle and I lot my mind. What an incredible performer.
5. "+" by Ed Sheeran
His first album, this album had me feeling some type of way, wishing someone would come sweep me off my feet.
6. "ANTI" by Rihanna
"Needed Me" and "Love On the Brain" take the cake for best "feeling myself" songs of the century. This album explained exactly what it's like to be a 20-something in a relationship in this day in age. This album made me realize that I can be just fine on my own.
7. Encore by Eminem
Favorite tracks: "Ass Like That" and "Mockingbird."
8. "Blurryface" by twenty one pilots
Even though Vessel made me fall in love with them, Blurryface is what really had an impact on me. "Tear In My Heart" and "The Judge" are my reasons for living and breathing.
9. "Back to Black" by Amy Winehouse
I identify with this album on a spiritual level. Amy Winehouse, may she rest in peace, was one of the good ones. I always loved her ever since I hear "Valerie" for the first time, but this album has fed into some deep dark tendrils in my heart and now that I am in my 20's, I can identify with a lot of her music. My favorite tracks are "Valerie," "Love Is A Losing Game," and "My Tears Dry On Their Own." (Honorary favorite track is "I Heard Love Is Blind" from Frank).
10. "The Life of Pablo" by Kanye West
Please play "Ultralight Beam' at my funeral. The gospel choir, the message, and Chance The Rapper's hard hitting verses get me straight in the musical part of my heart, brain and soul. "Fade" its also a favorite (99% because of the video with Teyana Taylor).
11. "Pure Heroine" by Lorde
Favorite tracks include: "White Teeth Teens," "Royals," and "Glory and Gore."
12. "Wanted on Voyage" by George Ezra
"Budapest" turned me onto George Ezra and I loved the song so much I went and listened to the whole album (and haven't stopped yet). I even have it on vinyl which I play when I need some uplifting sounds in my life. "Blame It On Me" and "Drawing Board" are two of my favorite tracks.
Bonus EP: "Have You Heard" by The Struts
I could not forget about The Struts and since it's an EP, it doesn't really count. My favorite tracks are "Kiss This" and "Could Have Been Me."
