10 Albums That Have Shaped Me, For Better or For Worse.

1. Elliott Smith, “Figure 8” – the album that launched my love affair with indie music and opened me up to the thing I love most in life (certain people excluded. I don’t consider my husband and my son to be “things.”) 

2. Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System - I just love Manu Chao, and this album was the first one I owned of his. It makes me happy. It makes me feel energized. It reminds me of our first Cuatro de Mayo celebration and Amy Mohler’s simple but amazing concoction of tortillas with cream cheese and black beans. It reminds me of running up Craig’s Hill in Ellensburg. It reminds me of the smell of our first apartment on a hot summer day. It reminds me of our trip to Central America. I could go on and on….

3. Buena Vista Social Club, “Buena Vista Social Club” – makes me feel nostalgic for something I’ve never known.

4. Zero7 “The Garden” – Zero7 was the best band I ever serendipitously discovered, and this was the album I bought when it happened. And it is signed by Sia, whom I love. Thank you, Bumbershoot, for searching backpacks for beer when going to the main stage to see Kanye West. If we hadn’t been so unwilling to dump out our contraband, I’d never have seen Zero7. Side note, I couldn’t care less about Kanye West. I appreciate his talent, but I’d never seek out his music (except for Love Lockdown. That’s a great song). And I’d always choose beer over Kanye West.

5. The Flaming Lips, “The Soft Bulletin” – For me and Jacob, it marks the start of a beautiful relationship. Especially the song about bugs.

6. Fiona Apple, “When the Pawn…” - Brings back pleasant memories I am unwilling to divulge. Not that they are something I shouldn’t divulge, it’s just nice to have some things all to yourself.

7. My Morning Jacket, “Evil Urges” – It serves as a perfect reminder that even if you hated an album the first time around, give it another chance. There’s nothing wrong with a band experimenting a little and it could turn out to be one of your favorite albums after all. Yes indeedy!

8. The String Cheese Incident, “Carnival 99” – because on a sunny day, there is nothing better than a jam band.

9. Lee “Scratch” Perry & The Upsetters, “Super Ape” and “Return of the Super Ape” – because on a sunny day, there is nothing better than reggae. (P.S. I know…I am cheating here because this is two albums. But they are by the same folks and practically have the same name and one album has some songs I love and the other album has other songs I love. So too bad.)

10. Bjork, “Post” - This album represents the greatness that was the music of 1995, which is my all-time favorite year of music. And I think it takes a good ear to really recognize and appreciate the immense talent that is Bjork.

11. Upon receiving the news, almost literally the second I finished my list, that Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys died, I have deemed it necessary to add a number 11. I love the Beastie Boys. I have so many fond memories that float to the surface when I hear so many of their songs. So for my number 11. (with a bullet), the entry is The Beastie Boys, “Hello Nasty” – plus the song “Sabotage” – Wendy, I hope that brings back as awesome memories for you as it does for me!