In general, it's been a while since I've done a Saturday Night Tunes post. After last night's something something (hooray for selective amnesia!), I thought it might be a good time for a fluffy bunny post. But even this version is going to be a bit different.
Now that we've reached the end of the year, we've been bombarded by Best of 2011 tributes. My question for you BRBers is: what are your Top 5 favorite albums of all time? After the jump, I'll list mine. If you've been lurking here for a while, this will be a great post to join in on the fun.
Note: Because I live in Austin, I de facto know more about music than you. It simply cannot be helped.
bfd's Top 5 All-Time Favorite Albums /High Fidelity'd
#5: Uncle Tupelo - Anodyne: After I graduated college, I spent a lot of time on the road with my lovely yet talented soon-to-be wife. Poor, poor Mrs. bfd. Anyway, we listened to a ton of music along the way including Austin-local artists such as Shoulders and Sincola. Uncle Tupelo's Anodyne (along with No Depression) had been a staple for me even before the trip, when I abused that poor CD, but its omnipresent status to this day shows its staying power. Oddly, I haven't been a big fan of either Son Volt nor Wilco.
#4: Slobberbone - Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today: Originally from Denton, Slobberbone was one of my favorite acts to catch at the always cozy "Hole in the Wall" on the Drag in Austin. Like Uncle Tupelo, they were/are (they are supposedly getting back together) an alt-country band, but I've long preferred a more southern twang to the style. Barrel Chested and Crow Pot Pie are outstanding albums, as well.
#3: The Gourds - Blood of the Ram: I've listened to no band more than The Gourds. However, I'm listing this album in only third place because what makes The Gourds truly special is their live shows. A studio album simply doesn't do this band justice. For several years, The Gourds made live recordings of their shows available, which is primarily what I listen to. Of their studio albums, I went with Blood because I believe it best encompasses their style of music, or truly lack thereof. And if you want to hear a cover song? The Gourds are the best. Song slightly NSFW.
#2: Bob Schneider - Lonelyland: From top to bottom, Lonelyland is an outstanding work of art. This is one of those albums, for me, that I simply don't have a favorite song. Schneider is another act best seen live over his studio work, and if you can catch him when the raunchy Scabs play, all the better.
#1: Lynyrd Skynyrd - (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd): OK, it's true: I love alt-country and southern rock, and all the better if it's from Austin. If there's one album to blame for influencing me so strongly, Pronounced is to blame.
Remember that these are my Top 5 of all-time. I could've slipped something else in, but it wouldn't be true.
Honorable mentions:
#6: Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
#7: Gogol Bordello - Super Taranta!
#8: John Lee Hooker - I'm John Lee Hooker: The album responsible for my love of blues.
#9: El-P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead
#10: Asteroids Galaxy Tour - Fruit: I blame DisplacedTexan.