Music Lovers Should Definitely Have These

With so many CDs to chose from these days, it’s hard to decipher the good from bad.

Thus, we have compiled a list of albums essential to any music lover’s collection.

1. Jimi Hendrix’s “The Ultimate Experience” - 20 classic Hendrix songs accompanied by a booklet that contains numerous pictures and describes each song in detail.

2. Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” Discs 1 and 2 - These discs cover Clapton’s early years, from his days with the Yardbirds to Derek and the Dominos. Disc 2 contains such gems as “White Room” and “Crossroads” (two different versions).

3. Frank Zappa’s “Strictly Commercial” - This recording provides great insight into the world that was Zappa. It includes 19 tracks that span most of his career.

4. Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention’s “One Size Fits All” - Contains awe-inspiring Mothers’ songs such as “Inca Roads,” “Florentine Pogen,” and “Sofa No. 2.”

5. MxPx’s “Let it Happen” - A blistering 32 tracks, containing many demos and some previously unreleased material, stretches from MxPx’s humble beginnings to their current super stardom. If you only get one MxPx recording, get this one.

6. Less Than Jake’s “Pezcore” - This is where it all started (well, sort of). Less Than Jake’s first full length CD on Dill Records is definitely their best work yet. Contains early versions of “Jen Doesn’t Like Me Anymore,” “Johnny Quest Thinks We’re Sellouts,” and “Shotgun.”

7. The Beatles’ “Rubber Soul” - The founders of the music video and rock/pop music; if it weren’t for them, MTV may never have existed. This album reflects the transition from pop music of the early ‘60s to psychedelic 1967.

8. Dave Matthews Band’s “Under the Table and Dreaming” - This CD is full of classic Dave Matthews Band at its best. It is great for easy listening and anyone who likes mellow music.

9. Jewel’s “Spirit” - This is the second album by folk artist Jewel Kilcher and is the best work she’s done yet. Her voice is amazing and her simplistic lyrics will amaze you.

10. “Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits” - This CD spans the decade of musical collaboration by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It can’t be missed. Paul Simon is one of the best songwriters of the century.

11. The Soundtrack to Forrest Gump - This CD is the soundtrack to American history. Enough said.

12. The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” - It’s hands-down the most innovative album of the decade.

13. Sheryl Crow’s “The Globe Sessions” - It’s the best 90s folk-rock album that there is, and she is one of the best record producers ever heard.

14. Tori Amos’ “Boys For Pele” - It’s the best album by a chick whose vocal artistry will never be equaled by anyone.

15. Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours” - No other album captures so perfectly what was going on in the band’s life at the time without the music suffering. The songs on “Rumours” are some of the most amazing ever recorded.

16. Guns n’ Roses’ “Appetite For Destruction” - It’s the best hard rock album ever made.

17. Robert Miles’ “Dreamland” - For browsing the Web, doing homework and falling asleep.

18. The Orb’s “The Orb’s Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld” - Dreamy, interesting and humorous soundscapes.

19. BT’s “ESCM” - Good for almost any setting, similar to Robert Miles except more effects/layers.

20. Hackers2 Soundtrack - An all-purpose party album, supplemented by “Underworld,” “Born Slippy and Stardust,” “ Music Sounds Better With You.”

21. Paul Oakenfold’s “Global Underground 002: New York” - A great DJ, excellent blend of dance and trance. A good album to buy if you’re just beginning to explore techno-trance music.