Top 10 Albums

I finally finished the list. I wrote a little description for each album, but for those of you who prefer the cliffnotes version, here it is:

1. Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home
2. Tom Petty - Wildflowers
3. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
4. The Killers - Sam's Town
5. Radiohead - In Rainbows
6. Beck - Mutations
7. The Who - Tommy
8. Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
9. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
10. Lou Reed - Transformer

Album No. 10

Lou Reed- Transformer

Originally, I was only going to put one glam rock album on this list, but I kinda want to finish up this project. I came across this album last spring and was blown away by it. I really enjoy the playful nature of Lou's music and the his vibrant descriptions of the life and times of New York circa 1972. Favorite Lyric: "If I could be anything in this world that flew, I would be a bat and come swooping after you.

Album No. 9

Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run

Sometimes I feel bad picking some cliche picks, but this album deserves to be on here. Thunder Road is a beautiful song that the Boss performs excellently every time. Not to mention such additionally awesome tracks like Born to Run and Tenth Avenue Freezeout.

Album No. 8

Death Cab For Cutie - Plans

This was the first Death Cab record I listened to and for that reason I decided to put this album on here instead of Transatlanticism. I think I listed to Crooked Teeth over fifty time during the first month I had it. Ben Gibbard's vocal work is top notch, and I think that Death Cab's real strength is in their lyrics.

Album No. 7

The Who - Tommy

Two words: Pinball Wizard. How can you go wrong with the original rock opera about that deaf, dumb, and blind kid that sure plays a mean pinball.

Album No. 6

Beck - Mutations

This is just a nice mellow, relaxing album. Kind of an interesting album considering it followed Odelay but I enjoy it thoroughly. Tropicalia has a nice straw effect, which is good.

Album No. 5

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Like most people, when I first listened to Radiohead, I didn't like it. I downloaded this album for free when it was available for whatever price you wanted to pay. At first listen, I didn't get it, but rather than give up, I decided to download their back catalog. I started with The Bends and OK Computer and my love of Radiohead grew. I finally understand this album. I think that Jigsaw Falling Into Place, Reckoner, and All I Need are my favorite songs. Thom Yorke just has a way with conveying emotion that I think many other singers lack. Also, everyone is so talented and it really shows on this album.

Album No. 4

The Killers - Sam's Town

I remember that Brandon Flowers stated before this album came out that he felt it might be one of the best albums of the last twenty years. Most people disagreed with that claim; I, however, did not. I was listening to this album the other day and I really connected with the opening track called Sam's Town. Particularly the line that says "Why do you waste my time, is the answer to the question on your mind?" I seriously don't understand people's issues with this album. It's dance music and Springsteen combined in a way that is fresh and inventive.

Album No. 3

David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars

There really aren't any low points for this album. It has a great blend of material and the fact that is a concept album makes it compelling to listen to. If I know I only have about 40-45 minutes of time, I like to put this album on. Starman, Suffragette City, and Ziggy Stardust are probably the best tracks.

Album No. 2

Tom Petty - Wildflowers

This album is solid from the first track to the last track. It has a nice variety and a very soothing vibe. Some of my favorite tracks are Wildflowers, You Don't Know How It Feels, Honey Bee, and Crawling Back To You. I was essentially raised on Tom Petty and this album exists deep down in the core of my being.

Greatest Albums of All Time, Day 1

I've decided to create a list of the 10 best albums ever made. I think I'll post them one at a time. They aren't in any particular order.

Bob Dylan - Bringing It All Back Home

This is a classic from Bob. This album came out in 1965 and marked a transition in his music. The first half is the new folk-rock style that Dylan essentially invented and the second side is classic Folk Dylan. The songs on the album are also some of his finest written. Subterranean Homesick Blues is one of my all time favorite Dylan tracks. The pace of this song is like very few songs of the time. Also, Maggie's Farm is great electric track and was the first electric song he played at the Newport Folk Festival, which really shook the establishment at the time. The folk side of the album yields some of his best lyrical work in his entire career. It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) is, my personal opinion, the best song, lyrically, that Dylan has written and certainly may be the best lyrical song ever. Mr. Tambourine Man and Gates of Eden are also solid folk songs on this album.

Putting one foot in front of the other

Willkommen!



Today is the first day or the rest of my life. Why you may ask? Well the reason for that can be found here at my brand new blog. For anyone that cares, they will be able to gain insight into my wonderful mind and partake in my insightful ramblings. I feel like a first blog post should be some sort of an introduction to me. So I've decided to do that by discussing the interesting dichotomy between my two grandfathers.

"Why grandfathers?" is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. Why wouldn't I discuss my parents? Well I feel that parents are come from these two distinct upbringings and after living with each other for quite some time, they have, like me, been able to balance these two differing backgrounds. So I have decided to go directly to the source.

I'll begin with my mother's father. His name is Bernell Evans and he was born in 1931 during the depression. Based on this upbringing he has developed a strong sense of frugality and charity. He is willing to go out of his way to do almost anything for anyone he cares about and we frequently have to go after him for doing things beyond what he should be doing given his age and the fact that he has a pace maker and has survived five heart attacks. G-bop, as my brother calls him, also has a strong sense of community pride and civic duty. He has served as Mayor, city-counicilman, Stake Clerk, temple worker, and Bishop. Most of this occured after he spent a good portion of his life teaching math and woodshop. I've always admired this about him. I know of no other person so willing to put others before himself and I've tried to emulate that in my own life but I've found it's almost an impossible standard to live up to. I've also found that I have a strong sense of civic duty as well. I've long been of the opinion that people need to have some sort of principle in their lives that guides there actions in regard to their fellow human beings. For many people it is religion; however, for me, it is this sense of civic duty. I should attempt to be functioning part of society how acts in a way that should help and not hinder those around me. Tawni says that my blog should have pictures and not so many words. I guess she won't be reading my blog. Anyway, so that is my Grandpa Evans.

Part Two: Grandpa Mark. His actual last name is Hanson, but I've always called him Grandpa Mark or Jimmy. Longstory as to why his nickname is Jimmy is his name is Mark Hanson, but I'll probably save that one for later. Jimmy has a brash and brazen manner about him. He was born and raised in Salem, UT and until about a year ago, was a construction worker. Jimmy has always been what I like to call a "straight-shooter". He's the kind of person that will tell you what he thinks and doesn't sugar coat things. Some people can't handle that but I can respect it. I tire of the "fake-ness" that exists in our fair state of Utah and all the bullshit that people throw around. If I have something to say, I'm gonna say it.

So, basically, I've tried to achieve a balance between these two very different personalities. I've tried to highlight the good parts and stay away from the bad aspects of these personalities, which I have also received. I am a product of my upbringing and my environment. This concludes entry 1 and be prepared for follow-ups.