The Endorsement: Classic Album Series

I have now seen several episodes of this documentary series and highly recommend it to you. They play on VH1 sometimes and many are available from Netflix. They usually feature the artist and producers sitting at the console playing back each song from the album. As they discuss the production of a particular song they'll solo certain tracks to highlight something you might not have otherwise noticed. It's a unique behind the scenes look and you should check it out.

Another Meaningless List

In the last month I have debated not one, but two different John Mayer fans, and his fans are rabid! They will not hear a bad word spoken against him. Fan IS short for fanatic, but please, John Mayerites don't start spray painting "Mayer is God" on bridges just yet. Here is a list of guitarists that I personally prefer over the writer of "Your body is a wonderland."

Tom Scholz of Boston

Boston are arguably the inventors of arena rock. The wall Marshall's in "More then a feeing," and the ubiquitous pick scrapes of "Peace of mind" are part of the signature sound that defines the genre. These things seems ever-present due, in part, to Boston. My personal favorite Boston song is "Rock and roll band."

Jimi Hendrix

I know I'm not shocking anyone with this pick. I love the first three albums, and how different they are from each other. "Are you experienced?" is so psychedelic, "Axis" is full of sweet love songs, and "Electric Ladyland" runs the full gamut of emotions. There have been many Hendrix imitators over the years: from Stevie Ray Vaughn, to Kenny Wayne Shepherd, but Jimi was a beautiful and unique prototype, never meant for full production. My personal favorite Hendrix song is "1983...A merman I should turn to be."

Claudio Sanchez and Travis Stever of Coheed and Cambria

Bands like Asia, Yes, and Rush certainly are the godfathers of prog rock, but these guys are the modern day torch bearers. They aren't just writing concept albums, the whole band is part of the concept, honestly I don't know what will become of them when they finish this story. Here they are trading fours with Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule.

Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins

Billy continues to reinvent himself and his band 22 years after formation. Like it or lump it you have to respect the fact that he still churns out fresh material after many of his contemporaries dried up. I don't know how to begin to pick my favorite SP song. So many to choose from and so much of it has meant so much to me. I love the 4 minutes of feedback that follows "Drown." It doesn't sound like noise to me, it sounds beautiful. Just like Billy's voice, it drives some people crazy, but I could fall asleep so that sound.

See also: Neil Young, Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Richie Blackmore, Tony Iommi, Brian May, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Rick Nielsen, and Larry LaLonde.

Desert Island

If you were stranded on a desert island what albums would you wish to have with you? On the other hand if you were stranded on a dessert island would you wish for ice cream or cake? If it were me on that island I would need music for a variety of moods, a slice of chocolate cake and a tall cold glass of whole milk.

1) in a mellow mood

Bjork - Post

and Portishead - Dummy

or DJ Shadow - Preemptive Strike

2) in the mood to rock out

Neil Young - Live Rust

or Smashing Pumpkins - Gish

3) in a sentimental mood

Fleetwood Mac - Fleetwood Mac

and John and Yoko - Double Fantasy

So what albums would you like to have on your island? Did you make dessert?