311
- Three-Eleven
"Down" and "Don't Stay Home" anchor this CD, although they are considered "pop" tunes. Several cool songs with signature 311 sounds, although a couple songs are exact copies.

5150
- Van Halen
Cheesy at times, but ultimately made the transition from David Lee Roth to Sammy Hagar a very smooth one. Redefined VH's sound in a positive way.

89/93: An Anthology
- Uncle Tupelo
I can't go more than a few days without listening to this CD. I have sung Wilco and Son Volt's praises on here before, and now I know why. (both bands branched off from Uncle Tupelo)

A.M.
- Wilco
Jeff Tweedy's first CD after parting ways with Jay Farrar (Son Volt). Probably the last time that Wilco sounded like Uncle Tupelo, before expanding their horizons and going in a new direction. Quite enjoyable.

Are You Experienced
- Jimi Hendrix
This man did things with a guitar that people could not imagine. This album has a complete song that is greater than the sum of its parts. The "parts" are great too though.

August and Everything After
- Counting Crows
A true masterpiece. Got me hooked on CC. A CD that has become timeless in my generation.

Best of Bowie
- David Bowie
Bowie's 70's glam sound was intentionaly alien for his time. It still holds up today. You can see why he has influenced so many others.

Check Your Head
- Beastie Boys
A pioneering CD with a whole new sound. They stay true to their rap lyrics, but the samples they use are experimental. Since some work and some don't, I can't recommend this to everyone.

Chronicles
- Rush
Lyrical story tellers with the best drummer ever providing the pace. Lead Singer Geddy Lee is not for everyone, but his voice is distinctive. This double CD has every Rush song I need.

Disintegration
- The Cure
This is The Cure that I know and love. Moody and brooding. Not a bad track on this CD, as long as you don't mind bordering on depression.

Double Platinum
- Kiss
I was one of those little kids that liked KISS in the 70's. Forgot about them for years, then rediscovered them when I bought this CD. Not the best musicians, but they can play the hell out of the few chords they know. Their live show during their reunion tour was the most entertaining concert I have ever seen.

Fight Songs
- Old 97's
An obvious choice to enhance my AltCountry fix. Apparently a little more "pop" than previous ventures, Fight Songs presents the right entry CD for those new to the Old 97s.

Forever = 1 Day
- Fighting Gravity
College band from Virginia that I latched onto years ago. I combination of Rock and Ska, but their true strength is in their live shows. I have seen them at least a dozen times.

Forty Licks
- Rolling Stones
You would be hard pressed to find a bad song on here. Although I would stick with the first CD of this set which focuses on the 60's. It gets a little weaker when they get into the 80's on CD #2, but its still pretty doggone good.

Hello, Little Captain
- Chris Merritt
Incredible song writing. Changes the way I listen to other songs. Some of his best songs are not even available on CD. Chris actually emailed a couple to me. Highly recommended

Highlights - The Very Best of Yes
- Yes
My choice for the rock sound of the 70's. The keyboarding talents of Tony Kaye and Rick Wakeman give Yes their signature sound. So many of their songs have been recycled that this entire album sounds familiar.

Hope & Wait
- My Friend Steve
My friend Eric taught me the virtues of listening to My Friend Steve. Folksy, accoustics with catchy lyrics, without sounding too poppy.

It's a Shame About Ray
- Lemonheads
Some of the shortest songs, but they don't need to be long to be good. Used to put them at the end of most of my mix tapes when I didn't have enough room for normal songs. Each song is "mix tape worthy".

Jubilee
- Shurman
www.pandora.com guided me towards this obscure band, that reminds me of an upbeat Son Volt. There are a couple tracks that slip too far into country, but you run that risk in the realm of Alternative Country

Modern Yesterday
- Modern Yesterday
Found these guys opening for Fighting Gravity and bought this CD on the spot. Too bad they don't exist anymore. This CD was excellent

No Name Face
- Lifehouse
One of my guilty pleasures. Other than the overplayed "Hanging By A Moment", this CD has strong lyrics and enough musical talent to keep it going. Don't write these guys off because of not liking their one hit.

Notwithstanding
- Chalk FarM
I never understood how masterful musicians like this could be overlooked. I find each song as strong as the next. And most likely, you have never heard of them.

Okemah and the Melody of Riot
- Son Volt
A little more folksy than other music they have done. A great compilation start to finish. I like it a little more every time I hear it.

Pale
- Toad the Wet Sprocket
A college friend told me about Toad the Wet Sprocket, then told me buy this CD and avoid the others. Not sure that I agree that the other CDs are bad, but this one apparently is closer to the "real" Toad. Whatever that means.

Passion & Warfare
- Steve Vai
Best technical guitarist ever in my opinion. The things this man does with a guitar is outstanding. Goes off the deep end on a few tracks, but its a great ride.

Pearl Jam
- Pearl Jam
A return to what made PJ big in the first place. They scrapped their "concept" music, and went back to playing emotionally driven, musically complex, and aurally stimulating songs.

Siamese Dream
- Smashing Pumpkins
Used to wear this out back in college. Recently rediscovered this CD and have really enjoyed it. The songs still have a little too much reverb disguised as music, but I like how most of it sounds.

Singles: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Various Artists
Best Soundtrack Ever! Paul Westerberg brought together an accurate sample of the 90's grunge sound from Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, Smashing Pumkins, and others.

So
- Peter Gabriel
A totally forgotten CD that has regained its charm. I bought this via one of those mail order record clubs, and barely listened to it. Several years later, I found that most of these songs have staying power. Peter can write some beautiful songs.

Spend the Night
- Donnas
Reminds me of late 70's, early 80's rock you might hear from AC/DC, Cheap Trick or KISS. Songs about getting drunk/high/laid is what rock is supposed to be about. While several songs sound the same, they have a couple of stand out songs that I really enjoy.

Super 8
- Super 8
Another in a long list of bands that break up shortly after I discover them. Their sound is like what would happen if Lenny Kravitz went grunge.

Ten
- Pearl Jam
An anthem for my generation. It must have been a prerequisite for college, because everyone I knew had a copy. I still love this CD.

Ten Summoner's Tales
- Sting
An often overlooked submission. I found this CD a complete abandonment from the pop radio sound that Sting had in previous albums, which graduated him to the next level.

The Instigator
- Rhett Miller
Dispite the eerie looking cover, this music has a warming quality. Thoughtful lyrics and catchy tunes show up on most tracks. Although some songs can get a little too sugary, the overall pop style works.

Trace
- Son Volt
A little more country than I usually like, but you can still hear the Uncle Tupelo influences. Not to mention Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, et all. "Drown" could be my all time favorite song.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
- Wilco
One of the best CDs to listen to from beginning to end. Obviously designed to be listened to as a whole. Each time I hear it, it seems there is something new. Absolutely fantastic!