Influential Albums - Part 1

Welcome to the first set of albums. When it comes to music, I usually would list a large number of songs that meant something to me. I have many lists but those are for another time. This list is focused on albums. The complete album. I would say that I could listen to and enjoy the entire album for most of these selections Today, I am more accustomed to just picking my favourite tracks and moving on. These first five albums were highlights of my elementary school years. I didn’t really start listening to the radio until I was around ten or eleven, so grade five. Please keep that in mind. Here we go.  

TITLE: Polka Party!

ARTIST: “Weird Al” Yankovic
YEAR: 1986

GENRE: Comedy

ALBUM TRACKS: Living with a Hernia; Dog Eat Dog; Addicted to Spuds; One of Those Days; Polka Party!; Here’s Johnny; Don’t Wear Those Shoes; Toothless People; Good Enough for Now; Christmas at Ground Zero

FAVOURITE TRACK: One of Those Days

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WHY THIS TRACK: I just love the escalation of horrible incidents mixed with minor annoyances.  It’s one of Weird Al’s original compositions which I sometimes like better than his official parodies, especially on this album that is full of gems.

ALBUM INFLUENCE: Weird Al is hilarious. I thought it back when I was 11 and still believe it to be true today. Not only does he have a way with words when it comes to lyrics but his variety of singing styles is impressive. Weird Al is a huge influence on me as is evident in the musical parodies I have written and produced.

TITLE: Bad

ARTIST: Michael Jackson
YEAR: 1987

GENRE: Pop

ALBUM TRACKS: Bad; The Way You Make Me Feel; Speed Demon; Liberian Girl; Just Good Friends; Another Part of Me; Man in the Mirror; I Just Can’t Stop Loving You; Dirty Diana; Smooth Criminal; Leave Me Alone

FAVOURITE TRACK: Another Part of Me

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WHY THIS TRACK: This track works well when imitating dance moves and impassioned Jackson singing. I always get a kick out of how he sings “another pwart of me”.

ALBUM INFLUENCE: I’ll admit this album was a mixture of respect for Jackson’s infectious music/lyrics and ridicule for all the ‘ooo’s and other vocal interjections. At this age, I would do lip-syncs to Michael Jackson songs for friends, family and school projects and this album was rich with content. Still makes me smile to listen to it.  

TITLE: Kick

ARTIST: INXS
YEAR: 1987

GENRE: Pop/Rock

ALBUM TRACKS: Guns in the Sky; New Sensation; Devil Inside; Need You Tonight; Meditate; The Loved One; Wild Life; Never Tear Us Apart; Mystify; Kick; Calling All Nations; Tiny Daggers

FAVOURITE TRACK: New Sensation

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WHY THIS TRACK: It’s just a fun track with a great driving beat. It always puts me in a good mood.

ALBUM INFLUENCE: I was not into much hard rock at this time, so this was close enough without worrying the parents. I also lip-synced “The Loved One” for a school video project where my character was trying to woo their love interest (which happened to be my first girlfriend). It’s what I do.

TITLE: Hysteria

ARTIST: Def Leppard
YEAR: 1987

GENRE: Rock

ALBUM TRACKS: Women; Rocket; Animal; Love Bites; Pour Some Sugar on Me; Armageddon It; Gods of War; Don’t Shoot Shotgun; Run Riot; Hysteria; Excitable; Love and Affection

FAVOURITE TRACK: Pour Some Sugar on Me

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WHY THIS TRACK: I would play this track over and over in my room. I loved the lyrics and the drum beat. Also enjoyed Joe Elliot hitting the high notes among the tonal yells. Hate how they changed the opening on their greatest hits compilation.

ALBUM INFLUENCE: I felt cool listening to this album. This is the hardest rock I was listening to at the time. Lots of singing in front of the mirror on this one. I was so tough.   

TITLE: He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper

ARTIST: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince
YEAR: 1988

GENRE: Rap

ALBUM TRACKS: A Nightmare on My Street; Here We Go Again; Brand New Funk; Time to Chill; Charlie Mack (First Out of the Limo); As We Go; Parents Just Don’t Understand; Pump Up the Bass; Let’s Get Busy, Baby; Another Special Announcement; Live at Union Square; DJ on Wheels; My Buddy; Rhythm Trax-House Party Style; He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper; Hip Hop Dancer’s Theme; Jazzy’s in the House; Human Video Game

FAVOURITE TRACK: Charlie Mack (First Out of the Limo)

LISTEN TO THE TRACK: Click here

WHY THIS TRACK: I love the story. A great tribute to their bodyguard.  

ALBUM INFLUENCE: I did listen to Run DMC and Beastie Boys, but I enjoyed the humour found in Will Smith’s lyrics. My other rap consisted of Young MC and Maestro Fresh Wes. My cousins and I would sing “Parents Just Don’t Understand” around the campfire while censoring the ‘hell’s. I still know all the lyrics.