Albums
57 of the most terrific albums I've listened to, with notes where pertinent.
Unlike the rest of my library sections, this section is not intended to be comprehensive but is instead intended to highlight music I consider exemplary. I have listened to far too much music to be able to realistically list it all.
This does not include film/series/game soundtracks, except where the soundtracks are completely isolated from the media. Only full albums are listed, not compilation albums, unless those compilation albums are re-recordings or substantially differ from the originals.
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Shinbangumi (2024)
Ginger Root
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Nisemono (2022)
Ginger Root
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Sounds of Tokyo-To Future (2021)
2 Mello
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Micropop (2019)
Jack Stauber
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Memories of Tokyo-To (2018)
2 Mello
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Wildflower (2016)
The Avalanches
Notes
I'm not a huge fan of some of the beginning of the album. I'm rather indifferent to 'Because I'm Me' and plainly dislike 'Frankie Sinatra', but it picks up very much after those tracks. Despite not being a huge rap fan, the combination of The Avalanches' ethereal sound and the hip-hop sound of this album appeals to me greatly.
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Spirit Phone (2016)
Lemon Demon
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Minecraft – Volume Beta (2013)
C418
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Hawaii: Part II (2012)
ミラクルミュージカル
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Flying by Wire (2012)
Trocadero
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Minecraft – Volume Alpha (2011)
C418
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The Way Out (2010)
The Books
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Ghosts That Linger (2009)
Trocadero
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View-Monster (2008)
Lemon Demon
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† (2007)
Justice
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Dinosaurchestra (2006)
Lemon Demon
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Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (2005)
Tally Hall
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Damn Skippy (2005)
Lemon Demon
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Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue (2004)
Trocadero
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Hip to the Javabean (2004)
Lemon Demon
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A Message For Marta (2002)
TAS 1000
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Discovery (2001)
Daft Punk
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Point (2001)
Cornelius
Notes
Must be deliberately listened to and at high quality.
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Since I Left You (2000)
The Avalanches
Notes
Perhaps the most beautiful album I've ever listened to. The pure depth of sound when listening with quality audio equipment is amazing. So many layers of exquisite samples creating an air of anemoia. I'm a big fan of the original Zomba promo version which includes samples that were later removed for legal reasons, and the Gimix version which is even more divorced from the wide release.
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Play (1999)
Moby
Notes
Throws me back to Friday evenings preceding long weekends in the back of my parents' car en route to a holiday destination.
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You've Come a Long Way, Baby (1998)
Fatboy Slim
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Asian Dreamer (1994)
Casiopea
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Songs for Ships and Irons (1991)
Cardiacs
Notes
Listened to with extreme frequency while on my unicycle commute to an educational institute I attended in 2021.
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The Seaside (1984)
Cardiacs
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Oh, No! It's Devo (1982)
DEVO
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Nothing to Fear (1982)
Oingo Boingo
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New Traditionalists (1981)
DEVO
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Only a Lad (1981)
Oingo Boingo
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The Rainbow Goblins (1981)
Masayoshi Takanaka
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Freedom of Choice (1980)
DEVO
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Candy-O (1979)
The Cars
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Duty Now for the Future (1979)
DEVO
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Discovery (1979)
Electric Light Orchestra
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Replicas (1979)
Tubeway Army
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The Pleasure Principle (1979)
Gary Numan
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The Wall (1979)
Pink Floyd
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Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
DEVO
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On The Move (1978)
Jun Fukamachi
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Brasilian Skies (1978)
Masayoshi Takanaka
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Out of the Blue (1977)
Electric Light Orchestra
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Welcome to My Nightmare (1975)
Alice Cooper
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Wish You Were Here (1975)
Pink Floyd
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A Night at the Opera (1975)
Queen
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Kimono My House (1974)
Sparks
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Diamond Dogs (1974)
David Bowie
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The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Pink Floyd
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Billion Dollar Babies (1973)
Alice Cooper
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)
David Bowie
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Transformer (1972)
Lou Reed
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School's Out (1972)
Alice Cooper
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Hunky Dory (1971)
David Bowie
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Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The Beatles