Library

Music

62 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.

  1. Shinbangumi (2024)

    Ginger Root

  2. Nisemono (2022)

    Ginger Root

  3. Sounds of Tokyo-To Future (2021)

    2 Mello

  4. Micropop (2019)

    Jack Stauber

  5. Memories of Tokyo-To (2018)

    2 Mello

  6. 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.

  7. Spirit Phone (2016)

    Lemon Demon

  8. Minecraft – Volume Beta (2013)

    C418

  9. Hawaii: Part II (2012)

    ミラクルミュージカル

  10. Flying by Wire (2012)

    Trocadero

  11. Minecraft – Volume Alpha (2011)

    C418

  12. The Way Out (2010)

    The Books

  13. Ghosts That Linger (2009)

    Trocadero

  14. View-Monster (2008)

    Lemon Demon

  15. † (2007)

    Justice

  16. Dinosaurchestra (2006)

    Lemon Demon

  17. Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (2005)

    Tally Hall

  18. Damn Skippy (2005)

    Lemon Demon

  19. Roses Are Red, Violets Are Blue (2004)

    Trocadero

  20. Hip to the Javabean (2004)

    Lemon Demon

  21. A Message For Marta (2002)

    TAS 1000

  22. Lost Horizons (2002)

    Lemon Jelly

  23. Discovery (2001)

    Daft Punk

  24. Point (2001)

    Cornelius

    Notes

    Must be deliberately listened to and at high quality.

  25. 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 exuding 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.

  26. 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.

  27. You've Come a Long Way, Baby (1998)

    Fatboy Slim

  28. Asian Dreamer (1994)

    Casiopea

  29. 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.

  30. The Seaside (1984)

    Cardiacs

  31. Rebel Yell (1983)

    Billy Idol

  32. Oh, No! It's Devo (1982)

    DEVO

  33. Nothing to Fear (1982)

    Oingo Boingo

  34. New Traditionalists (1981)

    DEVO

  35. Only a Lad (1981)

    Oingo Boingo

  36. The Rainbow Goblins (1981)

    Masayoshi Takanaka

  37. Freedom of Choice (1980)

    DEVO

  38. Candy-O (1979)

    The Cars

  39. Duty Now for the Future (1979)

    DEVO

  40. Discovery (1979)

    Electric Light Orchestra

  41. Replicas (1979)

    Tubeway Army

  42. The Pleasure Principle (1979)

    Gary Numan

  43. Breakfast In America (1979)

    Supertramp

  44. The Wall (1979)

    Pink Floyd

  45. Reggatta de Blanc (1979)

    The Police

  46. Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

    DEVO

  47. On The Move (1978)

    Jun Fukamachi

  48. The Cars (1978)

    The Cars

  49. Brasilian Skies (1978)

    Masayoshi Takanaka

  50. Out of the Blue (1977)

    Electric Light Orchestra

  51. Welcome to My Nightmare (1975)

    Alice Cooper

  52. Wish You Were Here (1975)

    Pink Floyd

  53. A Night at the Opera (1975)

    Queen

  54. Kimono My House (1974)

    Sparks

  55. Diamond Dogs (1974)

    David Bowie

  56. The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

    Pink Floyd

  57. Billion Dollar Babies (1973)

    Alice Cooper

  58. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1972)

    David Bowie

  59. Transformer (1972)

    Lou Reed

  60. School's Out (1972)

    Alice Cooper

  61. Hunky Dory (1971)

    David Bowie

  62. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

    The Beatles