So Stuart Beard is doing a '10 album' theme, challenged on Facebook, and now so am I.
It has proved more stressful than I would have thought - just choosing!!! I love music and I have much vinyl and CDs and I had many tapes.
So instead of doing 10 favourite albums - which I found impossible - I've picked 10 that I remember listening to on repeat when they came out, which have influenced my music choices, and which I still listen to today.
This album, released in 1983 is definitely not the critics choice for this band, but it was the first album I owned on CD. I listened to it incessantly, and it echoed some of the student anger at the time against Thatcherism. The quiet beginning, with the cars on the street still sends tingles up my spine. It was probably the first 'concept' album I listened to. It inspired a love of Progressive Rock, which has undoubtedly influenced a lot of my later choices.
I actually couldn't find the CD, so I created my own version.
And I am listening to it via Spotify right now; it is still very relevant.

Tags:   365: the 2018 edition 365:2018 Day 65/365 06-Mar-18 album cover album 1 of 10 Pink Floyd The Final Cut

© All Rights Reserved

I had to have an album by this band in the 10 albums that influenced me most. After much thought I went with this one, which started it all. Having looked it up today, I didn't realise that the version I had was the American compilation album released in 1980 as opposed to the original UK album (Three Imaginary Boys, 1979).
This album was put onto cassette for me by one of my first boyfriends; it had Never Mind the Bollocks on the other side. I think I was supposed to prefer the Sex Pistols but I re wound to this album every time.
I don't listen to it anymore, although probably still know all the words. You can't get it on Spotify (you can get the original but the tracks are not all the same), and the cassette has long gone. But this album inspired a decade plus of devotion, a few live gigs, and a continued tendency to wear a lot of black, with buckled ankle boots. I still have a penchant for young men in black eyeliner!

And the boyfriend? We are still in touch, He is an architect, living happily in Oxfordshire with his wife, and 4 children who are the same age as ours, and we meet up every couple of years.

Tags:   365: the 2018 edition 365:2018 Day 66/365 07-Mar-18 2/10 influential albums for me The Cure Boys don't Cry

© All Rights Reserved

The eponymous first album. yes. got me hooked
The second album, challenging, interesting. still relevant

But, oh, this album.
From 1986, it is hard to believe it is over 30 years old.
Still in my car. Still played regularly. Still sounds as good.
I've got it in my head now. Might need to put it on again.

all together now
"and if a double decker bus......."

Tags:   365: the 2018 edition 365:2018 Day 67/365 08-Mar-18 3/10 my influential albums recreation The Smiths The Queen is Dead

© All Rights Reserved

For WAH who are visiting album recreations (guess whose idea that was!).
Daily shot later
The inclusion of this album has caused some discussion in this house. Released in 1995 this album combined grunge and pop and introduced angry girl singing!! It was like a Tapestry for my generation and I think inspired many young women to feel they could be singer songwriters in an industry which was heavily dominated by male bands.
I overplayed it and it has taken time and distance for me to be able to listen to it again and I find that I still love the powerful singing and lyrics.
You 'oughta know - the hidden version at the end - remains quite disturbing
it was much harder than I thought to recreate this cover - this is the second attempt - not least persuading a very reluctant teenager to pose (again)

Tags:   4/10 Influential Albums WAH We're Here Hereois Alanis Morisette Jagged Little Pill

© All Rights Reserved

Released in October 1995. In my opinion one of the finest albums of all time. Subversive pop music. Catchy, funny with razor sharp lyrics, filth, adultery and voyeurism.
The current CD in my car, has just started to stick. Guess its time to buy another (my 4th?).

oh mother I can never come home again
because I seem to have lost an important part of my brain
somewhere
somewhere
in a field in Hampshire
alright

Tags:   5/100 influential albums Pulp A Different Class

© All Rights Reserved