Over at theooze someone asked what are the top ten most influential albums in our lives, so I answered with what I thought was a pretty good list, though of course some albums might change from day to day, and decided to repoost it here for everyone else to see:

1. Metallica, . . . And Justice For All. Changed my life the first time I heard it, right from the opening seconds of "Blackened". Really all their albums belong on this list.
(After this the order gets a little murky)
2. Emylou Harris, Wrecking Ball. The first album of hers I got was actually Cowgirl's Prayer, but Wrecking Ball was an amazing bridge from her country/folk roots to something more . . . ethereal and haunting. Saw her in concert that year, too. Beautiful.
3. Stone Temple Pilots, Purple. I was just remarking to a friend of mine the other day that though this album came out nine years ago, hardly a month goes by when I don't listen to it at least once.
4. Red Hot CHili Peppers, Californication. From the ashes of their disbandment comes their (arguably) best album ever. Listening to it right now.
5. Marilyn Manson, Golden Age of Grotesque. It's been a while since a new CD has been able to completely intertwine itself into my life like this one has. From the swing beat of Doll Digga Buzz Buzz Ziggety Zag to the sonic thunderstorm of "Spade", the entire album is amazing. Burlesque for the end of the world.
6. Tragically Hip, Day for Night. The Hip ushered in a new era for Canadian music- one that encompassed more than Ian Tyson or Anne Murray or the Guess Who. Day for Night is my favorite of their albums, still accessible, but eclectic and arty at the same time. Check out "Grace, Too" and "Scared"- fantastic songs.
7. Faith No MOre, The Real Thing. Years ahead of its time. Still one of the most brilliant albums ever. Each song is complete and unique, yet the whole weaves together a cohesive tapestry. Any album that has songs about babies and vampires has to be amazing, right?
8. Beastie Boys, Hello Nasty. How could I forget my Boys? Although License to Ill was one of the first two "rap" albums I ever heard (Run DMC's Rasing Hell being the other one), I prefer their more grown up, freeTibet, respect life incarnation. Hello Nasty still knows how to party, though.
9. KoRn, Issues. I choose the album that gets the least respect amongst KoRN fans. How can you not love the bagpipes intro, and the incredible layering of drums, bass, guitars and angst throughout the album? I could do without the three minutes of white noise at the end, but that's what the stop button is for.
10. Wide Mouth Mason, self-titled. I include this one because they are Edmonton-based and most of you would not know about them. I love their first album. Very bluesy.