Today I want to step back into the past, rummage through my CD collection, and blow the dust off the first albums I ever bought with my own hard-earned pocket money. These albums are truly brilliant, and the main reason I ended up getting into rock and alternative music, so you have them to thank that this blog exists.
Honestly, I cannot see myself ever getting rid of these albums. Over the years I have thrown away numerous albums; whether they were an ill-informed purchase or they became age damaged over the years. These ones, however, will never leave my ever-growing CD collection.
Fall Out Boy – From Under The Cork Tree
This album is truly magical, and the singles Dance, Dance and Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down still evoke memories of school discos in the assembly hall. Plus, Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part To Save The Scene And Stop Going To Shows) is one of my favourite ever Fall Out Boy songs.
Panic! At The Disco – A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out
A lot of albums released in the early to mid 2000s aged pretty badly, but not this one. Its lyrics form an interesting social commentary about mental illness and the sanctity of marriage, which are still relevant today. This album is truly a cornerstone of the emo movement from the early noughties – all you have to do is watch the music videos for I Write Sins Not Tragedies for evidence of that.
Linkin Park – Minutes to Midnight
Minutes to Midnight was a turning point for Linkin Park, and a change of direction from their earlier albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora. Their use of electronic elements reduced considerably, making the album all about the instruments, booming drums and guitar-shredding riffs. This is probably one of Linkin Park’s heaviest albums – the 18 second long scream before the final chorus of Given Up makes that hard to deny. Add that to the gritty lyrics of Bleed It Out and Hands Held High and you end up with a truly anthemic alternative rock album that still sounds fresh seven years on.
That’s all from me for now, but I want to know what the first album you ever bought was! Let me know in the comments below, or send me a tweet.
Currently listening to: Fool’s Gold – Pure Love
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