It has some of my favorite all-time songs - Don't Eat the Yellow Snow, Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast, Uncle Remus. Originally released in 1974 after other amazing Zappa albums (Hot Rats, Waka/Jawaka, Grand Wazoo, Weasels Ripped My Flesh). Of Apostrophe, Zappa "plays everything but drums on it" - no surprise he's also credited with "all guitars" in the liner notes.

Celebrated and recognized as a "Milestone", the album includes Cannonball Adderley on alto sax, Coltrane on tenor, Bill Evans on piano, and Paul Chambers on bass. Best put by drummer Jimmy Cobb when he says the album "must have been made in heaven".

The first in the Captain's long line of incredible albums. Ry Cooder (as a 20-year-old) even had a hand in producing and recording some of the songs (including the yummy Abba Zaba). Due to missing session sheets, it's unclear who played in what tracks - with exception of Beefheart who undeniably does all the vocals.

I thank all three god-persons for this insane piece of musical art. The dissonant vocal harmonies - the first person narrative delivery of the haunting story line. If there was one album from my list to introduce to an unsuspecting listener it's this one. I was physically shaken and shocked by this album. Quote from album: "Something's coming... but not too soon..."

Participants on this album include Wil Oldham, members of the Jesus Lizard and Lambchop, Stephen Malkmus - all combining with David Berman to create a country-esque album with everything: booze, vomit, drug-addiction, thwarted love, unnatural sex acts, and depressed ponies! I was addicted to this album for at least 4 months once I found it.

My favorite Mingus album - super bluesy, heavily dissonant. Mingus plays piano rather than the more typical bass. Plus, Mingus sings, shouts and whistles his ways though the songs in ways that hit me deeply... oh yeah. If you listen to only one song (not a good idea), go straight to "Ecclusiastics". I get shivers.

What can I say about this album - ranked #1 by a critics poll in the Village Voice, one of the top 500 albums of all time by Rolling Stone. This is also the only Clash album where all members get a lead vocal song - not that I can understand the words in hardly any of the Clash songs - not so important since the 36 songs on this huge release are so tasty.

This was a hard choice knowing I needed to put Butthole Surfers on my list, but which one? Close ties: Hairway to Steven, Rembrandt Pussyhorse, Locust Abortion Technician. (sigh). I just love the reoccurring musical theme throughout this one. Definitely one of the more catchy albums put out by the Surfers.

I cried the first time I listened to this album - ok maybe my emotions were in a heightened state at the time. Regardless, Art Blakey is one of my heroes - a leader in the hard bop style of jazz. You can hear Blakey's grunts throughout most any of his insane drum solos. Beautiful.

I was challenged by a friend of mine in college (of the group of friends that introduced me to the Pixies) to find the true meaning behind the song "Motorway to Roswell" (a song about being the poor alien that crashed to earth and ended up ... well you know). I won the challenge and have felt a close connection to this album ever since.