It's amazing to think, but there actually were great albums made before OK Computer. This was certainly not the best of them to come out of the '60s, but it's hard to beat the stripped-down sincerity found on these tracks - every one of them a classic folk song - by a band who later earned a reputation for guideless jamming. This is country rock at its absolute finest,

R.E.M. had their share of great albums during the '80s, but didn't reach their inspirational peak until they married their up-tempo jangle with the odd bed partner of themes of mortality and death. This seriousness adds a whole new level of poignancy to their sound, the most consistent collection of well-crafted songs the band has ever released.

Of all my "favorite" albums, this is probably the one I could objectively say is the best. It's amazing how influential this album is. It's a melting pot of styles handled masterfully on a sprawling double album worth of material. Plus, hearing Jack White sing "Loving Cup" with Mick in Scorcese's new movie just seals how much this album bridges a generational gap.

Pounding, unapologetic cock rock. The first of their kind. It's near-impossible to pick a top Zeppelin album, but this was where it all started, and the primitiveness of the heavy blues goes unmatched. They may not have always given credit where it was due, but Zeppelin redefined the blues, giving it the aggression and desperation the genre's forefathers deserved.

London Calling is not a punk album. It is a blender of musical styles, a schizophrenic mess, and it's excellent. The Clash, one of the major punk powers in their time, decided to abandon the basic three-chord attack for an adventure through popular music history. It was completely unexpected and completely bold. It doesn't get more punk than that.

Out of all of music's most influential albums ever, Graceland simply does not get enough credit. Simon exposed the world to a style of native South African music that continues to influence the world's styles while remaining quietly out of public eye. One very recent new band did take notice, however. Enter Vampire Weekend.

Not much to say here other than why I picked it over Sgt. Pepper or Revolver. Well, I simply like the love songs better. There, I said it. Great love songs, break-up songs, unrequited love songs, whatever. They do it the best. Oh, the music is pretty catchy, too.

The rebel in me wants to leave this album off out of spite, simply because it is so popular around here. But hey, a great album is a great album, and OK Computer is the Dark Side of the Moon of my generation. Each song has more layers than an onion, and every listen brings a new discovery. Not many albums can boast that claim.

U2 are much-maligned in the music community these days, and perhaps for good reason. They have become an incredible group of dorks this past decade. But back in the good 'ol 80s, they were unstoppable. With some of the most identifiable drum work of any rock album, the harsh attack of these youngsters was more punk than the adult-alternative snooze-fest the band has become today.

Punk rock meets jam band music! Is the world imploding? No, just one of the most unique albums ever created. Television boasted some incredible musicianship while retaining the spirit of punk, something that has been all too rare in punk's history. "Marquee Moon," at over 10 minutes, is the quintessential jazz-punk-prog-fusion epic. Listen to it now.