My list really only covers the 80's and 90's and 00's because that's the only stuff I was alive during to start listening to when I actually started listening to music, so:
Dream Theater: Images and Words
-If not just for the song, images and words, dynamic range is great, and the piano is captivating. Great rock album, though short.
Joe Satriani: Crystal Planet
- This is my all-time favorite one he has put out yet, and I saw him do a live 30 minute show in a Tower records for the Surfing album, but this one will always be my favorite. He does well being a one-man-band.
Flobots: Fight With Tools
- If you have not heard Flobots, you need to. I picked up their first mainstream album last year and I was hooked. I listened to the CD all the way through, over and over. It's wonderful. I can only describe it as new age political rap, with a guitarist, a bassist, drummer, and a violin. It's put together really well. It's great.
Scorpions: Unbreakable
- One of their newer albums, but way better than the newest (hour 1) it sums up the fact that even though they are old, they still rock, and they know how to keep up with the times, if you don't have a signed copy of this album, something's wrong with you.
Godsmack: Godsmack
- If you're looking for a solid drum song, and you haven't heard "Voodoo" yet, get on that right now. Great song. The whole album is good, and I'm pretty sure the words "Go away" are used on every song.
Metallica: Reload
- Statistically, Metallica fans tend to hate this album, but I must say it's my favorite by them so far. "Unforgiven II" is a great song, as is "low man's lyric" I could talk for hours on Low man's lyric, it's a brilliant song, and even if you listened to reload, you may have missed it, as it's the last track, and few people know what I'm talking about when I mention it.
Tool: Undertow
- I still believe "Sober" is the best song of the era to date. The bass line in that song, as well as "Prison Sex" make you want to crank your stereo and bob your head, anywhere, any time, you can't help it.
Third Eye Blind: Third Eye Blind
- One of my favorite druggy albums. It took me 5 or 6 years to realize that one of the songs was about doing cocaine, but it seems so obvious. "Jumper" is a great song, and as far as 90's rock goes, this album I think, was a staple to continue the 90's style.
Goo Goo Dolls: Dizzy up the Girl
- Have you ever heard "Iris"? Did you know it's my second favorite song? If you didn't, you may not have listened to it, because it may become one of your favorites. This album is chock full of ballads, and true to 90's style, they're all similar, but good. Definitly worth the listen, if not just for that one song.
Tesla: Into the Now
-(my father in law used to be their drummer when they were a garage band, Jeff Keith went to their wedding) But before i knew him, I loved Tesla. Bust a Nut was a great album. I can't describe to you why Tesla rocks, other than they just do. The vocals that JK puts out are great, and I don't know how else to put it, but if you imagine Axle Rose almost drowned, and has a bunch of water in his lungs, that's about what JK sounds like. It's great. Other honorable mentions are "Signs" "Modern Day Cowboy" "Love song" not on that album though. "Heaven 9/11" is awesome.
Rage A.T. Machine: Self Titled
- I know all the songs off this album by heart, you mention the first word, I can sing the rest. I got this album in 1995, and have not stopped listening to it. If Political rap bugs you, don't listen to it, because that's what it is. If you don't care that it's that "deep and meaningful" like I do, listen to it. Tom Morello will captivate you with one handed guitar solos and Zack De La Rocha is still one of my favorite singers/ rappers.
Atreyu: Lead Sails Paper Anchor
- My favorite modern rock album. It's heavy on the metal side, and there is some screaming, but since the band has 2 singers, it levels out, as there's one with an actual voice, and then one for yelling. It levels itself out well, and it's a solid album.
Muse: Black Holes and Revelations
-I shouldn't need to explain muse, but look up "Knights of Cydonia" and try not to imagine riding on a horse through the desert with a Flying V strapped to your back. Just try not to, I dare you. "Supermassive Black Hole" is a weird song, but I recommend it to anyone.
Stone Temple Pilots: Core
- I still think this was their best album, even next to "Purple" Almost every song is good, and the album starts off the way an album should. the very first song starts of quiet, and gets louder and draws you into the album, and makes you want to finish listening to it, rather than skipping around to songs you "like".
Primus: Sailing the Seas of Cheese
- Too many puppies... are being shot in the dark... too many puppies, I said not to bark. Sgt. Baker, is my name... first band I saw to make a song about the drill seargent in Full metal Jacket. The songs on this album are heavy on the bass, and riff out well with the strange bells the drummer seems to have on hand, but Les Claypool always delivers, and if you happen to be lucky enough to catch one of his concerts to watch him play the bass wit ha violin bow in a pig mask, consider yourself lucky. They put on one hell of a show.
Megadeth: Countdown To Extinction
- They may not be your cup of tea, but I own every single album Megadeth has put out on both Vinyl and CD, yes, 2 copies of each in two different mediums. This one still contains my most favorite songs of the bunch, and if you're a Megadeth fan, or just getting into it, pick this up, I'm sure you'll like it, unless you hate Megadeth, then you won't like it.
Van Halen: Van Halen
-I must say that I've hated every other album they've ever put out, and I think Roth was the best lead singer they had. Everyone knows that Eddie actually only knew how to play because he found the Pick of Destiny, but that's besides the point. "eruption" is still one of my favorite solos ever, and "Girl You Really Got me" and "Jamie's Cryin" are two great rock classics.
Savatage: Edge of Thorns
-A solitary dancer, so lost upon her stage... I have seen you on the EDGE OF DAWN! Felt you here, before you WERE BORN! Balanced your dreams upon the edge of THORNS! BUT I DON'T THINK ABOUT YOU - ANYMORE!
Do you like early 90's hair ballads, yeah, that's the best one ever and don't you forget it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDVoajxYdWI if you don't listen to that song, it means I haven't got you hooked. Go ahead, click it.
Bush: 16 Stone
-There's no sex in your violence. Enough said. Also, "machine-head" is a great song to crank the volume to.
Kittie: Into the Darkness
-Do you know who Kittie is? No? Did you or do you live in California? Odds are, if not, you've never heard of them. Imagine a hardcore metal band with 5ft tall hot chicks and a lead singer that can actually sing, and belt out wails like the best of em and still be UNDERSTANDABLE! Wow! I know. They're awesome. They're not for everyone, but as far as metal goes, look them up.
I know it's not 20, but these are staples in my music collection of about 400 albums, I know, not much, but I get about 4 CD's a month, so it grows slowly now, it used to be more.
