#47

# 47 Our Lady Peace (Healthy In Paranoid Times)

Like David Crowder, you'll see Our Lady Peace multiple times on this list. In rock star years these guys would be considered elder statesmen. Since '94 OLP has offered up catchy, dark, thought provoking albums. With the virtuosity of Mike Turner on guitar and the unusual vocal range of Raine Maida they have worked their way into the hearts of millions. Steve Mazur joined the band in 02 after Turner left the band due to creative differences. "Healthy..." was Mazur's second album with the band. The one goal for this album was to create a collection of songs that would give the band members goose bumps. They locked themselves in a studio until each song achieved the desired effect. The end result was a highly political and emotional album.
The album opens with the hauntingly powerful "Angels Losing Sleep" where Maida describes the end of the world as a parallel for the current state of the world. The declaration that he'll wait through the storm is both uplifting and evocative. "Will the Future Blame Us" is a relevant question and a chilling thought process of a man thinking outside of himself about the implications of bad decisions on a personal and political level. Challenging lines are sprinkled throughout the entire album, but they are most prominent in "Where Are You." "Did Jesus get it right, or is the devil behind the light?" With lines like these Maida paints a picture of someone questioning their faith. Accompanied by this line, "everything I've believed in has lied to me, but this could be the greatest day of my life," leaves hope allowing the character to realize that there is reasoning in questions and there is more to this life. This zest for life and zeal for seeking truth is utterly palpable throughout the album. Songs like "The World on a String" and "Don't Stop" lend a light hearted and hopeful attitude to the album. "Al Genina" is the most haunting and chilling song on the album. The words come off as a prayer as Maida calls for God to leave the light on for us.
OLP manages to produce a hopeful and amiguous spiritual album that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere in mainstream music. With this album OLP proves that the heart is the last thing that age takes.

# 48

# 48 Pete Yorn (Music for the Morning After)

Cat Stevens, Lou Reed, and Steven Stills, all names of men who were singer- songwriters. These guys made names for themselves thirty years ago when this vein of rock was popular. The 21st century wouldn't be considered friendly confines for singer-songwriter types. Enter Pete Yorn, in 2002 he ushered a sound into the mainstream that hadn't been heard in years. Music... was originally a demo Yorn recorded in his basement, but after he had it professionally mixed, Columbia signed him and released it as his debut. Parts soft, bittersweet ballads and parts upbeat, full throttle rock, Yorn effectively merged the edge of the current rock culture with the well formed lyrical style of his seventies influences. For his debut efforts Yorn gained much critical acclaim and a 111 peak position on the Billboard album chart. With singles like Life on a Chain and For Nancy Yorn lures listeners to the other more intricately written songs on the album. Songs like Strange Condition, Black, and Lose You offer a lyrical wisdom and depth that was not often heard in 02. Yorn's abilities on production and effects added texture to the album, while his strum patterns, rhythmic style, and well planned melodies allowed his work to stand out even among artist more experienced than himself. The album offers so many levels of emotion and rhythm. While some are upbeat and darker anthemic songs, some such as Murray and Sleep Better are light hearted, catchier songs. Simonize may be the slowest and emotionally charged song on the album. Yorn uses his smooth, haunting vocals to add drama to the event of telling the one you love to follow you forever. The perfect garnish for the album is the simple, yet poignant secret track, which offers Yorn's thoughts on the perfect girl with an acoustic treatment. This sentimental and tender album stuck out five years ago and still does, which makes it not Just Another album.

# 49

For those of you that missed #50 it is six entries down. Now it's time for #49.

#49 Further Seems Forever (How to Start a Fire)
These days the word emo is a red flag, and for that matter so is the term christian rock. That being said, here's a band that's a derivative of both. To be clear, I don't care for specific labels, but there are elements of both present in this album. This '03 release from this veteran act showed there was life after Chris Carraba. Carraba left the band prior to this release to pursue other opportunities(Dashboard Confessional).
The new vocals provided by Jason Gleason, former singer for hardcore band Affinity, simply elevate the band as a whole. As a result the album is a visceral, hard- hitting, and emotional exploration of spiritual and personal issues of the human psyche. Each song paints a concrete, tangible picture. The title track begins the album with a spark that ignites the rest of the album and creates an anthemic manifesto for life in general. The Sound adds a tinge of pop to exploring one's perception of God. I Am adds power and an intelligence to the album, as the lyrics are spoken from the point of view of God. Pride War is one of the strongest tracks on the album, followed by the most tender offering, On Legendary. The Deep offers incite into faith and following God. The last track is unique in presentation and depth. It closes the near perfect album with poignancy and the stark reality that faith is presented differently in everyone's life.
How to Start a Fire is one of those rare albums that adds relevance to counter culture, but doesn't alienate the mass culture, which makes it a classic album in my opinion.

Group: Top Tier

These albums are great recordings that just missed the Top 50. Most of them were in the Top 50 at one time, but were pushed out by other albums. All of these albums are ones that I believe are exceptional.
51. Cool Hand Luke- Awake O Sleeper : Stirring album about living with a truly active faith in today's society. CHL uses steady rhythms, sweeping guitars, relevant lyrics, and unique formats to catapult Christian Rock into the 21st century.
52. Shane and Shane- Psalms : Some may disagree with the placement of this one, but aside from that it is amazing.
53. U2- All That You Can't Leave Behind :U2's triumphant return to pop radio and to the helm of the rock ship. Songs like Elevation, Beautiful Day, and Walk On make this one well worth the wait and a listen.
54. Various Artists- Garden State Sndtrk
55. Pernice Brothers- Discover a Happier You : Underground pioneers of the alt-country movement. This 05 release is a pristeen example of experience and clever song writing.
56. Modest Mouse- Good News For People Who Love Bad News : Landmark album displaying trademark quirkiness backed up with enough fire power to keep your mind in flames for weeks.
57. The Wallflowers- Bringing Down the Horse : Classic nineties album that revolutionized pop radio with catchy songs that set the standard for depth in pop music.
58. Thursday- Full Collapse : Beautiful sophomore album that helped extend the popularity of the emo scene. With a visceral vocal style coupled with crunchy guitar parts and ambient keyboards, Thursday delivers a fresh sound that the public at large didn't expect.
59. Adam Weber- All I'm Not : Enjoyable recording best described as 2 parts Americana, 1 part pop with an acoustic guitar thrown in. Now I have to be clear. Adam and I are best friends and the longer I know him the more I like his stuff. If I didn't know him I probably wouldn't even have the album and if I did it wouldn't be this high. Be that as it may, I do know him and he is that high, so there.
60. Third Eye Blind- Untitled : Some would hold it against me if I called this album brilliant, but alas it's my list and I will. Everybody remembers the radio hits from this album, which it yielded five. I like this album for the hidden gems. Narcolepsy, God of Wine, and Motorcycle Drive-by are a few of those gems that set this album well ahead of the pack.
61. Weezer- Maladroit
62. The Verve Pipe- Villians : One of the most under rated albums of the nineties. Haunting melodies and powerful vocals make this one a classic.
63. Stavesacre- Stavesacre : This is the most uplifting, emotional hard rock album I own.
64. Further Seems Forever- The Moon is Down : Landmark emo album that set the standard for all that followed.
65. Pearl Jam- Vitalogy : 2nd best Pearl Jam album in the list. At turns scary and eerie. While at other times soothing, wise and evocative.
66. Sparta- Wire Tap Scars : Half of At the Drive In with their debut away from their afroed leaders. A great marriage of space age riffs and powerful vocals.
67. Weezer- Make Believe
68. Weezer- Green Album
69. Foo Fighters- In Your Honor : Audacious offering from the veteran quartet. Daring their fans to listen to two albums, one being all acoustic. I love every minute of this album.
70. Collective Soul- Dosage : Last great album from these alt-rock heavy hitters. With tracks like Run, Needs, and Compliment, Dosage is yet another example of poignant lyrics and heartfelt arrangements that have become synonymous with Collective Soul.
71. Cool Hand Luke- The Fires of Life
72. Taking Back Sunday- Tell All Your Friends : The album that started it all for this emo quartet. This album sold 100,000 units for TBS without radio play. Clever lyrics and sharp, visceral music were all reasons for that.
73. Coheed and Cambria- The Second Stage Turbine Blade : Brilliant debut from this Jersey quartet. Add the out of this world story lines to the dreamy soundscapes and unique rhythms and you have an auditory experience you won't soon forget.
74. And They Will Know Us by Our Trail of Dead- Source Tags and Codes
75. Thrice- The Artist and the Ambulance
76. Hey Mercedes- Everynight Fireworks : Amazing album
77. 8stops7- In Moderation : This came out in '03, but it would've fit better in '96- '97. With a post-grunge sound 8stops7 pounds out heart felt songs consistently. Personally I thought it was the sleeper of the year when it came out.
78. Straylight Run- Untitled
79. Blindside- About a Burning Fire : Swedish hardcore act's third and best album. Agressive, yet poignant album about faith, relationships, and finding one's self. Perhaps, the most palpable quality on this album is the confidence they have in God, faith, and their craft.
80. Ryan Adams- 29
81. Eric Clapton- Unplugged : Deeply personal display from one of rock's most renowned ambassadors.
82. Death Cab For Cutie- Plans : Songwriting is at it's best with Ben Gibbard's personal and descriptive lyrics. He has a unique ability to paint vivid pictures and makes you feel every word. 83. U2- Zooropa
84. Soul Asylum- Let Your Dim Light Shine
85. Silverchair- Diorama : Trascendant work from the ever evolving brain trust of Silverchair. These young Australians showed yet another step in their maturing process by creating the antithesis of a short form pop album. Each song is a beautifully crafted look into a world that only exists in the band's head.
86. Pearl Jam- Ten
87. Soul Asylum- Grave Dancers Union
88. Silverchair- Neon Ballroom
89. Thrice- The Illusion of Safety
90. Hootie and the Blowfish- Cracked Rearview
91. Sanctus Real- Say it Loud : Sonic, catchy debut from this quartet that mixed light hearted and powerful rock to explore patience and faith.
92. Copeland- Beneath Medicine Tree : Stark, haunting, yet uplifting album from Copeland. With pristeen vocals, unique drum parts, and delicate melodies they push the boundaries of a usual tough guy genre.
93. R.E.M.- Automatic for the People : Landmark album from this legendary band. With songs like Everybody Hurts, Man in the Moon, and Night Swimming. R E M shows a tenderness that isn't usually present in rock.
94. Tom Petty- Wild Flowers
95. Ten Shekel Shirt- Risk
96. Phantom Planet- Guest
97. Sister Hazel- Fortress
98. Dashboard Confessional- Things You Have Come To Fear the Most
99. Coldplay- X&Y
100. U2- How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
101. Jars of Clay- Who We are Instead
102. The Normals- A Place Where You Belong : Underrated Christian act with a sensational album that bridged the gap between ornate gospel and heartfelt pop.
103. Pearl Jam- No Code
104. Mutemath- Reset EP
105. Blindside- Silence
106. Oasis- What's the Story Morning Glory : Huge album laced with great songs throughout. Multi-platinum sensation that set the standard for pop radio in the the late nineties.
107. Tonic- Lemon Parade
108. Our Lady Peace- Happiness is not a Fish You Can Catch: Our Lady Peace created a huge fan base with their slightly off beat style and their upbeat sound. In '99 they presented a unique offering with Happiness... With intricately woven melodies and figurative lyrics it was a great follow-up to Clumbsy and a surprising pre cursor to Spiritual Machines.
109. Saves the Day- Stay What You Are : Another band from the emo scene. This album was the peak of their career. Catchy songs accompanied by complex, figurative lyrics makes this one worth a listen.
110. Matt Redman- Face Down
111. Sanctus Real- Against the Tide
112. Chris Rice- Living Room Sessions
113. The Get Up Kids- Something to Write Home About : Iconic emo album and the peak of this great band's career. Bittersweet songs of loss and realization that beg you to thump your steering wheel and scream along.
114. Guster- Lost and Gone Forever
115. The Juliana Theory- Untitled
116. Straylight Run- Prepare to be Wrong
117. The Black Keys- The Big Come Up
118. Passion Band- Hymns Modern and Ancient
119. Snapcase- End Transmission
120. Counting Crows- Across a Wire: Live in New York
121. Jennifer Knapp- The Collection
122. Muse- Absolution
123. New Radicals- Maybe You’ve Been Brainwashed too : Hard to categorize album, full of fun and thought provoking songs.
124. Snow Patrol- Final Straw : Hauntingly catchy major label debut from these Euro transplants. Light Up and Spitting Games show the polarizing talents of Snow Patrol. At once soft and powerful, then upbeat and catchy.
125. Matt Wertz- Somedays
126. Saves the Day- Through Being Cool
127. Yellowcard- Ocean Avenue
128. Relient K- Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right… Three Do
129. Fairweather- If They Move... Kill ‘em: This is one of the first albums that opened my eyes to the non-radio sect of rock. With an agressive sound and vocals to match this is an instant classic.
130. Stars- Set Yourself on Fire
131. Pearl Jam- Yield
132. Mae- Destination: Beautiful
133. U2- Unforgettable Fire
134. Nine Days- The Madding Crowd
135. Dashboard Confessional- A Mark. A Mission. A Brand. A Scar : First electric offering from this emo icon. Mark... effectively showed the added talent of the new members and the song writing prowess that Carraba always brought to the table. Rapid Hope Lost, Bend and Not Break, and So Impossible were verbose, expertly worded songs, but Morning Calls offered the raw emotion that fans had come to expect.
136. Matisyahu- Live at Stubbs
137. Sparta- Porcelain
138. MXPX- Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo
139. Noiseratchet- Untitled
140. Sister Hazel- Somewhere More Familiar
141. Taking Back Sunday- Where You Want to be
142. New Found Glory- Untitled
143. The Starting Line- Say It Like You Mean It
144. Eisley- Laughing City
145. Dashboard Confessional- Unplugged
146. Everything Now- Sunshine of Doom
147. Jon Mclaughlin- Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded
148. Hootie and the Blowfish- Musical Chairs : Hootie is best remembered for Cracked Rearview. Everyone forgets '98's release Musical Chairs. It produced radio hits, I Will Wait and Only Lonely, but failed to go gold. It showcases hidden gems like Wishing, Michelle Post, and Home Again. They manage to create a deeply personal album that showed their talents and stretched them beyond the label of one hit wonder.
149. Five for Fighting- America Town
150. Moneen- The Red Tree : Moneen is a band that most people wouldn't know, but just the fact they're on legendary indie label Vagrant makes them worth a listen. Their unique brand of power charged rock linked with their thought provoking lyrics puts them a cut above the rest. From front to back Moneen creates a visceral experience with sweeping guitars and emotional vocals.
151. Further Seems Forever- Hide Nothing : Hide Nothing was the band's third album with a different singer. Most people turned a deaf ear, because of that. What they didn't realize was that this singer was Jon Bunch, lead singer of underground legends, Sense Field. Bunch's vocals maintain the power and emotion that FSF had become known for. With tracks like Light Up Ahead, For All We Know, and Hide Nothing the album is a perfect end for an amazing band.
152. House of Heroes- Untitled