Because it's far too easy to post a list of albums off the top of my head... and too difficult to avoid repeats... Here are a few of mine and a brief synopsis of each on why they are loved/ recommended:
Spiritualized - Lazer Guided Melodies: one of my top 10 and definitely in my "desert island" category. The flow, feel, atmosphere and texture in this album has been imitated but is yet to be rivalled. I've stopped counting the times this album has seen me on paths both good and bad.
U2 - Achtung Baby: back when U2 were at their creative peak, this album mercifully lacks the politically correct sanctimony of previous releases and proceeding corp rock/adult contempoprary feel of albums from later eras. It's what happens when a rock n'roll band decide to let the creative juices flow and draw their influences from a variety of musical genres.
U2 - Passengers vol 1: one of the most highly underrated projects from such a massive band. Though seen by many as pretentious, the beauty of this album is that it's such a complete ambient and creative diversion from typical stadium-rock U2. Another plus is you can hear Brian Eno's influence all over the place. Too bad U2's drummer hated this project so much, a vol. 2 will likely never see teh light of day.
Stone Roses - debut/self titled: This is, imo, one of *the* albums that helps illustrate the Manchester movement. No other album can touch it, and it's a classic and should be a staple in every music fan's collection.
The Verve - A Storm In Heaven: what the Stone Roses did with the Manchester movement, The Verve did to help that whole 'shoe gaze' movement take form.. But shoe gaze is such a degrading term, really, and does not do descriptive justice to this album. It's got atmosphere galore, reverberating guitars, soaring vocals... it's lush.
Primal Scream - Screamadelica: if you don't have it, then get out from under the rock you've been living under and at least give it a listen. This is perfect for lazing about on a Sunday afternoon, or driving in your car, or walking about. This album is another one that personifies that whole Manchester thing I like to talk about.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl: This one was such an amazing surprise to me and became an instant listening classic. You can hear the influences drawn from everywhere, and the lyrics got soul. Strongly considered as a desert island pick.
Kasabian - debut/self titled: In my opinion this is one of the best debut albums from a band, ever and another instant listening classic. I listened to this album non-stop when I first got ahold of it, and then I shelved it for a few months. When I came back, it was just as good as I remembered it being the first few times I heard it. For such a played out album, it always surprises me how much staying power this album has.
Air - Walkie Talkie and the Virgin Suicides soundtrack: I know it's lazy to lump both of these as one entry, but both albums manage to be equally as good yet light years different in terms of feel and mood. I couldn't imagine all those nights and wee early mornings on the come down without my Virgin Suicides album to keep me warm.
Bob Marley - Legend: at the record store I worked at, this album was consitantly in the top 25 during my some odd 11 years off-and-on there. And it had been that way pretty much since well before I even had my first job. Reggae doesn't have to be your thing, but it never hurts to have a classic like this as part of your collection. And with summertime coming up, well... This album and summertime go together like red stripe and jerk chicken. :P
There's a lot more that are on my mind but I think I'm done for now.
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