The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (2002)

Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8KQMM562

Masters of the recording studio, The Flaming Lips use every trick the studio can offer to make this album unique. Featuring drum machines and synths this album is truly a 21st century rock album.

Favorite Tracks: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (Part I), Do You Realize?

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here (1975)

Wish You Were Here - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SW46W43P

Pink Floyd is the master of psychedelica. This album contains one of the most trippy songs I have ever heard in "Shine On You Crazy Diamond". While it only has 5 songs each one is a journey into the soul and mind.

Favorite Tracks: Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Have a Cigar

MGMT - Oracular Spectacular (2007)

Oracular Spectacular - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JZKQBM9G

The Hipster kids love MGMT. I'm no hipster, but I love MGMT too. This album is chock full of good time electro-rock

Favorite Tracks: Time To Pretend, Kids

My Morning Jacket - Z (2005)

Z - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W4LZ0LGJ

Jim James's falsetto pairs amazingly with the rough guitar. This album is hard rock with a soul.

Favorite Tracks: Gideon, Anytime

Radiohead - OK Computer (1997)

OK Computer - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IY1MH42G

This is probably my favorite album of all time. EVERY single song is perfect. Dealing with themes of isolationism and fear this album is definitely dark, but is amazingly beautiful. I could go on and on about this album...

Favorite Tracks: (all of them!) Exit Music (for a film), Climbing Up the Walls, No Surprises

Ratatat - Classics (2006)

Classics - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=51E7OVX0

Ratatat's guitar and synth driven sound is truly unique. The mainly instrumental album is powerful and a touch on the dark side.

Favorite Tracks: Lex, Wildcat

Wolf Parade - Apologies to the Queen Mary (2005)

Apologies to the Queen Mary - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CHBKZNUZ

Wolf Parade is great indie rock. These guys from Montreal are keeping rock fresh and alive. This album is great straight forward rock music.

The White Stripes - Icky Thump (2007)

Icky Thump - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SOPQGMGO

It is amazing the amount of noise that Jack and Meg can produce. This album flat out rocks and really showcases Jack's guitar abilities. I enjoy putting on this album on loud and just taking in the noise.

Favorite Tracks: Icky Thump, You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do What Your Told)

U2 - The Joshua Tree (1987)

The Joshua Tree - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SA6YG5M7

This album is packed full of hits. You probably know almost every song on this album. It is the quintessential U2

Favorite Tracks: Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, With or Without You

Trey Anastasio - Trey Anastasio (2001)

Trey Anastasio - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=42F4L624

Trey's self-titled solo album is full of great latin rhythms, energetic horns and percussion, and a certain joie de vivre. Trey's guitar shreds on the uptempo songs and soars on the ballads. This is a great summertime album.

The Moody Blues - Days of Future Past (1966)

Days of Future Past - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KH8RY6GP

The Moody Blues's Justin Hayward has a magnificent voice. It shines on this album along side the orchestral arrangements. This album is deep psychedelica and is a masterpiece of the 60's

Favorite Tracks: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?), Nights in White Satin/Late Lament

Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed (1969)

Let It Bleed - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7GOHP4AR

This album was released at the end of the 1960s and has a noticeably dark undertone to it. It reflects on the dark side of the hippie decade and is probably the Stones greatest album.

Favorite Tracks: Gimme Shelter, You Can't Always Get What You Want

Talking Heads - Remain in Light (1980)

Remain In Light - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MNDI8CD9

The Talking Heads were ahead of their time. This album came out in 1980 and sounds like nothing else from that era. David Byrne's scorching vocals and funky African polyrhythms send this album shooting into the stratosphere.

Favorite Tracks: Born Under Punches, Crosseyed and Painless, Once in a Lifetime

Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions (2005)

The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=yr8zgfnq

This album differs from the other albums on this blog in the fact that it contains an album of cover songs. But, Seu's soulfully stripped down interpretations of David Bowie's songs are amazing. Featuring Portuguese translations, simple guitar, and anchored by Seu's magical voice, this album is truly delicious.

Favorite Songs: Starman, Oh! You Pretty Things

The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966)

Pet Sounds - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PVB9B27N

This is Brian Wilson's masterpiece. This album is a marvel of song writing. This is what a rock album should be: deep, melodic, and full of emotion.

Favorite Songs: Wouldn't it Be Nice, God Only Knows

Thom Yorke - The Eraser (2007)

The Eraser - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8CF05MYL

This is not a Radiohead Album. This is the solo work of Thom Yorke. Although Thom's unmistakable vocals will draw some comparisons to the sound of Radiohead, this album is different. It has a stripped down electronic sound that really puts Thom's vocals to the forefront and is noticeably missing the sound of guitars.

Favorite Tracks: The Eraser, Black Swan

Led Zeppelin - IV (1971)

IV - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GWJN3WQY

Led Zeppelin is probably the coolest rock band of all time. IV is probably their coolest album. This is the type of album that inspires people to want to become rock stars. This is the type of album that absolutely rocks.

Favorite Tracks - Black Dog, When the Levee Breaks

Radiohead - The Bends (1995)

The Bends - http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T32L7G3E

Radiohead had something to prove with their sophomore release, The Bends. Overshadowed by the success of the song, "Creep", from their first album Pablo Honey, the guys from Oxford wanted to prove that they were more than a one hit wonder. They did that and more with The Bends. They proved that the were legitimate rockstars and artists. This album's three guitar attack hits you immediately with the opening song "Planet Telex" and shows no slowing down with the second track, the anthem "The Bends". Slower songs like "Fake Plastic Trees" and "High and Dry" give the album balance. This truly is a great album.

Favorite Tracks: The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Outkast - Aquemini (1998)

Aquemini - http://www.mediafire.com/?yccmuxmcixo

Outkast is the epitome of hip-hop. This album features slick funky beats matched with socially conscious lyrics. Big Boi and Andre are at their pinnacle on this and it is no coincidence that they became hip-hops superstars in the aftermath of this album.

Favorite Tracks : Rosa Parks, Da Art of Story Tellin' (Part I), Spottieottieadogalicious