Rock in PA

My favorite CDs
(This page is a bit out of date, but it'll do for now)
The age-old question involving something about your most sacred possessions and being stranded on a deserted island... Well, I don't see any deserted islands around here, but I'd sure need some music. Here are the 15 CDs I simply could not live without right now. Click on the album cover for sound clips and purchasing information from WorldWide Music (you'll have to get a userid the first time you go there).
My Top 5 Of The Moment
(What you'll find in my 5-CD carousel)

Big Wreck: In Loving Memory Of...
Wow. There just aren't enough new bands releasing quality stuff like this anymore. I'll admit I picked up the disc because their first single reminded me a little of my beloved Soundgarden. But they have so much more depth than that. A MUST-HAVE for every collection, this CD will undoubtedly end up on my all-time favorites list in the future.

Fuel: Sunburn
We've known about them around here for a few years, and with the release of this CD, the world is getting its chance. They've said they're all about "big sounds", and big sounds are what this CD delivers. Keep makin' Harrisburg proud, guys!

Nuno: Schizophonic
Okay, I'll be the first to admit that Extreme never did much for me. But the group split up and lead guitarist Nuno very quietly released this gem which NO collection should be without.

Our Lady Peace: Clumsy
Blazing distorted guitars, Corgan-esque vocals, and some great writing. I can't believe these guys aren't more popular. Also pick up their first CD, "Naveed".

Tonic: Lemon Parade
If you don't have this album, go buy it right NOW. You've heard two of their songs already, whether or not you know it, and they're only the tip of the iceberg. Best new artists, hands down, IMHO.

My Top 10 Of All Time
Disclaimer: It's darn near impossible to pick out 10 CDs and call them the "best", but this is my attempt. No, I don't think it's a coincidence that all but one of these albums are from the same 3-4 year period. The early 1990's brought guitar rock back from the dead, and in these days of ever-changing musical styles (most of which I choose to classify as "crap"), it's good to have these beauties to fall back on.

Alice in Chains: Dirt
This is the definitive sound so many other bands tried so hard to copy. But nobody does it like Alice in Chains.

Collective Soul
Thank goodness there was life after "Shine" for these guys. It's almost as if they set out to prove they weren't a one-hit wonder, and in the process ended up releasing one of the best albums ever. Three guitars, baby.

Live: Throwing Copper
I know, they're local boys. But this album would have made my list even if I lived in (gasp!) Seattle. And if you're sick of their "hits", just listen to the non-"hit" tracks and you've still got an awesome album.

Nirvana: Nevermind
Grunge makes an entrance. But I don't need to tell you about this album, because I know you already have it. Right?

Pearl Jam: Ten
Multi-layered guitar sound. Unbelievable guitar solos. There's not a bad song on this album - it rocks from start to finish. I'm not afraid to call this album my absolute #1 favorite.

Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime
"What??? How did THIS get in the list?" Try listening to it sometime. How many rock bands have pulled off genuinely GOOD concept albums? And their trademark weeping guitar sound is beyond comparison.

Rollins Band: Weight
In-your-face kick-ass sort of spoken...no, SCREAMED...lyrics overtop of one of the tighest-sounding bands I've ever heard. Check out Henry's spoken and written stuff, too. He's really quite amazing.

Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream
Billy Corgan is possessed. Put aside the unbelievable "wall of sound" he and his Pumpkins produce, and listen to the lyrics. This guy can't possibly get through a day without writing something profound. Unreal.

Soundgarden: Superunknown
More masters of their guitars. If you don't think these songs are complex and interesting, try playing them on guitar sometime. And with 15 awesome songs on this album, you know you're getting your money's worth.

Stone Temple Pilots: Core
This is NOT Pearl Jam's "Ten" Part II. This is borderline heavy metal with some of the weirdest and coolest chords I've ever heard. I love each and every song. Meant to be played LOUD.

Comments and questions can be sent to me at andy@rockinpa.com.
Flames can be sent to /dev/null.

	Big Wreck: In Loving Memory Of... Wow. There just aren't enough new bands releasing quality stuff like this anymore. I'll admit I picked up the disc because their first single reminded me a little of my beloved Soundgarden. But they have so much more depth than that. A MUST-HAVE for every collection, this CD will undoubtedly end up on my all-time favorites list in the future.
	Fuel: Sunburn We've known about them around here for a few years, and with the release of this CD, the world is getting its chance. They've said they're all about "big sounds", and big sounds are what this CD delivers. Keep makin' Harrisburg proud, guys!
	Nuno: Schizophonic Okay, I'll be the first to admit that Extreme never did much for me. But the group split up and lead guitarist Nuno very quietly released this gem which NO collection should be without.
	Our Lady Peace: Clumsy Blazing distorted guitars, Corgan-esque vocals, and some great writing. I can't believe these guys aren't more popular. Also pick up their first CD, "Naveed".
	Tonic: Lemon Parade If you don't have this album, go buy it right NOW. You've heard two of their songs already, whether or not you know it, and they're only the tip of the iceberg. Best new artists, hands down, IMHO.

	Alice in Chains: Dirt This is the definitive sound so many other bands tried so hard to copy. But nobody does it like Alice in Chains.
	Collective Soul Thank goodness there was life after "Shine" for these guys. It's almost as if they set out to prove they weren't a one-hit wonder, and in the process ended up releasing one of the best albums ever. Three guitars, baby.
	Live: Throwing Copper I know, they're local boys. But this album would have made my list even if I lived in (gasp!) Seattle. And if you're sick of their "hits", just listen to the non-"hit" tracks and you've still got an awesome album.
	Nirvana: Nevermind Grunge makes an entrance. But I don't need to tell you about this album, because I know you already have it. Right?
	Pearl Jam: Ten Multi-layered guitar sound. Unbelievable guitar solos. There's not a bad song on this album - it rocks from start to finish. I'm not afraid to call this album my absolute #1 favorite.
	Queensryche: Operation Mindcrime "What??? How did THIS get in the list?" Try listening to it sometime. How many rock bands have pulled off genuinely GOOD concept albums? And their trademark weeping guitar sound is beyond comparison.
	Rollins Band: Weight In-your-face kick-ass sort of spoken...no, SCREAMED...lyrics overtop of one of the tighest-sounding bands I've ever heard. Check out Henry's spoken and written stuff, too. He's really quite amazing.
	Smashing Pumpkins: Siamese Dream Billy Corgan is possessed. Put aside the unbelievable "wall of sound" he and his Pumpkins produce, and listen to the lyrics. This guy can't possibly get through a day without writing something profound. Unreal.
	Soundgarden: Superunknown More masters of their guitars. If you don't think these songs are complex and interesting, try playing them on guitar sometime. And with 15 awesome songs on this album, you know you're getting your money's worth.
	Stone Temple Pilots: Core This is NOT Pearl Jam's "Ten" Part II. This is borderline heavy metal with some of the weirdest and coolest chords I've ever heard. I love each and every song. Meant to be played LOUD.