Public Enemy: It takes a Nation
The greatest, most explosive rap album ever made. I remember listening to this for the first time and it blew me away, the thing is though, it's got real staying power. The uses of headnoise, breakbeats was groundbreaking as still it sounds fresh. It's not a gimmicky album and I'd be hard pushed to choose a fave, Channel Zero, Bassheads, Rebel without a pause they're all amazing songs which is what makes this album so great.

Aphex Twin: Richard D James
Godlike genius (and I do't use the term lightly). I love this album, it's one of his most commercial works and unlike some of his other stuff it is possible to listen to it all in the same sitting. Weird, wonderful beats which when put together by this man turn into beautiful songs. In years to come this is the man that most musicians will say influenced them.

Faith No More: Angel Dust
I adore Mike's voice, and this album just proved to me how versatile rock could be I ove the range of Patton's voice and unlike earlier albums it's not stuck in the rawk genr. It's an angry album, a disturbing album yet Mike's voice makes it sound beautiful. Jim Martin said (of Angel Dust), that it was a very beautiful name for such an ugly drug. This album has depth which is what in my opinion seperates it from a lot of their other work and to me rock in general (hey it's just an opinion you can mail me and say you hate me).

The Smiths: The Queen is Dead
I don't know why this is my favorite Smiths album, it just is. The fact that the lyrics to There is a Light... can be played on mainstream radio, shows what a great band they were. Melody, lyrics, what can I say.

Ride: Nowhere
NOT shoegazing just wonderful, one of my favourite bands of all time. So many classics on one album. Beautiful, haunting, melodic what being an indie kid was all about. I still listen to this album and although I can see it's faults more than I ever did, I still think songs like Taste and Dreams Burn down were more than sub MBV . I've seen Ride quite a few times and I thought they were excellent, what a shame Andy went on to Gay Dad (people change). Also Andy's wife Idha did some pretty good tunes if your into country tinged folk