Banal Leakage » list

Propped Up

martymankins — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:02:22 +0000

Original image found at LA Times

Here’s an itemized list of things that Prop 8 in California has accomplished for their citizens since it passed by 52% of the vote in November 2008:

Divided residents of the Golden State pretty much in half.
Spent millions of dollars on legal fees, posters, lost work time, police force staffing for public protests – just to name some of the costs
Took those costs away from services that are beneficial to all citizens like police protection for real crimes being committed, feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, job creation efforts – just to name a few.
Divided families that were forced to choose between their gay or lesbian child or their belief that same-sex marriage would be the modern day Armageddon that destroyed the universe.
The number of other manufactured lies that clever writers created to enshrine their narrow-minded beliefs about gays and lesbians.
Reduced revenues for weddings, divorces, marriage license fees and other revenue generating activities that heterosexuals already contribute to as tax-paying citizens of the state.
Donated hours and hours of producing ads, posters, protests, etc… that could have been spent towards helping the less fortunate, the less abled and those that needed real help in improving their lives.
Efforts towards completely erasing inequality decreased instead of increasing and removing the divide that our country has a history of for centuries.

Looking Forward

Now that this decision has come down, it moves to the Supreme Court, where the following will happen:

More division in the citizens of California
More money spent on legal fees
More families divided apart
Increased police support for further public gatherings and protests
More time before loving couples can be legally married to each other
Increased hate and bigoted attitudes towards gays and lesbians

Seth MacFarlane said it best today on Twitter:

Prop 8 architects: Every civil rights battle is eventually won by the oppressed party. Save your hundred mil and buy some Bud platinum.

He’s right. History shows those who oppose granting equality and civil rights to others eventually lose their battle. We’ve spent years fighting against women and blacks. But in the end, they eventually were recognized and granted civil rights… marriage rights, even. So it shall be for the gays and lesbians of this country. There’s a long battle ahead still, but history is on our side.

Being Thankful – 2011 Edition

martymankins — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:01:47 +0000

Friends Forever

I skipped my annual Thanksgiving post last year. Maybe I wasn’t as thankful in 2010. Of course this year, I’m just thankful I actually accomplished some things [trust me, there was much more that I really wanted to get done].

So with that, here’s my list of what I’m thankful for:

My wife, who puts up with my love of all things tech and geek. And my odd sense of humor. And my many distractions that sometimes take away from deserved attention on her.
My job. Even though I complain about it often, I really am glad I have my job. I look forward to my three weeks of vacation days each year and the flex time which allows me to run errands during the day, in trade for being available by phone 24/7.
My friends in music – KevinIL and KevinAZ, who share many of the same bands and genres as I do.
My daughter, who also shares the love of music I do, and not only is an awesome companion for the many concerts we have attended together, but who is also a great travel partner, as evidenced by our awesome trip to the Pacific Northwest this summer [not to mention, previous trips to San Francisco and the Grand Canyon].
My iPad. Seriously.. this device has done a lot for me since I first purchased one in April 2010. I upgraded to the iPad 2 this year and it’s done even more to help keep me organized, not to mention the apps and tools that I use to write, blog and take notes.
My creative side. My videos might have been sparse this year, but I still filmed when I could and my fiction writing got a nice boost thanks to Thrice Fiction.
To those who inspire me. There’s too many to individually list here, but your works, efforts and creations do find their way into my head often when I need that push to get past my distractions.
My many online friends, who without them, Twitter and blogging would be a solo effort.
And lastly, to my brother and sister, who I don’t talk to enough [thanks in large part to my reliance on online communication, which takes away from my real life communication] but who I am grateful for all they have done for me in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope you have a great day with food, football and family.

Meme Sheep

martymankins — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:28:17 +0000

Okay, if this meme was good enough for Poppy, Karl and Dave2, it’s good enough for me to take a lazy blog post day [Actually, besides the cut and paste part of it, this post took much longer to put together than I thought it would]. I’ll be back soon with many posts that I’m working on for public consumption.

ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? crashed on my bike, hit my nose and upper lip into gravel
WHAT IS ON THE WALLS IN YOUR BEDROOM? a picture of a giraffe and lion
WHAT DOES YOUR MOBILE PHONE LOOK LIKE? a Palm Pre (i also have an iPhone)
WHAT MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? all kinds, except for country and opera
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME YOU WERE BORN? 6:10am
WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW? to be a successful writing and movie maker
WHO DO YOU MISS? my mom
IS ANYONE IN LOVE WITH YOU OR HAS A CRUSH ON YOU? my wife
WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU KISSED? my wife
WHAT’S YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Lee
THE BEST TV SHOW EVER CREATED? Get Smart
THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO? a co-worker
DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK? sometimes
THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY? myself
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COLOGNE / PERFUME? Polo Blue, Calvin Klein Euphoria
WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? blonde or brunette, brown, blue
WOULD YOU RATHER BE SMART OR FUNNY? funny
COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINKS? mostly coffee, but energy drinks during the day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING? sausage
IF YOU CAN EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? pan-seared scallops
WHO IS THE LAST PERSON WHO MADE YOU MAD? myself
DO YOU SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE? nope
WHAT WAS THE FIRST GIFT SOMEONE EVER GAVE YOU? a train set from my mom for my birthday
DO YOU LIKE SOMEONE? yes, many people
ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED? nope
FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND? Timberland
WHAT’S YOUR DREAM CAR? Mercedes C-280
WHAT COLOR IS IT? dark blue
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF EXERCISE? treadmill, swimming
WOULD YOU FALL IN LOVE KNOWING THAT THE PERSON IS LEAVING? maybe
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TELL SOMEONE HOW MUCH THEY MEAN TO YOU? being kind to them
WRITE A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED? 29
BLONDES OR BRUNETTES? both
WHAT IS THE ONE NUMBER YOU CALL OFTEN? my daughters
WHAT ANNOYS YOU MOST? being asked questions all the time
HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF YOUR COUNTRY? WHERE DID YOU GO? WHAT PLACE DID YOU LIKE BEST? Mexico and Canada – Tijuana and Creston
YOUR WEAKNESSES? not being able to say no
FRIES/CHIPS, RICE, OR BEANS? rice… every kind
FIRST JOB? dough roller at Chuck E Cheese
EVER PRANK CALLED SOMEONE? many times
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED OUT THIS? updating user accounts at work
IF YOU COULD GET PLASTIC SURGERY WHAT WOULD IT BE? remove extra skin under my chin
WHY DID YOU FILL OUT THIS MEME? because I wanted to be part of the cool kids in my blogging circle
WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST? how nice I am to others
WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF ALCOHOL BECAME ILLEGAL? make my own moonshine – gin and vodka
WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? relax alone time with no worries or stress… and a MacBook Air
HOW MANY KIDS DO YOU WANT? i have 1 and am very happy with 1
WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? the movie “Marty” (my mom loved movies and movie stars)
DO YOU WISH ON STARS? not always
WHICH FINGER[S] IS YOUR FAVORITE? index on right hand
WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Arby’s Beef and Cheddar
DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? for the most part, yes
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? pastrami
ANY BAD HABITS? many
WHAT IS YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING CD ON THE SHELF? used to be Paula Abdul “Forever Your Girl” not sure I have one now.
IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? yes
HAVE YOU EVER TOLD A SECRET YOU SWORE NOT TO TELL? yes
DO LOOKS MATTER? yes
YOU RELEASE YOUR ANGER? yes
WHERE IS YOUR SECOND HOME? Orange County, CA – Newport Beach
DO YOU TRUST OTHERS EASILY? for the most part, yes
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? Vertibird
HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR MOBILE PHONE? over 500
DO YOU USE SARCASM? often
DO YOU KNOW ANYONE FAMOUS? Lenny Dykstra, former NY Met
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A MOSH PIT? yes – 1999 Rage Against the Machine concert
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PLACE TO LIVE? temperature, altitude (I live in the wrong city now)
WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES? Chilly Willy, Martyman, Spewbacca
HOW MANY HATS DO YOU OWN? WHAT’S YOUR HAT SIZE? not sure. maybe a 6
DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? always
WERE YOU UPSET ABOUT STEVE IRWIN DYING? sad, but not upset
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? pistachio
ARE YOU LAZY? sometimes
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SONGS AT THE MOMENT? “Houdini” by Foster The People, “Rope” by Foo Fighters
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND? Depeche Mode
HOW MANY WISDOM TEETH DO YOU HAVE? none
DO YOU WANT TO GO ANYWHERE SPECIAL THIS YEAR? just got back from Myrtle Beach, so another beach to relax on.
WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Foster The People, the new Cars album “Move Like This”
LAST THING YOU ATE? I already answered this at #51 above
LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? my wife
WHATS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT YOURSELF IN THE MORNING? once I open my eyes, any odd bumps on my skin
FAVORITE THOUGHT PROVOKING SONG? “Still Remains” by Stone Temple Pilots
FAVORITE TWO THINGS TO HATE? drama of any kind and lima beans
FAVORITE DRINK? gin and tonic, Dr Pepper, sweet tea (that’s more than 1)
FAVORITE ZODIAC SIGN? Leo
SPORTS YOU LIKE TO WATCH? NFL
WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? Brown
EYE COLOR? Brown
DO YOU WEAR GLASSES? No, but I’m sure I will need to soon
SIBLINGS? 1 brother and 1 sister from my mom’s previous marriage
FAVORITE MONTH(s)? August
DO YOU LIKE SUSHI? yes, love it (except for uni – disgusting shit, literally)
LAST THING YOU WATCHED? Daily Show With Jon Stewart
FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Sunday
ARE YOU TOO SHY TO ASK SOMEONE OUT? no
SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer
KISSES OR HUGS? kisses
RELATIONSHIPS OR ONE-NIGHT STANDS? relationships
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY? other than John Cusack, I have several – Cindy Crawford, Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Quentin Tarantino
WHO IS THE LEAST LIKELY TO ASK YOU ON A DATE? someone I’ve never met
BOOKS YOU’D LIKE TO SEE TURNED INTO A FILM? already happened: The Bourne series

The Nine Layers Of Marty

martymankins — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:35:44 +0000

I stole this from Nilsa and Kapgar. It’s an effort into having more than two posts per week out here. You may even get one more from me tomorrow if I can manage to get another post done. For now, enjoy what I have to share and comment on anything you want.

LAYER ONE:

Name: Marty
Birthdate: August 6, 1963
Birthplace: Garden Grove, CA
Current location: Salt Lake City, UT
Eye color: Brown
Hair color: Brown
Height: 5’9″
Righty or lefty: righty
Zodiac sign: Leo

LAYER TWO:

Your heritage: Italian
The shoes you wore today: Power skater shoes [they slip on and off easily]
Your weakness: gummy worms and someone asking for help
Your fears: heights…. even the roof of a house.
Your perfect pizza: New York style
Goal you’d like to achieve: to become a publisher author

LAYER THREE:

Your most overused phrase on AIM: what’s up
Your first waking thoughts: the bed feels too nice
Your best physical feature: my calves
Your most missed memory: fun childhood times with my mom

LAYER FOUR:

Pepsi or Coke: Coke Classic
McDonald’s or Burger King: Burger King
Single or group dates: Single
Adidas or Nike: Adidas
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton
Chocolate or vanilla: vanilla
Cappuccino or coffee: vanilla latte

LAYER FIVE:

Smoke: used to [almost 6 years quit]
Cuss: Mother fucking yes, cocksucker
Sing: At times, nothing that I want to try in public while sober
Take a shower everyday: yes, but less than 10 mins each shower
Do you think you’ve been in love: many times
Want to go to college: I already did
Liked high school: for the most part, yes
Want to get married: On my second time around [and last]
Believe in yourself: Yes, pretty much
Get motion sickness: at times
Think you’re attractive: for the most part, yes, with some minor issues
Think you’re a health freak: I try to be healthy, but not a freak
Get along with your parent(s): My mom and I patched things up a few years before she passed
Like thunderstorms: Yes!
Play an instrument: I used to play piano and in high school, I played the trumpet

LAYER SIX: In the past month…

Drank alcohol: Yep… a few times
Smoked: Nope… nothing.
Done a drug: a few OTC for a cold and some Advil
Made out: A few times
Gone on a date: if dinner counts, then yes
Gone to the mall: yes
Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Nope
Eaten sushi: not this month
Been on stage: nope
Been dumped: Nope
Gone skating: Nope
Made homemade cookies: Nope
Gone skinny dipping: Nope
Dyed your hair: Nope
Stolen Anything: Nope

LAYER SEVEN: Ever…

Played a game that required removal of clothing: Yes.
Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: Yes.
Been caught “doing something”: Maybe
Been called a tease: No.
Gotten beaten up: No.
Shoplifted: Yes
Changed who you were to fit in: Yes

LAYER EIGHT:

Age you hope to be married: already married… twice
Numbers and names of children: 1, Tiffany
Describe your dream wedding: Had it… Lake Tahoe in June.
How do you want to die: quick and painless
Where you want to go to college: already went
What do you want to be when you grow up: a famed novelist
What country would you most like to visit: Europe

LAYER NINE:

Number of drugs taken illegally: at least 10
Number of people I could trust with my life: very few people
Number of CDs that I own: 400
Number of piercings: None
Number of tattoos: one, of ChillyWilly on my upper right bicep
Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: at least 20
Number of scars on my body: two, from previous surgeries
Number of things in my past that I regret: there’s a few things, mostly material things I didn’t do.

Movie Meme Copycat

martymankins — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:20:57 +0000

New Posts Soon

“uh honey, where are we going again?”

New and exciting blog posts coming this week. I promise. Wedding photos, trip details, fucking airline bullshit… you name it, it’s going to be covered. But to hold you over till Thursday, here’s something I copied from Adam’s blog [and other blogs, too].

Movie Meme

Entertainment Weekly posted a list of the top 100 movies of the last 25 years. And as much as I love movies, I thought I would go down the list and bold the movies I’ve seen and put a next to the films I liked and a next to the ones I didn’t.

And if you have already left comments on other blogs, you can leave the same comments here, too… if you wish [or leave a completely new comment]

1. Pulp Fiction (1994)
2. The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-03)
3. Titanic (1997)
4. Blue Velvet (1986)
5. Toy Story (1995)
6. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
7. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
8. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
9. Die Hard (1988)
10. Moulin Rouge (2001)
11. This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
12. The Matrix (1999)
13. GoodFellas (1990)
14. Crumb (1995)
15. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
16. Boogie Nights (1997)
17. Jerry Maguire (1996)
18. Do the Right Thing (1989)
19. Casino Royale (2006)
20. The Lion King (1994)
21. Schindler’s List (1993)
22. Rushmore (1998)
23. Memento (2001)
24. A Room With a View (1986)
25. Shrek (2001)
26. Hoop Dreams (1994)
27. Aliens (1986)
28. Wings of Desire (1988)
29. The Bourne Supremacy (2004)
30. When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
31. Brokeback Mountain (2005)
32. Fight Club (1999)
33. The Breakfast Club (1985)
34. Fargo (1996)
35. The Incredibles (2004)
36. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
37. Pretty Woman (1990)
38. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
39. The Sixth Sense (1999)
40. Speed (1994)
41. Dazed and Confused (1993)
42. Clueless (1995)
43. Gladiator (2000)
44. The Player (1992)
45. Rain Man (1988)
46. Children of Men (2006)
47. Men in Black (1997)
48. Scarface (1983)
49. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
50. The Piano (1993)
51. There Will Be Blood (2007)
52. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad (1988)
53. The Truman Show (1998)
54. Fatal Attraction (1987)
55. Risky Business (1983)
56. The Lives of Others (2006)
57. There’s Something About Mary (1998)
58. Ghostbusters (1984)
59. L.A. Confidential (1997)
60. Scream (1996)
61. Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
62. sex, lies and videotape (1989)
63. Big (1988)
64. No Country For Old Men (2007)
65. Dirty Dancing (1987)
66. Natural Born Killers (1994)
67. Donnie Brasco (1997)
68. Witness (1985)
69. All About My Mother (1999)
70. Broadcast News (1987)
71. Unforgiven (1992)
72. Thelma & Louise (1991)
73. Office Space (1999)
74. Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
75. Out of Africa (1985)
76. The Departed (2006)
77. Sid and Nancy (1986)
78. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
79. Waiting for Guffman (1996)
80. Michael Clayton (2007)
81. Moonstruck (1987)
82. Lost in Translation (2003)
83. Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn (1987)
84. Sideways (2004)
85. The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005)
86. Y Tu Mamá También (2002)
87. Swingers (1996)
88. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
89. Breaking the Waves (1996)
90. Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
91. Back to the Future (1985)
92. Menace II Society (1993)
93. Ed Wood (1994)
94. Full Metal Jacket (1987)
95. In the Mood for Love (2001)
96. Far From Heaven (2002)
97. Glory (1989)
98. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
99. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
100. South Park: Bigger Longer & Uncut (1999)

The Rest of the List: Top Albums

martymankins — Thu, 08 May 2008 21:44:00 +0000

Back a couple of weeks ago, I posted a Top Nine: Favorite Albums. This is the rest of the list, which finishes my top 25 albums. Again, as a few people commented on, it’s so hard to pick 9, let alone 25 favorite albums. But based on my personal preferences and how often I listen to some of the records, these are the ones that made the rest of my top 25 list.

Alice In Chains: MTV Unplugged

The first time I heard Alice In Chains, it was 1990 and they had just released “Facelift” I really wasn’t that into it. It only took a short time before their sound grabbed me and I became a fan. But the album of theirs that I listen to most is “MTV Unplugged” from 1996. The raw and stripped down sound is so clean and fresh. Plus it’s one of the last time’s Layne performed with the band. Just try and listen to this version of “Down in a Hole” without feeling goosebumps.

U2: The Joshua Tree

The music released in 1987 was tops. An excellent year for many bands. U2 was already becoming a household name, but this album made sure no one mistook the band for the military plane. Songs like “With Or Without You” and “Bullet The Blue Sky” forever changed the status of this Irish band. This album is still in constant rotation in my CD player on on my iPod.

Prince: Purple Rain

I found Prince’s music when he released the album 1999. But it was seeing the movie Purple Rain that helped me get more into this funk master’s mindset and his grooves. Even the backwards masking controversy could not stop people from embracing this album. “Darling Nikki” will always bring a smile to my face, and “Let’s Go Crazy” starts off any party with a blast.

Led Zeppelin: Houses of the Holy

I’ve been a Zeppelin fan since the beginning of their career. And I like pretty much all of their music. This album, released in 1973, came out on top and stayed there. Even missing the title track (which showed up on their next album, “Physical Graffiti”), it still didn’t take away from the tracks like “Dancing Days” and “No Quarter”. In fact, this album contains my favorite Zep song – “The Rain Song” which is almost eight minutes of pure enjoyment.

The Eagles: Hotel California

Even with their country infused sound, the Eagles forever changed the landscape of rock with this 1976 album. Hearing “Life In The Fast Lane” on the radio that year, wiped out any stereotype I had from their previous work. And although I prefer the version of “Hotel California” from their album “Hell Freezes Over”, the original studio version still stands up in its classic format.

Fleetwood Mac: Rumours

If you have ever read the story of the making of this album, you will be amazed that it actually got made. To date, it has sold over 30 million copies and is considered one of the best rock albums ever made. And with songs like “The Chain” (which is my favorite), it’s hard not to keep playing this album over and over. This is the album that gets put on when I leave for a camping trip, driving down the highway and backroads.

Sex Pistols: Nevermind The Bullocks

“God Save The Queen/Her Facist Regime” Opening lyrics that became glued to every punk kid’s memory. Released in 1977, it is the first and only album recorded by the Sex Pistols. It’s also the one that everyone turns to when they think of the start of the punk rock revolution. Raw, unapologetic and dirty, this album has stood the test of time and inspired many followers over the years.

Marilyn Manson: Antichrist Superstar

Not too many people know what a huge fan of Marilyn Manson I am. I’ve seen him twice in concert (2001 and 2008) and have always considered his music misunderstood by most. Most people may remember all of the odd things he’s done over the years, but it’s this 1996 release that will remain one of his best works. Produced by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), it tells a story of a misguided rock star looking for whatever it can find to satisfy any desire in life. Besides the well-known “The Beautiful People”, songs like “Little Horn” and the title track make this album one I never get tired of hearing.

Rolling Stones: Exile On Main Street

I can’t tell you how many great albums were released in the 70′s. Today most are known as classic rock. Eight years into their career, the Rolling Stones came out with this album. Except for “Tumbling Dice”, there wasn’t a lot of well-known radio hits, but that wasn’t the point of this record. Playing it from start to finish is much more what Mick & Keith and Co. had in mind. Eighteen songs long, it’s easily my favorite, and with many music critics, as well.

Tears For Fears: Songs From The Big Chair

How many times do you hear an album for the first time and think, “This is going to be huge” Tears For Fears second release from 1985 was one of those albums that I heard and uttered the above phrase. “Shout” and “Head Over Heels” were heard everywhere. You couldn’t escape them if you wanted to. And now 23 years later, I enjoy them just as much as when they were in heavy rotation on pop radio.

Notorious B.I.G.: Life After Death

I don’t like too many rap artists. In fact, I can only name four or five that I really count as musicians that matter in the music industry. One had his life cut short, just days before the release of this album. Christopher “Biggie” Wallace knew how to rap. Just listen to “Hypnotize” and “Going Back To Cali” and you’ll hear someone who really spent time perfecting his talent. And to have one of the best selling double albums, it’s a 1996 release that you should really check out.

Pink Floyd: Dark Side Of The Moon

Who knew that in 1973, an long time jazzy blues band was going down a more creative route musically. They had several albums that resulted in their efforts, but it was this album that sticks in most people’s minds as the definitive crown. Spending over 12 years on the Billboard Top 200 list, it’s the one album that most people own and play often. It’s meant to be played from start to finish and you can listen to tracks like “Money” and still be blown away at how well this sounds.

Black Sabbath: Paranoid

The start of the 70′s found the a band from England releasing one of their best selling and most popular albums. “War Pigs”, “Faries Wear Boots” and “Iron Man” are some timeless classics, you can’t help but listen each and every time they are played. They would go on to release six more albums with Ozzy Osbourne at the helm, but Paranoid remains the one that most people know and love.

The Cars: The Cars

An odd lead singer with an even odder name, Ric Otcasek (later changed to Ocasek) helped start this Boston band on its road to success. Their first album is yet another one that must be played from the beginning to the end. And with no gaps between the tracks on each side of the album, it flows perfectly. It’s very common for me to play all of side 2 (which is the final three songs) for a lot of people, just to show how well it sounds. “Good Times Roll” and “Best Friend’s Girl” are the stand out tracks that makes this record a keeper.

The Cure: Pornography

Long considered a goth band, The Cure was always a favorite of mine. In 1982, they released the first of the trilogy of albums [Disintegration (1989) and Bloodflowers (2000) were the other two] that would define their drastic and dread-like sound. “One Hundred Years” and “Hanging Garden” are classic alternative songs that make you want to mosh and sway.

Nine Inch Nails: The Fragile

A double album is not something that’s easy to release, let alone expect the buying public to embrace. Bands like Smashing Pumpkins and Peter Frampton made them work. And so did Nine Inch Nails in 1999. The album is broken up into two: Left and Right. While I prefer the Left side (another one that is great from start to finish), the Right side contains the Grammy-nominated song “Starfuckers Inc.”, which is not only a killer song, its lyrics tell a sordid tale about torn friendships.

So there you have it. I guess I could go on with my favorites, which could fill countless blog posts. But we’ll stop a the Top Nine and the rest of the top 25 favorites. Comment away if you have anything to add to this or add your favorites or suggestions.