I posted this as a note on Facebook:

Thanks to Luke Heinsch for the inspiration for this post :-) These are the albums that have been most influential in my own life and in my musical development (or lack thereof) in the last 29 years. I don’t necessarily think these are the BEST albums in history, but they are the ones that have most impacted me. I’ve tried not to include Greatest Hit albums or compilations except in one case. For me, many of these albums are all about association with a certain time or period in my life. I’d love to hear yours! (In alphabetical order by artist.)

(1) Ryan Adams, “Heartbreaker” (2000) – His first solo album is still his best. Simple in every way, but extremely powerful. One of today’s best songwriters. Full of emotion.

(2) The Allman Brothers Band, “At Fillmore East” (1971) – Live music has never sounded better. Southern rock has never sounded better. And the blues have never sounded better.

(3) Joseph Arthur, “Redemption’s Son” (2002) – This was in my CD player all summer long in 2003 when I was in Minneapolis. Listen to the title track and turn it up loud. I love the personal wrestling that shows through in Joseph’s lyrics on this album.

(4) Shane Barnard, “Rocks Won’t Cry” (1998) – Aside from my brother, no one has influenced me to pick up a guitar more than Shane. I got to see him perform a lot of this album around coffee shops in Lubbock, TX when we were both at Texas Tech. This album gave me hope that there was still some good music left in the Christian genre.

(5) The Beach Boys, “Pet Sounds” (1966) – This album is the Beach Boys at their peak (well, Brian Wilson at least). Moving past their “surf music” sound, this album is a masterpiece in every way, musically and lyrically.

(6) The Beatles, “Revolver” (1966) – I could list every Beatles album here. Modern music wouldn’t be the same without them. Modern recording and production wouldn’t be the same without them. John and Paul are at their peak here with the group, and George has some killers too (though his best was yet to come).

(7) Coldplay, “A Rush Of Blood To The Head” (2002) – Ballads have never sounded so amazing. “Politik” still melts my face when it’s played loud. And “Green Eyes” is one of the greatest unknown love songs of recent years.

(8) Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, “Déjà vu” (1970) – Who would have thought that a follow-up album would be just as good as their debut? You want harmonies? This is the standard. Possibly the best supergroup of all time.

(9) Death Cab For Cutie, “Transatlanticism” (2003) – I wrestle between this and “Plans,” but chose this album because of its bigger scope and for its kicking, opening track, “The New Year.”

(10) Nick Drake, “Pink Moon” (1972) – As far as I’m concerned, the modern singer-songwriter genres started with Dylan, Van Morrison, and Nick Drake. On one listen, this album will totally depress you. On the next listen, you’ll smile and want to go driving through the mountains in a convertible with the top down.

(11) Bob Dylan, “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” (1963) – The master songwriter. I could list a lot of Dylan here too. I chose this album from his pre-electric days because of its brutal honesty in musical style and lyricism. Plus, the album sounds great, even when the guitars are terribly out of tune.

(12) Gideon’s Press, “Bound For Nineveh” (2000) – Think a mix of Rush, Yes, and Phish. This Christian band now lives in Austin and goes by the name The Illustrated Band. It didn’t leave my CD player at all during my junior year of college. Possibly some of the best drumming I’ve ever heard. Check the current band out on Myspace.

(13) Iron & Wine, “Our Endless Numbered Days” (2004) – No one is able to capture the full realm of human emotion and experience in words and music better than Sam Beam. All his albums have impacted me, but this one especially. There is not a wasted second on this album.

(14) The Justin Cofield Band, “The Days of Love” (2008) – Some of the most creative songs from the realm of Christian music in a number of years. Sounds amazing. And I’m not just saying that because my brother plays lead guitar! These guys are great friends.

(15) Kyle Lent, “Songs For A Rainy Day” (2003) – This is my brother’s first solo album. When it came out in 2003, I gave out a number of copies to my co-workers at Desiring God Ministries, and WE ALL agreed it was the best thing we’d heard all year! Download the whole album for free, and check out Kyle’s other work, at www.kylelent.com

(16) Magnet, “On Your Side” (2004) – Norwegian artist Even Johansen is an extremely gifted composer and musician. This is a mix of singer-songwriter, electronic, and folk. It’s an absolutely beautiful album. Certain songs really move me. Make sure to check out the first song, “Everything’s Perfect.”

(17) Tom Petty, “Wildflowers” (1994) – Tom is the quintessential rocker. Amazing lyrics. Catchy tunes. He’s a personal favorite. He recorded this with most of the Heartbreakers, and it has the added bonus of being produced by the famous Rick Rubin. In my opinion, and I know my brother agrees, this album has the best sounding acoustic guitars ever captured on tape.

(18) The Raconteurs, “Consolers Of The Lonely” (2008) – Is rock and roll still alive? It is here. Jack White is probably the best thing to happen to rock and roll in the last five years. This album is all energy. They span the genre continuum from metal to punk to classic rock to blues to country.

(19) Radiohead, “OK Computer” (1997) – No offense to Nirvana, but this was my favorite album from the 90’s. This is an amazing concept album which has a lot of depth to it – in themes, lyrics, and especially music. From one of the most creative and progressive bands since the Beatles.

(20) The Rolling Stones, “Sticky Fingers” (1971) – It’s hard to come down on just one Stones album. But I picked this one because it sees them at their early 70’s peak. The Stones were on top of their game in every way. If you want an album that defines the genre of blues rock, this is it.

(21) Simon & Garfunkel, “Old Friends” (1997; Compilation) – Two voices and a guitar have never sounded so powerful. This one was impossible to choose just one album, so I’ve listed their amazing compilation from the late 90’s. Some of their very early stuff on this set is incredible. Listen to the opening track, “Bleecker Street.”

(22) Sufjan Stevens, “Greetings From Michigan, The Great Lake State” (2003) – Sufjan, with his quirky sounds and ideas and concepts, is quickly becoming one of my favorites. “Illinois” is a great album too, but song-for-song, this forerunner is simply amazing.

(23) Teitur, “Poetry & Aeroplanes” (2003) – Teitur Lassen hails from the Faroe Islands. Do you know where that is? This was another in the rotation from my Minneapolis days. A great album that really seems to capture human longing in relationships. Brilliant.

(24) U2, “The Joshua Tree” (1987) – The best rock album from the 80’s, hands down. How can one band have an album full of hits like this? And then do it again and again? In my mind, 100 years from now, there will be two names at the top of the “Fathers of Rock” list: The Beatles and U2.

(25) Van Morrison, “Astral Weeks” (1968) – One of the greatest albums ever made from one of the most creative singer-songwriters. There is no big hit on this album. The album as a whole is the hit. It’s a unique mix of folk, jazz, and stream of consciousness playing and singing. There had never been anything like it before.