Mini back story: one of my very musically talented friends, Taylor, recently asked me to composite a list of 15 albums that have influenced or inspired me over the span of my 18 year old life. I was planning on just sending him a text listing my favorite albums but then I thought "this would be a perfect blog post!". So, here we are. Also it's important to know that all of these should be listened to all the way through without shuffle being on! Most of these albums have songs that are meant to seamlessly flow into the next. I will also list a couple of my favorite songs from each album underneath their photo for anyone just looking for a good sample of what they're getting themselves into. I'm not listing them in any special order because, in my eyes, they all share the same amount of importance. 1. To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar 1. Wesley's Theory 2. Institutionalized 3. These Walls 4. Momma 5. You Ain't Gotta Lie (Momma Said) 2. Fly Like An Eagle - Steve Miller Band 1. Space Intro & Fly Like An Eagle TOGETHER! 2. Wild Mountain Honey 3. Take The Money And Run 4. The Window 3. Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd Okay literally the whole album, just listen to it alone one late night and experience it's musical beauty! 4. Abbey Road - The Beatles 1. Something 2. Octopus's Garden 3. I Want You (She's So Heavy) 4. Because 5. You Never Give Me Your Money 6. Sun King 5. Love Angel Music Baby - Gwen Stefani 1. What You Waiting For? 2. Rich Girl 3. Luxurious 4. Harajuku Girls 5. Long Way To Go ft. Andre 3000 6. Salad Days - Mac Demarco 1. Brother 2. Passing Out Pieces 3. Treat Her Better 4. Chamber of Reflection 5. Jonny's Odyssey 7. Album - Peter, Paul & Mary 1. Sometime Lovin' 2. For Baby (For Bobby) 3. The Good Times We Had 4. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine 5. Mon Vrai Destin 8. Getz/Gilberto - Joao Gilberto & Stan Getz 1. The Girl From Ipanema 2. Para Machuchar Meu Coracao 3. Corcovado 4. So Danco Samba 9. Choose Your Weapon - Hiatus Kaiyote 1. Shaolin Monk Motherfunk 2. Laputa 3. Borderline with My Atoms 4. Fingerprints 5. The Lung 6. Molasses 10. Ella In Japan - Ella Fitzgerald 1. Cheek To Cheek 2. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) 3. Misty 4. 'Round Midnight 5. Jam Session 11. Blue - Joni Mitchell 1. Little Green :,( 2. Carey 3. California 4. River 12. Wake Of The Flood - The Grateful Dead 1. Let Me Sing Your Blues Away 2. Stella Blue 3. Eyes Of The World 4. Weather Report Suite: Prelude/Part 1/Part 2 [Let It Grow] 13. Californication - Red Hot Chili Peppers 1. Around The World 2. Californication 3. Porcelain 4. Emit Remmus 5. Road Trippin' 14. The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest 1. Excursions 2. Vibes and Stuff 3. Check the Rhime 4. Jazz (We've Got) 15. Houses Of The Holy - Led Zeppelin 1. The Rain Song 2. The Crunge 3. Dancing Days 4. No Quarter 5. The Ocean I could've also included reasons as to why these albums have been so important in my life but I thought that would take aways the joy of discovery for anyone who hasn't truly analyzed these albums. I want everyone to feel the same amount of excitement I felt as I slowly began to unravel the meaning and beauty behind each of these albums. So give one a listen and research it for a little bit. You might be surprised at what you find.
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So I've really been meaning to write a blog post updating my "fans", namely Edwin (hey Edwin!), on what's been going in my life for the past 3 months or so. And knowing myself this might not even get posted for another month! But basically I've just been going through a lot of emotions and have gotten myself stuck in a constant cycle of negative thoughts. I'm coming to realize that I'm not sure if the school I've chosen is right for me and as of right now I'm highly considering transferring to a more "urbanized" school thats closer to the so-cal area. It's important to know that I moved from basically one environment (The Coachella valley desert) that is drastically different from the one I'm in now (super cold Humboldt rain climate where desert rats do not survive!). And in this new environment I just don't feel like I fit in and my creativity is almost at a halt because of it. Whenever someone asked me "Hey, how's school going up at Humboldt?" I felt like I was forced to say "It's great, I love it! It's so beautiful here" because well, it is. Humboldt is a beautiful school, the forest is literally our backyard. There have been countless times where I've just had random encounters with the most beautiful creatures and seen some of the most awing sunsets. However, it's hard to experience such things when you're feeling so unconnected to the people surrounding that environment. Don't get me wrong I've made friends with many beautiful souls throughout my time here so far and I imagine I'll encounter even more, but oddly, I just feel very foreign to a lot of the people I've met. I swear Arcata is a whole other universe. Leading up to fall break I was experiencing really bad anxiety attacks. I even had one while I was studying for a test, this is what college can do to you! In the midst of all of my anxious thoughts I started to feel really alone and helpless. It wasn't helping that my diet was also terrible and my sleeping schedule was completely out of wack. I was going to bed at 3 or 4am and waking up at 2pm! One morning, well more like afternoon, I woke up and immediately started having an anxiety attack. I was alone in my dorm and started sobbing uncontrollably to the point where I felt like I couldn't breathe. I didn't know who else to turn to so I called my mom. I explained to her how I had been feeling and she bought me the next plane ride possible home. I can't even explain how helpful, supportive and loving my mom has been throughout this entire experience for me. We've been through a lot but in the end I really do love her and she's always the person I know I can turn to when I feel like my world is literally crumbling before my eyes. Within in a couple days I was on a plane flying home to Palm Springs for fall break with the hopes of figuring out why I had suddenly become so sad. I spent a lot time crying over the break and ultimately made the decision that I wanted to seek out medical help about my mental state. I just always find myself thinking things are going to get better but I am then immediately drowned in negative thoughts. It's a constant battle. I'll hopefully see a doctor while I'm home for winter vacation just to make sure that the cause of my sudden depressive thoughts isn't something beyond my control. Fall break really was a rollercoaster of emotions but I learned a lot from it and think that I'm prepared to fight against any negative energy that try's to come my way! Let's take a moment to recognize my super cute turkey day outfit: Also beyond the cute outfit, thanksgiving was a little odd for me this year. I woke up feeling anxious about having to see my entire family during a time in my life where I really just want to hide from the world. But, I had to deal with it. I felt very off the entire day... + little moment in family history, thanksgiving was the last time that I'm going to get to see my cousin, Emily, for a while since she's now off at bootcamp. Hopefully she makes the cut? America's Next Top Navy Seal?! I've been back at Humboldt for about a week now and I've been getting better. I'm truly starting to realize how immense the importance of being on a good sleeping schedule, eating clean, taking supplements and keeping a focused mind is for leading a happier life. I'm still battling a lot with depressive thoughts and anxiety, some days are better than others. BUT just making sure that I'm taking care of my body and giving myself some time to reflect on my life improves my overall mood. I've also been gaining more interest in old things I used to find a lot of joy in doing like practicing yoga & playing animal crossing! I actually found my Nintendo 3DS while I was home for fall break and it's really been the perfect stress reliever. Not to mention it's very very cute and makes my heart feel all warm. I think for a long time I thought that growing up meant that I had to immediately become what my society labels as an "adult". Meaning all of the things that brought me joy as a child, I had to abandon. But you know what? I don't have to. Those childish cute things brought me a lot of joy in some of my darkest times so, why get rid of them? I would much rather want to combine the aspects of my old self that I loved in with the ever-changing new me. P.S. I'm dying my hair back to pink, bubblegum rose to be exact! And I couldn't be more excited for the outcome. :)
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