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My Favorite Albums
 218  8.1 A desire to follow up the success of their last album and fueled by the strife of relationship's within the band ending saw the birth of this masterpiece. It is undoubtedly the Mac's finest "moment" and one of the best of all time. Their most famous and well-loved songs are contained herein. Fortunato's rating:
 
323 8.1 Their fifth studio album and a dedication to certain of their fans. The first to be composed entirely of original material, too. This contains some of their most famous songs. Strangely, the title song was recorded in sessions for this album but was left off until their next release, Physical Graffiti. Fortunato's rating:
81 8.1 Meat Loaf's second album but his first collaboration with composer Jim Steinman, which proved to be just what he needed. This pairing served to create one of the dmost amazing albums of all time. It went 14 times platinum. Fortunato's rating:
105 7.1 The band's debut served to introduce the world to a new and decidedly unique musical talent. It also produced the hit, "Hanging By A Moment", which was the most played song on radio the following year. It is composed of songs of the heart and has a decidedly melancholy tone. Though it lacks the "polish" of later efforts, and perhaps because of it, it is still my favorite. The band was formed as a church rock band but with their signing with Dreamworks they have, obviously and thankfully, branched out. Fortunato's rating:
2 6.5 I discovered this self-released effort by this band a year ago and immediately fell in love with them. This is The most amazing band, or more accurately duo, I have ever heard. Their hit, Little Toy Gun was the first song I heard by them (while perusing Youtube vids) and I was immediately taken, smitten and hooked! It led me to search for more and I found this gem! It is an incredible compilation of songs that fit perfectly together...like any great album. ;) If you haven't heard them, I urge you to take the time to do so. You can find their home website here: http://honeyhoneyband.com/ ...and, of course, find numerous songs (both studio and live) on Youtube, like this one: (directed by Kiefer Sutherland) Little Toy Gun Fortunato's rating:
36 8.3 My most favorite live album ever! Queen was one of those rare bands that sounded better live than they did studio...at least in my opinion. A double-album set, it is filled with their most loved material, at least up until the time of it's release. If you love Queen and haven't heard it...you should! Fortunato's rating:
179 7.7 Sarah toured for 2 1/2 years following her release of Fumbling Towards Ecstasy! Naturally exhausted, she took 6 months off and then began work on this masterpiece. It has a different feel to it than FTE but that's the way with many albums anyway. Still, it's an amazing collection of beautiful songs that just fit together perfectly. Fortunato's rating:
7 9 Good Enough was my introduction to Sarah and it led me to this album which contains it, and many other hauntingly beautiful pieces. I seem to be drawn to melancholy music. It resonates in my soul like no other kind...and this effort, this amazing effort, by the Canadian muse/siren is filled with such songs. I can't tell you how long this stayed in my car stereo before I finally popped it out to play something else. ;) Fortunato's rating:
780 8.3 Their 11th studio album, a double-lp/cd, is the epitomy of rock opera and even if you haven't heard it...you've heard of it. An amazing tour-de-force by a legend in rock music. It was, of course, later incorporated into a film that has received much cult status. The songs are a part of the whole...the mantra of the best of musical collections. The album is the concept/offspring of Roger Waters and his cronies and almost a living, breathing entity in it's own right. While I can't say that I love their other efforts, I can say it about this work of art. Fortunato's rating:
18 7.6 The self-titled debut of the Canadian singer/songwriter; this album blew me away. It truly surprises me that Amanda hasn't gone on to become more famous and successful. This girl is a diva in all but name and manner (since most of them are stuck up!) She has the vocal chops to hang with anyone! Dark Horse was the first song I ever heard by her and it led me to this incredible collection...filled with amazing songs delivered with the controlled power of a tornado funneled through the husky-sweet vocals of a siren. My earnest advice....just listen! =) Let It Rain Fortunato's rating:
417 7.4 When I heard the title song, I loved it!! I had to know who was singing this beautiful love song. As soon as I knew, I went out and bought this CD...and fell in love. There is no one anywhere like Norah Jones. The woman is pure magic and so is her music. She won 5 Grammys for this! (Sidenote: She is also the daughter of Indian sitar player Ravi Shankar) Soulful, jazzy-pop melodies with a splash of country in the undertones... Fortunato's rating:
133 7.5 Norah's second release sold a million copies in the first week! It was also the 2nd best-selling album of '04. Like her first album, there were a number of singles released. Also like her first effort, it's amazing and the songs chosen fit together perfectly! There is a gradual maturity to be heard here, though I wouldn't call her first release raw or unrefined, by any means. Well worth the listen...and many more after. Fortunato's rating:
10 7.4 New Orleans-fueled jazz/funk!! Nobody does it better than Harry C! While I love his big band stuff, this is my favorite from him. It's a musical journey that is taken with a smile from the first note ushered on by a smiling pied piper in the form of Harry Connick Jr. If you have 3 minutes and a spare ear...bend it in this direction: She Fortunato's rating:
27 5 The fifth effort by The Goo Goo Dolls and the last to really offer up that garage-band sound that I loved about them. It's not only the best of the first 5 but, I think, their best...period! Jangling, musical razors and foot-to-the-floor rhythmic rapture...bottled and sold! Fortunato's rating:
770 7 Who says nothing good comes out of Canada? ;) I know of several and this isn't the only one in this particular list either. It is, however, the only work, or collection, by Alanis that I really care for. Angsty, heartbroken, angry, violated...this album came about in a unique and altogether tragic way. While staying in LA, Morissette was robbed at gunpoint. This led to her hospitalization, depression, angst...and attending psychotherapy sessions. Alanis focused all her inner turmoil into this album, the songs and the sessions, as a therapy and inner healing. It served to produce a masterpiece...though I wouldn't recommend this method to anyone. ;) Fortunato's rating:
7 9.5 The debut studio album from the Counting Crows! Pure magic! Duritz is a poet after my own heart and the lyrics contain many of the things that have fascinated/plagued me throughout the years...and found there way into my own poetry. Crows, rain, loneliness, love, the ocean, circuses and more. This isn't a happy foray, though there is a bit of happy to be found here and there; it's a journey...mystical, metaphysical, spiritual. A long walk through the shadows with the rain washing away the sorrow. If you want happy go buy Shrek and listen to Accidentally in Love but if you want something special and aren't adverse to wrapping yourself in a cloak of melancholy (which I am prone to do) then pick this up and listen. Fortunato's rating:
4 9 The debut solo album of Dire Straits frontman, Knopfler. This is one of the finest efforts I have ever heard and it shows you just who the heart and soul of Straits is. Knopfler explores some of the things that are near and dear to his heart here; things that don't really fit into the mosaic of the band. Ballads abound. Knopfler's iconic guitar sounds. His uniquely-rough vocals are heard in-earnest...and there are bagpipes, too. =) The title song is far from the only amazing tune here; in fact, every song on the album is fantastic...but it's my favorite. Fortunato's rating:
29 8.1 The iconic American-European supergroup! How can you lose when the band's members include: Tom Petty. Jeff Lynne. Bob Dylan. Roy Orbison. George Harrison. Seriously!!! And it all happened by accident! April '88. Harrison was in LA, needed to record a B-side for a Euro single release; Lynne (of ELO fame) was there producing some tracks for Orbison, as well as Tom Petty's first solo album. Harrison, having dinner w/ Lynne and Orbison, told them of the single he needed to come up with. They offered to help...decided to record at Dylan's studio there in LA...stopped by Petty's to pick up George's guitar and invited him along. The result? The single Handle With Care, which was far too good to be a B-side. Harrison and the rest formed the Wilburys. They got together for 9 days in May at Dylan's home and studio; put their heads together, wrote and recorded all the other songs on the album. Damn! =D Fortunato's rating:
47 8.4 The debut studio album by London-based indie folk quartet Mumford & Sons. With the success of Little Lion Man and other singles from this album, this band has become a phenomenon and amassed an incredible following! (An indie folk quarter!!!) It's fantastic! The only words that do it justice are the ones contained herein...the lyrics - which coupled with the music and voices of the band gel to form something addictive and just this side of folkish perfection. Fortunato's rating:
66 6.5 I do so love the 90's contribution to music. So many of my favorite bands came out of this decade. This is the major-label, debut album from Hootie and their most successful effort to date. It is, quite literally, hard to beat... Rucker & company have been branded by critics as being something other than songwriters. I don't recall just how one put it...but 'in my own words' he basically said they couldn't write their way out of an airpocket. Well, I call bullshit! This is fantastic stuff! If that critic and his *cough* peers don't get it, it's their loss. It's infectious in a very good way! "Although Hootie & the Blowfish aren't innovative, they deliver the goods, turning out an album of solid, rootsy folk-rock songs that have simple, powerful hooks."[Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic] Fortunato's rating:
26 7.7 This was one of those instances where destiny took a hand. Released to little fanfare and mediocre reviews, it looked to go nowhere. Then, with the release of the single Hey Jealousy ascending into the Top 40 and Found Out About You following a few months later...fireworks! This band is phenomenal...or was. Pop-rock at it's finest. Catchy music with lyrics that are deeper than noted at first listen. Sadly, guitarist Doug Hopkins, who wrote many of the songs on this album was fired near the conclusion of the recording sessions (supposedly for alcohol problems) and committed suicide just as the album was becoming a success at the end of '93. If Hopkins death was destiny too then it was a very sad one. The band was not the same after. =( Fortunato's rating:
19 8.2 Loaded with singles, success and a splash of the disco-era sound this album was phenomenal! Although it held a different sound than earlier efforts and hits, it is still very much ELO. I can't tell you how many times I played this over and over but I can tell you that I went through more than one cassette which was played to extinction. I love this band! ;) Fortunato's rating:
499 7 The third studio album by the Cali quartet and their breakthru!! It's also the last to really hold to their ska-punk/alternative rock sound. Afterward they really went mainstream and I did not like them nearly as much. Tragic Kingdom was produced by Matthew Wilder and recorded in 11 studios in the greater Los Angeles area over a 2 and 1/2 year span! The promo tour for this album lasted...can you imagine?...2 and 1/2 years!!! "I'm walking into spiderwebs...leave a message and I'll call you back..." Fortunato's rating:
3 9 A bluesy-rock festival for the senses. This band boasted Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers and Chris Slade!!! I have never heard anything like it...and probably never will! It contains the commercial hit Radioactive, a cover of You've Lost That Loving Feeling and a song based on a previously unreleased Zeppelin tune (Swan Song) called Midnight Moonlight which runs, epically, 9 minutes and 13 seconds!! Fortunato's rating:
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