[*BaseClogger*]

I'd say I'm still a lot earlier in my music-listening development than you guys. I didn't seriously start listening to a lot of music until late in high school and college, and like camisa spent a couple years thinking the only stuff I should listen to was heavy rock. It wasn't until the last couple years I've begun exploring hip-hop and the softer side of music. I still don't listen to much music that was recorded before 1980, which I know is something I should work on.

My tastes do share a lot of similarities with you two, I just think I haven't developed them enough to reach that point. Doolittle and Slanted & Enchanted just missed the cut. I could have included other Nirvana or Fugazi albums. Anyways, I haven't thought about coming up with a list like this in a while, but here's what comes to mind at this moment in time:

20)The White Stripes - De Stijl
Choosing a favorite White Stripes album was like deciding which of my six fingers to cut off. In my opinion none of them really stand out from one another, they're just all really good. Favorite song is 'Apple Blossom'.
19)The Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime
I could not like ten songs on the record and still have 34 songs to like. Thankfully, I like just about all of them. Favorite song is 'West Germany'.
18)Black Sabbath - Paranoid
I wish I could see the looks on people's faces when they heard this album for the first time in 1970. It's still heavy to this day. Favorite song is 'Electric Funeral'.
17)Nas - Illmatic
This album made me realize there is some really good hip-hop I need to check out. Favorite song is 'New York State of Mind'.
16)The Black Keys - Thickfreakness
See what I said about White Stripes albums above, except this album has the namesake track's riff. Favorite song is obviously 'Thickfreakness'.
15)Weezer - The Blue Album
If only Weezer could record more songs as perfect as 'Only in Dreams'. Favorite song is 'Only in Dreams'!
14)Primus - Frizzle Fry
After RHCP, this was the next band I obsessed over (bass phase). Weird, right? Favorite song is 'Pudding Time'.
13)Superchunk - Foolish
I think this is a really underrated album and proved they weren't just products of Steve Albini's production. Solid from start to finish, and it can go fast and it can go slow. Favorite song is 'Why do You Have to Put a Date on Everything?'.
12)Death From Above 1979 - You're A Woman, I'm a Machine
It just perfectly exemplifies my tastes by my sophomore year of college. I really hope now that they've reformed they'll record something new. Favorite song is 'Romantic Rights'.
11)Rage Against the Machine - S/T
This is a good example of what kind of music I was listening to in high school. Thing is, I still go back and listen to it and never skip a track. Favorite song is 'Know Your Enemy'.
10)Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit
These guys know how to write heartbreaking music, and I prefer the production on this album to the stuff they recorded after this. Been listening to this album for years now--it's pop punk done right. Favorite song is 'Nose Over Tail'.
9)Modest Mouse - Lonesome Crowded West
Lonesome is a masterpiece. Constant style shifts and everything works. That short documentary Pitchfork released recently about the recording of this album was fantastic. Favorite song is 'Trailer Trash'.
8)Japandroids - Celebration Rock
Just released earlier this year, not only does this band's sound match a lot of the 90s alternative I love so much, but as a recent college graduate I now find myself relating more to their lyrics. Favorite song is 'Younger Us'.
7)Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
It's just so much fun. Top of Em's game. Favorite song is '***** Please II'.
6)The Strokes - Room on Fire
Yeah, Is This It is the original release and the more influential Strokes choice. But the songwriting on Room on Fire is just better, the production is better, and the content is more varied. Favorite song is 'Under Control'.
5)The Thermals - The Body, The Blood, The Machine
I like to think of The Thermals as pop punk for adults. I believe this album best balances their raw sound and production values. Favorite song is 'Here's Your Future'.
4)Red Hot Chili Peppers - Blood Sugar Sex Magik
This is the album that got me into music. From here, I read Scar Tissue and wanted to hear all of their influences. Chilis truly are a great gateway band. I could have gone with Freaky Styley instead, since I listen to it more often these days, but this one's important. Favorite song is 'Under the Bridge' (sue me).
3)Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me
Oh man this is a great album. The production is so unique, and the songs proved to be incredibly influential on the wave of alternative musicians to come in the next decade. J is one of my heroes. Favorite song is 'In a Jar'.
2)Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
Why isn't this band more popular in the United States? I understand that they are a truly British band, but at the same time so were plenty of the British Invasion bands that sold over here, and the Arctic Monkeys have the songwriting chops to join them. Turner's lyrics are only matched by Isaac Brock IMO. Favorite song is 'Mardy Bum'.
1)Defiance, Ohio - Share What Ya Got
I've been through a lot of highs and lows emotionally with this album. It seemed like no matter the mood, there was always something I could relate with. Folk punk is such a cool movement and I think Defiance does it best. Favorite song is 'Road Signs Always Look Better Looking Over Your Shoulder'.