Albums of my Adolescence

Adolescence Albums of my

The soundtrack in my brain.

Music has always been a gauge of identity for me; a lot of my personality and much of my adolescence has been shaped by an ever-evolving music repertoire. For this reason, I’ve selected some albums that have truly resonated with me. Whether I was listening to John Denver driving through the beautiful pacific northwest, dancing frivolously to The Talking Heads, or busy being moody and unbothered with Pink Floyd, these are just a few albums that I will always turn to.

The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)

Animals by Pink Floyd (1977)

Pink Floyd, of course, is one of the most polarizing bands in the music industry. Animals is my personal favorite album, mainly because of the symbolism. It is loosely based around George Orwell’s Animal Farm. However, I’ve found that the album is more of a critique of capitalism and modern materialism rather than Orwell’s allegory for Stalinism. Each time I listen to this album, I notice something new that adds to the narrative. I also highly recommend listening to this album in one sitting!

The Velvet Underground was an imperative contributor to American rock music. This album, in particular, juxtaposes Lou Reed’s raspy vocals with Nico’s dreamy vocals, adding the most beautiful feminine energy into a rock album. For this reason, this album breaks the status quo established by other early rock and roll albums. The Velvet Underground and Nico is a quintessential classic!

Ladies of the Canyon by Joni Mitchell (1970)

For me, this album represents the early stages of my adolescence. I credit my love for this album to Mitchell’s wavering and powerful voice, which beautifully tells stories through the music. This album is so wholesome and really allows me to appreciate my personal growth. When I listen to this album, I am immediately transported back to the dry Arizona desert decorated with grand saguaros.

Maggot Brain by Funkadelic (1971)

This album is straight-up gnarly. Funkadelic, a funk-rock band led by George Clinton, has the most perceptive and deep sound in all of funk-rock. Upon first hearing the title track, “Maggot Brain”, I knew this album would quickly become one of my favorites. The guitar is so communicative it seems as if the music is speaking volumes with and without lyrical structure. This album was a major stepping stone in culturing my music taste.

Remain in Light by Talking Heads (1980)

David Byrne is a true creative visionary, and I absolutely love this album for its wacky sound. Byrne took a lot of inspiration from West African music, and it is clear in this album. The way the album grooves along with fiery lyrics is exquisite.

Zaba by Glass Animals (2014)

I found a lot of comfort in this album throughout my adolescence. From the first note, the listener is immediately transported into a lush rainforest. The album was produced by Dave Bayley as a result of insomnia, which I related to. Night after night, I would relish in manic restlessness to this album. Which, honestly, is not that bad when the album is this good.

The End of Comedy by Drugdealer (2016)

Drugdealer is a band that has an iconic sound. Their album, The End of Comedy, combines sounds of wonder with a melancholic undertone, creating the perfect soundtrack for a moody, rainy, Oregon day. Working with other talented musicians such as Weyes Blood, Ariel Pink, Danny James, and Sheer Agony, Drugdealer has composed an album worthy of high praise.

WRITTEN BY KAYLA KRUEGER DESIGNER PAYTON ALONZO