5 MUST HAVE ALBUMS.
Just like air, water and the right pillow, music is a necessity in my life. For me, an atmosphere or a certain time of day can be greatly enhanced by having the appropriate music in your presence. Here are 5 albums that you may not have ever heard of, but most defiantly should listen to at some point.

1. ” Hydroponic Garden” – Carbon Based Lifeforms
Released in 2003, this album was ultimately the one that got me so hooked on this group. Several years ago, I was in a deep search for something new, something fresh and unfamiliar. I took a brief dive into surrounding myself with heavy and fast beat trance, but the magic wore off quickly and eventually just became overwhelming, repetitive and not very enjoyable. If you choose to slow it down just a bit,  enter the slow and dreamy mixed with raw and haunting notes collaboration that is Carbon Based Lifeforms. I forget how I stumbled upon this group, but I have grown so very fond of what they produce and I’ve listened to this album well over 200 times. Their music is hypnotic, saucy and tells a story.  Also, I mentioned listening to it 200 times as proof that it’s stood the test of time. It requires and deserves your undivided attention and in the right place and mood, it’s so wonderfully perfect.  While their albums are starting to pile up,  this 2003 masterpiece is still the clear winner.

2. “The Extremist” – Joe Satriani
This 1992 brilliant and well crafted collection of instrumental madness catapulted my love for instrumental music several years back. While “Not of This Earth” and “Surfing with an Alien” seem to still get a little more credit than this record, I find this collection of songs to be more consistent, moving and fulfilling. It’s fun, aggressive, tasteful and one of the best of its kind. The album surfaced on the Billboard Top 200 peaking at #5 and remained on the charts for 28 weeks. It was also nominated for a Grammy in 93 and is certified Gold in the U.S. and France.  If these facts don’t impress you, I’m not sure what will.

3. “We Are One” – Eastern Sun
This is another must have and absolute go-to for people who love and/or are seeking something different. It’s smooth, nicely layered and appropriately complex and unique. Obviously you have to have an interest for this style of music, but if you do, your chances of digging this album are pretty great.

4. ” Pins and Needles” – The Birthday Massacre
This is the best band I’ve stumbled upon in the past 10+ years, no joke. They are described as “goth-pop” and have mastered a very distinct sound since making their way into the scene in the early 2000s.  In this 4th album by the Canadian female led group, their prowess is demonstrated so well from start to finish here and if you asked me for one rock group to check out today, it would be The Birthday Massacre.

5. “Disintegration” – The Cure
For a lot of you, this is an album you probably do recognize and know of on this list, but keep reading anyways. Everything the Cure had learned over the past decade was summed up on this milestone eight album released in 1989 and its the most notable and praised among this list. As of present day in 2019, it is still the Cure’s best selling record. It’s the groups masterpiece and will forever be an icon amongst the gloomy goth-rock genre. Stats don’t always sell me or others on certain things, but here are a few that emphasize the greatness of this record. Rolling Stone ranks ”Disintegration” #326 on the “Top 500 greatest albums of all time”, it’s certified gold in 5 countries and certified platinum in 2. While it never took the number 1 spot on any chart regarding the albums entirety, it did surface on 14 different charts across the world, placed top ten in 11 of those charts and top five in seven, respectively.  With over 2.7 million copies sold, I’m guessing the group is OK with the fact that they never made it to the #1 spot with this album, even when they should have.