The Loudest Island in the World!
Sorry it's been so noisy around my room, I've been playing different albums trying to figure out my top 10. When I first saw Chavo's post title I got all excited because "Island No. 10" was actually the location of a small, but very important Civil War battle in March, 1862. Click here to read more. My editorial comments follow...
This victory opened the northern mouth of the Mississippi to Union control, setting the stage for a progressive southern push culminating in the Siege of Vicksburg, the penultimate (Port Hudson lay about 40 miles south, and was likewise besieged) Confederate stronghold on the river, which surrendered July 4, 1863, one day after the battle of Gettysburg. This victory, and the subsequent fall of Port Hudson on July 9, effectively split the Confederacy in two.
Island No. 10 also launched the career of Gen. John Pope, a blustery, arrogant man who led the Army of Virginia into disaster at the hands of Lee, Jackson, Longstreet etc at The Battle of Second Manassas Aug 27-30, 1892.
We could go on and on, but here's my Island No 10 list in no particular order. Put in your earplugs, because there's lots of big-throated vocals, crunching axmen, and sonic joy.
Badmotorfinger-Soundgarden. To me, this is the album that truly launched grunge. "Rusty Cage" is the best side one track one I can think of, and there is no topping Chris Cornell's roar to open "Room One Thousand Years Wide"
Facelift-Alice in Chains. So much sadness and gloom amidst so much sonic energy. Not as polished as Dirt, but a better expression of the desperation that Layne Staley faced until his eventual, untimely passing
Appetite for Destruction-Guns N Roses. From out of the swill of glam rock and LA glitz in the late 80s came this dose of reality. Crude, loud, and brilliant
The Will to Live-Ben Harper. Best live act I've ever seen and when he plays these songs on stage, you want to cry. "Roses from My Friends" is the most heartachingly beautiful song
The Sky is Crying-Stevie Ray Vaughn. A posthumous compilation of this guitar genius' work. "Life by the Drop" makes me want to grab Jess and all of my closest friends and tell them how much I love them.
Superunknown-Soundgarden. OhmygoodnessChrisCornellhasthemostincrediblevocalrangeandcouldsingthiswholesentenceinonebreathacrossmultipleoctavesandstillgoYAAAAA!attheendcanyou? Go to youtube.com and type "fell on black days" in the search field to see the brilliance of this band
Ten Thousand Fists-Disturbed. Massive, exhilarating, explosive rock. Also, they cover "Land of Confusion" by Phil Collins, and it's awesome!
don't know the album name-Hotel Costes: Love this album!
And Justice for All-Metallica. Just barely edges out Master of Puppets. I was in junior high the first time I heard "Blackened" and was actually frightened. This album is everything that made Metallica great.
Vulgar Display of Power-Pantera. From the album cover right through the whole LP, your body and mind will be shaken.
I know that my list is the answer to the SAT question "which one of the following is not like the others" but there it is...
