Graduated From College Today
I can't believe it's been four years, but today I got my B.A. and left many of my best friends for who knows how long. I'm feeling sentimental, so here are 15 albums that defined my college career. |
| 1 |  | Bomb the Music Industry!
Vacation
I saw Bomb three times between August 2011 and August 2012, where they were leaning heavily on this album. They're a friend's favorite band, and we played the shit out of them in our apartment. A few of us covered "Everybody That You Love" once, too. I love this album more every time I listen to it. |
| 2 |  | The Hold Steady
Boys and Girls in America
My best friend at school got me into the Hold Steady, although he's a bit obsessed. We once had a Hold Steady party on our porch, which was pretty cool. I also got to see them twice. Separation Sunday could've gone here too, but I think this is their magnum opus (although Stevie Nix is their best song). |
| 3 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
This came out right before we all started school, but it was THE album of freshman year if you were a music nerd or a hipster. I was lukewarm to it initially (besides "A More Perfect," which is possibly the best song of this decade so far), but it's grown on me tremendously. Also saw them at Lollapalooza and with the Hold Steady in a library, where I almost played basketball with some of them. |
| 4 |  | Weezer
Pinkerton
The subject of far too many singalongs. Covering "El Scorcho" was the first time anyone got to hear my actual singing voice. I wouldn't have let it be any other song. |
| 5 |  | Fucked Up
David Comes to Life
Sophomore year's album of choice for hipsters. As close as most of my friends would come to liking heavy music. This isn't a knock on it though--it's a spectacular album. Pink Eyes gave me a hug after seeing them in support of it. |
| 6 |  | Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
The Heist
I knew "Thrift Shop" long before this album dropped due to having friends from Seattle, and I thought it was awesome. Then it came out and a bunch of us thought it was great. It even had an awesome pro gay rights song! Then we got tired of its preachiness. But you know what? It's alright. Macklemore is a decent MC. Ryan Lewis is a good producer. "Bombom" is the shit. |
| 7 |  | Explosions in the Sky
The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place
I watched all of Friday Night Lights in college. |
| 8 | | Big Boi
Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
"General Patton" was the big pump-up song of freshman year, and "Shutterbugg" played at more than a few parties. |
| 9 |  | The Replacements
Let it Be
As one of the biggest influences on 2 and 3, this has gotta go here. A solid album from start to finish. |
| 10 |  | Bruce Springsteen
Born to Run
See above. I got a speeding ticket listening to the title track on the way to Chicago, and I went nuts to a performance of it at the final Covers event of my time in school. Despite those memories, the best song is still Jungleland. |
| 11 |  | Danny Brown
XXX
I was late on this one--I checked it out right before Old dropped. But both albums have been big in this past year. My roommate and I both agree that "Sent yo' bitch a dick pic, now she needs glasses" is one of the best opening lines of all time. |
| 12 |  | Run the Jewels
Run the Jewels
My favorite album of 2013, although R.A.P. Music could just as easily go here considering how often my roommate would say "RONALD (6). WILSON (6). REAGAN (6)." |
| 13 | | LCD Soundsystem
The Sound of Silver
My roommate would never shut the fuck about seeing their last show ever and I had to hear "All My Friends" about 8 million times. I do not actually enjoy LCD Soundsystem. |
| 14 |  | Japandroids
Celebration Rock
HOW THE HELL DID I FORGET THIS IT'S THE FIRST THING I LISTENED TO ON THE WAY BACK. Is there a better song to sum up the college experience than "The Nights of Wine and Roses"? |
| 15 |  | Andrew W.K.
I Get Wet
Party Hard |
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