Music

Things are nice and boring here in Afghanistan...and I've been thinking about music.

I show up every day plug in my ipod and work the day away with my own little soundtrack playing in the backgroud. After work, I hit the gym and plug in again while I spend some much needed time on the elliptical.

I spoke to my nephew, Henry, the other night. He is always listening to music now and very interested in exploring new music and trying out new stuff. He was asking for recommendations and it got me thinking...

As the good uncle...with time on my hands...I started trying to make a list of the 10 albums that every kid should experience...albums/artists that have no expiration date...music that really has legs and can span generations. Henry has a birthday coming up and I think it would be really amazing to get him music that has roots...history.

It's really difficult to pick 10 albums that span generations that could maybe appeal to kids today...

I immediately considered The White Album by the Beatles. It has history...it has roots, but I don't think it "applies" or appeals to today's young people. Maybe I'll wait until Henry is 17, or older, to get him The White Album...there is a history that goes with the album that I don't think he is really interested in. I think he is exploring music that is fun to listen to, without all the other stuff.

Bob Marley: Legend. There is a good chance Henry's mom would shoot me dead if I got Henry a Bob Marley album...you know, the whole Rastafarian thing. But from a musical experience point of view...Legend is a pretty great album. Lyrics are not offensive...music is fun...different from the norm...worth experiencing.
Top 10 musical experience albums? Maybe.

When I was younger, Led Zepplin II was an album that really showed me what different music could sound like...what music could be. I think prior to getting this album, the most cutting edge thing I had was Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits. No offense to S&G lover's out there...but from a musical experience standpoint...I don't think their album makes the top 10. Back to Zepplin, though. Does it have legs to carry into now...to appeal to younger audiences? I don't know that it does...but I'm not sure. I have it on my computer here, I may have to listen to the whole thing start to finish and see what I think.

Talking Heads...I'll definitely include one of their albums in my top 10 for Henry. Don't try to argue "roots" and "legs" and whether or not they were groundbreaking...I like them...I've liked them for years. One of the few personal musical constants in my life...they make the cut, end of story.

Beck Odelay...fun to listen to, different from everything else...really great album from a guy always doing his own thing. My friend Tracey got me listening to Beck so many years ago. I haven't listened to Odelay in awhile, going to have to change that real soon. That could make the list...

Pink Floyd: Learning to Fly?
Nirvana: Unplugged?
Michael Jackson?
Flaming Lips?
Joe Satriani?

So I'm looking for recommendations...music that every kid now needs to experience...
Post here or send them to kevinhace@yahoo.com