My All-Time Top Ten Favorite Punk Rock Albums (In No Particular Order)

A long, long, time ago, in a house far, far, away, I was sitting in my room, geeking around on the internet. Not quite getting around so fast, since we only had dial-up and computers that could effectively use 128 megs of RAM. But I found myself upon a guitar related webpage, complete with streaming songs for a band called "Rancid". From that day on, its been a slippery slope into the world of punk rock for me, to the point where I even formed a few of my own bands (right now, I'm in a band called The Whatleys (www.myspace.com/whatleyspunk)). After my years of listening to this stuff, I've compiled a list of my Ten Favorite Punk rock albums (in no particular order).

1. Rancid: "Let's Go!"

This was the first Rancid album that I really got into. Sure, a girlfriend had given me the Rancid album Life Won't Wait but I was definitely more into Let's Go. Maybe it was something to do with it's speed, or its rawness, but I feel that Rancid hasn't put out an album that even comes close to the caliber that this album set. The other ones may have been catchier, but this one was just so much more powerful.

2. Minutemen: "Double Nickels On The Dime"

Ok, so its not super-fast, super hard, or the traditional way of thinking for punk, but Double Nickels exudes punk rock from all edges. Why? It's a "double LP" on 1 LP! It's recorded on cheap-ass equipment! Its extremely energetic! Seriously! 43 songs! 43 great songs! I really don't know what else to say: its a damn fine album and you should go get it.

3. Any Bad Religion Album

Bad Religion is just about one of the longest lasting punk bands, with a track record for having damn good albums. The worst Bad Religion album is better than the best pop-music album. I mean really, if you don't know who Bad Religion is, then you have no idea what good music is.

4. NOFX: "Ribbed"

Most of NOFX's albums show a growth: The first NOFX album is almost completely different than the latest NOFX album. All good though. Ribbed is nearly right in the middle. All the songs are catchy, fast and full of energy. I've tried to learn so many songs from this album, its crazy.

5. The Clash: "The Clash"

London Calling is pretty much their most known record, but their self-titled first album really shows The Clash in their original light, with Joe Strummer belting out angst and loud guitars carrying his messages from song to song. Go out and buy this album.

6. The Ramones: "The Ramones"

To me, the Ramones started the whole punk rock movement. Using minimal musical knowledge, they managed to make music that actually reached people. It wasn't pretty, it wasn't clean, it wasn't disco, and it wasn't arena rock. It was music that people could actually enjoy. And people still do.

7. Screeching Weasel: "Boogadaboogadaboogada"

Take The Ramones and add a little more humor, a little more teen angst, some weird connection to Archie comics and you've got Screeching Weasel's Boogadaboogadaboogada. One of the most awesome and inspiring albums I've ever heard. I don't know how I'd cope with my guitar had I not learned some Screeching Weasel songs.

8. Dillinger Four: "Midwestern Songs of the Americas"

Dillinger Four is by far one of my favorite bands. They have a very satirical way of viewing everything, and it gets the point across better than most other "political" punk bands. "Midwestern Songs" is full of awesome punk rockness, and should probably be owned by everyone under the sun.

9. Bouncing Souls: "The Good, The Bad & The Argyle"

The first big Bouncing Souls LP, probably one of the most punk rock records ever. Why? Its the DIY attitude, and the humor and passion crammed into a 30 minute album.

10. Against Me!: "Reinventing Axl Rose"

I don't really have many reasons, its just a really good record. Listen to it.