10 New York Albums to take to a deserted island

by Mike on October 28th, 2007

b5media’s Music Channel presents…

The Top 100 Albums you’d take to a deserted island.

Here are the 10 albums from New York

10. The Ramones: The Ramones

The speed and intensity of the Ramones would be more than enough to keep your mind off of the fact that you’re stranded on a deserted island.

9. Beastie Boys: Ill Communication

Three white jewish kids from New York ended up acting as a bridge between white suburban culture and mainstream rap and hip hop. None of their albums followed any album before it…the Beastie Boys moulded their own craft. It doesn’t get much better than Ill Communication. Although some may debate this isn’t their best album, on a deserted island, Sabotage would act as a staple to the soundtrack.

8. Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground and Nico

One of the most famous album covers of all time and without question, one of the best albums to come out of New York.

A famous remark, often attributed to British musician Brian Eno, is that while only a few thousand people bought the first Velvet Underground record upon its release, almost every single one of them was inspired to start a band.

7 & 6. Bob Dylan: Take your pick.

Throughout his 40 plus albums, Dylan went through so many phases that you forget that they were all Dylan - folk, rock, country, blues, poetry, spiritual journey. Here are my two favorites, but a true listen of Dylan’s discography is something everyone should do before they die.

7. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan

All Music sums this album up better than I ever could,

“It’s hard to overestimate the importance of The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, the record that firmly established Dylan as an unparalleled songwriter, one of considerable skill, imagination, and vision. “

6. Bringing It All Back Home

She Belongs To Me is a phenomenal track from a Dylan let loose on this album and just went ahead and let his passion and soul take over. He produced a leaped across musical boundaries. This is my favorite Dylan release.

5. Simon and Garfunkel: Bookends

The thing about taking 10 albums to a deserted island is that you need to cover all moods and occassions. Simon & Garfunkel’s Bookends is not only a legendary album, but it is perfect for when you discover the wild field of natural hallucinogens.

4. Miles Davis: Bitches Brew

A solid jazz album is a must on this list and it just so happens that the best ever is an adopted New Yorker. Bitches Brew can be discussed until the early morning hours as the most revolutionary album in jazz history, having virtually created the genre known as jazz-rock fusion. The 27 minute title track will send you to a far off place even if you don’t find the wild field of natural hallucinogens.

3. Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt

With a true hip hop album needed on this list know Jay Z was making the cut.

2. The Walkmen: Everyone Who Pretended to Like Me is Gone

Wicked guitar riffs, gritty energy, a passion for rock and roll. Great album by a great band. I would gladly add the Walkmen to this list.

1. The Strokes: Is This It

Probably one of my favorite albums of all time. This album breathed a new whiskey soaked breath into the state of our generation’s rock and roll. All eleven tracks from front to back are standouts. The Strokes take up number one on this list.