1. Recovering the Satellites - Counting Crows
"Satellites" is hands down my all-time favorite record. For their second record, the Crows returned an with album filled with bitterness and sadness, but this time, you could actually play it in your car without falling asleep at the wheel.
Watch the video for "Angels of the Silences"
Read the lyrics of "Goodnight Elisabeth"
2. Living in Clip - Ani DiFranco
Ani's 2 CD live set "Living in Clip" is the best live record I've ever heard. It combines her incredible lyrics and live energy into a great blend of love (Both Hands), Politics (Every State Line), and rebellion (Out of Range).
Listen to clips on Amazon.com
Read the lyrics for "Overlap"
3. Automatic for the People - R.E.M.
The music on "Automatic," composed by the band and produced by John Paul Jones is the best of the band's career. The album is a mix of dark moody songs like "Sweetness Follows" and sweeter songs like "Nightswimming." This is the record I always seem to play when reorganizing my CD's.
Listen to clips on Amazon.com
Watch the video for "Nightswimming"
4. August and Everything After - Counting Crows
"August & Everything After" is Adam Duritz's lyrical masterpiece. Whether singing about commitment (Anna Begins) or failed relationships (Time & Time Again), "August" is an amazing record from start to finish.
Listen to clips on Amazon.com
Watch the video for "Round Here"
5. Happy Nowhere - Dog's Eye View
Dog's Eye View's debut album is a great that almost nobody has heard. Peter Stuart's songwriting on tracks like "Small Wonders" and "Haywire" compliment faster rock songs like "Cotton Mouth" and "The Prince's Favorite Son."
Listen to clips on Amazon.com
Listen to a live version of "Speed of Silence."
