This week we’re getting to know the people behind Fresh Print Magazine. Since everyone loves lists, we’re exploring our favourite music, movies and TV shows. To kick things off, we asked our contributors to compile a list of their top 5 favourite albums and tell us what they think makes a great album.
The Contributors
Ashleigh Addison:
“Music is everything to me and I appreciate all genres of music so it was very difficult to compile this list. If you’re anything like me, your top 5 changes with the seasons and evolves with age. This list, however, represents what I currently listen to the most. How I determine what makes a great album depends on how many of the songs I love within the album. 80% of the songs on the album must be stellar. I know this seems high, but I have high expectations. What makes an album for me is the musical composition—if not the lyrics then its guitar, bass, vocals, Drums (this can determine the album as a whole. Ex: Songs for the Deaf) and the incorporation of other instruments such as the violin, trumpet and other brass/wind/string instruments.”
5. Interpol, Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
4. Modest Mouse, Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
3. Broken Social Scene, You Forgot it in People (2002)
2. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (2007)
1. The Beatles, The White Album (1968)
Taylor Cordingley:
“When it comes to music, I’m addicted to the glitz and glamour of pop and electronica. An ever-changing genre, I’ve always been mesmerized by the songstresses who belt out these infectious jams all while looking flawlessly airbrushed. The five albums I have on this list are pop, rock and R&B masterpieces that are great from start-to-finish. They’re cohesive in their sound and are innovative in their approach to their respective genres. While they may contain “mainstream” content, the deeply personal lyrics present on these albums speak to my own experiences and have enabled me to connect emotionally with the individual tracks. From the Empress of J-Pop to the Queen of Pop, the works on this list are but a sampling of what I’ll be listening to on any given day.”
5. Kelly Rowland, Talk A Good Game (2013)
4. Ayumi Hamasaki, GUILTY (2008)
3. Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)
2. Hilary Duff, Dignity (2007)
1. Kylie Minogue, Aphrodite (2010)
Kevin Hua:
5. Usher, Confessions (2004)
4. Alicia Keys, Element of Freedom (2009)
3. The Weeknd, House of Balloons (2011)
2. Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
1. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Cassandra John:
“If I were stranded on a desert island, these are the five albums I’d have to have with me. I’d be able to sing and dance with each of these albums.”
5. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
4. Wyclef Jean, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000)
3. Rihanna, Unapologetic (2012)
2. Adele, 21 (2011)
1. Beyoncé, Dangerously in Love (2003)
Chad Kirvan:
“Hey everyone, Chad from Fresh Print Magazine here with my top 5 albums. These bad boys are top five in my books for different reasons. Firstly, Train Wreck is easily the most fluid concept album that I’ve ever heard. I really dig the drums and interludes on First to Last’s Dear Diary my Teenage Angst has a Body Count — plus there is not a single bad song on it and it features lyrics by Sonny Moore who rocks metal and dub step. I don’t think anyone could disagree when I said that Johnny Cash picked the a truly badass studio when he recorded At Folsom Prison in Folsom Prison in front of a live prisoner audience. Even if the music wasn’t amazing, that would still be in my top five because it’s badass. Neil Young is a huge inspiration for me and is a huge influence in the Toronto music scene even today. For him to record an album in Toronto makes this an extremely personal album for me, and probably many other Toronto folk fans as well. Lastly, Beggars is one of the many awesome albums by Thrice. There are so many amazing and passionate lyrics throughout this album and since money from this album went to charity I’d say the guys from Thrice practice what they preach.”
5. Boys Night Out, Train Wreck (2005)
4. First to Last, Dear Diary my Teenage Angst has a Body Count (2004)
3. Johnny Cash, At Folsom Prison (1968)
2. Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall (1971)
1. Thrice, Beggars (2007)
Jillian Nagel:
“For me, a good album is one I can sing along to. There’s nothing that makes me happier than belting out a song at the top of my lungs (on key or not). Most of my list is made up of albums from my childhood that have weaselled their way into my subconscious. Every time I hear Bat out of Hell it takes me back to family road-trips in the car. Journeyman always gives me the feeling of sitting on the dock at a cottage. Each album on my list reminds me of a different time in my life, and that’s what ultimately narrowed down my choices.”
5. Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell (1977)
4. Eric Clapton, Journeyman (1989)
3. Queen, A Night at the Opera (1975)
2. Metallica, Master of Puppets (1986)
1. Janis Joplin, Pearl (1971)
Sarah O’Leary:
“I love albums for different reasons. One of my all-time favourite albums is Live Through This by the band Hole. The album shines the spotlight on grunge queen of rock and roll, Courtney Love, in her post Kurt Era. The album commences with the single “Violets” a song with powerful lyrics that exude serious female badassery. “Doll Parts” is definitely one of my go to songs when I’m feeling down and need the comfort of some poetic lyrics.
Bauhaus is an iconic 80s goth band that features lead singer Peter Murphy, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with backstage at a concert. Mask is a poetic dark album one in which I enjoy reading the lyrics of the songs as I play it.
I’ve been in love with Portrait of an American Family since I was a teenager. I personally feel this is one of the most fun, trippy albums Manson made. This particular era of Marilyn Manson casts a different image of the Antichrist superstar and showcases the band in a sort of Doctor Seuss-on-acid way. One example of this is the video for the single “Dope Hat” which is a wacky Willy Wonka inspired 4 minutes of trippy dream like imagery that goes with the song. It was this particular song and video that inspired me to start making art as a teenager.
Although I lean more towards Rock music, I do love the King of pop, Michael Jackson’s album Thriller. It is an absolute classic that I have enjoyed listening and dancing to since I was a teen. One of my favourite songs in “Beat It”—it’s so catchy and I love to watch the video to appreciate Micheal Jackson’s amazing dance moves.
Placebo is one of my favourite bands, the unique voice of lead singer Brian Mulko is very interesting and goes perfectly with the melancholy vibe of the album Meds. I enjoy listening to this album because the subject matter in the songs is relatable to a lot of the personal struggles I go through, I always play it when I’m feeling down.”
5. Placebo, Meds (2006)
4. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
3. Marilyn Manson, Portrait of an American Family (1994)
2. Bauhaus, Mask (1981)
1. Hole, Live Through This (1994)
This week we’re getting to know the people behind Fresh Print Magazine. Since everyone loves lists, we’re exploring our favourite music, movies and TV shows. To kick things off, we asked our contributors to compile a list of their top 5 favourite albums and tell us what they think makes a great album.
The Contributors
Ashleigh Addison:
“Music is everything to me and I appreciate all genres of music so it was very difficult to compile this list. If you’re anything like me, your top 5 changes with the seasons and evolves with age. This list, however, represents what I currently listen to the most. How I determine what makes a great album depends on how many of the songs I love within the album. 80% of the songs on the album must be stellar. I know this seems high, but I have high expectations. What makes an album for me is the musical composition—if not the lyrics then its guitar, bass, vocals, Drums (this can determine the album as a whole. Ex: Songs for the Deaf) and the incorporation of other instruments such as the violin, trumpet and other brass/wind/string instruments.”
5. Interpol, Turn on the Bright Lights (2002)
4. Modest Mouse, Lonesome Crowded West (1997)
3. Broken Social Scene, You Forgot it in People (2002)
2. Arcade Fire, Neon Bible (2007)
1. The Beatles, The White Album (1968)
Taylor Cordingley:
“When it comes to music, I’m addicted to the glitz and glamour of pop and electronica. An ever-changing genre, I’ve always been mesmerized by the songstresses who belt out these infectious jams all while looking flawlessly airbrushed. The five albums I have on this list are pop, rock and R&B masterpieces that are great from start-to-finish. They’re cohesive in their sound and are innovative in their approach to their respective genres. While they may contain “mainstream” content, the deeply personal lyrics present on these albums speak to my own experiences and have enabled me to connect emotionally with the individual tracks. From the Empress of J-Pop to the Queen of Pop, the works on this list are but a sampling of what I’ll be listening to on any given day.”
5. Kelly Rowland, Talk A Good Game (2013)
4. Ayumi Hamasaki, GUILTY (2008)
3. Madonna, Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005)
2. Hilary Duff, Dignity (2007)
1. Kylie Minogue, Aphrodite (2010)
Kevin Hua:
5. Usher, Confessions (2004)
4. Alicia Keys, Element of Freedom (2009)
3. The Weeknd, House of Balloons (2011)
2. Justin Timberlake, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
1. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
Cassandra John:
“If I were stranded on a desert island, these are the five albums I’d have to have with me. I’d be able to sing and dance with each of these albums.”
5. Kanye West, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
4. Wyclef Jean, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book (2000)
3. Rihanna, Unapologetic (2012)
2. Adele, 21 (2011)
1. Beyoncé, Dangerously in Love (2003)
Chad Kirvan:
“Hey everyone, Chad from Fresh Print Magazine here with my top 5 albums. These bad boys are top five in my books for different reasons. Firstly, Train Wreck is easily the most fluid concept album that I’ve ever heard. I really dig the drums and interludes on First to Last’s Dear Diary my Teenage Angst has a Body Count — plus there is not a single bad song on it and it features lyrics by Sonny Moore who rocks metal and dub step. I don’t think anyone could disagree when I said that Johnny Cash picked the a truly badass studio when he recorded At Folsom Prison in Folsom Prison in front of a live prisoner audience. Even if the music wasn’t amazing, that would still be in my top five because it’s badass. Neil Young is a huge inspiration for me and is a huge influence in the Toronto music scene even today. For him to record an album in Toronto makes this an extremely personal album for me, and probably many other Toronto folk fans as well. Lastly, Beggars is one of the many awesome albums by Thrice. There are so many amazing and passionate lyrics throughout this album and since money from this album went to charity I’d say the guys from Thrice practice what they preach.”
5. Boys Night Out, Train Wreck (2005)
4. First to Last, Dear Diary my Teenage Angst has a Body Count (2004)
3. Johnny Cash, At Folsom Prison (1968)
2. Neil Young, Live at Massey Hall (1971)
1. Thrice, Beggars (2007)
Jillian Nagel:
“For me, a good album is one I can sing along to. There’s nothing that makes me happier than belting out a song at the top of my lungs (on key or not). Most of my list is made up of albums from my childhood that have weaselled their way into my subconscious. Every time I hear Bat out of Hell it takes me back to family road-trips in the car. Journeyman always gives me the feeling of sitting on the dock at a cottage. Each album on my list reminds me of a different time in my life, and that’s what ultimately narrowed down my choices.”
5. Meat Loaf, Bat out of Hell (1977)
4. Eric Clapton, Journeyman (1989)
3. Queen, A Night at the Opera (1975)
2. Metallica, Master of Puppets (1986)
1. Janis Joplin, Pearl (1971)
Sarah O’Leary:
“I love albums for different reasons. One of my all-time favourite albums is Live Through This by the band Hole. The album shines the spotlight on grunge queen of rock and roll, Courtney Love, in her post Kurt Era. The album commences with the single “Violets” a song with powerful lyrics that exude serious female badassery. “Doll Parts” is definitely one of my go to songs when I’m feeling down and need the comfort of some poetic lyrics.
Bauhaus is an iconic 80s goth band that features lead singer Peter Murphy, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with backstage at a concert. Mask is a poetic dark album one in which I enjoy reading the lyrics of the songs as I play it.
I’ve been in love with Portrait of an American Family since I was a teenager. I personally feel this is one of the most fun, trippy albums Manson made. This particular era of Marilyn Manson casts a different image of the Antichrist superstar and showcases the band in a sort of Doctor Seuss-on-acid way. One example of this is the video for the single “Dope Hat” which is a wacky Willy Wonka inspired 4 minutes of trippy dream like imagery that goes with the song. It was this particular song and video that inspired me to start making art as a teenager.
Although I lean more towards Rock music, I do love the King of pop, Michael Jackson’s album Thriller. It is an absolute classic that I have enjoyed listening and dancing to since I was a teen. One of my favourite songs in “Beat It”—it’s so catchy and I love to watch the video to appreciate Micheal Jackson’s amazing dance moves.
Placebo is one of my favourite bands, the unique voice of lead singer Brian Mulko is very interesting and goes perfectly with the melancholy vibe of the album Meds. I enjoy listening to this album because the subject matter in the songs is relatable to a lot of the personal struggles I go through, I always play it when I’m feeling down.”
5. Placebo, Meds (2006)
4. Michael Jackson, Thriller (1982)
3. Marilyn Manson, Portrait of an American Family (1994)
2. Bauhaus, Mask (1981)
1. Hole, Live Through This (1994)
