22

Well, my friends, it's that time of year again: I am about to become one full year older. This year's magic number is 22, a pointless year to celebrate were it not for the fact that it's the age at which I will graduate college (sigh.)

Anyway, you might remember that for last year's birthday celebration, I honored my 21 favorite albums of all time. I slaved tirelessly over my choices, and came out the other end confident in (most of) my selections.

Of course, only days after the list, I realized that some of it was full of crap. I am, after all, a music journalist, and will never be fully satisfied with my choices.

This year I will attempt to remedy my failed list o' 21, and will issue a list o' 22; my awesomely fantastic totally rock 'n' roll Top 22 Favorite Albums of All Time!!!!!

(pause for dramatic reaction)

Oh, but this time I'm only going to make it as a list. Seriously, finding pictures for all 21 last year - on top of writing a brief blurb about each - took forever. If you want an explanation and/or picture, just ask.

And another thing: last year I was careful to put albums that had significant meaning to me on the list, regardless of whether or not I still enjoy the record. I also tried to avoid repeat offenders. That was dumb. What you're going to get here is my down-and-dirty these-records-rock-my-world-every-time-I-listen-to-them list.

And, finally (I promise): some records are more recent selections, meaning I may be overreacting a teenie bit on them. But if that is true, I will remedy it with my list o' 23.

The Top 22 Favorite Albums of All Time!!!!! list

1. Sufjan Stevens, Seven Swans
2. Radiohead, OK Computer
3. U2, Joshua Tree
4. Sufjan Stevens, Greetings from Michigan!
5. Sufjan Stevens, Illinois
6. The Avett Brothers, Emotionalism
7. Radiohead, The Bends
8. Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
9. The Beatles, The White Album
10. Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Master and Everyone
11. The Clash, London Calling
12. Bob Marley, Legend
13. Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago
14. Arcade Fire, Funeral
15. Josh Ritter, Animal Years
16. M. Ward, Post War
17. Andrew Bird, Armchair Apocrypha
18. Great Lake Swimmers, Ongiara
19. Elliott Smith, From a Basement on the Hill
20. Phosphorescent, Pride
21. The Avett Brothers, Mignonette
22. Coldplay, A Rush of Blood to the Head

Honorable Mentions: Beck, Sea Change; The Shins, Chutes Too Narrow; Band of Horses, Cease to Begin; The White Stripes, Elephant; Weezer, Weezer (The Blue Album); U2, Achtung Baby; U2, All That You Can't Leave Behind