1. L.A. WOMAN (1971) The Doors

My favourite album by my favourite band, this is The Doors at their best and most raw. Recorded not long before Morrison’s death, it oozes booze, women and smoky L.A. lounges. In this, their most mature album, they strive for, and achieve, their aim of making an honest-to-goodness blues record. Recorded pretty much live, with hardly any overdubs or fancy gadgets, L.A. Woman is the best blues album done by an all white group. Contains absolute classics such as The Changeling, Love Her Madly, Riders on the Storm and the title track. Morrison sounds tired and boozed-up, which actually suits the mood of the album, yet his voice still manages to raise the hairs with its power and nuances. All other musos are in top form. Best listened to on vinyl, after a few shots of whisky.

2. SONGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE (1976) Stevie Wonder

The most spiritually moving album ever made. Also the most soulful, funky, haunting, emotional and just plain fun. The culmination of Stevie Wonder’s amazing creative outburst beginning with Music of My Mind. Every song radiates with Wonder’s heart, soul and mind and over the two disc album (four records for those who remember), he manages to speak about life and everything relating to it: love, hatred, sex, politics, poverty, new life, death, God - it’s all there and more. Stevie Wonder is one of music’s geniuses, up there with such luminaries as Mozart, Beethoven, Miles Davis, Glen Miller, and Lennon/McCartney, and with SITKOL, he creates one of the great sonic masterpieces of all time.

3. THE WHITE ALBUM (1968) The Beatles

While many consider this to be too bloated and too obviously four separate people rather than a band working as a team, it is, ironically, partly these reasons that I adore this album so much, and consider it to be my favourite of the Fab Four. To me, it’s like a huge, sprawling jam - some songs work, others don’t, but it’s the journey, the power of raw music and the courage of four great musicians trying to find their way both as a band and as human beings, that is the important factor here. There is so much music, and so many diverse styles and emotions, that by the end, you feel like you’ve been through the creative process yourself, feel like you’ve lived through the heartaches and the joys of these four lads from Liverpool. An epic album that only The Beatles could have produced.

4. BURN TO SHINE (1999) Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals

All of Ben Harper’s albums are masterpieces, therefore it is extremely hard to pick a favourite, but this, his most eclectic and rock-orientated album to date, stands out as ultimately my most beloved. While it’s not as political or socially minded as his first two albums, the songs are so perfectly realized and there is an energy, and a heavy Spanish/Mexican influence that creates an awesomely unique album by one of modern music’s most original and startling practitioners. Contains everything from rock (Burn to Shine, Less), to ragtime jazz (Suzie Blue), through to haunting ballads (Beloved One) and bluesy stomps (Steal My Kisses). Raw, rootsy, and, above all, comes straight from the heart.

5. THRILLER (1982) Michael Jackson

The perfect example of how a pop album can be a work of art, not just throwaway bubble-gum fluff. Along with the carefully constructed songs, there is solid musicianship and, of course, Jackson’s astonishing vocal ability. The ballads are sentimental without being soppy, and the upbeat songs funky as all hell. Wonderful vibe, fantastic production and an unparalleled array of hits (Thriller, Billie Jean, Beat It, The Girl Is Mine…etc.). A must have album that puts a smile on your face every time.

6. PEARL (1971) Janis Joplin

One of the all time great female blues vocalist, this album, released posthumously, is Joplin’s best work and is the perfect showcase for her unique and powerful voice and promising song writing (she wrote Move Over and Mercedes Benz). Bluesy, ballsy and brilliant, Pearl is a rockin’ ball of energy and another stellar album from that great year - 1971.

7. IMAGINE (1971) John Lennon

Yes, another one from 1971. Lennon’s best post-Beatles work contains some of his most mature and haunting music. Angry, bitter, yet hopeful, every song is a statement on Lennon’s life and his view on the world. From the achingly beautiful title track, to the caustic How Do You Sleep? About once close friend Paul McCartney, through to the gorgeous Jealous Guy there isn’t a wrong step in this amazing album.

8. MASTER OF PUPPETS (1986) Metallica

Metallica at the height of their powers, this classic heavy metal album still gets the blood pumping and the head banging. Perfect blend of the raw energy that they displayed in their first two albums, but with more complex music and themes. Mind-blowing playing by all members and top-notch song writing raised thrash metal to new heights of artistic excellence.

9. THE DOORS (1967) The Doors

Another great album from that magical year of music. The Doors were, and still are, one of the most original and exciting bands in modern rock music. Capturing their intense and theatrical live gigs was a hard task, but this, their debut, comes as close as any of their six studio albums. The resulting album was a breath of fresh rock air - an eclectic mix of rock (the classics Light My Fire and Break On Through), jazz (Soul Kitchen), Blues (Back Door Man), German opera (Alabama Song) and, of course, elaborate epics (The End). Combine this with Ray Manzarek’s classical based keyboards, John Densmore’s jazz-fused drums, Robby Krieger’s flamenco style guitar and Jim Morrison’s rich voice and you have one unique band and one damn fine record.

10. INNERVISIONS (1973) Stevie Wonder

If you think the only thing Stevie Wonder has done is I Just Called to Say I Love You (like I, admittedly, once did), then you’re in for a big surprise. I’ve since found out that Wonder is truly one of the geniuses of music. His run from Music of My Mind (‘72) through to Songs In the Key Of Life (‘76), which includes five albums, are among the most impressive group of albums ever to grace popular music. And that’s not hyperbole. This album, released mid-way through Wonder’s amazing period, is generally considered to be his best. Enough praise cannot be heaped upon this work. Wonder’s God-given voice elevates the already supremely written music to the highest form of art. You’ll feel uplifted after listening to this.

11. UPRISING (1980) Bob Marley and the Wailers

Marley was one of the most gifted artists, reggae or otherwise. And though I could pick any one of his brilliant albums, for me, this, his last completed album before his death, is probably my personal favourite. It contains some of his most deeply felt and magnificent songs. The two biggest songs are Could You Be Loved and, one of my all-time favourites, Redemption Song. The rest of the album, while lesser known, is equally as stunning. Marley’s swan song, and what a final bow this album is.

12. A LOVE SUPREME (1964) John Coltrane

Coltrane was an interesting fella. He started off playing with Davis, moved into his own with solid album’s such as Favorite Things and Blue Train, took the art form further with spiritual and emotional masterpieces like A Love Supreme, then finished off his career playing avant-garde, improvisational music. One thing was certain; listening to a Coltrane album is never boring. For me, he was one of the jazz greats - he was not only a fantastic player, but he challenged the listener, pushed himself and what he could achieve through his saxophone, and was not always successful. But he strove to be original, and that’s what counts. But on this album he succeeded 100%. Truly a work or art. Everyone needs to experience this album.

13. FIGHT FOR YOUR MIND (1995) Ben Harper

Ben Harper can do no wrong (at least in my opinion). Every song he pens is brilliant. He knows exactly what he wants to say, and what style/feel/genre will best suit it. FFYM is probably his most cohesive and overall strongest album, as well as his most angry and political. Doesn’t mean it’s all serious - there are songs like Gold to Me, Ground On Down and the flawless Burn One Down thrown in to give the album its balance. Poetic, beautiful, intelligent and heartfelt, sung with grace and power by that wondrous instrument that is Harper’s voice. He is also a supreme guitarist too.

14. LEGALIZE IT (1976) Peter Tosh

Tosh left The Wailers because he felt stifled and wanted to express his own voice, and this, his first solo album, is superb. Confident, intelligent song writing coupled with great lyrics, makes this one of the finest reggae albums. Tosh tackles societal issues such as free choice, religion, love and death, leaving the political stuff for his next album (the sensational Equal Rights). Find some sun, lie back, close your eyes, grab some ganja and spin this album. It’ll make you happy.

15. MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR (1967) The Beatles

Originally released as an EP, the full length album that came after, while not The Beatles most cohesive album, still contains some of the band’s best work, and its track listing reads like a best of, with songs such as - Strawberry Fields Forever, I Am the Walrus, Fool On the Hill, Penny Lane and All You Need Is Love. Such great song writing. Not a bad song on the album.

16. MORRISON HOTEL (1970) The Doors

The Doors second last album; this sees the boys move into a style they had always cited as a major influence - blues. While it does contain some classic blues numbers such as Roadhouse Blues, You Make Me Real and Maggie M’Gill, the always eclectic band throw in sprinklings of jazz (The Spy - a favourite), funk (Peace Frog), rock (Waiting For the Sun, Queen Of the Highway) and even a drunken pub shanty (Land Ho!). Great stuff. Also love the sound of the instruments on this album (particularly the drums) - crisp and robust.

17. ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? (1967) The Jimi Hendrix Experience

1967 was one of the greatest years for rock music. And this album by the amazing Jimi Hendrix Experience stands tall as being not only one of the year’s best, but one of the most audacious and influential debut albums ever released. Full of classics such as Foxy Lady, Purple Haze, Manic Depression and Fire; no album rocks quite like this one.

18. LED ZEPPELIN III (1970) Led Zeppelin

All of Led Zep’s albums are brilliant, hard-rockin’ masterworks, but this album resonates with me the deepest. It’s their quietest album (well, after the fantastically loud and succinct Immigrant Song), and I think, their most complex. Book-ended by two of hard rock’s all time classics; this folkish, jazzy, slightly Eastern infused album is a fully realised statement by a great band and their best.

19. ETERNAL NIGHTCAP (1997) The Whitlams

One of the best modern bands Australia has produced, The Whitlams combine rock, jazz, funk and pop into one glorious, piano based sonic treat. This album, written after one of its three original members fell to his death on Australia Day 1996, was partly an ode, partly a reflection about his friend by singer/songwriter/keyboard player Tim Freedman. Switches from haunting ballads to funky tunes with ease and makes for a powerful album.

20. VS (1993) Pearl Jam

One of the major acts that helped bring the new wave of music known as grunge into early nineties culture (the others being Nirvana and Sound Garden), and, in my opinion, the most talented. Sure Nirvana had Cobain and the attitude, but Pearl Jam had the great song writing and tight musicianship that harked back more to the days of '70s rock than any torn-jeans, angry brooding of their equally famous counterpart. Their first three albums in particular were all great, solid music, but Vs is more consistent than Vitalogy, and with more complex and diverse range of songs than Ten. Highlights include Dissident, Rear-view Mirror, Elderly Women Behind the Counter In A Small Town and Daughter.