Sitting Here in Limbo: The Piler

So we haven’t exactly been diligent about a weekly SHIL. We originally were aiming for one per week until Season 4 of Lost premiers in February. That didn’t work out so well. I’m sure you’ve been, um, lost without it. In case you’re new to Brahsome or forgotten the rules:

1. Select 10 albums to take with you on a deserted island and why.
2. No compilations or greatest hits.
3. Live is okay as long as it was specifically studio produced.
4. Double albums are only one pick.
5. No soundtracks.

This weeks edition is brought to you by one of Brahsome’s own. These days he is truly living up to his moniker, faux job-hunting when he gets out of bed before noon, while shuffling back and forth between his mother’s and girlfriend’s respective couches. The one, the only, The Piler. If any readers would like to submit their own SHIL list, we could probably work you in. Send them to blog@brahsome.com. Jump down to see The Piler’s list.

It certainly is tough following so many great choices. There is definitely a strong pull to come with an original list. However, this isn’t about originality, it’s about me, an island and music. Like many before me, it was hard to limit it to just ten. My musical tastes can be random and I like hip-hop a little more than your average brah.

The White Stripes, Get Behind Me Satan

In and age of whinny EMO and poppy lullabies there aren’t many bands that rock. Jack and Meg rock. Hard. Difficult to choose just one, but this is the album that turned me on to the White Stripes. “Take Take Take” and “Denial Twist” are those kind of songs than I can and have listened to over and over again. That’s ideal when you’re on a deserted island with only ten albums.

The Notorious B.I.G, Life After Death

This is the album that started it all for me as far liking hip-hop. Growing up I didn’t like hip-hop because of stereotypes and just never really gave it a chance. Life After Death came out the week of spring break my sophomore year of high school and it was played nonstop at the beach house my friends and I rented and subsequently destroyed to the tune of $15,000. But that’s a story for another day. I still think of that house and week every time I here “Hypnotize.” Sadly, my favorite Biggie song of all time, “Juicy”, is on Ready to Die.

Tupac, All Eyez on Me

This is just raw Tupac at his best before the breakup of the Death Row triumvirate of Tupac, Snoop and Dr. Dre. The double album is nice for a little extra music on the island, not to mention it’s easily Tupac’s greatest work.

Rage Against The Machine, Rage Against The Machine

If I’m stuck on a deserted island there will definitely be moments when I need to, well, RAGE (unless I happened to be stuck on said island with the female cast of The Hills). This is definitely the album to do it. If you’ve ever heard “Killing in the Name” you know what I mean. I know this album is all about equality and social justice, but on my island it’s about a giant F you to whomever I feel like at the moment.

Talking Heads, Stop Making Sense

While technically this album is a soundtrack, it still fits under the criteria. Stop Making Sense was a Concert Movie and it was studio produced as it’s own album. If you don’t like it, see the chorus to the above referenced Rage Against the Machine song. The T-Heads are just so to easy to listen to and never tire out.

Guns N’ Roses, Appetite for Destruction

The debut album for one of the greatest bands of my lifetime. GNR is a classic case of what could have been. Axl’s continuance of the band is a yoke and disgrace.

Pearl Jam, Ten

Another debut album and one of the first CDs I ever bought. It’s one of those albums you can play from start to finish without skipping tracks.

Agents of Good Roots, Where’d You Get that Vibe?

Pretty random, but probably my favorite band from high school. I used to sneak out to hear these guys at The Brewery on Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. This is an easy going album to take the edge off some the harder choices. Another one I can listen from start to finish.

Nirvana, Nevermind

This album has been on several SHIL lists and needs no introduction. I didn’t appreciate Nirvana until long after Cobain died, but certainly do now. I like other individual Nirvana songs better, but as a whole Nevermind is my favorite work.

Jurassic 5, Quality Control

If there’s one word to describe J-5, it’s smooth. They’re a throwback to old school hip-hop. They’ve managed to gain mainstream fame without falling into the bling-rap game. Saw them Cats Cradle once and was blown away.

Just missed: Jay-Z, The Blueprint, Led Zeppelin, IV, Nirvana, In Utero, Green Day, Dookie, Dr. Dre, The Chronic, Several Ween albums.