Aja (Steely Dan)

Aja
Steely Dan (1977)

Top Tracks: “Peg”, “Aja”, “Black Cow”

Picking “Top Tracks” for Aja is ridiculous. What, “Josie” isn’t good enough? This was the album more than any other that taught me what could be done with music. I mean, sure, I had Mozart and Beethoven, I was kinda starting to experience jazz, but in 1977, Aja was on the stereo while my parents through swanky parties for their fashion industry friends, and could there be a better soundtrack for that era while growing up in Southern California? I can still listen to it front-to-back today and be as in awe of it as I was when I was eight years old (May 2020).

Animals (Pink Floyd)

Animals
Pink Floyd (1977)

Top Tracks: “Dogs”, “Pigs (Three Different Ones), “Sheep”

This definitely held the position of “my favorite album” for some time in my late teens and early 20’s. It’s the height of the middle era of Pink Floyd, with all the outstanding musicianship, cynical songwriting, and mind-blowing progressive production that I loved about the band. It’s a real band project, with deep contributions by all four members. Still fun to listen to now and then (May 2020).