I recently got to thinking about some of my favorite music ever, and actually compiled a list of my top ten favorite albums that I've heard thus far.  Yes, I know my musical taste will differ from many of you, but we all lead different lives, and different music effects each of us differently.  I can also tell you that any of the records that follow would not go amiss with me being played during a good gaming session.  So here it is, just to spark some nice musical discussion between us all!

10.)  Phobia - Breaking Benjamin

I'm not really one for hard rock.  Some of it interests me, but as a whole I find it a bit too sloppy and ragged to make for a good listen.  Imagine my surprise to find a hard rock album that exudes high production and cleanliness, but features some pretty *** catchy choruses.  This is the case with "Phobia", Breaking Benjamins epic opus.  Some fans like their extremely hard stuff, some prefer the softer, "Rain" centric tunes, but "Phobia" owns a perfect mixture of both.  Definitely check it out when given the chance.  Stand Outs:  "Breathe", "Unknown Soldier", "Diary of Jane", "Until the End"

9.)  Revolver - The Beatles

The Beatles are timeless, and considered by many to be the greatest band to ever exist.  They certainly innovated.  Almost single-handedly launching pop music into the public eye, as well as creating various genre's and sub-genre's that are mainstays in music today, The Beatles are hard to deny a special place in music history.  Of all their albums, consisting of well over 200 songs in just eight years together, "Revolver" was perhaps their biggest change in direction.  No longer the super sweet hit churning machine of old, The Beatles instead looked toward layering their sound, and complicating it with effects.  This was their defining turning point, with their best music still ahead of them.  Stand Outs:  "Eleanor Rigby", "I'm Only Sleeping", "For No One", "Tomorrow Never Knows", "Got to Get You into My Life"

8.)  Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen has always been a man of scope.  Taking simple and nostalgic experiences from his younger years growing up in New Jersey, Bruce was able to produce large scale stories, that pulled us all in.  "Born to Run" is his crown jewel.  Known for its great sound and driving melodies, not everyone is aware that is almost didn't happen.  In his quest for perfection, Springsteen went well over budget creating the album.  Things got so bad that the albums producer was forced to hide the true costs from the label, in an effort to give Springsteen the time he needed to finish.  Needless to say, the returns were worth it.  Stand Outs:  Only consisting of eight songs, the whole album is a standout, so get them all.

7.)  Band on the Run - Paul McCartney & Wings

After officially quitting The Beatles in 1970, Paul McCartney had not met with much critical or commercial success with his first bunch of solo albums.  That was all to change, however, as Paul brought old Beatles engineer Geoff Emerich, wife Linda, bandmate Denny Laine, and others to Lagos, Nigeria to record a new record.  What came of it was "Band on the Run", still considered to date McCartneys finest and most successful achievement post-Beatles.  Recorded under desperate conditions, with half of the songs being made up in Nigeria after the first half were stolen, the entire album shines, with excellent melodies, vocals, and lyrics.  An amazing album.  Stand Outs:  "Band on the Run", "Jet", "Mrs. Vandebilt", "Nineteen-Hundred Eighty-Five".

6.)  X&Y -  Coldplay

Possibly the most popular and successful group of the 21st century, Coldplay began as a young, love-song crooning pop band out of England.  By their second album, they were beginning to evolve into a more Alternative band, adding interesting strings and lush piano-filled soundscapes.  However, their third record, "X&Y", saw the boys injecting a little bit of Rock into their Alt. frenzy.  It made all the difference.  "X&Y" feels complete, sounds pretty, and never ages.  Frontman Chris Martin matures with each passing work, and this was no different.  This is where they really began to sound like U2.  Stand Outs:  "Fix You", "Talk", "Speed of Sound", "The Hardest Part"

5.)  Once - The Swell Season

Glen Hansard has been around for awhile.  Appearing in the film "The Commitments" and fronting the band "The Frames" since the early nineties, Hansard is a work horse with one of the most emotion filled voices I've ever heard.  In 2006, he starred in and did the soundtrack for the film "Once", alongside then girlfriend Marketa Irglova.  In the context of the film, the songs featured on "Once"'s soundtrack are so meaningful, it's tough not to feel every emotion Glen does over the course of the movie.  One of the most underappreciated singer/songwriters of all time, to be sure.  Although, an Oscar for "Best Original Song" goes a long way toward making up for that.  Stand Outs:  "When Your Minds Made Up", "Falling Slowly", "Say it to Me Now", "Once"

4.)  Waking Up - OneRepublic

OneRepublics' first studio album was a bit sparse, to say the least.  The production was decent, but there wasn't much exciting material there.  Their second album was much, much different.  From start to finish, "Waking Up" is one of the most beautifully produced records I've ever heard.  Most noticeably, the string and drum sections of songs are powerful, driving compliments to Ryan Tedders beautiful falsetto ladden lead vocals.  I dare you to listen to this album and not find at least 3-4 songs that you love.  Seriously, I dare you.  Stand Outs: "Made for You"  "All the Right Moves", "Secrets", "Good Life", "Marchin' On", "All This Time", 

3.)  Day & Age - The Killers

I actually don't know much about The Killers, other than that they originated in Las Vegas after all having seen U2 preform, and that they have....strange...taste.  Known for guitar and electronic fueled Alternative tracks, The Killers took an interesting turn with "Day & Age", which features more heartfelt, story driven narratives set to calming but immersive music.  Lead Singer Brandon Flowers is at his most relatable on this record, and it really serves to make each track feel like a spoken novel.  No longer shouting to the masses, Flowers is now reflecting on life, and it's working.  Stand Outs:  "Space Man", "Neon Tiger", "The World We Live in", "Tidal Wave".

2.)  Bringing Down the Horse - The Wallflowers

Growing up is never an easy experience.  Dealing with all of the problems of getting older is enough to drive most people crazy, and we've all had tough times.  Imagine growing up in the shadow of your father, considered by many to either tie or pass John Lennon as the greatest lyricist of all time.  Well that's exactly what Wallflowers frontman Jakob Dylan, son of legendary musician Bob Dylan (After whom I'm named!) had to do.  And yet, he's not bitter.  Instead, he carves out his own comfy space in the soft rock and roll conscience, not threatening or overwhelming, but making for some lovely listening.  This album was pretty much the soundtrack of my childhood, and I still love it dearly this to day.  Not to mention that Jakob is a considerably better singer than Bob.  Stand Outs:  "6th Avenue Heartache", "One Headlight", "Three Marlena's", "I Wish I Felt Nothing".

1.)  Abbey Road - The Beatles

While The Beatles did net a spot earlier in this list, I can't help but give them a second go.  "Abbey Road" features the first music I can ever remember hearing as a child, and it has been a constant throughout my life.  Recently, I purchased the stand alone remastered version of the album, rereleased this year.  I had forgotten how utterly beautiful and well ordered the album is.  To be honest, I don't know what else there is to say, other than that The Beatles saved their best for last.  Paul and George in particular shine here, crafting some of their finest work.  I really do believe this to be the perfect album, or at least the closest anyone's come so far.  Stand Outs:  The whole *** album, but if I must.  "Come Together", "Here Comes the Sun", "Golden Slumbers", "You Never Give Me Your Money"

And there you have it folks.  I've been lucky enough to have heard some great music over my life, and look forward to much, much more to come.  Share your own favorites with me, and we'll see how similar, or vastly different, our choices are.  Cheers!