In the midst of the nineties' Grunge era, more known for things such as naked babies swimming after baited cash and songs about metaphorical roosters, a young John Frusciante was off in a room with his guitar and a 4-track, recording what would inevitably become one of the decade's most avant garde records.

Originally released in 1961, this holds up today as an irresistibly enjoyable blues/rock record. A prime choice for curing those born with little rhythm, 'Gunslinger' is music you feel in your bones.

A friend told me several years ago that if I liked Neil Young then I simply HAD to listen to the song 'Ambulance Blues' from On The Beach. It was immediately one of my favorite songs of his, and the rest of the album is just as amazing.

Speaking of which... Their true masterpiece. Ray Davies' songwriting and the band's musicianship was really at its peak here.

Cut from the same cloth as fellow prog-rockers Mogwai and Explosions In The Sky, Yume Bitsu somehow manage to deliver the same cathartic build-up/release of energy in a much more organic, 'free' sounding fashion. Their self-titled is just as amazing.

Quite possibly the most breathtaking ambient album ever made. The kind of record when at its best moments will easily induce goosebumps, 'Harmony' navigates you through the most beautiful places within your memories and subconscious. This is what I imagine 'life flashing before your eyes' must feel like; the soundtrack to a slide show of the human soul.

"Psychedelic".."Drone"..."Space Rock". Call it what you will, this is good stuff. The opening track finds a Neil Young grunge riff buried under a synth bed of swarming mosquitoes. Uniquely haunting music.

Yup, more great ambient music. Easily one of the year's best records, 'Refinement' is an album that equally emphasizes not only the layered sounds but the gaps of silence in between, and succeeds in creating one of the most cinematic pieces of music I've ever heard.

And while we're on the subject of the break-up record...Dylan wrote this collection of confessional songs soon after his divorce with Sara Lowndes. Sure it's an obvious pick that's been in a million different 'best of' lists, but Blood On The Tracks really is one of the greatest albums ever recorded, and the last true masterpiece in Dylan's sprawling catalog of work.

one of the best records of the 90's. Grossly underrated.

One of the most influential bands in the history of modern "indie" rock. Featuring aural guitar riffs beyond dreamy, On Fire is a fluffy cloud of pure bliss to float you through nostalgic blue summer skies.

From crunchy power-pop ('Hewlett's Daughter'), to downright haunting lyrics backed by melodically moody synths, bleeping sounds of dying robots, and the gorgeously sweeping harmonies of what seem to be an angel's voice ('Jed The Humanoid'), 'Sophtware Slump' showcases Jason Lytle's knack for penning bittersweet songs about longing for a thing or place that no longer exists.

The best of all the Wu classics, featuring one of the sharpest members of the group effortlessly laying down lyrics over Rza's other-worldly beats. A MUST have for anybody even remotely interested in Hip-hop.

Krush has released several excellent records. Zen is a wise place to start.

My favorite piece of music to come out of Iceland yet. YES, that IS what i'm insinuating...Sigur who?

BEAUTIFUL.