Opinion: Exploring Three Timeless Albums: An Essential Listening Experience

Within the enormous realm of music, albums are timeless due to their capture of a distinct sound or feeling that appeals to listeners beyond genre lines. As a major fan of music from the 1980s to 1990s, I’ve discovered that I appreciate this era so much because of its vibrant permanence in musical evolution. In light of this, I want to discuss three albums that, in my opinion, have distinguished themselves via their originality, passion, and influence. While diverse in style, they each offer something special within their eras and are absolutely worth a listen.

Silver (1994) – Starflyer 59

Silver is the debut album by Starflyer 59, an indie band that pioneered the shoegaze and dream pop genres in the mid-’90s. This album is extraordinarily heavy and drowning, I could almost even describe it as humid, with layers of reverb-drenched guitar and evocative vocals. Truly, an incredible wall of sound that’s immersive through its blends of raw emotion and distorted instrumentation. 

One of my personal favorites from the album is track 6, “Second Space Song,” which perfectly captures the versatility of sensation heard throughout. This track is possessive, pushy and light on its feet in brief bursts. I particularly admire multiplexes like this. The album’s ambiance is ideal for reflective listening, delivering solace in its solemn tones; a distinctive auditory experience.

Make Yourself (1999) – Incubus 

With the 1999 release of Make Yourself, Incubus marked a turning point in their career by moving from their previous funk-metal sound to a more polished and reflective alt-rock style. Such a transition is what personally makes this one of my favorite albums. It’s aggressively introspective in a hard-hitting and thought-provoking way.

For years, my favorite tracks off of Make Yourself have always been “Privilege” and “Nowhere Fast”. These songs are a surprise of loud intensity. Their openings are all I could possibly want—a breathtaking burst of noise that comes out of nowhere and it is both eager and restless. In my opinion, they perfectly capture the essence of Make Yourself’s philosophy which is introspective and experimental and fuses powerful musicianship with relatable concepts.

Himnos Del Corazón (1984) – Los Abuelos De La Nada 

Entering the realm of Latin Rock, Himnos Del Corazón eloquently encapsulates the essence of the rock scene in Argentina throughout the 1980s. This album is full of contagious energy and a sense of playfulness. This Album’s bubbly sound mixed with prominent aspects of 80s rock makes it more of a blend of pop and new-wave among the underlying rock sound that is carried. 

“Mil Horas,” the sixth track, is my absolute favorite. Its lyrics are impatient and frantic, which is noteworthy given how seductive and even mysterious the song sounds. It’s a very cool mix of emotion overtaken by its attractive tone, though I do feel this track is quite different from the rest of the lively, more high-spirited feel of the album as a whole (…but that is why it is my favorite).

These albums offer a diverse listening experience that cuts across time and genre. Whether you’re searching for the lively, eclectic energy of Latin music, the atmospheric sounds of shoegaze, or the introspective strength of alternative rock, if you’re looking for something new to add to your next listening session, give these records a spin.