We’re back with another installment of our desert island series! In case you missed the first one, we’re launching a new monthly series where our team plays a game of desert island with different favorites. This month, we’re chatting music. If you were stranded on a desert island, what five albums would you take? Check out our team’s answers!
Taylor’s picks:
Elton John – Greatest Hits
Elton baby. He’s my guy. I never tire of him. I found a $5 LP of this album and I listen to it weekly. All his good songs.
Almost Famous Soundtrack
One of my favorite movies and also favorite soundtracks. “America,” “Simple Man,” and “Tiny Dancer” are top songs for me, but that’s hard cause I love them all!
Elliott Smith – Figure 8
All of the Elliott Smith albums are near and dear to my heart. I was massively obsessed with him in middle school and saw him perform around four times. I’ll never forget seeing him at The Bottom of The Hill in San Francisco in the early ’90s. This album in particular brings back memories of this period in my life where I was super into indie music and going to underground concerts with friends. The song “Somebody That I Used To Know” ironically now makes me think of those sweet friends who aren’t in my life anymore and what a special time that was.
Sara Bareilles – Little Voice
This may seem random compared to others on the list, but I love female singer/songwriters and this is another album that came at a time in my life when I really needed it. I was dealing with massive heart break and figuring out who I was as a woman. I found this album very restorative.
No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom
When I first discovered Gwen Stefani and No Doubt I was immediately smitten. She was so cool and her voice was fresh. I was a big Debbie Harry Blondie fan and Gwen fit right in with that vibe. It’s a ’90s album that everyone can remember with fondness, for sure.
Sam’s Picks:
Queen – A Night At The Opera
Freddie Mercury is my one true love. There is no one greater, in my opinion. This Queen album shaped me. Yes, it has Bohemian Rhapsody on it, but it is really beautiful from beginning to end.
Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
I grew up on Elton John, but especially this album. I still remember the artwork on the CD case when I’d take it out and put it into the giant CD changer my parents had. For some reason, we always listened to it after dinner when we were cleaning up and hanging out before bed. Elton goes full glam in this album and it still makes my heart sing.
Dolly Parton – Coat Of Many Colors
If Freddie is my number-one guy, Dolly is my number-one gal. I love that honky tonk angel so much and this album is just classic Dolly.
David Bazan – Strange Negotiations
I know the majority of you won’t know who this is, but this is one of my favorite albums of all time. I had a hard time choosing from Bazan’s catalog, but this album is poetic. Plus, my husband and I had our first date to one of his shows so he has a special place in my heart.
Nas – Illmatic
This is the great rap album of all time, don’t @ me. It is rhythmic perfection and encompasses everything great about hip hop.
Wendy’s Picks:
Taylor Swift – Red
I love myself an album of good love songs! This album is pure romance nostalgia in all of the right ways.
Tove Lo – Queen of the Clouds
This album is filled with highs and low, and incredible beats. It’s entertaining and thought-provoking.
Ellie Goulding – Delirium
This album made me fall in love with Ellie Goulding.
The Distillers – Coral Fang
I’ve been listening to this album since I was a kid, and I’ll continue listening to it for the rest of my life.
Lana Del Rey – Born to Die
Lana Del Rey has been my obsession ever since this album came out. When I’m feeling down, I put this album on and sing along.
Nicole’s Picks:
Simon & Garfunkel – The Concert in Central Park
I can (and have) listened to this album over and over again. The songs are some of the best from Simon & Garfunkel, and I love that it was recorded at a free benefit concert in Central Park. You can totally feel the energy from the crowd.
Radiohead – OK, Computer
Listening to this album brings back so many college and post-college memories, both good and bad, but it remains one of my favorite of all time.
Forrest Gump – Forrest Gump The Soundtrack
“Forrest Gump” is a great movie, but one of the main reasons why I keep watching it when it’s on tv, is the music. It’s literally one great song after the other.
Fleetwood Mac – The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m more of a “greatest hits”-type of girl, as it’s always so difficult for me to pick and choose just one album to listen to from my favorite artists. This one doesn’t disappoint.
R.E.M. – In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003
“Man on the Moon,” “Nightswimming,” “At My Most Beautiful,” the list goes on and on for why I can listen to this album on repeat.
Evalyn’s Picks
The Killers – Hot Fuss
I have the physical copy of this CD in my car and we always end up listening to it on a road trip. Also Mr. Brightside = extreme nostalgia.
Beyoncé – Beyoncé
I remember being in my senior year in college living in a house of eight girls and we literally watched the entirety of the videos of all the songs from start to finish without getting up off the couch for hours. When they finished, we all sat in the dark speechless. Clearly Beyoncé is such an inspiration to women everywhere, but it was so cool to collectively feel that as a group of women in such a pivotal time of our lives.
Remember the Titans Soundtrack
My sister and I would make home movies to this soundtrack I love all the ’70s jams, they still never get old!
Frank Ocean – Channel Orange
I got to see Frank Ocean perform live the year this album came out and he gave me chills. I love that this album has a song for every mood and just love listening to his angelic voice.
Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
My parents always listened to Fleetwood Mac when I was growing up so they kind of are the soundtrack to my childhood. Plus, I named my cat Stevie Nicks as she is an icon herself.
