Cangrejero’s Ten Most Important Albums from High School
Inspired by this article, I’ve compiled the 10 most important albums from high school, which for me was 1991-1995. That article made me realize that the metal I listened to in the early part of high school which I thought was "hardcore" was really just a more effective billboard announcing my nerdiness to the world than even my TI-85.
10) "Weezer" by Weezer
This album came out at the perfect time, really. While I had in no way moved past my nerdiness, I was just becoming self-aware as to what a nerd I was, which pretty much is what this record was: nerdy navel gazing. I was obsessed with girls, much like the lyrics of most songs on the record. Also, the simple chord structures of every song on this record were really easy to learn to play on guitar. Also, my little brother gave me this CD for Christmas, and the first song on the record references the singer’s little brother. A silly connection to be sure, but I cherish any gift from my little bro and that line made it even more special.
9) "Velvet Underground and Nico" by The Velvet Underground
I discovered this gem during my sophomore year and was instantly entranced by it’s strange time signatures, exotic sounds, and lyrics that confused the fuck out of me that I pretended to understand. This record helped me understand that music didn’t have to be standard guitar rock to be awesome.
"The Low End Theory" by A Tribe Called Quest
An awesome record that I listened to way too much. Not much else to say.
7) "Bandwagonesque" by Teenage Fanclub
This record came out the same year that "Nevermind" did, it makes the list for introducing me to the Big Star/Beach Boys influenced sound that I love absolutely to this day. Began the process of waking me up from silly metal fueled depression and brought me closer to "why don’t girls like me? My mom says I’m handsome." angst/loserdom. A classic that I love to this day. Finally seeing them play in 2005 was a real dream come true, a night I’ll never forget.
6) "Persistence of Time" by Anthrax
Aaaah, now we’re talking! Themes of loneliness and Isolation? Check. Crazy fast Heavy Metal Riffs? Check. Castrati singer? Check. I don’t understand how anyone had a freshman year without this record blasting in the background the whole time.
5) "In God We Trust Inc./ Plastic Surgery Disasters" by The Dead Kennedys
Fuck Yeah! This is what I’m talking about! Hardcore punk rock at its finest. Super political lyrics that I also didn’t really get until years later. Just hardcore from start to finish. One of the few records which gets better and better over the years.
4) "Scumdogs of the Universe" by GWAR
Came for the thrash metal sound and Power Ranger Villain looking monstrous costumes, but stayed for the clever humor and WTF quality of the lyrics. Quickly subscribed to the self-righteousness displayed in the lyrics of "Slaughterama" and haven’t looked back. 
3) "In Your Face" by Fishbone
True story: I had recently been dumped and I was hanging out at the Mission Valley Starcade playing some Shfighta while Rob was on a double date with his girlfriend and the girl who dumped me and her new boyfriend. (Thanks for bein’ a pal, Rob.) I went to the Record Exchange (back when it was where the Quizno’s is now) and started looking around. I found a tape with a song called "I wish I had a date" on it and bought it right away. It was Fishbone’s classic ska record. My first exposure to the music which gets me dancin’ every time to this day. I think I listened to this record every day for like 3 or 4 years. Seriously.
2) "Where You Been?" by Dinosaur Jr.
It was crap like Anthrax and Megadeth which inspired me to buy a guitar, but this record is the reason I learned to play it. This record is the perfect bisector between Dinosaur Jr’s early noise period and their later melodic period. Explosive guitar solos which J Mascis said were inspired by "Earthquakes" and moody introspective lyrics. Still one of my all time faves, and probably should be number one on this list, as it was the soundtrack to some of the most memorable years of my life. Still, for overall importance, you can’t beat:
1) "Complete Discography" by Minor Threat.
Goddamn, what a record! I remember spending all of high school wishing I had been 18 in the year 1981 so I could have seen Minor Threat play. The opening to "Filler" still gives me goose bumps when I hear it, and if I play this record in the car, I simply have to shout the lyrics at the top of my lungs. This is the record that truly made me the self-righteous asshole I was back then, and partially remain to this day.
Honorable mentions:
"Speak English or Die" by SOD
"Cypress Hill" by Cypress Hill
"Ribbed" by NOFX
"God Fodder" by Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
"Operation Ivy" by Operation Ivy
"Nevermind" by Nirvana
"Disintegration" by The Cure
"Wish" by The Cure
"Born to Quit" by The Smoking Popes
"Suicidal Tendencies" by Suicidal Tendencies
"Damaged" by Black Flag
"Somery" by Descendants
What are your most important High School Records? I’d love to know. Tell me in the comments (or better yet) post it to your blog. C’mon, navel gaze with me, it’ll be fun!
