My Top 10 Favorite Guilty Pleasure CDs
By Nate Seltenrich
The end of each calendar year invariably ushers in an onslaught of Top 10 lists from a variety of media outlets.
I've opted for a very different sort of Top 10 list, one that has absolutely nothing to do with last year, this year, or any other year. Behold my Top 10 Favorite Guilty Pleasure CDs of all time:
10. Third Eye Blind, Self-Titled: I hardly listen to this album any more, but I remember liking it a few years ago. I've even seen them twice in concert and own a 3EB t-shirt!
9. Matthew Sweet, "100% Fun:" Say what you will about Matthew Sweet. Some like him a lot, and some think he's lame. Regardless, this is a fun album that's packed with some sweet rock and roll.
8. Elastica, Self-Titled: Somehow this pop-punk quartet made their way into my collection about seven years ago. Even more curious is the fact that I still keep them around.
7. Zebrahead, "Waste of Mind:" I saw this rap-infused rock group at Warped Tour a few years back and thought they were awful. That doesn't change the fact that I own one of their albums and listen to it frequently.
6. EMF, "Schubert Dip:" Although this album is far from "unbelievable," EMF, made up of four teenage boys from England, sure knows how to write catchy, short, synthesized pop songs about girls. Best boy band ever!
5. Goldfinger, "Hang-Ups:" In this, Goldfinger's second album, the music is boring and the obsessive lyrics are depressing. But for some reason, I like it.
4. Creed, "My Own Prison:" Music critics aren't supposed to like Creed, and publicly I don't either. Privately, I think this album rocks.
3. Nada Surf, "High/Low:" Although "Popular" was a big hit, the rest of the album wasn't so fortunate. Those of us who bought High/Low were treated to another nine quirky yet enjoyable alternative rock tracks.
2. Tripping Daisy, "I am an Elastic Firecracker:" Tripping Daisy are so weird it's beautiful. Furthermore, they are talented musicians and songwriters. This album is greatly unique and uniquely great from start to finish.
1. Jimmy Eat World, "Bleed American:" This is a really solid album, whether you'll admit it or not. Although I liked a lot more before it became an MTV staple and the band members became gods to throngs of shrieking girls, I can't deny its quality.