Top 10 of My First 35

For those of you who know me personally, you know that music is what makes my world go 'round. In honor of my birthday, here are the most influential albums of my first 3-1/2 decades on this earth.

I heard once that we stop seeking new music by the age of 30, so I vowed to myself then that I'd never stop exploring new sounds and genres so it's an eclectic list, ranging from Nashville Sound to international hip hop, but they all have one thing in common -- these are the albums I come back to again and again.

With some artists, I struggled to narrow it down to just one album so I chose my favorite from that artist but the remainder were left off. Honorable mentions would go to Ryan Adams' Demolition, Michael Franti & Spearhead's All Rebel Rockers, as well as some newer albums that haven't been around long enough to make the cut -- such as Rend Collective's Art of Celebration.

So here they are, in no particular order, along with a couple of my favorite tracks.

Ryan Adams -- Cold Roses
I struggled to pick just one Ryan Adams album. He's long been a favorite of mine, from the more alt-country Heartbreaker to this album, which has a more '70s rock and roll vibe. My favorite tracks include Beautiful Sorta and Easy Plateau.

Postal Service -- Give Up
This one feels almost a little cliche to include, but it's probably for a reason -- it's a damn good album. From beginning to end, it's nearly perfectly crafted and years later, it still gets played regularly around here.

The Head and The Heart -- Self titled
I can't remember how I came across The Head and The Heart, but this album quickly became a favorite. Dual male/female vocals and harmonies that are perfection are a surefire way to win me over. Rivers and Roads still gets played nearly on the daily.

Michael Franti & Spearhead -- Yell Fire!
Let me just tell you right off, I'm fairly obsessed with MF. In my adult years, he's been an influential musician and thinker in my life. On first listen, some of his music is fairly fluff-filled, but much of it's political and thought-provoking. One of my favorite stanzas ever is in Hey Now Now.

"Be who you are nothing more nothing less, and let the beauty that you love be the very best
Sing praises to the highest with your feet on the ground, and reach to your brother with the words that you sound, and don't let mistakes be so monumental, and don't let your love be so confidential, and don't let your man be so darn judgmental, and please let your heart be more influential
Be thankful for all that the spirit provides, and be thankful for all you see without eyes, and be thankful for the music that keeps us alive, and give thanks to earl DJs worldwide"

Beautiful, moving and basically how I live my life. Can't get better than thought-provoking dance music, in my opinion.

Neko Case & Her Boyfriends -- Furnace Room Lullaby
Probably one of the darker, more complex albums on the list, but as a vocalist myself, Neko Case is where it's at. It's a beautiful combination of haunting vocals and gut-wrenching content. Set Out Running is one I'm sure my neighbors hear me belting on the regular, but South Tacoma Way is by far my favorite. For reasons unknown, it always brings my uncle, who passed away several years ago, to mind. As a fellow lover of music, I am sure he would have loved this album too.

Bob Marley -- Exodus
Does this one even need an explanation? I mean, it's Bob. One Love/People Get Ready is my favorite track. Lyrically beautiful and always moves me.

"Let's get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One Love!)
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One Song!)
Have pity on those whose chances grows thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation"

K'NAAN -- Country, God or the Girl
Fair warning -- don't listen to the unedited version with kids. Just don't. K'NAAN is another artist who's been influential on me in my adult years -- he's a Muslim, former Somali refugee who now calls Canada home. He's continually expanding my world view. His Insta is a great follow, as well. One of my favorite tracks on this album is Sleep When We Die feat. Keith Richards. The video to Hurt Me Tomorrow is just brilliant.

Mike Doughty -- Haughty Melodic
Mike Doughty first came onto my radar when I was 12 years old, when I first heard Soul Coughing's Get on to the Bus. I was hooked. It's weird. It's erratic. It's musical brilliance. The weirdness has subsided at least some thanks to MD leaving the smack behind, but his brilliance remains. I had the great joy of seeing Mike play in a living room in front of just 50 of us here in Omaha a couple of years ago and it was well worth the 20+ year wait to finally see him. Hear the Bells is one of my favorites from this album, but really, pretty much anything he writes, I love.

Kay Hanley -- Cherry Marmalade
Kay Hanley is another one I've had my eye on for much of my life. I saw Letters to Cleo play 21 years ago and spent some time backstage with Kay afterward. Thus, a musical love affair was born. This album is especially one I love to play when it begins to get chilly outside and the leaves start changing colors. Faded Dress is probably my favorite track of the album, but Happy to be Here is just FUN, hearkening back to to Letters to Cleo days.

Roger Miller -- His Greatest Songs
Roger Miller is a holdover from my childhood. I don't remember ever going on a road trip without listening to Roger. I love all of it, but his rendition of Me and Bobby McGee has grown on me more and more as I've gotten older. I couldn't find the exact album that I own, purchased two decades ago at Walmart in their bargain CD section, but Walkin' in the Sunshine is always worth a listen too. I can't imagine anyone could be in a bad mood while listening to it.

There we have it -- the top 10 albums of my first 35 years. Have a favorite album you think I'd love? Link to it in the comments!