10 Albums I Want My Kid to Hear

Due to a lacking of great music interest in my good old mom and dad, it is only in recent years that great classics have finally reaching my ears. This is an error I am determined to rectify. So I have put together a list of albums my son (or daughter) will be indoctrinated with. They are roughly in chronological order.

1) Yo Yo Ma - Bach Cello Suites
This album was 10 dollars for 35 songs, one of the best investments I have made. It will give you a new appreciation for the cello.
Album Favorite: Prelude from Cello Suite 1 in G Major

2) Andre Watts - The Chopin Recital
If you haven't spent a day listening to nothing but Chopin, you need to.
Album Favorite: Etude in E Major, Opus 10

3) Ennio Morricone - Soundtrack to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
I had to put a soundtrack on here. I almost put the Motion Picture Soundtrack to Narnia, which is phenomenal all the way through. But the classics take precedence. These songs are familiar to everyone, and there's a very good reason - they're amazing. Everyone has paid tribute to Ennio Morricone, from Celine Dion to Metallica. He is one of the greatest film composers of all time, and would have to be appreciated by my kid.
Album Favorite: L'estasi Dell'oro (The Ecstasy Of Gold)

4) David Bowie - The Best of Bowie
This is the most recent member of my musical hall of fame. Anything from Queen would also do, but Bowie is a lot less controversial. Sure, David Bowie has those scenes in the Labyrinth with his skin-tight-pants-induced bulge, but that's about it. I chose this album because the music of David Bowie retains strong and inventive melodies, while continuing to break free of conventions.
Album Favorite: Space Oddity

5) U2 - Joshua Tree
I know U2 of late has a much different image, but this album is fantastic. Every song is incredible. I doubt I'll the day when "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" comes on the radio and I change the station.
Album Favorite: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

6) Squirrel Nut Zippers - Perennial Favorites
What would this list be without a little bit of Pre-Ska? Great instrumentation and a very unique sound. Call me overly fascinated with horns, which is probably true, but this album is fantastic. For this slot, Cake's Fashion Nugget is also a great album, and failed to make the list solely because it's marked Explicit.
Album Favorite: The Suits are Picking Up The Bill

7) Chris Thile - Not All Who Wander are Lost
This all-instrumental album is a ridiculous example of bluegrass taken to its limits. The melodies are gorgeous and, even more important to musical theory nerds like myself, all span multiple key and time signatures. Club G.R.O.S.S. is a great example of newgrass, while Eureka!'s time signatures are almost impossible to follow.
Album Favorite: Eureka!

8) Arcade Fire - Funeral
Funeral is an amazing and challenging album, and although it's an acquired taste (the vocals are... unique) the compositions are genius. Easily one of my favorite albums of all time.
Album Favorite: Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)

9) Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
Do I need to justify this one? Sufjan Stevens is a song writing god. His lyrics, instrumentation, honesty, and touch of minimalism is a blissful music experience. I've cried more than once, and not because the song was sad.
Album Favorite: The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us!

10) John Mayer - Where the Light Is
I never truly appreciated John Mayer until I heard this album. He steals the spirit of Stevie Ray but retains his own unique touch. The first third is acoustic, the second third is the John Mayer Trio and the final portion is full band. He breaks out into a slow blues in front of a crowd of thousands, most of whom would be unlikely to appreciate such music otherwise. Somehow he remains in the popular spotlight while still bringing great music to the masses, which rarely happens in that genre*.
Album Favorite: Slow Dancing In A Burning Room
*strongly opinionated statement with no defensible reason.

Honorable Mentions:
- Cake: Fashion Nugget
- Harry Gregson-Williams: Soundtrack to The Chronicles of Narnia
- Harry Gregson-Williams: Soundtrack to Spy Game
- Sigur Ros: Takk
- Iron and Wine / Calexico: In The Reigns EP
- The Beatles: Abbey Road


That's my List, what's yours?? Controversial and over opinionated comments welcome.